Flexible Pipe Insulation Segmentation for Flexibility
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Solution Overview
Problem
Unbonded flexible pipes used for hydrocarbon and umbilical transportation face challenges with temperature control, leading to material degradation, viscosity increases, paraffin precipitation, asphaltene flocculation, and gas hydrate formation, which affect pipe efficiency and flexibility.
Innovation Solution
A flexible pipe design featuring a tubular inner sealing sheath surrounded by metal armor layers and an outer sealing sheath, with a liquid permeable thermally insulating cover and jacket that allows water penetration to equalize pressure and enhance flexibility, reducing the risk of deformation and condensation, while maintaining effective insulation without compromising pipe flexibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If rigid extruded insulating material is added to the outside of the flexible pipe, then thermal insulation is improved, but flexibility of the pipe deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The rigid extruded insulating layer is divided into segments by introducing circumferential slots around the pipe. This segmentation allows the insulation to maintain its thermal insulation properties while enabling the pipe to bend and flex during operation. The slots create discrete insulating segments that can accommodate deformation without compromising the overall insulation effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The insulating material is applied with different properties in different locations - the circumferential slots are strategically positioned to maintain flexibility in bending regions while preserving continuous insulation coverage in non-critical areas. This local modification allows the insulation system to adapt to the flexibility requirements of the flexible pipe.
2Temperature
If thermal insulation layers are added to reduce heat loss, then temperature control is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The thermal insulation layer is merged with the existing outer sheath structure of the flexible pipe. The insulating material is applied directly to the outside of the pipe assembly, integrating the insulation function into the existing protective outer layer rather than adding a completely separate insulation system. This reduces overall structural complexity while achieving effective heat loss reduction.
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 provides enhanced thermal insulation, increased flexibility, and reduced risk of deformation and condensation, ensuring effective fluid transport and cost-effective production with simpler manufacturing processes.
Implementation Method 1
a liquid permeable jacket of polymer material surrounding the thermally insulating cover, the jacket and the cover not being bonded to each other along the pipe and comprising a non-bonded interface such that water can penetrate into the non-bonded interface
Implementation Method 2
a fluid permeable thermally insulating cover surrounding the outer sealing sheath in the insulated length section
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to an unbonded, flexible pipe having a length and comprising a tubular inner sealing sheath, at least one metal armor layer and an outer sealing sheath. The unbonded, flexible pipe comprises at least one insulated length section comprising a fluid permeable thermally insulating cover surrounding the outer sealing sheath in the insulated length section. The thermally insulating cover is further surrounded by a liquid permeable jacket, and preferably the thermally insulating cover is liquid permeable. Because the liquid permeable jacket is liquid permeable, no substantial external pressure will act on the liquid permeable jacket, and accordingly the liquid permeable jacket will substantially not carry any pressure induced forces further to the thermally insulating cover. The unbonded, flexible pipe will thereby be more flexible than corresponding insulated prior art unbonded, flexible pipes with a non-liquid permeable jacket.