GB2426546A - Offshore storage facility - Google Patents
Offshore storage facility Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- GB2426546A GB2426546A GB0515151A GB0515151A GB2426546A GB 2426546 A GB2426546 A GB 2426546A GB 0515151 A GB0515151 A GB 0515151A GB 0515151 A GB0515151 A GB 0515151A GB 2426546 A GB2426546 A GB 2426546A
- Authority
- GB
- United Kingdom
- Prior art keywords
- offshore
- fresh water
- storage facility
- tank
- fluid
- 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
Links
- 239000012530 fluid Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 29
- 239000013505 freshwater Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 26
- XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N water Substances O XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims abstract description 19
- 238000010612 desalination reaction Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 6
- 230000008676 import Effects 0.000 claims abstract description 6
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 6
- 239000003792 electrolyte Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 3
- 239000000126 substance Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 3
- 229910000831 Steel Inorganic materials 0.000 claims description 17
- 239000010959 steel Substances 0.000 claims description 17
- 239000003365 glass fiber Substances 0.000 claims description 4
- 150000002825 nitriles Chemical class 0.000 claims description 4
- -1 polypropylene Polymers 0.000 claims description 4
- 239000012815 thermoplastic material Substances 0.000 claims description 3
- OKTJSMMVPCPJKN-UHFFFAOYSA-N Carbon Chemical compound [C] OKTJSMMVPCPJKN-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 2
- 239000004698 Polyethylene Substances 0.000 claims description 2
- 239000004743 Polypropylene Substances 0.000 claims description 2
- 229910052799 carbon Inorganic materials 0.000 claims description 2
- 238000010276 construction Methods 0.000 claims description 2
- 230000008878 coupling Effects 0.000 claims description 2
- 238000010168 coupling process Methods 0.000 claims description 2
- 238000005859 coupling reaction Methods 0.000 claims description 2
- 230000007613 environmental effect Effects 0.000 claims description 2
- 239000000835 fiber Substances 0.000 claims description 2
- 238000005188 flotation Methods 0.000 claims description 2
- 239000011383 glass concrete Substances 0.000 claims description 2
- 239000011211 glass fiber reinforced concrete Substances 0.000 claims description 2
- 229920001084 poly(chloroprene) Polymers 0.000 claims description 2
- 229920000573 polyethylene Polymers 0.000 claims description 2
- 229920001155 polypropylene Polymers 0.000 claims description 2
- 229920001169 thermoplastic Polymers 0.000 claims description 2
- 239000004416 thermosoftening plastic Substances 0.000 claims description 2
- 229920000271 Kevlar® Polymers 0.000 claims 1
- 239000004760 aramid Substances 0.000 claims 1
- 229920003235 aromatic polyamide Polymers 0.000 claims 1
- 239000004761 kevlar Substances 0.000 claims 1
- 239000000356 contaminant Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000004941 influx Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000003973 irrigation Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000002262 irrigation Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000000047 product Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000011150 reinforced concrete Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000002787 reinforcement Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000000452 restraining effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000001932 seasonal effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000013589 supplement Substances 0.000 description 1
Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D88/00—Large containers
- B65D88/78—Large containers for use in or under water
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Sewage (AREA)
Abstract
An offshore storage facility comprises a fixed or floating container 1, a foundation structure 2, and import and export pipes and valves. A floating tank is tethered to the foundation, the fixed tank is rigidly connected or moulded to the foundation. The foundation can form a continuous layer beneath the tank and may extend beyond the tank perimeter for additional stability, ideally used with the fixed tank. Alternatively, it can consist of one or two strips of heavy material or piles or suction anchors can be used. Tethers 3 are preferably wrapped around the floating tank and are connected to foundation strips arranged either side of the tank. A plurality of tanks can be grouped together with a collection manifold to allow fluid flow from/to any tank via a series of valves to a common outlet position controlled by a valve. The manifold and tank group may be connected to a buoyant structure which pierces the water surface. The tanks may be connected via a hose to a desalination plant. Alternatively, the tanks may receive/export a product from/to a vessel or towed container. The tank can be any suitable shape and material. It could be used to store anything, but particularly fresh water, chemicals used in treatment of fluids, electrolyte for offshore power storage systems or manufactured products pending export.
