EP3715759A1 - Cooling system, arrangement of a cooler of the cooling system, cleaning device for the cooler and system with cooling system - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a cooling system (24) with a cooler (26) for cooling at least one component (22) of a device (12) arranged in a body of water (10), in particular an offshore device (14), the cooler (26) being the first Has cooling channels (36) for the water of the body of water (10) and second cooling channels (38) for a coolant. It is provided that the cooler (26) is set up for underwater operation, in which it is completely immersed in the water of the body of water ( 10) below the water level (54). The invention also relates to a corresponding arrangement of the cooler (26) of the cooling system (24), a cleaning device (46) for the cooler (26) and a system with a device arranged in a body of water (12), which comprises at least one component to be cooled (11) and a cooling system (24) for cooling this component (11).

Description

The invention relates to a cooling system with a cooler for cooling at least one component of a device arranged in a body of water, in particular an offshore device, the cooler having first cooling channels for the water of the body of water and second cooling channels for a coolant.

The invention further relates to a corresponding arrangement of the cooler of the cooling system, a cleaning device for the cooler and a system with a device arranged in a body of water which comprises at least one component to be cooled and a cooling system for cooling this component.

For cooling the components of offshore facilities, cooling systems based on radiators which use the ambient air as an external coolant and heat exchangers which use the water surrounding the offshore facility as an external coolant are known. The cooling systems with radiators are very heavy and require a lot of space. Mass and space are significant cost factors due to the foundation structure required at sea. In water coolers, so-called fouling (algae, mussels, polyps) leads to contamination of the heat-transferring surfaces and thus to a deterioration in the heat transfer coefficient. A great deal of effort is required to remove these.

A cooler for a cooling system for cooling at least one component of an offshore platform device is for example from the DE 199 21 433 C1 known as sea chest cooler. This has a cooler bundle of heat exchange tubes arranged in a sea chest of the device, between which first cooling channels for the seawater are formed, the Heat exchange tubes themselves then form second cooling channels for a coolant. While the heat pipes of the cooler bundle are largely completely surrounded by seawater, a connection section for a coolant circuit above a cooler cover always protrudes from the sea chest and thus from the water. In the DE 199 21 433 C1 a corresponding cooling system with such a cooler, a cleaning method for cleaning the cooler and a system with an offshore platform device comprising at least one component to be cooled and a cooling system for cooling this component is also indicated. Regular cleaning of the cooler will maintain its efficiency.

Among other things, the following challenges arise: (a) To achieve the highest possible efficiency of the cooler, (b) to keep the first cooling channels, i.e. the cooling channels for the water, clean to maintain the high efficiency and (c) the mass and to keep the space requirement of the components arranged above the water surface low in order to keep the costs of the foundation structure of the offshore facility low.

The object of the invention is to specify measures which make it possible to permanently cool the component to be cooled of the device arranged in the body of water as efficiently as possible.

The problem is solved by the features of the independent claims. Advantageous refinements are given in the subclaims.

In the cooling system according to the invention with a cooler for cooling at least one component of a device arranged in a body of water, in which the cooler has first cooling channels for the water of the body of water and second cooling channels for a coolant, it is provided that the cooler is set up for underwater operation is in which he is completely in the water of the water below its water level is arranged. The arrangement of the cooler below the water surface enables a simple supply of the cooling water and saves volume and mass on the platform of the offshore facility.

The device arranged in a body of water is generally a technical device, such as a drilling platform, a wind turbine, etc., in particular an offshore device. An example of such a technical device is a substation, that is to say in particular an offshore substation.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the cooler has coupling elements for a coupling system for coupling a cleaning device to the cooler, the cleaning device being set up in particular to clean the first cooling channels which are provided for the water. Regular cleaning of the cooler will maintain its efficiency.

It is preferably provided that the coupling elements are set up for targeted alignment of the cleaning device with respect to the cooler. This makes it easier to correctly couple a cleaning device to the cooler.

In a preferred variant, the coupling elements are designed as conically shaped coupling elements. Coupling elements of this type can serve, in particular in connection with correspondingly funnel-shaped coupling elements of the cleaning device, for the targeted alignment of the cleaning device with respect to the cooler.

The corresponding coupling system thus has one or more coupling element pairs, each with a funnel-shaped coupling element of the cleaning device and a conical coupling element of the cooler.

This design enables the cleaning device to be placed securely and to compensate for deviations in the positioning of the cleaning device. A largely independent positioning of the cleaning device is possible, since tolerances and small positional deviations are compensated for by the cone when it is placed.

The first cooling channels for the water particularly preferably extend from one side of the cooler to the opposite other side of the cooler.

The drive for the flow of the water through the first cooling channels is preferably carried out by its own drive, which is caused by the change in density associated with the heating of the water in the cooling channel. The warming water rises in the cooling duct and leaves the cooler, with new cold water flowing in from below.

In order to make this possible, the first cooling channels, which guide the water, are oriented in such a way that they have an incline angle of at least 45 °, that is to say they have a maximum deviation of 45 ° from a perpendicular to the water surface. The cooling channels are particularly preferably aligned vertically, that is to say perpendicular to the water level. This results in an effective self-propulsion of the water flow, as well as good accessibility for pipe cleaning devices.

The cooler is preferably designed in such a way that the upper and lower ends of the cooling channels have an inlet and outlet for the water that is largely free in terms of flow.

