A method of preventing freezing of a field transfer pipeline

Abstract

This invention discloses a method for preventing freezing of outdoor transport pipelines. Thin-film solar cells are installed on the outer surface of the pipeline to convert solar energy received during the day into electrical energy, and at night into heat energy for insulation and freezing prevention. The key feature is the simultaneous installation of a phase change material on the pipeline. This material converts solar energy that the thin-film solar cells cannot absorb into phase change energy for storage, and at night, it converts this phase change energy into heat energy for insulation and freezing prevention. This invention enables more efficient utilization of solar energy, improves the insulation effect of the transport pipeline, and better ensures the safety of pipeline transportation. It is particularly suitable for outdoor transport applications with large day-night temperature differences.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the technical field of conveying pipelines, and more specifically to a method for preventing freezing of conveying pipelines in the field. Background Technology

[0002] In the extraction and use of energy media such as natural gas and oil, pipelines are required for transmission. In some high-altitude and cold regions, there are significant temperature differences between day and night; daytime temperatures can reach 20-30 degrees Celsius under direct sunlight, while nighttime temperatures can drop below zero. Therefore, during the transmission of these energy media, it is necessary to consider how to insulate the pipelines to prevent freezing.

[0003] Conventional pipeline insulation technology involves adding layers of insulation material to the pipeline. For example, CN202210704824.1 discloses a high-efficiency insulation structure for a conveying pipeline. This conveying pipeline, from the outside in, consists of an outer insulation pipe, a main pipeline body, and an inner insulation pipe. The outer insulation pipe includes a sheath layer and a heat insulation layer. The inner insulation pipe includes multiple inner insulation units and tie rods. Each inner insulation unit includes a substrate, a guide pipe, and an aerogel layer. The substrate includes a connecting ring and a guide block. An aerogel layer is provided on the inner circumferential wall of the guide pipe, the surface of the substrate, and the outer circumferential wall of the guide pipe outside the substrate. Multiple inner insulation units are connected sequentially in a tubular shape by tie rods. This invention can enhance the pipeline's heat insulation capacity and reduce material heat loss. However, this pipeline insulation method can only slow down the decrease in pipeline temperature, and its insulation effect is limited.

[0004] CN201710299010.3 previously disclosed an energy-saving insulation device for chemical conveying pipelines, including a conveying pipeline with a hollow water jacket covering its outer surface. A thin-film solar cell is coated on the surface of the water jacket, and an inlet is located at the top of the water jacket, passing through the thin-film solar cell and communicating with the interior of the water jacket. A heating element is located inside the water jacket, and the thin-film solar cell and the heating element are electrically connected. This invention's device does not consume fossil fuels, requires no maintenance, is safe and reliable in operation, and is energy-saving and environmentally friendly. However, this device relies solely on solar cells to convert and absorb solar energy, resulting in low solar energy conversion efficiency. For some conveying pipelines with large diameters (up to one meter or more), relying solely on solar cells is insufficient to guarantee the pipeline's insulation requirements.

[0005] Therefore, those skilled in the art need to design a technology that can better utilize solar energy, improve pipeline insulation, and better ensure the safety of pipeline transportation. Summary of the Invention

[0006] In view of the shortcomings of the prior art, the technical problem to be solved by the present invention is: how to provide a field transport pipeline antifreeze method that can make more efficient use of solar energy, improve the pipeline insulation effect, and improve the safety of pipeline transport.

[0007] To solve the above-mentioned technical problems, the present invention adopts the following technical solution:

[0008] A method for preventing freezing of field transport pipelines involves installing thin-film solar cells on the outer side of the pipeline to convert solar energy that shines on the pipeline during the day into electrical energy, and converting solar energy into heat energy at night to achieve heat preservation and freezing prevention. The method is characterized by simultaneously installing phase change material on the pipeline, which converts solar energy that the thin-film solar cells cannot absorb into phase change energy for storage, and then converts the phase change energy into heat energy at night to achieve heat preservation and freezing prevention.

[0009] In this way, the method relies on both solar cells and phase change materials to absorb and convert solar energy and release it at night to achieve heat preservation and antifreeze, thus making more efficient use of solar energy and improving the antifreeze effect on the pipeline.

