GB2103482A - A sealing system for use on an offshore platform - Google Patents

A sealing system for use on an offshore platform Download PDF

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Publication number
GB2103482A
GB2103482A GB08123327A GB8123327A GB2103482A GB 2103482 A GB2103482 A GB 2103482A GB 08123327 A GB08123327 A GB 08123327A GB 8123327 A GB8123327 A GB 8123327A GB 2103482 A GB2103482 A GB 2103482A
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GB
United Kingdom
Prior art keywords
gap
barrier
sealing system
polyurethane foam
protective material
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.)
Granted
Application number
GB08123327A
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GB2103482B (en
Inventor
Michael H Collins
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.)
Shell Internationale Research Maatschappij BV
Original Assignee
Shell Internationale Research Maatschappij BV
Priority date (The priority date 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 date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Shell Internationale Research Maatschappij BV filed Critical Shell Internationale Research Maatschappij BV
Priority to GB08123327A priority Critical patent/GB2103482B/en
Priority to CA000406746A priority patent/CA1178813A/en
Priority to NL8202795A priority patent/NL8202795A/en
Priority to DK336582A priority patent/DK161983C/en
Priority to NO822594A priority patent/NO163148C/en
Publication of GB2103482A publication Critical patent/GB2103482A/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of GB2103482B publication Critical patent/GB2103482B/en
Expired legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B63SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; RELATED EQUIPMENT
    • B63BSHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; EQUIPMENT FOR SHIPPING 
    • B63B3/00Hulls characterised by their structure or component parts
    • B63B3/14Hull parts
    • B63B3/68Panellings; Linings, e.g. for insulating purposes
    • EFIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E02HYDRAULIC ENGINEERING; FOUNDATIONS; SOIL SHIFTING
    • E02BHYDRAULIC ENGINEERING
    • E02B17/00Artificial islands mounted on piles or like supports, e.g. platforms on raisable legs or offshore constructions; Construction methods therefor
    • E02B17/0008Methods for grouting offshore structures; apparatus therefor
    • EFIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E21EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; MINING
    • E21BEARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
    • E21B35/00Methods or apparatus for preventing or extinguishing fires

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • General Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Geology (AREA)
  • Mining & Mineral Resources (AREA)
  • Geochemistry & Mineralogy (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
  • Fluid Mechanics (AREA)
  • Ocean & Marine Engineering (AREA)
  • Environmental & Geological Engineering (AREA)
  • Civil Engineering (AREA)
  • Structural Engineering (AREA)
  • Building Environments (AREA)
  • Revetment (AREA)
  • Pharmaceuticals Containing Other Organic And Inorganic Compounds (AREA)

