A VARIABLE BUOYANCY PIPELINE SYSTEM

A variable buoyancy pipeline system consists of a multiconduit pipeline which weighs less per unit cross-section than water when empty and which has its buoyancy controlled by the specific gravity of the transported materials. A pair of spaced pigs are placed slidably in one of the conduits to define an air-tight chamber; a device moves the pigs along the conduit so that the buoyancy is increased in a selected portion, e.g., to raise it to the surface for inspection or repair. The chamber is filled with a fluid having a specified gravity less than that of water.

• Corporate Authors:

  American Petroleum Institute

  1220 L Street, NW
  Washington, DC  United States  20005-4070
• Publication Date: 1970-3-11

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Buoyancy; Maintenance; Pipelines
• Old TRIS Terms: Pipeline buoyancy; Pipeline maintenance
• Subject Areas: Maintenance and Preservation; Marine Transportation; Pipelines; Terminals and Facilities;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00056114
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: American Petroleum Institute
• Report/Paper Numbers: Patent
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Jul 15 1974 12:00AM