[0010] Furthermore, during the day, a heat-conducting liquid is used to absorb and conduct solar energy that the outer thin-film solar cells cannot absorb to the internal phase change material. At night, the heat-conducting liquid on the outside is removed to form a cavity, thus achieving heat preservation and antifreeze.

[0011] In this way, during the day, the heat transfer fluid can be better utilized to absorb solar energy that the thin-film solar cells cannot absorb, and at night, the heat transfer fluid is removed to form a gap, which can better achieve heat preservation and antifreeze.

[0012] Furthermore, this method relies on a solar-powered antifreeze conveying pipeline, which includes a pipeline body. From the inside out, the pipeline body is covered with an electric heat tracing layer, a phase change heat storage layer, a heat-conducting liquid layer, and a thin-film solar cell. The electric heat tracing layer contains an electric heat tracing tape, the phase change heat storage layer contains a solid-liquid phase change material, and the heat-conducting liquid layer is filled with a heat-conducting liquid. The thin-film solar cell is connected to a battery, and the battery is connected to a controller and the electric heat tracing tape.

[0013] In this way, during the daytime when the sun is directly overhead, the thin-film solar cells can collect solar energy and store it in the battery. Solar energy that the solar cells cannot absorb can be absorbed by the heat-conducting liquid and transferred to the phase change heat storage layer, where the phase change material converts it into phase change energy for storage. This ensures that the solar cells maintain a constant temperature during solar energy absorption, preventing a decrease in power generation efficiency due to temperature increases, thus guaranteeing the solar cells' power generation efficiency. Simultaneously, excess heat energy can be absorbed by the heat-conducting liquid and the phase change heat storage layer, preventing energy waste. At night, when the temperature drops, the phase change material releases phase change energy to provide heat, ensuring that the inside of the pipe does not lose temperature and freeze, thus ensuring smooth transmission. Once the phase change material has exhausted its energy, the battery can power the electric heating tape to continue heating the inside of the pipe, maintaining its internal temperature. Therefore, this solution achieves better anti-freezing performance through a dual anti-freezing principle.

[0014] Furthermore, a temperature probe is installed inside the electric heat tracing layer, and the temperature probe is connected to a controller.

[0015] This allows for real-time temperature monitoring and control, better ensuring the reliability of the pipeline's temperature control process.

[0016] Furthermore, the phase change heat storage layer is provided with several protruding phase change heat storage modules at intervals, and the solid-liquid phase change material is encapsulated in each phase change heat storage module.

[0017] In this way, the phase change material is encapsulated in multiple spaced modules, which can increase the heat exchange area to ensure that the phase change material can better achieve heat exchange, and can better absorb the module deformation caused by the volume change of the phase change material during the phase change process.

[0018] Furthermore, within the phase change heat storage layer, the spacer cavities between each phase change heat storage module are connected to the heat-conducting liquid layer.

[0019] In this way, the cavities between each phase change heat storage module are also filled with heat transfer fluid, which allows the heat absorbed by the heat transfer fluid to be better transferred to the phase change heat storage module.

[0020] Furthermore, the thin-film solar cell is also provided with a transparent outer shell.

[0021] In this way, the outer casing can better protect the thin-film solar cells and achieve a better overall seal for the heat transfer fluid.

[0022] Furthermore, it also includes a cross-sectional arc-shaped reflector located below, the reflector and the pipe body being coaxially arranged, and the outer shell being suspended and supported above the reflector.

[0023] In this way, some sunlight can be reflected by the reflector and shine onto the lower surface of the pipe, allowing for better absorption and utilization of solar energy during the day.

[0024] Furthermore, the inner surface of the reflector is coated with a self-cleaning nano-reflective material.

[0025] This better ensures the reflector's light reflection effect and self-cleaning ability.

[0026] Furthermore, extension plates are retractably inserted on both sides of the reflector, and connecting rods along the diameter direction are provided at the outer ends of the extension plates to support the outer shell; bolt holes are provided between the extension plates and the reflector so that the extension plates can be pulled out and fixed.

[0027] This makes it easy to adjust and fix the reflector.

