Title:
HYDRATE FORMATION PREVENTION IN SUBSEA EQUIPMENT WITH PHASE CHANGE MATERIAL
Document Type and Number:
WIPO Patent Application WO2002016733
Kind Code:
B1
Abstract:
The present invention embodies a temperature control device for preventing the formation of alkane hydrates in a subsea oil and gas production equipment component having at least one flow path through which a well fluid is permitted to flow, the well fluid having a flow temperature and a lower hydrate formation temperature at which hydrates will form in the well fluid, the temperature control device comprising a housing positioned in heat exchange relation with respect to the flow path and a phase change material (PCM) disposed in the housing, the phase change material having a melting point which is below the flow temperature but above the hydrate formation temperature, whereby when the temperature of the phase change material drops to its melting point, the phase change material will solidify and its latent heat will be transferred to the well fluid to maintain the temperature of the well fluid in the flow path above its hydrate formation temperature.
Inventors:
JANOFF DWIGHT D
VICIC JOHN C
VICIC JOHN C
Application Number:
PCT/US2001/025909
Publication Date:
June 27, 2002
Filing Date:
August 17, 2001
Export Citation:
Assignee:
FMC CORP (US)
International Classes:
E21B36/00; E21B43/01; F16L59/02; (IPC1-7): E21B43/01; E21B36/00; F16L59/02
Download PDF: