Connection device for two cathodically protected conduits, assembly and associated monitoring method

Abstract

Connection device for two cathodically protected pipes, assembly and associated monitoring method. The connection device (20) comprises: - a connecting flange (22) for fluidly connecting two pipe sections (14) and having an annular body (30) defining a passage for the flow of an electrically conductive fluid; - a cathodic protection device arranged in the annular body (30) of the connecting flange (22); - an electrical circuit (50) having a first terminal (54) electrically connected to the cathodic protection device and at least a second terminal (56) intended to be electrically connected to one of the two pipe sections (14). The electrical circuit (50) further comprises a measuring device (52) for measuring the intensity of the electric current flowing in the cathodic protection device between the terminals (54, 56). Figure for the abbreviation: Figure 1

Description

Title of the invention: Device for connecting two cathodically protected conduits, assembly and associated monitoring method

[0001] The present invention relates to a device for connecting two sections of pipe intended for the transport of an electrically conductive fluid, comprising:

[0002] - a connecting flange intended to fluidly connect the two portions of conduit and comprising an annular body delimiting a fluid circulation passage;

[0003] - a cathodic protection element arranged in the annular body of the flange of connecting and at least partially delimiting the fluid circulation passage;

[0004] - an electrical circuit, the first terminal of which is electrically connected to the organ of cathodic protection and of which at least one second terminal is intended to be electrically connected to one of the two sections of conduit.

[0005] Such pipes and such a connection device are intended in particular for the transport of seawater.

[0006] In such a connection device, the cathodic protection element acts as a sacrificial anode and protects the pipes from corrosion.

[0007] The cathodic protection device is integrated into the body of the connecting flange so that in order to check the effectiveness of the cathodic protection and / or the state of consumption of the sacrificial anode, it is necessary to dismantle the connecting flange.

[0008] This represents a difficult, complex operation which requires stopping the circulation of seawater in the circuit.

[0009] One object of the invention is then to propose a connection device allowing more precise and easier monitoring of the cathodic protection device.

[0010] For this purpose, the invention relates to a connection device of the aforementioned type, in which the electrical circuit further comprises an electric current measurement device intended to measure the intensity of the electric current flowing in the cathodic protection element between the first terminal and at least one second terminal when the electrically conductive fluid flows in the fluid circulation passage.

[0011] Measuring the intensity of the electric current flowing in the cathodic protection device allows information to be collected to determine in particular the effectiveness of the cathodic protection and the state of consumption of the cathodic protection device, without requiring the dismantling of the connection flange.

[0012] According to other advantageous aspects of the invention, the connection device comprises one or more of the following features, taken individually or in all technically possible combinations:

[0013] - the cathodic protection element comprises a cathodic protection ring arranged in the annular body of the connecting flange and extending around the fluid circulation passage to delimit the fluid circulation passage;

[0014] - the cathodic protection ring is arranged in an internal annular cavity of the annular body of the connecting flange, said internal annular cavity extending radially backward from the fluid flow passage, an internal periphery of the cathodic protection ring extending in continuity with an internal periphery of the annular body of the connecting flange;

[0015] - the electrical circuit has two second terminals intended to be connected electrically respectively to the two portions of the conduit, the electric current intensity measuring device being intended to measure the intensity of the electric current flowing in the cathodic protection device between the first terminal and each of the second terminals when the electrically conductive fluid flows in the fluid circulation passage;

[0016] - the annular body of the connecting flange includes a through orifice extending radially from an outer periphery of the annular body of the connecting flange to the cathodic protection device, the first terminal of the electrical circuit comprising an electrical probe extending in the through orifice to the cathodic protection device.

[0017] The invention further relates to an assembly comprising:

[0018] - two sections of pipes intended for the transport of an electrically charged fluid driver; and

[0019] - a device for connecting the two sections of pipe, as described below above, at least one second terminal of the electrical circuit being electrically connected to one of the two sections of conduit.

