THERMALLY INSULATED FLEXIBLE CONDUCT, METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING SUCH A CONDUCT AND ITS USE

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a thermally insulated, flexible conduit. Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for producing a thermally insulated, flexible conduit.

[0002] Fiber-reinforced plastic pipes are often used as flexible pipelines for transporting various media, such as water, oil, or gas, for example, in onshore or offshore production for transport on land or above the seabed. Flexible pipelines are also used in district heating pipeline construction to transport media for water and heating supply systems. Fiber-reinforced plastic pipes, such as thermoplastic composite pipes (TCP), in particular, exhibit high pressure resistance with working pressures between 40 and 300 bar, thus enabling the transport of the medium over long distances.

[0003] Thermoplastic composite pipes typically have an inner layer consisting of a single- or multi-layer thermoplastic inner liner. A composite layer is applied to this, for example, by winding fiber-reinforced tapes. Such composite pipes are known, for example, from documents WO 95 / 07428 A1 or WO 2017 / 048117 A1. Further technological background can be found in RU 2 630 810 C2, CH680 815 A5, and WO 2013 / 079455 A1.

[0004] However, when transporting a medium, especially a warm or hot one, over long distances using thermoplastic composite pipes, heat loss can occur. This heat loss can lead to a change in the flowability of the transported medium or to a temperature level that can no longer be maintained for subsequent applications. In such cases, a complex and energy-intensive reheating of the medium is necessary. Similarly, when transporting cold media at high ambient temperatures, it may be necessary to cool the medium again, which is costly and time-consuming.

[0005] The invention is based on the object of structurally and / or functionally improving a conduit pipe as mentioned above. Furthermore, the invention is based on the object of functionally improving a method for producing a conduit pipe as mentioned above.

[0006] The object is achieved by a conduit having the features of claim 1. Furthermore, the object is achieved by a method for producing a conduit having the features of claim 13. Claim 24 relates to the use of such a conduit. Advantageous embodiments and / or further developments are the subject of the dependent claims.

[0007] A conduit pipe can be a thermally insulated and / or flexible conduit pipe. The conduit pipe can comprise at least one carrier pipe. The conduit pipe can comprise, for example, two, three, four, or more carrier pipes. The carrier pipe can have an inner pipe, for example made of plastic, such as a thermoplastic. The carrier pipe can have a reinforcement layer arranged around the inner pipe. The carrier pipe can have a protective jacket arranged around the reinforcement layer.

[0008] The line pipe and / or its carrier pipe can be used and / or designed to transport different media, such as liquid or gaseous media such as water, oil or gas. For example, the inner pipe of the carrier pipe can be used and / or designed to transport different media, such as liquid or gaseous media such as water, oil such as crude oil, or gas such as raw gas. The line pipe can be used and / or designed for use in water, oil or gas networks or water, oil or gas pipelines. The line pipe can be used and / or designed for use in onshore or offshore production or onshore or offshore transport for the transport of a medium on land or above the seabed. The line pipe can be used and / or designed for use in local or district heating networks or local or district heating pipelines. The line pipe can be used for use in geothermal networks orThe pipeline can be used and / or designed for geothermal pipelines. The pipeline can be designed, for example, to transport media for water and heating supply systems. The pipeline can be used and / or designed for use in drinking water or wastewater pipelines.

[0009] The conduit and / or its carrier pipe can be, for example, a flexible and / or coilable and / or non-metallic pipe, in particular a composite pipe. The composite pipe can be a thermoplastic composite pipe. The conduit and / or its carrier pipe can be designed to be bendable. The conduit and / or its carrier pipe can be designed to be wound into coils and / or onto drums. The conduit and / or its carrier pipe can be adaptable to terrain conditions. The conduit can have an inner diameter of approximately 30 to 200 mm. The conduit can have an outer diameter of approximately 76 to 355 mm.

[0010] Unless otherwise stated or the context indicates otherwise, the terms "axial," "radial," and "in the circumferential direction" refer to an extension direction of the longitudinal axis and / or axis of symmetry of the conduit and / or carrier pipe. The conduit and / or its carrier pipe can be concentric to the longitudinal axis and / or axis of symmetry. "Axial" then corresponds to an extension direction of the longitudinal axis and / or axis of symmetry. "Radial" then refers to a direction perpendicular to the extension direction of the longitudinal axis and / or axis of symmetry and intersecting the longitudinal axis and / or axis of symmetry. "In the circumferential direction" then corresponds to a circular arc direction around the longitudinal axis and / or axis of symmetry.

[0011] The carrier pipe can be a fiber-reinforced plastic pipe, for example a thermoplastic one. The carrier pipe can be a multi-layer pipe. The carrier pipe can be a composite pipe, for example a thermoplastic one. The carrier pipe can be a reinforced, such as fiber-reinforced, composite pipe. The carrier pipe can be a composite pipe. The carrier pipe can be a thermoplastic composite pipe, such as a Thermoplastic Composite Pipe (TCP). The carrier pipe can be arranged radially on the inside of the line pipe. The carrier pipe can be a base pipe or carrier pipe. The carrier pipe can be or be extruded or pultruded. The carrier pipe can be or be manufactured using an extrusion process, for example a co-extrusion process or a pultrusion process. For example, the carrier pipe can be or be manufactured or extruded using one extruder or multiple extruders and / or a pipe head.

