EP3382312B1 - Unterwasserwärmetauscher - Google Patents

Unterwasserwärmetauscher Download PDF

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Publication number
EP3382312B1
EP3382312B1 EP17164210.1A EP17164210A EP3382312B1 EP 3382312 B1 EP3382312 B1 EP 3382312B1 EP 17164210 A EP17164210 A EP 17164210A EP 3382312 B1 EP3382312 B1 EP 3382312B1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
chamber
heat exchanger
subsea
fluid
inner pipe
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Active
Application number
EP17164210.1A
Other languages
English (en)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP3382312A1 (de
Inventor
Mika Norolampi
Kim Missing
Simo Kivioja
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
ABB Schweiz AG
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ABB Schweiz AG
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Publication date
Application filed by ABB Schweiz AG filed Critical ABB Schweiz AG
Priority to DK17164210.1T priority Critical patent/DK3382312T3/da
Priority to EP17164210.1A priority patent/EP3382312B1/de
Publication of EP3382312A1 publication Critical patent/EP3382312A1/de
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP3382312B1 publication Critical patent/EP3382312B1/de
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Classifications

    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F28—HEAT EXCHANGE IN GENERAL
    • F28D—HEAT-EXCHANGE APPARATUS, NOT PROVIDED FOR IN ANOTHER SUBCLASS, IN WHICH THE HEAT-EXCHANGE MEDIA DO NOT COME INTO DIRECT CONTACT
    • F28D7/00—Heat-exchange apparatus having stationary tubular conduit assemblies for both heat-exchange media, the media being in contact with different sides of a conduit wall
    • F28D7/10—Heat-exchange apparatus having stationary tubular conduit assemblies for both heat-exchange media, the media being in contact with different sides of a conduit wall the conduits being arranged one within the other, e.g. concentrically
    • F28D7/106—Heat-exchange apparatus having stationary tubular conduit assemblies for both heat-exchange media, the media being in contact with different sides of a conduit wall the conduits being arranged one within the other, e.g. concentrically consisting of two coaxial conduits or modules of two coaxial conduits
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F28—HEAT EXCHANGE IN GENERAL
    • F28D—HEAT-EXCHANGE APPARATUS, NOT PROVIDED FOR IN ANOTHER SUBCLASS, IN WHICH THE HEAT-EXCHANGE MEDIA DO NOT COME INTO DIRECT CONTACT
    • F28D1/00—Heat-exchange apparatus having stationary conduit assemblies for one heat-exchange medium only, the media being in contact with different sides of the conduit wall, in which the other heat-exchange medium is a large body of fluid, e.g. domestic or motor car radiators
    • F28D1/02—Heat-exchange apparatus having stationary conduit assemblies for one heat-exchange medium only, the media being in contact with different sides of the conduit wall, in which the other heat-exchange medium is a large body of fluid, e.g. domestic or motor car radiators with heat-exchange conduits immersed in the body of fluid
    • F28D1/0206—Heat exchangers immersed in a large body of liquid
    • F28D1/022—Heat exchangers immersed in a large body of liquid for immersion in a natural body of water, e.g. marine radiators
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F28—HEAT EXCHANGE IN GENERAL
    • F28D—HEAT-EXCHANGE APPARATUS, NOT PROVIDED FOR IN ANOTHER SUBCLASS, IN WHICH THE HEAT-EXCHANGE MEDIA DO NOT COME INTO DIRECT CONTACT
    • F28D7/00—Heat-exchange apparatus having stationary tubular conduit assemblies for both heat-exchange media, the media being in contact with different sides of a conduit wall
    • F28D7/10—Heat-exchange apparatus having stationary tubular conduit assemblies for both heat-exchange media, the media being in contact with different sides of a conduit wall the conduits being arranged one within the other, e.g. concentrically