The coolant flow in the second cooling channels is preferably driven by a pump which is connected to the cooling system by a pipeline.

Accordingly, a preferred embodiment of the invention has a cooling system in which a self-propelled the flow of the Water through the first cooling channels is combined with a forced flow of the coolant through the second cooling channels by a pump.

In a preferred application, a dielectric insulating liquid based on an ester or based on mineral oil is provided as the coolant.

The first cooling channels are formed in particular by cooling tubes of the cooler. These cooling tubes are made of a material that is more corrosive than the material of a housing and of oil guide plates for the internal coolant of the radiator. CrNi steel with a PREN number (Pitting Resistance Equivalent Number / according to ASTM G 48)> 30 is provided as the material for the cooling pipes. So-called duplex steels, for example 1.4462 (X2CrNiMoN 22-5-3) according to DIN EN 10088/2, are particularly preferred for the cooling pipes. The steels mentioned have a high level of corrosion resistance, which is necessary because the stress caused by the proposed cleaning systems limits the possibilities of corrosion protection by means of coating systems. The listed duplex steels also have mechanical properties which enable a high level of resistance to the stresses caused by the proposed mechanical and hydraulic cleaning systems.

The cooler preferably has its own pressure or volume compensation system for the coolant, which is in hydraulic connection with the cooling channels for the internal coolant. The volume compensation system is preferably connected to the cooler in such a way that the hydraulic coupling between the cooling channels and the compensation vessel is maintained even when the cooler is separated from the cooling circuit. For this purpose, possible shut-off means and fittings of the cooling circuit are arranged outside the assembly formed by the cooler and the pressure compensation system.
This volume compensation system is used to reduce pressure peaks caused by pump surges and other compensation processes. This makes it possible to keep the safety margins for the compressive strength of the cooling pipes low. Furthermore, this volume compensation system is used for internal pressure compensation when the cooler is separated from the cooling circuit, for example during assembly or repair of the cooling circuit. This volume compensation system is preferably formed by a metallic bellows or a gas cushion. When using a gas cushion, this is advantageously accommodated in a balloon or rubber bag.

According to a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the cooling system has its own foundation structure on which the cooler can be arranged or is arranged, both the cooler and the foundation structure each being equipped with coupling elements, which together form a coupling system for fastening the cooler to the foundation structure form.

The first cooling channels preferably have insertion aids for cleaning devices of the cleaning device at at least one end. The insertion aids are formed by conical or funnel-shaped openings in the tubes. The insertion aid can also be formed by a conical flange placed on the tube or a rounding of the tube or attachment flange.

According to yet another preferred embodiment of the invention, the cooler has a cover device as a protective device against sinking suspended matter. This covering device has in particular the shape of a pent roof.

In a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, the cooling system is designed in such a way that the cooler is arranged completely below a statistical upper limit of the calmed water zone, i.e. below the zone of fluctuating water level, which is influenced by tides and swell. This reduces the mechanical stress and contamination of the cooler. A "mean lowest value of the tidal low water" (MNTnw) of a mean tide curve according to DIN 4049-3, or a lowest possible tidal water level LAT according to DIN 18709-3 (2012-10), preferably serves as the basis. When using the "mean lowest value of the low tide water" (MNTnw) according to DIN 4049-3, a period of ≥ 10 years is preferred. The cooler is particularly preferably arranged at a distance greater than 6 meters below an annual low water level at the installation site of the cooling system. The cooling system is particularly preferably arranged below the water level of the wave trough of a statistical 50-year wave that is also used for structural planning.

As already mentioned, the cooler of the aforementioned cooling system is arranged completely in the water of the water below its water level.

Furthermore, the cooler is preferably arranged at such a distance from the bottom of the body of water that the water inlet into the cooler, in particular the lower end of the cooling pipes, is arranged above a statistical limit of a zone near the ground with high levels of suspended matter in order to reduce contamination of the cooler.

The cooler is preferably arranged in such a way that the entry of the water into the cooler is at a distance of greater than 2 meters from the bottom.

Finally, it is preferably provided that the cooling circuit system has lines, at least some of which are designed as flexible lines. These flexible lines enable the cooler to be anchored independently, in particular via its own foundation structure.

In the cleaning device according to the invention for cleaning first cooling channels in an aforementioned cooler for a cooling system, it is provided that the cleaning device is set up for underwater operation. In particular, this is an underwater operation, in which the cleaning device is arranged completely in the water of the body of water, at least in the working phase.

According to a preferred embodiment of the cleaning device according to the invention, it has coupling elements for the first coupling system for coupling the cleaning device to the cooler. These coupling elements are preferably designed as funnel-shaped coupling elements. Coupling elements shaped in this way can serve, in particular in connection with correspondingly conically shaped coupling elements of the cooler, for the targeted alignment of the cleaning device with respect to the cooler.

At least one of the coupling elements of the cleaning device is preferably equipped with an automatic or remotely controllable latching device for locking the cleaning device on the cooler.

According to a further preferred embodiment of the cleaning device according to the invention, it has a cleaning device system and / or at least one cleaning device for cleaning the cooling channels for the water of the cooler. The cleaning devices can be mechanical cleaning devices and / or water jet cleaning devices. The cleaning device preferably has coupling elements for a coupling system for coupling the cleaning device to the cooler.