[0012] The inner pipe of the carrier pipe can be an inner liner. The inner pipe or inner liner can be single-layer or multi-layer. The inner pipe can be a multi-layer pipe. The inner pipe can be a base pipe or support pipe. The inner pipe of the carrier pipe can be arranged radially on the inside of the carrier pipe. The inner pipe can be a plastic pipe, such as a thermoplastic plastic pipe. The inner pipe of the carrier pipe can be or be made of, for example, thermoplastic plastic. The plastic can be or comprise, for example, polyolefin, polyethylene, high-density polyethylene (HDPE), polypropylene or polyamide. The inner pipe can be or be extruded or pultruded. The inner pipe can be or be produced by means of an extrusion process or pultrusion process. For example, the inner pipe can be or be produced or extruded by means of an extruder and / or a pipe head.

[0013] The reinforcement layer of the carrier pipe can comprise at least one layer of reinforcing fibers. The fibers can be glass fibers and / or plastic fibers and / or carbon fibers and / or aramid fibers and / or basalt fibers and / or ceramic fibers. The cross-section of the fibers can be circular, rectangular, oval, elliptical, or cocoon-shaped. The fibers can be formed as short fibers, long fibers, or continuous fibers. The fibers can be formed as a woven fabric or with a unidirectional fiber layer. The reinforcement layer of the carrier pipe can comprise a matrix material made of plastic-impregnated fibers. The plastic can be a thermoplastic. The plastic can be or comprise, for example, polyolefin, polyethylene, high-density polyethylene (HDPE), polypropylene, or polyamide.The matrix material can be produced, for example, by means of an impregnation process, melt deposition process, melt impregnation process, powder impregnation process or pultrusion process.

[0014] The reinforcement layer of the carrier pipe can be arranged in the radial direction between the inner pipe and the protective casing of the carrier pipe. The reinforcement layer of the carrier pipe can have at least one first layer of reinforcing tape. The first layer of reinforcing tape can be or be wound substantially spirally in a first spiral direction around the inner pipe. The reinforcement layer can have at least one second layer of reinforcing tape. The second layer of reinforcing tape can be or be wound substantially spirally around the inner pipe and / or the first layer of reinforcing tape in a second spiral direction, for example, opposite to the first spiral direction.Several, such as three, four, or more, layers of reinforcing tape may be provided, each of which is or will be wound around the inner tube in a spiral direction, in particular in different spiral directions. The multiple layers of reinforcing tape may be configured like the first and / or second layer of reinforcing tape.

[0015] The first layer of reinforcing tape can comprise or be a reinforcing tape having plastic-impregnated fibers. The second layer of reinforcing tape can comprise or be a reinforcing tape having plastic-impregnated fibers. The plastic can be a thermoplastic. The plastic can be or comprise, for example, polyolefin, polyethylene, high-density polyethylene (HDPE), polypropylene, or polyamide. The fibers of the first and / or second layer of reinforcing tape can be or become unidirectionally arranged and / or aligned. The first and / or second layer of reinforcing tape can comprise a plastic-impregnated fiber tape, for example continuous fibers, woven fibers, or knitted fibers. The plastic can be a thermoplastic.The plastic can be or comprise, for example, polyolefin, polyethylene, high-density polyethylene (HDPE), polypropylene, or polyamide. The fibers of the first and / or second layer of reinforcing tape can be reinforcing fibers, for example glass fibers and / or plastic fibers and / or carbon fibers and / or aramid fibers and / or basalt fibers and / or ceramic fibers. The cross-section of the fibers can be circular, rectangular, oval, elliptical, or cocoon-shaped. The fibers can be formed as short fibers, long fibers, or continuous fibers. The fibers can be formed and / or arranged as a woven or knitted fabric or with a unidirectional fiber layer. The first and / or second layer of reinforcing tape can also be referred to as a tape, such as fiber-reinforced tape.The first and / or second layer of reinforcing tape can be or will be produced, for example, by means of an impregnation process, melt deposition process, melt impregnation process, powder impregnation process or pultrusion process.

[0016] The reinforcement layer can be or become firmly connected to the inner pipe of the carrier pipe. The reinforcement layer can be or become firmly connected to the radially outer surface, such as the outer surface or surface, of the inner pipe of the carrier pipe. The first and / or second layer of reinforcing tape or the multiple layers of reinforcing tape can be or become firmly connected to the inner pipe of the carrier pipe. The reinforcement layer and / or its first and / or second layer of reinforcing tape can be or become firmly connected to the outer surface or radially outer surface, such as the outer surface or surface, of the inner pipe of the carrier pipe. The connection can, for example, be materially bonded, such as glued, welded or fused, and / or force-fit.For example, the first and / or second layer of reinforcing tape can be or become firmly bonded to the inner pipe of the carrier pipe, in particular to the outer surface of the inner pipe, by means of a fusion bond, such as glued, welded, or fused, and / or by means of a frictionally effective bonding method. Such a connection can also be referred to as a "solid bond" and / or "bonded."

[0017] The reinforcement layer can be or become firmly connected to the protective casing of the carrier pipe. The reinforcement layer can be or become firmly connected to the radially inner surface, such as the inner surface or surface, of the protective casing of the carrier pipe. The first and / or second layer of reinforcing tape or the multiple layers of reinforcing tape can be or become firmly connected to the protective casing of the carrier pipe. The reinforcement layer and / or its first and / or second layer of reinforcing tape can be or become firmly connected to the inner surface or radially inner surface, such as the inner surface or surface, of the protective casing of the carrier pipe. The connection can, for example, be materially bonded, such as glued, welded or fused, and / or force-fit.For example, the first and / or second layer of reinforcing tape can be or become firmly bonded to the protective casing of the carrier pipe, in particular to the inner surface of the protective casing, by means of a fusion bond, such as glued, welded, or fused, and / or by means of a frictionally effective bonding method. Such a connection can also be referred to as a "solid bond" and / or "bonded."

