RIASSUNTO
Abstract
This work summarizes our progress on the development of carbon nanotube (CNT) composite cables for ultra-deepwater oil and gas fields. Near- and long-term intended applications include, for example, more efficient hangar penetrations, sub-sea floor power distribution, and ultra-deepwater dynamic power umbilicals. The project goals are to produce by scalable production methods high-conductivity CNT composite wires that can be wound together to make under sea (and / or in-wellbore) cables. In order to the make practical use of the nanotubes, technologies need to be developed that can deal with or manipulate CNTs in great quantities. For power transmission applications one will need to make dense structures of the CNTs that are aligned simultaneously along the direction of current flow. Also, methodologies that can electrically connect the tubes together in their transverse direction are needed to enable high percolation conductivity though the entire CNT/Metal matrix ensemble. In this work we will summarize our progress towards CNT wire development with descriptions of the wire processing, wire performance, and correlation of performance with structural properties. To date, we have successfully produced wires that display high conductivity values for CNT coatings. Addtionally, these conductors are much lighter compared to pure Cu wires and offer additional advantages for applications needing lightweight materials. Prospects for near and long-term application testing will be discussed.