RU171646U1 - LOADING SYSTEM FOR TRANSPORTATION OF A FLUID TO A FLOATING SHIP - Google Patents

Abstract

The utility model relates to marine equipment for the development of the Arctic shelf, and in particular to systems for transporting hydrocarbons between an underwater terminal located on the seabed and a vessel located in the drift ice zone. The loading system for transporting fluid to a floating vessel contains a transmission element — a flexible ascending pipeline suspended in an interference fit between the submersible buoy and the support base at the bottom, in the continuation of the first — a second flexible transmission element with a docking device for connection to the vessel. The loading system is additionally equipped with an auxiliary underwater buoy with fixation on it of the free end of the second transmission element, when the system is not in use, mounted stationary on a support base on cables and equipped with a winch with a submersible electric motor. Achieved improved performance by reducing the number of technological operations when connecting and disconnecting from the vessel.

Description

The utility model relates to marine equipment for the development of the Arctic shelf, and in particular to systems for transporting hydrocarbons between an underwater terminal located on the seabed and a vessel located in the drifting ice zone, both in clear water and in continuous ice fields.

There are a number of systems for transferring medium between two devices, where one of the devices is an underwater installation, a floating storage device and a transport vessel. Some of these systems have devices whereby, when the vessel is not in use, a transfer hose is located between the installation and the vessel, partially located on the seabed, which necessitates monitoring wear and performing regular replacement of hose parts.

Known boot system - patent No. 2405711 of 12/10/2010, adopted as a prototype that can be used at relatively large depths, also in areas prone to drifting ice. The loading system comprises a transmission element oriented vertically in the installed position in an interference state, a flexible second transmission element located in the continuation of the first, between which a swivel device is installed. The free end of the second transmission element is provided with devices for connection to the vessel. When the system is not used, the end of the second transmission element hangs freely in the water column and is oriented essentially parallel to the first transmission element.

The disadvantages of the prototype: the length of the flexible hose should be at least 150-200 meters, so that the loading and unloading operation could be carried out with sea waves up to 5 points. A flexible hose of this length cannot be parked using the method proposed in the prototype (free suspension) at depths of less than 500 meters.

The search and connection of a flexible hose with a device lifting it takes a long time (broken ice interferes) and is not safe, because cables and flexible tubing of the ascending pipeline can be touched.

In addition, the flexible hose, in the area of its connection with the swivel, has a significant bend, which reduces its durability.

The technical result of the proposed utility model is to improve operational characteristics by reducing the number of technological operations when connecting and disconnecting from the vessel.

The loading system contains a transmission element in the form of a flexible ascending pipeline suspended in the installed position in an interference state between the submersible buoy and the support base at the bottom. In continuation of the first transmission element, the system is equipped with a second flexible transmission element with a docking device for connection to the vessel. A swivel device is installed between the first and second transmission elements, which is rotatable around the longitudinal axis of the first transmission element. The loading system is additionally equipped with an auxiliary underwater buoy for fixing the free end of the second transmission element when the system is not in use, mounted stationary on a support base on ropes and equipped with a winch with a submersible electric motor.

In FIG. 1 shows a boot system when not in use;

in FIG. 2 - the system is attached to the vessel;

in FIG. 3 - auxiliary buoy with a winch and an electric motor.

The loading system is designed to operate in the broken ice of the Arctic shelf at a depth of up to 500 meters. The transportation of fluid (oil products) is carried out using pumps located on the shore through the support base of the monifolt unit 3, a flexible ascending pipe 1 suspended in a tightness condition using an immersion buoy 2, through a swivel 6, a horizontal flexible pipeline near zero buoyancy - the second transmission element 4 and end device 5 having positive buoyancy. In the absence of the vessel, the flexible hose 4 at a distance of about 15 meters from the terminal device 5 is attached to the auxiliary buoy 7, fixed with cables to the support 8 at the bottom at a distance of 50-100 meters from the supporting base 3 (Fig. 1).

Submersible buoy 2, flexible pipe 4 and auxiliary buoy 7 are located at a depth of 50 meters, which allows them to avoid contact with ice fields and hummocks. When the tanker approaches the automated underwater terminal (APT), which it finds using acoustic beacons located on the auxiliary buoy 7 (not shown in Fig. 2), a command is sent to turn on the submersible motor 10 (Fig. 3), which, using the winch 9 releases flexible conduit 4, allowing it and the end device 5 to surface. After that, the final device 5 is captured by the crane of the vessel and attached to it for operation (Fig. 2).

The mobility of the elements of the flexible pipe 4, the presence of a swivel 6 and a special clamp, which ensures a constant connection of the auxiliary buoy 7 with the cable to the flexible pipe 4, allows loading and unloading of petroleum products (as shown by calculations) with sea waves up to 4-5 points. The tanker maneuvering spot is 150 meters.

At the end of the loading-unloading operation, the valves of the end device 5 and the support base-monifold 3 are closed. The end device 5 is lowered into the water and, after a command, is attracted to the auxiliary buoy 7 using the winch 9 and the submersible electric motor 10.

Thus, by reducing the number of operations when connecting and disconnecting from the vessel, the operational characteristics are improved and the reliability of the operations of loading the vessel in the ice field is increased.

Claims (1)

A loading system for transporting fluid to a floating vessel, comprising a transmission element in the form of a flexible ascending pipe suspended in an installed position between the submersible buoy and the support base at the bottom, in the continuation of the first transmission element, a second flexible transmission element with a docking device for connection to the vessel, between the first and second transmission elements mounted swivel device made with the possibility of rotation around the longitudinal axis of the first second transmission element, characterized in that the charging system is further provided with an auxiliary underwater buoy with fixing thereon the free end of the second transmission member when not in use, fixedly mounted on the support base by means of wires equipped with a winch and the submersible motor.

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