Abstract

<IMAGE> <H0> A sealing system for use on an offshore platformr

Description

SPECIFICATION A sealing system for use on an offshore platform and a method of applying this sealing system On offshore platforms, in particular on offshore platforms for the production of crude oil or gas, it is necessary to separate so-called safe areas from so-called classified areas, in order to prevent the passage of oil, gas, vapour, smoke and flames.
For this purpose gaps between units on the platform or gaps between said units and parts of the platform have to be sealed. Said units are for example equipment-containing modules which are generally used on offshore platforms.
According to a known system, the said gaps are closed by tack-welding steel strips or plates to adjacent units orto units and adjacent parts of the platform, whereafter sealing strips of rubber or of a similar material are bonded by means of a suitable adhesive to adjacent units or to units and adjacent parts of the platform. The welding of the steel strips or plates is time-consuming and the sealing strips tend to deteriorate rather quickly, so that frequent maintenance is necessary.
It is an object of the invention to provide an improved sealing system and an improved method of applying said sealing system, having the advan tage that the sealing system can be installed in a shorter period of time than that required for the known sealing system. This means, not only that the cost of installing the improved sealing system is lower than the cost of installing the known sealing system, but also that large cost savings are obtained due to the fact that the down time of the production platform is reduced substantially.
According to the invention a sealing system for sealing a gap between units on an offshore platform, or between said units and parts of the offshore platform, comprises a barrier of polyurethane foam, foamed in-situ, and arranged in the gap, at least part of the surface of said barrier being covered with a coating of a fire protective material.
In a suitable embodiment of the above invention, a prefabricated plate of which a side is covered with a coating of fire protective material is present in the gap and the barrier of polyurethane foam, foamed in-situ, is arranged against a side ofthe prefabricated plate which is not covered with the fire protective material. If desired, the plate is made of polyurethane foam.
A method of applying the above sealing system comprises, according to the invention, cleaning and drying the walls of the gap, supplying polurethaneforming components to the gap and allowing the polyurethane to foam in-situ so that a barrier of polyurethane foam is formed in the gap and covering at least part of the surface of the barrier with a coating of fire protective material.
A preferred embodiment of this method comprises, according to the invention, first placing in the gap a prefabricated plate of which a side is covered with a coating of fire protective material, supplying the polyurethane-forming components to the gap at a side of the plate which is not covered with the fire protective material, and allowing the polyurethane to foam in-situ so that a barrier of polyurethane foam is formed in the gap and covering at least part of the surface of the barrier with a coating of fire protective material.
The invention will be explained with reference to the drawings, wherein Figure 1 shows schematically a side view of a deck of an offshore platform on which a number of units are arranged; Figure 2 shows a first embodiment of the proposed sealing system in cross-section; Figure 3 shows a second embodiment of the proposed sealing system in cross-section; Figure 4 shows a third embodiment of the proposed sealing system in cross-section; Figure 5 shows a fourth embodiment of the proposed sealing system in cross-section; Figure 6 shows a fifth embodiment of the proposed sealing system in cross-section; Figure 7 shows various steps a, bc, d, e, f, g, h of the method of applying the sealing system according to the invention.
In figure 1, a deck, for example the cellar-deck, of an offshore platform is indicated by the reference numeral 1. On the deck 1 a number of units 2, such as prismatic modules containing equipment, are arranged. On top of the modules 2 further modules 2a are arranged. I beams 5 are secured to the bottom walls of the modules 2 and 2a, so that gaps 3a are present between the modules 2 and the deck 1 and gaps 3b are present between the modules 2 and 2a.
Furthermore gaps 3c are present between the modules 2 and gaps 3d are present between the modules 2a.
It is necessary to arrange a sealing system in the gaps 3a, 3b, 3c and 3d, in order to isolate a safe area from a classified area on the platform. For this purpose, the sealing system according to the invention is used.
In the figures 2 through 7 a wall of a unit 2 is indicated by the reference numeral 7 and a wall of another unit, of a deck or of some other element of the platform is indicated by the reference numeral 8.
Between the walls 7 and gap 8 a gap 9 is present.
In the gap 9 the sealing system according to the invention is arranged.
In figures 2 and 3, a simple embodiment of the sealing system according to the invention is shown.
In figures 2 and 3 polyurethane-forming components are supplied to the gap 9, preferably by spraying, whereafter the polyurethane is allowed to foam insitu, so that a barrier 10 is formed in the gap 9. In the embodiment of figure 2 the outer surface at one side of the barrier 10 is covered with a fire protective coating 11. In the embodiment of figure 3, the outer sur- faces at both sides of the barrier 10 are covered with coating 12 respectively 13 of fire protective material.
In both embodiments, it is possible to arrange a pre fabricated plate (not shown) in the gap before start ing the spraying operation, which plate can be removed afterthe spraying operation has been completed.
