Vacuum-Insulated Pipeline Structure With Phase-Change Support
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current thermally insulated pipelines for geothermal and oil exploitation suffer from poor thermal insulation, leading to increased energy consumption and operational costs due to heat loss, and mechanical deformation at higher temperatures, making them unsuitable for underground applications.
Innovation Solution
An ultra-long thermally insulated pipeline design featuring a working steel pipe with an outer sleeve and an annular vacuum cavity, a spiral ring supporting frame made of phase change material, and an inorganic thermal insulation material layer, which enhances thermal insulation and mechanical support, preventing deformation and heat loss.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If conventional thermally insulated pipelines are used for geothermal and oil exploitation, then the pipeline structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the thermal insulation effect is poor leading to increased energy consumption and heat loss
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a multi-layer nested structure where the inner steel pipe is surrounded by an insulation layer, which is in turn surrounded by an outer steel pipe, forming a nested configuration. This nested design provides excellent thermal insulation while maintaining structural integrity, directly addressing the heat loss problem without excessive complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite materials by combining steel pipes with thermal insulation materials (such as foam or air gaps) to create a hybrid structure. This composite approach leverages the strength of steel and the insulating properties of the intermediate layer, achieving low heat loss while maintaining manufacturability
2Reliability
If conventional pipelines are used at high temperatures, then the manufacturing process is simple, but the pipeline undergoes mechanical deformation making it unsuitable for underground applications
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses composite material construction with steel pipes providing structural strength and resistance to mechanical deformation at high temperatures. The steel material selection and thickness design ensure the pipeline maintains its shape and structural integrity in harsh underground conditions while remaining manufacturable using conventional welding and fabrication techniques
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates spiral or curved structural elements in the pipeline design, such as spiral reinforcement ribs or curved support structures, which enhance the pipeline's resistance to thermal expansion and mechanical deformation. These curved features distribute stress more effectively compared to straight rigid structures, improving reliability without significantly complicating the manufacturing process
3Productivity
If the pipeline length is extended for long-distance geothermal exploitation, then the energy utilization efficiency improves, but the pipeline suffers from heat loss and performance degradation over distance
Solution Approach 1:
The nested multi-layer structure with inner steel pipe, insulation layer, and outer steel pipe creates a thermally efficient configuration that minimizes heat loss along the pipeline length. This nested design maintains thermal performance over long distances, enabling extended geothermal exploitation while preserving energy utilization efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The patent ensures continuous thermal insulation along the entire length of the pipeline through the consistent application of the insulated structure. This continuous insulation maintains stable thermal performance over long distances, preventing energy loss and ensuring reliable operation for long-distance geothermal and oil exploitation
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 provides a robust and efficient thermal insulation effect, reducing energy consumption and maintaining performance over a long service life without mechanical deformation, suitable for geothermal and oil exploitation applications.
Implementation Method 1
the spiral ring supporting frame is made of a phase change material
Implementation Method 2
an annular vacuum cavity is formed between the working steel pipe and the outer sleeve steel pipe
Data Source
Figure 1~2
AI summary
The present invention provides an ultra-long thermally insulated pipeline, which includes a working steel pipe and an outer sleeve steel pipe sleeving the working steel pipe, where an annular vacuum cavity is formed between the working steel pipe and the outer sleeve steel pipe; two ends of the outer sleeve steel pipe are tightened; and the tightened parts of the outer sleeve steel pipe are sealed with an outer wall of the working steel pipe through a plurality of sealing rings. The ultra-long thermally insulated pipeline further includes a spiral ring supporting frame which is disposed outside the working steel pipe and is in contact with a wall of the working steel pipe. The spiral ring supporting frame is made of a phase change material, and the phase change material includes 20-30 parts by weight of paraffin phase change microcapsules, 50-100 parts by weight of elastomer and 50-100 parts by weight of binder, where a capsule core of the paraffin phase change microcapsules is made of paraffin, a capsule wall is made of a polymer of methyl methacrylate and styrene, and a molar ratio of the methyl methacrylate to the styrene is (3-5):1. The present invention further provides a forming method of an ultra-long thermally insulated pipeline.