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a subsea heat exchanger, and particularly to a subsea heat exchanger for subsea assemblies.
  • WO 2008/004886 A1 discloses a heat exchanger having the features in the preamble of claim 1.
  • Subsea installations are assemblies comprising several apparatuses used under water. Said assemblies can be installed for example on the bottom ground of a sea.
  • power transformers used under water can be mentioned.
  • these power transformers comprise a tank filled with insulation and/or cooling fluid to encounter for the high pressure due to deep water depth.
  • the other subsea liquid filled objects are subsea motors, subsea switchgears, subsea frequency converters, rectifiers and hydraulic store tanks.
  • the power losses of the electrical installations inside the tank increase the temperature and volume of the insulation and/or cooling fluid.
  • the volume variation is often compensated with a pressure compensator, which is in fluid communication with the tank of the installation.
  • the insulation and/or cooling fluid is often cooled via the outer surface of the tank to the surrounding sea water. As the area of the outer surface of the tank is limited there is a need to provide additional cooling for the insulation and/or cooling fluid.
  • An object of the present invention is to provide a subsea heat exchanger to solve the above problems.
  • the objects of the invention are achieved by a subsea heat exchanger which is characterized by what is stated in the independent claims.
  • the preferred embodiments of the invention are disclosed in the dependent claims.
  • the invention is based on the idea of providing a subsea heat exchanger comprising a first and a second chamber.
  • the first chamber comprising a fluid inlet and the second chamber comprising a fluid outlet, wherein the first chamber and the second chamber are connected with at least one outer pipe.
  • the exchanger comprises an inner pipe surrounded by the outer pipe, a first end of the inner pipe extends into the first chamber and is connected to a first connection point in the first chamber, a second end of the inner pipe extends into the second chamber and is connected to a second connection point in the second chamber.
  • Between the outer pipe and the inner pipe is a gap open to the first and the second chamber providing a fluid communication between the first chamber and the second chamber.
  • the first and the second ends of the inner pipe are open providing a flow path of sea water through the inner pipe.
  • the subsea heat exchanger of the invention can be driven by natural convection without any pumps. Further, the fluid volume in the heat exchanger is small compared to the outer surface available for heat transfer.
  • the subsea heat exchanger provides also a scalable solution where the number and length of the pipes can be varied.
  • Figure 1 shows a subsea heat exchanger.
  • the subsea heat exchanger 1 comprises a first 2 and a second chamber 3.
  • the first chamber 2 comprises a fluid 14 inlet 4 and the second chamber 3 comprises a fluid 14 outlet 5.
  • the fluid 14 is indicated with arrows in Fig.1 .
  • the first chamber 2 and the second chamber 3 are connected with at least one outer pipe 6.
  • the heat exchanger 1 comprises an inner pipe 7 surrounded by the outer pipe 6.
  • a first end 8 of the inner pipe 7 extends into the first chamber 2 and is connected to a first connection point 9a in the first chamber 2.
  • a second end 10 of the inner pipe 7 extends into the second chamber 3 and is connected to a second connection point 9b in the second chamber 3.
  • the first 8 and the second 10 ends of the inner pipe 7 are open to the surroundings providing a flow path of surrounding fluid 13 through the inner pipe 7.
  • the surrounding fluid 13 flowing in the inner pipe 7 is sea water.
  • An advantage of the heat exchanger 1 is the small volume for the fluid 14 between the outer pipes 6 and inner pipes 7 of the heat exchanger 1 compared to the surface available for the heat transfer from the fluid 14.
  • the gap 12 between the outer pipe 6 and the inner pipe 7 form an annular flow channel for the fluid 14.
  • the heat can be transferred from the fluid 14 through the inner wall and through the outer wall of the flow channel, i.e. through the wall of the inner pipe 7 and through the wall of outer pipe 6, to the surrounding fluid 13.
  • Fig.2 shows a part view of a cross section of a subsea heat exchanger 1.
  • the subsea heat exchanger 1 comprises a chamber 2 comprising a manifold 15.
  • Figure 4 shows a perspective view of a cross section of a subsea heat exchanger 1 presenting a first 2 and a second chamber 3 comprising manifolds 15.
  • the manifold 15 of the first chamber 2 and the manifold 15 of the second chamber 3 are connected with multiple outer pipes 6 and inner pipes 7.
  • the manifold 15 comprises a substantially L shaped body 16.
  • the body 16 comprises a horizontal 17 and a vertical portion 18.
  • the vertical portion 18 comprises a connection to the fluid inlet 4 or to the fluid outlet 5.
  • the manifold 15 may also comprise only a horizontal portion 18, to which a fluid inlet 4 or fluid outlet 5 can be attached.
  • the connection points 9a-b to the outer pipes 6 and/or the connection points 11 the inner pipes 7 may be openings in the manifold 15 where the outer pipes 6 can be installed and joined.
  • the connection points of outer pipes 6 and/or inner pipes 7 may comprise means for attaching, for instance sockets or flanges, for attaching the outer pipes 6 and/or inner pipes 7 to the manifold 15.
