초록 ▼

In order to prevent damage due to frost heaving of a refrigerated gas pipeline which traverses frost-susceptible soil resulting from horizontal ice lense formation beneath the pipeline, heat pipes are located in diametrically opposed pairs, one on either side of the pipeline. Frost bulbs are formed

In order to prevent damage due to frost heaving of a refrigerated gas pipeline which traverses frost-susceptible soil resulting from horizontal ice lense formation beneath the pipeline, heat pipes are located in diametrically opposed pairs, one on either side of the pipeline. Frost bulbs are formed in the soil around each heat pipe adjacent to the pipeline, causing the horizontal ice lenses to be formed further below the pipeline. Heaving rate is reduced due to the lower temperature gradient in the vertical direction, a greater overburden above the horizontal ice lenses and a reduced water supply directly beneath the pipeline. Also, lateral expansion of the frost bulbs provides opposing horizontal forces to counteract the upward force of the horizontal ice lenses.

대표청구항 ▼

A method of limiting frost heaving of a buried refrigerated gas pipeline traversing frost-susceptible soil, said frost heaving being due to the upward force of a horizontal ice lense forming below said pipeline, which comprises: (a) forming a first plurality of holes in said soil on one side of said

A method of limiting frost heaving of a buried refrigerated gas pipeline traversing frost-susceptible soil, said frost heaving being due to the upward force of a horizontal ice lense forming below said pipeline, which comprises: (a) forming a first plurality of holes in said soil on one side of said pipeline; (b) forming a second plurality of holes in said soil on the other side of said pipeline substantially opposite said first holes; (c) placing means for passively removing heat from said soil in said holes resulting in a plurality of substantially opposed pairs of heat removing means, each of said heat removing means being extended from a depth below that at which ice lenses would otherwise form to the atmosphere to transfer heat from the soil to the atmosphere; and (d) passively cooling the soil adjacent to said pipeline by means of said heat removing means, said heat removing means operating in pairs to (i) lower the depth at which said horizontal ice lense can form, (ii) reduce the amount of water in soil available to form said horizontal ice lenses, and (iii) form vertical frost bulbs in said soil surrounding said heat removing means on both sides of said pipeline such that opposing lateral forces are created which tend to counteract said upward force.