Flexible, High Temperature Thermal Insulation Materials for Subsea Wellhead and Production Equipment

2002 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dwight Janoff
Keyword(s):  
High Temperature ◽  
Thermal Insulation ◽  
Oil And Gas ◽  
Cold Water ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
Tensile Elongation ◽  
Hydrate Formation ◽  
Production Equipment ◽  
Bond Line ◽  
Insulation Materials

As oil and gas wells are being drilled in deepwater, hydrate formation in the well has become a major concern. During a production shut down, gas hydrates can form and plug the bore of a subsea tree, tree piping, jumper, manifold and flow lines. During shut downs, hot produced fluids become stagnant and are cooled by the surrounding cold water, resulting in hydrate formation [1]. Thermal insulation is necessary to slow down this cooling process to prevent hydrate formation until the well production or hydrate inhibitor injection can be restored [2]. Currently available insulation materials for subsea applications are rated for internal temperatures of up to 121 °C (250 °F). These materials include NovoTherm, urethanes, and epoxy/syntactic foams, and vulcanized rubbers [3]. These materials may thermally age at above 121 °C (250 °F) such that the insulation bond line will become weakened or softened over time. Recently, insulation that will withstand 177 °C (350 °F) internal temperatures for high temperature, high pressure (HTHP) projects are being required by operators. Two new insulation materials, proposed for use on subsea wellhead and production systems at temperatures up to 177 °C (350 °F) will be discussed. The first material is based on addition cured silicone elastomer. The second material is based on a flexible Novolac epoxy. Both materials are cast in place into molds, have high tensile elongation, and possess the thermal properties necessary to meet cool down requirements for subsea production equipment. These materials are being proposed for use on manifolds, jumpers, production trees, and other subsea equipment.

ZIRCONIA FIBERS AS A COMPONENT OF HIGH TEMPERATURE THERMAL INSULATION (review)

2021 ◽  
pp. 79-86
Author(s):  
V.G. Babashov ◽  
◽  
N.M. Varrik ◽  
Keyword(s):  
High Temperature ◽  
Thermal Insulation ◽  
Zirconium Oxide ◽  
Thermal Protection ◽  
Sol Gel ◽  
Precursor Solution ◽  
Technical Literature ◽  
Thermal Protection Systems ◽  
Insulation Materials ◽  
Protection Systems

Based on the analysis of recent publications of scientific and technical literature, data on the production of zirconium oxide fibers used for the manufacture of high-temperature thermal insulation materials are presented. Information is provided on various methods of obtaining zirconium oxide fibers (methods of impregnation of the template and molding of the mixture, sol-gel method of spinning a fiber-forming precursor solution), as well as on the technique of fiber molding (manual pulling, dry and wet spinning, blowing and electrospinning). The use of such fibers for the production of thermal insulation materials (felts, cords and blocks) instead of currently existing materials made of aluminum oxide-based fibers can significantly increase the operating temperatures of the thermal protection systems.

Thermal Benefits With Subsea Heat Bank

2002 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kristin Falk ◽  
Rune Killie ◽  
Svein Ha˚heim ◽  
Per Damsleth
Keyword(s):  
Oil And Gas ◽  
Hydrate Formation ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Effective Field ◽  
Production Equipment ◽  
Cfd Simulations ◽  
Field Development ◽  
Gas Hydrate Formation ◽  
Computational Fluid Dynamics Cfd ◽  
Cfd Analyses

Subsea production of oil and gas involves structures on the seabed such as manifolds and X-mas trees that require thermal insulation of piping and valves to avoid gas hydrate formation. The insulation is expensive and time consuming to apply yet may still leave areas with inadequate protection. These “cold spots” accelerate the cooling during a production shutdown. A Heat-Bank concept is developed as an alternative to conventional insulation. The entire subsea structure is covered with an insulated shell. During shutdowns the heated fluid inside the cover keeps the production equipment warm over a prolonged period before hydrates start to form. Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulations are used to quantify the heat loss effects of natural convection and leakage through openings in the cover. The CFD analyses demonstrate the relative performance of the concept compared to the traditional method of insulating individual piping components. Application of the Heat-Bank concept opens new possibilities for environmentally friendly and cost-effective field development, especially for deep water.

