Abstract:
A method of cleaning pipeline pigs of a material that is to be recycled includes providing a vessel having an interior. A manifold is placed within the vessel interior, the manifold having a plurality of openings. The vessel is filled with a solvent that is capable of dissolving the material to be recycled. The pipeline pig is placed in the vessel and above the manifold. A volume of gas is bubbled into the vessel via the manifold openings. These steps are repeated with multiple pigs in sequence so that the material to be recycled is concentrated over time within the vessel. Thereafter, the material that has accumulated within the vessel is recycled. The solvent is preferably a terpene blend with an ethoxylated alcohol. The material to be recycled is preferably paraffin and/or asphaltene.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     Priority of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/823,999, filed Aug. 30, 2006, incorporated herein by reference, is hereby claimed. 
     My U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/746,575, filed May 9, 2007, is hereby incorporated herein by reference. 
     My International Patent Application Serial No. PCT/US2006/032923, filed Aug. 23, 2006, is hereby incorporated herein by reference. 
     My U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/466,272, filed Aug. 22, 2006, is hereby incorporated herein by reference. 
     My U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/806,415, filed Jun. 30, 2006, is hereby incorporated herein by reference. 
     My U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/762,346, filed Jan. 26, 2006, is hereby incorporated herein by reference. 
     My U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/710,562, filed Aug. 23, 2005, is hereby incorporated herein by reference. 
     This is not a continuation or continuation-in-part of any patent application. 
    
