Method of Manufacturing Continuous Composite Pipe while Pipe Laying

• Main Author: AHMED EL FARAMAWY ENG
• Format: Patent
• Language: English
• Published: 12.10.2015
• Subjects: AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING; LAYERED PRODUCTS; LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT ORNON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM; PERFORMING OPERATIONS; PRODUCING PARTICULAR ARTICLES FROM PLASTICS OR FROM SUBSTANCESIN A PLASTIC STATE; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDEDFOR; SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; TRANSPORTING; WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE, IN GENERAL

New method for pipe laying using a mobile continuous composite pipe manufacturing process on a vessel. This method will be able to introduce large diameter reinforced thermoplastic pipes to the offshore market, due to the fact reeling of such flexible pipes will no longer be needed. This method makes the composite pipe's diameter no longer restricted to the reel capacity and transportation restrictions. The manufacturing process occurs on the vessel starting with a thermoplastic extrusion process, hence winding and consolidating the thermoplastic pre-impregnated with glass fiber tape on the pipe to form a layer during the winding phase and/or during the pressing station phase on the thermoplastic pipe. Furthermore passing it through a pressing station that presses the vicious prepreg layer placed by the winding machine onto the thermoplastic pipe. The pressing station ensures the removal of any potential air bubbles underneath the prepreg tape while consolidation. Finally the composite pipe continuously exits the vessel to the seabed while the vessel is in movement to its allocated location.