Submerged Cooler Pipe Support for Thermal Expansion and Corrosion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Subsea coolers face challenges with marine bio-fouling, corrosion, thermal expansion leading to longitudinal elongation of piping, and structural integrity issues, particularly in offshore oil and gas production and wind power applications, where passive coolers lack effective regulation and are prone to abrasion and vibration.
Innovation Solution
A pipe support arrangement for submerged coolers featuring moveable pipe support beams with low-friction surfaces and limiting mechanisms, such as brackets and restraining means, to manage thermal expansion and prevent corrosion, while ensuring structural integrity and unobstructed seawater flow.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the cooler pipes are made of corrosion-resistant alloys with oxide layers, then corrosion resistance is improved, but the oxide layer is soft and cannot withstand abrasion, leading to increased corrosion rates when sliding occurs between component parts
Solution Approach 1:
A Teflon®-lined pipe support beam is introduced as an intermediary component between the cooler pipes and the structural frame. The Teflon® coating acts as a protective mediator that prevents direct contact and sliding between metal components, thereby protecting the soft oxide layer on corrosion-resistant alloys from mechanical abrasion while maintaining the corrosion resistance benefits of the alloy material.
2Strength
If the pipe support beams are made stiff to reduce loading on cooler piping, then structural integrity is improved, but the stiffness prevents accommodation of thermal expansion, causing stress and potential damage
Solution Approach 1:
The pipe support beam is designed with a sliding mechanism that allows longitudinal movement while maintaining structural support. This dynamic design enables the support beam to accommodate thermal expansion and contraction of the cooler pipes without compromising structural integrity, as the sliding interface absorbs dimensional changes rather than transmitting stress to the piping system.
3Strength
If welded connections are used between pipe support beams and frame, then structural strength is improved, but fabrication complexity and potential corrosion at weld joints increase
Solution Approach 1:
The connection between the pipe support beam and the structural frame is segmented into separate components: the pipe support beam, the Teflon® coating layer, and the structural frame. This segmentation eliminates the need for welded connections by using a non-metallic interface layer, thereby simplifying fabrication while maintaining structural strength through the combined system of mechanical support and friction-resistant contact.
4Reliability
If passive subsea coolers are used, then robustness is improved, but the cooling effect cannot be regulated or controlled, and natural convection results in slow seawater flow through the common volume
Solution Approach 1:
The Teflon®-lined pipe support beam serves as a mediator that reduces friction between cooler pipes and the support structure. This friction reduction facilitates smoother seawater flow through the common volume of the passive cooler, enhancing natural convection efficiency while maintaining the robustness and passive operation characteristics of the cooler system.
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 effectively mitigates marine bio-fouling, corrosion, and structural integrity issues, allowing for controlled thermal expansion and improved cooling efficiency by allowing predetermined longitudinal translation of pipe support beams, enhancing the durability and performance of submerged coolers.
Implementation Method 1
The pipe support beam is moveably arranged inbetween the brackets. The surfaces of the brackets in contact with the pipe support beam and the surfaces of the pipe support beam in contact with the brackets can be polished and/or treated in such a way so that the limited longitudinal translation of the pipe support is made easier.
Implementation Method 2
Longitudinal elongation of the cooler piping, due to thermal expansion, can be expected, because the fluid in the piping has a higher temperature compared to the seawater temperature, and the steel structure of the subsea cooler has a temperature close or equal to the seawater temperature.
Implementation Method 3
Some of these alloys and/or metals can show very good resistance against marine bio-fouling and general corrosion. However, the oxide layer that is built up on the surface is soft and cannot withstand abrasion as well as it can be damaged (e.g. mechanically). Sliding between component parts may remove the oxide layer and will increase corrosion rates to an unacceptable level.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to improved subsea or submerged cooler designs for subsea applications, and particularly to a unique pipe support arrangement (5, 16, 17, 18) in a submerged cooler (20), an improved submerged cooler frame (1) and an improved submerged cooler (20).