METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR ACHIEVING ZERO EMISSIONS OF GASEOUS SUBSTANCES IN RTP PIPELINES AND CONDUITS

Abstract

A method, device and processing system for a G-ZED “Gaseous Zero Emissions Device” for the inspection, detection and management of gaseous permeation through composite pipe structures, termed Reinforced Thermoplastic Pipe, non-metallic or partially metallic composite pipelines and conduits, or cured type structure, and instrumented with inventive monitoring, inspection and communication systems, prefabricated, and delivered for installation, in existing lined or free-standing pipes with minimal disturbance to the operation of such pipelines. The device has a cylindrical gas chamber surrounding a portion of a continuous multilayered composite pipe to capture permeated gas directed into the gas chamber and then to a compression chamber for pressure separation, reclamation and reinjection into the pipeline gas flow or to storage. The device is monitored and controlled through individual embedded sensors, reader/activator fiber optic sensing and transmission, data transmission and a computer system for receiving and processing information.

Claims

1. A permeation device for the management and mitigation of gaseous permeation through and within the layers of multilayered composite pipe, and prevention of gaseous substances' undetected and uncontrolled accumulation in an annular space between the multilayered composite pipe and a host steel pipeline, and prevention of release to the atmosphere and potential catastrophic failure of the pipeline, comprising: a. a cylindrical permeation gas chamber with a cavity and an outer surface having an inlet end and an exit end and of diameter greater than a host steel pipeline within which is installed a continuous multilayered composite pipe having an end and an outer layer, said multilayered composite pipe end extending into the permeation gas chamber at the inlet end with the outer layer of the multilayered composite pipe exposed to the cavity of the permeation gas chamber to allow migration of gas permeation from the multilayered composite pipe into the permeation gas chamber; b. a steel pipe connecting section with a connecting end extending into the permeation gas chamber at the exit end and said connecting end joining the multilayered composite pipe end with a connector specific to the respective diameters of the multilayered composite pipe and the steel pipe with continuous gas flow through the multilayered composite pipe and the steel pipe proceeding from the entry end to the exit end; c. at least one centralizer to support the steel pipe connecting section within the permeation gas chamber; d. at least one non-reversible permeated gas flow pipe attached to the outer surface of the permeation gas chamber directed to an assembly of fittings with pressure monitoring to SCADA to facilitate the evacuation of permeated gas from the permeation chamber and directed to at least one compression chamber for pressure separation and then directed to a pipe fitting connected to the steel pipe connecting section at the outside of the exit end of the permeation gas chamber to inject reclaimed pressurized permeated gas into the existing steel pipe gas flow. e. pressure monitoring to SCADA from the permeation gas chamber; f. integration with the inline inspection system for the multilayered composite pipe; g. fiber optic transmission, data transmission, and computer system for receiving and processing information, h. multiple embedded discrete sensors with integrated reader/activator.

2. The permeation device of claim 1 where the cylindrical permeation gas chamber has venturi concentric pressurization.

3. The permeation device of claim 1 where the continuous multilayered composite pipe extends continuously through the permeation gas chamber from entry end to exit end where the entire outer layer of the multilayered composite pipe in the permeation gas chamber is exposed to the cavity of the permeation gas chamber to allow migration of gas permeation from the multilayered composite pipe into the permeation gas chamber.

4. The permeation device of claim 3 where the cylindrical permeation gas chamber has venturi concentric pressurization.

5. The permeation device of claim 3 where a Smartpipe Inline inspection Strain Device is placed around the multilayered composite pipe in the permeation gas chamber to afford continuous pipeline monitoring with combined data for permeation.

6. The permeation device of claim 3 where a Smartpipe Transient Mitigation Device is used in combination within the permeation gas chamber to function for pressure mitigation.

7. The permeation device of claim 3 where the continuous multilayered composite pipe may include multiple pipes of consecutive smaller diameters run one in another creating an annulus area between each pipe, which annulus areas would each collect permeated gas to be evacuated to the permeation gas chamber.

