WO1994023853A1 - Line cleaning system and measurement - Google Patents
Line cleaning system and measurement Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- WO1994023853A1 WO1994023853A1 PCT/GB1994/000792 GB9400792W WO9423853A1 WO 1994023853 A1 WO1994023853 A1 WO 1994023853A1 GB 9400792 W GB9400792 W GB 9400792W WO 9423853 A1 WO9423853 A1 WO 9423853A1
- Authority
- WO
- WIPO (PCT)
- Prior art keywords
- line
- bore
- tube
- camera
- debris
- Prior art date
Links
Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B08—CLEANING
- B08B—CLEANING IN GENERAL; PREVENTION OF FOULING IN GENERAL
- B08B5/00—Cleaning by methods involving the use of air flow or gas flow
- B08B5/02—Cleaning by the force of jets, e.g. blowing-out cavities
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G01—MEASURING; TESTING
- G01B—MEASURING LENGTH, THICKNESS OR SIMILAR LINEAR DIMENSIONS; MEASURING ANGLES; MEASURING AREAS; MEASURING IRREGULARITIES OF SURFACES OR CONTOURS
- G01B11/00—Measuring arrangements characterised by the use of optical techniques
- G01B11/22—Measuring arrangements characterised by the use of optical techniques for measuring depth
Definitions
- This invention relates to a line cleaning and measurement system, and more particularly to a system for the cleaning and measurement of instrument lines, ie tubular lines having an internal bore through which an instrument may be inserted.
- a problem caused by the presence of debris in instrument lines is the mislocation of instrument probes during their insertion.
- a conventional method of locating probes is to feed a probe down an instrument line until it can go no further. In situations where debris is present in the line the probe may stop short of the instrument pocket and thereby, upon plant start up, provide information to the plant operators from the wrong location, with potentially disastrous consequences.
- a method for cleaning the inner surface of a heat exchanger tube is described in British Patent Specification No. 1,103,488 in which a pressurised fluid, supplied from a tube located within the heat exchanger tube, is deflected against the inner surface of the heat exchanger tube in a direction concurrent with the flow of fluid through the heat exchanger tube so as to carry away material removed from the inner surface. Such a system, however, is incapable of clearing curved lines.
- European Patent Application No. 0 029 980 discloses an apparatus for clearing debris from a drilled cavity by blowing pressurised gas into the cavity and removing the ejected debris by suction. However, this apparatus would be ineffective for clearing tubular lines.
- a method for the removal of debris and other unwanted matter from the bore of a blind tubular line to be cleaned including inserting an elongate tube into the bore of the line, injecting a compressed gas through the elongate tube and extracting by suction from the end of the line at which the tube enters the line debris and other unwanted matter from the gap between the tube and the inner wall of the line.
- blind tubular line includes tubular lines which terminate with a blank end or a pocket as well as tubular lines which are temporarily blanked off, for example by the insertion of a body, such as a bung or a probe, into the line.
- a body such as a bung or a probe
- the blind end comprises a pocket
- a further member eg a measurement transducer may be carried in the pocket.
- the tube is inserted into the line through an applicator having an attachment which is attached to a corresponding attachment on an end of the line, the applicator also having an outlet through which said debris and other unwanted matter is extracted.
- a source of compressed gas is connected to the free end of the tube, the source being switchable whereby gas may be injected when required by an operator.
- a suction pump is connected to the outlet of the applicator, the suction pump being switchable whereby debris and other matter may be extracted when required by an operator.
- the tubular line to be cleaned may be an instrument line and, in particular, a thermocouple line.
- Such an instrument line may terminate in an instrument pocket having a reduced average diameter.
- the tube may terminate in a reduced average diameter portion having an external diameter less than the internal diameter of the instrument pocket, the reduced diameter portion of the tube being insertable into the instrument pocket.
- the tube is slidably located within the line by means of a resilient packing member contained within the applicator.
- the method includes manipulating the tube within the line so as to dislodge the debris and other matter into the gap between the tube and the line in order that the debris and other matter may be removed by suction.
- the compressed gas pressure may be less than or equal to 150 psi (1.03 x 10 6 Nm ⁇ 2 ) .
- the method of the invention may include the steps of attaching the applicator to the tubular line, inserting the elongate tube into the bore of the line, passing compressed gas down the tube so as to dislodge the debris and other unwanted matter inside the bore of the line, activating the suction pump connected to the outlet of the applicator, manipulating the tube within the bore of the line so as to direct the debris and other matter into the gap between the tube and the bore of the line so that the debris and other matter becomes carried by the suction- assisted gas flow, and removing the debris and other matter through the outlet of the applicator by suction.
- a method of measuring the length of the bore of a blind tubular line which includes the steps of removing debris from the line in accordance with the method of the first aspect described above, attaching a flexible elongate member to a camera insertible in the said bore in such a manner that an end portion of the said member can be detected by the said camera when the camera is moved along the said bore, moving the camera and the said member attached thereto along the said bore until the said member is detected by the camera to reach the blind end of the tubular bore, and measuring the length of the said elongate member which has been fed into the tubular line to reach the said blind end.
