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AssigneeR.B. Williamson Energy Advisors LLC
InventorsJoseph Alan Morton, Richard Brooks Williamson, Lawrence Dean Alspaugh, Jonathan Luke Beam, David Kenneth Turner, Darrin Kenneth Turner, Robert Bockmeulen
Estimating the term…
Systems and methods of this disclosure make use of positive pressure to evacuate pipeline product contained within an isolated section of pipeline. In embodiments, an inert fluid is injected at a first location along the isolated section at a pressure above that of a non-isolated section of pipeline The displaced pipeline product, which may be filtered, then flows out of the isolated section at second location along the isolated section and into the non-isolated section. In other embodiments, a pressure differential between the isolated and non-isolated sections is created by lowering a pressure of the non-isolated section below that of the isolated section. The pipeline product may be a liquid, a gas, or a mixture of the two. The composition of product may be monitored as it flows through the isolated section or as it exits the section. Evacuation may be slowed or stopped based upon the composition.
A process for emptying a pipeline fluid contained between a first end and a second end of an isolated section of pipeline, the pipeline fluid being contained in the isolated section at a pipeline pressure above atmospheric pressure, the method comprising:
A system for emptying a pipeline fluid contained between a first end and a second end of an isolated section of pipeline, the pipeline fluid being contained in the isolated section at a pipeline pressure above atmospheric pressure, the system comprising:
A process for emptying a pipeline fluid contained between a first end and a second end of an isolated section of pipeline, the process comprising creating a differential pressure between the isolated section of the pipeline and a non-isolated section of the pipeline located outside of, and adjacent to, the second end, a pressure of the isolated and non-isolated sections each being at a positive pressure, the differential pressure being a difference effective for causing the pipeline fluid to flow toward the second end of the isolated section of pipeline and into the non-isolated section.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.