GB2174105A - Cleaning subsea surfaces - Google Patents
Cleaning subsea surfaces Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- GB2174105A GB2174105A GB08605927A GB8605927A GB2174105A GB 2174105 A GB2174105 A GB 2174105A GB 08605927 A GB08605927 A GB 08605927A GB 8605927 A GB8605927 A GB 8605927A GB 2174105 A GB2174105 A GB 2174105A
- Authority
- GB
- United Kingdom
- Prior art keywords
- jet
- cleaning
- subsea
- water
- sea
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Granted
Links
- 238000004140 cleaning Methods 0.000 title claims abstract description 24
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 21
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 11
- 239000013535 sea water Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 9
- 239000003082 abrasive agent Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 7
- XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N water Substances O XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims abstract description 7
- FAPWRFPIFSIZLT-UHFFFAOYSA-M Sodium chloride Chemical compound [Na+].[Cl-] FAPWRFPIFSIZLT-UHFFFAOYSA-M 0.000 claims abstract description 5
- 239000003792 electrolyte Substances 0.000 claims description 6
- 238000003754 machining Methods 0.000 claims description 6
- 239000002184 metal Substances 0.000 claims description 4
- 229910000831 Steel Inorganic materials 0.000 claims description 2
- 239000011244 liquid electrolyte Substances 0.000 claims description 2
- 239000010959 steel Substances 0.000 claims description 2
Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B08—CLEANING
- B08B—CLEANING IN GENERAL; PREVENTION OF FOULING IN GENERAL
- B08B7/00—Cleaning by methods not provided for in a single other subclass or a single group in this subclass
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B08—CLEANING
- B08B—CLEANING IN GENERAL; PREVENTION OF FOULING IN GENERAL
- B08B3/00—Cleaning by methods involving the use or presence of liquid or steam
- B08B3/02—Cleaning by the force of jets or sprays
-
- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- C25—ELECTROLYTIC OR ELECTROPHORETIC PROCESSES; APPARATUS THEREFOR
- C25F—PROCESSES FOR THE ELECTROLYTIC REMOVAL OF MATERIALS FROM OBJECTS; APPARATUS THEREFOR
- C25F1/00—Electrolytic cleaning, degreasing, pickling or descaling
Landscapes
- Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Chemical Kinetics & Catalysis (AREA)
- Electrochemistry (AREA)
- Materials Engineering (AREA)
- Metallurgy (AREA)
- Organic Chemistry (AREA)
- Cleaning By Liquid Or Steam (AREA)
- Perforating, Stamping-Out Or Severing By Means Other Than Cutting (AREA)
Abstract
A method for cleaning a subsea structure in which a jet of sea-water is directed from an electrode (11) on to an adjacent subsea structure (10) while applying an electric voltage between the electrode and the structure, the jet pressure and the electric current being such as to remove material from the surface of the structure. If desired, abrasive material may be injected into the jet. The jet may be scanned over the structure. The nozzle 11 may be insulated except at the face from which the water emerges and may have an insulating skirt 14. <IMAGE>
Description
SPECIFICATION
Cleaning subsea surfaces
This invention is concerned with a method and apparatus for cleaning subsea surfaces.
It is known to machine workpieces by electrochemical machining. In electrochemical machining, a liquid electrolyte, e.g. sea water, may be passed between the surface of a metal workpiece and a tool electrode while a D.C. voltage is applied across electrolyte in the gap between tool and workpiece so that metal is removed from the workpiece.
It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved method and apparatus for cleaning subsea surfaces.
The invention provides a method of cleaning a subsea structure in which a jet of sea-water is directed from an electrode on to an adjacent subsea structure while applying an electric voltage between the electrode and the structure, the jet pressure and the electric current being such as to remove material from the surface of the structure.
From another aspect, the invention provides a method for cleaning a subsea surface of an electrically-conductive object comprising subjecting the surface to the action of a jet of negatively charged electrolyte so that material is removed from the surface by electrolytic action.
The jet is preferably scanned over the surface or structure.
If desired, more than one jet may be provided.
It may sometimes be advantageous to inject abrasive material into the jet.
The invention also provides apparatus for carrying out the methods set out above.
The following is a description, by way of example only, of an embodiment of the invention, reference being made to the accompanying schematic drawings in which
Figures 1 and 2 illustrate respectively plan and side views of cleaning apparatus operating in accordance with the invention.
In the drawings, a steel subsea pipe 10 is being cleaned by high pressure sea water supplied through inlet 13 and emerging from water nozzle 11 which is connected to the negative terminal of a
D.C. power supply unit 12, the positive terminal of which is connected to the pipe 10. The nozzle 11 is insulated over its entire surface except at the face from which the water emerges. The necessary stand-off (e.g. 5 mm) between the nozzle and the pipe may be provided by an insulating skirt 14.
