Submerged cooler arrangements

Abstract

The present invention relates to improved subsea or submerged cooler designs for subsea applications, and particularly to a unique pipe support arrangement (5, 16, 17, 18) in a submerged cooler (20), an improved submerged cooler frame (1) and an improved submerged cooler (20).

Claims

1. A pipe support arrangement of a structural frame of a submerged cooler, the pipe support arrangement comprising: at least one pipe support beam configured for carrying approximately perpendicularly arranged cooler piping for the submerged cooler; and at least one structural beam of the structural frame, wherein each structural beam includes at least one first bracket and at least one second bracket, wherein the first and second brackets are firmly arranged onto the structural beam and are configured for receiving inbetween the pipe support beam, the pipe support beam being supported and held by the brackets the pipe support beam being approximately perpendicular to the structural beam, the pipe support beam being moveably arranged inbetween the brackets, wherein the pipe support arrangement further includes limitation means for securing a predetermined limited translation of the pipe support beam in a longitudinal direction with respect to the cooler piping.

2. The pipe support arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the surfaces of the brackets in contact with the pipe support beam, and the surfaces of the pipe support beam in contact with the brackets are polished and/or treated in such a way so that the limited longitudinal translation of the pipe support is being eased.

3. The pipe support arrangement according to claim 1, further comprising: a first bracket plate firmly arranged onto the first bracket and with a sliding surface facing the pipe support beam; a first support plate firmly arranged onto the pipe support beam and with a sliding surface facing the first bracket; a second bracket plate firmly arranged onto the second bracket and with a sliding surface facing the pipe support beam; and a second support plate firmly arranged onto the pipe support beam and with a sliding surface facing the second bracket, wherein the plates are made of a material having a low coefficient of friction and/or the sliding surfaces of the plates are treated to get a low coefficient of friction so that the limited longitudinal translation of the pipe support is being eased.

4. The pipe support arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the limitation means comprises a lip firmly arranged on each longitudinal side of each of the brackets and configured for securing the predetermined limited translation of the pipe support beam in the longitudinal direction with respect to the cooler piping.

5. The pipe support arrangement according to claim 3, wherein the limitation means comprises a restraining means and a group of holes through the pipe support beam, the brackets and optional bracket and support plates, the group of holes being parallel to the structural beam, wherein each of the holes of the brackets and the optional bracket plates is a circular hole, and each of the holes of the pipe support beam and the optional support plates is a slit hole, wherein the restraining means is entirely or partially arranged through the group of holes and is configured to interact with the slit hole in order to secure the limited translation of the pipe support beam.

6. The pipe support arrangement according to claim 3, wherein the limitation means comprises a restraining means and a group of holes through the pipe support beam, the brackets and optional bracket and support plates; the group of holes being parallel to the structural beam, wherein each of the holes of the pipe support beam and the optional support plates is a circular hole, and each of the holes of the brackets and the optional bracket plates is a slit hole, wherein the restraining means is entirely or partially arranged through the group of holes and is configured to interact with the slit hole in order to secure the limited translation of the pipe support beam.

7. The pipe support arrangement according to claim 5, wherein the restraining means comprises one from the group consisting of: at least one coupling nut and at least one restraining bolt installed through some or all of the group of holes and fastened with a respective coupling nut for interacting with the slit hole for moveably connecting together the two brackets and the pipe support beam; at least one shoulder screw configured to be threaded into at least one circular hole with threads from the plurality of circular holes and to interact with the slit hole for moveably connecting together the two brackets and the pipe support beam; at least one rivet installed through some or all of the group of holes and configured for interacting with the slit hole and for moveably connecting together the two brackets and the pipe support beam; a threaded rod passing through the group of holes and connected to two coupling nuts on each side of the brackets; two rods with heads inserted from each side of the brackets and welded together; at least one stud configured to interact with the slit hole and to be firmly fixed to or welded into at least one circular hole; and/or two bolts with a threaded middle part and cylindrical end like a reversed shoulder screw, the bolts being configured to be threaded into threaded circular holes of the brackets and to interact with the slit hole of the pipe support beam for moveably connecting together the two brackets and the pipe support beam.

8. The pipe support arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the limitation means comprises at least one stud firmly fixed or welded to each bracket and/or to the structural beam and configured to interact with at least one slit arranged on the pipe support beam.

9. The pipe support arrangement according to claim 1, wherein between two parallel structural beams at least one pipe support beam is approximately perpendicularly arranged in such a way so that said predetermined limited translation of said at least one pipe support beam in longitudinal direction with respect to the cooler piping is achieved.

10. The pipe support arrangement according to claim 3, further comprising insulation being at least one of: electrical and/or corrosion resistant and insulating the pipes from the structural frame and the structural beams, wherein the insulation is: i) arranged between the pipes, the U-bolts and the pipe support beams, or ii) built into the pipe support beams or their surfaces, or iii) made by selection of insulation material(s) or coating(s) for the plates combined with insulation of the components restricting the longitudinal movement or translation of the pipe support beams.

