Development of Calculation Model for Heat Exchangers in Subsea Systems

Abstract

Subsea processing can make production from otherwise unprofitable fields profitable. In subsea processing controlled cooling of the process fluid will often be required. Robust and simple solutions are desirable in subsea processing. Coolers that rely on natural convection from the surrounding seawater are therefore interesting, but control of the process fluid outlet temperature is hard to obtain in such coolers. In this study a calculation model for subsea coolers has been developed. The commercial software MATLAB has been used for developing a program. Heat transfer and frictional pressure drop correlations have been studied and recommendations are made for the model. The model is based on tubes in parallel, and the tubes can be oriented vertically or horizontally. The program allows for open, semi-open and closed arrangements on the waterside, and both natural and forced convection is implemented. The program has been tested through simulations of two test cases and found to be performing as desired.