SUBMERSIBLE APPARATUS AND METHODS OF INSTALLING ANCHORING EQUIPMENT
The invention relates to a submersible module for anchoring equipment, such as underwater turbines, to the sea bed. The module includes a base member for attaching the equipment thereto and a boundary layer fairing which diverts a boundary layer component of the water flow over the module. This accelerates the boundary layer water flow over the module in order to produce a hydrodynamic anchoring force on the module. Methods of installing the equipment to the sea bed are also provided.
The present invention relates to submersible apparatus, particularly, but not exclusively submersible apparatus for anchoring tidal turbine structures on the sea bed.
In the following description the term “seabed” shall be taken to mean the substantially static ground beneath a body of water and includes for example the ground beneath the sea, the ground beneath a river and the ground beneath an intersection of the two. The term “marine” shall also be construed accordingly.
Marine renewables' have been slow to develop due to very high installation & maintenance costs in comparison to their land based equivalents. These two aspects are important drivers in any economic development of marine renewable energy systems. More specifically the high costs are a result of the requirement for specialist vessels to support the installation and maintenance processes. Similar vessels are required by the offshore oil and gas industry. Therefore, it is often the case that the developer is competing for the same resource. This makes the day rates for chartering vessels very high and can bring the profitability of the development into question. Large fluctuations in the day rates occur with the price of oil making installations and maintenance costs are very difficult to predict. This also introduces a large economic risk which the renewable energy sector can ill afford.
Whilst in service it is almost inevitable that there will be a requirement for resolving Operational & Maintenance (O&M) issues. In a tidal environment, which will typically have been selected for its high energy potential, this is extremely challenging. Tidal streams running at several knots impart very large dynamic forces on the structure, in part due to the turbulence flow around the structure. This often means that support vessels can only operate over a short weather and tidal range spectrum. In many instances, the period of slack water can be as little as ten minutes. Therefore, if there are a lot of underwater operations the duration to complete them can be much longer than anticipated because of the restricted time during which safe operations can be carried out. This results in a massive increase in cost.
The majority of tidal turbine systems being developed are designed to be anchored using a singular monopiled structure where a foundation upright is driven down into the underwater bed; this form of anchoring is not only expensive to install per unit but also yields comparatively low power per unit area of seabed when deployed as an array of turbines since devices must be spaced well apart.
Whenever a fluid in motion comes into contact with a solid boundary, friction between the two mediums cause the fluid to slow down locally and theoretically stop at that boundary. This is called the boundary layer, and it means the velocity of the flow at the surface is significantly faster and less turbulent than that at the seabed. It is for this reason that most tidal energy devices are located at or near the surface. However, tidal streams are affected by waves which can reduce the efficiency of tidal devices at the surface. Waves also impose large fluctuating forces onto structures meaning that the fatigue loads are high thereby reducing the life expectancy of the structure.
When installing any foreign object in a tidal region, the area around it will be subject to a highly erosive environment. This is known as scouring and can undermine foundations like those employed in monopiled structures.
United Kingdom Patent Publication No. GB 2467200 A describes a device which rests on the water bed and which interacts with the boundary layer. This gravity foundation is filled with heavy ballast to hold it in position on the sea bed.
According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a submersible module adapted to anchor equipment with respect to a water flow passing over a water bed, the module comprising a base member for attaching the equipment thereto; and a boundary layer fairing adapted to divert a boundary layer component of the water flow adjacent the water bed, over at least a portion of the module thereby accelerating the boundary layer water flow over the module to produce a hydrodynamic anchoring force on the module.
According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of installing anchoring equipment with respect to a water flow passing over a water bed, the method comprising the steps of providing a submersible module having a base member for attaching the equipment thereto; and a boundary layer fairing adapted to divert a boundary layer component of the water flow adjacent the water bed, over at least a portion of the module thereby accelerating the boundary layer water flow over the module to produce a hydrodynamic anchoring force on the module.
According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of installing an underwater turbine on an underwater structure, the method comprising the steps of integrating at least a buoyancy tower with the underwater turbine and selectively ballasting the buoyancy tower in order to raise and lower the underwater turbine between the water surface and an anchoring location.
Further features and advantages of the first, second and third aspects of the present invention will become apparent from the claims and the following description.
Embodiments of the present invention will now be described by way of example only, with reference to the following diagrams, in which:—
Referring to
Each scour plate 16 comprises a compliant material which is able to alter its shape to take account of the contours of the water bed along the length of the array. The vent plates 18 are also shaped and positioned to provide a smooth transition of water flow from the scour plates 16. Furthermore, the vent plates 18 are hinged to the module 10 such that they can be actively angled upwards or downwards during installation of the apparatus as will be described subsequently.
