Subsea Pressure Compensator Thermal Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Subsea installations face reduced mechanical cycling lifetime of pressure compensators due to large pressure variations in deep water, leading to increased costs and the need for multiple compensators, as only a small part of the compensation capacity is utilized.
Innovation Solution
A subsea installation with a tank and a pressure compensator in fluid communication, where heating means reduce fluid volume variations, minimizing mechanical stress and allowing full utilization of the compensator capacity, thereby extending its lifetime.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the pressure compensator is used to compensate large volume variations of insulation fluid in deep water, then the compensation capacity is fully utilized, but the mechanical cycling lifetime of the pressure compensator decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The heating means are activated before the insulation fluid undergoes large volume variations, pre-heating the fluid to reduce subsequent volume changes. This preliminary thermal action prevents excessive compensator movement cycles, extending mechanical lifetime while maintaining full compensation capacity utilization
Solution Approach 2:
The temperature parameter of the insulation fluid is actively modified by the heating means to reduce volume variations. By changing the thermal state of the fluid, the system minimizes the magnitude of volume changes that the pressure compensator must handle, thereby reducing mechanical stress and extending cycling lifetime
2Duration of action of stationary object
If only a small part of the full compensation capacity of the pressure compensator is used, then the mechanical cycling lifetime is improved, but the number of pressure compensators needed increases
Solution Approach 1:
By actively controlling the temperature parameter of the insulation fluid through heating means, the system reduces volume variations to a level where a single pressure compensator operating at reduced capacity can handle the compensation需求, eliminating the need for multiple compensators while extending individual unit lifetime
3Reliability
If the volume variations of the insulation fluid are large, then the compensation capacity must be high, but the mechanical stress on the pressure compensator increases
Solution Approach 1:
The heating means modify the temperature parameter of the insulation fluid to reduce volume variations, thereby maintaining adequate compensation capacity while significantly reducing the mechanical stress magnitude that the pressure compensator must withstand during operation
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 extends the pressure compensator's lifetime, reduces the number of compensators needed, and lowers the overall cost of subsea installations by minimizing mechanical stress and fatigue, while maintaining reliable operation in high hydrostatic pressures.
Implementation Method 1
temperature and volume of the insulation and/or cooling fluid varies, whereby pressure compensation of the fluid is needed
Data Source
AI summary
A subsea installation. The subsea installation comprises a tank containing an insulation fluid or other fluid, a heat generating electric apparatus positioned at least partly within the tanks, and a pressure compensator being in fluid communication with the tank and being configured to compensate volume variations of the insulation fluid or the other fluid by performing an expansive and a contracting movement. The subsea installation comprises further means for heating the insulation fluid or the other fluid, said means for heating being configured to provide heating to the insulation fluid or the other fluid with the heat generating electric apparatus is in a non-operating state in order to reduce the volume variations of the insulation fluid or the other fluid.