Flexible Membrane Heating Device for Hydrocarbon Pipelines
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing heating devices for hydrocarbon fluid transportation systems, particularly in cold environments and deep-sea applications, face challenges in implementation and efficiency due to freezing or paraffin formation, which can cause plugging and interfere with fluid transport.
Innovation Solution
A flexible membrane heating device with integrated heating means, such as electrical conductors with carbon fibers, that can be inflated to contact and heat the transportation device, and then deflated for removal, allowing for automatic installation and adaptation to the device's shape without human intervention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If a heating cover is wound around the pipeline to provide heating, then the heating function is achieved, but the device becomes difficult to implement in very cold environments and at great depths
Solution Approach 1:
The heating device uses a flexible membrane that can dynamically change its state between inflated and deflated configurations. When inflated, the membrane contacts the pipeline to provide heating; when deflated, it detaches for easy removal and repositioning. This dynamic capability enables automatic installation and operation in harsh environments without manual intervention.
Solution Approach 2:
The device employs a pumping system to inflate and deflate the flexible membrane using fluid pressure. The pump can force fluid into the membrane to expand it against the pipeline for heating, and then drain the fluid to collapse the membrane for removal. This pneumatic/hydraulic mechanism simplifies operation in remote locations.
2Temperature
If the heating membrane is inflated to contact the transportation device for heating, then heating efficiency is improved, but the device cannot be easily removed or repositioned
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible membrane is designed to be dynamically controllable through inflation and deflation. When inflated, it firmly contacts the pipeline surface to maximize heat transfer efficiency. When deflated, it automatically detaches from the pipeline, enabling easy removal and repositioning without manual effort. This dynamic transition resolves the contradiction between maintaining heating contact and enabling easy removal.
3Ease of operation
If the heating device is designed to be removable and automatically installable, then ease of operation is improved, but the heating contact with the device may be insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The pumping system inflates the flexible membrane by forcing fluid into it, causing the membrane to expand and press firmly against the pipeline surface. This pneumatic inflation ensures adequate heating contact is achieved automatically when the device is installed, resolving the contradiction between easy automatic installation and sufficient heating contact.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible membrane is made of elastomer material that can conform to the shape of the pipeline when inflated. This flexibility ensures that the membrane maintains intimate contact with the pipeline surface regardless of minor irregularities, achieving effective heating contact through automatic inflation without requiring precise manual positioning.
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 provides efficient heating of hydrocarbon transportation devices, preventing freezing and paraffin formation, while being easily removable and installable, even in challenging environments, ensuring continuous fluid transport.
Implementation Method 1
the heating means are at least one electrical conductor, said electrical conductor being suitable for heating the membrane by Joule effect
Implementation Method 2
one pump suitable for moving fluid between the reservoir and the inner cavity and vice versa
Implementation Method 3
said pumping means being designed to inflate the inner cavity to bring the membrane into contact with the transportation device
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a heating device for a device for transporting a fluid containing a hydrocarbon. The heating device comprises a rigid structure extending between two lateral walls, forming a space between the lateral walls. A flexible membrane comprising a heating structure extends into the space in order to define, in the space, an inner cavity and an outer cavity. Pumping structure designed to supply a fluid to the inner cavity, remove the fluid therefrom, or keep the fluid therein, in order to bring the membrane into contact with the transport device so as to heat same.