RO127040B1 - Process and flexible tubing for collecting accidentally leaking petroleum products - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a process and a flexible tubing intended to collect accidentally leaking pressurized petroleum products from a transport pipeline in case of breaking or cracking thereof, in order to stop uncontrolled escape of said fluids into the environment, thereby limiting the effects of pollution and losses. According to the invention, the process consists in replacing a portion of the faulty pipeline by a flexible tubing made of some strips, lengthwise connected to one another by some zip fasteners, ensuring protection against fluid entering or leaking from the tubing. The tubing, as claimed by the invention, consists of a number of strips () having along their longitudinal sides some zipper cogs () which permit the joining thereof by means of some zip fasteners (), said strips being fixed on a faulty pipeline () by means of some sealing clamps () to generate the flexible tubing, while, at the other end, there is a rigid connection union () coupled to a fluid pump () which is able to create a negative pressure in the flexible tubing system to reduce the amount of fluid discharged into the environment and take over the entire amount of pressurized fluid () from the faulty pipeline ().

Description

The invention relates to a method for capturing accidental leaks of petrochemical products, under pressure, from pipes carrying these products, in the event of their rupture or cracking, for various reasons, and to a sealed and flexible piping, related to which intervenes in order to stop the uncontrolled discharge of those fluids into the environment, limiting the effects of pollution and losses.

Methods and devices are known for controlling and capturing accidental oil spills by freezing the affected portion of the pipeline (GB 1601462, US 4396031 and US 4203472).

Also known is a method and a device for preventing leakage from pipes, from GB 1601462. The known method consists in applying a coolant to the various part of the pipe by means of a sleeve mounted around the pipe.

US 4203472 A is also known, which discloses a device and a method for stopping leaks, which consists in applying a coolant to the damaged part of the pipe through a device provided with radial pipes.

Also disclosed in US Pat. No. 4396031 A is a method of controlling pipe leaks by cooling the pipe.

WO 2009100450 A1 is also known, which discloses a method of preventing leakage from pipes by bandaging the damaged portion.

JP 2001056086 A is also known, which discloses a leak prevention pipe in a pipe, consisting of a textile cover, fixed around the pipe by means of a zipper.

The method and the flexible piping for capturing accidental leaks according to the invention have the following advantages:

- it is suitable as a quick intervention solution, to stop discharges from broken or cracked pipes, while allowing, at the same time, the direction of the taken in fluids, to a storage tank, possibly with the help of a pump;

- the taken-up fluids can be directed under controlled pressure conditions, being transported to the recovery tank, without being contaminated with water, no longer being necessary for their subsequent separation (in case of underwater damage);

- it is a solution that can be extremely useful in equipping the intervention teams in anti-pollution operations in the petrochemical industry, drilling rigs, oil tankers, etc., in case of uncontrolled leaks;

- it is a solution to stop accidental, uncontrolled discharges, which allows the continuation of the operation of the installations, without interrupting the flow of fluid transported through the damaged pipe;

- compared to the classic solutions for blocking the cracks, regardless of the shape of the rupture, the nature and temperature of the leaking fluid, the solution can be put into practice, it is not necessary to act directly on the cracks, for blocking or connecting operations. in much safer conditions;

- the zippers are joined at a safe distance from the damaged area, after which they can be completely closed, by towing the zippers remotely, independently or simultaneously, until the system becomes a tube through which the captured fluid will pass. ;

- the diameter of the collector flexible pipe can be adjusted according to the diameter of the damaged pipe, by combining the different widths of the strips, generating, by closing the zippers, a pipe capable of ensuring intervention in the damaged pipes, regardless of their diameter and discharge pressure.

RO 127040 Β1

An embodiment of the invention is shown below in connection with 1 FIG. 1 ... 7, which represent:

- fig. 1, view of a flexible pipe, applied over a damaged pipe, in the incipient phase 3 of closing the zippers, having mounted a fixing and sealing collar;

- fig. 2, view of a flexible reinforced rubber band, provided, on the 5 sides, with a closure system, zipper type;

- fig. 3 is a view of a system consisting of several strips, joined together by closing, in different stages, with zippers;

- fig. 4, view of a strip system, positioned under a damaged pipe, system 9 prepared to be folded on its body;

- fig. 5 is a view of a flexible pipe, in the intermediate closing phase of the 11 zippers, having both fastening and sealing collars applied, connected, through a connection, to a network provided with a pump;

