WO2015055867A1

WO2015055867A1 - Oceanic aquacultural platform

Info

Publication number: WO2015055867A1
Application number: PCT/ES2014/000165
Authority: WO
Inventors: Alberto André SANTANA RAMÍREZ
Original assignee: Sodac Offshore, S.L.
Priority date: 2013-10-17
Filing date: 2014-10-06
Publication date: 2015-04-23
Also published as: ES1107805Y; ES1107805U

Abstract

The invention relates to a singular floating structure called an oceanic aquacultural platform, consisting of two well-defined parts forming a rigid set of elements: the upper part, which is not submersible and shall hereafter be called the hull, and the lower part, which is submersible as desired and shall hereafter be called the cage. The hull is similar to that of a ship in the composition of its structure and the floatability of the hull supports the weight of the hull itself and the weight of the cage when the latter is completely submerged. The cage is submersible as a result of the effect produced by the controlled flooding of a plural hollow structure which is compartmented and intercommunicating in the lower part thereof, using sea water as a ballast element. The cage surfaces as desired, said ballast being removed with a pump system and another alternative method which uses compressed air, the pressure being exerted by the air on the ballast mass which is pushed out of the plural hollow structure. Both methods can be used at the same time. This process is carried out in order to generate floatability and to make it possible to access the inside of the cage from the surface of the sea, via a gate, for the extraction or introduction of the marine species to be cultivated. Once the cage has been submerged, the mass of ballast water contained inside the hollow structure adds to the mass of the metal structure, generating a large stabilising effect because of the energy required for the displacement thereof, which conveys to the hull an effect that reduces the movements and rotations of the acting forces of the sea.

Description

OCEANIC AQUEOUS PLATFORM

DESCRIPTION

According to figure 1 which represents the elevation of the assembly comprising the structure, this invention is composed of a floating upper part or hull marked with the number 8 attached to the lower part or cage with steel beams marked with the number 3. To the steel structure of the cage is attached a plural compartmentalized and interconnected hollow structure marked with the number 1 and 31 whose function is to contain water as a ballast element or air inside to generate the necessary thrust that regulates vertical stability and the buoyancy of the whole structure when it is required in the processes of immersion or emersion of the cage.

According to figure 1 that represents the elevation as a connection and communication between the helmet and the cage there will be a central access tube over the entire vertical length of the structure, externally reinforced with steel profiles marked with the number 3 that make the function of structural axis. The steel cables marked with the number 5 in addition to conferring rigidity to the structure serve as support for the anchoring of the stainless steel net or any other corrosion resistant alloy that surrounds the structure indicated with the number 7.

According to figure 1 that represents the elevation, a permanent rudder marked with the number 14 located on the opposite side to the anchor point of the mooring to the seabed allows us to maintain a permanent orientation of the structure due to the effect of the marine currents.

According to figure 2 which represents the lower floor of the cage is formed by steel beams marked with numbers 3 and 4 designed to withstand structural stresses. It is fixed to the tube structure or any other hollow structure that fulfills the same function with steel clamps marked with the number 33.

According to figure 3 which represents the lower floor of the cage where the system formed by the valves marked with the number 47 and the connection pipes marked with the number 46 are shown, which are used to intercommunicate the tubular structures in their part lower to allow the passage of ballast. This automated valve system regulates the displacement of the ballast between the different flood zones to allow execution of the immersion or emersion maneuvers as well as maintaining the vertical position of the structure. The valves are operated with electric, pneumatic or preferably hydraulic mechanism.

According to figure 4 which represents the plant of the submersible structure of the cage, the tubular structure in its upper part is formed by a main horizontal toroid connected to vertical tubes marked with the number 31. The horizontal toroid will be internally divided into compartments tobacconists indicated with the number 32 to allow separating the ballast masses in order to regulate the verticality of the platform mainly during the immersion and emersion processes.

According to figure 4 which represents the plant of the submersible structure of the cage the limit of emersion capacity is delimited by the upper part of the compartmentalized hollow structure

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REPLACEMENT SHEET (RULE 26) with toroidal shape located in the upper part of the cage that forms a toroid in a horizontal position marked with number 1 of figure 4. The upper part of the toroid is emersion above sea level. The plural hollow structure in emersion has capacity and supports all the weight of the structure as a whole being suspended above sea level the hull in vertical position.