In figures 4 and 5, the sealing system comprises a prefabricated plate 15 for example made of a rigid polyurethane foam, covered at one side with a coating 16 of fire protective material, arranged in the gap 9 and a barrier 18 of polyurethane foam, foamed in-situ, arranged in the gap 9 at the side of the plate 15 which is not provided with fire protective material. The outer surface of the barrier 18 is covered with a coating 17 offire protective material. The only difference between the embodiments as shown in figures 4 and 5 is that, in the embodiment according to figure 5, the outer surface of the barrier 18 is trimmed, so that a flat outer surface is obtained, before the application of the coating 17 of fire protective material.
In figure 7a through h, various steps of a method of applying a barrier according to the invention are shown.
In figure 7a, the wall 7 and 8 are dried by means of compressed air and in figure 7b the said walls 7 and 8 are further dried by means of a rag. Before the drying of the walls 7 and 8 it is necessary to clean the walls in order to remove grease and/or dirt.
The prefabricated plate 15 of rigid closed cell polyurethane foam, provided at one side with a coating of fire protective material 16, is fitted in the gap 9 (see figure 7c). Then the polyurethane-forming components are sprayed (see figure 7d) into the gap 9 against the walls 7 and 8 and against the side of the plate 15 which is not covered with fire-protective material. The polyurethane is allowed to foam insitu, so that a barrier 18 is formed and a good bond is obtained between the barrier 18, the walls 7 and 8 and the plate 15. Afterthe spraying and foaming operation, the outer side of the barrier 18 is trimmed (see figure 7e) by means of a suitable cutting tool, so that a flat outer surface 20 of the barrier 18 is obtained, whereafter the cut flat surface 20 is covered with a suitable primer, for example by spraying (see figure 7f).Then a coating 21 of fire protective material is applied to the surface 20 by means of a spraying method (see figure 79). Finally a top coat 22, for example a suitable paint, is sprayed on top of the coating 21 of fire protective material (see figure 7h).
The embodiment of the sealing system as shown in figure 6 will now be described in detail.
A prefabricated plate 15 of polyurethane foam presprayed at one side with a coating 16 of fire protective material is arranged in the gap 9. The plate 15 is made of a low density, fire retarded, grade of rigid closed cell polyurethane foam, for example having a density of 29 kg/m3 and a comprehensive strength of 172 kN/m3. Such a polyurethane foam is available from Coolag Ltd., Charleston, Glossop, Derbyshire, England. The coating 16 of fire protective material is for exampleThermolag 290 (a registered trade mark and marketed by T.S.I, Inc. of St. Louis, Missouri, U.S.A.) which is a low temperature, subliming, water-based, mastic for the protection of combustible building and insulating materials. The thickness of the coating 16 is for example 6 mm.
Before applying coating 16 the surface of the polyurethane plate 15 must be prepared by vacuum cleaning to remove dust, followed by priming with a suitable primer. When the coating 16 of fire protective material is Thermo-Lag 290 a recommended primer is Thermo-Lag 351 (a registered trade mark and marketed by T.S.I. Inc, of St. Louis, Missouri, U.S.A.). In figure 6 the layer of primer is indicated by the reference numeral 25. After the coating 16 of Thermo-Lag 290 has been applied, for example by spraying, the outer surface of the coating 16 is finished by applying a protective coating 26 of Thermo-Lag 350 top coat (a registered trade mark and marketed by T.S.I. Inc. of St. Louis, Missouri, U.S.A.).
The plate 15 with the coatings 25, 16,26 is prefabricated and cut to the proper size before it is inserted into the gap 9.
After the plate 15 has been properly positioned in the gap 9 as shown, polyurethane-forming components are sprayed against the walls 7 and 8 and against the side 27 of the plate 15, which is not provided with a fire protective coating. The polyurethane is allowed to foam in-situ. If the height of the gap 9 is between 25 and 75 mm, a single spray operation is sufficient, but for a height of the gap 9 between 75 and 200 mm, three or four spray operations are necessary.
In the embodiment according to figure 6 four spray operations are necessary, so that four layers 28,29,30,31 of polyurethane foam are applied.
Together these layers form the barrier 18. The foam is made by reacting a polyol system with MDI (4, 4'-diphenylmethane diisocyanate). The polyol system is a spray polyurethane foam formulation known as So 215 (a registered trade mark and marketed by the "Baxenden Chemical Company" of Lancashire, England), which is specially formulated as a cold weather spray system which has good adhesion to steel in the region +0.5 to 7"C. It is a fire retarded grade of polyurethane foam, having a density in the region of 30 to 40 kg/m3 which can be easily cut and worked by means of hand tools. The foam forms a good bond to the polyurethane foam plate 16 and to the walls 7 and 8. The rheological properties of the rising foam are such that it can flow into and plug any imperfections and openings between the plate 15 and the wall 7 and 8. See in this connection the opening 32 which is filled by the polyurethane foam ofthe layer 30.
On top of the surface of the layer 30 of polyurethane foam a layer 33 of primer is applied, for example Thermo-Lag primer 351. The the final layer 31 of polyurethane foam is applied.
Since the sprayed polyurethane foam will overfill the gap 9, it is necessary to cut the layer 31 in order to obtain a flat surface 34 before the fire protective coating is applied. Then the cut flat surface 34 of polyurethane foam is primed with Thermo-Lag 351 primer, a fire protective coating 35 of Thermo-Lag 290 is applied to the surface 34 and to the walls 7 and 8 in the manner as shown in figure 6, and finally the outer surface of the coating 35 is finished by applying a protective coating 36 of Thermo-Lag 350 top coat.
For safety reasons the safe area on the platform is pressurized to prevent gas, smoke or flames to pass from the classified area to the safe area. The sealing system according to the invention is able to resist a pressure difference of up to 1 ata.
It is observed that if the prefabricated plate 15 of rigid polyurethane foam has to be placed in curved sections, the plate is provided with saw cuts to allow the plate to negotiate curvature. The saw cuts are arranged at the side of the plate which is not provided with fire protective coating.

