Method for thermal ablation of pigging devices

US10201815B2 · kind B2 · utility

Inventors

• Mark S. Sankey · Washington, US
• James F. Stewart · LaFayette, US
• Andrew J. Pounds · Macon, US
• William Scott Stalnaker · Butler, US
• John R. Walker · Brussels, BE
• Dennis Aubrey Walker · Macon, US
• James R. Collins · Stuart, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Oct 19, 2017
• Grant date: Feb 12, 2019
• Expiry date: Oct 19, 2037

Classification

• Technology area (CPC F): Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
• CPC primary: F16L55/48
• WIPO field: Mechanical elements
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

The present disclosure provides for a novel pig design and method of retrieval based on thermal ablation. The pig comprises an external layer and an inner core, where the inner core further comprises at least one incendiary charge comprising at least one exothermic material. When ignited via an ignition source, the incendiary charge releases the exothermic material into one or more thermal dispersion channels. The exothermic material melts the interior of these thermal dispersion channels thereby distributing the exothermic material throughout the pig device causing its destruction via thermal ablation. The destroyed pig can then be easily retrieved from its location in a pipe, as detected via radio signals, without the need for costly excavation of large sections of the pipe.