Cryogenic cleaning methods for reclaiming and reprocessing oilfield tools

摘要

The disclosure relates to the cleaning of rods made of metal, particularly to the method of reclamation of used standard length rods, such as pump rods already used in the mechanical deep-pumping extraction of oil, as well as to the product made with the help of the mentioned method. The method of remanufacturing of standard length rods includes cleaning the rod with cryogenic liquids to eliminate environmental contamination and to assist in workplace safety.

主权项

1. A method of cryogenic removal of contaminants from a sucker rod, the method comprising the steps of:
a) obtaining a sucker rod with contaminants; b) removing said contaminants from the sucker rod by delivering a cryogenic liquid to a surface of the sucker rod, the cryogenic liquid selected from a group consisting of: liquid nitrogen, liquid oxygen, liquid hydrogen, liquid helium, liquid neon, liquid argon, liquid krypton and liquid xenon, wherein said contaminants are removed from the sucker rod by:
i) thermal shock that weakens the contaminants by dropping a temperature of the contaminants; orii) thermal-kinetic energy that causes vapor to form from evaporation of the cryogenic liquid, wherein the vapor expands and causes micro explosions which remove the contaminants; oriii) combinations thereof; c) heating the sucker rod until the rod is able to undergo plastic deformation; d) shaping the sucker rod; and e) after step d), subjecting the sucker rod to shot peening.