The main hull plates 20 are also shaped to provide a continuous upper flow surface from the module's leading to trailing edge. The shape of the scour plates 16, vent plates 18 and main hull plates 20 combine to provide a hydrodynamic surface which optimises flow conditions over the apparatus 10.
A first buoyancy tower 22 is mounted on one side of each module 10 and a second buoyancy tower 24 is mounted on the other side of each module 10. Each buoyancy tower 22, 24 has a contoured face 26 on one side and a flat face 28 on the opposite side. When the modules 10 are joined in an array, the flat faces of the first and second buoyancy towers 22, 24 of each section abut against one another to provide a series of combined buoyancy towers along the length of the array. The buoyancy towers 22, 24 are substantially hollow to provide variable buoyancy to each independent module 10 as will be described subsequently. The buoyancy towers 22, 24 provide a relatively high centre of buoyancy for the overall apparatus which improves stability.
Detachable underwater turbine modules 30 are also provided. The turbine modules 30 are provided with a universal connection to facilitate attachment to each module 10. Each turbine module 30 is positively buoyant such that when released from its associated module 10 it will ascend to the surface for servicing, maintenance, replacement etc. Although vertical axis turbines are illustrated in
With reference to
Ribs 34 extend from the centre of each module 10 to provide structural support to the main hull plates 20, vent plates 18 and scour plates 16. The ribs 34 are also hinged with respect the main hull of each module 10 to create a pair of “wings” that are able to hinge up and down in the direction indicated by arrow A in
With particular reference to
Referring to
A first method of installing the apparatus on a water bed will now be described with particular reference to
An array of submersible modules 10 are first towed to a suitable location for deployment. As shown in
The ballast hull sections 36 are now flooded with the surrounding water and the array will begin to sink toward the water bed 62. As shown in
In addition to sweeping-up the wings 58, the vent plates 18 may also be opened during descent of the array in order to allow otherwise “trapped” water underneath each module 10 to vent therethrough. As well as providing further stabilisation during the descent, this also allows the speed of descent to be increased by reducing resistance and “parachuting” effects.
Referring to
Operation of the submersible apparatus of the present invention, when installed on the water bed 62, will now be described.
Referring to
As the flow F reaches the end of region Z1, the boundary layer region (approximated as the depth within which S4 and S5 lie) begins to pass over the leading edge scour plate 16L and onto the leading edge vent plate 18L. A region of turbulent flow illustrated as T1 is also created. A component of the flow is therefore effectively forced upwards by the leading edge of the module 10. An opposite downward force is therefore imparted on the leading edge of the module 10 represented by D1 in
After passing the turbulent flow T1, the flow then smoothly continues over the remainder of the leading edge vent plate 18L, the main hull plate 20, and onto the trailing edge vent plate 18T (which is raised on piston 19). As the flow leaves zone Z2, it leaves the trailing edge of the vent plate 18T thereby creating a second area of turbulent flow T2 immediately downstream of the trailing edge vent plate 18T. This creates a “spoiler” effect which effectively forces a component of the flow upwards. An opposite downward force is therefore imparted on the trailing edge of the module 10 represented by D2 in
An effect of installing the array on the water bed is to increase the velocity of the flow above it. With reference to
The components of downforce, D1 and D2, provide significantly increased stability of the array on a water bed. Furthermore, the sheltered zone 38 provides shelter from strong current in order to facilitate underwater operations throughout the tidal range.
The increased stability generated by the downforce D1, D2 avoids or reduces the requirement for other, more expensive and time consuming means of restraining such systems to the water bed.
In addition, the modular arrangement described means that if a problem develops with one of the modules or turbines during operation, rather than re-float the whole array, the individual turbine can be released to the surface. This can be done by releasing all essential electrical and control systems from the turbine modules (using the ROV 44 or the automated, hydraulically operated system interface panel 33). This allows that individual turbine module to independently float to the surface whilst tethered to the main array.
An alternative method of installing an array on the water bed 62 will now be described with reference to
An array of submersible modules 10 are first towed to a suitable location for deployment as shown in
The vent plates 18 are now hinged open and the ballast hull sections 36 are flooded with the surrounding water. Each module 10 therefore begins to sink toward the water bed 62 guided by the tethers 66. Again, the opened vent plates 18 provide additional stabilisation during the descent and also increase the speed of descent in a controllable manner by reducing resistance and “parachuting” effects.
