Automated re-melt control systems
US10634284B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 11, 2017 |
| Grant date | Apr 28, 2020 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 9, 2038 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF17D5/005
- WIPO fieldMechanical elements
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A system may automatically control a pipeline heating system to maintain a desired temperature and/or to provide flow assurance of process fluid along a pipeline. The system may identify the occurrence and location of the solidification of a given process fluid or the melting of the given process fluid by monitoring temperatures along the pipeline and identifying from the monitored temperatures the occurrence and location of a latent heat signature associated with the solidification or melting of the given process fluid. The system may determine a distribution of solidified process fluid along the pipeline. The system may determine the percentage of a given section of pipeline that is filled with solid and/or liquid process fluid on a meter-by-meter basis. The system may perform automated re-melt operations to resolve plugs of solidified process fluid that may occur in the pipeline.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.