- the said elongate member may comprise wire, cable, tape, fibre or the like.
- the camera may be a closed circuit tv camera which may be attached via one or more suitable cables to an image processing unit and video display unit outside the said line so that a remote operator can observe the image detected inside the bore.
- the said elongate member may be attached to the camera by means of the said cable or cables.
- the said end portion of the elongate member may protrude beyond the camera viewing head to facilitate detection by the camera.
- the said camera may have an associated actuator device, eg including one or more stepper motors, which may be controlled remotely which provides movement of the camera along the bore.
- an associated actuator device eg including one or more stepper motors, which may be controlled remotely which provides movement of the camera along the bore.
- Figure 2 is, to an enlarged scale, part of the line cleaning system of Figure 1.
- a line cleaning system 10 comprising a 12mm diameter flexible tube 12 having one of its ends connected to a supply of compressed air (not shown) and its other end connected to a short length of 3mm diameter tube 14 via a diameter reducing means 16.
- the tube 12 is slidably located through a resilient packing member 18, the packing member 18 having been fitted into one end 20 of a pipe 22 having a branch 24.
- the other end 26 of the pipe 22 is connected to a flanged pipe 28 whilst the end 30 of the branch 24 is connected to a vacuum line 32, in turn connected to a vacuum pump (not shown).
- thermocouple line 38 The flange 34 of the flanged pipe 28 is aligned with and connected to a flange 36 of an thermocouple line 38, the thermocouple line 38 having an internal bore of 20mm.
- the thermocouple line 38 terminates in an thermocouple pocket 40 having a reduced diameter portion 42 of diameter 7mm into which a thermocouple probe (not shown) is locatable.
- the tube 12 passes through the packing member 18 and the pipe 22 into the thermocouple line 38 so that the tube 14 is locatable in the reduced diameter portion 42 of the thermocouple pocket 40.
- the tube 12 and the thermocouple line 38 together define an annulus 44 and the tube 14 and the portion 42 together define a further annulus 46.
- thermocouple line 39 Prior to operation of the system 10, a miniature closed circuit television (CCTV) inspection camera (not shown) is inserted into the thermocouple line 39 to establish whether any debris is present. If fine debris such as grinding dust, swarf, filings or fluid are present then the system may be used for their removal.
- CCTV closed circuit television
- the flanged pipe 28, with the branched pipe 22 attached to it, is connected to the flange 36 of the thermocouple line 38 and the vacuum line 32 is connected to the branch 24.
- the tube 12 is then fed through the packing member 18 and the pipe 22.
- the supply of compressed air is switched on and the air pressure is gradually increased towards a maximum of 150 psi (1.03 x 10 6 Nm ⁇ 2 ) .
- the tube 12 is then fed into the thermocouple line 38 thereby blowing all the loose debris to the bottom (as shown in the Figures) . Whilst the air is still blowing, the vacuum pump is switched on.
- the tube 12 is manipulated up and down within the line 38 in order to dislodge debris from the reduced diameter portion 42 of the thermocouple pocket 40.
- the line 38 is free from debris (by using the minature CCTV inspection camera as described above) , it is desirable to measure the length of the line 38.
- a nylon wire of a suitable length is attached to the umbilical of the CCTV camera (which provides power to the camera and passes detected signals to a remote monitor) in such a manner that the leading end of the wire protrudes beyond the camera head by approximately 100mm.
- the camera is again fed down the line 38 such that the leading end of the wire can be viewed by the camera to enter the reduced diameter portion 42 of the thermocouple pocket 40.
- the length of nylon wire which has been fed into the line 38 is then measured thereby providing a measurement of the length of the line 38. Trials have shown the length measurement to be accurate to about + 50mm for a 25m long line. This enables the thermocouple to be made to the correct length so that the thermocouple probe locates fully into the termocouple pocket 40.