[0018] The protective jacket of the carrier pipe can be an outer jacket of the carrier pipe. The protective jacket of the carrier pipe can be arranged radially on the outside of the carrier pipe. The protective jacket of the carrier pipe can be a pipe, such as a plastic pipe, or a film, such as a plastic film. The protective jacket can be a film tube, such as a plastic film tube. The protective jacket of the carrier pipe can be or be made from, for example, thermoplastic plastic. The plastic can be or comprise, for example, polyolefin, polyethylene, high-density polyethylene (HDPE), polypropylene or polyamide. The protective jacket can be or be extruded. The protective jacket can be or be produced by means of an extrusion process. For example, the protective jacket can be or be extruded by means of an extruder and / or a pipe head.

[0019] The carrier pipe can have an inner diameter of approximately 30 to 200 mm. The carrier pipe can have an outer diameter of approximately 40 to 265 mm. The carrier pipe can have a wall thickness of approximately 5.0 to 32.5 mm.

[0020] The pipe may have thermal insulation. The thermal insulation may be arranged around the carrier pipe. The pipe may have a casing. The casing may be arranged around the thermal insulation. The thermal insulation may be arranged radially between the carrier pipe and the casing of the pipe.

[0021] The thermal insulation can be or become firmly connected to the carrier pipe. The thermal insulation can be or become firmly connected to the protective casing of the carrier pipe. The thermal insulation can be or become firmly connected to the outer surface of the carrier pipe and / or its protective casing. The thermal insulation can be or become firmly connected to a radially outer surface, such as the outer surface or surface, of the carrier pipe and / or its protective casing. The connection can be, for example, materially bonded, such as glued, welded, or fused, and / or force-fit. Such a connection can also be referred to as a "solid bond" and / or "bonded." The connection can be caused by the thermal insulation itself. The thermal insulation can exhibit adhesive properties.

[0022] The thermal insulation can be or become firmly bonded to the pipe casing. The thermal insulation can be or become firmly bonded to the inner surface of the casing. The thermal insulation can be or become firmly bonded to a radially inner surface, such as the inner surface or surface, of the pipe casing. The connection can be, for example, integral, such as glued, welded, or fused, and / or force-fit. Such a connection can also be referred to as a "solid bond" and / or "bonded." The connection can be caused by the thermal insulation itself.

[0023] The thermal insulation can serve for thermal insulation, in particular of a medium present in the carrier pipe or in the inner pipe of the carrier pipe. The thermal insulation can comprise a foam and / or be or be made from it. The foam can be an open-cell or closed-cell foam. The foam can be a heat-insulating foam and / or be or be made from a heat-insulating material. The thermal insulation and / or the foam can comprise and / or be or be made from a plastic foam, for example a foamed plastic foam. The plastic foam can be or be made, for example, on the basis of polyurethane (PUR), polyisocyanurate (PIR), thermoplastic polyester or thermoplastic polyolefin. The plastic foam can be, for example, polyurethane foam (PUR), such as rigid polyurethane foam, or polyisocyanurate foam, such as rigid polyiso foam (PIR).The thermal insulation and / or its foam or plastic foam can have a density of approximately 40 to 80 kg / m 3 and / or a compressive strength of 0.1 to 0.5 MPa.

[0024] The thermal insulation can be covered with a layer. The layer can be arranged, for example, in the radial direction, between the thermal insulation and the casing of the conduit. For example, the thermal insulation can be covered with a film, such as a release film. The layer and / or film can be a film tube, such as a plastic film tube. The layer and / or film can be or be made from, for example, thermoplastic plastic. The plastic can be or comprise, for example, polyolefin, polyethylene, high-density polyethylene (HDPE), polypropylene or polyamide. The layer and / or film can be or be extruded. The layer and / or film can be or be produced by means of an extrusion process. For example, the layer and / or film can be or be extruded by means of an extruder and / or a pipe head or a film extruder.

[0025] The thermal insulation can be designed as single-layer or multi-layer thermal insulation. The thermal insulation can have one or more, for example two, three, four or more, layers, such as thermal insulation layers. Each layer of thermal insulation can be or be made from a thermally insulating material, such as foam and / or plastic foam. The foam or plastic foam can be designed and / or manufactured as described above and / or below. The layers of thermal insulation can be designed differently, for example with different foams or plastic foams. The layers of thermal insulation can each be separated from one another by an intermediate layer, such as film. The intermediate layer and / or film can be a film tube, such as a plastic film tube.The intermediate layer and / or film can be made of, for example, a thermoplastic plastic. The plastic can be, for example, polyolefin, polyethylene, high-density polyethylene (HDPE), polypropylene, or polyamide. The intermediate layer and / or film can be extruded. The intermediate layer and / or film can be produced by an extrusion process. For example, the intermediate layer and / or film can be produced or extruded by means of an extruder and / or a die head.

[0026] The thermal insulation may have an inner diameter of approximately 40 to 265 mm. The thermal insulation may have an outer diameter of approximately 72 to 348 mm. The thermal insulation may have a wall thickness of approximately 16 to 50 mm. One or each layer, such as a thermal insulation layer, of the thermal insulation may have a wall thickness of approximately 16 to 50 mm.

[0027] The sheathing of the conduit pipe can be or become arranged radially on the outside of the conduit pipe. The sheathing of the conduit pipe can be an outer pipe, for example a flexible and / or bendable outer pipe, or a film, for example a flexible film tube. The sheathing can be or become made of, for example, thermoplastic plastic, for example extruded. The plastic can be or become polyolefin, polyethylene, high-density polyethylene (HDPE), polypropylene or polyamide. The sheathing can be a plastic film, for example a plastic film tube. The sheathing of the conduit pipe can have a wall thickness of approximately 1.0 to 5.0 mm, for example approximately 2 mm. For example, the sheathing can be or become made or extruded by means of an extruder and / or a pipe head.

[0028] The conduit may comprise a film, such as a release film and / or plastic film. The film may be arranged between the thermal insulation and the sheathing. The film, for example the inner surface of the film, may be firmly connected to the thermal insulation, for example by a material bond, such as glued, welded or fused, and / or a force-fit connection. The film, for example the outer surface of the film, may be firmly connected to the sheathing, for example by a material bond, such as glued, welded or fused, and / or a force-fit connection. The film may be a hose, such as a film hose. The film may be or be made of, for example, thermoplastic plastic, for example by extruding it.The plastic can be or comprise polyolefin, polyethylene, low-density polyethylene (LDPE), linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE), high-density polyethylene (HDPE), polypropylene, or polyamide. For example, the film can be manufactured or extruded using an extruder, such as a film extruder.

[0029] The thermal insulation or at least one surface area of ​​the thermal insulation and / or the film and / or the sheathing of the conduit can be or become smooth and / or corrugated. The radially outer surface, such as the outer surface or surface, of the thermal insulation and / or the film and / or the sheathing can be or become smooth and / or corrugated. The thermal insulation and / or the film and / or the sheathing of the conduit and / or its radially outer surface can be evenly and / or unevenly corrugated. The thermal insulation and / or the film and / or the sheathing of the conduit and / or its radially outer surface can have a corrugated profile. The corrugated profile can have corrugation troughs and corrugation crests. The corrugation troughs can be larger, for example wider, such as wider in the longitudinal direction of the conduit, than the corrugation crests.The wave crests can be larger, for example wider, such as wider in the longitudinal direction of the conduit, than the wave troughs. The wave profile can have wave flanks. The wave flanks can have, for example, steep / steeper, rising and / or, for example, flat / flatter, falling wave flanks. The thermal insulation and / or the film and / or the sheathing of the conduit and / or its radially outer surface can be or become corrugated. The thermal insulation and / or the film and / or the sheathing of the conduit can be or become flexible and / or bendable. The film and / or sheathing of the conduit can be a protective layer.

[0030] The line pipe can be manufactured using an extrusion process, for example a coextrusion process, or an extrusion line. For example, the line pipe can be manufactured or extruded using one or more extruders and / or a pipe head. The line pipe can be manufactured or extruded using a jaw-belt process or a jaw-belt line.

[0031] A use of a pipeline described above and / or below can be and / or serve for the transport of oil, such as crude oil, gas, such as raw gas, water, oil-water mixture, oil-gas mixture or other mixtures combined from the above-mentioned substances.

[0032] In a method for producing a conduit, such as a thermally insulated, flexible conduit, the thermal insulation can be arranged between the carrier pipe and the casing in a discontinuous or continuous manner. In a method for producing a conduit, such as a thermally insulated, flexible conduit, the thermal insulation can be applied to the carrier pipe in a continuous manner. The conduit can be designed or constructed as described above and / or below. The conduit can be manufactured such that the conduit comprises at least one carrier pipe, thermal insulation, and a casing, wherein the at least one carrier pipe has an inner pipe made of thermoplastic, a reinforcement layer, and a protective jacket. The thermal insulation can be arranged or attached and / or fastened around the at least one carrier pipe.The sheathing can be arranged, attached and / or fixed around the thermal insulation.

[0033] The at least one carrier pipe and / or its inner pipe can be extruded, for example, coextruded. The inner pipe of the carrier pipe can be wound and / or stored on a drum and / or unwound from the drum. The reinforcement layer can be applied to the inner pipe of the carrier pipe, for example, by winding it or wrapping it around the inner pipe. The reinforcement layer can be firmly connected to the inner pipe of the carrier pipe, for example, by means of a material bond, such as glued, welded, or fused, and / or force-fitting and / or bonded. The protective sheath can be applied to the inner pipe of the carrier pipe provided with the reinforcement layer, for example, by extruding it, or by winding it or wrapping it around it. The inner pipe of the carrier pipe provided with the reinforcement layer can be inserted and / or pushed into the protective sheath.The protective sheath can be firmly connected to the reinforcement layer of the carrier pipe, for example by means of a material bond, such as glued, welded or fused, and / or force-fit and / or bonded.

[0034] The carrier pipe can be wound and / or stored on a drum and / or unwound from the drum. The carrier pipe can be provided, for example, continuously or discontinuously. For example, a portion of a carrier pipe can be provided. The portion of the carrier pipe can be provided substantially straight or as a shaped part. The shaped part can be bent and / or at least partially I-, T-, or U-shaped. For example, the carrier pipe can be provided as a T-piece or as a pipe rod.

[0035] The casing can be provided, for example, continuously or discontinuously. The casing can be or become prefabricated. The carrier pipe and / or a part of the carrier pipe can be inserted and / or pushed into the casing. Spacers can be provided between the carrier pipe or the part of the carrier pipe and the casing. The spacers can form a space, such as a cavity, gap, or annular gap, between the carrier pipe and the casing. A liquid and / or foaming composition, such as a plastic composition, can be introduced into the space between the carrier pipe and the casing as thermal insulation, for example poured and / or injected and / or sprayed in. The thermal insulation can be or become designed as described above and / or below.

