Wax-Infused Polyurethane Pipeline Insulation for Heat Storage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pipelines for crude oil transportation offshore face challenges with heat storage capacity, leading to rapid cooling and potential clogging during production stops, as current encapsulated latent heat storage solutions have limited heat storage capacity and mechanical property degradation, while 'pipe-in-pipe' solutions are complex and expensive.
Innovation Solution
A heat-insulating pipeline is created by mixing organic polyisocyanate with a polymeric compound, wax, and other additives to form a polyurethane layer, where the wax is directly incorporated into the reaction mixture, allowing for improved heat storage and insulation without encapsulation, facilitating longer production stops without clogging.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If encapsulated latent heat storage is used in polyurethane insulation, then heat storage capacity is improved, but the reaction mixture becomes too viscous to process and mechanical properties deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the encapsulation shell from the system by using free wax particles directly in the polyurethane reaction mixture without enclosing them in separate capsules. This eliminates the viscosity problems and mechanical property deterioration caused by encapsulated materials while maintaining the latent heat storage function of the wax itself
Solution Approach 2:
The polyurethane reaction mixture acts as an intermediary medium that directly incorporates and distributes free wax particles throughout the insulation layer. This intermediary approach allows the wax to be integrated at the molecular level of the polymerization process, ensuring uniform distribution and optimal heat storage capacity without the processing issues of encapsulated alternatives
2Quantity of substance
If more latent heat storage is incorporated into the insulation, then heat storage capacity increases, but mechanical properties of the insulating layer decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges the wax heat storage particles directly into the polyurethane polymer matrix during the reaction process. This combining approach creates a unified composite material where the wax particles are distributed throughout the polymer structure, allowing the polyurethane to provide mechanical strength while the wax provides heat storage capacity without the need for separate encapsulation that would compromise either property
3Quantity of substance
If 'pipe in pipe' solution is used to increase heat storage capacity, then heat storage increases, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The invention combines the heat storage function and insulation function into a single integrated layer. Instead of using separate pipes and insulation layers as in the 'pipe in pipe' solution, the wax-containing polyurethane layer simultaneously provides both thermal insulation and latent heat storage, dramatically simplifying the overall pipeline structure and reducing manufacturing complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The wax-containing polyurethane insulation layer serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides thermal insulation to prevent heat loss, stores latent heat through the phase change of wax particles, and maintains structural integrity of the pipeline. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate components required in complex 'pipe in pipe' configurations
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 enhances heat storage capacity and insulation, enabling longer crude oil transportation without clogging, while being easier and less expensive to produce than 'pipe-in-pipe' solutions, maintaining pipeline integrity and operational efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
the latent heat storage absorbs heat from the warm crude oil and melts it
Implementation Method 2
the lipophilic filling of the latent heat storage also cools down, solidifies and releases the heat it has absorbed
Implementation Method 3
the insulating layer slowly cools down from the outside
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a method for producing pipelines with heat-storing properties, according to which method a) organic polyisocyanate is mixed with b) at least one polymer compound having at least two hydrogen atoms reactive to isocyanate, c) a chain extender and/or cross-linking agent, as necessary, d) a catalyst, e) wax and f) other agents and/or additives, as necessary, to form a first reaction mixture. Said first reaction mixture is applied to a pipe and is allowed to cure fully to form a first polyurethane coating. The invention further relates to a pipeline with heat-storing properties which may be obtained by using such a method.