RU2776831C2 - Scraper launch system with directional jet pulse and its application method - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: pipeline systems.

SUBSTANCE: invention can be used to launch scrapers into a pipeline system. The scraper launch system with a directional jet pulse contains fluid injector assembly (80) of a scraper launch-reception chamber, which has longitudinally passing pipe (87) containing inlet end (99), outlet end (101), and at least one bend (105) located between the specified ends at an acute angle α relatively to a horizontal. There is flange (89) with a flat profile, located at inlet end (99) and containing a leakage path through flange (89) with a flat profile and a set of bolt holes. There is flange (91) with a curved profile, located at outlet end (101) and containing a leakage path through flange (91) with a curved profile and a hole. There is a nozzle connected to longitudinally passing pipe (87) and located, at least partially, in the specified hole. There is a line for launching the scraper, surrounding longitudinally passing pipe (87) between inlet (99) and outlet (101) ends and forming an annular space around the longitudinally passing pipe. The annular space is connected to leakage paths through flanges (89) and (91) with a flat and curved profile. When fluid injector assembly (81) of the scraper launch-reception chamber is installed in a hole of a sidewall of the scraper launch-reception chamber, the nozzle is oriented to feed a fluid jet in the downstream direction. The fluid jet has a velocity exceeding a velocity of a flow through the main pipeline to create concentrated forces significantly exceeding forces generated during the flow of a pipeline product into the rear part of the specified launch system, as in the case of typical operation of the scraper launch line. A scraper launch-reception chamber, and a method for launching a scraper into a pipeline system are disclosed.

EFFECT: providing a simpler and failure-free launch of a scraper or a diagnostic tool into a pipeline system.

19 cl, 15 dwg

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a pig launcher or receiver used to launch a pig in a pipeline or a diagnostic tool into a pipeline system. The primary purpose of a pig launcher is to launch a pig or tool into a pipeline system without interrupting the flow of fluid through that system.

Scraper launching (and receiving) systems vary from one another depending on the specific purpose and product. These variations include, for example, the placement of valves, automated mechanisms, the length of the launch tube or barrel, such as a closing door, and means to move the scraper into the reduced cross section of the barrel (eg, gravity, propellers). Regardless of these variations, all launchers and receivers include a shaft that holds one or more pigs or tools, and a large spur-to-main line junction that connects the shaft to the pipeline system. Once it is ready to launch a pig into the pipeline system, the tee diverts fluid flow in the pipeline to the end of the wellbore, behind one or more pigs located in the wellbore. Gravity and dynamic pressure are used to move the pig to the launch position and actually launch the pig. In some conditions, these hydraulic and mechanical properties are insufficient and manual intervention will be required to start.

These launch settings are not designed to make efficient use of the fluid, and they are not designed to apply maximum force where it can be most effective to start the pig. Instead, the fluid enters the wellbore in the form of a fluid jet perpendicular to the wellbore wall. The momentum of the jet passes from one side of the barrel to the other, reducing most of the momentum and lowering its dynamic pressure to that of the barrel without doing any direct work.

In addition, the fluid flow usually has a relatively low velocity due to the large diameter of the pipe nozzle or plug entering the wellbore. For example, a pig launch line is typically about one-third the diameter of the main line (for example, if 12 inches [30.48 cm] has a main line, then 4 inches [10.16 cm] would have a pig launch line). Prior art launchers typically do not allow fluid flows greater than 7.3 feet per second (about 2.23 meters per second), and in very rare cases no more than 30 feet per second (9.14 meters per second), while that the product flow in the pipeline is in the range corresponding to these speeds. About 0.3 inches (0.762 cm) of water or 0.01 psig (about 0.07 kPa g) is applied at this speed range. Such pressure applied to the back of a 100 square inch (645.2 square cm) scraper element produces a force that is approximately 1 pound (4.45 N).

Under certain conditions, launch obstructions such as oxidized metals and sand, debris, ice and paraffin may resist or prevent the pig from moving. If the pig is difficult to move into the launching position, the required pressure is not built up behind the pig and the pig cannot subsequently be launched into the piping system.

In many cases, the launch setup will contain several scrapers or tools waiting to be launched. Some mechanical means, such as hydraulically activated pins, must be used to ensure that all pigs do not start at the same time. The cost of maintaining and operating these pigs is significant to support the required hydraulic cylinders, added weldments on the shaft, hydraulic attachments, hydraulic power packs to power the cylinders, and hydraulics-specific controls to control the launch of the pigs.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the invention of a directional jet-pulse pig launch system and the method of its use move the scraper or tool to the starting position without the need for mechanical auxiliary devices or inclined structures. In embodiments of the invention, at least one nozzle may be located along the inner wall of the pig launcher/receiver at an angle other than a right or sharp angle of less than 90° with respect to the horizontal and be sized to deliver a fluid jet in a downstream direction at a speed exceeding the flow rate of the product through the main pipeline, which is in fluid communication with the nozzle assembly of the pig launcher/receiver. Part of the product flow of the main pipeline can be directed to the nozzle, which, in turn, provides a force impulse on the reverse side of the working surface of the specified scraper in the launch direction. A control system can be used, containing computer-readable media for long-term storage of information, which performs an algorithm for opening and closing the corresponding valves in fluid communication with at least one nozzle and main pipeline to facilitate the launch of the specified scraper and issue a message about this launch.

This system and method provides a simpler and more trouble-free approach to launching a pig or diagnostic tool into a pipeline system than prior art launch systems. Instead of providing a low-velocity fluid jet that transitions from one side of the hole to the other before performing any urgent work, this system uses a high-velocity fluid jet (corresponding to sonic in some cases) directed towards the pig face. , such as a vertical element like a urethane element (disk or cup). This approach provides a more reliable execution of a given starting sequence and eliminates the need for mechanical means to prevent premature starting. Starting forces more than 10 to 15 times greater than those of a conventional starter can be achieved.

Said launch system can be implemented at the stage of manufacturing a new launcher or by retrofitting an existing launcher. Said triggering system can also be applied to the receiver in order to give the receiver a dual action capability as a triggering setting, in the case of evaluating bidirectional capabilities. In some embodiments, a ported two-leaf check valve upstream of the tee section may be used to divert pipeline fluid flow away from the line and to assist in controlling or reducing that flow in the start-up system.

