EP0231402A1 - Compound formant un gel pour remplissage de câbles - Google Patents

Compound formant un gel pour remplissage de câbles Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0231402A1
EP0231402A1 EP85309062A EP85309062A EP0231402A1 EP 0231402 A1 EP0231402 A1 EP 0231402A1 EP 85309062 A EP85309062 A EP 85309062A EP 85309062 A EP85309062 A EP 85309062A EP 0231402 A1 EP0231402 A1 EP 0231402A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
weight
percent
gel
cable
temperature
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Granted
Application number
EP85309062A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Other versions
EP0231402B1 (fr
Inventor
Dale L. Handlin
Robert G. Lutz
William H. Korcz
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Mitsui Petrochemical Industries Ltd
Shell USA Inc
Original Assignee
Mitsui Petrochemical Industries Ltd
Shell Oil Co
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Mitsui Petrochemical Industries Ltd, Shell Oil Co filed Critical Mitsui Petrochemical Industries Ltd
Priority to DE8585309062T priority Critical patent/DE3580917D1/de
Priority to AT85309062T priority patent/ATE59114T1/de
Priority to EP85309062A priority patent/EP0231402B1/fr
Priority to AU51520/85A priority patent/AU579213B2/en
Publication of EP0231402A1 publication Critical patent/EP0231402A1/fr
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP0231402B1 publication Critical patent/EP0231402B1/fr
Expired legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01B—CABLES; CONDUCTORS; INSULATORS; SELECTION OF MATERIALS FOR THEIR CONDUCTIVE, INSULATING OR DIELECTRIC PROPERTIES
    • H01B3/00—Insulators or insulating bodies characterised by the insulating materials; Selection of materials for their insulating or dielectric properties
    • H01B3/18—Insulators or insulating bodies characterised by the insulating materials; Selection of materials for their insulating or dielectric properties mainly consisting of organic substances
    • H01B3/30—Insulators or insulating bodies characterised by the insulating materials; Selection of materials for their insulating or dielectric properties mainly consisting of organic substances plastics; resins; waxes
    • H01B3/44—Insulators or insulating bodies characterised by the insulating materials; Selection of materials for their insulating or dielectric properties mainly consisting of organic substances plastics; resins; waxes vinyl resins; acrylic resins
    • H01B3/441—Insulators or insulating bodies characterised by the insulating materials; Selection of materials for their insulating or dielectric properties mainly consisting of organic substances plastics; resins; waxes vinyl resins; acrylic resins from alkenes
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01B—CABLES; CONDUCTORS; INSULATORS; SELECTION OF MATERIALS FOR THEIR CONDUCTIVE, INSULATING OR DIELECTRIC PROPERTIES
    • H01B3/00—Insulators or insulating bodies characterised by the insulating materials; Selection of materials for their insulating or dielectric properties
    • H01B3/18—Insulators or insulating bodies characterised by the insulating materials; Selection of materials for their insulating or dielectric properties mainly consisting of organic substances
    • H01B3/20—Insulators or insulating bodies characterised by the insulating materials; Selection of materials for their insulating or dielectric properties mainly consisting of organic substances liquids, e.g. oils
    • H01B3/22—Insulators or insulating bodies characterised by the insulating materials; Selection of materials for their insulating or dielectric properties mainly consisting of organic substances liquids, e.g. oils hydrocarbons

