Abstract:
A system (1) for laying an underwater pipeline (2) on a bed (3) of a body of water (4) has a construction site (11) to form a string (8) of an underwater pipeline (2), the string (8) being defined by a curved portion (9) shaped substantially like a portion of the bed (3) of the body of water (4) characterized by an abrupt change in slope; at least two vessels (14) to transfer, in the body of water (4), the string (8) from the construction site (11) to a laying site (13) in the body of water (4) and substantially on the vertical of a path (5) along which to lay the string (8); and a plurality of floating devices (15) configured to be coupled to the string (8) and so as to selectively support and sink the string (8) in the body of water, and progressively lay the string (8) along the path (5) on the bed (3) of the body of water (4).
Abstract:
A method of joining a first pipe section (109) to a second pipe section (111), for example during J-lay of an undersea pipeline, is described. The method includes positioning the two pipe sections (109, 111) in an end-to-end configuration to define therebetween a joint to be welded (115), measuring the degree of alignment of the pipe sections (109, 111) when they are in the end-to-end configuration in a position ready for welding, ascertaining the relative movement required of the pipe sections (109, 111) in order to improve their alignment, effecting the relative movement so ascertained, and welding together the two pipe sections (109, 111). The method may include the use of geometric data of the end of the pipes in order to ascertain the relative movement required of the pipe sections. A control unit may be used to calculate, using such data, a target orientation that lines up the pipe sections. The measuring step may be performed using, for example, a laser (123) or a camera (223) and backlight (225).
Abstract:
A cleaning system (1) for cleaning a gas stream from a solidification unit (2) of a urea plant (3) comprises a first removal device (7) for removing urea powder and a second removal device (8) for removing ammonia, the two removal devices (7, 8) being arranged in series along a gas treatment circuit (13) and connected by a connecting line (16); at least one of the two removal devices (7, 8) is an electrostatic precipitator (11, 12) designed to remove substantially all or at least most of the contaminant treated in the removal device (7, 8), i.e. urea powder or ammonia.
Abstract:
A laying device (16) for laying a pipeline (2) on the bed (3) of a body of water (4) having a frame (17); a movable member mounted on the frame (17) and designed to be placed in contact with a pipeline (2) extending along a longitudinal axis (Al) and equipped with special parts (11); and at least one actuator (22) for transmitting rotation to the movable member to apply corrective torsion on the pipeline (2).
Abstract:
A variable-draught barge for transferring loads in a body of water, and having a water line (L) which is a function of the draught; the barge (2) having : - a hull (18a); - an underbody (18b); - at least one first chamber (33) located in the hull and floodable selectively to alter the draught of the barge (2); - at least one flood valve (36) located below the water line (L) to flood the first chamber (33); and - a control device designed to selectively open the flood valve (36) to flood the first chamber (33).
Abstract:
A laying ramp (6) for laying a pipeline (2) on the bed (3) of a body of water (4) has a telescopic frame (8), which extends along a longitudinal axis (Al), is hinged to a laying vessel (5) about an axis of rotation (A2), and is movable selectively, in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis (Al), between a withdrawn configuration and an extended configuration, depending on the contour of the bed (3) of the body of water (4).
Abstract:
A guide system (1) for guiding a pipeline (2) from a laying vessel (5) onto the bed (3) of a body of water (4) has a float unit (8); a trolley (12), which is housed inside the frame (11), is selectively connectable to a pipeline (2) spanning a given path (P) between the laying vessel (5) and the bed (3) of the body of water (4), and is designed to roll along the pipeline (2), parallel to the given path (P); and at least one motor (30) connected to the trolley (12) to selectively adjust the distance between the float unit (8) and the laying vessel (5).
Abstract:
A process for the direct synthesis of urea from ammonia and carbon dioxide with increased corrosion resistance, comprising, in the high-pressure synthesis section, a reaction step in a vertical reactor (R) fed with at least one stream of fresh carbon dioxide containing a passivating agent and a decomposition-stripping step of the non-converted reagents, wherein the gas-liquid mixture collected at the head of the reactor is separated into a gaseous stream and a liquid stream fed to the tail and head of the stripper, respectively.
Abstract:
A method of S-laying a pipeline from a vessel (103) is disclosed. A stinger (104) extends away from an end of the vessel (103) and the pipeline passes over the stinger (104) as it is laid from the vessel (103). The inclination of the pipeline to the horizontal increases as it passes along the stinger (104) and after it leaves the stinger (104) until it reaches an inflection point beyond the end of the stinger (104) at which the inclination of the pipeline to the horizontal is at a maximum. The inclination of the pipeline thereafter reduces until it touches down on the seabed. The method includes providing guides on the stinger (104) that limit lateral movement of the pipeline relative to the stinger (104) and moving the vessel (103) and the stinger (104) during S-laying to an orientation in which the longitudinal axis of the stinger (104) is inclined to the path of the pipeline (101) just laid on the seabed. The step of moving the vessel (103) and the stinger (104) comprises rotating the vessel (103) and the stinger (104) about a vertical axis passing through or adjacent to the inflection point.
Abstract:
A pipeline A/R method using a rope (9) connected to the pipeline (2), the method including winding/unwinding the rope (9) by means of a hauling machine (7) to exert pull on the rope (9); adapting a crawler pipeline tensioning device (11) to grip the rope (9) in the crawler tensioning device (11); and exerting additional pull on a portion of rope (9) between the crawler tensioning device (11) and the pipeline (2).