Fluid handling – Processes – Affecting flow by the addition of material or energy
Patent
1979-07-09
1982-02-09
Cohan, Alan
Fluid handling
Processes
Affecting flow by the addition of material or energy
137 15, 137315, 138 97, F16L 5512_
Patent
active
043145779
ABSTRACT:
Method and apparatus for installing and testing new pipelines or for testing, repairing or modifying existing pipelines without purging products from the line are disclosed. The method is carried out by selectively sealing the pipeline to prevent the flow of products by means of a pipeline freeze pig which features an expandable chamber which is filled with water. A section of fluid transmission line is sealed by positioning the freeze pig within the interior of the section and positioning a refrigeration unit around the exterior of the section enclosing the freeze pig. The water within the expandable enclosure is frozen by circulating a refrigerant through the refrigeration unit. The freeze pig is characterized by a resilient boot enclosure defining the expandable chamber which is secured to an elongated support member. The resilient boot is disposed between first and second flexible flange members which project radially for wiping engagement with the inner wall surface of the transmission line. The flexible side wall of the resilient boot is radially yieldable in response to the force exerted by the expansion of the freezing volume of water contained within the boot to cause sealing engagement of the flexible side wall portion with the inner wall surface of the transmission line. A component of the transmission line section is isolated by positioning a pair of freeze pigs in the pipeline downstream and upstream relative to the component so that the flow of liquid product through the section is halted. Thereafter the section of pipeline or component lying intermediate the frozen pigs is penetrated in order to perform the modification, repair or replacement.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3695301 (1972-10-01), Pittman
patent: 3827282 (1974-08-01), Brister
patent: 3926006 (1975-12-01), Brooks
patent: 4077435 (1978-03-01), Van Scoy
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