    
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
     Not applicable 
     REFERENCE TO A “MICROFICHE APPENDIX” 
     Not applicable 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for cleaning residue from the surface of a pipeline pig device. More particularly, the present invention relates to a method and apparatus for cleaning residue from the surface of a pipeline pig device wherein a solvent contained in a vat or vessel dissolves the residue from the surface of the pipeline pig and wherein after multiple of the pipeline pigs have been cycled through the solvent, the solvent can be recycled the combination of solvent and residue being a saleable recycled fuel product. 
     2. General Background of the Invention 
     Pipeline pig devices are used for cleaning pipelines of residue such as scale, rust, debris, deposits (e.g. paraffin) or the like. After use, a pipeline pig can be coated with paraffin, for example. This product is desirably removed from the pipeline pig before it is used again. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention provides an improved method of and apparatus for removing paraffin or like chemical residue from the surface of a pipeline pig. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
       For a further understanding of the nature, objects, and advantages of the present invention, reference should be had to the following detailed description, read in conjunction with the following drawings, wherein like reference numerals denote like elements and wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a fragmentary, elevation view of the preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a sectional view taken along lines  2 - 2  of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a partial perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention; 
         FIG. 4  is a fragmentary perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention; 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention; and 
         FIG. 6  is a sectional elevation view of the preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       FIGS. 5 and 6  show generally the preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention designated generally by the numeral  10  in  FIGS. 5 and 6 . 
     Pipeline pig cleaning apparatus  10  employs a frame  11  (which can be, for example, about 3-18 feet long, about 3-6 feet wide, and about 3-5 feet high) that can be comprised of one or more longitudinal beams  12  which can each be about 3-6 inches high by about 3-6 inches wide by 1-18 feet long) and one or more transverse beams  13  (which can each be about 3-6 inches high by about 3-6 inches wide by 1-6 feet long). The frame  11  can be, for example, of welded metal construction, such as welded steel or welded aluminum. 
     A plurality of posts  14  (which can each be about 3-6 inches wide by about 3-6 inches deep by 24-60 inches high) extend upwardly from the combination of beams  12 ,  13  as shown in  FIG. 3 . Each post  14  supports a clamp  15  (made of, for example, steel, aluminum, or brass). Each clamp  15  has a lower section  16  and an upper section  17 . These sections can be generally u-shaped or semi-circular so that when they are combined together they conform to and cradle a pipeline pig  30  as shown in  FIG. 6 . Pipeline pig  30  can be about 12-96 inches long and about 6-48 inches in diameter. The upper and lower sections of the clamp  15  can be connected using a hinge  18 . A cable  19  (made of, for example, copper, brass, or steel) can be attached to upper section  17 . The cable  19  can be a chain, cable or the like. The cable  19  functions as a tether to hold swivel  20 , nut  21  and ring  22 . The nut  21  forms a connection with bolt  23 . Ring  22  can be used to secure swivel  20  to nut  21 . 
     Each of the clamp sections  16 ,  17  provides a flange. The lower section  16  provides flange  24 . The upper section  17  provides flange  25 . These flanges abut when the clamp  15  is closed. Each flange  24 ,  25  provides an opening that enables bolt  23  to extend through the openings of the flanges  24 ,  25  when a bolted connection is to be formed between bolt  23  and nut  21 . Instead of bolts, one could use a ring clip, a clamp, or a cotter pin as fasteners. 
     Frame  11  is preferably a liftable frame. A plurality of padeyes  26  are provided, each preferably equipped with a shackle  27  as shown in  FIG. 3 . Rigging such as slings  32  can be attached to frame  11  using padeyes  26  and shackles  27 . 
       FIG. 5  illustrates frame  11  being lowered into vessel  49 . The vessel  49  is an inner tank  49 . An outer tank  50  is also provided as shown in  FIG. 6 . This dual tank arrangement enables spillage to be controlled so that no pollutants escape apparatus  10 . In  FIG. 5 , rigging  32 ,  33 ,  34 ,  35  is provided for lifting the combination of frame  11  and pipeline pig  30 . 
     Manifold  28  (made of, for example, galvanized pipe, polymeric pipe, such as polypropylene pipe, or copper pipe and about 0.5-6 inches wide and about 3-21 feet long) is attached to and supported by frame  11  as shown in  FIG. 5 . Arrow  29  in  FIG. 5  illustrates a lowering of frame  11 , manifold  28 , and pig  30 , into the inner tank  49 . The rigging that supports the frame  11  during the lowering of  FIG. 5  can include a plurality of slings  32 , lifting eye  33 , and crane hook  34 . Crane hook  34  is supported with a crane line  35  that can be attached to any known commercially available lifting device, crane or the like. 
     The pipeline pig  30  has a smaller diameter cylindrical section  31  that is gripped by a pair of the clamps  15  of frame  11  as shown in  FIG. 5 . Manifold  28  is shown more clearly in  FIGS. 1 and 2  wherein it has been removed from frame  11  for purposes of clarity. Manifold  28  provides an inlet fitting  36  (preferably made of brass, stainless steel, or carbon steel) that communicates with an influent flow line such as a hose  37 . Influent flow line  37  connects to inlet fitting  36  through connection  38 . Connection  38  can be a union or any other known connection such as a quick release connection or coupling. 
     Inlet fitting  36  communicates with elbow fitting  39 . Elbow fitting  39  is joined to non-perforated pipe section  40 . The non-perforated pipe section  40  is a generally vertically extended section that attaches to tee fitting  43 . Tee fitting  43  connects to a pair of non-perforated pipe sections  41 ,  42  as shown in  FIG. 2 . A pair of perforated pipe sections  46 ,  47  are provided. These pipe sections  46 ,  47  are generally parallel and extend longitudinally generally parallel to longitudinal beam  12  of frame  11  as shown in  FIG. 5 . The perforated pipe section  46  is joined to non-perforated pipe section  41  using elbow fitting  44 . Similarly, perforated pipe section  47  is joined to non-perforated pipe section  42  using elbow fitting  45 . Each of the perforated pipe sections  46 ,  47  is provided with a plurality of perforations  48  that extend along the length of each of the pipe sections  46 ,  47  as shown in  FIG. 2 . Preferably, the perforations are about 1-4″ apart and about 1/32-1″ in diameter. Preferably, there are at least 50-150 perforations. 
     Each of the perforated pipe sections  46 ,  47  provides a closed end  56 ,  57  respectively. Such a closed end can be in the form of a blind cap fitting (preferably made of copper, brass, or stainless steel). Each of the inner and outer tanks  49 ,  50  is provided with valving and outlet fittings (preferably made of steel, aluminum, or polymeric material, such as polypropylene). Tank  49  provides an outlet  51  and valve  52 . The same or a similar type of outlet  51  and valve  52  outflow arrangement can be provided for tank  50  as shown in  FIG. 6 . Either or both of the outlet  51  and valve  52  arrangements on tanks  49 ,  50  can be provided with a flow line or hose  53 . 
     In  FIG. 6 , airflow (i.e. bubbles) is indicated generally by the numerals  54 . During use, the pipeline pig  30  is lowered into inner tank  49  which is filled to level  58  or to a level almost equal to level  58  with a solvent solution  59  for removing residual matter from pig  30 . This residual matter can be for example, paraffin and/or asphaltene and/or basic solids. 
     The solvent  59  is preferably a solvent which can dissolve the paraffins or asphaltenes, or other such residual matter (such as Sludge Breaker I commercially available from Chemex, Inc. of Lafayette, La.—see also the solvents mentioned in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2006/0011341). PLEASE CONFIRM SOLVENT INFO. Sludge Breaker I is a terpene blend with an ethoxylated alcohol. When the pipeline pig  30  is placed in vessel  49  and subjected to the cleaning action of the solvent  59  contained therein air emitted via perforated pipe sections  46 ,  47  and the perforations  48  provides a mechanical action that enhances removal of any residual material contained on pipeline pig  30 . 
     As part of the method of the present invention, a number (for example, 1-100) of pipeline pigs  30  are sequentially placed inside vessel  49  and under level  58 . Solvent  59  contained in vessel  49  in combination with the scrubbing action of air bubbles  54  emitted from perforations  48  removes the residual matter (paraffin, for example) therefrom. 
     After a number of pigs  30  have been placed into vessel  49  and subjected to the cleaning action of solvent  59  and in combination with air bubbles  54 , the residual matter contained on the pig  30  accumulates within the solvent  59 . After, for example, between about 80 and 100 pigs  30  have been cleaned in this manner, the solvent  59  becomes a combination of paraffins and/or asphaltenes and terpene which can be mixed with used oil and sold as bunker fuel. Thus the present invention provides an improved business method of recycling paraffins and/or asphaltenes. 
     Cleaning of the pigs could be done at ambient temperature, such as at room temperature, though the solvent could be heated. 
     The solvent evaporates at room temperature, so one can cover the vats with a lid (not shown in the drawings) to keep the volatiles in the vat. The lid could be made of aluminum, fiberglass, or steel, for example, and attached to vat  49  with clamps, for example. 
     The air can be recaptured and recycled within the container with the lid on it to reduce fumes or prevent them from escaping. Also one could recirculate the solvent itself through the tubes via the ports  48  with a pump as an alternative way but using air to circulate through the liquid is more cost effective. 
     The following is a list of parts and materials suitable for use in the present invention. 
     
