Subsea Pressure Booster Power Supply Without Subsea VSDs
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current subsea pressure booster power supply systems are expensive, non-flexible, and unreliable due to the use of land-based technology adapted for high-pressure environments, which is challenging and costly to maintain, especially with the uncertainty of subsea variable speed drives (VSDs/VFDs and high-pressure components.
Innovation Solution
A subsea power supply system that eliminates VSD/VFD components by using a supply cable directly coupled to an AC power source and featuring a subsea direct online switch (SDOS) with pressure compensation, allowing for individual start and stop of subsea pressure boosters without control units, reducing the number of high-pressure components and potential failure points.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If land-based technology with high-pressure housings and penetrations is used for subsea power supply, then equipment can withstand high pressure differences, but the system becomes expensive, non-flexible, and challenging to maintain
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the pressure-resistant housing and penetration components from the power supply system by eliminating the need for subsea VSDs and high-pressure switchgear. The system uses standard land-based equipment located on topsides or onshore, connected to subsea pressure boosters via simple supply cables, thereby removing the complex high-pressure containment requirements while maintaining pressure resistance where needed (at the booster level only).
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces an intermediary approach by using standard voltage equipment (land-based technology) connected through supply cables to subsea pressure boosters. This intermediary configuration allows the use of simple, maintainable land-based equipment while still achieving the required pressure handling capability at the subsea level through the booster design itself, rather than through complex high-pressure power supply components.
2Adaptability or versatility
If subsea VSDs/VFDs are used for power control, then variable speed control is achieved, but the number of components increases and reliability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention removes subsea VSDs/VFDs from the system entirely, extracting the variable speed control function from the subsea environment. Instead, speed control is achieved through other means (such as hydraulic control or mechanical control at the booster level), while the power supply side uses simple direct online switching without complex power electronics, thereby eliminating the reliability issues associated with subsea VSD components.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces the electronic control system (VSDs/VFDs) with a mechanical or hydraulic control approach at the subsea pressure booster level. This substitution eliminates the need for complex power electronics in the subsea environment while maintaining the ability to control the speed and operation of the pressure boosters, thereby improving reliability by removing vulnerable electronic components.
3Loss of energy
If high-voltage subsea equipment is used, then power transmission efficiency is improved, but the cost and maintenance challenge increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the high-voltage equipment from the subsea environment and relocates it to topsides or onshore locations. This allows standard, easily manufactured and maintained land-based high-voltage equipment to be used for power transmission, while the subsea portion only requires simple supply cables and basic switching equipment, thereby maintaining power transmission efficiency while dramatically improving ease of manufacture and maintenance.
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 provides a reliable, cost-effective, and simplified subsea power supply system capable of handling high voltages and currents, reducing mechanical wear, and allowing for individual control of subsea pressure boosters, thereby enhancing reliability and reducing overcurrent issues while minimizing the need for high-pressure equipment.
Implementation Method 1
The preferably liquid filled subsea direct online switch with pressure compensator, can be used to start and stop the connected subsea pressure booster without any control units in the power supply chain
Data Source
AI summary
The invention provides a system for subsea pressure booster HV (high voltage), MV (medium voltage) and LV (low voltage) power supply and distribution. The system is distinguished in that the system consists of, essentially consists of or comprises: a supply cable without a connected variable speed drive/variable frequency drive (VSD, VFD); at least one subsea pressure booster, and; one subsea direct online switch (SDOS) for each subsea pressure booster, wherein the supply cable at a source end is coupled to an AC power source at a topside, onshore or subsea location, wherein the supply cable at a pressure booster end is coupled directly or via a distribution device to at least one subsea direct online switch, SDOS, wherein each SDOS is coupled to one subsea pressure booster. Method of operation and use of the system.