8. A method of management and mitigation of gaseous permeation through and within the layers of multilayered composite pipe, and prevention of gaseous substances' uncontrolled accumulation in an annular space between the multilayered composite pipe and a host steel pipeline, and prevention of release to the atmosphere and potential catastrophic failure of the pipeline, comprising the steps of: a. installing a cylindrical permeation gas chamber with a cavity and an outer surface having an inlet end and an exit end and of diameter greater than a host steel pipeline within which is installed a continuous multilayered composite pipe having an end and an outer layer, said multilayered composite pipe end extending into the permeation gas chamber at the inlet end with the outer layer of the multilayered composite pipe exposed to the cavity of the permeation gas chamber to allow migration of gas permeation from the multilayered composite pipe into the permeation gas chamber; a steel pipe connecting section with a connecting end extending into the permeation gas chamber at the exit end and said connecting end joining the multilayered composite pipe end with a connector specific to the respective diameters of the multilayered composite pipe and the steel pipe with continuous gas flow through the multilayered composite pipe and the steel pipe proceeding from the entry end to the exit end; at least one centralizer to support the steel pipe connecting section within the permeation gas chamber; at least one non-reversible permeated gas flow pipe attached to the outer surface of the permeation gas chamber directed to an assembly of fittings with pressure monitoring to SCADA to facilitate the evacuation of permeated gas from the permeation chamber and directed to at least one compression chamber for pressure separation and then directed to a pipe fitting connected to the steel pipe connecting section at the outside of the exit end of the permeation gas chamber to inject reclaimed pressurized permeated gas into the existing steel pipe gas flow; fiber optic transmission, data transmission, and computer system for receiving and processing information; b. integration with the inline inspection system for the multilayered composite pipe; c. monitor pressure in the permeation gas chamber; d. allow migration of gas permeation from the multilayered composite pipe into the permeation gas chamber; e. direct permeated gas from permeated gas chamber to at least one compression chamber and inject reclaimed permeated gas into the steel pipeline or storage.

9. The method of claim 8 where the installed cylindrical permeation gas chamber has venturi concentric pressurization.

10. The method of claim 8 where the continuous multilayered composite pipe extends continuously through the installed permeation gas chamber from entry end to exit end where the entire outer layer of the multilayered composite pipe in the permeation gas chamber is exposed to the cavity of the permeation gas chamber to allow migration of gas permeation from the multilayered composite pipe into the permeation gas chamber.

11. The method of claim 10 where the installed cylindrical permeation gas chamber has venturi concentric pressurization.

12. The method of claim 10 where a Smartpipe Inline Inspection Strain Device is placed around the multilayered composite pipe in the installed permeation gas chamber to afford continuous pipeline monitoring with combined data for permeation.

13. The method of claim 10 where a Smartpipe Transient Mitigation Device is used in combination within the installed permeation gas chamber to function for pressure mitigation.

14. The method of claim 10 where the continuous multilayered composite pipe may include multiple pipes of consecutive smaller diameters run one in another creating an annulus area between each pipe, which annulus areas would each collect permeated gas to be evacuated to the installed permeation gas chamber.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0049] FIG. 1 is a longitudinal cross section of the permeation stem installation. The existing pipe is fitted with a connector specific to RTP connectivity.

[0050] FIG. 2 is an isometric depiction of a typical profile of RTP with a cross section of “shape formed” pipe in “C” formation.

[0051] FIG. 2a is an expanded cross section of the RIP depicted in FIG. 2.

[0052] FIG. 3 is a longitudinal cross-sectional detail of the permeation stem installation showing the RTP configured within the proprietary connector. The illustration represents the flow of the gaseous substance permeating through the pipe.

[0053] FIG. 4 is a depiction of the permeation gas chamber assembly with the inventive G-ZED device engaged over the assembly with several components of the pipeline.

[0054] FIG. 5 is a longitudinal section of the permeation gas chamber assembly with venturi concentric pressurization showing the position of the G-ZED device parallel to the primary device.

[0055] FIG. 6 is a flow diagram depiction of the G-ZED device permeation processing system with embedded sensors, electronics and fiber optics for receiving, processing and gathering information at the connected ports via the Scada or other computerized means.