According to a further preferred embodiment of the cleaning device according to the invention, a guide and positioning device is provided, on which the cleaning device is guided or guided from its rest or park position to the working position. This guide device can be designed, for example, as a rail, a rope or a chain.

The cleaning device is provided with a coupling for movable connection with the guide and positioning device. This is preferably formed by one or more guide bushings or sliding sleeves, which enclose the guide device and mechanically guide the cleaning device during its movement to the working position. These guide bushings are particularly preferably integrated into the coupling elements of the cleaning device. In a simple embodiment, the coupling element of the cleaning device is funnel-shaped and forms the coupling to the guiding and positioning device.

The carrier for fastening the guide device of the cleaning device is preferably fastened to the foundation structure or the platform itself.

A largely independent, targeted transport of the cleaning device to its working position is thus possible; the exact positioning and the compensation of tolerances during positioning can be taken over by the coupling system, which preferably has conical or funnel-shaped coupling elements.

In a preferred use of the cleaning device according to the invention, it is brought to the cooling system only when required and lowered to the cooler on a guide device. In this case, the carrier for fastening the upper end of the guide device can be floatable, for example as a buoy.

In the system according to the invention, which has a device arranged in a body of water, in particular an offshore device, at least one component to be cooled and a cooling system for cooling this at least one component, it is provided that the cooling system is designed as the aforementioned cooling system. The system preferably also has a cleaning device for the cooler Cooling system, which is designed as a cleaning device described above.

In a further embodiment, a coolant storage and / or heat storage is included in the cooling circuit in order to be able to absorb the cooling requirement during load peaks of the substation. In the case of an arrangement outside the substation, below the water surface, it is easy to design and does not place high demands on its foundation structure. Positioning below the surface of the water prevents the coolant from heating up by the ambient air and leads to further cooling of the coolant due to the low temperatures of the water in the body of water.

In a special embodiment, the coolant reservoir is positioned in the underwater part of the foundation structure of the substation. The cooling circuit is preferably hermetically sealed from the environment of the transformer platform. This prevents the penetration of corrosive water and aggressive sea air from the vicinity of the transformer platform into the main circuit. This advantageously reduces the corrosion load on the components of the cooling circuit, in particular the pumps, thereby also reducing the maintenance effort for these components and increasing their operational reliability.

A further embodiment provides at least one equalization space containing a gas to accommodate the thermally caused volume fluctuations of the coolant, so the volume fluctuations of the coolant are absorbed by compression of the gas. The preferred gas is nitrogen.

In a further embodiment, the cooling circuit system (cooling system for short) of the substation is designed as a two-circuit cooling system. A large number of components that generate heat loss (transformers, chokes, rectifiers, IGBTs, pumps) can be combined with the intermediate heat exchanger be connected, which in turn releases the heat loss via an intermediate cooling circuit to the cooler located below the water surface. Fresh water, which is mixed with glycol, is preferably used as the coolant for this intermediate cooling circuit.

Fig. 1

eine Offshore-Einrichtung und eine zwei Kühler-Varianten umfassende Kühlanlage gemäß einer Ausgestaltung der Erfindung,

Fig. 2

einen Kühler und eine Reinigungsvorrichtung für diesen Kühler gemäß einer ersten Ausgestaltung der Erfindung,

Fig. 3

einen Kühler und eine Reinigungsvorrichtung für diesen Kühler gemäß einer zweiten Ausgestaltung der Erfindung,

Fig. 4

einen Kühler und eine Reinigungsvorrichtung für diesen Kühler gemäß einer dritten Ausgestaltung der Erfindung,

Fig. 5

einen Kühler und eine Reinigungsvorrichtung für diesen Kühler gemäß einer vierten Ausgestaltung der Erfindung,

Fig. 6

eine Offshore-Einrichtung und eine Kühlanlage gemäß einer Ausgestaltung der Erfindung,

Fig. 7

eine Ausgestaltungsvariante des Kühlers,

Fig. 8

die Ausgestaltungsvariante des in Fig. 7 gezeigten Kühlers aus einem anderen Blickwinkel,

Fig. 9

noch eine Ausgestaltungsvariante des Kühlers,

Fig. 10

eine weitere Ausgestaltungsvariante des Kühlers,

Fig. 11

die Ausgestaltungsvariante des in Fig. 10 gezeigten Kühlers aus einem anderen Blickwinkel,

Fig. 12

eine weitere Ausgestaltungsvarianten des Kühlers,

Fig. 13

noch eine weitere Ausgestaltungsvarianten des Kühlers,

Fig. 14

noch eine weitere Ausgestaltungsvarianten des Kühlers,

Fig. 15

noch eine weitere Ausgestaltungsvarianten des Kühlers,

Fig. 14

noch eine weitere Ausgestaltungsvarianten des Kühlers,

Fig. 15

noch eine weitere Ausgestaltungsvarianten des Kühlers,

Fig. 16

noch eine weitere Ausgestaltungsvarianten des Kühlers,

Fig. 17

die Rohre der Ausgestaltungsvariante des in Fig. 16 gezeigten Kühlers aus einem anderen Blickwinkel,

Fig. 18

einen Kühler und eine Reinigungsvorrichtung mit Reinigungsgeräten gemäß einer ersten Ausgestaltung der Erfindung,

Fig. 19

einen Kühler und eine Reinigungsvorrichtung mit Reinigungsgeräten gemäß einer zweiten Ausgestaltung der Erfindung,

Fig. 20

einen Kühler und eine Reinigungsvorrichtung mit Reinigungsgeräten gemäß einer dritten Ausgestaltung der Erfindung,

Fig. 21

einen Kühler und eine Reinigungsvorrichtung mit Reinigungsgeräten gemäß einer vierten Ausgestaltung der Erfindung,

Fig. 22

einen Kühler und eine Reinigungsvorrichtung mit Reinigungsgeräten gemäß einer fünften Ausgestaltung der Erfindung und

Fig. 23

einen Kühler und eine Reinigungsvorrichtung für diesen Kühler gemäß einer vierten Ausgestaltung der Erfindung.

