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.

A method of coating a carbon nanotube material with a solventless coating composition is described. The resulting coating has been shown to preserve the conductivity of the conductive layer and protect the conductive layer from the effects of subsequent coating compositions. Examples are shown in which the coating formulation comprises a polyol and an isocyanate. A layer material comprising a polyurethane coating on a carbon nanotube network layer is also described.

The present invention relates to a system for facilitating the extraction of hydrocarbons, in particular a tubular protection for an extraction system using the RF heating of highly viscous hydrocarbons in situ by means of an antenna having a coaxial array of mode converters.

A pipe-in-pipe bulkhead assembly has inner and outer rings spaced in concentric relation to define a thermally-isolating gap in the annulus between them. Interlocking formations project into the annulus from each of the rings, presenting confronting faces where they overlap radially. The gap extends between the longitudinally-spaced faces. A thermally-insulating spacer is interposed between the faces in the gap to carry axial mechanical loads between the inner and outer rings. Heating elements outside the inner ring extend longitudinally beyond the gap between the faces and along a longitudinal passageway that passes through or beside an interlocking formation of the inner ring. The spacer may be positioned before or after the outer ring is placed, for example as a discrete element or as an injected mass. An additional sealing mass may also be positioned in the annulus, for example by injection, to promote a gas-tight seal.

According to the invention there is provided an electrothermic composition comprising: at least one carbon component; at least one graphite component, and an optional binder or carrier, wherein the carbon, graphite, and/or their ratio are selected such that that the composition or a material formed from the composition has a thermal coefficient of electrical resistance (TCR) of about zero or is substantially stable over a predefined temperature range. The invention further relates to a product or a material produced or formed by the electrothermic composition. The invention additionally relates to a method of preparing an electrothermic composition comprising the steps of: (i) selecting a predetermined ratio of at least one carbon component and at least one graphite component such that the composition is electrically conductive, electrothermic and will have a TCR of about zero or is substantially stable over a predefined temperature range; and (ii) preparing the composition by mixing said at least one carbon component and said at least one graphite component, optionally in a suitable binder or carrier. Alternative embodiments relate to an electrothermic composition comprising: at least one carbon component; at least a second carbon component; and an optional binder or carrier; wherein the first carbon component, the second carbon component, and/or their ratio are selected such that that the composition or a material formed from the composition has a TCR of about zero or is substantially stable over a predefined temperature range.

A heating element includes a bottom layer, a web consisting of a carbon nanotube (CNT) yarn wherein the web is affixed to a first side of the bottom layer, and an encapsulating layer positioned on the web and the first side of the bottom layer. A method for making a heating element includes providing a bottom layer, inserting a plurality of pegs into the bottom layer such that a portion of each peg protrudes from the bottom layer, weaving a CNT yarn around the protruding portions of the plurality of pegs to form a CNT web, affixing the CNT web to the bottom layer, and encapsulating the CNT web and the bottom layer to form the heating element.

An apparatus for a coaxial transmission line is provided. The apparatus can include a first and a second section of a conductor of the coaxial transmission line and a connector for connecting the first and the second sections in end-to-end relation. Each of the first and the second sections of the conductor have an exterior lateral surface and an interior lateral surface. For inner conductors, the connector is connected to the interior lateral surfaces of the first and second sections of the conductor. For outer conductors, the connector is connected to the exterior lateral surfaces of the first and second sections of the conductor. The connector allows the inner and outer diameters of the annulus between the inner and outer conductors line to be substantially uniform along the length of the coaxial transmission line.

The invention relates to a structured catalyst for catalyzing steam methane reforming reaction in a given temperature range T upon bringing a hydrocarbon feed gas into contact with the structured catalyst. The structured catalyst comprises a macroscopic structure, which comprises an electrically conductive material and supports a ceramic coating. The macroscopic structure has been manufactured by 3D printing or extrusion and subsequent sintering, wherein the macroscopic structure and the ceramic coating have been sintered in an oxidizing atmosphere in order to form chemical bonds between the ceramic coating and the macroscopic structure. The ceramic coating supports catalytically active material arranged to catalyze the steam methane reforming reaction, wherein the macroscopic structure is arranged to conduct an electrical current to supply an energy flux to the steam methane reforming reaction. The invention moreover relates to methods of manufacturing the structured catalyst and a system using the structured catalyst.

An apparatus and method for electromagnetic heating of a hydrocarbon formation. The apparatus includes an electrical power source; at least one electromagnetic wave generator for generating alternating current; at least two transmission line conductors positioned in the hydrocarbon formation; at least one waveguide for carrying the alternating current from the at least one electromagnetic wave generator to the at least two transmission line conductors; and a producer well to receive heated hydrocarbons from the hydrocarbon formation. The transmission line conductors are excitable by the alternating current to propagate a travelling wave within the hydrocarbon formation. At least one of the transmission line conductors include a primary arm and at least one secondary arm extending laterally from the primary arm. The at least one secondary arm includes at least one electrically isolatable connection for electrically isolating at least a portion of the secondary arm.

A hydrocarbon resource recovery system may include an RF source, and an RF antenna assembly coupled to the RF source and within a wellbore in a subterranean formation for hydrocarbon resource recovery. The RF antenna assembly may include first and second tubular conductors, a dielectric isolator, and first and second electrical contact sleeves respectively coupled between the first and second tubular conductors and the dielectric isolator so that the first and second tubular conductors define a dipole antenna. The RF antenna assembly may include a thermal expansion accommodation device configured to provide a sliding arrangement between the second tubular conductor and the second electrical contact sleeve when a compressive force therebetween exceeds a threshold.