Objective With increasing pipeline mileage and service time, more pipelines are being damaged due to environmental corrosion and human factors. This damage results in interruptions in transport and leakage of oil and gas, which in turn causes economic losses, environmental pollution, ecological damage, and other safety issues. To quickly address pipeline breakage during oil and gas transportation and to plug pipelines without halting transmission, pipeline intelligent plugging robots must be capable of rapidly and accurately reaching the damaged section and achieving maximum deceleration. Methods To this end, a DC cut-off valve-type traction speed regulation and braking device for a pipeline intelligent plugging robot is designed. Based on the in-pipe motion model of the robot and analysis of the speed regulation mechanism, a motion mechanism model incorporating the traction speed regulation and braking device is established. Its motion influencing factors are analyzed to determine key parameters affecting speed control characteristics. Using finite element numerical simulation, the speed valve’s flow field characteristics are analyzed, examining how the valve seat’s axial length, drain length, and internal diameter affect pressure drop. The influence of each parameter on flow and pressure drop is determined to optimize the design. Simulations of the crude oil pipeline plugging robot's motion mechanism are carried out under actual working conditions to identify performance-related factors. Proportional scaling test devices are fabricated for crude oil and refined oil pipeline conditions. Using a power torque system to supply liquid, throttling pressure drop experiments are conducted. Pressure values at varying valve openings are measured to verify the structural design’s reliability and effectiveness. Results and Discussions The results show that the traction speed control and braking device’s performance is strongly affected by the structure and shape of the speed control valve. Six different axial elongation values for the valve seat—0.10D, 0.15D, 0.20D, 0.25D, 0.30D, and 0.35D (D is the inner diameter of the pipe)—significantly influence pressure drop. As the elongation increases, pressure loss decreases. Likewise, five drain hole lengths—0.80Z, 0.75Z, 0.70Z, 0.65Z, and 0.60Z (Z is the speed control valve axial length)—exert a significant effect on pressure drop across the device. Longer drain holes lead to lower pressure differentials. In contrast, five inner diameters of the valve seat—Φ169.7 mm, Φ179.7 mm, Φ189.7 mm, Φ199.7 mm, and Φ209.7 mm—have a relatively minor effect on pressure drop. After comprehensive analysis, the optimal structural parameters are determined: an axial elongation of 96.7 mm, an inner diameter of 169.7 mm, and a drain hole length of 92.8 mm. This combination yields a pressure loss of 0.139 MPa. As the valve opening decreases, the flow rate and velocity at the device outlet increase. Turbulence intensity also rises, peaking at an opening of 0.4, where high-speed water jets strike the pipeline's inner wall, effectively removing debris and preventing downstream clogging. This also reduces drag on the robot. Conversely, at full opening (1.0), the pressure differential is minimal, enabling the maximum deceleration effect. The study confirms that the designed device enables the robot to achieve efficient pipeline flushing, maintain effective speed regulation, and attain maximum deceleration, thereby fulfilling the plugging task. Conclusions This study provides a theoretical foundation for the structural design and parameter selection of intelligent pipeline plugging robots. It also offers valuable data and design guidance for fluid-driven pipeline robots equipped with bypass rotary valves.
LiuJianlin, XuXiangling, ChengYonggui,et al.Interference calculation of foam pigging and its effect on pigging effect[J].Journal of China University of Petroleum(Edition of Natural Science),2021,45(2):111‒119.
LiuQingyou.Research status and development tendency of the oil and gas in-pipe robot[J].Journal of Xihua University(Natural Science Edition),2016,35(1):1‒6.
YanHongwei, MaJianqiang, WangYang,et al.Analysis on structure and plugging performance of self-locking pipeline inner-plugging device[J].Journal of Safety Science and Technology,2017,13(11):27‒33.
EsmaeilzadehF, MowlaD, AsemaniM.Mathematical modeling and simulation of pigging operation in gas and liquid pipelines[J].Journal of Petroleum Science and Engineering,2009,69(1/2):100‒106. doi:10.1016/j.petrol.2009.08.006
[8]
WangWenfei.Study on driving characteristics of fluid-driven pipeline robot[D].Harbin:Harbin Institute of Technology,2011:20‒40].
[9]
王文飞.流体驱动式管道机器人驱动特性研究[D].哈尔滨:哈尔滨工业大学,2011:20‒40.
[10]
HaoWenrui, KanJiangming.Application of self-tuning fu-zzy proportional-integral-derivative control in hydraulic crane control system[J].Advances in Mechanical Engineering,2016,8(6):1687814016655258. doi:10.1177/1687814016655258
[11]
ChenXiao, WuZhipeng, HeSiyu,et al.Passing property design of adaptive support pipeline detection robot[J].Journal of Central South University(Science and Technology),2018,49(12):2953‒2962.
MirshamsiM, RafeeyanM.Dynamic analysis of pig through two and three dimensional gas pipeline[J].Journal of Applied Fluid Mechanics,2015,8(1):43‒54. doi:10.36884/jafm.8.01.21406
[14]
ZangYanxu, QiuCheng, HuTiehua,et al.Research progress on speed control devices based on bypass valve[J].Oil & Gas Storage and Transportation,2016,35(7):702‒708.