Definitions

  • Cables for power, electronic (telephone) transmission, hydrophone cables for oil exploration at sea and other uses have been filled with various substances in order to protect against water intrusion since 1970. Intrusion occurs when water penetrates into a localized opening in a cable sheath and is free to channel as far as physical processes for water spread and transport allow, often hundreds of meters. Not only does this upset the capacitance balance of a transmission cable line but it introduces potential corrosion sites in proportion to the length of wire that is wetted. The useful life of water-soaked wires is obviously shorter than that of dry wires.
  • the solution that has been widely adopted is to fill the voids in the cable with a water insoluble filling material that simply encapsulates the cable components to prevent water intrusion.
  • a water insoluble filling material that simply encapsulates the cable components to prevent water intrusion.
  • this physical function of the cable filling material is straight-forward, the choice of the material is not.
  • the hydrophobic nature of the material low temperature properties, flow characteristics at elevated temperatures, the highest temperature at which it may be used (“upper service temperature"), processing characteristics, handling characteristics, dielectric properties, toxicity and cost.
  • US-A-3879575 describes a mixture of a low viscosity oil gelled by a styrene-isoprene-styrene copolymer, again with polyethylene added to impart consistency and reduce slump.
  • US-A-4259540 discloses the use of a styrene-ethylene-butylene-styrene block copolymer, polyethylene, and a paraffinic or napthenic oil, where the oil has a maximum of 5% aromatic oils, in order to enable the cable encapsulant to meet the functional requirements of the cable and to provide good handling characteristics that a petroleum jelly material does not possess.
  • the upper service temperature in order to significantly reduce the viscosity of the encapsulant to allow filling of the cable.
  • This heating is energy intensive and may be damaging to some of the electrical components of a cable. It also precludes the use of desirable cable component materials that may be advantageous, but which cannot tolerate high filling temperatures.
  • an encapsulant which is thermally reversible has long been sought. This means that the encapsulant may be removed and replaced during maintenance time and time again at a temperature below the temperature that would damage the cables.
  • An encapsulant which is thermally reversible can be heated to a liquid and then cooled to a gel over and over again without damage to the nature of the filling material, or cable components. This is especially true in hydrophone cables that are generally not permanently installed but towed at sea where such utility is paramount.
  • This invention relates to a slow forming, thermally reversible gel which may be heated to a liquid and cooled to a gel over and over again at a temperature below a temperature that will damage a cable so that the gel may be removed and replaced during maintenance.
  • the gel is slow forming, as the viscosity of a clear liquid formed upon heating rises over a period of several hours to several days to form the gel. It is this length of time that one has to fill the cables before the gel material becomes to viscous to flow, or remove the gel during maintenance.
  • a gel-forming compound which comprises (a) from 2 to 8 percent by weight of a butene-1 polymer containing from 0 to 10 percent by weight of a C2-C5 comonomer, (b) from 0 to 10 percent by weight of a styrene-ethylene-butylene-styrene block copolymer, and (c) from 82 to 98 percent by weight of a naphthenic or paraffinic oil having an aromatic content of from 0 to 25 percent by weight.
  • the gel-forming compound is based on light hydrocarbon process oils and isotactic butene-1 polymers (both homopolymers and copolymers) and is suitable for use in encapsulating water sensitive cable components, wires in particular.
  • Preferred compounds comprise (a) from 4 to 7 percent by weight of a butene-1 polymer containing from 3 to 8 percent by weight of said C2-C5 comonomer, (b) from 4 to 6 percent by weight of said styrene-ethylene-butylene-styrene block copolymer, and (c) from 87 to 92 percent by weight of a naphthenic or paraffinic oil having an aromatic content of from 5 to 25 percent by weight.
  • a particularly preferred compound comprises (a) about 6 percent by weight of a butene-1 polymer containing about 6 percent by weight of said C2-C5 comonomer, (b) about 5 percent by weight of said styrene-ethylene-butylene-styrene block copolymer, and (c) about 89 percent by weight of a naphthenic or paraffinic oil having an aromatic content of about 15 percent by weight.
  • the C2-C5 comonomer is preferably an ethylenic comonomer.
  • This invention also provides a cable or other conduit requiring water protection which contains the gel-forming compound of the invention.
  • a cable typically comprises a wire within a cable body with the wire being protected against water intrusion by the gel-forming compound of the invention.
  • FIG. 1 is a graph which compares the polybutylene gel upper service temperature and the temperatures at which previously described encapsulants such as waxes or rubbers ("KRATON” G -Registered Trade Mark) had to be filled, as well as the temperature at which the encapsulating gel compound of the present invention may be filled.
  • encapsulants such as waxes or rubbers
  • the encapsulating compound or gel-forming compound of the present invention has the following properties:
  • the gel is based on light hydrocarbon process oils and isotactic butene-1 polymer. Because of their compatibility with the oils and crystallinity, the isotactic butene-1 polymers dissolve in the oils above the polymers' melting temperature. Once dissolved, these polymers exhibit very slow recrystallization and gel network formation from solution as the temperature is lowered allowing the material to remain fluid at temperatures much below the gel's melting temperature for a period of approximately 24 to 48 hours. Eventually, the crystallites form and become connected in a network forming a translucent gel. We have found that the presence of ethylene comonomer in the butylene polymer decreases both the gel's melting temperature and rate of polymer crystallization.
  • the ethylenic comonomer containing polybutene-1 gel of Example 2 was filled into a suitable cable within 24-48 hours after initial cooling from the solution.
  • the cable was ready for use within approximately 12 hours after such filling.
  • blends of polybutylene with microcrystalline waxes such as Shellmax 500, available from Shell Oil Company, Houston, Texas produced a firmer, more opaque gel which forms somewhat more rapidly than that gel claimed by applicants.
  • thermoplastic rubbers available from Shell Oil Company, Houston, Texas increases the strength and clarity of the gels, with a slight decrease in gel formation time.
  • the encapsulating compound or gel-forming compound of the invention can be used to fill a cable at 55 to 60°C -- well below the polybutene-1 use temperature of 80°C.
  • the firm gel-forming temperature is at 30°C and the filling range is thus a 50°C range between 80°C and 30°C.
  • a filling material of waxes or rubbers were used, such filling material would have to be filled, as indicated in FIG. 1, at a point above the 80°C use temperature of the polybutene-1. This would necessitate, of course, a time consuming and cost inefficient additional heating step prior to filling, as well as a reheating every time it became necessary to refill the cable because of leaks or other problems.
  • the use of such materials would also preclude the use of cable components sensitive to temperatures above 80°C.
  • the invention encompasses a gel-forming material which is not only slow forming to allow plenty of time to fill a cable without an additional heating step, but is also thermally reversible so that if the cable is later punctured and the gel-forming material must be released and/or refilled into the cable, it may be heated to form a liquid and cooled to the filling temperature over and over again without any loss of the gel-forming materials' desirable filling characteristics.

