Technology Of Corrosion Cleaning And Inhibiting
Technology of corrosion cleaning and inhibiting
of internal surfaces of gas mains and gas fields equipment by the use of visco-elastic foams
and installation for these processes realization
V.N. Goncharov
Ukrainian Scientific Research Institute of Natural Gases, Charkiv, Ukraine
A new physical – chemical method of gas-liquid cleaning of gas pipelines by high-expansion foams is developed.
The mechanism of cleaning by decreasing interphasic energy on the phase interface, emulsificative action of the foam on condensate, dust flotation, liquid and hard particles imbibition to interfoam spaces due to capillary effect and mechanical carrying out by gas-dynamical flow. In this case the cleaning efficiency is proportional to foam expansion presented.
An effective compound of the anion-active type foaming composition based upon the main technological requirements when proportioning is proposed. The surfactants being used ought:
– to have a significant surface activity ( - ),
– to possess a high foaming ability,
– to form high-expansion foams with big dispersion, stable on the condensate interface,
– to have no effect on the transported gas quality,
– to cause no corrosion of pipeline walls and fittings,
– to be biologically decomposed,
– to be manufactured by the domestic industry.
The results of laboratory and field tests of the foaming compositions are adduced. The most effective were the foams made from 1 % natrium alkylsulphate solutions stabilized by higher fatty spirits of C10 – C14 fraction and also compounds of stabilized natrium alkylsulphates and sulpho-etnoxylates.
The results of laboratory and field tests of the foaming composition used for cleaning wellbores and gathering lines are also shown. The results of investigation of gas field and gas transporting equipment corrosion protection are presented.
Ukrniigas also has elaborated the technology and necessary technological installation for cleaning and inhibiting internal surfaces. Particularly, this is a field tested model of foam generator. It has undergone tests at gas-condensate fields, underground gas storages and gas mains.
The results of the suggested technology and installation tests demonstrate their high efficiency, economy and ecology cleanness.
The development is introduced at gas transporting and gas producing enterprises of JSC "Ukrgasprom" and SC "Ukrgasvydobuvannya"; they have perspectives for oil and gas industry wide application.
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