Pipeline repair
AssigneeInternational Business Machines Corporation
InventorsSarah K. Czaplewski, Joseph Kuczynski, Melissa K. Miller, Jing Zhang
Life of this patent
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Abstract
In an example, a method of repairing a pipeline includes isolating a section of a pipeline that includes a leak site. The method includes flooding the section of the pipeline with a plug formulation that includes artificial platelets and an ultraviolet (UV) photoinitiator. The section may be pressurized to induce migration of the artificial platelets to the leak site. The method also includes draining excess plug formulation from the section of the pipeline. The method further includes exposing the UV photoinitiator to UV light to form a gas impermeable seal at the leak site.
Claims17
A method of repairing a pipeline, the method comprising:
- isolating a section of the pipeline that includes a leak site;
- flooding the section of the pipeline with a plug formulation that includes artificial platelets, an ultraviolet (UV) photoinitiator, and a first part of a two-part epoxy system;
- pressurizing the section of the pipeline to induce migration of the artificial platelets to the leak site;
- draining excess plug formulation from the section of the pipeline;
- pumping a second part of the two-part epoxy system into the section of the pipeline to contact the first part of the two-part epoxy system;
- and
- exposing the UV photoinitiator to UV light delivered through a fiber optic cable to form a gas impermeable seal at the leak site.
A method of repairing a gas pipeline, the method comprising:
- identifying a section of the gas pipeline that includes a leak site;
- isolating the section of the gas pipeline;
- flooding the section of the gas pipeline with a plug formulation that includes artificial platelets, an ultraviolet (UV) photoinitiator, and a first part of a two-part epoxy system, a portion of the first part of the two-part epoxy system is covalently bonded to a portion of the artificial platelets;
- pressurizing the section of the gas pipeline to induce migration of the artificial platelets to the leak site;
- draining excess plug formulation from the section of the gas pipeline;
- pumping a second part of the two-part epoxy system into the section of the gas pipeline to contact the first part of the two-part epoxy system;
- and
- exposing the UV photoinitiator to UV light delivered through a fiber optic cable to form a gas impermeable seal at the leak site.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.