Multi-purpose penetrators for cables with heat-resistant mineral isolation

• Main Authors: Nikita A. Bratasyuk, Alexey I. Kolchev, Anatoly S. Nikulin
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Krylov State Research Centre 2019-12-01
• Series: Труды Крыловского государственного научного центра
• Subjects: cable penetrator; kmzh-type cable; sealing; isolators; electric equipment; deepwater technology
• Online Access: https://transactions-ksrc.ru/eng/archive/Multi-purpose-penetrators-for-cables-with-heat-resistant-mineral-isolation/

Object and purpose of research. The purpose of this study was to develop a compact cable penetrator that would ensure trouble-free operation of overboard electric equipment. Focusing on KMZh type cables, i.e. the cables with mineral isolation and copper shell embedded to metal hull, this paper discusses different sizes of cables and different options of their polymeric sealants. Materials and methods. Conducting element of the penetrators discussed in this paper is heat-resistant cable. Leakproofness of the penetrator was ensured by the following polymeric sealants: EKAN-3 epoxy-resin glue, ADV-69/50 polyurethane compound, silicone-based Siloterm EP-71 sealant and high-filled hot-cure epoxy-based compound. Prototype penetrators developed in this study were tested with hydrostatic pressure, extreme temperatures (both high and low), vibration, shocks and a number of other factors to estimate their operational reliability. Main results. The study has shown that penetrators suggested in this paper are suitable for a wide range of operational environments. It was also found that final performance parameters of penetrators considerably depend on the composition of their polymeric sealant. Thus, the sealants based on polyurethane or epoxy-resin compound make penetrators resistant to high (up to 45 MPa) hydrostatic pressure at the operational temperature of 120°C, whereas hot-cure compounds or silicon-based sealants can successfully resist pressures up to 20 MPa and temperatures up to 200°C. Conclusion. The penetrators developed in this study could be applied in deepwater technology or some special equipment. e.g. operating in aggressive environments or at elevated temperatures. Another industrial application of these penetrators could be power transfer via bearing or protective structures.