Pipeline Electric Heating with CO2 Storage for Wax and Hydrate Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Deep-sea oil and gas pipelines face blockages and ruptures due to the formation of wax crystals and hydrates at low temperatures, and existing heating methods are inefficient and costly, particularly in deep-sea environments where renewable energy utilization is low and energy supply is intermittent.
Innovation Solution
An electric heating thermal management system utilizing renewable energy and CO2 energy storage, featuring a control device that dynamically manages electric tracing bands for hierarchical and distributed heating, combined with thermal insulation and an early warning system to prevent pipeline blockages and ensure continuous operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If electric tracing bands are continuously wound around the entire pipeline, then the pipeline temperature is maintained above critical temperature, but the resistance of electric tracing bands increases and large amount of electric energy is wasted
Solution Approach 1:
The pipeline is divided into multiple heating zones with independent control, allowing selective heating only where needed rather than continuous heating of the entire pipeline. This segmentation reduces overall energy consumption while maintaining reliability in critical areas.
Solution Approach 2:
The heating system transitions from static continuous heating to dynamic controlled heating, where heating is activated only when and where required based on real-time temperature monitoring and pipeline conditions, thereby reducing energy waste.
2Ease of operation
If electric tracing bands are laid on the transportation pipeline without thermal insulation, then the heating control is simple, but the heat generated escapes into the deep sea and heating effect is not obvious
Solution Approach 1:
A thermal insulation layer is introduced as an intermediary between the electric tracing bands and the deep sea environment, preventing direct heat escape while maintaining the simplicity of electric control. This mediator preserves heating efficiency without complicating the control system.
3Device complexity
If the heating control device heats the transportation pipeline uniformly, then the control system is simple, but the electric energy is wasted and the application scope is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
Different sections of the pipeline receive different heating intensities based on their specific requirements, with higher heating in prone-to-blockage sections and lower or no heating in stable sections. This localized approach optimizes energy usage while maintaining system reliability.
4Use of energy by stationary object
If renewable energy is used to power the heating device, then the energy cost is reduced, but the intermittency of energy supply and low energy utilization efficiency occur
Solution Approach 1:
Energy is stored in advance during periods of high renewable energy availability or low demand, allowing the heating system to operate continuously without interruption despite the intermittent nature of renewable energy sources. This preliminary energy storage ensures reliability while maintaining cost benefits.
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 provides continuous and efficient electric power for heating, reduces energy waste, and effectively maintains pipeline temperatures above critical thresholds, preventing solid matter formation and reducing economic losses by optimizing heating and insulation across the pipeline.
Implementation Method 1
electric tracing bands, so that oil and gas temperature in the oil and gas transportation pipeline is always kept above the critical temperature
Implementation Method 2
no effective thermal insulation structure is arranged at the bottom of the deep sea. The heat generated by heating is extremely easy to escape into the deep sea
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention discloses an electric heating thermal management system for an oil and gas transportation pipeline based on renewable energy and CO2 energy storage. It transmits the feedback data value through a data collection device arranged in the pipeline to the early warning device by the control device. After analysis and processing, the early warning device can feed back the data value to the control device and the remote operation device in two modes. Different degrees of heating amount can be generated for the oil and gas transportation pipelines at different positions in different modes. Hierarchical and distributed management control for the oil and gas transportation pipelines can be targetedly conducted in unblocked, easily blocked and blocked positions of the oil and gas transportation pipeline. The present invention couples the renewable energy electricity supply device and the CO2 energy storage device.