Hourglass rollers are so called because they are shaped like a pair of cones stacked on top of each other. It’s a simple shape, but an effective one as it keeps any conveyed material centered during transport. It also minimizes vibration, which is essential for applications where material integrity is a critical priority. Although they can be used in a variety of settings, they are particularly common in the oil & gas and commercial plumbing industries, where they can make it easier and safer to run long lengths of pipeline.
Why are hourglass rollers crucial when running pipeline?
Wellhead drilling is a labor intensive process that must be executed by the numbers every time. And perhaps no part of the process requires as much care as running the pipeline into the well. Any damage to the line can result in a total failure of the well, and that means wasted time and wasted money. It is essential, then, to minimize the risk of damage to the line. One of the simplest and most effective ways to do this is to keep the line from contacting the ground. Hourglass rollers made from polyurethane components are made for this purpose, as they can support the line and keep it stable as it is placed in the well.
Also, as polyurethane produces little friction, it will only produce a small fraction of the drag forces that other materials would. Some designs go even further and rotate as the line is pulled over them, eliminating drag forces entirely.
These conveyors are of paramount importance during horizontal directional drilling, such as projects involving crossings. During horizontal directional drilling, the wellhead is produced at an angle, either to navigate around an obstacle that prevents vertical drilling, or to expose more of a reservoir’s section length. In either case, more pipeline is required for the well, and it has to be controlled more precisely, as the ground itself is an added obstacle during horizontal directional drilling. Polyurethane hourglass rollers can facilitate a smooth train of movement from one point to the next, and as long as they are mounted and anchored, they will keep the pipeline stable as it is run into the well.
In short, this means greater efficiency and safety, which will reduce project time and cost, along with accident risk.
Why should project managers focus on polyurethane for their conveyors?
Companies have several options in conveyors, but polyurethane is the clear superior choice when running pipeline. Polyurethane can be used in any environment and will resist water, heat, ice, and the corrosion caused by evaporated salts. Polyurethane can support an impressive amount of weight, and each conveyor can manage around 2,000 pounds without losing integrity. And polyurethane can be produced with in any shape, any hardness, and in any color, so project managers can customize their conveyors to fit.
Running pipeline requires precision and control, and polyurethane conveyors are unmatched in both respects.