In embodiments of the invention, the launch system applies an impulse or kinetic force to the pig in the form of a concentrated, high velocity fluid jet. This jet may be a pipeline product fluid (transmission fluid), a secondary fluid compatible with the transmission fluid, or some combination of transmission and secondary fluids may be used.

The boundary surface of the jet can trap secondary fluid as well as solids and sediments.

The specified jet, which is released from the nozzle or nozzle, can be directed to the leading urethane element (disk or cup) of the specified scraper, the closing urethane element or the urethane element located between the leading and closing disks or cups. For example, when directed to the rear of the leading urethane element, the momentum generated by the jet overcomes static friction and, once said scraper starts moving, overcomes dynamic friction and accelerates said scraper as subsequent urethane elements or other vertical parts are exposed to said jet.

Each nozzle or nozzle can be placed in any desired position relative to the clock face around the specified barrel and directed downstream. Regardless of the position relative to the clock face, the nozzle can be oriented at an acute angle relative to the central longitudinal axis of the barrel or at right angles to the central longitudinal axis. In some embodiments of the invention, the nozzle is located so that the jet is directed down or on the back side of the specified scraper. In other embodiments of the invention, two or more nozzles are used within an effective pig launch zone.

A number of nozzles or nozzles may be positioned along said shaft to add additional force or such that two or more pigs may be fired sequentially from said shaft according to a predetermined time sequence. In some embodiments of the invention, due to the distance between two or more pigs, no mechanical means are required to hold each pig in position and prevent premature starting. In other embodiments of the invention, the additional nozzles may be oriented in an upstream direction to provide an anti-forward force when the downstream pig is launched. In other embodiments of the invention, the starting system may include a screw device that moves the specified scraper or tool to the starting position, and the injector then provides a force pulse to start the specified scraper.

In some other embodiments of the invention, the distribution grid may be located above the bottom of the floor of the specified shaft so that the specified distribution grid positioned the specified fluid entering the wellbore, so that the specified fluid immediately interacted with a scraper or diagnostic tool located in the barrel to lift the scraper or tool up and negate the effects of friction. Reducing friction greatly increases the ease with which the scraper can be launched; it also eliminates the possibility of pig launch misses due to the drag of said pigs or ice formations. Said fluid may enter said borehole in the same or similar manner as in prior art installations.

The distribution grid may be a perforated sheet-like matrix having a plurality of holes, some of which may be inclined in the launch direction, which create fluid jets (and hence a pressure drop) that lift the scraper vertically from the floor and axially move said scraper into launch direction. This arrangement even allows a horizontal launcher to be used to drive the pig forward and into the pipeline by pressure and torque alone.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF GRAPHICS

Fig. 1 is a schematic representation of a prior art pig launcher or receiver having an optional fluid tray or distribution grid. In the improved pig launcher according to the present invention, said launcher - with or without a distribution grid - can be modified by placing one or more injectors or nozzles in accordance with the present invention, see for example FIG. 3-9 and 11 along said launcher shaft and oriented in a downstream direction to deliver a high velocity concentrated fluid jet to the vertical member of the pig or diagnostic tool to be fired. Valves can be used to control flow into the barrel and to the nozzles. Valve indicators, together with pressure, flow and temperature sensors, can send signals to the control system, which automatically opens and closes valves when it is necessary to run a pig or diagnostic tool into the main pipeline.

Fig. 2 schematically depicts an embodiment of the invention with respect to a control system that can be used in connection with a pig launch system according to the present invention.

Fig. 3 is a front top view of an embodiment of the invention with respect to an injector or nozzle assembly prior to installation. Said assembly comprises a flat profile flange (pancake) at the end of the inlet and a plate or curved profile flange at the end of the outlet or nozzle. Said flat profile flange may be configured to fit exactly between two flanges in a pig launch line in a typical launcher. The smaller curved profile flange can be accurately fitted on the inner surface of said shaft of said launcher. The bend provides an inclined angle of the nozzle relative to the horizontal. The flat profile flange may include one or more holes to provide a leakage path for pressure equalization.

Fig. 4 is a top side view of the embodiment of FIG. 3.

Fig. 5 is a top plan view of the embodiment of FIG. 3.

Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the embodiment of the invention in FIG. 3.

Fig. 7 is a view of the injector or nozzle assembly at the end of the smaller diameter, where it terminates, in order to embed said nozzle into the surface of said barrel. The scraper has been placed inside the barrel to better show how said free jet coming out of said nozzle can interact with a vertical element located towards said back side of the scraper. In other embodiments of the invention, the specified nozzle may be placed so that the front or more front vertical element will be the first point of interaction.

Fig. 8 depicts a view in which an injector or nozzle assembly may be installed or placed in a launcher shaft area that contains a fluid distribution grid used for heavy pigs. In some embodiments of the invention, the specified mesh is located below the specified nozzle. In other embodiments of the invention, the nozzle may be attached to the side wall of the grid. Multiple nozzles can be used with or instead of mesh.

Fig. 9 is an expanded view of the inline injector assembly of the nozzle assembly of this disclosure. Said flat profile mounting flange (pancake) can be positioned between two flanges in a pig launch line. In some embodiments of the invention, said flange may include a leak path to provide pressure equalization.

Fig. 10 is a graph illustrating, for a starter setting of equivalent size, pig, and pipeline flow rate, the relative difference in starting force generated in embodiments of the present disclosure compared to the force generated by prior art starting designs that direct flow having low speed, inside the launcher in the perpendicular direction. Changes in design parameters can affect this relative difference. As a non-limiting example, an increase in starting force, and hence an increase in relative difference, can be achieved by increasing the area, increasing the pressure drop, or by using a supersonic nozzle build-up.

Fig. 11 is a view showing a location for mounting an injector or nozzle assembly or placement in a barrel area of a launcher. Other mounting devices may be used, including, but not limited to, various positions relative to the clock face around the barrel or relative to said barrel.

Fig. 12 is an isometric view of an embodiment of an injector or nozzle assembly. The special eccentric housing facilitates fitting of the inner tube and allows out-of-radius bending or turning to create the required axial direction. Said plate with a curved profile may contain one or more holes, which provide a leakage path for pressure equalization.