[0020] According to other advantageous aspects of the invention, the assembly comprises one or more of the following features, taken individually or in all technically possible combinations:

[0021] - the two conduit portions are made of an electrically driver, and:

[0022] - the annular body of the connecting flange is made of a material electrically conductive, the assembly further comprising, between each section of pipe and the annular body of the connecting flange, an electrically insulating device; or

[0023] - the annular body of the connecting flange is made of a material electrically insulating;

[0024] - the assembly further includes a monitoring system for the protective device cathode ray tube,

[0025] the electric current intensity measuring device being configured to generate intensity data representative of the intensity of the electric current flowing in the cathodic protection device as a function of time,

[0026] the monitoring system being configured to receive intensity data and to determine from the received intensity data at least one parameter representative of cathodic protection comprising:

[0027] - cathodic protection efficiency;

[0028] - a state of consumption of the cathodic protection device; and / or

[0029] - an overconsumption of the cathodic protection organ.

[0030] The invention further relates to a method for monitoring a connection device as described above, comprising measuring the intensity of the electric current flowing in the cathodic protection element when the electrically conductive fluid flows in the fluid circulation passage.

[0031] Optionally, the monitoring method is such that the connection device is included in an assembly, the assembly further comprising:

[0032] - two sections of pipes intended for the transport of the electrically powered fluid driver; and

[0033] - a monitoring system;

[0034] the electric current intensity measuring device generating intensity data representative of the electric current intensity flowing in the cathodic protection device as a function of time,

[0035] the monitoring system receiving intensity data and determining from the received intensity data at least one parameter representative of cathodic protection comprising:

[0036] - cathodic protection efficiency;

[0037] - a state of consumption of the cathodic protection device; and / or

[0038] - an overconsumption of the cathodic protection organ.

[0039] The invention will become clearer upon reading the following description, given solely by way of non-limiting example, and made with reference to the drawings in which:

[0040] [Fig-1] [Fig.1] is a side view of an assembly according to the invention, according to a first embodiment;

[0041] [Fig.2] [Fig.2] is a front view of a portion of a connection device of the whole of [Fig.1];

[0042] [Fig.3] [Fig.3] is a side view of an assembly according to the invention, according to a second embodiment;

[0043] [Fig.4] [Fig.4] is an axial cross-sectional view of a portion of a device connection of the whole of the [Fig.3], according to the invention;

[0044] [Fig.5] [Fig.5] is a flowchart illustrating a monitoring method according to the invention.

[0045] With reference to figures 1 and 2, a first embodiment of an assembly 10 according to the invention is described.

[0046] The assembly 10 comprises two sections of pipe 14 intended for the transport of an electrically conductive fluid, in particular seawater. In particular, the electrically conductive fluid has an electrical conductivity between 0.005 S / m and 5 S / m at 20°C.

[0047] The assembly 10 further includes a device 20 for connecting the two sections of pipe 14.

[0048] Advantageously, in the first embodiment, the assembly 10 further comprises two electrically insulating devices 62.

[0049] Even more advantageously, the assembly 10 further includes a monitoring system 70 for a cathodic protection element 42 of the connection device 20.

[0050] The portions of the conduits 14 are for example made of a conductive material, in particular of a nickel-chromium-molybdenum alloy, for example of Inconel® 625, of which for example the electrical resistivity is approximately equal to 1.26 pQ-m at 20°C.

[0051] The pipe portions 14 each include an annular end 16, in particular of the weld flange type, connected to the connection device 20.

[0052] The connecting device 20 fluidly connects the two sections of pipe 14 together.

[0053] The connection device 20 includes a connection flange 22, a cathodic protection element 42 and an electrical circuit 50.

[0054] The connecting flange 22 fluidly connects the two portions of pipes 14.

[0055] The connecting flange 22 has an annular body 30, also called a flanged body, delimiting a fluid circulation passage 28.

[0056] Advantageously, the connecting flange 22 is fixed to each portion of pipe 14, in particular to each annular end 16 of the portions of pipe 14 by fastening elements 24 such as bolting of the type comprising threaded rods, nuts and brakes.

[0057] In the examples in Figures 1 to 4, the fluid circulation passage 28 extends along an axis A-A'. The annular body 30 of the connecting flange 22 extends parallel to the axis A-A'.

