Offshore Oil Storage Heating System for Viscosity Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
In offshore oil storage systems, the cooling of oil due to thermal energy transfer to surrounding water increases oil viscosity, leading to undesirable deposit formation and pumping challenges, especially when infrastructure for immediate export is lacking.
Innovation Solution
An offshore oil storage system with a buoyancy compartment and an oil storage compartment that includes an oil heating and circulation system, where oil is pumped to a heater, heated, and returned to the storage compartment below the inlet, maintaining temperature and preventing viscosity increase.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If oil is stored in an offshore storage tank over ballast water, then the oil can be temporarily stored without pipeline infrastructure, but thermal energy transfer to surrounding water causes oil cooling and viscosity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a heating system with heaters positioned at the bottom of the storage tank as an intermediary element. This heating system acts as a mediator between the ballast water and the stored oil, providing thermal energy to counteract the cooling effect of the surrounding water and maintain oil temperature within acceptable ranges.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements active temperature parameter control by introducing heating capability to change the thermal state of the oil. The system can adjust the temperature parameter of the stored oil by activating heaters when temperature drops are detected, thereby maintaining optimal viscosity and flow characteristics despite the cooling influence of surrounding water.
2Device complexity
If oil is stored in an offshore storage tank over ballast water, then the storage system is simplified, but deposit formation occurs due to increased oil viscosity from cooling
Solution Approach 1:
The heating system serves as an intermediary that prevents direct harmful interaction between the cooling ballast water and the stored oil. By introducing thermal energy through heaters, the system mediates the thermal exchange process to prevent oil cooling that would otherwise lead to deposit formation on tank walls and bottom.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary anti-action by proactively heating the oil before significant cooling and deposit formation can occur. The heating system counteracts the cooling effect in advance, maintaining oil temperature and viscosity within ranges that prevent deposit formation, rather than addressing deposits after they form.
3Adaptability or versatility
If oil is stored in an offshore storage tank over ballast water, then temporary storage is enabled, but pumping becomes difficult due to increased oil viscosity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements active temperature parameter control to maintain oil viscosity within pumpable ranges. By introducing heating capability, the system can change the thermal state of the oil to counteract cooling-induced viscosity increases, ensuring the oil remains sufficiently fluid for pumping operations even during extended storage periods.
Solution Approach 2:
The heating system acts as an intermediary that maintains the operational properties of the oil despite the cooling influence of surrounding water. By providing thermal energy, the heating system mediates between the cooling environment and the pumping requirements, ensuring the oil maintains appropriate viscosity for easy pumping.
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 system effectively maintains oil temperature and viscosity, preventing deposit formation and ensuring easier pumping and export, even in the absence of immediate pipeline infrastructure.
Implementation Method 1
an oil heater coupled to the suction line and configured to heat oil passing through the suction line
Implementation Method 2
the cooling of oil due to thermal energy transfer to surrounding water increases oil viscosity
Data Source
AI summary
A offshore system for storing oil includes a hull. The hull includes a buoyancy compartment and an oil storage compartment disposed below the buoyancy compartment. The oil storage compartment has an upper end, a lower end, and an inner cavity. In addition the system includes a water port in fluid communication with the inner cavity and configured to allow water to exit the inner cavity. Further, the system includes an oil heating and circulation system coupled to the hull. The oil heating and circulation system includes a suction line having an inlet disposed in the inner cavity proximal the upper end. The inlet is configured to draw oil from the inner cavity. The oil heating and circulation system also includes an oil heater coupled to the suction line and configured to heat oil passing through the suction line. Further, the system includes a return line coupled to the oil heater. The return line includes an outlet disposed in the inner cavity and vertically positioned between the inlet of the suction line and the water port.