Underwater oil pipeline heating systems

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9644456-B2
Application number	US-201615155901-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	May 16, 2016
Priority date	Nov 20, 2012
Publication date	May 9, 2017
Grant date	May 9, 2017

Abstract

A system for reducing buildup of solids in pipes used in underwater oil operations is disclosed. The system includes an annular pipe having an inner pipe wall and an outer pipe wall. The inner pipe wall defines an inner pipe configured to transport an oil. The outer pipe wall is displaced from the inner pipe wall. The outer pipe wall defines an outer pipe between the outer pipe wall and the inner pipe wall. The system includes an oxidizer delivery pipe having an oxidizer delivery outlet. The oxidizer delivery pipe is configured to supply an oxidizer to the outer pipe. The system further includes a fuel delivery pipe having a fuel delivery outlet. The fuel delivery pipe is configured to supply a fuel to the outer pipe. The oxidizer and the fuel release thermal energy in an exothermic reaction.

First claim

What is claimed:

1. A system for containing an underwater oil leak, comprising:
a collection shed having a first opening configured to capture oil leaking from an underwater structure;
a pipe coupled to a second opening of the collection shed, wherein the pipe is configured to transport the oil away from the collection shed;
an oxidizer delivery pipe having a plurality of outlets, the oxidizer delivery pipe configured to supply an oxidizer to at least one of the pipe and the collection shed; and
a controller configured to independently open and close individual outlets of the plurality of outlets such that the oxidizer is selectively released into at least one of the pipe and the collection shed;
whereby the oxidizer and a portion of the oil release thermal energy in an exothermic reaction.

2. The system of claim 1 , further comprising an ignition mechanism, wherein the controller is configured to activate and deactivate the ignition mechanism.

3. The system of claim 1 , wherein the controller is configured to selectively release the oxidizer in pulses.

4. The system of claim 1 , wherein the exothermic reaction is combustion, and wherein the combustion is hypergolic.

5. The system of claim 1 , wherein the exothermic reaction is combustion, and wherein the combustion is condensed-phase combustion.

6. The system of claim 1 , further comprising a sensor configured to output a signal to the controller, wherein the controller is configured to potentiate the exothermic reaction in response to the signal.

7. The system of claim 6 , wherein the controller is configured to potentiate the exothermic reaction by opening and closing an outlet of the plurality of outlets in response to the signal.

8. The system of claim 6 , wherein the controller is configured to potentiate the exothermic reaction by activating and deactivating an ignition mechanism in response to the signal.

9. The system of claim 6 , wherein the sensor is configured to detect a characteristic of the oil, wherein the signal corresponds to the characteristic.

10. The system of claim 9 , wherein the characteristic is at least one of a pressure and a temperature.

11. The system of claim 9 , wherein the characteristic is a presence of a solid within the oil.

12. The system of claim 9 , wherein the characteristic is at least one of a flow rate and a location of a flow blockage.

13. The system of claim 9 , wherein the characteristic includes at least one of a composition of gas in contact with the oil and a flammability index.

14. The system of claim 1 , further comprising a layer of insulation surrounding at least one of the pipe and the collection shed.

15. The system of claim 1 , wherein the underwater structure is a well head, and the first opening is configured to fit over the well head.

16. A system for containing an underwater oil leak, comprising:
a collection shed having a first opening configured to capture oil leaking from an underwater structure and a second opening opposite the first opening;
a pipe coupled to the second opening of the collection shed, wherein the pipe is configured to transport the oil away from the collection shed;
an oxidizer delivery pipe having a plurality of outlet valves, the oxidizer delivery pipe configured to supply an oxidizer to at least one of the pipe and the collection shed via the plurality of outlet valves;
an ignition mechanism; and
a controller, wherein the controller is configured to activate and deactivate the ignition mechanism;
wherein individual ones of the plurality of outlet valves are selectively operable to release the oxidizer into at least one of the pipe and the collection shed.

17. The system of claim 16 wherein the controller is further configured to selectively release the oxidizer in pulses.

18. The system of claim 16 , wherein the oxidizer and a portion of the oil release thermal energy in an exothermic reaction, wherein the exothermic reaction is combustion, and wherein the combustion is hypergolic.

19. The system of claim 16 , wherein the oxidizer and a portion of the oil release thermal energy in an exothermic reaction, wherein the exothermic reaction is combustion, and wherein the combustion is condensed-phase combustion.

20. The system of claim 16 further comprising a sensor, wherein the sensor is configured to output a signal to the controller, wherein the controller is configured to potentiate an exothermic reaction in response to the signal.

21. The system of claim 20 , wherein the controller is configured to potentiate the exothermic reaction by opening and closing individual ones of the plurality of outlet valves in response to the signal.

22. The system of claim 21 , wherein the controller is configured to potentiate the exothermic reaction by activating and deactivating an ignition mechanism in response to the signal.

23. The system of claim 21 , wherein the sensor is configured to detect a characteristic of the oil and the signal corresponds to the characteristic.

24. The system of claim 16 , further comprising a layer of insulation surrounding at least one of the pipe and the collection shed.

25. A method of containing an underwater oil leak, comprising:
positioning a collection shed having a first opening over a leak in an underwater structure;
coupling a pipe to a second opening of the collection shed, wherein the pipe is configured to transport the oil away from the collection shed;
providing an oxidizer delivery pipe having a plurality of outlets, the oxidizer delivery pipe configured to supply an oxidizer to at least one of the pipe and to the collection shed; and
independently opening and closing individual outlets of the plurality of outlets such that the oxidizer is selectively released into at least one of the pipe and the collection shed to cause an exothermic reaction between a portion of the oil and the oxidizer.

26. The method of claim 25 , further comprising activating an ignition mechanism to cause the exothermic reaction.

27. The method of claim 25 , wherein the oxidizer is selectively released in pulses.

28. The method of claim 25 , wherein the exothermic reaction is combustion, and wherein the combustion is hypergolic.

29. The method of claim 25 , wherein the exothermic reaction is combustion, and wherein the combustion is condensed-phase combustion.

30. The method of claim 25 , further comprising potentiating the exothermic reaction by opening and closing an outlet of the plurality of outlets in response to a signal.

31. The method of claim 25 , further comprising potentiating the exothermic reaction by activating and deactivating an ignition mechanism in response to a signal.

32. The method of claim 31 , further comprising detecting a characteristic of the oil, wherein the signal corresponds to the characteristic.

33. The method of claim 32 , wherein the characteristic is at least one of a pressure and a temperature.

34. The method of claim 32 , wherein the characteristic is at least one of a flow rate and a location of a flow blockage.

Assignees

• Elwha Llc

Inventors

• Hyde Roderick A
• Weaver Thomas Allan
• Wood Jr Lowell L

Classifications

• E21B36/02

  using burners · CPC title

• Y10T137/0391

  Affecting flow by the addition of material or energy · CPC title

• E02B2015/005

  Tent-like structures for dealing with pollutant emissions below the water surface · CPC title

• Y10T137/6443

  With burner · CPC title

• F28F19/00

  Preventing the formation of deposits or corrosion, e.g. by using filters {or scrapers} · CPC title