Method and apparatus for supporing a pipeline in permafrost environment
Abstract
Abstract THE APPARATUS OF THE INVENTION COMPRISES A REFRIGERATION UNIT HAVING AN EVAPORATIVE CHAMBER POSITIONED BELOW THE PIPELINE AND A CONDENSER CHAMBER SURROUNDING THE PIPELINE. THE REFRIGERATION UNIT IS CONSTRUCTED SO THAT EXPANSION IN THE EVAPORATION CHAMBER FREEZES THE EARTH BENEATH THE PIPELINE TO FORM A PIER OR VERTICALLY EXTENDING SUPPORTING STRUCTURE OF FROZEN EARTH, AND SO THAT THE COMPRESSION AND CONDENSATION OF THE REFRIGERANT FLUID HEATS THE PIPELINE. THE METHOD OF INSTALLING A PIPELINE IN A PERMAFROST ENVIRONMENT INCLUDING THE STEPS OF LAYING THE PIPELINE BELOW THE SURFACE OF THE GROUND, CONTINUOUSLY FREEZING THE SOIL BELOW THE PIPELINE AT LOCATION SPACED LONGITUDINALLY THEREALONG TO FROM A SERIES OF FROZEN EARTH PILES SUPPORTING THE PIPELINE, AND CONCURRENTLY, HEATING THE PIPELINE AT LONGITUDINALLY SPACED INTERVALS THEREALONG TO PREVENT CONGELATION OF LIQUIDS BEING MOVED IN THE PIPELINE.
Inventors
- 👤 Hadi T Hashemi
- 👤 Cedomir M Sliepcevich
Bibliographic Details
Claims Analysis
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