CFD Modeling of Silicone Rubber Cure Under Gspu over Subsea Line Pipe

Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) modeling has enabled deeper understanding of complex heat transfer of high viscosity materials that enables more predictable decisions when designing application processes and equipment. In industry, this translates to more effective application process designs that have the potential to reduce capital required as a result of more informed design decisions. In high consistency silicone rubber (HCR), heating the catalyzed rubber is an essential step within the application process to ensure satisfactory cure and performance in the final product. In this instance, CFD modeling was used to model the heat transfer of an outer layer of glass-syntactic polyurethane (GSPU) through an inner layer of high viscosity uncured silicone rubber coating subsea line pipe. Furthermore, the curing of the silicone rubber as a function of time and this heat transfer was modeled. This enabled a determination on if this would be a viable application process at the thicknesses and process conditions which were desired or if further process equipment would be needed to heat the HCR and ensure full cure before application of the GSPU.