Temporary disintegratable plug for an open-ended oil pipeline
AssigneeInterprovincial Pipe Line Company
InventorDonald D. Savard
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The plug is formed of fibrous material held together by a wax binder in the form of a cylindrical body. The body is adapted to fit closely into the bore of an open-ended pipeline. The body has a reduced diameter inner end portion. A thick band of asphalt-base sealant is applied to the inner surface of the pipe at the location to be taken up by the reduced diameter portion. The vertical inner end surface of the plug is also coated with the sealant. When the plug is inserted into the line, its close fit holds it in place and the sealant seals across the bore. The plug functions to isolate residual hydrocarbon vapors in the line while a new section of pipe is tied in. The plug disintegrates when contacted with the subsequent oil flow.
Claims2
In combination:
- an open-ended steel pipeline having an inner surface forming a bore containing hydrocarbon vapours;
- a cylindrical plug sealing the bore of the pipeline, said plug being formed of fibrous material held together with oil-soluble binder and comprising a main body having a close fit with the inner surface of the pipeline, said pug having a reduced diameter inner end portion which is gas impermeable, said plug being disintegratable when pumped and contacted with liquid hydrocarbon;
- and
- a bank of gas-impermeable oil-soluble sealant adhering to the pipeline inner surface and sealing between the reduced diameter portion of the plug and the inner surface of the pipeline.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.