  • the horizontal portion 17 comprises a first horizontal surface 19a and a second horizontal surface 19b.
  • the first horizontal surface 19a comprises multiple first or second connection points 9a-b and the second horizontal surface 19b comprises connection points 11 of the outer pipes 6.
  • the inner pipes 7 extend through the interior of the chambers 2,3.
  • the connection points of the inner tubes 9a-b and the connection points of the outer tubes 11 are arranged on the opposed walls of the manifold 15, i.e. on the first 19a and second 19b horizontal surfaces.
  • the fluid 14 entering the first chamber 2 is in a heat transfer contact with the inner pipes 7 before flowing into the gap 12.
  • the fluid 14 flowing from the gap 12 is in a heat transfer contact with the inner pipes 7 before exiting the second chamber 3 through the fluid outlet 5.
  • ends 8, 10 of the inner pipe 7 are on the level of the first horizontal surface 19a.
  • ends 8, 10 of the inner pipe 7 protrude from the first horizontal surface 19a.
  • the ends 8, 10 of the inner pipe 7 may comprise means for guiding the surrounding fluid 13 flow to and from the open ends 8, 10 of the inner pipes 7. Further, the ends 8, 10 of the inner pipes 7 open to the surrounding fluid 13 may be covered with a screen for preventing dirt entering the inner pipes 7.
  • inlet 4 and/or outlet 5 comprises a circular pipe.
  • the vertical portion 18 of the first chamber manifold 15 and the vertical portion of the second chamber manifold 18 are arranged on the same side of the heat exchanger 1 in the horizontal direction x.
  • the heat exchanger 1 is arranged between two tanks then it is preferred to arrange the fluid inlet 4 of the first chamber 2 manifold 15 and the fluid outlet 5 of the second chamber 3 manifold 15 on the opposing sides of the heat exchanger 1 in the horizontal direction x.
  • the heat exchanger 1 may be a welded construction where the outer pipe 6 and the inner pipe 7 are connected to the first 2 and the second chamber 3 by welding.
  • the subsea heat exchanger 1 provides a scalable solution where the number and length of the inner 7 and outer 8 pipes can be varied for generating additional cooling.
  • the subsea heat exchanger 1 can be dimensioned based on the required power for example for the insulation and/or cooling fluid in a subsea tank.
  • Figure 3 shows a cross section of a subsea assembly 20 comprising a subsea heat exchanger 1.
  • the subsea assembly 20 comprises a tank 21 comprising a fluid 14, for instance an insulation fluid or other fluid.
  • the subsea heat exchanger 1 is in fluid communication with the tank 21.
  • the subsea assembly 20 comprises a heat generating electric apparatus 22 located within the tank 21.
  • the heat generating electric apparatus 22 is a subsea transformer and the fluid 14 in the tank is transformer oil.
  • the transformer windings and a transformer core are located in the tank 21.
  • the transformer oil is mineral oil or silicon oil, for instance.
  • Examples of other heat generating apparatuses 22 are motors, switchgears, frequency converters, rectifiers and hydraulic store tanks.
  • inlet 4 of the first chamber 2 and the outlet 5 of the second chamber 3 are connected to a wall of the tank 21 and the inlet 4 is positioned above the outlet 5 in vertical direction y.
  • inlet 4 and the outlet 5 are positioned to arrange the outer pipes 6 to extend substantially in a vertical direction y.
  • the tank 21 comprises insulation or cooling fluid, and transformer windings and a transformer core, an electric power switch and /or a variable speed drive are located within the tank 21.
  • the subsea heat exchanger 1 can be driven by natural convection without any pumps or suction devices.
  • the temperature difference between the fluid 14 in a subsea tank 21 and the surrounding fluid 13, sea water causes heat to transfer from the fluid 14 to the surrounding sea water.
  • the heat transfer causes a temperature gradient to the fluid 14 and to the surrounding sea water in the pipes 6,7.
  • the temperature gradient in the fluid 14 causes the fluid 14 to move downwards in the outer pipe 6.
  • Respectively the temperature gradient in the surrounding sea water in the inner pipe 7 causes the sea water to move upwards in the inner pipe 7.
  • the surrounding fluid 13 flow direction is indicated with small arrows and the fluid 14 flow direction is indicated with large arrows in Fig.3 .
  • the subsea heat exchanger 1 may also be used for cooling in a subsea processing unit performing compression of gas from subsea fields or separation of well stream compounds. Then between the outer 6 and inner pipe 7 flows gas from subsea fields or a well stream compound.
  • the subsea heat exchanger 1 can be used in a subsea environment, e.g. exist on the sea bed.
  • the subsea heat exchanger 1 is also suitable for deep waters, where the water depth is high, 1000...3000 m, and the prevailing pressure is 100...300 bar.
  • the water temperature in an ocean is typically 5-6°C in the depth of 1000 m and 0-3°C in the depth of 3000 m.
  • the invented subsea heat exchanger 1 can be applied to different types of subsea assemblies 20.
  • the subsea assemblies 20 may comprise insulation fluid or other fluid in a tank. Examples of such subsea assemblies are subsea motors, subsea switchgears, subsea frequency converters, rectifiers and hydraulic store tanks.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Thermal Sciences (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Ocean & Marine Engineering (AREA)
  • Heat-Exchange Devices With Radiators And Conduit Assemblies (AREA)