Referring to
The skilled reader will appreciate that the multi-hull configuration of the apparatus, in combination with the vent plates and buoyancy towers, allow the apparatus to be ballasted down quickly (within minutes), independently and remotely without causing instability of the system which would otherwise threaten the (expensive) payload. The apparatus is designed to ballast down very quickly by pumping water into the port and starboard ballast hulls. This causes the main hull to sink quickly towards the seabed. For installation, the vent plates are fully opened to allow water to pass through the hull. However, when the ballast hulls are filled, the platform would lose its positive stability if it wasn't for the buoyancy towers which provide essential buoyancy, high up in the structure, from the entrained air within. The buoyancy towers also slow the dive to a stop just prior to landing on the water bed. At that point, remotely controlled valves can be opened to release the air from the buoyancy towers in order to achieve a controlled touch-down on the water bed and the required on-bottom weight.
Referring to
Each module 110 of the submersible apparatus is typically connected to a series of additional modules to form an array. Each module 110 is provided with boundary layer fairings on either side of the module 110, each boundary layer fairing comprising a scour plate 116 leading on to a vent plate 118. Main hull plates 120 are also provided between the two opposed sets of vent plates 118.
As shown in
Detachable underwater turbine modules 130 are also provided. The turbine modules 130 are provided with a universal connection 72 which connects with the main module 110 in a similar fashion to that previously described. As best illustrated in
Therefore in operation, when it is desired to release a module 110 to the surface for maintenance or other operations, the universal connection 72 and interface panels 133 (
Since the array of modules 110 effectively form a relatively long platform it is unlikely to sit flat on a contoured, rigid water bed. If desired, the modules 110 can therefore be allowed to articulate to accommodate differences in depth to follow the contour of a surrounding feature, such as a bay. The submersible apparatus modules 110 according to the second embodiment of the invention may therefore be arranged in an “articulated” array where each module 110 can adopt a different position on the water bed 62 than its neighbouring module. As shown in
Alternatively, the modules 110 may be provided without the articulating capability previously described; thereby providing a relatively rigid submersible platform. In this configuration, with reference to
As shown in
Furthermore, as shown in
As shown in
With reference to
The apparatus and methods previously described provide numerous advantages, including but not limited to the following:—
Improvements in efficiency because:
-
- The boundary layer fairing reduces the effect of the boundary layer by accelerating the flow near to the water bed, thereby improving the inflow conditions into the turbine units;
- Very high yield or power output per unit area of water bed since the submersible apparatus, boundary layer fairing and buoyancy towers reduce turbulent forces allowing many modules to be located very close together;
- The modules carry the large heavy transformers on-board in order to step-up the power generated by the turbines to the most suitable specification for transmission and connection to the national grid.
Reduction in installation costs because: - The ability to simultaneously install multiple renewable devices saves a huge amount of money;
- Commissioning and testing are performed alongside or in-dock improving health and safety and reducing the likelihood of failures whilst in service;
- The array can be deployed very rapidly from the shipyard by tugs that are commonly available at reasonable day rates;
- The array is self-installing and only requires the most limited support from tugs;
- The array can be installed very rapidly, within minutes, using its ballasting system. This allows greater flexibility and reliability in the scheduling of installation. The assurance of reliable and rapid deployment of the complete system saves time at sea which is very expensive;
- The submersible apparatus is a self-supporting structure that is equally stable on the water bed as it is on the water surface and doesn't require mooring or transmission lines to be pre-laid. Therefore expensive drilling and cable lay vessels are not required.
- The submersible apparatus modules allow the structure to be tailored to individual sites, in terms of number of units to be connected together, which reduces the unit costs through the economies of scale;
Reduction in maintenance costs because: - Improved reliability is achieves since all major electrical and mechanical parts are contained within a non-corrosive air-tight environment;
- By allowing rapid recovery of the turbine modules, which detach themselves from the submersible apparatus and rise under their own buoyancy to the surface. They can then be detached and towed ashore where maintenance can be carried out in a safer environment ashore.
Reducing the effects on the environment because: - There is a negligible visual impact of the submersible apparatus since it is located on the water bed. The only visible sign of its presence are the buoys marking the position of the platform;
- The scour plates reduce the scouring of the seabed;
- The boundary layer fairing creates a sheltered environment that allows aquatic life to flourish;
- Electro-magnetic signatures are controlled using specialised hull claddings with a net benefit being reduced corrosion levels. This is further enhanced by careful selection of materials and hull claddings reducing the requirement for palliatives;
Improving aquatic life in the area: - The shelter provided by the modules allows aquatic life to flourish;
- Strong tidal mixing provides the nourishment required for the whole aquatic food chain;
- Decommissioning costs are minimised since the submersible apparatus can be rapidly ballasted to bring the apparatus to the surface, disconnected from the electrical grid connection and towed back to port for refit or dismantling.
- The main hull supports many different types of renewable energy device given the flexibility of its payload capacity where the pressure hull provides a corrosive free environment.