[0036] A liquid and / or foaming composition, such as a plastic composition, can be applied as thermal insulation to the casing, for example, to the inner surface of the casing. A liquid and / or foaming composition, such as a plastic composition, can be applied as thermal insulation to a film, such as a plastic film. The film can be a release film. The film can be provided, for example, continuously or discontinuously.

[0037] The sheath and / or film provided with the liquid and / or foaming composition or plastic composition can then be inserted together with the carrier pipe into a forming tool, such as a jaw band.

[0038] The carrier pipe and a film tube continuously formed from a film can be provided in a forming tool, such as a jaw belt. The carrier pipe can be arranged within the film tube, for example, such that a space, such as a cavity, gap, or annular gap, is formed between the carrier pipe and the film tube. For this purpose, spacers can be provided or arranged between the carrier pipe and the film tube. A liquid and / or foaming composition, such as a plastic composition, can be introduced into the space as thermal insulation, for example, by pouring it in, injecting it in, and / or spraying it in.

[0039] The shape of the jaw band, in particular its inner surface, can predetermine and / or form the shape, like the radially outer surface or outer layer, of the casing and / or the film and / or the thermal insulation. For example, the inner surface of the jaw band can have a corrugated profile. The corrugated profile of the jaw band can be designed such that the corrugated profile of the casing and / or film and / or thermal insulation described above and / or below can be formed. The jaw band can be a molding tool. The molding tool can have mold halves, for example two mold halves. The mold halves can be or will be arranged opposite one another. Two mold halves can form a mold pair. Several mold pairs can be provided. The mold and / or its mold halves can be designed to move along. The mold and / or its mold halves can be designed to be heatable or coolable.The mold halves or their inner surfaces can have the corrugated profile. The jaw band and / or forming tool can be designed to produce or manufacture the conduit, such as a thermally insulated, flexible conduit.

[0040] In a discontinuous operation, for example, the carrier pipe can be cut out and / or prefabricated and / or provided in sections, such as rods / pipe bars, or as prefabricated fittings, such as bends or T-pieces. The rods / pipe bars can have different lengths, for example up to approximately 16 m per section. The sections of the carrier pipe can be inserted into the casing and / or a film, such as a film tube, for example by means of spacers. The film can be a plastic film and / or release film. Alternatively, the sections of the carrier pipe can be provided with the casing and / or film. The casing and / or film can be or become prefabricated. The cavity between the section of the carrier pipe and the casing and / or film can be filled, such as filled, with a liquid and / or intumescent composition, such as a plastic composition, as thermal insulation.

[0041] In a continuous operation, for example, the carrier pipe can be stored on drums and / or transported to the production facility on the drums. A liquid and / or intumescent composition, such as a plastic composition, can be applied and / or applied around the carrier pipe as thermal insulation in a continuous process. The liquid and / or intumescent composition, such as a plastic composition, can be applied to the sheath and / or a film, such as a film tube and / or release film and / or plastic film. The carrier pipe and the sheath and / or film can then be inserted into a jaw conveyor.

[0042] In a continuous operation, the thermal insulation can be applied and / or applied to the at least one carrier pipe, for example, continuously applied and / or applied. A liquid and / or foaming plastic composition can be applied and / or applied as thermal insulation to the carrier pipe, for example, to the outer surface of the carrier pipe and / or its protective casing. The casing can be applied, for example, seamlessly, to the thermal insulation, for example, directly or indirectly, for example, extruded.

[0043] The at least one carrier pipe can be unwound from a drum. The at least one carrier pipe can be provided and / or transported in the longitudinal direction of the carrier pipe and / or pulled off the drum. The at least one carrier pipe can be preheated or pre-warmed, for example by means of a heating device, such as an infrared heating device or an electric resistance heating device. A film, such as a plastic film and / or release film, can be formed, such as laid and / or wound around the carrier pipe. A liquid and / or foaming plastic composition can be introduced as thermal insulation, for example by means of a gun or a mixing head, into a space, such as a gap, between the film and the at least one carrier pipe, such as injected, sprayed in or let in.Admitting can also be understood as allowing the liquid and / or foaming plastic composition to run or flow into the space between the film and the at least one carrier pipe. The space can be an insulation material forming region. The insulation material forming region can be defined and / or formed by the film, in particular the inside of the film, and the at least one carrier pipe, in particular the outside of the at least one carrier pipe. The introduction of the liquid and / or foaming plastic composition can take place continuously. The film can be formed into a tube, such as a film hose. Longitudinal edges of the film can be welded and / or glued. The forming of the film into a tube can take place continuously.The film can be formed into a tube immediately after the film has been wrapped around the at least one carrier pipe and / or immediately after the liquid and / or foaming plastic composition has been introduced into the space defined and / or formed by the film and the at least one carrier pipe. The thermal insulation can be shaped at least in its surface area and / or the film / film tube can be shaped by a forming tool, such as a jaw belt, for example, smoothly or wavy. The forming of the thermal insulation and / or the film / film tube can take place by the forming tool in a first sub-step and in a first sub-region and in a further sub-step in a further sub-region. The sub-regions and / or sub-steps can take place one after the other, for example directly. The forming of the thermal insulation and / or the film / film tube can take place continuously.The film / film tube can be designed and / or serve to prevent adhesion, such as sticking, of the plastic composition or thermal insulation, for example, to the mold. The mold can be heated or cooled. This can influence the curing of the plastic composition, for example delayed or accelerated, and / or a curing time can be set. The liquid and / or foaming plastic composition can foam and / or cure, for example before and / or during shaping by the mold. The liquid and / or foaming plastic composition can be cured to form or as thermal insulation after shaping by the mold. The sheath can be applied, for example seamlessly, to the shaped and / or cured thermal insulation and / or to the, in particular, shaped film / film tube, for example extruded.Extrusion can be performed using an extruder, such as a single-screw extruder, and / or a pipe head. The coating can be applied continuously. The coating can take on and / or comprise the shape of the outer surface of the molded and / or cured thermal insulation and / or of the, in particular, molded, film / film tube. The conduit can then be cooled using a cooling device, such as a cooling bath device, and / or wound onto a drum. The cooling device and / or the cooling bath device can be a water cooling device and / or cooling water device. The cooling device can have nozzles, such as spray nozzles, by means of which cooling water can be sprayed onto the conduit.

