Heat pipe heat exchanger for cooling or heating high temperature/high-pressure sub-sea well streams
Patent 5803161 Issued on September 8, 1998. Estimated Expiration Date: 
November 12, 2017. Estimated Expiration Date is calculated based on simple USPTO term provisions. It does not account for terminal disclaimers, term adjustments, failure to pay maintenance fees, or other factors which might affect the term of a patent.
November 12, 2017. Estimated Expiration Date is calculated based on simple USPTO term provisions. It does not account for terminal disclaimers, term adjustments, failure to pay maintenance fees, or other factors which might affect the term of a patent.Patent References 3648767 3685583 3756268 3809149 Solar sea power system Method and apparatus for isolating and treating subsurface stratas Temperature stabilization system Cryothermal manipulation of petroleum Temperature stabilization method Cylindrical heat exchanger using heat pipes InventorsApplicationNo. 954185 filed on 11/12/1997US Classes:165/104.21, Utilizing change of state62/260, Geographic, e.g., subterranean feature165/45, GEOGRAPHICAL166/302, Heating, cooling or insulating166/335SUBMERGED WELLExaminersPrimary: Ferensic, Denise L.Assistant: Atkinson, Christopher Attorney, Agent or FirmForeign Patent References
International ClassF28D 015/00AbstractA heat pipe heat exchanger for regulating the temperature of a wellstream fluid conveyed in a subsea pipeline from a wellhead has an annular reservoir surrounding a section of pipeline adjacent the wellhead. One or more heat pipes extend from the annular reservoir into the seawater. In a heat removal configuration, a working fluid is contained within the annular reservoir. The working fluid boils and is evaporated by heat from the wellstream fluid and forms a vapor, which rises upwardly into and is condensed within the heat pipes, releasing heat into the surrounding seawater. The recondensed working fluid flows back down into the reservoir to repeat the cycle. In a heat providing configuration, the working fluid is contained in the heat pipes, where it is boiled by heat transferred from the surrounding seawater. The resulting vapor rises upwardly into the annular reservoir and the heat is transferred to the cooler wellstream fluids. Other embodiments involve having the one or more heat pipes inserted through the pipeline wall.Other References
Field of SearchWith pressurizing means or degassifying meansUtilizing change of state GEOGRAPHICAL Wellhead Heating, cooling or insulating WITH HEATING, REFRIGERATING OR HEAT INSULATING MEANS Heater surrounding production tube SUBMERGED WELL Geographic, e.g., subterranean feature DISTRIBUTION SYSTEMS INVOLVING GEOGRAPHIC FEATURES Entrenched or buried Submerging, raising, or manipulating line of pipe or cable in or from marine environment With protection or indication of pipe or trench | |