In the following, exemplary embodiments of the invention are shown schematically in drawings and described in more detail below. Show:

Fig. 1

an offshore facility and a cooling system comprising two cooler variants according to an embodiment of the invention,

Fig. 2

a cooler and a cleaning device for this cooler according to a first embodiment of the invention,

Fig. 3

a cooler and a cleaning device for this cooler according to a second embodiment of the invention,

Fig. 4

a cooler and a cleaning device for this cooler according to a third embodiment of the invention,

Fig. 5

a cooler and a cleaning device for this cooler according to a fourth embodiment of the invention,

Fig. 6

an offshore facility and a cooling system according to an embodiment of the invention,

Fig. 7

a design variant of the cooler,

Fig. 8

the design variant of the in Fig. 7 shown cooler from a different angle,

Fig. 9

another design variant of the cooler,

Fig. 10

another design variant of the cooler,

Fig. 11

the design variant of the in Fig. 10 shown cooler from a different angle,

Fig. 12

another design variant of the cooler,

Fig. 13

yet another design variant of the cooler,

Fig. 14

yet another design variant of the cooler,

Fig. 15

yet another design variant of the cooler,

Fig. 14

yet another design variant of the cooler,

Fig. 15

yet another design variant of the cooler,

Fig. 16

yet another design variant of the cooler,

Fig. 17

the tubes of the variant of the in Fig. 16 shown cooler from a different angle,

Fig. 18

a cooler and a cleaning device with cleaning devices according to a first embodiment of the invention,

Fig. 19

a cooler and a cleaning device with cleaning devices according to a second embodiment of the invention,

Fig. 20

a cooler and a cleaning device with cleaning devices according to a third embodiment of the invention,

Fig. 21

a cooler and a cleaning device with cleaning devices according to a fourth embodiment of the invention,

Fig. 22

a cooler and a cleaning device with cleaning devices according to a fifth embodiment of the invention and

Fig. 23

a cooler and a cleaning device for this cooler according to a fourth embodiment of the invention.

The Fig. 1 shows a body of water 10 and a device 12 arranged in this body of water 10, which is generally a technical device 12, in the example a substation. The body of water 10 shown here in the example is a part of a sea off the coast called "open sea" and the device 12 is accordingly an offshore device 14. The body of water 10 could, however, alternatively also be a lake or another body of water. The facility 12 comprises a foundation structure 18 built on the bottom 16 of the body of water 10, which protrudes from the water, as well as a station 20 built on this foundation structure 18 with several different components 22 of the facility 12. In many cases, these components 22 are on a ( not explicitly shown here) platform of the station 20 arranged. At least some of the components 22 require cooling, so that the device 12 furthermore comprises a cooling system 24. This cooling system 24 in turn has a cooler 26 (which could also be referred to as a heat exchanger), a cooling circuit system 28 with partially flexible lines 30, an intermediate heat exchanger 32 and a cooling liquid reservoir 34. The cooler 26 is for underwater operation in Water of the body of water 10 set up and accordingly positioned completely under water. The cooling system 24 is therefore also referred to as a cooling system 24 with a subsea cooler. First cooling channels 36 for the water and second cooling channels 38 for the coolant of the cooling circuit system 28 are formed in the cooler 26. Depending on whether it is a counter-flow or cross-flow cooler, the various cooling channels 36, 38 are aligned parallel or transversely to one another. In the example shown, the cooler 26 is a cross-flow cooler. The first cooling channels 36 (for the water) extend vertically from one side (top) of the cooler 26 to the other side (bottom) of the cooler 26. The cooler 26 is preferably a heat exchanger with a bundle of parallel tubes, which in a or lying in several levels and mounted in a frame are used. In order to keep marine animals and coarse particles from entering the (sea) water cooling circuit, sieves, rakes or other devices can be arranged at the water inlet. In special designs, the direction of flow within the (sea) water cooling circuit is reversible and the sieves or rakes are flushed clear by reversing the direction of flow.

The Fig. 1 shows two possible positions of the cooler 26 to the right and left of the foundation structure 18. The cooler 26 shown on the left is detachably constructed on its own foundation structure 40, independently of the foundation structure 18 of the device 12. The only mechanical connection between this cooler 26 and the part of the device 12 based on the foundation structure 18 are the flexible lines 30. The cooler 26 is attached to its own foundation structure 40 via a first coupling system having coupling elements 42, 44. For this purpose, the coupling elements 42 of the foundation structure 40 are designed as conical coupling elements 42 and the coupling elements 44 of the cooler 26 are designed as funnel-shaped coupling elements 44. The cooler 26 has further coupling elements 48 for a coupling system for coupling a cleaning device 46 to the cooler 26.

