Pipeline Resistance Heating Without Return Lines
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pipeline heating systems for solar power plants face challenges such as non-uniform heating, high energy consumption, and the risk of parasitic current flow due to the need for return line paths, which are resource-intensive and inefficient, especially in long pipeline networks with molten salts having high melting points.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus that eliminates the need for a return line path by setting a potential close to ground potential at each end of the electrical resistance heating element, using a DC or AC source with multiple phases, and connecting the heating elements in a double star circuit configuration to ensure efficient heating without grounding, allowing for simultaneous operation of multiple current sources with different frequencies or phases.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a return line path is provided for electrical heating, then heating function is achieved, but resource consumption (copper) increases and device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and eliminates the return line path from the electrical heating system. By using the pipeline itself as both the heating element and the electrical conductor, the separate return line is removed entirely, reducing copper consumption while maintaining the heating function through direct current application to the pipeline.
Solution Approach 2:
The pipeline serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as both the heat transfer conduit and the electrical conductor for heating. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate return line infrastructure, reducing resource consumption while achieving the heating objective.
2Temperature
If high current intensity is applied to pipeline system for Joule heating, then heating effect is achieved, but non-uniform heating occurs and thermal losses vary at connectors
Solution Approach 1:
The invention applies different voltage levels to different sections of the pipeline based on their specific thermal requirements. By dividing the pipeline into multiple sections with different voltage applications, uniform heating is achieved across varying thermal conditions, addressing the non-uniform heating problem at connectors and along the pipeline.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts voltage applications to different pipeline sections based on real-time thermal conditions. This dynamic control ensures uniform heating distribution along the pipeline, preventing hot or cold spots that would occur with uniform voltage application.
3Temperature
If conventional electrical heating conductors are added to pipelines, then heating capability is improved, but device complexity and energy consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The pipeline structure is designed to serve dual purposes: as the heat transfer medium conduit and as the electrical conductor for heating. This eliminates the need for separate heating conductors, reducing device complexity while maintaining effective heating capability through the pipeline's inherent electrical conductivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The pipeline serves itself by using its own structure as the heating element. The pipeline's wall acts as the resistive element that generates heat when current passes through it, eliminating the need for external heating conductors and simplifying the overall system architecture.
4Productivity
If molten salt is used as heat transfer fluid for higher operating temperatures, then efficiency increases, but freezing risk and volume expansion damage increase
Solution Approach 1:
The heating system is designed to maintain molten salt above its freezing point through continuous electrical heating. By applying heat in advance and maintaining temperature proactively, the system prevents freezing conditions from developing, ensuring reliable operation even during interruptions when the salt might otherwise cool and solidify.
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
This solution reduces resource consumption, particularly copper usage, while maintaining effective heating and preventing parasitic current flow, ensuring uniform heating and reducing the risk of damage from thermal expansion in long pipeline networks.
Implementation Method 1
electrical resistance heating element... Joule heating or impedance heating... different levels of transfer resistances or thermal losses can occur at the pipeline connectors
Implementation Method 2
an internal heating conductor which is not insulated from the enveloping pipeline and has a constant electrical resistance over the entire heating path
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to an apparatus for heating a pipeline system, comprising at least two pipelines (1), along which in each case one electrical resistance heating element extends, wherein a potential close to the ground potential is set at each electrical resistance heating element at at least one end (3, 5), and the electrical resistance heating element is connected to a terminal of a DC source or to in each case one phase (7) of an n-phase AC source (9) at a position remote from this end (3, 5), where, when using an n-phase AC source (9), n is an integer equal to or greater than 2.