High Temperature Micro Structural Evolution of ZrO2 Fibers Thermal Insulation Materials

2014 ◽  
Vol 602-603 ◽  
pp. 319-322 ◽  
Author(s):  
Guang Hai Wang ◽  
Hao Ran Sun ◽  
Chun Peng Wang ◽  
Jian Zhou ◽  
Yan Li Huo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Heat Treatment ◽  
Mechanical Property ◽  
High Temperature ◽  
Thermal Insulation ◽  
Thermal Protection ◽  
Structural Evolution ◽  
High Strength ◽  
Insulation Materials ◽  
High Temperature Heat Treatment ◽  
Xrd Patterns

Yttria-stabilized zirconia fibers thermal insulation materials may be the main developmental direction of high temperature thermal protection materials, due to their high temperature resistance (above 2000 °C), high strength and toughness, low thermal conductivity ( about 2 W/m·K), oxidation resistance and other excellent properties. However, mechanical property of zirconia fibers thermal insulation materials is decrease after high temperature heat treatment. In this paper, the evolution of microscopic structure of zirconia fibers is studied by using the method of oxyacethlene ablation. The gain growth and high temperature creep are observed after 600 s heat treatment at 1800 °C. Crystal phase of zirconia fibers is not changed and still cubic. Moreover, crystallinity is more higher form XRD patterns. Controlling grain growth can improve high temperature mechanical property of zirconia fibers thermal insulation materials.

scholarly journals Fabrication of a Novel MgO-B2O3-SiO2-Zn Coating by Thermal Spraying

Coatings ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (8) ◽  
pp. 907
Author(s):  
Zhan Yu ◽  
Bo Song ◽  
Ping Ma ◽  
Wenhui Fan ◽  
Enzhong Gong ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
High Temperature ◽  
Thermal Insulation ◽  
Thermal Spraying ◽  
Flame Spraying ◽  
Maintenance Cost ◽  
Insulation Layer ◽  
Ceramic Powders ◽  
Insulation Materials ◽  
Automotive Technology ◽  
Insulation Performance

In automotive technology, the proper use of thermal insulation materials helps improve the performance and life of internal equipment and reduce maintenance cost. In this study, plasma spraying and flame spraying are used to prepare and coat a new MgO-B2O3-SiO2-Zn powder on the SUS304 substrate. The resulting coating as thermal insulation layer formed a networked microstructure between the substrates to improve the thermal insulation performance of the material. By validation of thermal radiation experiments, the thermal insulation effects of various ceramic powders were compared, the high-temperature and low-temperature thermal insulation materials for about 300 and 100 °C were determined, and the thermal insulation performance of the constructed material coatings was verified by analysis.

RESEARCH OF THE UNEVENNESS OF DISTRIBUTION OF THE STRENGTH PROPERTIES OF HIGH-TEMPERATURE THERMAL INSULATION MATERIALS

2021 ◽  
pp. 123-134
Author(s):  
V.G. Babashov ◽  
◽  
V.V. Butakov ◽  
S.G. Kolyshev ◽  
V.G. Maksimov ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
High Temperature ◽  
Comparative Study ◽  
Thermal Insulation ◽  
Solid Phase ◽  
Strength Properties ◽  
Insulation Material ◽  
Protective Material ◽  
Thermal Insulation Material ◽  
Insulation Materials ◽  
Fibrous Heat

The article considers the results of the study of the uneven distribution of the strength properties of a rigid high-temperature fibrous heat-protective material over the volume of the block. The article presents a comparative study of the uneven strength of two materials that differ in the method of introducing the binder. A conclusion is proposed about the mechanism of the occurrence of unevenness of the strength properties of a rigid fibrous thermal insulation material when a soluble binder is introduced into the material by the strait method. The absence of such a mechanism is shown for materials obtained using a solid-phase binder introduced into the molding hydraulic mass.