According to figure 5, which represents the plant of the submersible structure of the cage where the number 44 is indicated by the tubes that are used to allow the entry or exit of air inside the toroid. These tubes transport the air at a pressure necessary for the thrust of the pressurized air on the mass of ballast that is expelled to the sea through a valve. They are also the exit route of the air contained during the entrance of ballast by the lower part of the compartmentalized hollow structure of the cage that is produced to avoid generating an air bubble in the upper part during the immersion process.

The ballast emptying maneuver by the push of the air pressure also serves to modulate the volume of ballast and air in each watertight compartment in order to regulate the vertical position of the structure. This maneuver is performed by modulating the flow of air passing through the valves marked with the number 45 that are opened or closed each independently of the programming and an electronic device that regulates the vertical position of the structure, . Said valves can be operated by electric, pneumatic or preferably hydraulic mechanism. This system whose function is the transport of air is fed from a compressed air tank must have the ability to push to be able to evacuate all the ballast contained in the plurality of tubes of the cage.

A sensor detects the critical level of the buoyancy located in the upper part of the hull next to the cover indicated with number 61 of figure 7, and activates a programmed process that regulates the buoyancy level of the hull. Said sensor activates the expulsion of the ballast contained in the cage to the sea through the valve indicated with the number 94 of Figure 7 using the method detailed in the previous paragraph due to the effect of the thrust exerted on the ballast by the pressurized air.

Once the helmet has recovered an optimum level of buoyancy, that level is detected by the sensors indicated with number 57 of figure 7, so this automated process is stopped by closing the valves marked with numbers 94 and 47 of the figure 7 and the one indicated with the number 45 of figure 5, leaving the helmet located at an optimum level of buoyancy.

The buoyancy level sensors will preferably be located inside the hull communicated to the outside through an orifice that allows the entry and exit of water to a flooded tank welded to the interior of the hull where a buoy is preferably located with a bronze switch encapsulated magnetic that produces the order that activates all the programmed process described in the previous paragraphs by means of the electrical contact closure connected to the control element and electric protection controlled by microcomputer located in the general electrical control panel whose functions are detailed in the description of Figure 7

The process described as regards the evacuation of the ballast contained in the plurality of tubes when a sensor is activated that detects a critical level of the buoyancy of the helmet located on the upper part thereof indicated with number 61 of figure 7, it can also be executed by an autonomous pumping system for emptying the ballast water. In this

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REPLACEMENT SHEET (RULE 26) situation to obtain the necessary electrical power that is greater than that required in the above described process that is carried out by the action of compressed air, the sensor indicated with number 61 of figure 7 activates the commissioning of the main generator group of electricity indicated with the number 65 of figure 7, which supplies the electric power necessary to operate a plurality of bilge pumps preferably submersible pumps that evacuate the contained ballast, pumps indicated with the number 96 in figure 7. Once the start-up of the pumping equipment is electronically verified by the control element and electric protection controlled by a microcomputer located in the general electrical control panel, that programmed device orders the closing of the valve for the entry and exit of the waters of ballast marked with the number 94 in figure 7 proceeding the pumping to evacuate the ballast through the pipe marked with the number 82 of figure 7 that protects the return of water ballast with the check valves indicated with numbers 35 and 62 of figure 7.

If a greater effectiveness of the process described in the previous paragraph is required, the two ballast evacuation processes described can be used simultaneously, by the pressure exerted by the pressurized air on the ballast mass and by pumping, as long as it remains closed the ballast water inlet and outlet valve marked with number 94 in figure 7 to concentrate the evacuation of the ballast through the pipe indicated with number 82 of figure 7.

According to figure 6 which represents the plant of the oceanic aquaculture platform, the gate for access from the outside to the interior of the cage is indicated with the number 37. The gate will preferably be manufactured with structural profiles. The opening is hinged and kept closed by the force of gravity exerted by its weight resting on a steel profile. The opening is performed by traction exerted with a steel cable from a telescopic crane located on the roof of the helmet indicated with number 11 of Figure 1.

