Abstract: A pre-fabricated heatable media line having at least one pipe- and/or hose-type media line, at least one line connector located on the end of the line and at least one pre-fabricated heating element, the pre-fabricated heating element including at least two heating element portions connected in at least one circuit and at least one of the heating element portions extends over at least part of the at least one line connector and the at least one pipe- and/or hose-type media line in order to heat the at least one part of the line connector and the at least one pipe- and/or hose-type media line. In the pre-fabricated heatable media line, at least one of the heating element portions is designed as a mixed stranded wire having a number of stranded individual wires consisting of at least two different materials.

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.

Abstract: An electrical cable having an elongate electrically conductive element (2) and at least one electrically insulating fluoropolymer layer (4) surrounding the electrically conductive element (2). The electrical cable is exempt from polyimide-containing layer between the electrically conductive element and the electrically insulating fluoropolymer layer.

Abstract: A system for electrical heating of risers or pipes has at least two concentric layers of metal wires adapted to be used for low-voltage direct electric heating (LV-DEH), each pair being provided to heat a specific segment of a riser or a pipe. The system can be used for both the pipeline and the riser up to a top side.

Abstract: The invention relates to a pipeline for carrying a molten salt, with a pipe wall that is stable with respect to the temperatures occurring. A heating conductor (21) is provided inside the pipeline (5) for heating, the heating conductor (21) preferably not lying against the inner wall of the pipeline (5).

Abstract: In a power supply arrangement for supplying electrical power to the pipeline, the power supply arrangement for direct electrical heating of a pipeline system has basically a three phase transformer, a symmetrization unit, and a compensation unit. The three phase transformer is adapted to support a single phase load connected between a first and a second phase of the transformer. The transformer has at least one first tap changer at a high voltage side of the transformer. The symmetrization unit has a first capacitor connected between the first phase and a third phase of the transformer and an inductor connected between the second phase and the third phase of the transformer. The compensation unit has a second capacitor connected between the first phase and the second phase of the transformer. The first tap changer, the first capacitor, the second capacitor and the inductor are adapted to be varied on-load.

Abstract: A fluid conduit body having a semi-conductive material disposed therein and at least one wire coupling an electrical power supply to the conduit to provide an electrical current therethrough to heat the fluid conduit also has an end cover molded over a fitting fitted to an end of the conduit and over an end of the wire coupling the power supply to an end of the conduit. Alternatively, a fluid conduit heating system employs a semi-conductive sleeve disposed over a fluid conduit with the sleeve extending at least partially over a fitting fitted to an end of the conduit. An electrical power supply is coupled to each end of the sleeve to provide an electrical current through the semi-conductive sleeve to heat the sleeve and the fluid conduit. An end cover is molded over at least a portion of the fitting and the sleeve extending thereover.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a line connector for media lines, consisting of a connector piece with at least one junction portion for junction connection to a media line or to an assembly and with a transitional portion contiguous to the junction portion and having a flow duct. In this case, at least in the region of the transitional portion, electrical heating means are provided in an arrangement at least partially surrounding the flow duct. Furthermore, the invention relates to a ready-made media line consisting of a pipeline with a heating conductor arranged on the circumference and with a heatable line connector fastened at least to one pipeline end of the media line.

Abstract: A water boiling device includes a heat tank unit received in a machine body, a high frequency induction heater, and a heat pipe unit. The heat tank unit includes first and second heating tanks in communication with each other. Outside water can flow into the first and second heating tanks. The high frequency induction heater includes a heat pipe induction coil and first and second induction coils. The heat pipe unit includes first and second heating pipes. An upper section of each heating pipe is received in one of the heating tanks, and a lower section of each heating pipe extends out of the heating tanks and is inserted into the heat pipe induction coil. The first and second heating tanks will heat up to heat the water in the first and second heating tanks when a high frequency current is passed through the heat pipe induction coil and first and second induction coils.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described for heating a subsurface formation. Alternating electrical current may be applied to one or more electrical conductors. The electrical conductors may be located in a subsurface formation. The electrical conductors may provide an electrically resistive heat output upon application of the alternating electrical current. At least one of the electrical conductors may include an electrically resistive ferromagnetic material. The electrical conductor may provide a reduced amount of heat above or near a selected temperature. Heat may be allowed to transfer from the electrical conductor to a part of the subsurface formation.