The cooler 26 shown on the right is attached to the foundation structure 18 of the device 12. A cleaning device 46 is assigned to it, which is suspended above this cooler 26 on the platform of the station 20 so that it can be roped off. The cleaning device 46 is a cleaning device 46 for cleaning the first cooling channels 36 formed in this cooler 26. The cleaning device 46 is attached to the cooler 26 via a further coupling system having coupling elements 48, 50. For this purpose, the coupling elements 48 of the cooler 26 are designed as conical coupling elements 48 and the coupling elements 50 of the cleaning device 46 are designed as funnel-shaped coupling elements 50. The cleaning device 46 is guided in the direction of the cooler 26 during "abseiling" via a guide device 52.

Each of the coolers 26 is located completely in the water of the body of water 10, i.e. always between the bottom 16 and a water level 56 of the body of water 10 determined by the water surface. A particularly favorable height is the area between the upper limit of the calmed water zone 56 and the upper limit of the biologically active zone 58. In this way, the cooler 26 is always completely covered with water or completely surrounded by water and is arranged in an area of rather low biological activity and associated pollution.

In the exemplary embodiment, a coolant store and / or heat store 34 is also included in the cooling circuit 28 in order to be able to absorb the cooling requirement during load peaks of the substation. In the case of an arrangement outside the substation, below the water surface, this is easy to design and does not place high demands on its foundation structure 18. Positioning below the water level prevents the coolant from being heated by the ambient air and, due to the low temperatures of the seawater, leads to further cooling of the Coolant.

In the special embodiment shown, the coolant reservoir 34 is positioned in the underwater part of the foundation structure 18 of the substation. The cooling circuit 28 is preferably hermetically sealed from the environment of the transformer platform. This prevents the penetration of corrosive water and aggressive sea air from the vicinity of the transformer platform into the main circuit. This advantageously reduces the corrosion load on the components of the cooling circuit 28, in particular the pumps, thereby also reducing the maintenance effort for these components and increasing their operational reliability.

Furthermore, in the embodiment shown, the cooling circuit system (cooling system for short) 28 of the substation is designed as a two-circuit cooling system. A large number of components 22 (transformers, chokes, rectifiers, IGBTs, pumps) that generate heat loss can be connected to the intermediate heat exchanger 32, which in turn emits the heat loss via an intermediate cooling circuit to the cooler 26 located below the water surface. Fresh water, which is mixed with glycol, is preferably used as the coolant for this intermediate cooling circuit.

The Fig. 2 shows a variant of the cooler 26, its foundation structure 40 and a corresponding variant of the cleaning device 46 for this cooler 26. There is again a first coupling system with coupling elements 42, 44 between the cooler 26 and the foundation structure 40 and a second coupling system with coupling elements 48, 50 between Cooler 26 and cleaning device 46. The cleaning device 46 has a base part or base part and a cleaning device system 60 suspended from this base part, via which the first cooling channels 36 are cleaned. The preferred direction of movement of the cleaning device is indicated by the double arrow 62.

The Fig. 3 shows a further variant of the cooler 26, its foundation structure 40 and a corresponding variant of the cleaning device 46 for this cooler 26. There is again a first coupling system with coupling elements 42, 44 between cooler 26 and foundation structure 40 and a second coupling system with coupling elements 48, 50 between cooler 26 and cleaning device 46. Cooler 26 also has a cover device 64 in the form a pent roof above the radiator part with the cooling channels 36, 38. The cover device 64 serves to protect the cooler 26 from sinking suspended parts and as a flow guide element.

In Fig. 4 a further variant of the cooler 26, its foundation structure 40 and a corresponding variant of the cleaning device 46 for this cooler 26 is shown. There is again a first coupling system with coupling elements 42, 44 between cooler 26 and foundation structure 40 as well as a second coupling system with coupling elements 48, 50 between cooler 26 and cleaning device 46. In addition to the base or base part, the cleaning device 46 has several suspended from this base part Cleaning device systems 60 or (in Fig. 4 cleaning devices (not shown in detail). In the exemplary embodiment, these are designed as pipe cleaning spirals which are moved both vertically and rotationally within the first cooling channels 36. The Fig. 5 shows another variant of the cooler 26, its foundation structure 40 and a corresponding variant of the cleaning device 46 for this cooler 26. The cleaning device 46 essentially consists of a base part mounted on the side of the cooler 26 and the cleaning device system 60. The base part forms a parking position 66 for the cleaning device system 60, which can be guided from this parking position 66 over the top of the cooler 46 (double arrow 68).

In Fig. 6 Another device 12 arranged in the body of water 10 and a corresponding cooling system 24 with a cooler 26 arranged in the water of the body of water 10 is shown. In this example, the device 12 has a foundation structure 18, the component 22 to be cooled, in the example shown Transformer in a vessel and components for the cooling circuit system 28. The component 22 to be cooled, like the cooler 26, is arranged completely in the water of the body of water 10 and is mounted between the component 22 to be cooled and the foundation structure 18 via a coupling system with coupling elements 70, 72. This coupling system is analogous to the first and second coupling system with the coupling elements 42, 44; 48, 50 built. The cooler 26 again has a cover device 64 in the form of a pent roof for protection against sinking suspended matter.

The following applies in detail:

The cooler 26 is arranged at least at a distance A1 from the water level 54, which ensures that the cooler 26 is always arranged below the statistical limit of the calmed water zone (ebb-tide / swell) 56.

