Analytical and FEM Calculation of Electrical Parameters of Carbon Steel Pipe in DEH Systems

Abstract

In Direct Electrical Heating (DEH) systems, the pipeline of subsea oil productions conducts a large AC current to generate heat. To further improve the effectiveness of the DEH, higher operating frequency is preferable. The electrical parameters of the carbon steel pipe are critical for a DEH system design. At higher frequency, the hysteresis power loss in the solid pipe becomes considerable and has to be taken into account. This paper presents analytical calculations of electrical parameters of the pipe based on the measured properties of carbon steel in laboratory. The hysteresis power loss has been considered as from an equivalent resistance. The total resistance and inductance of the pipe are analytically calculated and verified by FEM simulations.