One of the most common methods of cleaning pipelines is the hydrojet method. A special device pumps liquid under high pressure (up to 500 bar) into the inner cavity of the pipe, as a result of which the water jet removes various contaminants, including rust, bitumen and resins, from the surface. However, most hydrojet devices cannot move in inclined and curved pipe sections and are not equipped with gadgets to monitor defects on the inner surfaces of pipes.
The scientists from Perm Polytechnic University have made an attempt to fix this problem by developing a hydrojet cleaning device with expanded functionality. The authors of the study managed to improve the reliability of the supporting structure that connects two surfaces with pressure force, as well as equipped the device with a shock absorption system that regulates the pressure and movement of the housing.
“To improve operation in hard-to-reach areas (inclined pipes, bends, bulges), the channel for supplying liquid at a certain speed, i.e., the nozzle, is equipped with a visual laser control system. This device uses a video camera and a laser to scan the inner surface. This technology helps us accurately diagnose the pipe for geometric shape loss and analyze the amount of deposits,” Dmitry Kuchev, assistant at the Department of Equipment and Automation of Chemical Production, is quoted as saying by Perm Polytechnic University.
The improved design includes guide legs and wheels, which provide greater maneuverability. In addition, the scientists equipped the hose for supplying the flushing fluid with a sliding spiral winding, which protects the mechanism from rapid wear and damage.
This solution is the latest in a series of innovations that have significantly simplified the maintenance of oil pipelines in recent years. Among these innovations is a sensor platform created by Direct-C to monitor leaks of oil and oil products. A key feature of the technology is the application of a polymer-based nanocomposite material, which can be used to record temperature changes on pipe surface and detect deformations.