Fig. 13 is another isometric view of an injector or nozzle assembly without said plate with a curved profile that matches the barrel and graduates the nozzle. Removal of said plate allows a better view of how said nozzle may terminate in the bore to create the axial direction necessary to generate said force against return of the scraper or the vertical member of the scraper to move the scraper forward.

Fig. 14 is a rear isometric view showing a reduced cross section or blockage in the bottom of the housing. Said plate which provides the blocking may include an opening which provides a leakage path for pressure equalization.

Fig. 15 is a diagram of an embodiment of the present disclosure that uses small pneumatic, hydraulic, or other actuated and spaced pins to indicate the location of one or more pigs for installation and to signal to the operator what the position of each pig is in the launcher.

DEFINITIONS

For the purposes of this disclosure, a high velocity jet, also referred to herein as a concentrated jet or a directional jet, is a jet of fluid leaving the release area from an injector or nozzle towards a specific, predetermined area on the rear side of the working surface of a scraper or tool at a speed greater than flow through the main pipeline to generate concentrated forces, and these concentrated forces significantly exceed the forces generated during the flow of product pipeline to the rear of the launcher, as is the case with typical operation on the line to launch the pig. The fluid jet enters the wellbore at a non-right angle to the wellbore centerline.

Said fluid may be part of the product in the pipeline flowing through the main pipeline and discharged to and through the nozzle. This high speed, which can be maintained over a length of at least twice the size of the scraper or the diameter of the tool, is sufficient to generate at time "t" a force greater than the static or dynamic friction force experienced at time t by the scraper or diagnostic tool. Two or more nozzles may be used to meet or exceed these force requirements. A supersonic nozzle can also be used to extend this force all the way to the scraper.

The low velocity (prior art) fluid flow is one that enters the launcher shaft through typical pig launch line operation and is not directed towards a specific, predetermined area on the rear side of the pig or tool face. The low velocity fluid flow typically enters the wellbore from the full diameter of the pig launch line and perpendicular to the wellbore centerline.

As used herein, the terms launcher and pig launcher may be used interchangeably throughout this disclosure. A trigger setup or trap can be performed as a trigger setup, a sink setup, or both.

The terms injector and nozzle, or injector assembly and nozzle assembly, may be used interchangeably throughout this disclosure.

The terms pipeline pig and diagnostic tool may be used interchangeably. Each of them contains a spindle body, which usually has two or more elastomeric disks, cups or sealing elements located around the specified body so that the specified scraper or tool can move forward through the pipeline under the influence of a pressure difference.

The downstream direction or launch direction is the direction away from or opposite to the direction of the closing door of said launcher shaft. Being in the starting position of the launch, the rear end of the scraper or tool is located in the direction of the closing door of the shaft of the launcher, and the front end of the scraper or tool is located in the direction of the flow of the main pipeline. The rear parts of the working surfaces of the scraper or tool are turned towards the closing door.

The running surfaces of a pipeline pig or tool are surfaces projecting laterally outward from the spindle housing in the pig or tool, typically at a 90° angle to the central longitudinal axis of the spindle housing. One example of a working surface is an area represented by a vertical element, such as an elastomeric or urethane sealing element. Said sealing element may be a cup or disk (or equivalents).

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the system and method for directional jet launching of the pig or tool of this disclosure allow the fluid entering the launcher shaft (trap) to serve as a high concentration fluid pulse or pulsed force that moves the pig or diagnostic tool to the starting position. Instead of delivering a low velocity fluid jet that crosses the hole from one side to the other before doing any immediate work, this system delivers a high velocity fluid jet (in some cases sonic) directed towards the pig face, such as as a vertical element like a urethane element (disc or cup). This approach provides a more reliable execution of a given starting sequence and eliminates the need for mechanical means to prevent premature starting. Launch forces more than 10 to 15 times greater than those of a conventional launcher can be achieved. See, for example, FIG. 10. In addition, the specified starting force can be maintained over a greater length (measured as a multiple of the diameter of the pig) than can be achieved using the prior art.

The location of the pins can also be along the specified shaft in order to position several scrapers or tools in position for installation. Embodiments of the invention may also allow the pig to be launched bi-directionally. For example, a pig launcher receiving chamber can become a launcher and send the pig back to where it was fired from.

In embodiments of the invention, at least one injector or nozzle may be placed in the wall of the launcher for each pig loaded into the launcher or barrel, and directed downstream to the working surfaces of the pig to deliver a concentrated fluid jet to the rear or to the rear. these surfaces. Said working surfaces may be vertical elements, such as an elastomeric or urethane element, such as a disk or cup, of the type known in the art and used as sealing elements that help move the scraper or tool forward under the action of a pressure difference. In some embodiments of the invention, the specified jet is directed towards the surface area located in the lower half of the back side of the specified vertical element. A portion of said jet against said spindle housing of said scraper or tool also lifts the scraper to reduce normal force (eg weight) which in turn reduces the effect of friction. Immediately after delivery, said jet fully operates in the direction opposite to said pig, in contrast to the prior art, in which one part of said fluid passes from one side of the shaft to the other.

Said system and method can significantly reduce the hardware and welds required to run a single pig or diagnostic tool or multiple pigs or tools. These cost savings can be significant. For example, the size of the pig launch circuit or lines entering the launcher will typically be smaller than a similarly sized prior art launcher, thereby reducing manufacturing costs. As a non-limiting example, the cross-sectional area of a nozzle line may be 1/12 of the cross-sectional area of a typical branch or pig launch line (e.g., 1-inch (2.54 cm) nozzle line, 4-inch (10.16 see) nozzle line for launching the scraper). In other embodiments of the invention, the cross-sectional area of the specified line may be 1/10 of the cross-sectional area of the line to start the pig. A launcher containing pig launch lines can also be retrofitted with these lines as nozzle or nozzle locations. In some embodiments, the injector assemblies may slide into the gantry of the pig launch lines as a one-piece assembly that is held in place by the flanges of the pig launch line.