11. (canceled)

12. A submerged cooler comprising: a structural frame including at least one pipe support arrangement, the at least one pipe support arrangement including: at least one pipe support beam configured for carrying approximately perpendicularly arranged cooler piping for the submerged cooler; and at least one structural beam of the structural frame, wherein each structural beam includes at least one first bracket and at least one second bracket, wherein the first and second brackets are firmly arranged onto the structural beam and are configured for receiving inbetween the pipe support beam, the pipe support beam being supported and held by the brackets, the pipe support beam being approximately perpendicular to the structural beam, the pipe support beam being moveably arranged inbetween the brackets, wherein the pipe support arrangement further includes limitation means for securing a predetermined limited translation of the pipe support beam in a longitudinal direction with respect to the cooler piping; and a cooler piping, wherein the cooler piping includes several pipes, the pipes in a row running approximately perpendicularly to the pipe support beam of the structural frame and being firmly connected to the pipe support beam, the pipes in a row being parallel to each other.

13. The submerged cooler according to claim 12, wherein each pipe support beam comprises pipes arranged on both opposite sides thereof, wherein the pipe support beam will thus prevent longitudinal seawater flow between those two pipe rows at the pipe support beam location, but the area between two pipe rows arranged respectively on neighboring pipe support beams will be fully open for seawater flow passing therethrough.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0038] These and other aspects of the invention are apparent from and will be further elucidated, by way of example(s), with reference to the drawings, wherein:

[0039] FIG. 1 shows a submerged cooler and a frame/support frame of the submerged cooler according to the present invention.

[0040] FIGS. 2A-2B illustrate a first embodiment of a pipe support arrangement of a submerged cooler frame in a submerged cooler according to the present invention.

[0041] FIGS. 3A-3B illustrate a second embodiment of a pipe support arrangement of a submerged cooler frame in a submerged cooler according to the present invention.

[0042] FIGS. 4A-4B show a third embodiment of a pipe support arrangement of a submerged cooler frame in a submerged cooler according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

[0043] FIG. 1 illustrates a submerged cooler 20 comprising a structural frame 1 and a cooler piping 9. The frame 1 comprises structural beams 16 and pipe support beams 5, wherein each structural beam 16 is approximately perpendicular to respective pipe support beam(s) 5, and wherein the structural beams of the structural frame 1 are interconnected with the respective pipe support beams of the structural frame 1 as well as with other additional structural beams necessary for achieving a rigid and robust structural frame 1 of the submerged cooler 20. The cooler piping 9 is constituted of multiple pipes.

[0044] FIGS. 2A-2B show a first solution for longitudinal translation of the pipe support 5 (FIG. 2A) and a detailed view of the sliding faces for longitudinal translation (FIG. 2B).

[0045] A first embodiment of a structural frame 1 of a submerged cooler 20 is shown. The structural frame 1 comprises at least one pipe support beam 5 and at least one structural beam 16. Each structural beam 16 comprises at least one first bracket 17 and at least one second bracket 18. The first and second brackets 17, 18 are firmly arranged on the structural beam 16 in such a way so that the pipe support beam 5 fits moveably inbetween them and is hold by the brackets 17, 18. At the same time, the pipe support beam 5 is approximately perpendicular to the structural beam 16. The brackets 17, 18 can be welded onto the structural beam 16. Alternatively, the brackets 17, 18 can be firmly fastened to the structural beam 16 by means of for example one or several bolts 22 and optionally nuts (see for example FIGS. 4A-4B) and/or one or several rivets. Other fastening means for firmly connecting the brackets 17, 18 to the structural beam 16 are also possible. The pipe support beam 5 is carrying a cooler piping 9. The cooler piping 9 comprises several pipes 9. The pipes 9 are running approximately perpendicularly to the pipe support beam 5 and are firmly connected thereto, for example by means of welding, U-bolts or clamps 8 and nuts and/or other fastening means. The pipes 9 are parallel to each other. In one embodiment, the pipes 9 of the cooler piping 9 are arranged on one side of each pipe support beam 5; for example on top of each pipe support beam 5. This typical solution for subsea or submerged coolers shows that the cooler pipes are supported by one beam per row or one beam per column. In another embodiment, some pipes 9 of the cooler piping 9 are arranged on both sides of each pipe support beam 5. For example, some pipes 9 of the cooler piping 9 can be arranged on top of each pipe support beam 5, while the rest of pipes 9 of the cooler piping 9 can be suspended under each pipe support beam 5. With the last solution, the pipe support beam 5 will prevent longitudinal seawater flow between those two pipe rows at the pipe support beam location, but inbetween every second row is fully open for seawater flow that passes therethrough. In some applications, the latter solution will result in a lower longitudinal projected area of the pipe support beams compared to the first solution, thus allowing more free seawater flow through the cooler 20. The surfaces of the brackets 17, 18 in contact with the pipe support beam 5 and the surfaces of the pipe support beam 5 in contact with the brackets 17, 18 can be polished or treated in such a way so that longitudinal translation of the pipe support 5 is being eased. Alternatively, a first bracket plate 3 with sliding surface can be firmly arranged onto the first bracket 17 facing the pipe support beam 5. A first support plate 10 with sliding surface can be firmly arranged onto the pipe support beam 5 facing the first bracket 17. A second bracket plate 2 with sliding surface can be firmly arranged onto the second bracket 18 facing the pipe support beam 5. A second support plate 11 with sliding surface can be firmly arranged onto the pipe support beam 5 facing the second bracket 18. In this case, due to material used for the plates 2, 3, 10, 11, the sliding surfaces thereof can be easily manufactured. For example the plates 2, 3, 10, 11 can be steel plates with a coating or with such a structure that gives low coefficient of friction.