[0044] The at least one carrier pipe can be or become designed as above and / or below. The film can be or become designed as above and / or below. The sheath can be or become designed as above and / or below. The molding tool can be or become designed as above and / or below. The composition or plastic composition can be or become designed as above and / or below. The composition or plastic composition can be the intumescent foam and / or plastic foam described above and / or below. The thermal insulation can be formed by foaming and / or curing the liquid and / or intumescent composition or plastic composition. The composition or plastic composition can be a reactive plastic system, for example a polyurethane system or polyisocyanate system. The composition orThe plastic composition can be a reactive and / or intumescent foam and / or plastic foam. For example, at least one isocyanate component and at least one polyol can be combined to form the reactive plastic system. The plastic system can be foamed and / or cured. The composition / plastic composition or plastic system can be mixed and / or produced and / or provided using a mixing head.

[0045] A device for producing a thermally insulated, flexible conduit may include at least one storage drum for storing a carrier pipe, a roller system, a heating device for preheating the carrier pipe, a storage reel for storing a film, a feed device for feeding the film, a gun and / or mixing head for introducing a liquid and / or foaming plastic composition as thermal insulation, a film welding device for forming a film tube, a forming tool, such as a jaw belt, for forming the thermal insulation and / or film, a sheathing application unit, such as an extruder and / or pipe head, for applying a sheath, and / or a cooling device, such as a cooling bath device, for cooling the conduit. The cooling device and / or cooling bath device may be a water cooling device and / or cooling water device.The cooling device can have nozzles, such as spray nozzles, designed to spray cooling water onto the conduit. The device can further have a take-off device, such as a belt take-off device, and / or another storage drum for winding and / or storing the manufactured conduit. The device for producing the conduit can be designed and / or configured to carry out at least one of the methods described above and / or below. The device for producing the conduit can be designed and / or configured to produce the conduit described above and / or below.

[0046] The invention enables uniform thermal insulation at all points along the pipe. Heat losses from the transported medium can be avoided or at least significantly reduced. The flowability of the transported medium can be maintained at least essentially unchanged. Required temperature levels can be maintained.

[0047] In the following, embodiments of the invention are described in more detail with reference to figures, which show schematically and by way of example: Fig. 1a thermally insulated, flexible pipe in cross-section; Fig. 2the pipe according to Fig. 1 in longitudinal section; Fig. 3 a flow diagram of a process for producing the line pipe according to Fig. 1 and 2 and Fig. 4 a flow diagram of another method for producing the conduit according to Fig. 1 and 2 .

[0048] Fig. 1 shows in cross section and Fig. 2A longitudinal section through a thermally insulated, flexible conduit 100. The conduit 100 comprises a carrier pipe 102, thermal insulation 104, and a sheath 106. The thermal insulation 104 is arranged around the carrier pipe 102 and is firmly connected to the carrier pipe 102, for example, welded or glued. The thermal insulation 104 is a foamed and cured polyurethane foam and serves to thermally insulate the medium to be transported in the carrier pipe 102. The sheath 106 is made of plastic and is arranged around the thermal insulation 104. The sheath 106 is also firmly connected to the thermal insulation 104, for example, welded or glued. The sheath 106 serves to protect the thermal insulation 104.

[0049] The carrier pipe 102 is designed as a flexible, windable, and non-metallic thermoplastic composite pipe (TCP). The carrier pipe 102 has an inner pipe 108, such as an inner liner, in which the medium to be transported can be guided or transported. The inner pipe 108 is made of a thermoplastic material, such as high-density polyethylene (HDPE), for example, extruded. The carrier pipe 102 further has a reinforcement layer 110 arranged around the inner pipe 108. The reinforcement layer can, for example, comprise one or more, such as two, layers of reinforcing tape comprising plastic-impregnated, in particular unidirectionally arranged, fibers, for example glass fibers and / or plastic fibers and / or carbon fibers and / or aramid fibers.The layers of reinforcing tape are arranged spirally in different directions around the inner pipe 108 and are firmly connected to it, such as welded or glued. The carrier pipe 102 further comprises a protective jacket 112 made of plastic. The protective jacket 112 is arranged around the reinforcement layer 110 of the carrier pipe 102 and firmly connected to it, such as welded or glued. The thermal insulation 104 is arranged around the protective jacket 112 of the carrier pipe 102 and firmly connected to the protective jacket 112, for example, welded or glued.

[0050] The conduit 100 is concentric with an axis 114, such as a longitudinal axis and / or axis of symmetry.

[0051] Fig. 3 shows a schematic flow diagram of a method for producing the conduit 100. The conduit 100 can be designed or manufactured as described above and / or below.