In some embodiments of the invention, a separate manifold maintains one or more application points for said fluid flow to be diverted to nozzles or nozzles by a series of control valves. Said fluid may be a liquid or a gas and may be part of the main pipeline product stream. Control valves may be solenoid valves. The control circuit is then used to determine which control valve to open, at what point in time to open it, and for how long. Referring to FIG. 1, 2, and 9, embodiments of the launch system and method may be configured to operate with a pig launcher or launcher 10 comprising a shaft 11 comprising a closing door 22 at one end configured to be connected to the main shunt channel. (collector) 13 along the side wall 12 of the shaft 11. The manifold 13 is connected to the main and may contain one or more tees or lines for launching pigs (junction of the branch and the main line of the pipeline) 17. In some embodiments of the invention, the launch installation 10 may be configured to act as a launcher/receiver. The bypass valve 21 of the main line, which may be a butterfly valve or connected through the opening of the throttle valve, can be installed to supply the main product or transmission fluid to the specified manifold 13 through the node 17 of the connection of the branch and main line of the pipeline and into the shaft 11 of the launcher 10 , where the specified fluid is supplied through one or more nozzle nodes 80, having at least one injector or nozzle 81 in its composition. release nozzle is open toward the interior of said barrel 11. In some embodiments, said nozzle assembly 80 may be configured to make nozzle 81 flush or nearly flush with the wall of barrel 12. Within said barrel 11, trigger pin 18 may hold scraper or diagnos static tool "P" in its starting position and wait for the main product or transmission fluid to enter the specified wellbore 11.

In some embodiments, the directional jet system and method of this disclosure may be combined with a "fluid tray" system, the same or similar to the system disclosed in US 2016/0369930 A1, the subject matter of which is incorporated by reference into this disclosure. This combination can be useful where very heavy pigs would have to be launched. For example, launching scrapers weighing in the range of 150 pounds to 200 pounds (68.04 kg to 90.71 kg) (or more) can be supported with said plate. Said directional jet system can still effectively launch these heavier pigs and multiple jets can be applied at the same location. The fluid tray 15, which may be in the form of a perforated matrix or a sheet of holes 16, reduces friction in low buoyancy environments to better enable these large scrapers to automatically start. Holes 16 in the aggregate can be inclined in the direction of launch.

Locating pins 131 may also be located along the shaft 11 to accommodate multiple scrapers or tools in position for installation. See, for example, FIG. 15. Pins 131 may be spaced at predetermined intervals that suit the installation and may be pneumatic or hydraulic pins (or equivalents). Embodiments of the invention may also allow the pig to be launched bi-directionally. For example, a pig launcher receiving chamber can become a launcher and send the pig back to where it came from.

While the bypass valve 21 of the line is partially closed or throttled, a controlled fraction of the main product or transmission fluid enters the line 17 containing the nozzle assembly 80. The pressure within said firing barrel 11 temporarily drops (typically for about one second or so) to create a pressure drop in the nozzle 81 which creates a high velocity jet directed towards the working surface 71 of the pig or diagnostic tool "P". Said nozzle 81 is configured and oriented to supply a concentrated jet of fluid to the working surface of the pig or diagnostic tool "P" to be launched into the pipeline system. None of the jets released by said nozzle 81 is directed in such a way that a part of the jet crosses the barrel 11 before doing the actual work. Most likely, the jet immediately hits the working surface 71 of the scraper or tool. In some embodiments of the invention, said jet may move at sonic or near sonic release speeds. In applications where the transmission fluid is a gas, the reported release rate may be greater than 1000 feet per second (304.8 m/s). If a converging and divergent type nozzle (or Laval nozzle) or equivalent is used, the indicated velocities may extend into the supersonic range.

The flow of fluid to the nozzles 81 may be controlled by one or more control valves 83. Said control valve 83 may be opened to allow for pressurization at the interface of said nozzle. Said control valves 83 may be solenoid valves. The control circuit can be used to determine which control valve 83 should be opened, at what point in time to open it, and for how long.

Once the pig is started, the pig signal indicator 39 can be used to indicate its passage into the main pipeline. Valves - which may include a main bypass valve 21, a valve 25 in the pig launch pressure line, a check valve 29 and a nozzle valve 83 can be monitored by the respective valve indicator 23, 27, 31, 85 to determine if the valve 21, 25, 29 is correct 83 indicates a known state. The valve indicators may be of the type known in the art for monitoring valve status.

Said trigger pin 18, valve indicators 23, 27, 31, 85, and pig signal indicator 39 may be connected to a communication interface 40, which may be connected to or be part of a Power Line Communication (PLC) network, or be part of a mobile communication network, and can also be connected to a computing device 50 having a flow stability module 60 . The same is true for pressure sensors or indicators 19, 33 and flow meters 35, 37. Said flow stability module 60 may be the same or similar to the flow stability module disclosed in US Patent 9,651,190 B1 issued to TDW Delaware, Inc. the contents of which are incorporated by reference into this document. If a distribution grid is used, a separate grid valve 9 can be used and controlled.

Valve status data from valve indicators 23, 27, 31, 85; pressure drop data from pressure indicators 19, 33; and flow data from the flow meters 35, 37 may be transmitted through the interface 40 for processing by one or more microprocessors 55 of the computing device 50. Said microprocessor 55, together with a computer-readable medium 51 and a storage device 53 of the computing device 50, may be configured to implement a stability module 60 flow. The known number of pigs loaded into the launcher barrel 11, along with data from the retractable pin 18 and the pig signal indicator 39, can be used to determine the possible status of the pig.

Let us now turn to Fig. 3-7 and 9, in which the injector assembly or nozzle assembly 80 of the present disclosure may also comprise a longitudinally extending pipe 87 having a flat profile flange 89 located adjacent or closer to the inlet end 99, wherein the flange or plate 91 with a curved profile, located near or closer to the outlet end 101 (nozzle or release), and at least one bend 105 between the two ends 99, 101. flange lines 89. Curved flange 91 may include a nozzle opening 82 sized to receive nozzle 81. Bend 105 may be at an acute angle α relative to the horizontal. (Angle α may also be referred to in this specification as nozzle angle).

A flat flange 89, which may be a pancake type (thin) flange, may be located between the flanges "F" of the branch connection and the main line 17. Bolt holes 103 in the flange 89 allow the nozzle 81 to be positioned radially with respect to the launcher 11. Said flange 89 serves as a limiter. In some embodiments, the flange 89 may include one or more holes that provide a leak path 111 for pressure equalization. In other embodiments of the invention, the flange 89 does not contain holes.