[0058] In the first embodiment, the annular body 30 of the connecting flange 22 is made of an electrically conductive material, for example P355NH steel, whose electrical resistivity is, for example, between 0.20 pQ-m and 0.25 pQ-m.

[0059] Advantageously, as illustrated in [Fig.4], the annular body 30 of the connecting flange 22 includes an internal annular cavity 32. The internal annular cavity 32 extends radially inward from the fluid flow passage 28, in particular radially inward from an internal periphery 36 of the annular body 30.

[0060] The cathodic protection element 42 is arranged in the annular body 30 of the connecting flange 22.

[0061] The cathodic protection element 42 delimits at least in part the fluid circulation passage 28.

[0062] In particular, the cathodic protection element 42 includes a cathodic protection ring 44 arranged in the annular body 30 of the connecting flange 22.

[0063] The cathodic protection ring 44 extends around the fluid circulation passage 28 to delimit the fluid circulation passage 28.

[0064] In particular, the cathodic protection ring 44 is arranged in the internal annular cavity 32 of the annular body 30 of the connecting flange 22.

[0065] The cathodic protection ring 44 is in particular a sacrificial anode.

[0066] In particular, the cathodic protection ring 44 is made of a cathodic protection material that is more electronegative than the material forming the annular body 30 of the connecting flange 22 and than the material forming the pipe portions 14. For example, the cathodic protection material is zinc, a zinc alloy, or an aluminum / gallium alloy. For example, the cathodic protection material is cast into the internal annular cavity 32, deposited into the internal annular cavity 32 by centrifugation, or arranged in the internal annular cavity 32 by additive manufacturing.

[0067] An inner periphery 46 of the cathodic protection ring 44 advantageously extends in continuity with the inner periphery 36 of the annular body 30 of the connecting flange 22. Thus, the flow of the fluid in the fluid circulation passage 28 is not influenced by the presence of the cathodic protection ring 44.

[0068] The electrical circuit 50 includes a device 52 for measuring electric current intensity.

[0069] The device 52 is intended to measure the intensity of the electric current flowing in the cathodic protection element 42 when the electrically conductive fluid flows in the fluid circulation passage 28, in particular the electric current flowing between the cathodic protection element 42 and the pipe portions 14.

[0070] The electrical circuit 50 includes a first terminal 54 electrically connected to the cathodic protection device 42 and at least a second terminal 56 electrically connected to one of the two conduit sections 14. In particular, the electrical circuit 50 includes two second terminals 56 respectively electrically connected to each of the two conduit sections 14.

[0071] The device 52 is in particular electrically connected between the first terminal 54 and at least one second terminal 56 of the electrical circuit 50, in particular between the first terminal 54 and each of the second terminals 56 of the electrical circuit 50.

[0072] In particular, in the first embodiment, the first terminal 54 of the electrical circuit 50 is electrically connected to the cathodic protection element 42 via the annular body 30.

[0073] Advantageously, at least one second terminal 56 of the electrical circuit 50 is electrically connected to the annular end 16 of the corresponding portion of conduit 14. In particular, each second terminal 56 is electrically connected to the annular end 16 of the corresponding portion of conduit 14.

[0074] The device 52 is configured in particular to generate intensity data representative of the intensity of the electric current flowing in the cathodic protection element 42 as a function of time and in particular to transmit them to the monitoring system 70.

[0075] The electrically insulating devices 62 are arranged axially between the annular body 30 of the connecting flange 22 and each of the pipe sections 14 to electrically isolate the annular body 30 from the pipe sections 14. In particular, the electrically insulating devices 62 include gaskets, especially made of fibers, as well as optionally insulating bushings (not shown) and insulating washers (not shown) at the fastening elements 24. This prevents leakage currents between the annular body 30 and the pipe sections 14. This makes it possible to measure the entire protective current and thus to determine more precisely the consumption of the ring 44.

[0076] For example, the electrically insulating devices 62 are made of an electrically insulating material, in particular a dielectric material having for example a dielectric permittivity between 1 and 10.