[0052] In a step S11, the medium pipe 102 is inserted into the casing 106 and / or provided with the casing 106.

[0053] In a step S12, the thermal insulation is arranged in a discontinuous or continuous manner between the carrier pipe 102 and the casing 106, wherein a liquid and / or foaming composition, such as a plastic composition, is introduced as thermal insulation, for example, poured and / or injected and / or sprayed, into the space between the carrier pipe 102 and the casing 106. The liquid or foaming composition, such as a plastic composition, can be formed as described above and / or below. For example, at least one isocyanate component and at least one polyol can be combined in a mixing head, which are then poured and / or injected and / or sprayed into the space between the carrier pipe 102 and the casing 106 as a mixed, reactive, foaming polyurethane system.The then cured plastic foam then forms the thermal insulation, which can be designed as described above and / or below.

[0054] In a continuous operation, for example, the carrier pipe 102 can be inserted into a jaw band together with the casing 106, and the annular gap between the carrier pipe 102 and the casing 106 can be filled with the liquid and / or foaming composition, such as a plastic composition, as thermal insulation. Alternatively, the casing 106 can be provided with the liquid and / or foaming composition, such as a plastic composition, and then inserted into the jaw band together with the carrier pipe 102.

[0055] Furthermore, particular attention is drawn to Figs. 1 and 2 and the corresponding description.

[0056] Fig. 4shows a schematic flow diagram of a method for producing the conduit 100 using a continuous process. The conduit 100 can be designed or manufactured as described above and / or below.

[0057] In a step S21, a film, such as a release film, is formed around the at least one medium pipe 102, such as laid and / or wound.

[0058] In a step S22, the thermal insulation 104 is applied and / or applied to the carrier pipe 102. In this case, a liquid and / or foaming composition, such as a plastic composition, is applied and / or applied as thermal insulation 104 around the carrier pipe 102, wherein the liquid and / or foaming composition, such as a plastic composition, is introduced as thermal insulation 104 into a space, such as a gap, between the film and the at least one carrier pipe 102, such as injected, sprayed in, or let in. The liquid or foaming composition, such as a plastic composition, can be designed or become as described above and / or below. For example, at least one isocyanate component and at least one polyol can be combined in a mixing head, which can then be applied as a mixed, reactive, foaming polyurethane system onto the carrier pipe 102, in particular onto the outer surface of the carrier pipe 102 orits protective sheath 112, is applied and / or applied or is introduced into the space between the film and the at least one medium pipe 102.

[0059] In a step S23, the film is formed into a film tube, whereby longitudinal edges of the film are welded and / or glued.

[0060] In a step S24, the thermal insulation 104 is formed at least in its surface area and / or the film is formed smoothly or wavy by a forming tool, such as a jaw belt.

[0061] In a step S25, the sheath 106 is then applied to the formed thermal insulation 104 or to the formed film, for example extruded.

[0062] The then cured plastic foam then forms the thermal insulation, which can be designed as described above and / or below.

[0063] Furthermore, particular attention is drawn to Figs. 1 to 3and the corresponding description.

[0064] "May" refers in particular to optional features of the invention. Accordingly, there are also further developments and / or embodiments of the invention that additionally or alternatively comprise the respective feature(s).

[0065] If necessary, isolated features can also be extracted from the combinations of features disclosed here and used in combination with other features to define the subject matter of the claim, dissolving any structural and / or functional relationship between the features. The order and / or number of all steps of the method(s) can be varied and / or combined. The methods can be combined with one another. Reference symbol

[0066] 100Line pipe 102Carrier pipe 104Thermal insulation 106Sheathing 108Inner pipe 110Reinforcing layer 112Protective sheath 114Axle S11Step for inserting or providing the medium pipe with the sheath S12Step for applying or introducing the liquid and / or foaming composition, such as plastic composition S21Step for forming a film around the carrier pipe S22Step for applying the liquid and / or foaming composition, such as plastic composition S23Step for forming the film into a film tube S24Step for forming the thermal insulation and / or film in a forming tool S25Step for applying the sheath

Claims

1. A thermally insulated flexible conduit (100) comprising at least one medium pipe (102), a thermal insulation (104) disposed around the medium pipe (102) and a jacket (106) disposed around the thermal insulation (104), the at least one medium pipe (102) having an inner pipe (108) of thermoplastic material, a reinforcing layer (110) arranged around the inner pipe (108) and a protective sheath (112) arranged around the reinforcing layer (110), characterized in that the reinforcing layer (110) is welded or fused to the inner pipe (108) and / or to the protective sheath (112) of the medium pipe (102).

2. Conduit (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that the reinforcing layer (110) comprises at least a first layer of reinforcing tape which is wound substantially spirally in a first spiral direction around the inner pipe (108).

3. Conduit (100) according to claim 2, characterized in that the reinforcing layer (110) comprises at least a second layer of reinforcing tape which is wound substantially spirally around the first layer of reinforcing tape in a second spiral direction opposite to the first spiral direction.

4. Conduit (100) according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the first layer of reinforcing tape and / or the second layer of reinforcing tape comprises a reinforcing tape which has fibres, in particular unidirectionally arranged fibres, such as glass fibres and / or plastic fibres and / or carbon fibres and / or aramid fibres, impregnated with plastic, such as polyolefin, polyethylene, high-density polyethylene (HDPE), polypropylene or polyamide.

5. Conduit (100) according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the medium pipe (102) is a thermoplastic composite pipe, in particular flexible and / or windable and / or non-metallic.