Furthermore, the maintenance of a distance A2 between the cooling water inlet of the cooler 26 and the base 16 is ensured, so that the cooling water inlet of the cooler 26 is always arranged above the boundary 58 of the biological highly active zone in order to be in a zone with little suspended matter, which reduces the pollution of the cooler 26 . The water inlet zone of the cooler 26 is arranged above the statistical limit of the biologically highly active zone 58.

The component 22 of the device 12 to be cooled is arranged below the water level 54 and below the boundary of the calmed water zone 56.

The Figures 7 to 17 show various design options of how the first cooling channels 36 (and in some cases also the second cooling channels 38) can be formed in the cooler 26 and where the coupling elements 44, 48 for the first and second coupling systems are arranged. The water of the body of water is also referred to as lake water, since the body of water in the example is the "open sea".

It shows the Fig. 7 a first embodiment of the cooler 26, in which the first cooling channels 36 extend in a straight line from one side (the top) to the opposite other side (the bottom) and are aligned vertically or perpendicular to the water level. As a result, the self-propulsion of a sea water flow is supported by the change in density caused by the warming. The upper and lower ends of the cooling channels end freely in the sea water in order to achieve free entry of the sea water into the cooling channel and thus a low flow resistance. The cooler 36 is designed as a cross-flow cooler and the connections for the coolant are located laterally in the upper and lower end areas.

The Fig. 8 shows a plan view of an embodiment variant of the in Fig. 7 shown cooler 36. This is circular cylindrical. Here, three coupling elements 48 are distributed circumferentially on the edge per coupling system.

The Fig. 9 shows a plan view of another embodiment variant of the in Fig. 7 shown cooler 36. This is circular cylindrical. Only a single central coupling element 48 is provided per coupling system.

In Fig. 10 a further variant embodiment of the cooler 26 is shown. This has shorter vertical cooling channels 36 for the sea water than the one in FIG Fig. 7 cooler 26 shown and has on its side a volume compensation system 76 for the coolant, which is formed in the embodiment by a gas cushion. This is arranged above the cooler 26. This volume compensation system is used to reduce pressure peaks caused by pump surges and other compensation processes. This makes it possible to keep the safety margins for the compressive strength of the cooling pipes low. This gas cushion, which serves to equalize pressure, is preferably accommodated in a balloon or rubber sack. This gas cushion also serves to equalize internal pressure when the cooler 26 is separated from the rest of the cooling system 24, for example during assembly or repair of the device 12.

The Fig. 11 shows a plan view of a first embodiment variant of the in Fig. 10 shown cooler 36. This is cuboid. Here, four coupling elements 48 are symmetrically distributed in pairs on two opposite sides for each coupling system.

The Fig. 12 shows a plan view of a second variant embodiment of the in FIG Fig. 10 shown cooler 26, in which the water-side cooling channels 36 are designed as oval tubes. In this case, four coupling elements 48 are distributed in pairs asymmetrically on two opposite sides for each coupling system.

The Fig. 13 shows a plan view of an embodiment variant of the in Fig. 10 shown cooler 26. This is cuboid. In this case, three coupling elements 48 are distributed asymmetrically on two opposite sides per coupling system.

The Fig. 14 shows a further embodiment of the cooler 26 in which the cooling channels 36 for the water are connected to water chambers 79 on both sides. The water connections for the first cooling channels 36, like the coolant connections for the second cooling channels 38, are attached to the side of the housing of the cooler 26. The water is supplied and discharged through the water chambers 79 arranged on both sides at the ends of the cooling channels 36. These are each provided with a cover 78 which is designed in such a way that it can be easily opened to allow the cleaning devices to access the water-side ones in the cleaning mode To enable cooling channels 36. The cover 78 is preferably designed to be foldable or displaceable and is equipped with an opening and locking device. The cleaning device not shown in the exemplary embodiment is provided with devices for actuating the opening and locking device of the cover. This design variant of the cooler 26 is particularly suitable for cooling systems in which the water circuit is also driven by a pump which is connected to the cooler 26 by a pipe.

The Fig. 15 shows a further embodiment of the cooler 26, in which the first cooling channels 36 extend in a straight line from one side (the top) to the opposite other side (the bottom), with a funnel opening 80 on each of the sides as an insertion aid for the (here Forming cleaning devices of the cleaning device 46 (not shown). The cooler 26 is again designed as a cross-flow cooler.

The water-carrying cooling tubes 36 and the guide funnels 80 are made of a material of higher corrosive quality than the internal structure of the cooler and the flow guide devices for the internal coolant. CrNi steel with a PREN number (Pitting Resistance Equivalent Number)> 30 is preferred.

The flow guide devices and walls of the second cooling channels for the coolant only come into contact with the cooling fluid and therefore have no further material requirements.