Description
OFFSHORE FRESH WATER STORAGE FACILITY
This invention relates to offshore storage structures for fresh water.
Currently water consumption is estimated at 25-50 gallons per person per day. There are areas of the U.K. that are already importers of fresh water due to the high demand on this limited resource. This situation is likely to become more prevalent as population and demand increases. Also, there are areas that have a high seasonal or fluctuating demand due to a large influx of people for example during a large sporting event. These areas incur exceptional demand at certain times and may be unable to provide adequate service of fresh water. Further, there are remote and or undeveloped regions of the world where an adequate fresh water supply is not available. Additionally, there are areas where there is not adequate fresh water supply for irrigation of crops.
We have now devised an offshore fresh water storage facility that can be either linked to an associated desalination plant or alternatively can be used in conjunction with a water importing facility such as a tanker or towed dracone or other container, which alleviates the above mentioned problems. Fresh water can be stored offshore and used when desired to provide or supplement a water supply. This system has the following specific advantages. It is cost effective, avoids land purchase and planning applications and procedures, and stores the water in a benign and contaminant free environment. The system also has the specific advantage of being capable of rapid deployment, making it ideal for disaster relief or military or engineering operations.
According to the present invention there is provided an offshore fresh water or other fluid storage facility comprising either one or more fixed or floating storage container(s), a foundation structure, and water or other fluid import and export valves with provision for coupling to import and export pipes, the floating storage containers) being tethered to the foundation structure with chains or steel, polypropylene, kevla RTM amid or carbon fibre cables, the fixed storage container(s) being connected rigidly or moulded to the foundation structure.
The offshore storage facility can also be used either as a storage reservoir for chemicals used in the offshore or onshore processing or treatment of fluids, or for storing fluids that can be used as an electrolyte for offshore power storage systems, or to receive and store offshore manufactured products pending export.
The storage container(s), whether fixed or floating, can be constructed in a rigid or flexible construction.
The storage container(s) can be constructed in reinforced thermoplastic material such as PVC, nitrile or neoprene, or can be constructed in steel, glass-fibre, concrete, fibre-reinforced concrete or ferocement.
The storage container(s) is (are) preferably of a cylindrical shape, but can be formed in other shapes such as a semi spherical dome or a hollow shell with polygonal cross section and rectangular vertical faces with one end open.
In the case of the fixed storage container(s), the foundation structure can form a continuous layer of material underneath said storage container(s), and can extend beyond the perimeter of the storage container(s) in order to provide additional stability.
Alternatively, the foundation structure can consist of one or two strips of heavy material with rectangular cross section, or alternatively piles or suction anchors can be used.
The foundation structure is located on the seabed and provides the necessary downward force to resist all upward forces imposed by the flotation of the fluid or by applied environmental or other forces acting on it, either due to its weight or by using steel piles driven through it.
In the case of the storage container(s) being tethered to the foundation structure, steel or polyethylene tethers, or chains, can be wrapped around said storage container(s) and connected to foundation strips arranged either side of said storage container(s).
Typically, a storage container is cylindrical with a diameter of 18 to 15m and a length of 20 to 30m, giving a storage capacity of around 5000m^3 of water. This is equivalent to around 1.1 million gallons of water per container and would provide enough water for an urban development for approximately 30,000 people for one day. Thus, 15 containers could provide enough water for an urban development for approximately 15 days for 30,000 people.
The storage containers can be grouped together with a collection manifold comprising steel, glass fibre, nitrile or thermoplastic pipes or hoses arranged to allow fluid flow from or to any of said containers via a series of valves to a common outlet position controlled by a valve.