[0028] Furthermore, a heat insulation layer is provided between the outer surface of the phase change heat storage layer and the heat conduction liquid layer. The upper and lower ends of the heat insulation layer are respectively provided with openings connecting the inner cavity of the phase change heat storage layer and the heat conduction liquid layer. Each of the upper and lower openings is provided with a micro pump, which is connected to the battery and the controller.

[0029] In this way, the insulation layer can better keep the interior warm at night, and the micro pump can be used to make the heat transfer fluid circulate between the cavity and the heat transfer fluid layer in the phase change heat storage layer during the day, so as to bring the external heat into the phase change heat storage layer to achieve heat storage.

[0030] Furthermore, an airbag is provided at the top of the phase change heat storage layer. The airbag is filled with protective gas and is connected to the heat-conducting liquid layer through an upward through hole. An air-permeable and liquid-proof membrane is provided in the through hole.

[0031] In this way, at night, the upper micro-pump can be turned off, while the lower micro-pump can be turned on to draw the heat transfer fluid from the heat transfer fluid layer into the cavity within the phase change heat storage layer. Simultaneously, the protective gas inside the airbag is forced out of the airbag and fills the heat transfer fluid layer, thus achieving better insulation at night. This is because the freezing of the heat transfer fluid layer at night not only affects the absorption of solar energy at the beginning of the next day, but repeated freezing of the heat transfer fluid layer can also damage the thin-film solar cells. Therefore, this method not only provides better insulation at night but also prevents the heat transfer fluid from freezing within the heat transfer fluid layer at night, resulting in better pipeline protection. In practice, carbon dioxide or an inert gas is preferred as the protective gas, but air can also be used directly. Furthermore, the volume of the protective gas contained within the airbag cavity is matched to the volume of the heat transfer fluid layer cavity to achieve the optimal effect.

[0032] In summary, this invention enables more efficient use of solar energy, improves the insulation effect of the pipeline, and better ensures the safety of pipeline transportation. It is particularly suitable for field transportation where there are large temperature differences between day and night. Attached Figure Description

[0033] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the solar-powered antifreeze delivery pipeline used in this invention. Detailed Implementation

[0034] The present invention will now be described in further detail with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments.

[0035] Preferred embodiment: A method for preventing freezing of outdoor transport pipelines, wherein a thin-film solar cell is installed on the outer side of the transport pipeline to convert the solar energy that shines on the pipeline during the day into electrical energy, and at night into heat energy to achieve heat preservation and freezing prevention. The feature is that a phase change material is also installed on the transport pipeline, which converts the solar energy that the thin-film solar cell cannot absorb into phase change energy for storage, and at night into heat energy to achieve heat preservation and freezing prevention.

[0036] In this way, the method relies on both solar cells and phase change materials to absorb and convert solar energy and release it at night to achieve heat preservation and antifreeze, thus making more efficient use of solar energy and improving the antifreeze effect on the pipeline.

[0037] During the day, a heat-conducting liquid is used to absorb and conduct solar energy that the outer thin-film solar cells cannot absorb to the internal phase change material. At night, the heat-conducting liquid on the outside is removed to form a cavity, thus achieving heat preservation and antifreeze.

[0038] In this way, during the day, the heat transfer fluid can be better utilized to absorb solar energy that the thin-film solar cells cannot absorb, and at night, the heat transfer fluid is removed to form a gap, which can better achieve heat preservation and antifreeze.

[0039] This method relies on a solar-powered antifreeze conveying pipeline, which can be found in [reference needed]. Figure 1 The system includes a pipe body 1, which is covered from the inside out with an electric heat tracing layer 2, a phase change heat storage layer 3, a heat-conducting liquid layer 4, and a thin-film solar cell 5. The electric heat tracing layer 2 contains an electric heat tracing tape, the phase change heat storage layer 3 contains a solid-liquid phase change material, and the heat-conducting liquid layer 4 is filled with a heat-conducting liquid. The thin-film solar cell 5 is connected to a battery 6, and the battery 6 is connected to a controller 7 and the electric heat tracing tape.