The Fig. 16 shows yet another embodiment variant of the cooler 26, in which the first cooling channels 36 extend in a straight line from one side (the upper side) to the opposite other side (the lower side). Here, too, they have a funnel opening 80 on each of the sides as an insertion aid for the cleaning devices (not shown here) of the cleaning device 46. The cooler 26 is designed as a counterflow cooler. Two coaxially arranged tubes 81, 82 each delimit the cooling channel 38 through which the cooling fluid flows and which is connected at its two ends to a collecting box 83, 84. The inner tube 81 is designed as a first cooling channel 36 for the seawater. Another seawater leading cooling channel 85 is through the outer Interstices formed between the outer tubes 82. An inner tube 81 and a coaxial outer tube 82 delimit the cooling channel carrying the cooling fluid. To connect with the seawater, the inner cooling pipe 81 penetrates the upper collecting tank 83 and lower collecting tank 84 and the inner cooling pipe 81 is also welded to the upper wall of the upper collecting tank 83 bordering the seawater and the lower outer wall of the lower collecting tank 84. The outer cooling tubes 82 are welded to the inner walls of the upper 83 and lower header 84, respectively. As a result, the cooling channel 38 located between the inner and outer cooling tubes is hydraulically connected to the collecting tanks 83, 84 which carry the cooling fluid. The inner cooling pipe 81 leads through the upper and lower collecting tanks and thus has free access to the seawater. The collecting boxes can also be designed as a collecting tube or oval tube.

In the exemplary embodiment, both inner pipe surfaces and outer pipe surfaces are now exposed to the sea water and must be cleaned. For this purpose, it is provided that both internal pipe cleaning devices and external pipe cleaning devices can dock on the conical coupling element 48 for the cleaning device.

The Fig. 17 FIG. 13 shows a plan view of part of the FIG Fig. 16 cooler 36 shown as a sectional view. Here inner tubes 81 and the outer tubes 82 surrounding the inner tubes as well as the resulting cooling channels 36, 38 can be seen particularly well. The cooling fluid circulates between the inner 81 and outer cooling tube 82. This is surrounded by seawater both in the inner cooling pipe 81 and outside the outer cooling pipe 82.

The Figures 18 to 23 show various configurations of the cleaning devices of the cleaning device 46 in use on the cooler 26.

It shows Fig. 18 a variant of the cooler 26, mechanical cleaning devices 86 and their guide 88. The mechanical cleaning devices 86 and their guide 88 are part of a cleaning device 46. The guide 88 has two pulleys, between which the mechanical cleaning devices 86 are moved by means of a cable pull. In the left cooling channels, pipe cleaning spirals of a cleaning device are shown as a further example.

Fig. 19 shows the variant of the cooler 26, mechanical cleaning devices 86 and a somewhat differently configured linear guide 88 for these mechanical cleaning devices 86 Fig. 19 also water jet cleaning devices 90.

In Fig. 20 In addition to the cooler 26, the complete cleaning device 46 with its mechanical cleaning devices 86 is now also shown.

The Fig. 21 shows them off Fig. 16 known variant of the cooler 26, mechanical cleaning devices 86 and water jet cleaning devices 90, the cleaning devices 86, 90 each having a conically tapering insertion aid 92 and one of the water jet cleaning devices 90 having its own pump 94.

In Fig. 22 is a variant of the Fig. 5 known combination of cooler 26 and cleaning device system 60 is shown. The cleaning device system 60 has a water jet cleaning device 90 with a water suction nozzle and a pump 94.

The following applies to the cleaning device 46 and its cleaning devices 86, 90:
The cleaning device 46 has cleaning devices 86, 90 which are moved through the first cooling channels 36. A plurality of cleaning devices 86, 90 are preferably arranged on a support system which is placed between parts of the cooler 26 movably (displaceable) is arranged. The cleaning devices 86, 90 can be moved through the first cooling channels 36 by means of a rod, a flexible spring or shaft, a cable pull or by pressurized water. The mechanical cleaning devices 86 can be designed as brushes, scrapers or blades.

The cleaning device 46 is preferably arranged above the cooler 46 and comprises several cleaning devices 86, 90. The cleaning devices 86, 90 have positioning and insertion aids 92 into the cooling channels 36. The cooling channels 36 are provided with a funnel-shaped insertion aid 80 for the cleaning devices 86, 90 fitted.

With water jet cleaning, the water can be supplied via a hose line that is carried along. The cleaning device 46 is based on pipe flushing. For example, water flushing or air-water impulse flushing can be used. A plurality of nozzles are preferably attached to a support system and arranged with the support system above the cooler 26 so as to be movable (movable). The support system can be formed by pipes, which are also used to feed the pressurized water to the nozzles. The surrounding (sea) water is preferably used for cleaning and brought to the desired pressure via the interposed pump 94. The pump 94 conveys (sea) water under pressure through the nozzles of the cleaning device 46. The mechanical cleaning device is preferably combined with pressure flushing. The cleaning devices 86, 90 are designed to be movable (displaceable) in the longitudinal direction of the cooling channels 36. The drive is preferably carried out with a rope, belt, chain or belt.

Furthermore, the cooling system 24 can be provided with a thermal cleaning function, in which case segments of the cooler 26 are partially heated to such an extent that vegetation and the settlement of marine animals are largely avoided. Cleaning devices 86, 90 are also available in special designs Vibration exciters connected which support the loosening of solid impurities. In a special design, the cleaning devices are moved by changing the water level of the body of water. For this purpose, the cleaning device is connected to floats or floats. In one embodiment, the restoring force is generated using weights.

The Fig. 23 finally shows a cooler 26 and a cleaning device 46 for this cooler 26. The cleaning device 46 can be placed on the cooler 26 via a guide device 96 of support parts 98.

By means of the guide device 96, the cleaning device 46 can be guided or guided from its rest or park position to the working position, the guide device having fastening points both on the cooler 26 and on a support system 98.

The coupling between the cleaning device and the guiding and positioning device is formed in the exemplary embodiment by the coupling elements 50 which enclose the guiding device 96 during the movement to the working position.

