Subsea heat exchanger and method for temperature control

US10317109B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• STATOIL PETROLEUM AS · NO

Inventors

• Baard Kaasa · Trondheim, NO
• Bernt Henning Rusten · Trondheim, NO
• Arne Olav Fredheim · Trondheim, NO
• Knut Arild Maråk · Trondheim, NO
• Gunleiv Skofteland · Trondheim, NO

Key dates

• Filing date: Jul 1, 2011
• Grant date: Jun 11, 2019
• Expiry date: Dec 13, 2032

Classification

• Technology area (CPC Y): Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
• CPC primary: Y02E10/10
• WIPO field: Thermal processes and apparatus
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

A subsea heat exchanger for cooling or heating a hydrocarbon-containing fluid includes a convection section enclosed by a shell or enclosure comprising, one or more heat exchanging fluid inlet(s) and outlet(s), one or more hydrocarbon-containing fluid inlet(s) and outlet(s), and one or more fluid carrying convection tube(s) adapted for heat transfer between the hydrocarbon-containing fluid on the inside of the tube(s) and a surrounding heat exchanging fluid on the opposite side of the tube(s). The heat exchanger also includes one or more flow regulating device(s) for controlling the hydrocarbon-containing fluid outlet temperature. The heat exchanging fluid circulates in a closed circuit for heat transfer both with said hydrocarbon-containing fluid and with surrounding sea water on the outside of the enclosure.