Cylindrical Mount Body for Flexible Pipe Anode Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional flexible pipes in deep and ultra-deep water environments face challenges with corrosion due to seawater ingress and attenuation effects from cathodic protection systems, requiring frequent end fittings and complex installation methods for ancillary equipment, which increase cost and complexity.
Innovation Solution
The introduction of a cylindrical mount body with recessed regions and securing elements along the flexible pipe's outer sheath allows for secure mounting of anodes and ancillary equipment at desired locations, reducing attenuation effects and eliminating the need for frequent end fittings by providing an integrated mounting mechanism during manufacturing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If cathodic protection systems are implemented using conventional end fittings, then corrosion protection is provided, but attenuation effects increase and require frequent end fittings which increase cost and complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The cathodic protection system is segmented into multiple independent anode elements distributed along the flexible pipe length, each mounted on separate mounting points. This segmentation allows the pipe to be protected without requiring frequent end fittings, as each anode element operates independently to protect its local section.
Solution Approach 2:
Mounting points are introduced as intermediary structures between the flexible pipe and the anode elements. These mounting points provide secure attachment locations for cathodic protection components along the pipe length, enabling effective corrosion protection without the need for frequent end fittings and reducing overall system complexity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If ancillary equipment is installed using conventional methods, then equipment functionality is achieved, but installation complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting points are designed with multi-functionality, serving both as attachment structures for cathodic protection anode elements and as universal mounting locations for various ancillary equipment. This universal mounting capability eliminates the need for separate complex installation methods, reducing overall installation complexity and cost while maintaining equipment functionality.
3Device complexity
If flexible pipe length is increased without additional end fittings, then cost and complexity are reduced, but corrosion protection effectiveness may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible pipe is divided into multiple sections, each equipped with its own mounting point and anode element. This segmentation enables the pipe to be extended in length without adding end fittings, as each section maintains its own cathodic protection capability through the distributed mounting points and anode elements.
Solution Approach 2:
Mounting points are pre-installed on the flexible pipe during manufacturing, positioned at optimal intervals along the pipe length. This preliminary action ensures that when the pipe is deployed, cathodic protection can be effectively implemented without requiring additional end fittings, maintaining protection effectiveness while reducing overall system 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
This solution enables longer flexible pipe lengths without back-to-back end fittings, reduces corrosion risk, and simplifies the installation of ancillary equipment, thereby lowering costs and complexity while maintaining effective cathodic protection and structural integrity.
Implementation Method 1
Cathodic protection is a mechanism for providing corrosion protection and such cathodic protection is well known to those skilled in the art. For example recommended practice DNV-RP-B401 or recommended practice DNV-RP-F103 provide guidelines for providing cathodic protection (CP) systems for submarine pipelines and flexible pipe risers.
Implementation Method 2
The pipe body is generally built up as a combined structure including polymer layers and/or composite layers and/or metallic layers.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and apparatus are disclosed. The apparatus includes a substantially cylindrical mount body (350) comprising a first open mouth at a first end of the cylindrical body (350) and a further open mouth at a remaining end of the cylindrical body, a substantially cylindrical inner surface, and an outer surface that includes a plurality of spaced apart substantially parallel recessed regions that extends circumferentially around the body, wherein the cylindrical body (350) is tapered at each end and at least one securing element is located between the recessed regions.