Subsea Flowline Heating Blanket for Long-Range Blockage Remediation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for externally heating subsea flowlines are inefficient, as they either only heat a short distance or require excessive power, making them ineffective for remediation of blockages.

Innovation Solution

A subsea external heating assembly comprising a set of heaters, conductive layers, and insulating layers that evenly distribute heat along the flowline, secured by clamps and anchored to the seabed, using mineral insulated cables or heated fluid within conduits to efficiently transfer heat without precluding access to the flowline's surface.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Length of stationary object

If existing external heating methods are used on subsea flowlines, then heating can be applied, but the heating distance is limited and power consumption is excessive

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheating distanceVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Length of stationary objectVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The heating system is divided into multiple discrete heating zones along the flowline, each zone covered by separate heating blankets. This segmentation allows heat to be applied at multiple locations simultaneously, extending the effective heating distance while distributing power consumption across zones rather than requiring excessive power at a single location

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The heating approach transitions from linear heating along the flowline to three-dimensional heat distribution by wrapping heating blankets around the flowline circumference. This dimensional change enables uniform heat distribution across the entire flowline surface, extending effective heating distance while optimizing power usage through efficient thermal conduction in all directions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Reliability

If heating methods are applied to subsea flowlines, then blockages can be remediated, but the structural integrity must withstand hydrostatic forces

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveblockage remediation effectivenessVSAvoidstructural integrity under hydrostatic force

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The heating blankets are designed with nested protective layers including an inner heat-resistant layer, an intermediate structural layer, and an outer hydrostatic protection layer. This nested structure allows the heating system to maintain blockage remediation effectiveness while withstanding the external hydrostatic forces through the protective outer layers

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The heating blankets utilize composite material construction combining materials with different properties: thermally conductive materials for heat transfer, structurally strong materials for mechanical support, and hydrostatic-resistant materials for pressure protection. This composite approach enables simultaneous achievement of reliable blockage remediation and structural integrity under hydrostatic conditions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

3Productivity

If conductive layers are added to distribute heat uniformly, then heating efficiency improves, but access to the flowline surface may be precluded

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheating efficiencyVSAvoidaccess to flowline surface

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The conductive layers are constructed as flexible thin films that can be wrapped around the flowline surface. These thin film structures provide uniform heat distribution across the flowline while maintaining sufficient flexibility and thinness to allow installation and maintenance operations to access the flowline surface when needed

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

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 enables effective heat distribution along the subsea flowline, allowing for the remediation of blockages with minimal power consumption and structural integrity to withstand hydrostatic forces, ensuring consistent and efficient heating over a longer distance.

Implementation Method 1

conductive layers configured to uniformly distribute heat over an exterior of the subsea flowline

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 2

insulating layers adapted to shield subsea flowline, the predetermined set of heaters, and conductive layers from ambient seawater temperature

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal insulation: Thermal Insulation

Data Source

PatentUS20220112975A1Subsea Flowline Blockage Remediation Using External Heating Device

Publication Date: 2022.04.14 OCEANEERING INTERNATIONAL INC

AI summary

External heating assembly 1 is usable to heat subsea flowline 100 and remediate a blockage in subsea flowline 100 and comprises a predetermined set of heaters 10; one or more conductive layers 20 configured to uniformly distribute heat over an exterior of subsea flowline 100; one or more insulating layers 30 adapted to shield subsea flowline 100, the predetermined set of heaters 10, and conductive layers 20 from ambient seawater temperature; an anchor; and a strength member. The predetermined set of heaters 10 may comprise one or more mineral insulated cables capable of reaching very high temperatures with very little power and minimal controls.