Parallel Heating Wires for Subsea Pipe Reliability
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Solution Overview
Problem
The robustness of electrical heating systems in fluid transport pipes is compromised by defective connections, leading to high failure rates due to the numerous connections required in long pipelines, especially in hostile environments like subsea installations, where maintenance is difficult or impossible.
Innovation Solution
An electrical heating system with electric wires arranged in groups, each powered by a distinct phase, and connected via units in an intermediate zone, with identification elements and a reinforcing ring to ensure reliable connections and minimize the impact of faulty links, allowing for balanced operation even with defective connections.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If electrical heating wires are arranged in series along the pipeline to provide continuous heating, then the heating coverage is improved, but the reliability deteriorates because a single defective connection renders the entire heating circuit inoperative
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the heating circuit into multiple independent parallel lines instead of using a single series circuit. Each line consists of heating wires connected in series, but multiple such lines are arranged in parallel around the pipeline. This segmentation ensures that a defect in one line does not affect the others, maintaining heating coverage while improving reliability.
2Length of stationary object
If the number of electrical connections is increased to cover long pipeline distances, then the heating coverage is improved, but the risk of connection failures increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the long pipeline into multiple heating zones covered by parallel heating lines. Each line spans the full pipeline length but operates independently. This reduces the impact of connection failures to individual lines rather than affecting the entire pipeline heating system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the electrical configuration from a single series circuit to multiple parallel circuits. This parameter change in the electrical system architecture allows the pipeline to maintain heating functionality even when some connections fail, as current can flow through alternative parallel paths.
3Temperature
If electrical heating systems are installed in subsea environments, then the heating function is provided, but the difficulty of maintenance and repair increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the heating system with multiple redundant parallel lines that can operate independently. In the event of a failure in a subsea installation where repair is difficult, the system can continue functioning with reduced capacity using the remaining healthy lines, effectively treating individual heating lines as disposable components that don't require complex repairs.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates redundancy by installing more heating lines than strictly necessary for minimum heating requirements. This beforehand cushioning ensures that even if some lines fail due to connection issues or environmental factors, the remaining lines can maintain adequate heating without requiring immediate intervention.
4Reliability
If multiple sets of heating lines are arranged around the transport pipe, then the heating robustness is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses identical heating wire configurations for multiple parallel lines, making each line a universal template that can be replicated around the pipeline. This standardization reduces design complexity while maintaining robustness, as the same proven configuration is repeated rather than designing unique systems for each heating zone.
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 enhances the reliability of electrical heating systems by isolating defective connections, maintaining operational heating circuits, and reducing the risk of system failure, while also facilitating efficient pre-stressing and installation processes.
Implementation Method 1
the heating system works by Joule effect
Implementation Method 2
A layer of thermal insulation arranged under the protective casing is generally provided around the electrical heating wires and around the hydrocarbon flow pipe, so as to promote the heat exchange with the inner pipe and limit losses to the exterior
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to an electrical heating system for at least one section of a fluid transport pipe, the pipe comprising a casing in which the fluid to be transported flows, the heating system comprising electric wires arranged around the casing and intended to be powered, via connection elements, by an electrical power supply comprising several phases, system in which the electric wires are arranged in at least one set of several groups each comprising several electric wires, each of the groups in said set being intended to be supplied by a distinct phase, the electrical heating system comprising connecting units to perform an electrical connection and linking together the electric wires of each of said groups.