Polyarylene Sulfide Flowline Barrier Dynamic Vulcanization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing flexible flowlines for oil and gas applications face challenges in maintaining flexibility, impermeability, high heat and chemical resistance, and high impact resistance, particularly when using polyarylene sulfides combined with elastomeric impact modifiers, due to compatibility issues and phase separation.
Innovation Solution
A polyarylene sulfide composition is developed, incorporating a crosslinked impact modifier and a polyfunctional crosslinking agent, which is dynamically vulcanized to improve distribution and interaction between components, enhancing strength, flexibility, and processibility, forming a flowline with excellent impermeability and resistance to degradation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If elastomeric impact modifiers are combined with polyarylene sulfides to improve impact resistance, then impact strength is improved, but phase separation occurs due to incompatibility
Solution Approach 1:
A compatibilizer is introduced as an intermediary substance between the polyarylene sulfide and elastomeric impact modifier. The compatibilizer has chemical structure elements that are compatible with both polymers, enabling interfacial adhesion and preventing phase separation. This mediator allows the hydrophobic elastomer and polyarylene sulfide to coexist as a stable composite with improved impact resistance.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention creates a composite material system consisting of polyarylene sulfide, elastomeric impact modifier, and compatibilizer. This multi-component composite leverages the high strength and chemical resistance of polyarylene sulfide combined with the high impact toughness of the elastomer, while the compatibilizer ensures homogeneous distribution and interfacial bonding between the phases.
2Reliability
If multiple concentric layers are used to provide strength and barrier properties, then impermeability and chemical resistance are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges multiple functional requirements into a single polymeric composition. The compatibilized blend of polyarylene sulfide and elastomeric impact modifier simultaneously provides barrier properties, chemical resistance, and high impact strength that would traditionally require separate layers. This consolidation reduces the number of concentric layers needed while maintaining or improving performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The compatibilized polymer composition serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as a barrier layer preventing fluid permeation, provides chemical resistance to degradation, and delivers high impact strength through the elastomeric phase. This multi-functional material reduces the need for specialized separate layers for each property.
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 polyarylene sulfide composition exhibits improved tensile, flexural, and impact properties, maintaining strength and flexibility across a wide temperature range, with enhanced permeation resistance and stability under harsh conditions, making it suitable for offshore oil and gas applications.
Implementation Method 1
incorporating a crosslinked impact modifier and a polyfunctional crosslinking agent, which is dynamically vulcanized to improve distribution and interaction between components
Implementation Method 2
dynamically vulcanized to improve distribution and interaction between components, enhancing strength, flexibility, and processibility
Implementation Method 3
Polyarylene sulfides are high-performance polymers that may withstand high thermal, chemical, and mechanical stresses
Data Source
AI summary
Flowlines for use in oil and gas applications are described. The flowlines include a barrier layer that includes polyarylene sulfide composition that exhibits high strength and flexibility characteristics. Methods for forming the flowlines are also described. Formation methods include dynamic vulcanization of a polyarylene sulfide composition that includes an impact modifier dispersed throughout the polyarylene sulfide. A crosslinking agent is combined with the other components of the composition following dispersal of the impact modifier throughout the composition. The flowlines can include production fluid flowlines, supporting fluid flowlines, bundled flowlines, etc. and can be utilized as risers, pipelines, jumpers, and the like.