A Coupled Hydrate and Compositional Wellbore Simulator: Understanding Hydrate Inhibition from Associated Brines in Oil and Gas Production

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-15
Author(s):  
Fernando M. C. Coelho ◽  
Kamy Sepehrnoori ◽  
Ofodike A. Ezekoye
Keyword(s):  
Oil And Gas ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
Hydrate Formation ◽  
Oil And Gas Industry ◽  
Gas Production ◽  
Gas Industry ◽  
Oil And Gas Production ◽  
Gas Molecules ◽  
Flow Simulator ◽  
Do So

Summary Hydrates are ice-like solids composed of a water-based lattice “encaging” gas molecules. They form under conditions of high pressure and low temperature. In the oil and gas industry, where these conditions are easily met, hydrate formation may cause pipe blockages and severe financial implications, making its prevention (and remediation) one of the main flow-assurance concerns. Desired hydrate inhibition may come from electrolytes naturally dissolved in the water that is produced in conjunction with the hydrocarbon stream, or alcohols can be deliberately injected for such a purpose. When trying to predict hydrate conditions in real-world production systems, computer simulation should ideally integrate hydrate and multiphase-flow calculations. Failing to do so [by performing a decoupled analysis with a flow simulator and a separate pressure/volume/temperature (PVT) package for example] may generate misleading results under certain flow conditions. This paper presents an integrated wellbore simulator to deal with this issue. A hydrate model is added to verify hydrate formation for specific pressure, temperature, and composition of each gridblock. Integration with a geochemical package allows consideration of electrolyte inhibition coming from the associated brine. After successfully comparing results with the available simulators and the experimental data, it is demonstrated that when flowing gas/water ratios (GWRs) exceed 105 scf/STB, water condensation throughout the flow may dilute the beneficial effect arising from the brine composition, thus reducing electrolyte inhibition. Conversely, mineral precipitation along the flow path has shown a nearly negligible impact on this effect.

A System Design Approach for Thermal Insulation of Subsea Equipment Using CFD

2006 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stein Sorbye ◽  
Randi Moe
Keyword(s):  
Thermal Insulation ◽  
Oil And Gas ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
Gas Production ◽  
Full Scale ◽  
Thermal Design ◽  
Light Hydrocarbons ◽  
Stringent Requirement ◽  
Oil And Gas Production ◽  
Computational Analyses

Subsea oil and gas production systems are becoming more complex and more automated. At ocean depths down to 2300m reliability and dependability are of utmost importance. During a production shut-down the production fluid in the subsea equipment will be cooled off by the surrounding ocean water. Simultaneous presence of light hydrocarbons and water in a cold environment with relatively high pressure can create hydrates that are ice like substances capable of blocking the production piping and prevent fluid flow. The equipment is therefore thermally insulated to slow down the cooling process. Field operators are challenging subsea equipment makers to break new boundaries with respect to passive thermal insulation and to increase reliability of the thermal performance. This paper will present the methodology and results of a thermal insulation design project conducted for Total E&P Angola. The project aimed to meet cool down times in excess of 20 hours in areas where 8 hours were previously the norm. In order to meet such a stringent requirement, a system approach to thermal design had to be adopted and reliance on computational analyses tools had to be strengthened. Following a design phase in which the computational analyses tools CFD and FE were used to design the thermal insulation, a full scale cool down test was performed with a subsea Manifold. The simulated cool down results generated by CFD and FE compared well to the results of a full scale cool down test.

Review of High-Temperature Thermal Insulation Materials

2019 ◽  
Vol 33 (1) ◽  
pp. 271-284 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria Tychanicz-Kwiecień ◽  
Joanna Wilk ◽  
Paweł Gil
Keyword(s):  
High Temperature ◽  
Thermal Insulation ◽  
Insulation Materials
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