Methods, systems, and computer program products for in-pipeline maintenance, delivery and management of sensors are provided herein. A multi-component, in-pipeline sensor management system includes a self-propelled sensor explorer component comprising (i) one or more communication sub-components and (ii) one or more navigation assistance sub-components, wherein the self-propelled sensor explorer component is configured to move through a liquid within a pipeline; a sensor coupling unit comprising one or more attachment structures, wherein the one or more attachment structures enable the system to attach to one or more sensors within the pipeline; and a sensor maintenance unit comprising (i) a cleansing unit, wherein the cleansing unit comprises (a) an inlet valve for one or more cleaning liquids and (b) an outlet valve for one or more waste liquids, (ii) a cleaning liquid storage component coupled to the inlet valve, and (iii) a waste liquid collector coupled to the outlet valve.

Seal element for a pipeline pig, which is transferable from a propulsion position into a sealing position, in which the seal element presses against an inside of a pipeline wall, wherein the seal element has at least one preferably ring-shaped hollow body, which can be filled with fluid and emptied, whereby the seal element is transferable between propulsion position and sealing position.

Apparatus and method for cleaning the inner surface of a pipeline from deposits and for forming a protective coating are disclosed. The apparatus includes a cleaning tool which is caused to move in the interior of the pipeline by a flow of a fluid, the cleaning tool comprising a plurality of guide discs engaging the pipeline surface and mounted along a longitudinal axis of the cleaning tool, an anode positioned inside the cleaning tool, and an impressed current source electrically connected to the anode and the interior of the pipeline, the interior of the pipeline acting as a cathode when current is applied from the current source so that ions flow from the anode, through the fluid, to the interior of the pipeline.

A method for cleaning a coke deposit from an internal surface of a process equipment, comprising removing at least a portion of the coke deposit from the internal surface using a flexible pig comprising a plurality of bristles, without damaging a metal protective layer of the internal surface of the process equipment. A flexible pig for cleaning a coke deposit from an internal surface of a process equipment without damaging a metal protective layer of the internal surface, comprising a flexible body formed of a polymeric material, and a plurality of bristles partially encapsulated by the polymeric material of the flexible body.

A pipeline pig that can traverse dual- or multiple-diameter pipes or pipelines has collapsible and expandable sealing elements that support the pig, provide a sliding (dynamic) seal with the pipe wall, and maintain the necessary pressure for driving or cleaning as the elements collapse and expand. The sealing elements each have an internal cavity sized to house a first volume of a fluid and a reservoir sized to house a second volume of the fluid. The cavity and reservoir are arranged so that a portion of the volumes of the fluid can move between each. An accumulator maintains a pressure of the first and second volumes of the fluid so that regardless of the sealing element's current size, or whether the element is transitioning between sizes, the element can maintain a sliding seal engagement with the pipe wall and perform the primary function of driving or cleaning (or both).

An annular seal for a conduit pig includes an annular diaphragm and a separate lead support structure. The annular diaphragm is devoid of internal supports and therefore quite flexible. However, the lead support structure supports the annular diaphragm such that a piston effect can be generated through the annular seal. A brush portion for a conduit pig may include forwardly raked bristles.

A cleaning system for cleaning a pneumatic conveyance system used to transport particulate material. The pneumatic conveyance system includes a material-introduction device for introducing particulate material into a convey line, and a motive air source for generating an air flow to propel the particulate material through the convey line. The cleaning system comprises a projectile comprising a cleaning surface for cleaning an interior of the convey line as the projectile travels through the convey line, a launcher for injecting the projectile into the convey line, with the launcher being coupled with the convey line at a position upstream from the material-introduction device, and a catcher vessel for receiving the projectile upon said projectile exiting the convey line.

In a tube cleaning system and method, multiple steps can be run with a single pass by using a combination pig train. For example, an initial combination pig train may include a plurality of bristle pigs and polymer trailing pigs with a cleaning solution between each pair. One example is a first leading bristle pig and a first trailing polymer pig containing a first slug of caustic cleaning solution followed by a second bristle pig and second polymer trailing pig containing a second slug of caustic cleaning solution. Another example is a leading bristle pig, a middle bristle pig, and a trailing polymer pig with a cleaning composition disposed between the leading and middle bristle pigs and a cleaning composition disposed between the middle bristle pig and the trailing pig. Such combination pig trains are moved through the tube to be cleaned in a single pass to achieve two cleaning steps.

Certain exemplary embodiments can provide a pipe pig. The pipe pig comprises a first mounting hub coupled to a mandrel and a first sealing element. The pipe pig further comprises two chassis, each of which is coupled to the mounting hub and the sealing element.

Certain exemplary embodiments comprise a seal assembly, a mandrel, a front module, and/or a rear module. At least one of the front module and the rear module comprises a mount hub, a seal assembly, a chassis, and/or a mount plate. Various annular sealing assemblies can be mounted and dismounted to and from the mount hub. The mount hub can provide substantial central support for the sealing system. The chassis can be constructed to couple the mount hub to the seal element. The mount plate can be constructed to couple the module to the mandrel. The modular pipeline pig is substantially modular. Certain exemplary embodiments provide for relatively rapid mounting and dismounting of elements to and from the module assembly. In practice, such embodiments allow for quickly and easily configuring a pigging system for many different applications.