Abstract: A fuel cell system that employs one or more PTC ceramic heaters that do not need to be self-regulated, and thus will not require various control components, such as temperature sensors. The PTC ceramic heaters include a ceramic material that is designed for a particular temperature depending on the particular application. An electrical current is applied to the ceramic heater that generates heat as long as the temperature of the ceramic heater is below the designed temperature. If the ceramic heater reaches the designed temperature, then the resistance of the ceramic material goes up, and the current through the ceramic material goes down, so that the heater does not provide significant heating. Therefore, it does not need to be regulated.

Abstract: A fluid line with a pipe provided with a sleeve of a woven or braided fabric, wherein the pipe, in turn, includes at least one conductor. In the finished state of the fluid line, the sleeve immediately surrounds the pipe and each conductor is loosely arranged in the sleeve. In accordance with another embodiment, the at least one conductor forms the sleeve.

Abstract: Heaters for treating a subsurface formation are described herein. Such heaters can be obtained by using the systems and methods described herein. The heater includes a heater section including iron, cobalt, and carbon. The heater section has a Curie temperature less than a phase transformation temperature. The Curie temperature is at least 740° C. The heater section provides, when time varying current is applied to the heater section, an electrical resistance.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for generating heat for the purpose of radiating such heat into a separate entity such as a residential housing structure or a pavement surface. The system includes a steel conduit positioned proximate the separate entity to be heated. An annular copper conductor element in the form of a continuous loop is disposed within the interior of the steel conduit to form a substantially contiguous contact surface between the conductor element and the interior surface of the conduit. A power supply member provides an alternating current of approximately 240-480 V, and a transformer is electrically connected to the power supply member for receiving this alternating current.

Abstract: A conduit comprising a pipe, an electrical heater extending along the length of the pipe, and a thermally insulating jacket extending around the pipe and heater. The pipe comprises a plastic inner tube. The plastic inner tube is received within a deformable metal tube such that the plastics inner tube and deformable metal tube form a composite double-walled structure.

Abstract: A power supply system for electrically heated pipelines is provided. A variable frequency drive supplies power to the pipeline from an external source of electrical power. An isolation transformer and a contactor or isolating switch may be used between the variable frequency drive and the pipeline. A controller may be used in the system to control special sequences of power level and other needs for heating a pipeline.

Abstract: A novel system for inductively heating a fluid conduit using an electrical cable located proximate the fluid conduit. Electricity is conducted to the cable in either a powering mode, in which a powered system is electrically coupled to the cable and substantially no inductive heating of the fluid conduit is provided, or a heating mode, in which the powered system is electrically decoupled from the cable and inductive heating of the fluid conduit is provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an offshore installation including an oil/gas flowline umbilical installed between a platform—or a shore installation—and a sea bed based template and including an insulated electrical cable conductor connected in series with the steel oil/gas pipe to a power supply. The main features of the invention is that the far end interconnection between the cable conductor (or parallel cable conductors) and the pipe is grounded to seawater to provide a single point grounded system, such that all the current flows in the selected cable conductors, and the system has zero volts at the far end whereby no current is transmitted though the sea. The power supply is insulated from ground and the current is fed from the power supply through the pipe, and returns through the cable, whereby a voltage level of zero Volts is obtained at the far end where the system is grounded, and all the current is forced through the cable(s) and the pipe/flowline.

Abstract: Low voltage, high current electrical energy is supplied in a closed conductive loop. Preferably, the current is induced into the loop by a transformer. The loop has, at least in part, one, or a series of, conductive elements of a structure to be warmed. The amount of current is sufficient in relation to the inherent resistivity of the elements to cause the generation of heat within the elements. Preferably the current is an alternating current of a frequency which causes a majority of the current to travel at or near the skin of the elements in order to increase the effective resistivity of the elements and thereby increase the generation of heat therein, primarily around the skin of the elements.

