Spar type wind turbine floating platform and method of construction thereof

Abstract

The application discloses a Spar type wind turbine floating platform and a construction method thereof. The Spar type wind turbine floating platform comprises a column structure and a ballast structure. The column structure has a mounting end and a ballast end in an axial direction. The mounting end is used for mounting a wind turbine tower. The ballast structure is arranged at the ballast end and is arranged in an extending mode along a radial direction of the column structure. An inner part of the ballast structure is formed with a plurality of ballast sub-chambers which are distributed along the axial direction and are used for loading external ballast. The ballast structure is arranged in the extending mode along the radial direction, so as to adjust the gravity center and the inertia moment of the structure. Therefore, the required draft of the wind turbine floating platform is greatly reduced on the premise that the gravity center of the structure is lower than the floating center, and the wind turbine floating platform can be adapted to the environment of a coastal area with a shallow water depth.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of offshore wind power generation technology, and in particular to a Spar-type wind turbine floating platform and its construction method. Background Technology

[0002] Currently, Spar-type floating wind turbines are widely used in deep-sea wind resource development. The traditional Spar-type foundation is a slender cylindrical structure with a simple structure and a small waterline. In order to obtain excellent hydrodynamic performance, the Spar-type floating wind turbine usually needs to meet the requirement that the center of gravity is lower than the center of buoyancy. This results in a very deep draft for the Spar-type foundation, usually exceeding 100m. However, the water depth in most coastal waters of my country is less than 100m, and the traditional Spar-type wind turbine is difficult to apply in shallower coastal waters due to its deep draft. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The main objective of this invention is to propose a Spar-type floating wind turbine platform and its construction method, aiming to solve the problem that traditional Spar-type floating wind turbines are difficult to apply in shallow coastal waters due to their deep draft.

[0004] To achieve the above objectives, the Spar-type floating wind turbine platform proposed in this invention includes:

[0005] The column structure has an axial mounting end and a ballast end, the mounting end being used to mount the wind turbine tower; and,

[0006] A ballast structure is provided at the ballast end and extends radially along the column structure. The interior of the ballast structure has multiple ballast compartments distributed along the axial direction, which are used to load external ballast materials.

[0007] In some embodiments, the ballast structure includes an extension portion and a sag suppression portion stacked along the axial direction, and in the axial direction, the projected area of ​​the extension portion is smaller than the projected area of ​​the sag suppression portion, and a first ballast cavity is formed inside the extension portion;

[0008] The plurality of ballast compartments include the first ballast compartment.

[0009] In some embodiments, multiple heave suppression portions are spaced apart in the axial direction, and an extension portion is provided between two adjacent heave suppression portions.

[0010] In some embodiments, a second ballast cavity is formed within the heave suppression section;

[0011] The plurality of ballast compartments also include the second ballast compartment.

[0012] In some embodiments, the cross-sectional area of ​​the mounting end gradually decreases in the direction from the ballast end to the mounting end.

[0013] In some embodiments, ballast cavities are formed around the periphery of the column structure.

[0014] In some embodiments, the structure of the Spar-type wind turbine floating platform includes a steel structure or a reinforced concrete structure.

[0015] To achieve the above objectives, the construction method proposed in this invention is based on the Spar-type wind turbine floating platform described in any of the above embodiments, and the construction method includes the following steps:

[0016] Provide the Spar type wind turbine floating platform, and add the first ballast material into one of the ballast compartments sequentially from bottom to top;

[0017] After hoisting the wind turbine tower to the installation end and the upper wind turbine to the wind turbine tower, water is released into the dock where the Spar type wind turbine floating platform is located.

[0018] The Spar-type wind turbine floating platform is towed to the designated water area, and second ballast is added to the remaining ballast compartments from bottom to top until the waterline of the Spar-type wind turbine floating platform is at the location of the installation end.

[0019] In the technical solution provided by this invention, due to the radial extension of the ballast structure, the axial dimension of the Spar-type wind turbine floating platform is reduced while the radial dimension is increased without changing the drainage volume. This significantly reduces the required draft while ensuring the stability of the Spar-type wind turbine floating platform, thus enabling it to adapt to shallow coastal waters. Furthermore, the multiple ballast chambers allow the Spar-type wind turbine floating platform to lower its center of gravity and radius of inertia by rationally arranging the ballast, meeting the requirement that the center of gravity is lower than the center of buoyancy and achieving a larger metacentric height. This results in excellent hydrodynamic performance for the Spar-type wind turbine floating platform. Moreover, because the wind turbine tower is installed at the mounting end of the column structure, the waterline surface in contact with the water is small, which reduces the wave forces experienced by the Spar-type wind turbine floating platform. Attached Figure Description

[0020] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention or the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present invention. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on the structures shown in these drawings without creative effort.