[0046] The arrangement can further comprise electrical insulation, where the pipes 9 are insulated from the structural frame 1 and/or beams 16. The electrical insulation can be located between the pipes 9 and the clamps or U-bolts 8 and the pipe support beams 5. Alternatively, the electrical insulation can be built into the pipe support beams 5 or their surfaces. Alternatively, the electrical insulation can be made by selection of insulation material(s) or coating(s) for the plates 2, 3, 10, 11 combined with insulation of the components restricting the longitudinal movement of the pipe support beams 5. Additionally and/or alternatively, the insulation can be corrosion resistant/proof.

[0047] Each one from the group of the brackets 17, 18, the pipe support beam 5 and the optional plates 2, 3, 10, 11 can be arranged with a hole 13, 19 therethrough; the group of holes 13, 19 being parallel to the structural beam 16. At least one restraining bolt 14 and coupling nut 15 can be fastened or installed through the hole(s) 13, 19 and connect the two brackets 17, 18 and the pipe support beam 5. The holes 19 of the brackets 17, 18 and the optional bracket plates 2, 3 can be circular holes. The hole(s) 13 of the pipe support beam 5 and the optional support plates 10, 11 can be a slit hole allowing for translation of the pipe support beam 5 in longitudinal direction and within desired limits determined by the slit hole. Alternatively, the hole 13 of the pipe support beam 5 can be a circular hole. The holes 19 of the brackets 17, 18 can be slit holes. In this case, washers can be used. Alternatively, the hole 13 in the pipe support beam 5 can be threaded and two shoulder screws can be used to interface the slit 19 in the brackets 17, 18. It can also be possible, as an alternative, to firmly fix or weld studs into the hole(s) 13 of the pipe support beam 5, which can interface the slit 19 in the brackets 17, 18. Alternatively, as shown on FIGS. 4A-4B, at least one stud 23 can be firmly fixed or welded to each bracket 17, 18 and/or to the structural beam 16 in order to interact with the slit 13′ of the pipe support beam 5. The restraining bolt(s) 14 or the like (other suitable fastening means) will prevent motion of the pipe support beam 5 in transverse direction. Other suitable fastening means, such as but not limited to: rivet(s); a through bolt fixed with a nut on opposite side; a threaded rod with two nuts; two rods with heads inserted from each side and welded together; stud welded into the holes 19 of the brackets 17, 18, etc., can also be used (through the hole(s)), wherein the fastening means is(are) configured for allowing for translation of the pipe support beam 5 within desired limits and in longitudinal direction (see the arrows on FIGS. 2B, 3B, 4B) and for preventing motion of the pipe support beam 5 in transverse direction. Alternatively, two specially made bolts with a threaded middle part and cylindrical end like a reversed shoulder screw can be used. Threading the holes 19 in the brackets 17, 18 allows for installation of these bolts after the pipe support beam 5 is correctly placed between the two brackets 17, 18.

[0048] FIGS. 3A-3B show a second solution for longitudinal translation of the pipe support 5 (FIG. 3A) and a detailed view of the sliding faces for longitudinal translation (FIG. 3B). Instead of a hole and a bolt and nut connection or a rivet or stud connection, a lip 24 can be firmly arranged on each side of each of the brackets 17, 18 in order to allow translation of the pipe support beam 5 in longitudinal direction and within desired limits and to prevent motion of the pipe support beam 5 in transverse direction. The lips 24 can be welded, bolted or firmly fastened, by suitable fastening means, to the brackets 17, 18. Alternatively, the lips 24 can constitute a part of the brackets 17, 18.

[0049] FIGS. 4A-4B show a third solution for longitudinal translation of the pipe support 5 (FIG. 4A) and a detailed view of the sliding faces for longitudinal translation (FIG. 4B). Here it is exemplified that the brackets 17, 18 can be firmly fixed to the structural beam 16 by means of bolt(s) 22 and optionally nut(s). One of several solutions for use of stud(s) is also shown here, where at least one stud 23 is used for interfacing with a slit 13′ for achieving limited longitudinal translation of the pipe support beam 5.

[0050] The fluid to be cooled and running through the pipes 9 can be a coolant fluid (i.e. a special fluid with one or more additives, such as but not limited to different glycols) or water (if necessary with one or more additives thereto) in cases when the submerged cooler is used for offshore electricity production from wind power. In the oil and gas production the fluid to be cooled and running through the pipes 9 is the production fluid itself.

[0051] Additional modifications, alterations and adaptations of the present invention will suggest themselves to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the following patent claims.