Claims (13)

  1. Unterwasserwärmetauscher (1), umfassend eine erste (2) und eine zweite (3) Kammer, wobei die erste Kammer (2) einen Fluideinlass (4) und die zweite Kammer (3) einen Fluidauslass (5) aufweist, wobei die erste Kammer (2) und die zweite Kammer (3) mit zumindest einem Außenrohr (6) verbunden sind, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass der Wärmetauscher (1) ein vom Außenrohr (6) umgebenes Innenrohr (7) umfasst, wobei sich ein erstes Ende (8) des Innenrohrs (7) in die erste Kammer (2) erstreckt und mit einem ersten Verbindungspunkt (9a) in der ersten Kammer (2) verbunden ist, ein zweites Ende (10) des Innenrohrs (7) sich in die zweite Kammer (3) erstreckt und mit einem zweiten Verbindungspunkt (9b) in der zweiten Kammer (3) verbunden ist, und zwischen dem Außenrohr (6) und dem Innenrohr (7) ein Spalt (12) vorhanden ist, der zu der ersten (2) und der zweiten Kammer (3) offen ist und eine Fluidverbindung zwischen der ersten Kammer (2) und der zweiten Kammer (3) herstellt, und das erste (8) und das zweite Ende (10) des Innenrohrs (7) offen sind und einen Strömungsweg für das umgebende Fluid (13) durch das Innenrohr (7) bieten.
  2. Unterwasserwärmetauscher nach Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die erste Kammer (2) und die zweite Kammer (3) Verteiler (15) umfassen und der Verteiler (15) der ersten Kammer und der Verteiler (15) der zweiten Kammer mit mehreren Außenrohren (6) und Innenrohren (7) verbunden sind.
  3. Unterwasserwärmetauscher nach Anspruch 2, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass der Verteiler (15) einen im Wesentlichen L-förmigen Körper (16) mit einem horizontalen (17) und einem vertikalen Abschnitt (18) umfasst, wobei der vertikale Abschnitt (18) eine Verbindung zum Einlass (4) oder zum Auslass (5) umfasst und der horizontale Abschnitt (17) Verbindungspunkte (9a-b, 11) zu den Außenrohren (6) und den Innenrohren (7) umfasst.
  4. Unterwasserwärmetauscher nach Anspruch 3, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass der horizontale Abschnitt (17) eine erste horizontale Fläche (19a) und eine zweite horizontale Fläche (19b) umfasst und die erste horizontale Fläche (19a) mehrere erste oder zweite Verbindungspunkte (9a-b) umfasst und die zweite horizontale Fläche (19b) Verbindungspunkte der Außenrohre (11) umfasst.
  5. Unterwasserwärmetauscher nach Anspruch 4, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Enden (8, 10) des Innenrohrs (7) auf der Ebene der ersten horizontalen Fläche (19a) liegen.
  6. Unterwasserwärmetauscher nach Anspruch 4, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Enden (8, 10) des Innenrohrs (7) aus der ersten horizontalen Fläche (19a) herausragen.
  7. Unterwasserwärmetauscher nach einem der Ansprüche 3 bis 6, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass der Einlass (4) und/oder Auslass (5) ein rundes Rohr umfasst.
  8. Unterwasserwärmetauscher nach einem der Ansprüche 3 bis 7, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass der vertikale Abschnitt (18) des Verteilers (15) der ersten Kammer (2) und der vertikale Abschnitt (18) des Verteilers (15) der zweiten Kammer (3) auf der gleichen Seite des Wärmetauschers in horizontaler Richtung (x) angeordnet sind.
  9. Unterwasserwärmetauscher nach Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass das Außenrohr (6) und das Innenrohr (7) mit der ersten (2) und der zweiten Kammer (3) durch Schweißen verbunden sind.
  10. Unterwasseranordnung, die den Unterwasserwärmetauscher nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 9 umfasst, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Anordnung einen Tank (21) umfasst und der Einlass (4) der ersten Kammer (2) und der Auslass (5) der zweiten Kammer (3) mit einer Wand des Tanks (21) verbunden sind und der Einlass (4) über dem Auslass (5) in vertikaler Richtung (y) positioniert ist.
  11. Unterwasseranordnung nach Anspruch 10, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass der Einlass (4) und der Auslass (5) so positioniert sind, dass sich die Außenrohre (6) im Wesentlichen in vertikaler Richtung (y) erstrecken.
  12. Unterwasseranordnung, nach einem der Ansprüche 10 bis 11, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass der Tank (21) Isolierungs- oder Kühlfluid umfasst und Transformatorwicklungen und ein Transformatorkern, ein elektrischer Leistungsschalter und/oder ein Frequenzumrichter im Tank (21) angeordnet sind.
  13. Verwendung eines Unterwasserwärmetauschers (1) nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 9 in einer Unterwasserumgebung.
EP17164210.1A 2017-03-31 2017-03-31 Unterwasserwärmetauscher Active EP3382312B1 (de)