       
         
               
             
               
               
             
           
               
                   
               
               
                 PARTS LIST 
               
             
          
           
               
                 Part Number 
                 Description and Exemplary Materials 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 10 
                 pipeline pig cleaning apparatus 
               
               
                 11 
                 frame (steel, aluminum, or brass) 
               
               
                 12 
                 longitudinal beam 
               
               
                 13 
                 transverse beam 
               
               
                 14 
                 post 
               
               
                 15 
                 clamp (stainless steel or 
               
               
                   
                 aluminum) 
               
               
                 16 
                 lower section 
               
               
                 17 
                 upper section 
               
               
                 18 
                 hinge 
               
               
                 19 
                 cable (stainless steel or 
               
               
                   
                 galvanized steel) 
               
               
                 20 
                 swivel 
               
               
                 21 
                 nut 
               
               
                 22 
                 ring 
               
               
                 23 
                 bolt 
               
               
                 24 
                 flange 
               
               
                 25 
                 flange 
               
               
                 26 
                 padeye (stainless steel or 
               
               
                   
                 galvanized steel) 
               
               
                 27 
                 shackle 
               
               
                 28 
                 manifold (copper or brass) 
               
               
                 29 
                 arrow 
               
               
                 30 
                 pipeline pig 
               
               
                 31 
                 smaller diameter cylindrical 
               
               
                   
                 section 
               
               
                 32 
                 rigging or sling (chain, rope, or 
               
               
                   
                 cable) 
               
               
                 33 
                 lifting eye 
               
               
                 34 
                 crane hook 
               
               
                 35 
                 crane line 
               
               
                 36 
                 inlet fitting 
               
               
                 37 
                 hose/influent flow line 
               
               
                 38 
                 connection (rubber, steel, or 
               
               
                   
                 brass) 
               
               
                 39 
                 elbow fitting 
               
               
                 40 
                 non-perforated pipe section 
               
               
                   
                 (polypropylene, metal, brass) 
               
               
                 41 
                 non-perforated pipe section 
               
               
                   
                 (polypropylene, metal, brass) 
               
               
                 42 
                 non-perforated pipe section 
               
               
                   
                 (polypropylene, metal, brass) 
               
               
                 43 
                 tee fitting 
               
               
                 44 
                 elbow fitting 
               
               
                 45 
                 elbow fitting 
               
               
                 46 
                 perforated pipe section 
               
               
                   
                 (polypropylene, metal, brass) 
               
               
                 47 
                 perforated pipe section 
               
               
                   
                 (polypropylene, metal, brass) 
               
               
                 48 
                 perforation 
               
               
                 49 
                 vessel, inner tank (painted 
               
               
                   
                 steel, stainless steel, or 
               
               
                   
                 aluminum) 
               
               
                 50 
                 outer tank (painted steel, 
               
               
                   
                 stainless steel, or aluminum) 
               
               
                 51 
                 outlet 
               
               
                 52 
                 valve 
               
               
                 53 
                 flow line 
               
               
                 54 
                 air flow or bubbles 
               
               
                 56 
                 closed end 
               
               
                 57 
                 closed end 
               
               
                 58 
                 levee 
               
               
                 59 
                 solvent solution 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     All measurements disclosed herein are at standard temperature and pressure, at sea level on Earth, unless indicated otherwise. 
     The foregoing embodiments are presented by way of example only; the scope of the present invention is to be limited only by the following claims.