Thermally Stable Subsea Hydraulic Fluids
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional hydraulic fluids face challenges in maintaining lubrication and stability under extreme high-temperature and marine environments, including corrosion, reactivity with materials, poor biodegradability, and incompatibility with seawater, which limits their suitability for subsea applications.
Innovation Solution
An aqueous hydraulic fluid composition is enhanced by incorporating a dicarboxylic acid salt, such as an alkanolamine salt of a C21 dicarboxylic acid, along with additional lubricants like phospholipids and alkoxylate salts, and optional additives like biocides and corrosion inhibitors, to improve thermal stability and seawater tolerance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional hydraulic fluids are used in subsea applications, then they provide basic lubrication, but they form emulsions with seawater and corrode metals at high temperatures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameters of the hydraulic fluid by using aqueous-based formulations with specific lubricants (polyester oils, synthetic esters) and additives (corrosion inhibitors, anti-emulsion agents) to resist thermal degradation and chemical reactions with seawater and metals at high temperatures
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite hydraulic fluid system combining multiple components: aqueous base fluid, specific lubricants, corrosion inhibitors, and anti-emulsion additives working together to provide thermal stability and protect against corrosion and emulsion formation
2Object-generated harmful factors
If aqueous hydraulic fluids are used to improve environmental compatibility, then biodegradability increases, but thermal stability at high temperatures deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the chemical parameters of aqueous hydraulic fluids by selecting specific lubricants (polyester oils, synthetic esters) and additives that maintain biodegradability while providing thermal stability at subsea temperatures up to 190°C
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces thermal stabilizing additives and corrosion inhibitors as intermediary substances that protect the aqueous base fluid and lubricants from thermal degradation, allowing the fluid to maintain both biodegradability and thermal stability
3Reliability
If hydraulic fluids are designed for high temperature performance, then thermal stability improves, but compatibility with seawater and marine environments worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The patent adjusts the chemical composition parameters by using aqueous-based formulations with specific lubricants and anti-emulsion additives that prevent seawater contamination while maintaining high temperature performance up to 190°C
Solution Approach 2:
The patent designs a multi-functional hydraulic fluid system that simultaneously provides high temperature stability, seawater compatibility, corrosion protection, and anti-emulsion properties through a combination of specially selected lubricants and additives
Data Source
AI summary
An aqueous hydraulic fluid composition comprising of one or more lubricants such as a monovalent metal salt, ammonium, or alkanolamine salt of a dicarboxylic acid, such as a C21 dicarboxylic acid is described in which the aqueous hydraulic fluid composition demonstrates increased thermal stability when exposed to elevated temperatures for a prolonged period of time while being able to tolerate the presence of 10% v/v synthetic seawater. The aqueous hydraulic fluid composition contains less than about 20% by weight (preferably none or substantially none) of an oil selected from the group consisting of mineral oils, synthetic hydrocarbon oils, and mixtures thereof.