This guide device can be designed, for example, as a rail, a rope or a chain. The carrier 98 for the upper attachment of the guide device of the cleaning device is preferably attached to the foundation structure or the platform itself.

In a further embodiment of the cleaning system, the cleaning device is brought to the cooling system only when required and is lowered to the cooler on the guide device. In this case, the carrier for fastening the upper end of the guide device can be made floatable, for example as a buoy 99, as indicated in the exemplary embodiment.

Claims (15)

Cooling system (24) with a cooler (26) for cooling at least one component (22) of a device (12) arranged in a body of water (10), in particular an offshore device (14), the cooler (26) having first cooling channels (36) for the water of the body of water (10) and second cooling channels (38) for a coolant,
characterized in that the cooler (26) is set up for underwater operation, in which it is arranged completely in the water of the body of water (10) below its water level (54). Cooling system according to claim 1,
characterized in that the cooler (26) has coupling elements (48) for a coupling system (48, 50) for coupling a cleaning device (46) to the cooler (26), the cleaning device (46) in particular for cleaning the first cooling channels (36) ) is set up. Cooling system according to claim 2,
characterized in that the coupling elements (48) are set up for the targeted alignment of the cleaning device (46) with respect to the cooler (26). Cooling system according to one of claims 1 to 3,
characterized in that the first cooling channels (36) for the water extend from one end region of the cooler (26) to the opposite other end region of the cooler (26), the cooler (26) being set up for underwater operation in which the one End area is above the other end area and the first cooling channels (36) have an incline angle in relation to the water level (54) of at least 45 °, in particular that the first cooling channels (36) are preferably aligned perpendicular to the water level (54). Cooling system according to one of the preceding claims,
characterized in that the cooler (26) has its own volume compensation system (76) for the coolant, which is in hydraulic connection with the cooling channels (38) for the coolant, the volume compensation system (76), which is preferably by a metallic bellows or a gas cushion is formed, connected to the cooler (26) in such a way that the hydraulic coupling between the said cooling channels (38) and an equalization vessel of the volume equalization system (76) even when the cooler (26) is separated from a cooling circuit system (28) of the cooling system (24) is retained. Cooling system according to one of the preceding claims,
characterized by its own foundation structure (40) on which the cooler (26) is arranged, both the cooler (26) and the foundation structure (40) each being equipped with coupling elements (42, 44) which together form a coupling system for fastening of the cooler (26) on the foundation structure (40). Cooling system according to one of the preceding claims,
characterized in that the cooling channels (36) for the water have an insertion aid (80) for cleaning devices (60) of the cleaning device (46) at at least one end, which are preferably funnel-shaped, the cooling channels (36) for the water - including the insertion aids (80) - are made of a material which is more corrosive than the material of a housing and of oil guide plates for the internal coolant of the radiator (26), this material in particular having a PREN number (Pitting Resistance Equivalent Number) > 30. Arrangement of the cooler (26) of a cooling system (24) according to one of the preceding claims,
characterized in that the cooler (26) is arranged completely in the water of the body of water (10) below its water level (54). Arrangement of the cooler (26) according to claim 8,
characterized in that the cooler (26) is arranged completely below a statistical upper limit of the calmed water zone (56) of the body of water (10), i.e. below the zone of fluctuating water level, which is influenced by tides and swell, and / or in such a way Distance (A2) to the bottom (16) of the body of water (10) is placed so that a water inlet into the cooler (26), in particular the lower end of the cooling pipes (36), is arranged above a statistical limit (58) of a zone near the ground that is rich in suspended matter, in particular that the distance between the cooling water entry into the cooler (26) is at a distance (A2) from the base (16) greater than 2 meters. Cleaning device (46) for cleaning cooling channels (36) for water in a cooler (26) of a cooling system (24) according to one of Claims 1 to 7,
characterized in that the cleaning device (46) is set up for underwater operation and in particular has coupling elements (50) for a coupling system (48, 50) for coupling the cleaning device (46) to the cooler (26). Cleaning device according to claim 10,
characterized in that the coupling elements (50) of the cleaning device (46) in their operating position form a coupling system (48, 50) with the coupling elements (48) of the cooler (26), the coupling elements (50) of the cleaning device (46) being funnel-shaped Coupling elements (50) are formed, the funnels of which are opened when coupling in the direction of the coupling elements (48), which are preferably cone-shaped, of the cooler (26). Cleaning device according to claim 10 or 11,
characterized by a cleaning device system (60) and / or at least one cleaning device (86, 90) for cleaning the cooling channels (36) for the water of the cooler (26). Cleaning device according to one of claims 10 to 12,
characterized by a guiding and positioning device (52, 96) on which the cleaning device (46) is guided from its rest or park position to the working position, the guiding device being fastening points both for fastening to the cooler (26) and to a support system (98). Cleaning device according to one of claims 10 to 13,
characterized by at least one carrier (98) from which the cleaning device (46) can be rappelled down to a cooler (26) in a targeted manner by means of a guide and positioning device (52, 88). System with a device (12) arranged in a body of water (10), in particular an offshore device (14), which comprises at least one component (22) to be cooled and a cooling system (24) for cooling this component (22),
characterized in that the cooling system (24) is designed according to one of claims 1 to 7 and / or an associated cleaning device (46) according to one of claims 10 to 14.

Images