Figure 6 that represents the plant of the oceanic aquaculture platform where number 2 shows the angular union accessories of the toroid that forms the upper part of the hollow structure, with the number 31 the accessories in the form of T of union to the toroid that connects the vertical cylinders, with the number 32 represents the watertight accessories that divide the hollow structure of the toroid to divide the ballast masses, with the number 6 the clamps for the fixation of the toroid to the beams and with number 38 that represents the boat lifeguard

According to figure 7 which represents the section of the structure, enlarged in a circle the detail of the lock to access the diver inside the cage. The diver accesses the central tube through the watertight door represented by number 26 of figure 8.3. and it descends in the forklift truck represented by the number 40 of figure 7, which will be put into operation once the sensor marked with number 60 detects the emptying of ballast in the central tube. The diver accesses an underwater lock with built-in decompression chamber. Once the diver has descended to the access represented by the number 83, the diver will operate with the foot the valve represented by the number 86 that will equal the atmospheric pressure of the lock represented with the number 87 that allows to open the watertight door marked with the number 84

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REPLACEMENT SHEET (RULE 26) Once the diver closes the door represented with the number 84, he can expel the water contained in the exit bell represented by the number 90 and equalize the pressure of the zone represented by the number 87 by first injecting air into the area represented by the number 90 pressing the valve represented with the number 85 for a programmed time and sufficient to evacuate the water contained in the zone represented by the number 90 that exits by 92 creating an air bubble. Once the water has been dislodged and this is at the level of the access represented by the number 92, the diver presses the valve marked with the number 91 that guala the atmospheric pressure of the two chambers indicated with the numbers 87 and 90 proceeding to open the diver the second waterproof door that allows access to the area designated by the number 90 and proceed to the dive with exit and entry through the access indicated with the number 92.

The process for returning the diver to the interior of the central tube of the structure is carried out by accessing the diver to the represented exit bell indicated with the number 90 through the represented access indicated with the number 92. The diver will then press the valve shown marked with the number 91 to equalize the atmospheric pressure between the two chambers and be able to access the represented locks with the number 87. It is in this chamber where the diver performs the decompression.

To make the decompression diver, this space has a permanent pressure air inlet tube marked with the number 88 that enters through the adjustable incoming pressure limiting valve indicated with the number 81, air circulating inside the chamber and it goes out through the valve marked with the number 89 to the outside. This valve is a pressure switch also adjustable that also has a pressure control manometer that manually adjusts the diver to maintain the correct pressure inside the lock. The recirculation of air avoids saturation of the oxygen level inside the lock. In said space, the diver will keep the atmospheric pressure required for the required decompression during the time indicated in the decompression tables. Once the maneuver is completed, the diver will activate the valve marked with the number 86 to equalize the pressure of the valve and be able to access again the forklift designated with the number 40.

According to figure 7 that represents the section of the structure, the tanks destined for the storage of the fattening feed indicated with number 36 on the hull will be made of polyester or any other thermo insulating material. In the lower part of the silos indicated with the number 51, the collector-mixer tank is represented for the dosing and supply of feeds to the interior of the cage. It will be manufactured in steel sheet as a preferred element. This collector-mixer tank has a feed intake pipe in its upper part from the silo that has a guillotine valve operated with electric, pneumatic or preferably hydraulic mechanism that regulates the programmed amount of feed to be dosed collected by the collector before of his drive to the inside of the cage.

The collector-mixer tank also has in its upper part a watertight manual opening gate that allows to introduce alternatively other feed or treatments.

The collector-mixer tank has attached as an element of the water pump assembly that is fed through a hydraulic connection of seawater that drives the interior of the collector-mixer tank as a transport element of the feed that is

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REPLACEMENT SHEET (RULE 26) transferred to the interior of the cage through the transport tube represented by number 55. The feed is initially driven from the silo to the collector-mixer tank by the action of the air coming from the compressed air tank indicated with the number 48 or directly from the compressor or blower marked with the number 49 acted this process by the commutator of air indicated with the number 50 whose function is to distribute the air under pressure for the different services controlled by the programmed universal modules of the electrical panel. The mixture that is generated in the collector-mixer tank when being driven contains feed, water and air. The air is separated during the journey in a plurality of longitudinal grooves made in a section of the transport tube represented by said section with the number 52. Said grooves located in the upper part of the tube allow the air contained in the mixture of the unwashed to escape this tube inside all the pressure required to be discharged the feed at the supply points located inside the cage represented with the number 57.

