The application of plasma cladding technology in the petroleum industry is becoming more and more widespread, mainly because it can improve the wear resistance, corrosion resistance and high temperature resistance of the equipment, so as to extend the service life of the equipment and reduce the maintenance cost. The following are some of the major applications of plasma cladding technology in the petroleum industry:
1. Protection of oil drilling equipment
During the oil drilling process, equipment such as drill bits, drill pipes and drilling tools are subjected to high pressure, high temperature and complex geological conditions, facing serious wear, corrosion and fatigue. Through plasma cladding technology, a wear-resistant and corrosion-resistant alloy coating can be clad on the surface of these equipments, which significantly improves their anti-wear and anti-corrosion capabilities. Example:
●Oil Drill Bits
1.Tricone Drill Bit
Tricone Drill Bit is a common type of rolling cutting drill bit, which consists of three conical rolling tines with teeth or carbide teeth on the surface of the tines. Its working principle is to rotate and roll the tines, so that the teeth on the surface of the tines cut, squeeze and grind the ground.
2.PDC Drill Bit
PDC bits are drills that use polycrystalline diamond composite (PDC), a synthetic polycrystalline diamond (very hard and wear-resistant) combined with a tungsten alloy matrix, as a cutting element. the PDC bit breaks directly into the ground by means of a fixed cutting element.
Oil drill bits are prone to wear under high friction, and coated carbide can effectively extend their service life.
●Mud pump parts
Mud pump spare parts crosshead
Mud pump is the key equipment used to transport drilling fluid (mud) in the process of oil drilling, and the crosshead is one of the important accessories for carrying and transmitting power in the mud pump. Its main role is to convert the rotary motion of the crankshaft in the mud pump into the reciprocating linear motion of the piston, so as to drive the piston to pump the mud. Therefore, the crosshead in the operation of the mud pump plays a central role in mechanical transmission, which directly affects the operating efficiency and reliability of the mud pump.
the working conditions of mud pumps are harsh, with strong corrosion and scouring effects, plasma cladding can improve its corrosion and scouring resistance.
2. Corrosion protection of oil pipeline
When oil pipeline is running for a long time, it is subject to the corrosion and abrasion of fluid, especially in the marine environment or the environment of acid gas, the corrosion problem is particularly serious. Plasma cladding can provide a layer of corrosion-resistant coatings, such as nickel-based alloy, cobalt-based alloy, etc., for the inner and outer walls of the pipeline, which can substantially reduce the corrosion of the pipeline, prolong its service life, and reduce the cost of maintenance and replacement.
3. Valve and pump protection
Valves and pumps in the petroleum industry are widely used for fluid transportation and control, and are prone to corrosion, wear and failure due to contact with corrosive gases or liquids containing hydrogen sulfide, carbon dioxide and other corrosive gases. Plasma cladding can form corrosion and wear resistant coatings on the sealing surfaces of valves and key components of pumps, thus improving the reliability of these devices. Examples:
2. Gate valve
plasma cladding can improve the wear and corrosion resistance of their sealing surfaces.
●Pump shafts and impellers
impellers
the fusion coating of cemented carbide can effectively slow down the wear and tear.
4. Surface Strengthening of Oil Recovery Equipment
During oil extraction, equipment has frequent contact with the oil well environment, especially under the conditions of sand, water or acid-containing oil wells, and equipment wear and corrosion are serious problems. Plasma cladding technology can be used to strengthen the surface of oil production rods, tubing, pumping pumps and other equipment, significantly improving their wear and corrosion resistance. Especially in heavy oil or high-temperature oil wells, plasma cladding material selection can be targeted to deal with high-temperature corrosion and scouring.
5. Prevent corrosion in the marine environment
In the process of offshore oil drilling and production, the equipment is exposed to high humidity and salty marine environment for a long time, which is very prone to corrosion failure. Plasma cladding technology can significantly improve the seawater corrosion resistance by applying seawater corrosion resistant coatings on the surface of the equipment, especially for submarine wellhead equipment, oil pipelines and other key equipment of offshore platforms, plasma cladding can significantly improve their reliability.
6. High temperature protection
In the petroleum refining process, many equipments have to be operated in high temperature environment, and high temperature resistant coating can effectively prevent thermal oxidation and high temperature corrosion. For example, reactors, heat exchangers and other equipment in refineries are susceptible to material failure due to high temperatures, and coatings such as nickel- and cobalt-based alloys can be added by plasma cladding to improve the high-temperature resistance of the equipment.
7. Repair and remanufacturing of equipment
Wear and corrosion of petroleum equipment due to long-term use can be repaired by plasma cladding. This not only restores the size and shape of the equipment, but also enhances its surface properties to keep it in service. For example, key components such as pump housings and valve bodies can be repaired by plasma cladding, avoiding the need for total replacement and reducing maintenance costs.
Summarize
Plasma cladding technology effectively improves the service life and reliability of key equipment in the petroleum industry by applying wear-resistant, corrosion-resistant and high-temperature-resistant coatings on them. It is widely used in oil drilling, production, transportation, refining and other aspects of the oil industry, helping oil companies to improve economic efficiency and reduce equipment maintenance costs.
Post time: Oct-15-2024