Hydrocarbon fluid pipeline including RF heating station and related method
US9198234B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 7, 2012 |
| Grant date | Nov 24, 2015 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 1, 2034 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH05B2214/03
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A hydrocarbon fluid pipeline may include pipeline segments connected together in end-to-end relation between first and second spaced apart geographic locations and configured to carry hydrocarbon fluid therethrough. The hydrocarbon fluid pipeline may also include a radio frequency (RF) heating station that may include an RF source and an RF heater between adjacent pipeline segments of the plurality thereof. The RF heater may include an inner tubular dielectric coupler between the adjacent pipeline segments, and an electrically conductive outer housing surrounding the inner tubular dielectric coupler and connected to the RF source to heat the hydrocarbon fluid.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.