The feeding system is governed by a properly programmed team that manages the entire feeding process. Said element has an electrical signal input that it receives from a satiation detector device located in the lower part of the cage and that detects the moment in which the feeding process must be blocked due to completion. This detector device can be composed of a plurality of video cameras contained in sealed housings located in a space bounded to the fish that detect by means of a programmable video sensor the fall of the feed or also by a plurality of volumetric detectors that act by Doppler effect. located in a space limited to fish. The power programmer for the Automation / telecontrol is programmable in time slot and is a universal module located in the electrical panel whose characteristics are detailed in the description of figure 7.

According to FIG. 7, which represents the section of the structure, the cathodic protection against the oxidation process of the metal elements of the cage is carried out with a plurality of sacrificial anodes of mixed alloy composed of aluminum indicated with number 97 of the Figure 7, The anodes will be anchored to the structure with welded support or with shackles attached to the metal net and steel cables. The sacrificial anodes equidistant in the entire structure of the cage according to the technical calculation developed to prevent the corrosion of the metal during the entire period of useful life of the structure according to the surface to be protected.

According to figure 7, which represents the section of the structure, the electricity supply comes mainly from a renewable energy system indicated with number 9 and 18 of figure 8.1 composed of wind turbine and photovoltaic panels. It also has a main generator group with thermal engine and another auxiliary marked with numbers 65 and 66 fed by a fuel tank marked with the number 56. It also has a group of electric accumulators marked with the number 64 for the storage of surplus of energy with its corresponding switch equipment electric voltage converter.

Indicated with the number 68 the electrical panel is composed of a plurality of modules accessible by remote control each as elements of electrical protection and telecontrol / automation of all functions. It is composed of a plurality of universal electrical protection modules, all arranged "downstream" of the following operational and safety functions:

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REPLACEMENT SHEET (RULE 26) Controlled by microcomputer, highly stable by incorporating triple supervisor of process status (Watchdog).

Magneto-thermal protections, differentials, overvoltages / alarms Programmable in value and delay with automatic reset (intelligent and sequential).

Central of Measures and data (Network analysis).

Oscilloscope Waveform Event Recorder With pre-trigger and autoscale.

Harmonic spectrum analysis of 7 channels with autoscale (64 harmonics range in% and RMS value).

7-channel oscilloscope with autoscale. WEB server in real time, continuous refresh display (every 1, 5 sec.) Of all variable parameters.

Multi-interaction between remote units via Internet / Intranet Historical logger of alarms and conditions LOG.

Central Alarms, Remote Management and Automation through 10 logic outputs (relays) and 10 logic inputs.

Management, dimensioning and energy supervision.

Quality analysis of electrical network.

Automation / programmable remote control of relays with level alarms in a time slot.

Records of maximum and minimum measures and individual Alarms counters. Record of active and reactive energy consumption (daily and monthly schedules).

Modbus TCP / IP communication protocol and TCP / IP protocol. HTTP. WEB server (via Ethernet network).

Software p with database, analysis of graphic data. WEB access via Internet / Intranet without Software. According to figure 7 that represents the section of the structure, it will also be equipped with a water treatment plant by reverse osmosis designated with the number 63, a drinking water tank marked with the number 72, of a panel to access the manual control indicated with the number 69, of Radar indicated with numbers 70 and 74, of radio and antenna station indicated with numbers 71 and 75, of thermal camera of external surveillance indicated with number 73, of antenna beacon GPS AIS indicated with number 76, of lightning rod marked with number 77, of rescue equipment marked with number 78 and of signaling lights and obstacles indicated with numbers 79 and 80

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REPLACEMENT SHEET (RULE 26) According to figure 8 that represents the section of the hull, the platform will be equipped with a helisurface marked with numbers 20 and 34 of figure 8.1 that must be adjusted in height and form to the current aeronautical regulations. It is also equipped with a helmet in its upper part of a castle marked with number 10 of figure 8.6, wind gust for ventilation indicated with number 42 of figure 8.5, safety elements indicated with number 27 of figure 8.5 , Inside the castle are represented in figure 8.3 the cabin marked with the number 24, control and surveillance room indicated with the number 21, Engine room marked with the number 23, kitchen marked with the number 22, and room for compressor and diving equipment indicated with number 25.

