# US 4,396,031 A · Method for restricting uncontrolled fluid flow through a pipe

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- Number: US 4,396,031 A
- Document ID: US4396031A
- Status: Granted
- Kind: A
- Application number: 06/223,171
- Filed: 1981-01-07
- Granted: 1983-08-02
- Earliest claimed: 1981-01-07
- Assignees: Conoco Inc.
- Inventors: Marvin L. Peterson; Orwin G. Maxson; Adolph A. Sutko
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US4396031A

## CPC

- F17D 1/16: Facilitating the conveyance of liquids or effecting the conveyance of viscous products by modification of their viscosity {(changing the flow or the viscosity by adding a chemical agent C09K3/00, C10M)}
- E21B 36/001: {Cooling arrangements}
- F16K 13/00: Other constructional types of cut-off apparatus (means for plugging pipes or hoses F16L55/10); Arrangements for cutting-off
- F16K 49/00: Means in or on valves for heating or cooling (heating or cooling of pipes or pipe systems F16L53/00; thermal insulation in connection with pipes or pipe systems F16L59/16)
- F16L 55/103: by temporarily freezing liquid sections in the pipe
- Y10T 137/0391: Affecting flow by the addition of material or energy
- Y10T 137/6579: Circulating fluid in heat exchange relationship
- F17D: PIPE-LINE SYSTEMS; PIPE-LINES (pumps or compressors F04; fluid dynamics F15D; valves or the like F16K; pipes, laying pipes, supports, joints, branches, repairing, work on the entire line, accessories F16L; steam traps or the like F16T; fluid-pressure electric cables H01B9/06)
- E21B: EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
- F16K: VALVES; TAPS; COCKS; ACTUATING-FLOATS; DEVICES FOR VENTING OR AERATING {(devices for emptying and evacuating the excess liquid in valves or conduits F16L55/07)}
- F16L: PIPES; JOINTS OR FITTINGS FOR PIPES; SUPPORTS FOR PIPES, CABLES OR PROTECTIVE TUBING; MEANS FOR THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
- Y10T: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION

## Abstract

A method for restricting uncontrolled fluid flow through a pipe by positioning a heat conductor through the pipe wall and in contact with fluid flowing through the pipe and cooling the heat transfer surfaces of the heat conductor to freeze a portion of the flowing fluid on the heat transfer surfaces. The freezing is continued to form a plug which substantially restricts or stops flow through the pipe.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A method for restricting uncontrolled flow of a petroleum fluid containing minor amounts of water through a production riser for the production of petroleum from a subterranean formation, said method consisting essentially of
(a) positioning a heat conductor having a heat exchange surface through the wall of said production riser so that at least a portion of the heat exchange surface is in heat transferring contact with said petroleum fluid containing minor amounts of water within said production riser;
(b) positioning water injection means adjacent to and upstream of the heat conductor;
(c) adding water through said upstream water injection means to the petroleum fluid to form the petroleum fluid containing minor amounts of water; and
(d) cooling the heat exchange surface of the heat conductor to freeze the water in the petroleum fluid on the heat exchange surface, thus restricting the flow through the production riser.