DE10338952A1 - Pipeline inspection pig identification arrangement, in which pig locating takes place by the exchange of acoustic signals between an acoustic unit mounted with the pig and an external acoustic unit - Google Patents

Abstract

Arrangement for identifying inspection pigs in a pipeline, comprises at least a unit outside the pipeline with an acoustic transmitter for transmitting an acoustic signal into the pipeline and an acoustic receiver for receiving an acoustic signal back from the pipeline and at least a unit inside the pipeline for transmitting acoustic signals outside the pipeline and receiving acoustic signals from outside the pipeline.

Description

The The invention relates to an arrangement for the identification of bodies in a pipeline. In pipelines or pipelines for petroleum and petroleum products become bodies (newts) in certain periods of time into the liquid brought in. These newts (English also called Pig) become the Inspection, wall examination, deformation investigation, cleaning, Product separation etc. used.

The Localization and detection of newts is necessary to monitor the pig journey.

A Another important task is the timely detection of the pig to operate at the pig locks necessary fittings so that a damage the pigs or pig locks is prevented.

In The art is known magnetic systems, the pig passes over two perceive different methods, permanent magnets and magnetic Transmitter with battery operation.

The permanent magnets attached to a newt can indeed of units outside The pipeline will be perceived, but will not help, to additional body to recognize in front of the newt.

In Recently, mobile and stationary magnetic field meters are known become, the anomalies of the natural Evaluate magnetic field along a pipeline.

to Localization of a pig or the perception of a pig passage, are body in these methods or objects made of ferromagnetic materials necessary. In order to The gatsch can not be detected from hydrocarbons.

It are known devices for pig detection on an acoustic basis.

In the patent WO 00/45161 or PCT / N00 / 00013 is a method for monitoring described by piping, alternating an acoustic sensor operates in an active or passive mode. This should be noise emissions by foreign bodies recognized in the liquid become. By the amplitude comparison of the sent and received Signal is also a detection of foreign bodies such as sand or scree possible. To become bandpass filters for the characterization of the received signals used.

sand and scree generate a noise emission, which is much easier to recognize than soft and tough materials like Gatch, where none of the oil different noise emission occurs.

at In addition to the pig detection, the problem is that it still has one Variety of different newts are. For example, there are those with different cuffs, with and without rollers etc.

The Recording the noise emission gives a broad peak, which is a sharp localization of the pig difficult.

inspection tools consist of several metal bodies and are therefore well detectable with magnetic field measurement methods. Newts made of foams are therefore undetectable.

sollche Newts and other bodies in the pipeline be detected with active acoustic methods.

conventional Pig detectors according to the momentum-echo principle can cause foreign objects through the interruption recognize the ultrasonic path.

at Cleaning pigs comes with another important aspect. Of the Gatsch accumulated in the pipeline, consisting of impurities such as paraffins, water, rust, etc., is pushed by the newt in front of him. The length This plug is unknown and can be compared with the conventional one Means of monitoring the ultrasound reflection can not be determined. This gossip should be separated from the pig at the pig trap.

One only on the principle of sound interruption working pig detector I would Report a pig passage at Gatch. The pig trap would do so too early actuated become.

Becomes only the back of the pig, i. when the reflected signal again detected by the sensor, this problem can be alleviated.

The Length of the Gatschpfropfens but only after the passage of the pig recognizable. Thus, a separation of the Gatsches from the oil is difficult.

Of the with most important shortage, is the unreliability of this procedure. Owns the crude oil a high proportion of Gatsch, it comes to the interruption of the ultrasound. This effect also occurs in gas bubbles, by releasing gas from crude oil, on.

It So a pig passage is already reported, without a newt passed the pig detector.

With the invention, the above-mentioned disadvantages of the previous Pig detectors eliminated.

In addition to the described properties, the inventive arrangement as an acoustic modem for the data transmission out of the pipeline to outside arranged acoustic units serve.

In order to Data storage of known inspection pigs are relieved and additionally the data transfer while the piggyback without opening the pipeline possible.

It an arrangement is described, which except the reflections of their own Ultrasonic waves, receiving more ultrasonic waves. These Ultrasonic waves are interspersed in one or more time ranges the reflections of the emitted ultrasonic waves on features tested for acoustic identification of the pig.

At least one from the outside on the pipeline applied element for transmitting and / or receiving from acoustic waves in a pipeline, periodically sends acoustic Signals. These are received by a body to be identified and acoustically with a transmitted pulse or train of pulses answered.

A Acoustic unit in a tube whose surface consists of at least one 1-3 composite and covers the circumference of a body located in the tube.

This acoustically sensitive element is part of an arrangement for identification of bodies in piping and is on the outer surface of a body to the liquid side attached and directed to the pipe inner wall.

With an acoustic element of one or more 1-3 composite can curved piezoelectric elements cost a circumference of 360 ° for reception and cover for sending.