[0040] In this way, during the daytime when the sun is directly overhead, the thin-film solar cells can collect solar energy and store it in the battery. Solar energy that the solar cells cannot absorb can be absorbed by the heat-conducting liquid and transferred to the phase change heat storage layer, where the phase change material converts it into phase change energy for storage. This ensures that the solar cells maintain a constant temperature during solar energy absorption, preventing a decrease in power generation efficiency due to temperature increases, thus guaranteeing the solar cells' power generation efficiency. Simultaneously, excess heat energy can be absorbed by the heat-conducting liquid and the phase change heat storage layer, preventing energy waste. At night, when the temperature drops, the phase change material releases phase change energy to provide heat, ensuring that the inside of the pipe does not lose temperature and freeze, thus ensuring smooth transmission. Once the phase change material has exhausted its energy, the battery can power the electric heating tape to continue heating the inside of the pipe, maintaining its internal temperature. Therefore, this solution achieves better anti-freezing performance through a dual anti-freezing principle.

[0041] A temperature probe 8 is installed inside the electric heat tracing layer, and the temperature probe 8 is connected to the controller 7.

[0042] This allows for real-time temperature monitoring and control, better ensuring the reliability of the pipeline's temperature control process.

[0043] The phase change heat storage layer 3 has several protruding phase change heat storage modules 9 arranged at intervals, and the solid-liquid phase change material is encapsulated in each phase change heat storage module 9.

[0044] In this way, the phase change material is encapsulated in multiple spaced modules, which can increase the heat exchange area to ensure that the phase change material can better achieve heat exchange, and can better absorb the module deformation caused by the volume change of the phase change material during the phase change process.

[0045] The phase change heat storage layer 3 is configured such that the spacer cavity between each phase change heat storage module 9 is connected to the heat transfer liquid layer 4.

[0046] In this way, the cavities between each phase change heat storage module are also filled with heat transfer fluid, which allows the heat absorbed by the heat transfer fluid to be better transferred to the phase change heat storage module.

[0047] The thin-film solar cell 5 is further provided with a transparent outer shell 10.

[0048] In this way, the outer casing can better protect the thin-film solar cells and achieve a better overall seal for the heat transfer fluid.

[0049] It also includes a reflector 11 with an arc-shaped cross-section located below, the reflector 11 and the pipe body 1 are coaxially arranged, and the outer shell 10 is suspended and supported above the reflector 11.

[0050] In this way, some sunlight can be reflected by the reflector and shine onto the lower surface of the pipe, allowing for better absorption and utilization of solar energy during the day.

[0051] The inner side of the reflector 11 is coated with a self-cleaning nano-reflective material.

[0052] This better ensures the reflector's light reflection effect and self-cleaning ability.

[0053] Among them, the reflector 11 has extension plates 12 that can be pulled out and inserted on both sides. The outer end of the extension plate 12 is provided with a connecting rod 13 along the diameter direction to support the outer shell 10. There are bolt holes 14 between the extension plate 12 and the reflector 11 for fixing after the extension plate is pulled out.

[0054] This makes it easy to adjust and fix the reflector.

[0055] A heat insulation layer 15 is provided between the outer surface of the phase change heat storage layer 3 and the heat conduction liquid layer 4. The upper and lower ends of the heat insulation layer 15 are respectively provided with openings connecting the inner cavity of the phase change heat storage layer and the heat conduction liquid layer. A micro pump 16 is provided in each of the upper and lower openings. The micro pumps are connected to the battery and the controller.

[0056] In this way, the insulation layer can better keep the interior warm at night, and the micro pump can be used to make the heat transfer fluid circulate between the cavity and the heat transfer fluid layer in the phase change heat storage layer during the day, so as to bring the external heat into the phase change heat storage layer to achieve heat storage.

[0057] The phase change heat storage layer is provided with an airbag 17 at the top position. The airbag 17 is filled with protective gas and is connected to the heat-conducting liquid layer through an upward through hole. A breathable and liquid-proof membrane 18 is provided in the through hole.

