A projectile launching apparatus for cleaning the inner surface of a tube by forcing a projectile through the tube, comprising: a main body containing a breech chamber terminating in an exit port, wherein the breech chamber is provided with a loading port in a side thereof for radially loading a projectile into the breech chamber; a slide disposed on an exterior surface of the main body, the slide being axially movable between a first position wherein the loading port is exposed for loading of a projectile into the breech chamber and a second position wherein the loading port and the breech chamber are sealed; a gas gun operatively connected to the main body in pneumatic communication with the breech chamber; and an exit nozzle connected to the exit port and being connectable to a first end of the tube to be cleaned.

A method of removing trapped hydrocarbons from pipework, the pipework comprising a through pipe (1) extending from an inlet to an outlet, and at least one up-pipe (2a, 2b) extending upwardly from the through pipe. The method comprises: flushing the through pipe with a water-based liquid (6) which has a density less than hydrocarbons; wherein the water-based liquid comprises a plurality of rigid containers, such as microspheres, the rigid containers each having a sealed void containing a gas. in this way, hydrocarbons in the up-pipes may be removed without hot-tapping them. The flushing may be performed by directing pipeline pigs (5a, 5b) in front of and behind the water-based liquid. The pigs may be a cross-linked gel, based pipeline pig with elastomeric properties. A kit of parts for such a method is also disclosed.

A method of removing trapped hydrocarbons from pipework, the pipework comprising a through pipe (1) extending from an inlet to an outlet, and at least one up-pipe (2a, 2b) extending upwardly from the through pipe. The method comprises: flushing the through pipe with a water-based liquid (6) which has a density less than hydrocarbons; wherein the water-based liquid comprises a plurality of rigid containers, such as microspheres, the rigid containers each having a sealed void containing a gas. in this way, hydrocarbons in the up-pipes may be removed without hot-tapping them. The flushing may be performed by directing pipeline pigs (5a, 5b) in front of and behind the water-based liquid. The pigs may be a cross-linked gel, based pipeline pig with elastomeric properties. A kit of parts for such a method is also disclosed.

In one aspect there is disclosed a pipe cleaner assembly (10) operatively adapted to be located within a pipe obstructed with plant material. The pipe cleaner assembly (10) includes a cutting head (12) longitudinally extending about a cutting head axis (16) between a driving end (18) and a cutting end (20). The cutting head (12) defines a driving element slot (22) operatively adapted to hold an elongate driving element. The pipe cleaner assembly (10) further includes a cutting formation (14) operatively secured to the cutting head (12). The cutting formation (14) outwardly extends from the cutting end (18) of the cutting head (12) so that in use torque applied to the cutting head (12) by the driving element causes the cutting head (12) and as a result the cutting formation (14) to rotate about the cutting head axis (16) to cut plant material within the pipe.

A hose clearing apparatus has a cylindrical body, a fluid coupler on the rear side, and a fluid nozzle on the front side. A method of clearing a hose involves coupling a fluid to the fluid coupler, adjusting the fluid nozzle to achieve the desired spray, powering on the vacuum with the hose coupled thereto, inserting the front of the body and accompanying nozzle into the hose, and allowing the hose to traverse through the hose.

An improved apparatus and methodologies of use for cleaning debris and contaminants from an interior surface or sidewall of a fluid-carrying conduit, such as a pipeline, are provided. More particularly, an apparatus and methodologies of use are provided, wherein the apparatus or ‘pipeline pig’ operates bi-directionally and comprises counter-rotating cleaning elements that are operative to enhance removal of debris and contaminants from the pipeline.

Methods and systems are provided for treating the tail gas stream of a sulfur recovery plant. The methods including generating a tail gas stream from a sulfur recovery plant, treating the tail gas stream with a hydrogen sulfide absorption unit and a hydrogen selective membrane unit, generating a stream low in hydrogen sulfide and a stream rich in hydrogen. The hydrogen sulfide rich stream is recycled to the sulfur recovery unit. The hydrogen selective membrane unit includes a glassy polymer membrane selective for hydrogen over hydrogen sulfide and carbon dioxide.

Systems and methods for cleaning a photobioreactor apparatus are described. Cleaning devices are described that include flexible members coupled to a propulsion member. The cleaning devices may be moved through tubes of the photobioreactor apparatus using the propulsion member. As the cleaning devices move, the flexible members may make contact with walls of the tubes, thereby cleaning the walls of the tubes. Cleaning devices are also contemplated that include particles with some rigidity that intermix with the fluid inside the tubes and clean the walls of the tubes as the particles contact the walls.

A method of cleaning a pipeline is performed by introducing a treatment composition comprising a colloidal particle dispersion having inorganic nanoparticles with an average particle size of from 500 nm or less into an interior of a pipeline to be cleaned. A pig or body is passed through the pipeline to spread the composition upon surfaces of the interior of the pipeline. The composition and materials adhering to the surfaces of the interior of the pipeline are removed to facilitate cleaning of the pipeline.

A pipeline pig includes a pair of axially spaced apart sleeve housings containing an axially extending central shaft so as to define therebetween a fluid flow path that extends axially through the pipeline pig. A circumferential brush is rotatably mounted on the central shaft, and exposed between the pair of sleeve housings. A turbine wheel is disposed in the flow path and attached to the circumferential brush. Vanes of the turbine wheel are configured such that axial fluid flow through the fluid flow path impinging on the vanes drives rotation of the turbine wheel and hence rotation of the attached circumferential brush about the central shaft. A scraper disc for a pipeline pig includes a body formed from a resilient material, and an insert formed from a wear-resistant material. The insert is incorporated into the body and defines one or more edges coinciding with the outer circumference of the body.