Double Casing Pipe Heating Cable Integration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for transporting hydrocarbons at great depths, such as those on the seabed, face issues with paraffin plugs forming due to temperature changes, leading to pipe blockages and high energy consumption from external heating solutions like heating cables and electrical insulation requirements.
Innovation Solution
A method and installation for manufacturing rigid tubular pipes with a double casing that incorporates a heating cable within the annular space between the tubes during manufacturing, using a mobile apron to apply the cable in a spiral configuration, reducing energy consumption and avoiding external heating losses.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If heating cables are installed externally around the rigid tube, then thermal energy can be supplied to the hydrocarbon, but thermal energy escapes to the exterior and is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The heating cable is nested within the annular space between the internal and external rigid tubes, placing the heat source inside the insulated cavity rather than externally. This nesting configuration ensures that thermal energy is generated within the insulated environment, preventing heat escape to the exterior while maintaining hydrocarbon temperature.
2Temperature
If electrical current flows between the two rigid tubes to heat them by the Joule effect, then the rigid tubes are heated, but electrical insulators and conductive spacers are required, increasing device complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The heating function is extracted from the tube wall structure and placed as a separate cable within the annular space. This extraction eliminates the need for electrical insulators embedded in the tube wall and conductive spacers, as the heating cable is electrically isolated within the non-conductive annular space while still providing thermal energy to the hydrocarbon.
3Temperature
If electrical current flows between the two rigid tubes, then heating is achieved, but a great quantity of electrical energy is consumed
Solution Approach 1:
The annular space, which could be considered wasted space or a structural necessity, is converted into a functional heating chamber. By placing the heating cable within this space and utilizing the natural insulation provided by the tube walls and surrounding environment, the system efficiently converts electrical energy to thermal energy directly where needed, minimizing energy loss and consumption.
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 approach effectively maintains hydrocarbon temperature without paraffin plug formation and significantly reduces energy consumption by integrating heating cables directly into the pipe manufacturing process, ensuring efficient and cost-effective hydrocarbon transport.
Implementation Method 1
it has been envisaged to introduce additional thermal energy into it. Thus the document U.S. Pat. No. 6,564,011 discloses a rigid pipe including a rigid tube and a heating cable installed around the rigid tube
Implementation Method 2
Insulating the double wall of the rigid pipe thus enables the hydrocarbon to be maintained at a temperature close to its original temperature
Data Source
AI summary
A method and a facility for manufacturing rigid tubular pipes having a double casing for hydrocarbon transport. The pipes include an inner rigid tube (42, 242, 342, 442) that is inserted into an outer rigid tube (16, 216, 316, 416). The facility includes a supporting frame (12, 212, 312, 412) for an inlet end of the outer rigid tube and a movable apron (22, 222, 322, 422). The apron includes a catch (38, 238, 338, 438) for catching the rigid tube and inserting it in the outer rigid tube. The apron includes storage members (68, 268, 368, 468) for receiving stored heating cables (69, 269, 369, 469) and the driving force of the apron makes it possible to deploy a portion having the length of the stored heating cables (69, 269, 369, 469) so as to be able to apply the deployed portion, having the length of the heating cables, along the inner rigid tube (42, 242, 342, 442).