Landscapes

  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Spectroscopy & Molecular Physics (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Oil, Petroleum & Natural Gas (AREA)
  • Compositions Of Macromolecular Compounds (AREA)
  • Insulated Conductors (AREA)
  • Manufacturing Of Electric Cables (AREA)
EP85309062A 1985-12-12 1985-12-12 Compound formant un gel pour remplissage de câbles Expired EP0231402B1 (fr)

Priority Applications (4)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
DE8585309062T DE3580917D1 (de) 1985-12-12 1985-12-12 Gelbildende compoundmasse zum fuellen von kabeln.
AT85309062T ATE59114T1 (de) 1985-12-12 1985-12-12 Gelbildende compoundmasse zum fuellen von kabeln.
EP85309062A EP0231402B1 (fr) 1985-12-12 1985-12-12 Compound formant un gel pour remplissage de câbles
AU51520/85A AU579213B2 (en) 1985-12-12 1985-12-20 Gel-forming compound for use in filling cables

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP85309062A EP0231402B1 (fr) 1985-12-12 1985-12-12 Compound formant un gel pour remplissage de câbles

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0231402A1 true EP0231402A1 (fr) 1987-08-12
EP0231402B1 EP0231402B1 (fr) 1990-12-12

Family

ID=8194476

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP85309062A Expired EP0231402B1 (fr) 1985-12-12 1985-12-12 Compound formant un gel pour remplissage de câbles

Country Status (4)

Country Link
EP (1) EP0231402B1 (fr)
AT (1) ATE59114T1 (fr)
AU (1) AU579213B2 (fr)
DE (1) DE3580917D1 (fr)

Cited By (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0586158A1 (fr) * 1992-08-31 1994-03-09 AT&T Corp. Câbles incluant des moyens de blocage de l'eau
WO1997004465A1 (fr) * 1995-07-14 1997-02-06 Norsk Hydro A.S Compose isolant electriquement a base d'huile et utilisation
WO1998001869A1 (fr) * 1996-07-04 1998-01-15 Abb Research Ltd. Dispositif electrique avec isolation de conducteur poreuse, impregnee d'un fluide dielectrique presentant un point de transition rheologique
WO1999033066A1 (fr) * 1997-12-22 1999-07-01 Abb Ab Composition gelifiante dielectrique, son procede de production et cable electrique c.c. comportant un systeme d'isolation impregnee d'une telle composition
WO1999033068A1 (fr) * 1997-12-22 1999-07-01 Abb Ab Cable electrique isole pour courant continu
WO1999033067A1 (fr) * 1997-12-22 1999-07-01 Abb Ab Composition de gel dielectrique, utilisation d'une telle composition de gel dielectrique, cable electrique isole pour courant continu comprenant une telle composition de gel, et procede de production d'un cable electrique isole pour courant continu comprenant une telle composition de gel
US6391447B1 (en) * 1997-12-22 2002-05-21 Abb Ab Method for manufacturing an electric device having an insulation system impregnated with a dielectric fluid
WO2019179811A1 (fr) * 2018-03-19 2019-09-26 Abb Schweiz Ag Condensateur avec composition d'isolation présentant une transition huile-gel thermo-réversible
EP3967721A1 (fr) * 2020-09-10 2022-03-16 Nexans Fluide d'imprégnation pour câbles d'alimentation haute tension recouverts de papier

Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3573209A (en) * 1963-07-22 1971-03-30 Exxon Standard Sa Insulating compositions and materials
DE2320254A1 (de) * 1973-04-19 1974-11-07 Siemens Ag Fuellmasse fuer kabelgarnituren
US4259540A (en) * 1978-05-30 1981-03-31 Bell Telephone Laboratories, Incorporated Filled cables
US4324453A (en) * 1981-02-19 1982-04-13 Siecor Corporation Filling materials for electrical and light waveguide communications cables

Family Cites Families (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
AU522673B2 (en) * 1979-01-02 1982-06-17 Dunlop Limited Polybutene compositions
CA1156450A (fr) * 1981-01-30 1983-11-08 John M. R. Hagger Cables electriques, et compositions servant a leur fabrication

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3573209A (en) * 1963-07-22 1971-03-30 Exxon Standard Sa Insulating compositions and materials
DE2320254A1 (de) * 1973-04-19 1974-11-07 Siemens Ag Fuellmasse fuer kabelgarnituren
US4259540A (en) * 1978-05-30 1981-03-31 Bell Telephone Laboratories, Incorporated Filled cables
US4324453A (en) * 1981-02-19 1982-04-13 Siecor Corporation Filling materials for electrical and light waveguide communications cables

Cited By (13)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0586158A1 (fr) * 1992-08-31 1994-03-09 AT&T Corp. Câbles incluant des moyens de blocage de l'eau
WO1997004465A1 (fr) * 1995-07-14 1997-02-06 Norsk Hydro A.S Compose isolant electriquement a base d'huile et utilisation
US6245426B1 (en) 1996-07-04 2001-06-12 Abb Research Ltd. Electric device with a porous conductor insulation impregnated with a dielectric fluid exhibiting a rheologic transition point
WO1998001869A1 (fr) * 1996-07-04 1998-01-15 Abb Research Ltd. Dispositif electrique avec isolation de conducteur poreuse, impregnee d'un fluide dielectrique presentant un point de transition rheologique
WO1999033066A1 (fr) * 1997-12-22 1999-07-01 Abb Ab Composition gelifiante dielectrique, son procede de production et cable electrique c.c. comportant un systeme d'isolation impregnee d'une telle composition
WO1999033067A1 (fr) * 1997-12-22 1999-07-01 Abb Ab Composition de gel dielectrique, utilisation d'une telle composition de gel dielectrique, cable electrique isole pour courant continu comprenant une telle composition de gel, et procede de production d'un cable electrique isole pour courant continu comprenant une telle composition de gel
WO1999033068A1 (fr) * 1997-12-22 1999-07-01 Abb Ab Cable electrique isole pour courant continu
US6391447B1 (en) * 1997-12-22 2002-05-21 Abb Ab Method for manufacturing an electric device having an insulation system impregnated with a dielectric fluid
WO2019179811A1 (fr) * 2018-03-19 2019-09-26 Abb Schweiz Ag Condensateur avec composition d'isolation présentant une transition huile-gel thermo-réversible
CN110283465A (zh) * 2018-03-19 2019-09-27 Abb瑞士股份有限公司 具有显示热可逆性油至凝胶转变的绝缘组合物的电容器
KR20200133343A (ko) * 2018-03-19 2020-11-27 에이비비 파워 그리즈 스위처랜드 아게 열가역적 오일-투-겔 전이를 나타내는 절연 조성물을 갖는 커패시터
US11657973B2 (en) 2018-03-19 2023-05-23 Hitachi Energy Switzerland Ag Capacitor with insulation composition showing thermo-reversible oil-to-gel-transition
EP3967721A1 (fr) * 2020-09-10 2022-03-16 Nexans Fluide d'imprégnation pour câbles d'alimentation haute tension recouverts de papier

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
ATE59114T1 (de) 1990-12-15
AU5152085A (en) 1987-06-25
EP0231402B1 (fr) 1990-12-12
DE3580917D1 (de) 1991-01-24
AU579213B2 (en) 1988-11-17

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