Development and Qualification of Novel Thermal Insulation Systems for Deepwater Flowlines and Risers based on Polypropylene

Abstract

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Polymer Coatings for Oilfield Pipelines

“…14.14 a Reaction mechanism showing competition between β scission and chain branching leading to high melt strength polypropylene. b Resultant improved morphology [52] more evenly distributed bubbles within a more closed cellular structure is formed as shown in Fig. 14.14b.…”

“…If the increased pressure on the pipe collapses the foam, its insulation capacity will inevitably be compromised. Another problem encountered in deepwater applications is that although increasing foam thickness (and hence overall coating thickness) improves thermal insulation, it also reduces seabed stability of the flowline and increases drag on the steel riser [52].…”

“…14.12 Schematic representation of the self-assembly of high impact strength polypropylene co-polymer into a bi-phasic microstructure of micron sized domains of ethylene-propylene elastomer mechanical performance of pipe coatings. At such depths, thermal insulation is necessary to prevent crystallisation of paraffin waxes and hydrates during shutdowns and maintain fluid temperature to facilitate separation of the oil at the surface [52]. Hydrates are crystals of methane and water formed during high pressure and low temperature flows and are a major source of pipeline blockages and is exacerbated at greater depths.…”

“…High melt strength polypropylene in combination with high impact strength polypropylene block copolymers discussed in Sect. 14.3.2.3 is therefore a very attractive material for thermal insulation for deepwater pipe applications [16,52]. Despite this, the addition of micro-balloon glass spheres to polypropylene (syntactic polypropylene) has several advantages over the in situ formation approach as it has less impact on the mechanical properties of the polypropylene, in fact it can be further improve mechanical properties, making it highly suited for deepwater applications and hence the most widely used insulation route since the mid-1990s [35].…”

Modelling of Sub-Sea Gas Transmission Pipeline to Predict Insulation Failure

“…However, if insulation fails then there will be additional heat losses, due to frictional resistances [4]. Thus, the gas will be delivered at a lower temperature which may condense and freeze, forming hydrates, obstructing piping and equipment, with possible adverse consequences, including explosion.…”