The collection manifold and grouped storage containers can be connected to a buoyant structure piercing the water surface, with said buoyant structure being capable of importing or exporting water or other fluid to or from said storage containers, from or to a vessel or towed container.
Also, the storage containers can be connected to a desalination plant by a pipe or hose for receiving treated water. Power for desalination could be provided by offshore wind or current turbines or wave generators, or from facilities powered by offshore oil or gas.
A specific embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 shows in cross section a fresh water storage facility located offshore. Figure 2 shows an isometric view of the storage facility. Figure 3 shows in plan view a group of storage containers connected within a collection manifold.
Referring to Figures 1 and 2, there is shown a water storage facility consisting of a storage container 1, a foundation structure 2, and steel tethers 3. The storage container 1 is manufactured from thermoplastic material and is typically a cylinder, horizontally aligned, 15m in diameter and 30m long. It is filled with fresh water 4, and exerts an upward buoyant force of approximately 5te/m length. It is connected to the foundation structure 2 with steel tethers 3 designed to keep the container 1 in position. The steel tethers 3 are connected to the foundation structure 2 with steel eyelets (not shown) built into the foundation 2, and are looped around the storage container 1.The steel tethers 3 are connected to the flexible container 1 by suitable reinforcement to spread the restraining loads evenly into the container 1 skin. 'I'he foundation structure 2 consists of two strips of reinforced concrete with sufficient weight to hold the container 1 on the seabed. Import and export valves (not shown) are located on top of the container 1.
Figure 3 shows a group of storage containers 1 connected with a collection manifold comprised of steel pipes 5. The steel pipes 5 are arranged to allow water flow to or from any of the containers 1 from or to a common outlet position 6. The outlet position 6 is controlled with a valve (not shown). This allows a surface vessel 7 (permanent or temporary) or towed storage facility to connect up to the manifold with a suitable inlet/ outlet pipe 8.
Claims (14)
1. An offshore fresh water or other fluid storage facility comprising either one or more fixed or floating storage container(s), a foundation structure, and water or other fluid import and export valves with provision for coupling to import and export pipes, the floating storage container(s) being tethered to the foundation structure with chains or steel, polypropylene, kevlar, RTM aramid, or carbon fibre cables, the fixed storage container(s) being connected rigidly or moulded to the foundation structure.
2. An offshore fresh water or other fluid storage facility as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the storage facility can be used either as a storage reservoir for chemicals used in the offshore or onshore processing or treatment of fluids, or for storing fluids that can be used as an electrolyte for offshore power storage systems, or to receive and store offshore manufactured products pending export.
3. An offshore fresh water or other fluid storage facility as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the storage container(s), whether fixed or floating, can be constructed in a rigid or flexible construction.
4. An offshore fresh water or other fluid storage facility as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the storage container(s) can be constructed in reinforced thermoplastic material such as PVC, nitrile or neoprene, or can be constructed in steel, glass-fibre, concrete, fibrereinforced concrete or ferocement.
5. An offshore fresh water or other fluid storage facility as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the storage container(s) can be a cylindrical shape, a semi spherical dome or a hollow shell with polygonal cross section and rectangular vertical faces with one end open.
6. An offshore fresh water or other fluid storage facility as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein in the case of the fixed storage container(s), the foundation structure can form a continuous layer of material underneath said storage container(s), and can extend beyond the perimeter of the storage container(s) in order to provide additional stability.
7. An offshore fresh water or other fluid storage facility as claimed in any of claims 1 to 5, wherein the foundation structure can consist of one or two strips of heavy material with rectangular cross section, or alternatively piles or suction anchors can be used.
8. An offshore fresh water or other fluid storage facility as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the foundation structure is located on the seabed and provides the necessary downward force to resist all upward forces imposed by the flotation of the fluid or by applied environmental or other forces acting on it, either due to its weight or by using steel piles driven through it.