[0056] FIG. 7 is a longitudinal cross sectional depiction of the Smartpipe In Line Inspection Strain Device (“ILISD”) device combined with utilization of the G-ZED permeation device chamber where the continuation of the monitoring system is fully functional within the CRA (corrosion resistant alloy) or non-metallic composite chamber, and the gaseous substance is collected within the same chamber.

[0057] FIG. 8 is a longitudinal cross sectional depiction of the Smartpipe Transient Mitigation Device (“TMD”) device positioned within the concentric chamber for gaseous substance containment of the G-ZED permeation device.

[0058] FIG. 9 is a cross sectional depiction of the G-ZED continuous pipe chamber as a concentric pipe in single and multiple configurations, providing for the annulus spaces evacuation of the gaseous substances, which may escape from inner pipeline into each subsequent cavity.

[0059] FIG. 10 is a cross sectional depiction of the G-ZED continuous pipe combining multiple pipes within the pipe and the multiple annulus spaces that can sequentially collect gaseous substances, and safely provide for their full evacuation.

[0060] FIG. 11 is a depiction of the G-ZED continuous free-standing pipe with a single containment chamber.

[0061] FIG. 12 is a depiction of the G-ZED continuous free-standing pipe with two or more containment chambers.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0062] FIG. 1 shows the installation of a permeation stem by connecting a section of existing steel pipe 1 into a connector 2 specific to an RTP.

[0063] FIGS. 2 and 2a provide details on the multi-layered components of a composite Smartpipe RTP product including a cross section of “shape formed” pipe in “C” formation with cross section for later processing into pipelines. FIGS. 2 and 2a represent Smartpipe technology and show a typical section of the composite layers from the interior line pipe, high strength tapes, and the protective layer. The components are depicted as follows: [0064] a. Interior liner pipe; [0065] b. High strength reinforced Smartpipe RTP; [0066] c. High strength pulling tapes with embedded woven fabric sensors; [0067] d. Wrapping layers helical and circular; [0068] e. Covering assembly tapes; [0069] f. Sensors and readers for various pipeline functions; [0070] g. “shape formed” pipe in “C” formation; [0071] h. Protective layer with instrumentation fiber optics, full containment no permeation into annulus (host pipe or stand-alone pipe); [0072] i. Metallic non permeable component of the protective layer; impregnated flexible layer cured post installation; high strength nano enhanced barrier, composed layer to contain gas within the RTP.

[0073] The illustration of FIG. 3 is an enlarged detail from FIG. 1 represents the flow of the gaseous substance permeating through the RTP and provides a detail 3 of a free standing pipe with gas permeation 6 contained within the reinforcement layers. The detail 4 shows the reinforcement layers permeated by the gas within the voids and sensors 5 at the outer cover layer detecting the gas permeation. The gas flow movement is towards a containment chamber. Detail 6 indicates gas permeation beyond reinforcement layers migrating to the containment chamber. Direction of continuous gas flow in the pipe is shown by the arrow 11.

[0074] A typical permeation gas chamber assembly as part of the inventive G-ZED system is shown in FIG. 4. with a CRA (corrosion resistant alloy) or non-metallic composite pipe chamber 9 concentrically engaged to collect gas permeation beyond the reinforcement layers 7 of the section of RTP exposed within the chamber 9. Also shown is the inlet part of the steel pipe 1 connected to and extending into the CRA (corrosion resistant alloy) or non-metallic composite pipe chamber 9. The steel pipe extending into the CRA (corrosion resistant alloy) or non-metallic composite pipe chamber 9 is supported by centralizers 8. The RTP section exposed within the chamber 9 joins the existing steel pipe 1 by a connector 2. Further in continuation is the steel pipe connected piece to the exit end from the CRA (corrosion resistant alloy) or non-metallic composite chamber and connected to another connector-fitting the continuation of the pipeline. The section of the steel fitting is the point of directing the reclaimed gaseous substance 16 to be pressurized from the G-ZED into an active pipeline.