Curved plate 91 may match the curvature of said wall 12 of said shaft 11. In some embodiments, plate 91 may be a curved profile flange as a test specimen. This curvature graduates the nozzle 81 and defines a passage or leakage path 111 that allows the annular region 113 to organize fluid filling and pressure around the outer annular surface 115 of the nozzle assembly 80. This design ensures that the pressure drop around the (compressible) outside of the nozzle body is zero so nozzle assembly 80 does not deform or collapse. In some embodiments of the invention, the plate 91 does not need to be fully welded in order to provide a leakage path 111. In other embodiments of the invention, the plate 91 may include one or more holes 92 to provide a path 111 leakage. See, for example, FIG. 12.

Referring to FIG. 8, 9 and 11, in embodiments of the invention, there is at least one nozzle 81 for each pig or tool loaded in the barrel 11. In other embodiments of the invention, there are several nozzles 81 for each pig, if necessary. The specified nozzle 81 may be directed towards the area of the lower half or zone 73 of the back or facing the rear side 75 of the vertical element 71. In some embodiments of the invention, the specified nozzle 81 may be directed towards the section of the upper half or zone 77 of the vertical element. If said scraper passes nozzle 81, then said rear side 75 of the second or subsequent vertical member 71 may collide, as can the rear or reverse side of the scraper, during passage past nozzle 81. Said scraper typically comprises two or more vertical members 71.

Let us now turn to Fig. 12-14, where it can be seen that embodiments of the invention for the injector or node assembly 80 may include a shroud or housing 121 of the nozzle with a reduced cross section or blockage 123 to ensure that the main flow enters the nozzle 81 and can be controlled based on pressure values. Said interlock 123 may be a single plate and may include one or more holes that provide a leak path 111 for pressure equalization. In some embodiments of the invention, said body 121 may be an eccentric reducer to save space or to provide the positioning required in a larger diameter pipe, such as a junction between a branch and main line of a pipeline. The eccentric adapter may be wider towards the end 101 of the nozzle than towards the inlet end 99. Said housing 121 may be sized to provide an annular region 1 for filling with fluid and pressurizing around the outer annular surface 115 of the nozzle assembly 80.

With appropriate restriction of nozzle controlled release, velocities in excess of 1100 feet per second (335 m/s) can be achieved without the need for pumps or compressors to do the same. In some embodiments of the invention, no additional pump or compressor is required, either as part of the system or as part of the startup method. As the jet of fluid is released into the barrel from the nozzle, said momentum or moment from the jet serves to create a strong recirculation zone that is fed into the expanding jet, trapping secondary fluid and increasing the mass contained in the jet. As the jet propagates forward and loses speed, the momentum remains high due to the extra mass absorbed within the jet. This mechanism allows you to work on a significant length of the jet as it expands. In some embodiments of the invention, this length was measured, and was greater than 40 inches (101.6 cm), i.e. more than many scrapers. Pig advance of over 90 inches (228.6 cm) has been demonstrated on a 12.625-inch (32 cm) pig in tests using only one injector.

The release area from said nozzle or nozzle may be directed downstream and against the rear or rearward facing vertical scraper element, such as a urethane lead element (disk or cup). Said jet of fluid supplied by the nozzle strikes said element to stop static friction and then interacts with each successive vertical pig element to add additional pressure or force, accelerating the pig forward as the pig moves away from the jet. Then, said jet finally interacts with the last vertical scraper element as this element moves away from the nozzle. Since the jet naturally expands as a free jet, the interaction surface area increases by about 15° (which is inherent in an expanding jet). Thus, the velocity of said jet will be stable for the static pressure in front of the back of the vertical member to keep the scraper moving forward.

The release diameter or size of the nozzle or nozzle may be any diameter necessary to apply force to stop static friction and overcome dynamic friction and launch a pig of known weight and size. Different diameters and different pressures can be used to control pigs of different masses and friction parameters.

The location of these jets can be set at any desired radial angle and can be placed towards the front or rear of the scraper. In some embodiments of the invention, said nozzle is positioned such that said jet is at a lower or 6 o'clock position relative to the hour dial and is directed to impinge towards the rear surface of the frontmost vertical member. This raises the scraper to reduce perpendicular forces due to friction and creates multiple impact points on the scraper for acceleration as the scraper moves forward in the direction of launch. You can use other positions relative to the hour dial.

Said nozzle 81 may comprise a single hole or a plurality of holes. The angle α of the nozzle 81 is not straight with respect to the center line of the barrel and can be designed for each application in order to provide an optimal axial jet with respect to the vertical elements of the scraper. In embodiments of the invention, the angular deviation α of the nozzle from the horizontal axis is an acute angle in the range from 5° to 85°, with subranges being in this wider range from 5° + X, and 85° - X, with X being the angle in the range from 1° to 35°. In other embodiments of the invention, the angle α of the nozzle is in the range from 10° to 80°, and the sub-ranges are in this wider range from 10° + X to 80° - X, while X is an angle in the range from 1° to 30 °.

As a non-limiting example, in one embodiment of the invention, said injector or nozzle has a diameter of 1.42 inches (36 mm), at an angular deviation of 38° from the horizontal, and is located so as to direct an expanding stream of gas or liquid to the lower surface of the vertical element scraper to transmit force acting in the direction of the scraper. Once the scraper starts moving, the static friction is greatly reduced and the scraper will move forward. As soon as the jet begins to collide with the succession of vertical elements, said scraper will then begin to accelerate to higher speeds. The specified impulse acting on the pig, once it is out of range of the nozzle, will drag it forward into the pipeline while pressure builds up behind the pig. As soon as the indicated pressure is included in the cycle in the adapter, it is applied to the pressure of the main pipeline. Instantaneous velocities in system and method data tests were measured in excess of 200 ft/sec (60.96 m/s) using an accelerometer. Prior art launchers typically do not allow fluid velocities to exceed 7.3 feet per second (fps) (2.2 m/s) in most cases, and in very rare cases, 30 fps (9.1 m/s) when the product flow of the pipeline is in a range that supports these speeds. In addition, much of the velocity of these prior art streams is wasted and does no useful work due to the way the stream enters the barrel relative to the pig.