9. An offshore fresh water or other fluid storage facility as claimed in any of claims 1 to 5 or 7 to 8, wherein in the case of the storage container(s) being tethered to the foundation structure, steel or polyethylene tethers, or chains, can be wrapped around said storage container(s) and connected to foundation strips arranged either side of said storage container(s).
10. An offshore fresh water or other fluid storage facility as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the storage containers can be grouped together with a collection manifold comprising steel, glass fibre, nitrile or thermoplastic pipes or hoses arranged to allow fluid flow from or to any of said containers via a series of valves to a common outlet position controlled by a valve.
11. An offshore fresh water or other fluid storage facility as claimed in Claim 10, wherein the collection manifold and grouped storage containers can be connected to a buoyant structure piercing the water surface, with said buoyant structure being capable of importing or exporting water or other fluid to or from said storage containers, from or to a vessel or towed container.
12. An offshore fresh water or other fluid storage facility as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the storage container(s) can be connected to a desalination plant by a pipe or hose for receiving treated water.
13. An offshore fresh water or other fluid storage facility as claimed in Claim 12, wherein power for desalination could be provided by offshore wind or current turbines or wave generators, or from facilities powered by offshore oil or gas.
14. An offshore fresh water or other fluid storage facility substantially as herein described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| GBGB0510824.6A GB0510824D0 (en) | 2005-05-27 | 2005-05-27 | Offshore fresh water storage facility |
Publications (3)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| GB0515151D0 GB0515151D0 (en) | 2005-08-31 |
| GB2426546A true GB2426546A (en) | 2006-11-29 |
| GB2426546B GB2426546B (en) | 2011-03-30 |
Family
ID=34834726
Family Applications (2)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| GBGB0510824.6A Ceased GB0510824D0 (en) | 2005-05-27 | 2005-05-27 | Offshore fresh water storage facility |
| GB0515151A Expired - Fee Related GB2426546B (en) | 2005-05-27 | 2005-07-25 | Offshore fresh water storage facility |
Family Applications Before (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| GBGB0510824.6A Ceased GB0510824D0 (en) | 2005-05-27 | 2005-05-27 | Offshore fresh water storage facility |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| GB (2) | GB0510824D0 (en) |
Citations (4)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US3695047A (en) * | 1970-07-02 | 1972-10-03 | Texaco Inc | Underwater liquid storage facility |
| DE2535384A1 (en) * | 1975-08-08 | 1977-02-10 | Hochtief Ag Hoch Tiefbauten | Offshore drilling platform with oil storage containers - manufactured separately and coupled to foundation structure through expansion joints |
| WO1987006212A1 (en) * | 1986-04-11 | 1987-10-22 | Yosirou Nozaki | Marine storage device for liquids including fresh water |
| ES2088331A2 (en) * | 1993-04-21 | 1996-08-01 | Pardo Jose Maria Marquez | Integral drinking-water system |
-
2005
- 2005-05-27 GB GBGB0510824.6A patent/GB0510824D0/en not_active Ceased
- 2005-07-25 GB GB0515151A patent/GB2426546B/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
Patent Citations (4)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US3695047A (en) * | 1970-07-02 | 1972-10-03 | Texaco Inc | Underwater liquid storage facility |
| DE2535384A1 (en) * | 1975-08-08 | 1977-02-10 | Hochtief Ag Hoch Tiefbauten | Offshore drilling platform with oil storage containers - manufactured separately and coupled to foundation structure through expansion joints |
| WO1987006212A1 (en) * | 1986-04-11 | 1987-10-22 | Yosirou Nozaki | Marine storage device for liquids including fresh water |
| ES2088331A2 (en) * | 1993-04-21 | 1996-08-01 | Pardo Jose Maria Marquez | Integral drinking-water system |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| GB0510824D0 (en) | 2005-07-06 |
| GB2426546B (en) | 2011-03-30 |
| GB0515151D0 (en) | 2005-08-31 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCNP | Patent ceased through non-payment of renewal fee |
Effective date: 20130725 |