Phase change insulation for subsea flowlines
AssigneeMcDermott Technology, Inc.
InventorTheodore R. Ohrn
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A subsea flowline or pipeline with passive insulation having improved transient heat-loss characteristics. The flowline or pipeline has a phase change material insulating the flowline pipe joints and/or pipe sections to greatly extend the cooldown time of produced or processed hydrocarbon fluid mixtures being transported therethrough during shut-in conditions. The phase change material surrounds a carrier pipe of the flowline or pipeline. The phase change material may be either dispersed or encapsulated within standard insulation. Additional insulation and/or a jacket pipe surrounds the phase change material and holds it against the carrier pipe. The phase change material can be of a micro-encapsulated or bulk-encapsulated type.
Claims26
A thermally insulated pipe joint for a flowline for subsea transport of a produced or processed hydrocarbon fluid mixture possessing a heat energy having improved transient heat-loss characteristics during a shut-in condition, the thermally insulated pipe joint comprising:
- a pair of flowline pipe sections joined together at adjacent ends thereof to form a flowline path for the produced or processed hydrocarbon fluid mixture;
- and
- improved insulation comprising a phase change material means surrounding at least the joined together adjacent ends of the pair of flowline pipe sections for insulating and absorbing and releasing the heat energy of the fluid mixture at a temperature between approximately -30.degree. F. and 243.degree. F.
A thermally insulated pipe section having improved transient heat-loss characteristics, comprising:
- an inner carrier pipe for transporting a fluid possessing a heat energy;
- and
- improved insulation comprising a phase change material means surrounding the inner carrier pipe for insulating and absorbing and releasing the heat energy of the fluid at a temperature between approximately -30.degree. F. and 243.degree. F.
A thermally insulated flowline for subsea transport of a produced or processed hydrocarbon fluid mixture possessing a heat energy having improved transient heat-loss characteristics, comprising:
- an inner carrier pipe for transporting the fluid mixture;
- and
- improved insulation comprising a phase change material means surrounding the inner carrier pipe, for insulating and absorbing and releasing the heat energy of the fluid mixture at a temperature between approximately -30.degree. F. and 243.degree. F.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.