Method of cleaning pipeline interior with self-destructive cleaning device

Abstract

Pipeline interiors is cleaned by passing through a self-destructive device, which has structure of hybrid physical (thermoreversible) hydrogel of polyelectrolyte and its complexes with salt ions. The melting temperature of the device is lower than the temperature in the pipeline, which ensures its destruction in an event of a stoppage, as well as an cleaning possibility without the use of receiving chambers. An operational time of the device is regulated by structure of material at manufacturing stage and can be additionally increased by cooling before launching, which makes it possible to use a batch of devices of the same composition in pipelines of different lengths. After launching, over time, temperature of the device rises and transition of the material into a viscous-fluid state occurs—transformation into a liquid. Highly concentrated hydrogel makes it possible to manufacture devices in the form of a bullet with a central, longitudinal through channel in body, which improves the quality of interior cleaning and guarantees the destruction of the device in the pipeline. The method of device manufacturing includes the preparation of forming mixture by dissolving in some polar solvent under conditions of mixing and heating some electrolyte and polyelectrolyte, as a result of reaction between them formation of complexes, pouring the forming mixture into casting molds, cooling and holding the mixture until the product is obtained. Use self-destructive pigs in gas fields looks promising in gathering pipelines during period of falling gas production, at underground gas storages, at field of production in offshore areas, water pipelines and distribution networks, also in many field activities with use of piping transport.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.