Priority Applications (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
DK17164210.1T DK3382312T3 (da) 2017-03-31 2017-03-31 En undersøisk varmeveksler
EP17164210.1A EP3382312B1 (de) 2017-03-31 2017-03-31 Unterwasserwärmetauscher

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP17164210.1A EP3382312B1 (de) 2017-03-31 2017-03-31 Unterwasserwärmetauscher

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP3382312A1 EP3382312A1 (de) 2018-10-03
EP3382312B1 true EP3382312B1 (de) 2019-08-14

Family

ID=58464398

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP17164210.1A Active EP3382312B1 (de) 2017-03-31 2017-03-31 Unterwasserwärmetauscher

Country Status (2)

Country Link
EP (1) EP3382312B1 (de)
DK (1) DK3382312T3 (de)

Family Cites Families (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
NL1014030C2 (nl) * 2000-01-06 2001-07-09 Hei Tech Bv Buisvormige warmtewisselaar.
NO20063166L (no) * 2006-07-07 2008-01-08 Norsk Hydro Produksjon As Arrangement for varmeveksler
WO2015026237A1 (en) * 2013-08-20 2015-02-26 Aker Subsea As Subsea heat exchanger, cleaning tool and appurtenant method
US9897386B2 (en) * 2015-08-10 2018-02-20 Indmar Products Company Inc. Marine engine heat exchanger

Non-Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
None *

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
DK3382312T3 (da) 2019-09-16
EP3382312A1 (de) 2018-10-03

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