Pipe joints or couplings – With casing – lining or protector – Lined
Patent
1996-11-12
1999-11-23
Nicholson, Eric K.
Pipe joints or couplings
With casing, lining or protector
Lined
2852881, 285370, F16L 5916, F16L 914
Patent
active
059886919
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
The present invention relates to methods and apparatus relating to fluid pipelines, particularly steel pipelines, of the type which are lined with protective sleeves, particularly sleeves of plastics material such as high density polyethylene (HDPE). The invention is particularly but not exclusively concerned with the subsea use of such lined pipelines for transporting water, hydrocarbons and other fluids.
The invention will be described with particular reference to HDPE lined pipes for water, but it should be understood that the particular materials described may be varied as necessary to meet the requirements of other fluids. Pipelines having linings of this general type will be referred to herein as "lined pipes".
It is known to line pipelines with HDPE sleeves for the purpose of protecting the interior of the pipeline against corrosion or chemical attack by the fluid being transported. However, such linings create difficulties in forming joins between lengths of pipeline. Conventional butt welding of the pipe lengths damages the lining, so that it becomes necessary for the lengths to be joined by other means, typically flange connections. In the context of subsea operations, flange connection of pipelines precludes the spooling of the pipeline onto a reel for reel-type pipelaying operations, except for pipeline stalks of limited length.
It is an object of the present invention to provide improved methods and apparatus for fabricating lined pipelines in a manner which allows arbitrary lengths of pipeline to be fabricated in a manner suitable for winding onto a reel. More particularly, it is an object of the invention to provide methods and apparatus whereby lengths of pipe lining may be sealed to the interior surfaces of pipes in such a manner that two lengths of lined pipe may be welded end to end without damage to the lining. These methods and apparatus are also applicable to the simple termination of pipe linings. It is a further object of the invention to provide another improved termination for the lining sleeve of a lined pipe which is applicable to flanged pipe terminations and to other types of pipe terminations.
In accordance with a first aspect of the invention there is provided a method of securing an end of a sleeve of lining material extending to the interior surface of a pipe, comprising the steps of providing a metallic corrosion resistant portion at the end of the pipe to which the end of the sleeve of lining material is to be secured, securing a metallic corrosion resistant end piece to the end of the lining sleeve, securing and sealing said end piece to the inner surface of the corrosion resistant portion of the pipe at a location spaced inwardly from the end thereof.
Preferably, said corrosion resistant portion of said pipe is provided by means of corrosion resistant cladding applied to the inner surface of the end of said pipe. Alternatively, said corrosion resistant portion may be provided by welding a pup piece to the end of said pipe, at least a portion of the inner surface of said pup piece being formed from corrosion resistant material.
Preferably also, said end piece each comprise a generally cylindrical plastics hub having an insert of said metallic corrosion resistant material.
Preferably, said metallic insert includes an outer cylindrical portion extending beyond the end of the hub.
Preferably also, the longitudinal end of the outer insert portion is seal welded to the corrosion resistant portion of the pipe end at a point spaced inwardly from the outermost longitudinal end thereof.
Preferably also, said insert further includes an inner cylindrical portion extending around the inner circumference of the hub.
Preferably also, said inner portion further includes a frusto-conical surface which extends outwardly over the end of the hub to mate with the inner surface of said outer portion.
Preferably also, said insert further includes radial formations extending between said outer and inner portions providing a key by means of which the insert is securely fastened to the hub.
In
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Coflexip Stena Offshore Limited
Nicholson Eric K.
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