Cryogenic Flexible Pipe Segmented Inner Sheath
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing flexible pipes for transporting cryogenic fluids are not suitable for long lengths due to pressure drop issues, making them impractical for industrial use, especially when handling liquefied natural gas at low temperatures below -40°C/-50°C.
Innovation Solution
A flexible pipe design featuring a corrugated metal inner tube with layers of tensile armor and thermal insulation, allowing for a longer length without significant pressure drop, and comprising cylindrical segments that can slide and separate without mechanical breakage, ensuring efficient cryogenic fluid transport.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of stationary object
If the length of the flexible pipe is increased to enable industrial use, then the pipe can transport cryogenic fluid over longer distances, but the pressure drop of the fluid circulating in the pipe increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible pipe is divided into multiple discrete segments (first segment, second segment, third segment, etc.) connected by expansion joints. Each segment can be independently manufactured and assembled, allowing the overall pipe length to be extended while maintaining manageable pressure drop characteristics across each individual segment. The expansion joints between segments help manage pressure transitions and reduce cumulative pressure loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The internal diameter of the flexible pipe is increased to reduce fluid flow resistance and pressure drop. By changing the dimensional parameters of the pipe (larger diameter), the pipe can maintain lower pressure losses over extended lengths, enabling industrial applications requiring long-distance cryogenic fluid transport.
2Temperature
If the flexible pipe is designed with adequate thermal insulation to prevent ice formation on the exterior, then the surface temperature remains above freezing, but the pipe structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
A flexible insulating layer is applied to the exterior surface of the flexible pipe. This thin film insulation maintains the outer surface temperature above freezing point to prevent ice formation, while preserving the flexible nature of the pipe and avoiding excessive structural complexity. The insulation layer is integrated into the pipe assembly rather than adding separate complex insulation structures.
3Length of stationary object
If the flexible pipe uses a corrugated metal inner tube design, then the pipe can achieve longer lengths without significant pressure drop, but the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The corrugated metal inner tube is manufactured in discrete segments that can be independently produced and then assembled. This segmentation allows each segment to be manufactured using standard fabrication processes, and the segments are connected using expansion joints, thereby reducing the overall manufacturing complexity compared to producing a single long corrugated tube.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible pipe employs a composite structure combining corrugated metal inner tubes with flexible insulating materials and outer protective layers. This composite design allows each material to contribute its specific properties (structural integrity from metal, insulation from polymer, flexibility from the overall construction) while being manufactured through integrated processes that reduce overall complexity.
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 design enables the efficient transport of cryogenic fluids over longer distances with minimal pressure drop and flexibility, suitable for industrial use, while maintaining the cryogenic fluid's temperature and preventing ice formation on the pipe's exterior.
Implementation Method 1
a corrugated pipe (16), capable of ensuring fluid tightness and resistance to internal pressure
Implementation Method 2
a set (20) of thermal insulation layers suitable for maintaining the temperature outside the pipe above 0° C.
Implementation Method 3
The adjacent cylindrical segments of the sheath are mounted to slide relative to each other along the axis
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4
AI summary
The invention relates to a pipe (10) which includes an inner corrugated tube (16) having an axis A-A', defining a plurality of corrugations (30) leading radially towards the axis (A-A'), and at least one tensile armour layer (18) arranged around the corrugated tube (16). Said pipe includes at least one thermal insulation layer (44, 46) arranged around the armour layer (18). The pipe (10) includes an inner sheath (14) for guiding the flow of cryogenic fluid, said inner sheath being arranged in the corrugated tube (16) and made up of a plurality of cylindrical segments (50). Each cylindrical segment (50) of the inner sheath (14) covers a plurality of successive corrugations (30) of the corrugated tube (30) and includes an outer abutment (54) for axial wedging received in a corrugation (30) of the corrugated tube.