ZuoShishi, ZhangShuyuan, GuangyuanLyu,et al.Influence study of bypass valve opening degree on discharge flow field of pig[J].Pipeline Technique and Equipment,2021(1):33‒36.
LesaniM, RafeeyanM, SohankarA.Dynamic analysis of small pig through two and three-dimensional liquid pipeline[J].Journal of Applied Fluid Mechanics,2012,5(2):75‒83. doi:10.36884/jafm.5.02.12170
[19]
HeHonggang, LiangZheng.Speed simulation of pig restarting from stoppage in gas pipeline[J].Mathematical Problems in Engineering,2019,2019(1):4036253. doi:10.1155/2019/4036253
[20]
ChenJianheng, HeLimin, LuoXiaoming,et al.Bypass pigging technology on amelioration of pigging-induced liquid flow:An experimental and modelling study[J].Ocean Engineering,2020,198:106974. doi:10.1016/j.oceaneng.2020.106974
[21]
CaoYuguang, WeiYungang, TianHongjun,et al.Finite element analysis of contact stress of foam pig in submarine pipeline[J].Journal of China University of Petroleum(Edition of Natural Science),2019,43(6):112‒122.
LiHailian, LuoChunyang, TianYang,et al.Design and research on the plugging and speed regulation device of intelligent plugging robot in pipe[J].Machine Tool & Hydraulics,2022,50(7):50‒55.
ZhouZhiyong.Design of sealing robot system for oil and gas pipeline leakage[D].Tianjin:Tianjin University of Tec-hnology,2022:1‒21].
[28]
周志永.面向油气管道泄漏的封堵机器人系统设计[D].天津:天津理工大学,2022:1‒21.
[29]
KanKan, XuZhe, ChenHuixiang,et al.Energy loss mechanisms of transition from pump mode to turbine mode of an axial-flow pump under bidirectional conditions[J].Energy,2022,257:124630. doi:10.1016/j.energy.2022.124630
[30]
ZhangHang, DongJinhui, CuiCan,et al.Stress and strain analysis of spherical sealing cups of fluid-driven pipeline robot in dented oil and gas pipeline[J].Engineering Failure Analysis,2020,108:104294. doi:10.1016/j.engfailanal.2019.104294
[31]
MeiXinxin, YeLezhi, LiDesheng,et al.Research on speed regulation performance of self-excited electromagnetic ed-dy current couplings[J].China Mechanical Engineering,2017,28(17):2074‒2079.
LinZhenhao, LiJunye, JinZhijiang,et al.Fluid dynamic analysis of liquefied natural gas flow through a cryogenic ball valve in liquefied natural gas receiving stations[J].Energy,2021,226:120376. doi:10.1016/j.energy.2021.120376
[34]
DaiBo, ZhanXuming, XuWenxing,et al.Research and development of the speed control experimental device for the detector in crude oil pipeline[J].Process Automation Instrumentation,2016,37(11):69‒72.
ZhaoShangma.Design and research on speed regulating device of controllable speed pig[D].Chengdu:Xihua University,2018.
[37]
赵上马.可控速清管器调速装置的设计与研究[D].成都:西华大学,2018.
[38]
YangMeng’ou.Study on speed control of detector in long-distance natural gas pipeline[D].Chengdu:Xihua University,2018.
[39]
杨梦鸥.天然气长输管道内检测器速度控制研究[D].成都:西华大学,2018.
[40]
HeHonggang, LiangZheng.Speed simulation of pig restarting from stoppage in gas pipeline[J].Mathematical Problems in Engineering,2019,2019(1):4036253. doi:10.1155/2019/4036253
[41]
LiangZheng, HeHonggang, CaiWeili.Speed simulation of bypass hole PIG with a brake unit in liquid pipe[J].Journal of Natural Gas Science and Engineering,2017,42:40‒47. doi:10.1016/j.jngse.2017.03.011
[42]
LiuHaixiao, HeLimin, ChenJianheng,et al.Research progress of pipeline pigs speed control technology[J].Chemical Industry and Engineering Progress,2020,39(6):2327‒2335.
ZhuXiaoxiao, WangWei, ZhangShimin,et al.Experimental research on the frictional resistance of fluid-driven pi- peline robot with small size in gas pipeline[J].Tribology Letters,2017,65(2):49. doi:10.1007/s11249-017-0830-z
[45]
HendrixM H W, GraaflandC M, van OstayenR A J.Frictional forces for disc-type pigging of pipelines[J].Journal of Petroleum Science and Engineering,2018,171:905‒918. doi:10.1016/j.petrol.2018.07.076
[46]
ZhuXiaoxiao, WangDeguo, YeungH,et al.Comparison of linear and nonlinear simulations of bidirectional pig contact forces in gas pipelines[J].Journal of Natural Gas Science and Engineering,2015,27:151‒157. doi:10.1016/j.jngse.2015.08.048
[47]
LuanHongmin.Research on speed control system of inspection equipment in pipeline[J].Modern Manufacturing Technology and Equipment,2019,55(5):50‒51.