Embodiments of the invention, within the scope of this disclosure, provide speeds unattainable in typical pig launch line operations, well in excess of 30 fps and pipeline product flow rate. Speeds can reach over 100 fps (30.5 m/s) as shown in the table below, including the ranges and sub-ranges covered by these speeds:

As the scraper moves forward, said release from the injector or nozzle will interact with subsequent vertical members as they move, providing additional acceleration in each succeeding vertical member. As the final or last vertical element of said scraper moves past the nozzle, the free jet of gas or liquid then expands at an angle of 15°, including an angle to continue impacting the scraper with increasing surface area as the scraper is removed. Said free jet will also increase in mass as the jet dissipates more and more of the surrounding gas into the free jet envelope as it expands while maintaining its speed and expandability. Thus, said force acting on the rear side 11 of the scraper can continue to interact with the scraper for a considerable distance after the scraper has passed the nozzle. This ensures that the scraper continues to move forward and also continues to accelerate for some distance before it starts to slow down. The force can be controlled by the pressure and size of the release diameter from said nozzle. It can also be controlled by a valve that modulates said fluid into and out of the nozzle. A supersonic nozzle, such as, but not limited to, a convergent-divergent nozzle, or equivalent, can also add to the ability to absorb force.

In embodiments of the invention, the total time for propagating the jet forward, moving the scraper to the start position, and starting the scraper is about 1 second or less. In many cases, the actual startup time is about 0.5 seconds or less. These start-up times are short enough that line instruments cannot tell the difference between main bypass valve throttling and operating noise from sources such as friction, pumps, and downstream filtration. As soon as said first scraper is started, the mechanisms will return to their normal operating position.

The jet velocity is extremely high in the immediate vicinity of the pig being launched and then decreases along the length of the jet sheath in a predictable manner. This predictability allows the designer to design or specify the correct injector nozzle for a given launch application. In some embodiments of the invention, the jet can maintain a significant speed. For example, speeds of 200 fps (60.96 m/s) or more (up to sonic and, in the case of gas, supersonic) can be achieved, and these higher speeds can be maintained over a length ranging from 30 inches to 40 inches (76, 2 cm to 101.6 cm) below the release point. This allows the energy (momentum) inherent in the jet to create an impulse of force at any point in its length, along which the scraper can be pushed forward, reacting to the vertical elements of the scraper. The gas-free nature of said jet allows significant volumes of secondary gas to be entrained by the recirculation zone created by the expansion, the recirculation zone and the exchange of momentum between the high and low velocity fluids. This general fluid exchange mechanism allows the directional jet to gain mass as it expands and decreases in velocity.

These speeds, combined with the mass flow rate of the jet, can generate impulse forces of several hundred pounds or more to impart the force needed to move hundreds of pounds of pigs. The effective length of said working jet sheath can, depending on the design of the nozzle, be significantly greater than 40 inches (101.6 cm) in length. Since the length of most pigs does not exceed this effective length, said system and method can be highly effective in launching pigs having a length that falls within this shell. For longer pigs, the nozzle design can be modified to increase the effective length of said jet, or the nozzle array can be combined to provide multiple points of force on the pig (or some combination of the two).

Simulation of said jet emerging from an injector or nozzle showed that the nozzle can create velocities in sonic and supersonic modes. The sonic or near sonic free jet allows a force to be applied to the pig (in close proximity to the nozzle) that is about 100 times or greater than the typical operating parameters currently seen in known launch systems. At these speeds, the static friction is easily broken, and the pig is able to move forward into the pipeline even without possible stops due to zones of increased friction perpendicular to a certain segment of the pipe.

As a non-limiting example, if one injector or nozzle were designed to deliver a gas flow at a mass flow rate of 1 lb per second (about 0.45 kg/s), then the entrainment rate of the secondary gas would be about 9 pounds per second (about 4.1 kg /With). Thus, the total flow at a point 10-15 inches (25.4-38.1 cm) from the nozzle will be about 10 pounds per second (about 4.5 kg / s), and the speed at this point will be about 250 fps ( 76.2 m/s). The specified momentum generated by this flow and available to the specified scraper for a 1 second interaction is 2500 pounds per foot per second (10 pounds per second x 250 feet per second x 1 second). Depending on application specifications and application requirements, the nozzle can be designed to deliver mass flow rates less than, equal to, or greater than 1 lb (0.454 kg) per second.

Therefore, said triggering system and method can generate significant force on the pig with a minimum amount of fluid. In many cases, pipeline operators request fluid at very low flow or velocity in the main pipeline. In some cases, the indicated speed may be less than 2 miles per hour (about 2.95 fps or 0.9 m/s), and in other cases it may be less than 1 mph (about 1.47 fps or 0.45 m/s). ). The launch system and method embodiments of the invention may provide workable launch scenarios at these low speeds. The specified velocity of the incoming fluid (through the injector or nozzle) is controlled at higher velocities than the bulk fluid within the wellbore, allowing the jet to generate significantly higher pig forces based on design. It also allows the injector to apply this force at several points while the scraper moves forward. The specified pig will be extended to the end point of the coupler adapter, from where it will begin to move inside the pipeline as a successful start. By comparison, for prior art technology, it will be very difficult to achieve launch rates in such low flow scenarios or even lower, and they will not develop enough static pressure at these low flow rates to propel the pig forward in an automatic launch setup.

In embodiments of the invention, the use of specially spaced nozzles or nozzles allows the launch of spaced pigs to be properly calibrated and controlled using only control valves such as solenoid valves. This approach allows the first pig to be launched and, if necessary, the next pig to be subsequently launched, if required, without retaining pins or mechanical interlocks. Said second scraper will move forward with an impulse force applied to the scraper by the jet provided by the second injection nozzle. Said second scraper will then move into the area vacated by the first scraper, wherein said first injector may apply a second impulse force to the vertical scraper members. This will accelerate the scraper and continue its movement through the specified launcher barrel, providing a controlled movement of the scraper through the barrel.