According to Figure 8 that represents the section of the hull The hull will be divided in its interior by two vertical watertight bulkheads, division indicated with number 39 of Figure 8.7.

According to figure 8 representing the section of the hull are shown marked with the number 12 of figure 8.3, the watertight hatches to enter the silos the feed transported by hoses that enter it by means of a blower system that transports a bulk carrier .

According to figure 9 that represents the elevation of the structure located in the water with the submerged cage, where the anchors for mooring shackle designated with number 16 are represented by the signaling buoy indicated with the number 15 and the anchor dead to the seabed represented by number 17. Said anchorage is made between the cage and the dead one with synthetic fiber cables and steel cables fitted with shackles fixed to a chain that is integrated as a fixed part to the anchor dead, this composed of a drawer made in steel with internal reinforcement core formed by steel reinforcement and filled in the concrete box that forms an armed structure that withstands the impact on its fall to the seabed. In turn said dead concrete will have a reinforcing anchor fixed to the frame armor by chain.

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REPLACEMENT SHEET (RULE 26)

Claims

1 ^a . - OCEANIC AQUACULTURE PLATFORM for aquaculture characterized by being a semi-submersible floating structure that is formed by two well-defined joined parts, which both compose a rigid set of elements. The upper part that is not submersible called hull and that contains in its interior silos and the lower part that is submersible at will by the controlled flooding of a plural compartmentalized and intercommunicated hollow structure that uses water as a ballast element that we call a cage, which It has cathodic protection and a specific anchorage system for great depths.

2 .- PLATFORM ACUICOLA OCEANICA according to claim 1 characterized by having hydraulic mechanisms for ejecting ballast emerge cage.

3 ^a . - OCEANIC AQUEOUS PLATFORM, according to any of the preceding claims characterized by having pneumatic mechanisms to emerge the cage expelling ballast.

4 .- PLATFORM ACUICOLA OCEANICA according to any of the preceding claims characterized by having incorporated in its structure a system of compensating airlock and hyperbaric pressure to enable input and output divers directly into the cage.

5 .- PLATFORM ACUICOLA OCEANICA according to any of the preceding claims characterized in that a floating structure that uses as a generator buoyancy tubes preferably high density polyethylene attached to a structure commercial profiles hot rolled steel.

6 ^a. - OCEANIC AQUEOUS PLATFORM, according to any of the previous claims, characterized by having a metallic safety net enclosing it in the cage.

7 .- PLATFORM ACUICOLA OCEANICA according to any of the preceding claims characterized by disposing the cage over its entire metal surface cathodic protection.

8 ^a. - OCEANIC AQUEOUS PLATFORM, according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by having silos and an automated feed supply system located inside the hull.

9 .- PLATFORM ACUICOLA OCEANICA according to any preceding claim characterized by being constructed silos preferably polyester or other heat insulation materials may also be metal.

10 .- PLATFORM ACUICOLA OCEANICA according to any of the preceding claims characterized by having a collecting container mixer dispenser for supplying feed into the cage. It has a water pump connected

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REPLACEMENT SHEET (RULE 26) directly to the mixing collector tank and this in its upper part of a sealed gate to manually introduce the feed or treatments. It has the circuit prior to its end of some slots for the air outlet.

11 ^a . - OCEANIC AQUEOUS PLATFORM, according to any of the preceding claims characterized by having an electrical supply equipment that comes from an electric wind turbine, and photovoltaic panels with a group of accumulators and a current converter switching equipment supported by a generator set with a thermal engine .

12 .- PLATFORM ACUICOLA OCEANICA according to any of the preceding claims characterized by being a remotely controllable and programmable floating structure in all its functions.

13 .- PLATFORM ACUICOLA OCEANICA according to any of the preceding claims characterized by having a mooring system comprising a sizing box made of steel possibly containing steel reinforced concrete and have attached outside reinforcement anchor.

14 ^a. - OCEANIC AQUEOUS PLATFORM, according to any of the previous claims, characterized by having a surface for landing helicopters.

15 ^a. - OCEANIC AQUEOUS PLATFORM, according to any of the previous claims characterized by having a castle on deck for the crew.

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REPLACEMENT SHEET (RULE 26)