6. Conduit (100) according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the thermal insulation (104) is firmly connected to the medium pipe (102), in particular to the outer surface of the medium pipe (102), and / or to the jacket (106) of the conduit (100), in particular to the inner surface of the jacket (106), in particular in a materially bonded, such as glued, welded or fused, and / or force-locking manner.

7. Conduit (100) according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the conduit (100) has a foil, such as a separating foil, the foil being arranged between the thermal insulation (104) and the jacket (106), the foil, in particular the inner surface of the foil, being firmly connected to the thermal insulation (104), in particular materially bonded, such as glued, welded or fused, and / or frictionally bonded, and / or the foil, in particular the outer surface of the foil, is firmly bonded, in particular materially bonded, such as glued, welded or fused, and / or force-locking manner, to the jacket (106).

8. Conduit (100) according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the thermal insulation (104) comprises a foam, in particular an open-cell or closed-cell foam, and / or is produced therefrom.

9. Conduit (100) according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the thermal insulation (104) comprises a foamed-on plastic foam, in particular based on polyurethane, polyisocyanurate, thermoplastic polyester or thermoplastic polyolefin, and / or is produced therefrom.

10. Conduit (100) according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the jacket (106) of the conduit (100) is an outer pipe, in particular a flexible outer pipe, or a foil, in particular a flexible foil tube.

11. Conduit (100) according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the thermal insulation (104) and / or the foil and / or the jacket (106) of the conduit (100) is designed to be smooth or corrugated, such as uniformly or unevenly corrugated, or corrugated.

12. Conduit (100) according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the inner pipe (108) and / or the protective sheath (112) of the medium pipe (102) and / or the foil and / or the jacket (106) of the conduit (100) is made of thermoplastic material, such as polyolefin, polyethylene, high-density polyethylene (HDPE), polypropylene or polyamide, in particular extruded.

13. Method for producing a thermally insulated, flexible conduit (100), comprising at least one medium pipe (102), a thermal insulation (104) and a jacket (106), wherein the at least one medium pipe (102) has an inner pipe (108) made of thermoplastic material, a reinforcing layer (110) and a protective sheath (112), characterized in that the reinforcing layer (110) being welded or fused to the inner pipe (108) and / or to the protective sheath (112) of the medium pipe (102), in which the thermal insulation (104) is arranged in a discontinuous or continuous manner between the medium pipe (102) and the protective sheath (112).

14. Method according to claim 13, characterized in that the medium pipe (102) is introduced (S11) into the jacket (106) and / or provided (S11) with the jacket (106) and a liquid and / or foaming plastic composition is introduced (S12) into the space between the medium pipe (102) and the jacket (106) as thermal insulation (104).

15. Method according to claim 13, characterized in that a liquid and / or foaming plastic composition is applied (S12) as thermal insulation (104) to the jacket (106), in particular to the inner surface of the jacket (106), or to a film, which is then introduced together with the medium pipe (102) in a jaw conveyor.

16. Method according to claim 13, characterized in that the medium pipe (102) and a film tube (106) formed continuously from a film are provided in a jaw conveyor, the medium pipe (102) being arranged (S11) within the film tube (106) in such a way that between the medium pipe (102) and the film tube (106) there is a gap, in particular an annular gap, between the medium pipe (102) and the film tube (106), and that a liquid and / or foaming plastic composition is then introduced (S12) into the gap as thermal insulation (104).

17. Method according to at least one of the preceding claims 15 to 16, characterized in that the shape of the jaw conveyor predetermines and / or forms the shape of the jacket (106) and / or the film.

18. Method for producing a thermally insulated, flexible conduit (100), comprising at least one medium pipe (102), a thermal insulation (104) and a jacket (106), the at least one medium pipe (102) having an inner pipe (108) made of thermoplastic material, a reinforcing layer (110) and a protective sheathing (112), characterized in that the reinforcing layer (110) being welded or fused to the inner pipe (108) and / or to the protective sheath (112) of the medium pipe (102), in which the thermal insulation (104) is applied and / or put on (S22) to the at least one medium pipe (102) in a continuous process and the jacket (106) is applied (S25) to the thermal insulation (104), in particular extruded, such as extruded on.

19. Method according to claim 18, in which a liquid and / or foaming plastic composition is applied and / or put on (S22) as thermal insulation (104) to the at least one medium pipe (102), in particular to the outer surface of the at least one medium pipe (102) and / or its protective sheath (112).

20. The method according to claim 18 or 19, wherein a film, such as separating film, is formed (S21), such as laid and / or wrapped, around the at least one medium pipe (102), and a liquid and / or foaming plastic composition is introduced (S22), such as injected, sprayed or embedded, as thermal insulation (104) into a space, such as gap, between the film and the at least one medium pipe (102).

21. The method according to claim 20, in which the film is formed into a film tube, wherein longitudinal edges of the film are welded and / or bonded (S23).

22. The method according to at least one of the preceding claims 18 to 21, wherein the thermal insulation (104) at least in its surface area and / or the foil are formed (S24) smooth or wavy by a forming tool, such as a jaw conveyer.

23. Method according to at least one of the preceding claims 18 to 22, in which the jacket (106) is applied (S25), in particular extruded, such as extruded on, to the formed thermal insulation (104) and / or to the, in particular formed, film.

24. Use of the conduit (100) according to at least one of the preceding claims 1 to 12 for the transportation of oil, such as crude oil, gas, such as crude gas, water, oil-water mixture, oil-gas mixture or other mixtures combined from the said substances.