Subsea Pressure Compensation Pipe Opening Design
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Subsea electric installations face the risk of seawater leakage due to pressure variations, which can damage the equipment or prevent operation, and existing solutions are inadequate in preventing and mitigating such leaks.
Innovation Solution
A subsea pressure compensation arrangement using bellow compensators with flexible side walls and a fluid connection pipe design that keeps the pipe opening above the bottom wall of the compensator, preventing seawater from entering the installation by directing it to the bottom of the vessel, where it can be detected and managed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional fluid connection pipe is used with the pressure compensator, then fluid communication is established, but seawater can enter the installation through the pipe opening causing damage
Solution Approach 1:
The pipe opening is positioned in a different spatial dimension (above the bottom wall) rather than at the lowest point, creating a vertical separation that prevents seawater from reaching critical components while maintaining fluid communication functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The bellow compensator acts as an intermediary element between the seawater environment and the protected installation, with the pipe opening positioned to allow fluid exchange while preventing direct seawater intrusion into the installation
2Productivity
If the pipe opening is positioned at the bottom of the pressure compensator, then fluid communication is efficient, but seawater directly enters the installation causing immediate damage
Solution Approach 1:
The pipe opening is relocated from the bottom dimension to an elevated position above the bottom wall, creating a vertical buffer zone that maintains fluid communication while introducing a protective spatial barrier against seawater
3Reliability
If the pipe opening is placed close to the top wall of the bellow compensator, then seawater entry is minimized, but fluid compensation response time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The pipe opening is positioned in proximity to but separate from the top wall, providing partial elevation that offers seawater protection while maintaining sufficient proximity to ensure timely fluid compensation response
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 reduces the risk of damage from seawater leakage by ensuring that any water enters the bottom of the vessel, away from critical components, and provides early detection of leaks, thus minimizing operational disruptions.
Implementation Method 1
a bellow compensator having one or more foldable and/or flexible side walls for allowing volume variations of the bellow compensator
Implementation Method 2
ensuring that any water enters the bottom of the vessel, away from critical components
Data Source
AI summary
A subsea pressure compensation arrangement is disclosed as having a vessel filled with insulating fluid, and a pressure compensator for compensating pressure variations of the insulating fluid. The arrangement can include a fluid connection pipe for fluid communication between the vessel and the pressure compensator, wherein the fluid connection pipe is connected to a bottom wall of the pressure compensator. A pipe opening arranged at an end of the fluid connection pipe extends above a level of the bottom wall of the pressure compensator.