Adaptive Subsea Heating for Wax and Hydrate Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Subsea fluid systems, particularly in deep water, face challenges with wax and hydrate accumulations that impede flow and require costly and hazardous remediation, as existing methods for preventing or addressing these accumulations are impractical and inefficient, especially in remote and hard-to-access locations.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that utilize a subsea power source to power a heating system as a secondary function, using spare or surplus power to heat critical areas of the fluid system, such as valves and flow lines, to prevent wax and hydrate formation by maintaining temperatures above the melting point of potential accumulations, and adapt heating based on monitored parameters to prevent or remediate accumulations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If increased thermal insulation is provided to maintain higher fluid temperature, then accumulation prevention is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses the existing power source's spare capacity to provide heating, making the system self-regulating and self-sufficient without requiring additional external power infrastructure or complex insulation systems
Solution Approach 2:
The existing power source is made multi-functional by utilizing its spare capacity for heating purposes in addition to its primary function, eliminating the need for dedicated heating equipment or enhanced insulation systems
2Reliability
If thermo-dynamic inhibitor chemicals are injected to prevent accumulations, then accumulation prevention is improved, but operational complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces chemical injection systems with an electrical heating system that uses spare power capacity to maintain temperatures above accumulation formation points, eliminating the need for chemical handling and injection infrastructure
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operational parameter from chemical concentration control to temperature control, using heating to maintain fluid temperature above the accumulation formation threshold instead of injecting inhibitor chemicals
3Reliability
If heat is applied through electrical power or hot fluid circulation to prevent accumulations, then accumulation prevention is improved, but power consumption and operational cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system utilizes the existing power source's own spare capacity to provide heating, making the power system self-sufficient and eliminating the need for additional power consumption from external sources
Solution Approach 2:
The system recovers and utilizes the previously wasted spare power capacity from the existing power source, converting it into useful heating energy for accumulation prevention instead of letting it go to waste
4Ease of repair
If flow is reduced or halted for remediation of accumulations, then accumulation removal is achieved, but productivity and flow rate decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary heating action continuously or proactively to prevent accumulation formation in the first place, eliminating the need for flow cessation and remediation operations
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies preliminary anti-action by heating the fluid to temperatures that prevent accumulation formation, countering the accumulation tendency before it can develop and require remediation
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
This approach effectively prevents wax and hydrate formation, reducing the risk of flow disruptions, lowering operational costs, and enhancing safety by using existing power sources efficiently and adaptively managing heating to match fluid system conditions, thereby ensuring continuous and safe operation of subsea flow lines.
Implementation Method 1
application of heat through electrical power on the outside of flow-lines
Implementation Method 2
flow lines that are anticipated to be subjected to significant cooling have been provided with increased thermal insulation to maintain a higher temperature of fluid in the flow line
Data Source
AI summary
A method of controlling an accumulation in a fluid system and associated apparatus is disclosed. The method comprises heating. The heating is adaptive or adaptable. The method comprises adapting the heating in accordance with a parameter associated with a development of accumulation. The parameter is monitored. An associated subsea heating system (20) for controlling an accumulation in a subsea flow line (28) is also disclosed.