[0077] Advantageously, the monitoring system 70 includes an information processing unit formed for example of a memory 72 and a processor 74 associated with the memory 72.

[0078] The monitoring system 70 is configured to receive intensity data and to determine from the received intensity data at least one parameter representative of cathodic protection comprising:

[0079] - cathodic protection efficiency;

[0080] - a state of consumption of the cathodic protection element 42; and / or

[0081] - an overconsumption of the cathodic protection organ 42.

[0082] For example, based on the instantaneous current intensity value, the invention makes it possible to determine the effectiveness of the instantaneous cathodic protection or a possible overcurrent. This makes it possible to identify a malfunction of a cathodic protection device 42.

[0083] According to another example, memorizing the history of the intensity value of the current flowing through the cathodic protection device 42 makes it possible to identify protection profiles and to identify unforeseen behaviors.

[0084] According to yet another example, measuring the total current delivered through the cathodic protection device 42 makes it possible to estimate the amount of sacrificial anode consumed. In particular, the calculation of consumption from the total current delivered is carried out using Faraday's laws of electrolysis.

[0085] The monitoring system 70 is suitable for implementing at least in part a monitoring method which will be described later.

[0086] The monitoring system 70 is, for example, an electronic circuit designed to manipulate and / or transform data represented by electronic or physical quantities in computer registers and / or memories into other similar data corresponding to physical data in register memories or other types of display devices, transmission devices or storage devices.

[0087] As specific examples, the monitoring system 70 is implemented as a programmable logic component, such as an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), or as an integrated circuit, such as an ASIC (Application-Specific Integrated Circuit).

[0088] Alternatively, when the method is implemented in the form of one or more software programs, i.e., in the form of a computer program, also called a computer program product, it is further capable of being stored on a computer-readable medium (not shown). The computer-readable medium is, for example, a medium capable of storing electronic instructions and being connected to a bus of a computer system. By way of example, the readable medium is an optical disc, a magneto-optical disc, ROM, RAM, any type of non-volatile memory (e.g., FLASH or NVRAM), or a magnetic card. A computer program comprising software instructions is then stored on the readable medium.

[0089] With reference to [Fig.5], the monitoring method 100 of a connection device 20 as described above and in particular of an assembly 10 as described above is described.

[0090] The monitoring method 100 includes the measurement 110 of the intensity of the electric current flowing in the cathodic protection device 42 when the electrically conductive fluid flows in the fluid circulation passage 28. Advantageously, the measurement 110 takes place without generating electrical resistance that could impair the effectiveness of the cathodic protection device 42, because the currents generated are of low value and directly affected by electrical resistance according to Ohm's law.

[0091] Advantageously, the monitoring method 100 further includes the reception 120 by the monitoring system 70 of intensity data.

[0092] Even more advantageously, the monitoring method 100 further includes the determination 130 by the monitoring system 70 from the intensity data received of at least one parameter representative of the cathodic protection.

[0093] With reference to [Fig.3], a second embodiment of assembly 10 according to the invention is described.

[0094] This second embodiment is identical to the first embodiment except with regard to the following characteristics.

[0095] In the second embodiment, the annular body 30 of the connecting flange 22 is made of an electrically insulating material, for example a thermoplastic material such as polyacetal (also called POM-C). The electrically insulating material is in particular a dielectric material, in particular having a dielectric constant substantially equal to 3.8.

[0096] In this second embodiment, with reference to [Fig.4], the annular body 30 of the connecting flange 22 includes a through orifice 34 extending radially from an external periphery 38 of the annular body 30 of the connecting flange 22 to the cathodic protection member 42.

[0097] In the second embodiment, the first terminal 54 of the electrical circuit 50 includes an electrical probe 58 extending in the through orifice 34 of the annular body 30 of the connecting flange 22 to the cathodic protection element 42.

[0098] In the second embodiment, the assembly 10 is devoid of electrically insulating devices 62.