Thus, material is removed from the pipe by electrolytic action as in electrochemical machining.
The water jet emerging from the nozzle is scanned over the surface of the pipe.
Abrasive material in particulate form may be injected into the jet to aid surface cleaning and the removal of non-metallic debris.
l
1. A method of cleaning a subsea structure in which a jet of sea-water is directed from an electrode on to an adjacent subsea structure while applying an electric voltage between the electrode and the structure, the jet pressure and the electric current being such as to remove material from the surface of the structure.
2. A method for cleaning a subsea surface of an electrically-conductive object comprises subjecting the surface to the action of a jet of negatively charged electrolyte so that material is removed from the surface by electrolytic action.
3. A method according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the jet is scanned over the surface or structure.
4. A method according to any preceding claim wherein abrasive material is injected into the jet.
5. A method cleaning a sub-sea structure substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
6. Apparatus for cleaning a sub-sea structure substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.
Claims (6)
1. A method of cleaning a subsea structure in which a jet of sea-water is directed from an electrode on to an adjacent subsea structure while applying an electric voltage between the electrode and the structure, the jet pressure and the electric current being such as to remove material from the surface of the structure.
2. A method for cleaning a subsea surface of an electrically-conductive object comprises subjecting the surface to the action of a jet of negatively charged electrolyte so that material is removed from the surface by electrolytic action.
3. A method according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the jet is scanned over the surface or structure.
4. A method according to any preceding claim wherein abrasive material is injected into the jet.
5. A method cleaning a sub-sea structure substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
6. Apparatus for cleaning a sub-sea structure substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB8605927A GB2174105B (en) | 1985-03-11 | 1986-03-11 | Cleaning subsea surfaces |
Applications Claiming Priority (3)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB858506255A GB8506255D0 (en) | 1985-03-11 | 1985-03-11 | Electrochemical machining |
| GB08517343A GB2164841B (en) | 1984-07-11 | 1985-07-09 | Cleaning subsea surfaces |
| GB8605927A GB2174105B (en) | 1985-03-11 | 1986-03-11 | Cleaning subsea surfaces |
Publications (3)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| GB8605927D0 GB8605927D0 (en) | 1986-04-16 |
| GB2174105A true GB2174105A (en) | 1986-10-29 |
| GB2174105B GB2174105B (en) | 1989-06-21 |
Family
ID=27262614
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB8605927A Expired GB2174105B (en) | 1985-03-11 | 1986-03-11 | Cleaning subsea surfaces |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| GB (1) | GB2174105B (en) |
Cited By (3)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GB2319259A (en) * | 1996-11-15 | 1998-05-20 | Babcock Rosyth Defence Limited | reducing radionucleide contamination of a metallic component |
| WO2000068070A1 (en) * | 1999-05-07 | 2000-11-16 | Dennis Mason | Method and apparatus for removing marine organisms from a submerged substrate |
| WO2015041538A1 (en) * | 2013-09-17 | 2015-03-26 | Jupa As | Acid block and method of local acid treatment of subsea connecting element |
Citations (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GB2164841A (en) * | 1984-07-11 | 1986-04-03 | Oilfields Inspection Services | Cleaning subsea surfaces |
-
1986
- 1986-03-11 GB GB8605927A patent/GB2174105B/en not_active Expired
Patent Citations (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GB2164841A (en) * | 1984-07-11 | 1986-04-03 | Oilfields Inspection Services | Cleaning subsea surfaces |
Cited By (7)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GB2319259A (en) * | 1996-11-15 | 1998-05-20 | Babcock Rosyth Defence Limited | reducing radionucleide contamination of a metallic component |
| WO2000068070A1 (en) * | 1999-05-07 | 2000-11-16 | Dennis Mason | Method and apparatus for removing marine organisms from a submerged substrate |
| WO2015041538A1 (en) * | 2013-09-17 | 2015-03-26 | Jupa As | Acid block and method of local acid treatment of subsea connecting element |
| GB2533749A (en) * | 2013-09-17 | 2016-06-29 | Jupa As | Acid block and method of local acid treatment of subsea connecting element |
| NO340820B1 (en) * | 2013-09-17 | 2017-06-26 | Jupa As | Acid block and method for local acid treatment of subsea connection element |
| US10041334B2 (en) | 2013-09-17 | 2018-08-07 | Jupa As | Acid block and method of local acid treatment of subsea connecting element |
| GB2533749B (en) * | 2013-09-17 | 2020-09-16 | Jupa As | Acid block and method of local acid treatment of subsea connecting element |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| GB2174105B (en) | 1989-06-21 |
| GB8605927D0 (en) | 1986-04-16 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCNP | Patent ceased through non-payment of renewal fee |