[0058] In this way, at night, the upper micro-pump can be turned off, while the lower micro-pump can be turned on to draw the heat transfer fluid from the heat transfer fluid layer into the cavity within the phase change heat storage layer. Simultaneously, the protective gas inside the airbag is forced out of the airbag and fills the heat transfer fluid layer, thus achieving better insulation at night. This is because the freezing of the heat transfer fluid layer at night not only affects the absorption of solar energy at the beginning of the next day, but repeated freezing of the heat transfer fluid layer can also damage the thin-film solar cells. Therefore, this method not only provides better insulation at night but also prevents the heat transfer fluid from freezing within the heat transfer fluid layer at night, resulting in better pipeline protection. In practice, carbon dioxide or an inert gas is preferred as the protective gas, but air can also be used directly. Furthermore, the volume of the protective gas contained within the airbag cavity is matched to the volume of the heat transfer fluid layer cavity to achieve the optimal effect.

Claims

1. A method for preventing freezing of outdoor transport pipelines, wherein thin-film solar cells are installed on the outer surface of the transport pipeline to convert solar energy irradiated on the pipeline during the day into electrical energy, and at night into heat energy to achieve heat preservation and freezing prevention, characterized in that, At the same time, phase change materials are installed on the delivery pipeline. The phase change materials are used to convert the solar energy that the thin-film solar cells cannot absorb into phase change energy for storage, and at night the phase change energy is converted into heat energy to achieve heat preservation and antifreeze. During the day, a heat-conducting liquid is used to absorb and conduct solar energy that the outer thin-film solar cells cannot absorb to the internal phase change material. At night, the heat-conducting liquid on the outside is removed to form a cavity, thus achieving heat preservation and antifreeze.

2. The method for preventing freezing of field transport pipelines according to claim 1, characterized in that, This method relies on a solar-powered antifreeze conveying pipeline, which includes a pipeline body. From the inside out, the pipeline body is covered with an electric heat tracing layer, a phase change heat storage layer, a heat-conducting liquid layer, and a thin-film solar cell. The electric heat tracing layer contains an electric heat tracing tape, the phase change heat storage layer contains a solid-liquid phase change material, and the heat-conducting liquid layer is filled with a heat-conducting liquid. The thin-film solar cell is connected to a battery, and the battery is connected to a controller and the electric heat tracing tape.

3. The method for preventing freezing of field transport pipelines according to claim 2, characterized in that, A temperature probe is installed inside the electric heat tracing layer, and the temperature probe is connected to the controller.

4. The method for preventing freezing of field transport pipelines according to claim 2, characterized in that, The phase change heat storage layer is provided with several protruding phase change heat storage modules at intervals, and the solid-liquid phase change material is encapsulated in each phase change heat storage module. Within the phase change heat storage layer, the spacer cavities between each phase change heat storage module are connected to the heat-conducting liquid layer.

5. The method for preventing freezing of field transport pipelines according to claim 4, characterized in that, The thin-film solar cell is also provided with a transparent outer shell.

6. The method for preventing freezing of field transport pipelines according to claim 5, characterized in that, It also includes a cross-sectional arc-shaped reflector located below, the reflector and the pipe body are coaxially arranged, and the outer shell is suspended and supported above the reflector.

7. The method for preventing freezing of field transport pipelines according to claim 6, characterized in that, The inner surface of the reflector is coated with a self-cleaning nano-reflective material. Extension plates are retractably inserted on both sides of the reflector. A connecting rod along the diameter direction is provided at the outer end of the extension plate to support the outer shell. Bolt holes are provided between the extension plate and the reflector so that the extension plate can be pulled out and fixed.

8. The method for preventing freezing of field transport pipelines according to claim 4, characterized in that, A heat insulation layer is provided between the outer surface of the phase change heat storage layer and the heat conduction liquid layer. The upper and lower ends of the heat insulation layer are respectively provided with openings connecting the inner cavity of the phase change heat storage layer and the heat conduction liquid layer. A micro pump is provided in each of the upper and lower openings. The micro pumps are connected to the battery and the controller.

9. The method for preventing freezing of field transport pipelines according to claim 8, characterized in that, An airbag is also provided at the top of the phase change heat storage layer. The airbag is filled with protective gas and is connected to the heat-conducting liquid layer through an upward through hole. A breathable and liquid-proof membrane is provided in the through hole.

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