Claims

Demands

1. Device (20) for connecting two sections of pipe (14) intended for the transport of an electrically conductive fluid, comprising: - a connecting flange (22) intended to fluidly connect the two sections of pipe (14) and having an annular body (30) delimiting a passage (28) for fluid circulation; - a cathodic protection element (42) arranged in the annular body (30) of the connecting flange (22) and delimiting at least in part the passage for fluid circulation (28); - an electrical circuit (50) having a first terminal (54) electrically connected to the cathodic protection element (42) and having at least a second terminal (56) intended to be electrically connected to one of the two sections of pipe (14);characterized in that the electrical circuit (50) further comprises an electrical current measurement device (52) intended to measure the intensity of the electrical current flowing in the cathodic protection device (42) between the first terminal (54) and at least one second terminal (56) when the electrically conductive fluid flows in the fluid circulation passage (28).

2. Device (20) according to claim 1, wherein the cathodic protection member (42) comprises a cathodic protection ring (44) arranged in the annular body (30) of the connecting flange (22) and extending around the fluid circulation passage (28) to delimit the fluid circulation passage (28).

3. Device (20) according to claim 2, wherein the cathodic protection ring (44) is arranged in an internal annular cavity (32) of the annular body (30) of the connecting flange (22), said internal annular cavity (32) extending radially backward from the fluid flow passage (28), an internal periphery (46) of the cathodic protection ring (44) extending in continuity with an internal periphery (36) of the annular body (30) of the connecting flange (22).

4. Device (20) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the electrical circuit (50) has two second terminals (56) intended to be electrically connected respectively to the two conduit sections (14), the device (52) of measurement of the intensity of the electric current being intended to measure the intensity of the electric current flowing in the cathodic protection device (42) between the first terminal (54) and each of the second terminals (56) when the electrically conductive fluid flows in the fluid circulation passage (28).

5. Device (20) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the annular body (30) of the connecting flange (22) comprises a through orifice (34) extending radially from an outer periphery (38) of the annular body (30) of the connecting flange (22) to the cathodic protection member (42), the first terminal (54) of the electrical circuit (50) comprising an electrical probe (58) extending in the through orifice (34) to the cathodic protection member (42).

6. Assembly (10) comprising: - two portions of pipe (14) intended for the transport of an electrically conductive fluid; and - a device (20) for connecting the two portions of pipe (14), according to any one of the preceding claims, at least one second terminal (56) of the electrical circuit (50) being electrically connected to one of the two portions of pipe (14).

7. Assembly (10) according to claim 6, wherein the two pipe portions (14) are made of an electrically conductive material and wherein: - the annular body (30) of the connecting flange (22) is made of an electrically conductive material, the assembly (10) further comprising between each pipe portion (14) and the annular body (30) of the connecting flange (22) an electrically insulating device (62); or - the annular body (30) of the connecting flange (22) is made of an electrically insulating material.

8. Assembly (10) according to claim 6 or 7, further comprising a system (70) for monitoring the cathodic protection device (42), the electric current intensity measuring device (52) being configured to generate intensity data representative of the intensity of the electric current flowing in the cathodic protection device (42) as a function of time, the monitoring system (70) being configured to receive intensity data and to determine from the received intensity data at least one parameter representative of the cathodic protection including: - a cathodic protection efficiency; - a consumption state of the cathodic protection element (42); and / or - an overconsumption of the cathodic protection element (42).

9. Method (100) of monitoring a connection device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, comprising measuring (110) the intensity of the electric current flowing in the cathodic protection member (42) when the electrically conductive fluid flows in the fluid circulation passage (28).

10. A monitoring method (100) according to claim 9, wherein the connection device (20) is included in an assembly (10), the assembly (10) further comprising: - two portions of conduit (14) for transporting the electrically conductive fluid; and - a monitoring system (70); the apparatus (52) for measuring the intensity of the electric current generating intensity data representative of the intensity of the electric current flowing in the cathodic protection element (42) as a function of time, the monitoring system (70) receiving the intensity data and determining from the intensity data received at least one parameter representative of the cathodic protection comprising: - a cathodic protection efficiency; - a consumption state of the cathodic protection element (42); and / or - an overconsumption of the cathodic protection element (42).

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