Mechanics analysis and performance research of hermetic rubber barrel for large diameter submarine pipeline stopper used in deepwater environment. (October 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Zhang, Lan; Zhao, Chengqiang; Liu, Ming; Ru, Cong; Zhu, Zhengbin; Wang, Liquan; Liu, Hengxu
• Is Part Of: Polymer testing. Volume 79(2019)
• Publication Date: 2019-10
• Subjects: Hermetic rubber barrel -- Submarine pipeline stopper -- Large diameter -- Radial displacement -- Axial displacement; Polymers -- Testing -- Periodicals; Polymères -- Tests -- Périodiques; 620.1920287
• DOI: 10.1016/j.polymertesting.2019.106014
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0142-9418

Abstract

Abstract: In this paper, a submarine pipeline stopper used in deepwater environment is proposed, and the force, deformation and sealing performance of the rubber barrel in each sealing stage are studied. Based on the Lame equation and the equilibrium equation of the rubber barrel, the mechanics model of the rubber barrel is established. Variation of distribution of the force, axial displacement, radial displacement as well as the stress of the five different hardnesses of rubber barrels during free deformation and contact deformation are analyzed. Compression deformation experiments of five kinds of rubber barrels' hardness are designed based on theoretical analysis, and the theories are verified by the experimental data. The simulation results verify the correctness of the theoretical derivation. The results in this paper provide a basis for the selection of power and stroke for stopper in the submarine pipeline, and provide a reference for the study on impermeability and sealing performance. Highlights: The relationship between hardness and deformation of seal rubber for a submarine pipeline stopper is studied. The hardness and pressure of the rubber seal are changed in the experiment. The mechanics model of the rubber barrel is established based on the Lame equation and the equilibrium equation of the rubber barrel. The finite element analysis of mechanical model of the seal rubber for subsea pipeline stopper based on the Lame equation is carried out. The deformation of the seal is calculated when the sealing condition is satisfied, and verified by experiments.