Pipeline relining
AssigneeENI S.p.A.
InventorsStefano Carminati, Massimo Zampato, Stefano Mauro, Leonardo Sabatino Scimmi
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A process and system for applying a liner to an inner surface of a pipeline uses an “inversion” technique to apply the liner. This involves arranging the liner into everted and non-everted portions and driving the non-everted portion through the pipeline such that it everts and is applied to the inner surface of the pipeline. At least first and second pipeline vehicles are used to drive the non-everted portion of the liner through the pipeline.
Claims12
A process for applying a liner to an inner surface of a pipeline, the process comprising the steps of:
- i) providing first and second pipeline vehicles, an anchor member and the liner, the liner being an elongate flexible liner;
- ii) arranging the liner so that:
- the liner comprises everted and non-everted portions and the everted portion is fixed to the anchor member, and
- the non-everted portion extends through respective first and second passages of the first and second pipeline vehicles and the everted portion is folded over a leading portion of the first pipeline vehicle;
- iii) driving the first pipeline vehicle through the pipeline away from the anchor member and second pipeline vehicle so that the non-everted portion is pulled towards the leading portion of the first pipeline vehicle by the first pipeline vehicle and applied to the inner surface of the pipeline;
- iv) clamping a first portion of the non-everted portion of the liner with a second clamping component of the second pipeline vehicle a distance behind the first pipeline vehicle;
- v) driving the second pipeline vehicle towards the first pipeline vehicle through the pipeline;
- and
- vi) driving the first pipeline vehicle away from the second pipeline vehicle further into the pipeline.
A system for applying a liner to an inner surface of a pipeline, comprising:
- a first pipeline vehicle having:
- a first passage extending therethrough, the first passage being for the liner and comprising an inlet and an outlet, and
- a guide surface arranged to direct a first portion of the liner passing through the outlet onto the inner surface of the pipeline;
- and
- a second pipeline vehicle having a second passage extending therethrough, the second passage being for the liner,
- wherein the second pipeline vehicle comprises a second clamping component arranged to clamp a second portion of the liner when the liner is located in the second passage.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.