Abstract: Apparatus and method are provided for connecting electrical power for heating subsea pipelines after the pipeline is deployed. Electrical connections may be made subsea using wet-mateable connectors. The electrical power may be supplied from a boat or may be supplied from a host structure. A Remotely Operated Vehicle may be used to make the subsea electrical connections. Single Heated Insulated Pipes, Pipe-in-Pipe, heat tracing and other configurations for heating may be employed. The deployment of cables and other equipment for heating may be delayed until a need or potential need for heating or the probable locations of impediments to flow are identified in the subsea pipeline.

Abstract: A surface current heating apparatus including a plurality of hollow heat generating members each of which is made of a ferromagnetic material and has a through-hole and which are spaced apart from each other so as to provide an array of the hollow heat generating members, and an electrically conductive wire electrically insulated and extending through the through-hole of each hollow heat generating member, and wherein an alternating current from a power source is applied to the electrically conductive wire, to cause a surface current to flow through a skin layer of each hollow heat generating member which is located near an inner surface of the through-hole, whereby heat is generated from the said skin layer of the heat generating member.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for electrically heating a segment of a subsea pipeline are provided. Electrical power may be supplied about midpoint between the ends of concentric pipes. The annulus between the pipes electrically isolates the pipes, but at the ends of the segment the concentric pipes are electrically connected. The pipes may be electrically connected by bulkheads or by an insulating joint. A toroidal transformer may be placed in the annulus for extracting power at a selected location along the pipeline. An insulating joint allows power to be extracted from the ends of the heated segment. Extracted power may be used for pumps, other devices or for heating jumpers or other short segments of the pipeline. Contiguous segments of a pipeline may be heated, each segment having an electrical connection to the inner and the outer pipe intermediate the ends of the segment. A riser or segment of a riser having a pipe-in-pipe configuration may also be heated.

Abstract: A marine pipeline comprising (a) pipe, (b) a coating that electrically insulates the pipe from sea water, and (c) an alternating current heating circuit comprising the pipe in series with ambient sea water, wherein the heat generated by alternating current flowing in the pipe is for improving flow of fluids through the pipeline. A marine pipeline comprising: a) pipe, b) a coating that electrically insulates the pipe from ambient sea water, and c) an alternating current heating circuit that is grounded to the ambient sea water and comprises the pipe in series with a return conductor, wherein the heat generated by the alternating current flow in the pipe is for improving flow of fluids through the pipeline.

Abstract: A dual wall thermally insulated conduit which is heat traced using skin effect pipes. A plurality of equally spaced skin effect pipes run longitudinally with the conduit and are located adjacent and external to the carrier or process pipe in the annular cavity between the process and sleeve or jacket pipes. Special joint connectors include holes in the yoke portion to allow the skin effect pipes to exit the annular cavity between the process and jacket pipes. A clam shell is fitted over the special joint connector after the pipe section is assembled and the return conductor installed. The cavity inside the clam shell is filled with insulation. Structural insulation is positioned at the ends of the clam shell to provide a smooth transition to the protective concrete weight coating conventionally used with subsea piping.

Abstract: A process to clear pipelines carrying fluids viscous and/or rich in organic residues includes the introduction of a heating element inside a pipeline carrying the fluids through a coupling spool which is intercalated in the fluid-carrying pipeline. Simultaneously an electric current is applied to the heating element so that the heat generated by the heating element is transmitted to the viscous fluid or to the compacted residual mass inside the fluid-carrying pipeline, causing the detachment of those residues from the internal wall of the pipeline and re-establishing the conditions for fluid flow.

Abstract: A self-regulating porous heater regulates the temperature of fluid passing through it. This device includes at least one layer of a porous material which has a magnetic permeability inversely related to temperature over a given range. Due to conductor skin effects, changes in permeability cause changes in the depth of penetration of alternating current passing through the magnetic layer. Changes in the depth of penetration, in turn, result in changes in resistance--the less the depth the greater the resistance--and in I.sup.2 R Joule heat. The combined result of these effects is to provide more heat where the temperature of the fluid and the layer through which the fluid flows is below a specified temperature which is related to the Curie temperature of the layer. Significantly, by properly defining pore dimensions, the heater device can filter contaminants from a fluid as it flows therethrough. In a preferred mode, a porous heater device is included in a chemical reaction chamber.