Claims (17)

1. A sealing system for sealing a gap between units on an offshore platform, or between said units and parts ofthe offshore platform, comprising a barrier of polyurethane foam, foamed in-situ, and arranged in the gap, at least part of the surface of said barrier being covered with a coating of a fire protective material.
2. The sealing system as claimed in claim 1, wherein a prefabricated plate of which a side is covered with a coating of fire protective material is present in the gap and the barrier of polyurethane foam, foamed in-situ, is arranged against a side of the prefabricated plate which is not covered with the fire protective material.
3. The sealing system as claimed in claim 2, wherein the plate is made of polyurethane foam.
4. The sealing system as claimed in any one of the claims 1 to 3, wherein the polyurethane foam forming the barrier is a spray polyurethane foam formulation known as SS 215 (a registered trade mark and marketed bythe"Baxenden Chemical Company" of Lancashire, England).
5. The sealing system as claimed in any one of the claims 3 to 4, wherein the polyurethane foam forming the plate is a low density fire retarded grade of rigid closed cell polyurethane foam.
6. The sealing system as claimed in claims 5, wherein the polyurethane foam forming the plate has a density of 29 kg/rh'.
7. The sealing system as claimed in any one of the claims 1 to 6, wherein the coating of fire protective material is a subliming material.
8. The sealing system as claimed in claim 7, wherein the subliming material is water based.
9. The sealing system as claimed in claims 7 and 8, wherein the fire protective material is Thermo-Lag 290 (a registered trade mark and marketed by T.S.I.
Inc. of St. Louis, Missouri, U.S.A.).
10. A method of applying a sealing system as claimed in any one ofthe claims 1 to 9, comprising cleaning and drying the walls of the gap, supplying polyurethane-forming components to the gap and allowing the polyurethane to foam in-situ so that a barrier of polurethane foam is formed in the gap and covering at least part of the surface of the barrier with a coating of fire protective material.
11. The method as claimed in claim 10, comprising first placing in the gap a prefabricated plate of which a side is covered with a coating of fire protective material, supplying the polyurethane-forming components to the gap at a side of the plate which is not covered with the fire protective material, and allowing the polurethane to foam in-situ so that a barrier of polyurethane foam is formed in the gap and covering at least part of the surface of the barrier with a coating of fire protective material.
12. The method as claimed in claim 11, wherein the plate as used is made of polyurethane foam.
13. The method as claimed in any one of the claims 10 to 12, wherein the polyurethane-forming components are supplied to the gap by spraying.
14. The method as claimed in any one of the claims 10 to 13, wherein, before covering the surface of the barrier of polyurethane foam with a coating of fire protective material, the barrier is trimmed.
15. The method as claimed in any one of the claims 10 to 14, wherein the coating of fire protective material is applied to the surface of the barrier of polyurethane foam by spraying.
16. Asealing system for sealing a gap between units on an offshore platform, or between said units and parts of the offshore platform, substantially as described with particular reference to the accompanying drawings.
17. A method of applying a sealing system for sealing a gap between units on an offshore platform, or between said units and parts of the offshore platform, substantially as described with particular reference to the accompanying drawings.
GB08123327A 1981-07-30 1981-07-30 A sealing system for use on an offshore platform Expired GB2103482B (en)