If a second scraper is required, the same scenario is repeated again, but with the connection of a second directed jet. The first jet can be additionally energized so that the force applied to the pig remains high when the pig exits the second impulse zone and enters the first impulse zone. As the second impulse zone created by the second jet begins to weaken in force, said design will have a scraper subsequently moving into the first impulse zone created by the first injector or nozzle, thereby maintaining a high force applied to the working surfaces of the scraper, until it is introduced into the pipeline and subsequently launched. This is then repeated for each successive scraper in the line.

With sufficient separation of the pigs, the need for hydraulic or pneumatic pins to hold the pigs is no longer required, making the hydraulic block, controls and hoses no longer necessary. This system becomes much more simplified with just a few small inexpensive valves that can be controlled by a low cost multi-loop controller. In some embodiments of the invention, if necessary, the opposite jet can be used to keep the pigs in line while the pig launcher is pushed forward towards the adapter. For example, an opposing jet may be created by an injector or nozzle pointing in the opposite direction to the launch direction (eg, towards a closing door rather than away from the door). This will provide additional control to manage driving and opposing forces.

Said launch system may also be used in pig launchers which currently use screw-type internals to push the pig into a tubular adapter located at the end of said shaft. Said helical arrangement helps to securely deliver these pigs to their starting position and can help overcome any debris or sediment in the line that could prevent the pigs from starting. The turbulence created by the concentrated jet should also help keep the barrel section clean inside the launcher. Entrainment capabilities must also allow the momentum of the jet to capture solids and scale and flush them into the pipeline where higher velocities will trap solids and scale. Acceleration of the incoming fluid to velocities approaching fluid sonic velocity regimes allows significant possibilities to be realised, which would otherwise be unattainable with practical operating procedures. The generated free jet expands to interact with the elementary components associated with the scraper device. Since the jet is retained on the surfaces formed by the pig, significant forces against the pig can be reliably implemented, exceeding the forces that can be implemented using known approaches of the prior art.

This directional jet approach allows for several significant changes in the design and manufacture of the launcher to provide the end user with the force needed to successfully place the pig or tool in the pipeline. For example, a larger diameter nozzle or nozzle delivers more mass flow at the same speed and maintained pressure than a smaller diameter nozzle or nozzle. The higher differential pressure allows for higher speeds and subsequent higher stop pressures, which increase the impact profile on the pig. The angular changes applied to the nozzle allow said jet to be placed where it is needed, ensuring that said force applied to the scraper is optimal both initially and as the scraper moves away from the release point. Several nozzles can be applied to exceptionally large and heavy pigs, allowing more force to be applied when needed. Said launcher can also be built to provide bi-directional use in case the customer has a specific need for such a device.

The said equipment used in achieving these application forces also allows for easy modification. Properly dedicated field equipment can be flame or plasma cut to provide the necessary extra lines to run pigs or plug pipes. Placing an injector into the added pipe plugs converts a launcher designed for manually launching pigs into an automatic launcher.

When testing an embodiment of the invention with a launch system and method, three pigs were loaded into a launcher shaft that contained three nozzles or nozzles, each nozzle being located in the available position of the pig launch line. These scrapers were spaced apart from each other so that the first (lowest) nozzle was directed towards the rear surface of the vertical element of the first scraper. The second and third nozzles were directed towards the rear surface of the vertical element of the second and third scraper, respectively. The line bypass valve was throttled to divert flow to a manifold connected to the injectors. The first control valve connected to the first injector was opened and said injector nozzle delivered a concentrated fluid jet. The specified scraper moved to the start position, after which it was launched, which did not affect the position of the second and third scraper. After this first pig was started, this process was repeated for the second pig, this time opening the second valve. After this scraper entered the area vacated by the first scraper, said first injector delivered a concentrated jet, which further accelerated the scraper. This process was repeated again for the third scraper.

Embodiments of the invention for the injector or nozzle assembly within the scope of this disclosure, configured for use in a pig launcher/receiver chamber, may comprise at least one nozzle located along the inner wall of the pig launcher/receiver chamber at an acute angle of less than 90° relative to the horizontal, and sized to deliver a jet of fluid in a downstream direction at a rate greater than the rate of product flow through a main pipeline in fluid communication with the pig launcher nozzle assembly. A certain portion of the product flow of the main pipeline entering the nozzle assembly may be directed to the rear side of the scraper element of the scraper. Said scraper element may be a vertical element such as a urethane disc.

Embodiments of the pig launcher fluid injector assembly within the scope of this disclosure may comprise one or more of the following features:

a pipe extending longitudinally and having an inlet end, an outlet end and at least one bend located between said ends at an acute angle α relative to the horizontal;

a flat profile flange located at the inlet end and containing a plurality of bolt holes;

a flat profile flange containing one or more holes to provide a leakage path through the flange;

a curved flange located at the outlet end, the curved flange having a nozzle opening;

a curved profile flange containing one or more holes to provide a leakage path through the flange;

a nozzle located at the outlet end;

in the installed state, the nozzle is oriented not at right angles to the axial line of the barrel for supplying a jet of fluid in the direction opposite to the direction of the door-closing pig launcher-receiver;

in the installed state, at least one leakage path is formed between the side wall opening and the periphery of the curved profile flange;

a body containing a nozzle;

a housing containing a nozzle that is wider towards the outlet end than at the inlet end;

a flange with a curved profile, made in addition to the curvature of the side wall of the pig launcher-receiver chamber;

a nozzle containing a valve;

a valve status indicator in communication with said valve;

at least one passage between the opening in the side wall and the curved flange is a circumferential passage.

The pig launcher within the scope of this disclosure may include one or more of the features listed above and a number of the following features:

barrel with a hole in the side wall;

at least one nozzle located inside the hole in the side wall at a right angle α relative to the horizontal and oriented to supply a jet of fluid in the opposite direction to the lock door of the pig launcher-receiver chamber;

at least one fluid leakage path is located between the opening in the side wall and the perimeter of at least one nozzle;

at least one nozzle containing a valve;

one valve status indicator in communication with said valve;

one controller, including executable commands, in communication with the specified valve and valve status indicator;

a shaft containing at least one positioning pin located along the floor of the shaft and configured to indicate the axial position of the scraper when it is in the specified shaft;

a curved fluid distribution grid in communication with at least one nozzle and located in the lower half of the wellbore above the wellbore floor, the fluid distribution grid comprising a perforated matrix containing a plurality of holes.