Improved Health & Safety achieved by: - All the major assembly and maintenance work is performed onshore in a safer dockyard environment;
- All operations are performed remotely from an offshore support ship or by ROVs utilising the hydroways. The requirement for divers to assist installation is removed;
- The risk from ships navigating in and around the installation site is much lower because there is a clearance draught provided for all shipping in the area which allows them to pass safely over the top of the system.
Although particular embodiments of the invention have been disclosed herein in detail, this has been done by way of example and for the purposes of illustration only. The aforementioned embodiments are not intended to be limiting with respect to the scope of the appended claims.
It is contemplated by the inventor that various substitutions, alterations, and modifications may be made to the invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the claims. For example:—
Instead of the abutting flat faces on each buoyancy tower, alternative arrangements may be provided to locate the buoyancy tower of one module to that of another module. This could include, for example, and interlocking or other engagement mechanism.
Although the above embodiments are mainly concerned with providing a support for a tidal turbine device, the modules and array may be used in alternative applications. For example, and with reference to
Furthermore, the apparatus of the present invention may be used in the place of foundations for other structures such as new bridges.
Claims
1-40. (canceled)
41. A submersible module adapted to anchor equipment with respect to a water flow passing over a water bed, the module comprising:
- a base member for attaching the equipment thereto; and
- a boundary layer fairing adapted to divert a boundary layer component of the water flow over at least a portion of the module, thereby accelerating the boundary layer water flow over the module.
42. A submersible module according to claim 41, wherein the acceleration of the boundary layer water flow over the module is adapted to produce a hydrodynamic anchoring force on the module.
43. A submersible module according to claim 41, further comprising a vent plate provided at the boundary layer fairing, and wherein the vent plate is adapted to reduce turbulence in the water flow passing over the module.
44. A submersible module according to claim 43, wherein the vent plate is selectively actuable between a closed configuration and an open configuration.
45. A submersible module according to claim 41, wherein at least a portion of the module is pivotable in order to facilitate descent of the module into the water.
46. A submersible module according to claim 41, wherein the base member comprises a ballast arrangement to enable the module to be ballasted between the water surface and the water bed.
47. A submersible module according to claim 46, wherein the ballast arrangement comprises a buoyancy tower.
48. A submersible module according to claim 41, further comprising a turbine module provided with a docking arrangement to allow selective attachment to the submersible module.
49. A submersible module according to claim 48, wherein the buoyancy tower is integrated with the turbine module such that the turbine module may be raised and lowered with the buoyancy tower.
50. An array comprising a plurality of submersible modules according to claim 41, wherein each module in the array is arranged laterally with respect to an adjacent module.
51. An array according to claim 50, wherein the modules of the array are arranged to provide a substantially hollow sheltered zone underneath the array.
52. An array according to claim 50, wherein each module of the array is connected with an articulated joint such that the array may be articulated laterally and vertically to compensate for surrounding features of the underwater environment.
53. A method of installing anchoring equipment with respect to a water flow passing over a water bed, the method comprising the steps of providing:
- a submersible module having a base member for attaching the equipment thereto; and
- a boundary layer fairing adapted to divert a boundary layer component of the water flow over at least a portion of the module, thereby accelerating the boundary layer water flow over the module.
54. The method of claim 53, including the step of ballasting the module by partially flooding portions of the module and guiding the module to a location on the water bed.
55. The method of claim 54, wherein the step of ballasting the module includes guiding the module to a location on the water bed using support legs, and wherein the method further comprises pivoting said support legs onto the water bed to provide resistance against lateral movement of the module along the water bed.
56. The method of claim 53, further comprising arranging the boundary layer fairing to provide a stabilizing force as the module is installed and utilizing said produced stabilizing force to facilitate installation of the module on the water bed.
57. The method of claim 56, wherein the step of providing a stabilizing force is provided by temporarily actuating portions of the module to a swept-up configuration in order to create a stabilizing flow pattern as the module descends toward the water bed.
58. The method of claim 53, further comprising the step of raising and lowering a turbine arrangement between the water surface and the module on the water bed for at least one of installation, servicing and decommissioning by way of actuating a turbine module release system.
59. The method of claim 58, wherein the step of raising and lowering the turbine arrangement is performed by selectively flooding and emptying buoyancy towers integrated therewith, the buoyancy towers being provided with a release system adapted to allow the main hull of the module to remain on the water bed.
60. The method of claim 53, further comprising connecting together a plurality of modules to form an array, and further comprising articulating the connected modules at least one of vertically and laterally to compensate for variations in water bed depth and contours in the surrounding environment.
Type: Application
Filed: Apr 4, 2012
Publication Date: Jan 23, 2014
Applicant: QED NAVAL LTD. (Edinburgh)
Inventor: Jeremy Smith (Edinburgh)
Application Number: 14/009,920
International Classification: E02D 27/52 (20060101);