Synthetic resins or natural rubbers -- part of the class 520 ser – Synthetic resins – Processes of preparing a desired or intentional composition...
Reexamination Certificate
1999-07-30
2001-06-26
Dawson, Robert (Department: 1712)
Synthetic resins or natural rubbers -- part of the class 520 ser
Synthetic resins
Processes of preparing a desired or intentional composition...
C523S219000, C523S401000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06251971
ABSTRACT:
FIELD
The present invention pertains to external coatings for pipes; more particularly, the present invention pertains to external thermal insulation coatings for pipes.
BACKGROUND
It is well known that pipe clogging solids are produced if hot hydrocarbons are cooled as they flow out of hydrocarbon reservoirs. This is a particular problem in the production of hydrocarbons from offshore wells because the hydrocarbons are immediately subjected to the seawater temperatures if they pass through uninsulated pipes located near the ocean bottom. Specifically, cooled hydrocarbons form hydrate solids which can significantly reduce the internal flow diameters of production piping. Accordingly, there is a need in the art to provide a low cost, effective thermal insulation material for the external coating of pipes used in the subsea production of hydrocarbons. Such thermal insulation material should have sufficient strength and compressibility to withstand the rough handling of pipe normally associated with the production of hydrocarbons.
Some users of pipe to produce hydrocarbons from subsea wells have tried using thermoplastics such as polypropylene or polyethylene for thermal insulation. While effective for retaining heat, it has been found that such thermoplastics are difficult to apply to the external surface of pipes.
One of the best thermal insulating materials developed in recent years is the microballoon; however, heretofore there have been no method or systems in which microballoons can be effectively applied as thermal insulation to the exterior surface of pipes for use in hostile environments such as in the subsea production of hydrocarbons.
It has been proposed to use oil based epoxies to form a matrix to support the microballoons; however, such oil based epoxies are difficult to apply to the exterior of pipes and are notorious for making application equipment hard to clean.
The need, therefore, remains in the art for a system which will allow for the use of microballoons as a thermal insulating material for the exterior surface of pipes.
SUMMARY
The thermal insulating material of the present invention allows for the use of microballoons as an insulating material for the exterior surface of pipes.
In the present invention, microballoons are mixed with a water based epoxy while in its liquid state. To absorb the water from the water based epoxy, cement is added to the mixture. The mixture of water based epoxy, microballoons and cement is then extruded or thrown onto the exterior surface of pipes.
ADVANTAGES OF THE INVENTION
The mixture of water based epoxy, microballoons and cement of the present invention has shown that it provides the desired qualities of a low thermal conductivity, high compressive strength and good wear resistance. Interestingly, the proportion of cement to the other ingredients is not particularly critical as the continued absorption of water by the cement improves the invention.
Testing has revealed that the insulation of the present invention is suitable for in high temperature situations.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4644014 (1987-02-01), Thomson et al.
patent: 5464886 (1995-11-01), Tran et al.
patent: 50-014722 (1975-02-01), None
Chen Chaofeng
Titus Paul
Aylward D.
Dawson Robert
Jenkens & Gilchrist
Power Lone Star, Inc.
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