[0075] As further shown in FIG. 4, the CRA (corrosion resistant alloy) or non-metallic composite pipe chamber 9 has an inlet end 9a and an exit end 9b. At the inlet end 9a a steel host pipe 14a containing an RTP would be affixed with the RTP extending into the chamber 9 to join the existing steel pipe 1 by a connector 2. At the inlet end 9a annulus gas flow 14 between the RTP and steel host pipe 14a would merge and flow into the chamber 9. Continuous gas flow 11 moves from the inlet end 9a to the exit end 9b. Further in continuation is the steel pipe connected piece 1 from the exit end 9b of the CRA (corrosion resistant alloy) or non-metallic composite chamber and connected to another connector-fitting to the continuation of the pipeline 1. The connector-fitting is the point of the reclaimed gaseous substance 16 to be pressurized from the G-ZED into an active pipeline. Non-reversible gas flow 13 from the chamber 9 would be piped to an assembly of fittings and equipment 10 to facilitate gas evacuation from the chamber 9 and direction to buster compression chambers 17 to provide for separation of pressure before directing the reclaimed gas pressurized 16 back into the existing steel pipe 1. Pressure monitoring 15 for SCADA (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition) would be provided at the assembly of fittings and equipment 10 and the chamber 9 as well as vacuum pressure inducement 12 for flow increase of the permeated gas and multiple embedded discrete sensors 28 are shown in the chamber.

[0076] FIG. 5 shows an alternative embodiment of the permeation gas chamber with venturi concentric pressurization 17, providing a second continuous chamber for gaseous substance containment, pressurization, and evacuation to one of the means of the collection or continuation with the medium in transport.

[0077] The flow diagram depiction in FIG. 6 shows a permeation processing system as would be applied to the inventive G-ZED system generally as shown in FIG. 4. Shown are micro packs 18 used in conjunction with data and fiber optic transmission 19. This system of monitoring has several technological features where it could be combined with sensors, fiber optics and other means available in contemporary technologies. Shown is a control system algorithm 20, computer system 21, SCADA 22 and response alarm 23.

[0078] FIG. 7 shows a Smartpipe In Line Inspection Strain Device (“ILISD”) device 24 used in combination with the inventive G-ZED system within the permeation chamber 9 to afford continuous pipeline monitoring with combined data for permeation. Likewise in FIG. 8, a Smartpipe Transient Mitigation Device (“TMD”) device 25 is used in combination within the permeation chamber 9 to function for pressure mitigation.

[0079] In FIGS. 9 and 10 are shown permeation sections of both singular and multiple RTPs with singular and multiple annulus areas. In the case of a singular annulus non-reversible gas flow 13 can be routed through the host pipe to an assembly 10 to facilitate gas evacuation, and in the case of multiple annular spaces, each space will collect gas and evacuate the gas toward a collection chamber.

[0080] A permeation gas chamber assembly as part of the inventive G-ZED system is shown in FIG. 11 with a free standing RTP 7 and a single containment chamber 9, for the gaseous substances collected from the specially composed reinforcement cover assembly, which provides for all gaseous substances conveyed only through the voids within the reinforcing layers. The collection nonreversible device 13 at the beginning of the chamber 7 serves as a transitional piece to revert the gaseous substance from the permeable reinforcing layers of the pipe cover, which conveys the gaseous substance into the chamber for evacuation or reinjection, while the free-standing pipeline 7 remains functional. The gaseous substances then can be injected or evacuated from the pipeline by means of pressurization or elimination by the outside equipment. This free-standing pipe is self-dependent.

[0081] A permeation gas chamber assembly as part of the inventive G-ZED system is shown in FIG. 12 with continuous free-standing pipe and two or more containment chambers 17, for the gaseous substances collected from the specially composed reinforcement cover assembly, which contains at least one permeation barrier layer of metallic or non-metallic material, providing for all gaseous substances to be safely conveyed through the voids within the reinforcing layers. The compression chambers are increased to provide for the separation of pressures. The cross sectional blow up of the RTP layers shows the metallic non-permeable component i of the protective layer h. It should be noted that the RTP full containment within the layers have variable densities and voids up to 40%