PROBLEM3.

47
KNOWN: Dimensions of components of a pipe-in-pipe device. Thermal conductivity of materials,
inner and outer heat transfer coefficients, outer fluid temperature.
FIND: (a) Maximum crude oil temperature to not exceed allowable service temperature of
polyurethane. (b) Maximum crude oil temperature to not exceed allowable service temperature of
polyurethane after insertion of aerogel layer.
SCHEMATIC:
Without Aerogel With Aerogel
ASSUMPTIONS: (1) Steady-state, one-dimensional conditions, (2) Negligible contact resistances,
(3) Constant properties.
PROPERTIES: Given, Steel: k = 35 W/mK; polyurethane: k = 0.075 W/mK; aerogel: k = 0.012
W/mK.
ANALYSIS: (a) The thermal resistance network for the case without the aerogel is shown below.
The maximum polyurethane temperature occus at its inner surface.
Equating the heat rate per unit length of tubing from the crude oil to the inner surface of the
polyurethane with the heat rate from the inner surface of the polyurethane to the oceanic waters yields
, max, max, ,
' ' ' ' '
,conv, ,cond, 1 ,cond, ,cond, 2 ,conv,
'
i p p o
t i t s t p t s t o
T T T T
q
R R R R R


= =
+ + +
which may be rearranged to give
' '
max, , ,conv, ,cond, 1
, max,
' ' '
,cond, ,cond, 2 ,conv,
( )( )
( )
p o t i t s
i p
t p t s t o
T T R R
T T
R R R

+
= +
+ +
(1)
Continued

T
, i
T
, o
T
max,p
= 70C
R'
t,conv,i
R'
t,cond,s1
R'
t,cond,p
R'
t,cond,s2
R'
t,conv,o
q'

T
, i
T
, o
T
max,p
= 70C
R'
t,conv,i
R'
t,cond,s1
R'
t,cond,p
R'
t,cond,s2
R'
t,conv,o
q'
t
o
= t
i
t
i
= 10 mm
D
i,1
= 150 mm
r
D
i,2
= 250 mm
Oceanic
water
T
,o
= -5C
h
o
= 500 W/m
2
K
Aerogel
k
ag
= 0.012 W/mK
t
ag
= 5 mm
t
o
= t
i
t
i
= 10 mm
D
i,1
= 150 mm
r
D
i,2
= 250 mm
Oceanic
water
T
,o
= -5C
h
o
= 500 W/m
2
K
Aerogel
k
ag
= 0.012 W/mK
t
ag
= 5 mm
t
o
= t
i
t
i
= 10 mm
D
i,1
= 150 mm
r
D
i,2
= 250 mm
Crude oil
T
,i
, h
i
= 450 W/m
2
K
Steel
k
s
= 35 W/mK
Polyurethane
k
p
= 0.075 W/mK
Oceanic
water
T
,o
= -5C
h
o
= 500 W/m
2
K
t
o
= t
i
t
i
= 10 mm
D
i,1
= 150 mm
r
D
i,2
= 250 mm
Crude oil
T
,i
, h
i
= 450 W/m
2
K
Steel
k
s
= 35 W/mK
Polyurethane
k
p
= 0.075 W/mK
t
o
= t
i
t
i
= 10 mm
D
i,1
= 150 mm
r
D
i,2
= 250 mm
Crude oil
T
,i
, h
i
= 450 W/m
2
K
Steel
k
s
= 35 W/mK
Polyurethane
k
p
= 0.075 W/mK
Oceanic
water
T
,o
= -5C
h
o
= 500 W/m
2
K
PROBLEM3.47 (Cont.)
The various thermal resistances are evaluated as follows.
( )
' 3 ' 6
,conv, ,cond, 1
2
ln 150 20 /150
1 m K m K
4.716 10 ; 569.2 10
W 2 35W/m K W 450W/ m K 0.150m
t i t s
R R
t t

( +


= = = =

( ) ( )
' 3 ' 6
,cond, ,cond, 2
ln 250/ 150 20 ln 250 20 / 250
m K m K
818.4 10 ; 350.0 10
2 0.075W/m K W 2 35W/m K W
t p t s
R R
t t

( ( + +


= = = =

' 3
,conv,
2
1 m K
2.358 10
W 500W/m K 0.270m
t o
R
t


= =

Substituting into Equation (1) yields
| |
3 6
,
3 6 3
m K m K
70 C ( 5 C) (4.716 10 569.2 10 )
W W
70 C
m K m K m K
(818.4 10 350 10 2.358 10 )
W W W
i
T

+
= +

+ +
= 70.5C <
(b) The thermal resistance network for the case with the aerogel is shown below.
The thermal resistance values are as before, except the conduction resistance per unit length in the
polyurethane is decreased, since its thickness is reduced relative to part (a). In addition, the conduction
resistance for the aerogel must be evaluated. These two resistances are:
( ) ( )
| |
' 3 ' 3
,conv, ,cond,
ln 150 20 10 / 150 20
ln 250/180 m K m K
758 10 ; 697 10
2 0.012W/m K W 2 0.075W/m K W
t ag t p
R R
t t

( + + +


= = = =

Incorporating the aerogel resistance, Equation (1) becomes
' ' '
max, , ,conv, ,cond, 1 ,cond,
, max,
' ' '
,cond, ,cond, 2 ,conv,
( )( )
( )
p o t i t s t ag
i p
t p t s t o
T T R R R
T T
R R R

+ +
= +
+ +
Substituting values yields
Continued

T
, i
T
max,p
= 70C
R'
t,conv,i
R'
t,cond,s1

T
, o
R'
t,cond,p
R'
t,cond,s2
R'
t,conv,o
q'

R'
t,cond,ag
PROBLEM3.47 (Cont.)
| |
3 6 3
,
3 6 3
m K m K m K
70 C ( 5 C) (4.716 10 569.2 10 758 10 )
W W W
70 C
m K m K m K
(697 10 350 10 2.358 10 )
W W W
i
T

+ +
= +

+ +
= 151.8C <
COMMENTS: Assuming the dynamic viscosity of crude oil is similar to that of engine oil, we may
evaluate the viscosity of the oil at the two maximum operating temperatures. From Table A-5 at T =
70.5C = 343 K, = 0.046 Ns/m
2
. At T = 151.8C = 425 K, = 0.517 Ns/m
2
. The viscosity of the oil
with the aerogel insulation is 0.046/0.517 = 0.09, or only 9% of the viscosity of the oil without the
aerogel. Savings in pumping costs and/or increases in oil production rates could be realized with use
of the aerogel pipe-in-pipe concept.