Direct measurement system to obtain the thermal conductivity of pipeline insulation coating systems under simulated service conditions

This paper describes a long term programme of research which has resulted in the development of a simulated service test facility incorporating a direct measurement system which can be used to confirm the heat transfer characteristics of subsea factory applied and field joint insulation coating systems produced under normal production conditions. The simulated service test was originally developed by Shell Research at their Thornton Research Centre in the UK in the late 1980's. To date these test facilities and accompanying procedures have been successfully used by industry to study the behaviour of thermal insulation coating systems on lengths of steel pipe internally heated to temperatures up to 140°C and when subjected externally to hydrostatic pressures up to the equivalent of water depths of 1450m under real time conditions. It is already becoming apparent that the specialised form of the heat flux measuring device which has been developed during the course of this research programme can be used in other applications.