Especially suitable are those, such as those as Macro Fibers Composites (MFC) known flexible structures.

With An interdigital structure makes acoustic elements more adequate Make length. This is also higher Flow rate of the oil and so that the pig also ensures recognition.

Further Components for operating the device for identification are located in the room surrounded by the acoustic element.

The Arrangement for identification can also be part of other systems being constructed. The acoustic element can also ultrasonic waves of so-called markers are received and as a trigger for an acoustic Identification signal serve.

existing Systems for the inspection of pipelines or foam pigs Cleaning can be retrofitted with sections for identification.

In a further embodiment of the invention, this can be as an acoustic Modem for data transmission serve. Inspection pig could to pass data to the pipeline at certain points. The necessary data storage capacity is included reduces or results from this an additional safety aspect, because in the event of an accident not all previously collected data is lost.

Further Features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following Description of an embodiment based on the drawings. In the drawings show:

1 a schematic representation of the signal paths of the arrangement according to the invention

2 a schematic structure of a possible development of the arrangement according to the invention

1 shows the signaling pathways in the identification of a body (here newt) ( 4 ) in a pipeline or pipeline ( 1 ). One with the evaluation unit ( 3 ) connected acoustic element ( 2 ) sends acoustic pulses ( 5 ) at a frequency of, for example, 500 kHz, which is well penetrated by the crude oil, through the pipeline ( 1 ).

Is the acoustic element ( 8th ), with the newt ( 4 ) and within the pipeline ( 1 ), an acoustic impulse ( 5 ) of the acoustic element ( 2 ) from outside the pipeline ( 1 ) is received by the evaluation unit ( 7 ) an acoustic response ( 6 ) via an acoustic element ( 8th ) within the pipeline ( 1 ) to the acoustic element ( 2 ) outside the pipeline ( 1 ) Posted.

The evaluation unit ( 7 ) controls the transmission of the acoustic response ( 6 ) so that these are not at the time of the sunstorm from the opposite wall of the pipeline ( 1 ) reflected signal ( 5 ) at the acoustic element ( 2 ) falls.

The acoustic element ( 8th ) may advantageously be designed broadband.

As a receiver and transmitter, a piezoelectric 1-3 composite can be used. Sending and receiving are done via an acoustic element ( 8th ).

The acoustic element ( 8th ) may consist of one or more active parts for receiving and transmitting the ultrasonic waves.

So The acoustic element can consist of several parallel side by side arranged curved Strip consist of the already mentioned MFC.

2 shows the schematic structure of the inventive arrangement with an acoustic element ( 8th ) of several strips of MFC ( 9 ) to ( 14 ). For driving the strips from MFC ( 9 ) to ( 14 ) is located in a container (cylinder), which is part of the acoustic element ( 8th ). The acoustic element ( 8th ) is section of a newt ( 4 ).

A detailed description of the MFC is omitted here. Advantageously, these are plated through and are electrically connected only from one side. In a further embodiment of the invention, the MFC can be mounted with a means suitable for coupling on the inside of an ultrasound-conducting cylinder. This protects them against components of the oil. The components required in a known manner for receiving and transmitting ultrasonic waves are on electronic boards in the interior of the acoustic element ( 8th ) arranged.

The inventive arrangement allows the identification of an object and, if necessary, the data transmission ( 15 ) to one outside the pipeline ( 1 ) acoustic element ( 2 ). The reception and the radiation of the ultrasonic waves in a circumference of 360 ° allow the installation of the acoustic element ( 2 ) in any position. The orientation of the pig ( 4 ) can also be arbitrary.

Claims (9)

Arrangement for the identification of bodies in a pipeline, characterized in that it consists of at least one acoustic signal in the pipeline sending and acoustic signals from the pipe receiving unit and at least one in the pipeline acoustic signals and emitting acoustic signals unit. Arrangement according to claim 1, characterized that for the identification of bodies in a pipeline serving unit for receiving and / or transmitting acoustic waves in a pipe, covering at least one circumference of a body acoustic element. Arrangement according to claim 1 to 2, characterized that the acoustic element of at least one, the curvature adapted 1-3 composite consists. Arrangement according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized that the acoustic element to the liquid side surrounded by a protective cover is, whose lateral surface consists of an ultrasonic wave conducting material. Arrangement according to one of Claims 1 to 4, characterized that the acoustic element covers a circumference of 360 °. Arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, characterized characterized in that the respective intended operation of the acoustic element necessary components in the interior of the acoustic element covered room are arranged. Arrangement according to at least one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the acoustic element as part or sole part of a system for identification in the pipeline works independently and with other bodies, even can be combined. Arrangement according to one of claims 1 to 2, characterized that to operate the acoustic system outside the piping necessary parts have interfaces and with other, mobile systems combined with general signal processing can be. Arrangement according to at least one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the acoustic system is part of a acoustic modems for data transmission between bodies inside the pipeline and outside the pipeline.