- fig. 6, view of a flexible pipe, in the advanced phase of closing the zippers, two zippers completely closed and the third zipper close to complete closing;

- fig. 7, view of a flexible pipe, in the situation of its closure on the body of a longitudinally cracked pipe (unbroken pipe) .17

The method for capturing accidental leaks of petrochemicals under pressure according to the invention consists in mounting a flexible pipe on a damaged pipe 19, in which there is a fluid under pressure p, and which is made of a number z of strips 1, having on both longitudinal sides some zipper teeth 2 (for example, zipper 21 Liquid Tight), at the end of which, after joining all the zippers 2, on a portion of the damaged pipe A, a sealing collar 3 is mounted, thus generating flexible piping 23. The strips 1 are joined together by means of zippers 4, the movement of which is carried out by towing, in a usual manner, even by hand, 25 flexible elements 5, consisting of cable or chain, which can be operated independently or simultaneously, in the latter case, they can be connected to each other with a usual connection system. 27 the closing of the zippers 2 is performed independently or simultaneously and determines the directed drainage of the discharged fluid, from the damaged pipe A to the undamaged portion of the pipe, 29 by covering the damaged portion and by longitudinal joint, and the sealing is done by fixing the collars 3. 31

Drainage is controlled by mounting pressure gauges, to indicate pressure and depression in the system, valves, drainage and a pump 7, to create a 33 depression in the flexible piping system, so that the flow of products is directed to the desired area. 35

The strips 1 may be made of rubber with a fiber insert and / or a strong metal insert.

Flexible piping, for capturing accidental leaks, according to the invention, fig. 37 1, is mounted on a damaged pipe A, in which there is a fluid under pressure p, and consists of a number z of strips 1, which have, on both longitudinal sides, some teeth of 39 zippers 2 (for example , Liquid Tight zipper), at the end of which, after joining all the zippers on a portion of the damaged pipe A, a sealing collar 3, 41 is arranged, thus generating the flexible tubing. The strips 1 are joined together by means of zippers 4, the movement of which is effected by towing in a usual manner 43, even manually, flexible elements 5, cable or chain, which can be operated independently or simultaneously. , in the latter case, they can be connected to each other with a usual connection system.

Strips 1 can have different lengths and widths, depending on the size of the pipe A, 47 and its failure (fig. 2), and has at the ends some areas a and b, on which it is fixed to the pipe A, by means of sealing collars 3. 49

RO 127040 Β1

Several strips 1, in different stages of assembly with each other, in order to form the flexible tubing, are shown in fig. 3.

the beginning of the fixing to the pipe A, of several strips 1, partially assembled together, fig.

3 is shown in FIG. 4.

in fig. 5, the strips 1 are joined in zone a, and in zone b, the strips 2 are still open, but both ends are fixed with a pipe collar 3 A, the fluid under pressure 7 p can still discharge into the environment, for which reason , at the end of zone b of the strips 1, there is mounted a rigid connection connection 6, the fixing being made 9 with the collar 3, a connection that can be further coupled to a fluid pump 7, which will make, in the system flexible tubing created, a depression, reducing the amount of fluid discharged 11 in this area, reducing the tensile force in the connection 6, thus allowing the complete closure of the zippers and in area b, thus taking over the entire amount of fluid under pressure 13 p from damaged pipe A.

Claims (2)

Claims 1 1. Process for the capture of accidental spills of petrochemical or other products under pressure from pipes carrying such products, in the event of their rupture or cracking, for various reasons, characterized in that on a 5 damaged pipe (A ) in which there is a fluid under pressure (p), a flexible tubing is fitted, which closes gradually and which is made of rubber strips (1), longitudinal, 7 joined together by means of zipper closures (4), which are fixed to the pipe (A), at one or both ends, by a collar (3), making the seal 9 on the pipe, and whose closure is achieved by towing, by mechanical means or manually, of flexible elements (5), made of cable or chain, which can be operated independently or simultaneously, directing the free flow of the products to a pump (7) mounted on the damaged pipe (A) and stopping the overflow. 13 2. Flexible piping for the accidental discharge of petrochemical or other pressurized products from pipelines carrying these 15 products, in the event of their rupture or cracking, for various reasons, characterized in that they are made of strips (1 ) of rubber, longitudinal, joined together by means of zippers (4), which are fixed to the pipe (A), at one or both ends, by a collar (3) and the closure of which is carried out by some 19 flexible elements (5), made of cable or chain.