Priority Applications (5)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB08123327A GB2103482B (en) 1981-07-30 1981-07-30 A sealing system for use on an offshore platform
CA000406746A CA1178813A (en) 1981-07-30 1982-07-06 Sealing system for use on an offshore platform and a method of applying this sealing system
NL8202795A NL8202795A (en) 1981-07-30 1982-07-09 SEALING SYSTEM FOR APPLICATION TO AN OFFSHORE PLATFORM AND METHOD FOR APPLYING THIS SEALING SYSTEM.
DK336582A DK161983C (en) 1981-07-30 1982-07-28 PROCEDURE FOR APPLYING A SEALING SYSTEM ON A DRILL PLATFORM
NO822594A NO163148C (en) 1981-07-30 1982-07-28 PROCEDURE FOR PLANNING A SEALING SYSTEM ON A OFFSHOREBORE PLATFORM.

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB08123327A GB2103482B (en) 1981-07-30 1981-07-30 A sealing system for use on an offshore platform

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
GB2103482A true GB2103482A (en) 1983-02-23
GB2103482B GB2103482B (en) 1985-05-09

Family

ID=10523569

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
GB08123327A Expired GB2103482B (en) 1981-07-30 1981-07-30 A sealing system for use on an offshore platform

Country Status (5)

Country Link
CA (1) CA1178813A (en)
DK (1) DK161983C (en)
GB (1) GB2103482B (en)
NL (1) NL8202795A (en)
NO (1) NO163148C (en)

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO1993019983A1 (en) * 1992-04-02 1993-10-14 Akro Fireguard Products, Inc. Aircraft fuselage flame barrier
US10422456B2 (en) 2012-12-07 2019-09-24 Apl Technology As Tube connector for detachably connecting two connector parts for gas-tight connecting of riser tubes to vessels

Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO1993019983A1 (en) * 1992-04-02 1993-10-14 Akro Fireguard Products, Inc. Aircraft fuselage flame barrier
WO1993019984A1 (en) * 1992-04-02 1993-10-14 Akro Fireguard Products, Inc. Aircraft fuselage flame barrier
WO1993019912A1 (en) * 1992-04-02 1993-10-14 Akro Fireguard Products, Inc. Aircraft fuselage flame barrier
US10422456B2 (en) 2012-12-07 2019-09-24 Apl Technology As Tube connector for detachably connecting two connector parts for gas-tight connecting of riser tubes to vessels

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
DK336582A (en) 1983-01-31
NO822594L (en) 1983-01-31
CA1178813A (en) 1984-12-04
NO163148B (en) 1990-01-02
NL8202795A (en) 1983-02-16
NO163148C (en) 1990-04-11
GB2103482B (en) 1985-05-09
DK161983B (en) 1991-09-02
DK161983C (en) 1992-02-17

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PCNP Patent ceased through non-payment of renewal fee

Effective date: 19940730