Landscapes
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Cleaning In General (AREA)
- Investigating Materials By The Use Of Optical Means Adapted For Particular Applications (AREA)
Abstract
Description
Claims
Priority Applications (3)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
KR1019940704535A KR950701845A (en) | 1993-04-15 | 1994-04-15 | Line cleaning system and measurement |
JP6522907A JPH07508219A (en) | 1993-04-15 | 1994-04-15 | Pipe cleaning system and measurement |
EP94912619A EP0646050A1 (en) | 1993-04-15 | 1994-04-15 | Line cleaning system and measurement |
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
GB9307791.5 | 1993-04-15 | ||
GB939307791A GB9307791D0 (en) | 1993-04-15 | 1993-04-15 | A line cleaning system |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
WO1994023853A1 true WO1994023853A1 (en) | 1994-10-27 |
Family
ID=10733881
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
PCT/GB1994/000792 WO1994023853A1 (en) | 1993-04-15 | 1994-04-15 | Line cleaning system and measurement |
Country Status (5)
Country | Link |
---|---|
EP (1) | EP0646050A1 (en) |
JP (1) | JPH07508219A (en) |
KR (1) | KR950701845A (en) |
GB (1) | GB9307791D0 (en) |
WO (1) | WO1994023853A1 (en) |
Families Citing this family (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
JP4554649B2 (en) * | 2007-07-30 | 2010-09-29 | コリア プラント サービス アンド エンジニアリング カンパニー リミテッド | Stud bolt hole cleaning, inspection and damage history management system |
Citations (10)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US3897003A (en) * | 1974-02-19 | 1975-07-29 | Protectoseal Co | Blowout nozzle |
US3897604A (en) * | 1973-11-19 | 1975-08-05 | Gerald A Weimer | Apparatus and process for removing chips from blind holes |
DE2908004A1 (en) * | 1979-03-01 | 1980-09-04 | Herbert Nowotzin | Tool for removing swarf from blind holes - uses jet of air which returns through outer pipe surrounding jet pipe |
FR2494308A1 (en) * | 1980-11-14 | 1982-05-21 | Pechiney Aluminium | Cleaning openings in graphite parts, esp. baked anodes - using combined air blowing and suction device |
JPS6093318A (en) * | 1983-10-26 | 1985-05-25 | Mitsubishi Heavy Ind Ltd | Measuring device of layer thickness |
US4610005A (en) * | 1980-06-19 | 1986-09-02 | Dresser Industries, Inc. | Video borehole depth measuring system |
DE3604385A1 (en) * | 1986-02-12 | 1987-08-13 | Buschjost Gmbh & Co Fr | Apparatus for cleaning measuring lines |
DE8804070U1 (en) * | 1988-03-25 | 1988-08-11 | Industrie- und Schiffs-Service R. Gradewald oHG, 2000 Wedel | Device for removing residues from cavities in workpieces |
EP0489358A1 (en) * | 1990-12-03 | 1992-06-10 | Gustl Weggenmann | Process and apparatus for cleaning hollow water-cooled drums |
JPH0526653A (en) * | 1991-07-19 | 1993-02-02 | Japan Steel & Tube Constr Co Ltd | Inspecting device for pipe |
-
1993
- 1993-04-15 GB GB939307791A patent/GB9307791D0/en active Pending
-
1994
- 1994-04-15 WO PCT/GB1994/000792 patent/WO1994023853A1/en not_active Application Discontinuation
- 1994-04-15 JP JP6522907A patent/JPH07508219A/en active Pending
- 1994-04-15 KR KR1019940704535A patent/KR950701845A/en not_active Application Discontinuation
- 1994-04-15 EP EP94912619A patent/EP0646050A1/en not_active Withdrawn
Patent Citations (10)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US3897604A (en) * | 1973-11-19 | 1975-08-05 | Gerald A Weimer | Apparatus and process for removing chips from blind holes |
US3897003A (en) * | 1974-02-19 | 1975-07-29 | Protectoseal Co | Blowout nozzle |
DE2908004A1 (en) * | 1979-03-01 | 1980-09-04 | Herbert Nowotzin | Tool for removing swarf from blind holes - uses jet of air which returns through outer pipe surrounding jet pipe |
US4610005A (en) * | 1980-06-19 | 1986-09-02 | Dresser Industries, Inc. | Video borehole depth measuring system |
FR2494308A1 (en) * | 1980-11-14 | 1982-05-21 | Pechiney Aluminium | Cleaning openings in graphite parts, esp. baked anodes - using combined air blowing and suction device |
JPS6093318A (en) * | 1983-10-26 | 1985-05-25 | Mitsubishi Heavy Ind Ltd | Measuring device of layer thickness |
DE3604385A1 (en) * | 1986-02-12 | 1987-08-13 | Buschjost Gmbh & Co Fr | Apparatus for cleaning measuring lines |
DE8804070U1 (en) * | 1988-03-25 | 1988-08-11 | Industrie- und Schiffs-Service R. Gradewald oHG, 2000 Wedel | Device for removing residues from cavities in workpieces |
EP0489358A1 (en) * | 1990-12-03 | 1992-06-10 | Gustl Weggenmann | Process and apparatus for cleaning hollow water-cooled drums |
JPH0526653A (en) * | 1991-07-19 | 1993-02-02 | Japan Steel & Tube Constr Co Ltd | Inspecting device for pipe |
Non-Patent Citations (2)
Title |
---|
PATENT ABSTRACTS OF JAPAN vol. 17, no. 302 (P - 1553) 10 June 1993 (1993-06-10) * |
PATENT ABSTRACTS OF JAPAN vol. 9, no. 239 (P - 391) 25 September 1985 (1985-09-25) * |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
KR950701845A (en) | 1995-05-17 |
GB9307791D0 (en) | 1993-06-02 |
EP0646050A1 (en) | 1995-04-05 |
JPH07508219A (en) | 1995-09-14 |
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