Flexible Pipe Lining With Solid Lubricants for Abrasive Slurry
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Solution Overview
Problem
Flexible pipes used for transporting abrasive mining aggregates from deep-sea sulphide deposits suffer from rapid degradation due to sharp edges and high friction, leading to shortened longevity and inefficient aggregate transport.
Innovation Solution
A flexible tubular pipe with a polymer layer containing embedded solid lubricant particles and hard material particles, which reduce friction and abrasion, and are easily integrated during extrusion, providing a durable and efficient transport solution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If metal or ceramic rings are embedded in the polymer material to protect against abrasion, then the internal surface of the tubular body is partially preserved, but the successive rings are difficult to center in the thickness of the polymer material and the internal surfaces between the rings wear quickly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical state and distribution parameters of protective elements by using particles dispersed throughout the polymer matrix rather than discrete rings. This transformation from macro-scale rings to micro-scale particles eliminates centering difficulties while providing uniform protection throughout the wall thickness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite material by incorporating solid lubricant particles and hard material particles into the polymer matrix. This composite structure combines the protective qualities of solid lubricants (reducing friction) and hard materials (resisting abrasion) with the flexibility of polymer material, solving both protection and manufacturing issues.
2Reliability
If successive parallel rings are used to protect the internal surface, then abrasion resistance is improved, but the pipe flexibility is reduced and longevity is decreased due to wear between rings
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the protective structure from discrete rings to a continuous distribution of particles throughout the polymer matrix. This parameter change in distribution density and spatial arrangement allows the polymer to maintain its flexibility and elastic recovery while providing continuous abrasion resistance, thereby extending pipe longevity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces solid lubricant particles as an intermediary substance between the abrasive aggregates and the polymer matrix. These particles reduce friction and wear by forming a protective interface, allowing the polymer to flex without degradation from direct contact with abrasive materials.
3Device complexity
If the polymer material directly contacts the abrasive aggregates, then the pipe structure remains simple, but the internal surface wears quickly reducing service life
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a composite polymer material by incorporating solid lubricant particles and hard material particles directly into the polymer matrix during manufacturing. This composite approach maintains the simple single-layer pipe structure while providing enhanced abrasion resistance and extended service life through the synergistic properties of the composite materials.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality enhancement by distributing particles with specific properties (solid lubricants for low friction, hard materials for abrasion resistance) throughout the polymer matrix. This creates localized protective zones within the material itself, providing wear resistance exactly where needed without adding structural 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 pipe's longevity is increased by reducing friction and wear, facilitating the flow of aggregates and enhancing the transport capacity, with the solid lubricant particles and hard materials effectively prolonging the service life and improving flow rates.
Implementation Method 1
particles of solid lubricant, which then make it possible to reduce the frictional forces from the flow of disaggregated mining aggregate slurry at the surface
Implementation Method 2
the hard material becomes abrasive vis-à-vis the disaggregated mining aggregates. Therefore, the hard material firmly anchored in the polymer and protruding from the free internal surface, tends to cause the fracture of the aggregates as well
Data Source
Figure 1~2
AI summary
The invention relates to a flexible tubular pipe (10) for transporting, in an off-shore environment, suspensions of loose mining aggregates, said flexible tubular pipe (10) having on the inside a layer of polymer material (12) defining a free internal surface (24), said layer of polymer material (12) having protective elements (30) embedded in the thickness of said layer of polymer material (12) so as to be able to be flush with said free internal surface (24) in order to preserve said layer of polymer material (12) when suspensions of loose mining aggregates flow inside said flexible tubular pipe (10). Said protective elements comprise particles of a solid lubricant (30).