The method of launching a pig or tool into a piping system may include one or more of the above features of the nozzle assembly and pig launcher and one or more of the following:

diverting a portion of the product flow of the main pipeline into a nozzle located inside a side hole in the barrel of the pig launcher-receiving chamber, said nozzle being oriented at an acute angle α relative to the horizontal;

releasing some portion of the retractable part through the nozzle to the rear side of the vertical element of the scraper, while the released part hits the back side of the vertical element;

the released portion collides with at least one other vertical scraper member as the scraper moves forward in the shaft;

the speed of the released part is above 100 fps (30.5 m/s);

the starting force is more than 10-15 times that of a conventional starting rig.

Embodiments of the invention described herein contain examples or mechanisms of the trigger system and method of this disclosure. Modifications may be made to its design or use without departing from these examples. The following claims define said invention and include the full range of equivalents to which each claimed item is entitled.

Claims (44)

1. A pig launch system with a directed jet pulse, comprising: pig launcher fluid injector assembly, comprising: a longitudinally extending pipe containing an inlet end, an outlet end and at least one bend located between said ends at an acute angle α relative to the horizontal; a flat profile flange located at the inlet end and containing a leakage path through the flat profile flange and a plurality of bolt holes; and a flange with a curved profile located at the outlet end and containing a leakage path through the flange with a curved profile and an opening; a nozzle connected to the longitudinally extending pipe and located at least partially in the specified hole; a pig launch line surrounding the longitudinally extending pipe between the inlet and outlet ends and forming an annular space around the longitudinally extending pipe, the annular space being connected to leakage paths through flat and curved profile flanges; wherein, when the pig launcher fluid injector assembly is installed in the hole of the side wall of the pig launcher, the nozzle is oriented to supply the fluid jet in the downstream direction, wherein said jet has a velocity greater than that of the flow through the main pipeline to generate concentrated forces substantially greater than those generated during the entry of the product flow of the pipeline into the rear of said launch system, as is the case in typical operation of a pig launch line. 2. The pig launch system with a directed jet pulse according to claim 1, further comprising: a body containing a nozzle and forming an annular space between said body and the outer surface of the nozzle. 3. A jet-guided pig launch system according to claim 2, characterized in that the housing comprises a restrictive plate at one end. 4. The jet-guided pig launch system of claim 3, wherein the restrictor plate includes at least one opening to provide a fluid leakage path through the restrictor plate. 5. The pig launch system with a directed jet pulse according to claim 1, characterized in that the curvilinear profile flange is made complementary to the curvature of the side wall of the pig launch-receiving chamber. 6. The pig launch system with a directed jet pulse according to claim 1, characterized in that the nozzle contains a valve. 7. The pig launch system with a directed jet pulse according to claim 6, further comprising: valve status indicator in communication with the valve. 8. Camera start-receive scrapers, containing: a barrel containing a hole in the side wall; and a pig launch system with directed jet impulse, comprising: a pig launch line connected to said shaft; a longitudinal pipe smaller in diameter than the pig launch line and surrounded by the pig launch line, the longitudinal pipe comprising a flat profile flange at the inlet end and a curved profile flange at the outlet end to match the curvature of the side wall opening, wherein each of said flanges has a leakage path through the flange; at least one nozzle connected to the longitudinally passing pipe and located not at a right angle α relative to the horizontal and oriented to supply a fluid jet to the said shaft through the side wall opening in the direction opposite to the direction of the pig launcher-receiving chamber closing the door. 9. Chamber start-receive scrapers according to claim 8, further comprising: at least one nozzle containing the valve; and valve status indicator in communication with the valve. 10. Pig launcher/receiver according to claim 9, further comprising: a computer containing executable commands that is in communication with the valve and a valve status indicator. 11. The pig launcher according to claim 8, characterized in that the barrel contains at least one locating pin located along the barrel and configured to indicate the axial position of the scraper when it is in the barrel. 12. Pig launcher/receiver according to claim 8, further comprising: a curved fluid distribution grid in communication with at least one nozzle and located in the lower half of the wellbore above the wellbore floor, the fluid distribution grid comprising a perforated matrix containing a plurality of holes. 13. A method for launching a pig into a pipeline system, including: diverting part of the product flow of the main pipeline into a nozzle located inside the line for launching the pig, connected to the hole in the side wall of the barrel of the pig launch-receiving chamber, while the nozzle is not oriented at a right angle α relative to the horizontal; and discharging a portion of the retractable portion through the nozzle at a speed of at least 30 times the product flow rate of the main pipeline to the rear side of the vertical pig element, while the retractable portion impinges on the rear side of the vertical element; wherein the nozzle is connected to a longitudinally extending pipe surrounded by a pig launch line, an annular space is formed between the pig launch line and the longitudinally extending pipe; and wherein the longitudinally extending pipe comprises an inlet end containing a flange, an outlet end containing a flange, and at least one bend located between said ends, each flange having a leakage path through the flange into said annulus. 14. The method of claim 13, further comprising: additionally accelerating the scraper into the hole with the projectile hitting at least one other longitudinal vertical member of the scraper as the scraper moves forward in the hole. 15. The method of claim 13, further comprising: allowing a portion of the main pipeline product stream to flow into the longitudinal pipe, and pressurizing around the longitudinally extending pipe by allowing a portion of the main pipeline product to flow into said leakage paths to fill said annulus. 16. The method of claim 13, further comprising: delivering the fluid with the nozzle at an inlet velocity in the range of 30.48 m/s (100 fps) to 365.76 m/s (1200 fps). 17. The method of claim. 13, characterized in that the product flow of the main pipeline has a speed not exceeding 0.89 m/s (2 miles per hour). 18. The method of claim 13, further comprising: impact of the released part on the rear side of the specified vertical element, creating an increased braking pressure on the rear side of the vertical element; while the increased braking pressure creates a starting force at least 10 times greater than that of a line to start a pig of the same size, not including the nozzle and the release of a portion of the diverted flow. 19. The method according to claim 18, characterized in that the starting force is large in the range from 15 times to 100 times.

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