Composite Pipe Static Dissipation via Conductive Adhesive Joints
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Static charges accumulate in composite pipe systems used for containing and conveying petroleum products, leading to potential ignition risks due to external discharges, and existing methods fail to effectively dissipate these charges while maintaining conductivity for joining composite components.
Innovation Solution
A pipe system with a structural layer and a corrosion-resistant layer having a conductive surface area, where the conductive surface area forms an electrical pathway, and the pipe sections are joined using a conductive adhesive overlay electrically connected to a grounding device, ensuring a total resistance to ground of less than one MEG OHM, thereby dissipating static charges effectively.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If composite materials are used for pipe systems to improve corrosion resistance, then corrosion resistance is improved, but static charge accumulation occurs leading to ignition risks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a multi-layer composite structure consisting of a corrosion-resistant liner layer and an outer structural layer. The corrosion-resistant liner layer (made of materials like fiberglass, polyester resin, gel coat) provides excellent chemical resistance to petroleum products, while the outer structural layer (made of carbon fiber, Kevlar, or other high-strength materials) provides mechanical strength. This composite structure resolves the contradiction by combining materials with complementary properties to simultaneously achieve corrosion resistance and static charge dissipation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent modifies the electrical conductivity parameter of the pipe system by incorporating conductive elements (carbon fiber, metal mesh, conductive coatings) into the composite structure. By controlling the conductivity parameter of specific layers and ensuring continuous conductive pathways from the fluid interface through the walls to grounding points, the system transforms from a static charge-prone insulating structure to one that actively dissipates charges, thereby resolving the ignition risk while preserving corrosion resistance.
2Adaptability or versatility
If composite pipe sections are joined together, then system flexibility is improved, but conductivity continuity is disrupted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the pipe system into modular composite sections that can be easily assembled and disassembled, providing system flexibility. Each section maintains its own conductive pathway integrity, and the segmentation allows for simplified installation and maintenance while preserving overall conductivity continuity through proper joint design.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent ensures equipotentiality at the joints between composite pipe sections by using conductive adhesives, conductive gaskets, or conductive coating layers at the connection interfaces. These conductive elements equalize the electrical potential across joint boundaries, eliminating discontinuities in the conductive pathway and ensuring continuous static charge dissipation throughout the entire assembled system, thereby maintaining conductivity continuity despite the segmented flexible structure.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution effectively dissipates static charges throughout the pipe system, reducing the risk of ignition and maintaining conductivity for improved safety and performance in the oil and gas industry.
Implementation Method 1
The conductive adhesive overlay is electrically connected to a grounding device, wherein the grounding device helps dissipate build-up of electrostatic charge in the pipe system carrying the fluid, for a total resistance to ground of less than one MEG OHM (10^6 ohms) from all points throughout the system
Data Source
AI summary
A method to prevent the accumulation of static electricity in a pipe system for containing corrosive petroleum products is provided, for a total resistance of less than 1 MEG ohms to ground from all points. The pipe system has at least two pipe sections, each comprising a structural layer and a corrosion resistant layer. The corrosion resistant layer has at least a conductive surface area in contact with the fluid, with the conductive surface area defining an electrical pathway extending a length of the pipe section. Each pipe section has a tapered end exposing a portion of the corrosion resistant layer. The method comprises joining the two pipe sections at the tapered ends by a conductive adhesive overlay, and electrically connecting the conductive adhesive overlay to a grounding device, wherein the grounding device helps dissipate build-up of electrostatic charge in the pipe system carrying the fluid.