[0021] Figure 1 A three-dimensional structural schematic diagram of an embodiment of the Spar-type floating platform for wind turbines provided by the present invention;

[0022] Figure 2 A cross-sectional structural schematic diagram of an embodiment of the Spar-type floating wind turbine platform provided by the present invention;

[0023] Figure 3 This is a three-dimensional structural schematic diagram of another embodiment of the Spar-type floating wind turbine platform provided by the present invention.

[0024] Explanation of icon numbers:

[0025] 100 Spar type wind turbine floating platform 2a Ballast compartment 1 Column structure 21a First Ballast Chamber 11 Installation end 22a Second Ballast Chamber 12 Ballast end 21 Extension 2 Ballast structure 22 Heave inhibition

[0026] The realization of the objective, functional features and advantages of the present invention will be further explained in conjunction with the embodiments and with reference to the accompanying drawings. Detailed Implementation

[0027] The technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of the present invention, and not all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0028] It should be noted that if the embodiments of the present invention involve directional indication, the directional indication is only used to explain the relative positional relationship and movement of the components in a certain specific posture. If the specific posture changes, the directional indication will also change accordingly.

[0029] Furthermore, if the embodiments of this invention involve descriptions such as "first" or "second," these descriptions are for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying their relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of technical features indicated. Therefore, a feature defined with "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include at least one of those features. Additionally, the technical solutions of the various embodiments can be combined with each other, but this must be based on the ability of those skilled in the art to implement them. If the combination of technical solutions is contradictory or impossible to implement, it should be considered that such a combination of technical solutions does not exist and is not within the scope of protection claimed by this invention.

[0030] Currently, Spar-type floating wind turbines are widely used in deep-sea wind resource development. The traditional Spar-type foundation is a slender cylindrical structure with a simple structure and a small waterline. This type of foundation has a center of gravity lower than its center of buoyancy, enabling unconditional stability and excellent hydrodynamic performance. To meet this characteristic, Spar-type foundations have a very deep draft, typically exceeding 100m.

[0031] Analysis of the above reasons shows that the existing Spar type floating wind turbine has a large draft. It is possible to consider structural improvements to reduce its draft without changing the drainage volume.

[0032] Therefore, the main objective of this invention is to propose a Spar-type floating platform for wind turbines and its construction method, aiming to solve the problem that traditional Spar-type wind turbines are difficult to apply in shallow coastal waters due to their deep draft.

[0033] in, Figure 1 A three-dimensional structural schematic diagram of an embodiment of the Spar-type floating platform for wind turbines provided by the present invention; Figure 2 A cross-sectional structural schematic diagram of an embodiment of the Spar-type floating wind turbine platform provided by the present invention; Figure 3 This is a three-dimensional structural schematic diagram of another embodiment of the Spar-type floating wind turbine platform provided by the present invention.

[0034] Please see Figures 1 to 2 The Spar-type wind turbine floating platform 100 proposed in this invention includes a column structure 1 and a ballast structure 2. The column structure 1 has an installation end 11 and a ballast end 12 in the axial direction. The installation end 11 is used to install the wind turbine tower. The ballast structure 2 is disposed at the ballast end 12 and extends along the radial direction of the column structure 1. The interior of the ballast structure 2 has a plurality of ballast compartments 2a distributed in the axial direction. The ballast compartments 2a are used to load external ballast materials.

[0035] It should be noted that the Spar-type wind turbine floating platform 100 proposed in this invention is not limited to use in marine areas, but can also be used in lakes and waters. This invention does not limit its application scenarios. The structural shape of the column structure 1 can be varied, such as a cylindrical structure, a square column structure, a straight column structure, or even a curved column structure, as long as it can satisfy the requirement of forming an installation end 11 and a ballast end 12 at both ends in the axial direction. Its main function is to provide the buoyancy required by the platform, and this invention does not limit its shape. The structural shape of the ballast structure 2 can be varied, such as a flat cylindrical structure or a flat square column structure. It can be directly formed or installed on the column structure 1, or indirectly installed on the column structure 1 through other structures. This invention does not limit its application. The function of the ballast compartment 2a is to load external ballast. After adapting and reasonably matching the type and volume of ballast, it can ensure that the center of gravity of the Spar type wind turbine floating platform 100 is lower than the center of buoyancy. The ballast can be materials such as concrete or iron ore, or seawater. This embodiment does not limit its application. The setting of multiple ballast compartments 2a allows for the loading of fixed ballast and movable ballast into different ballast compartments 2a according to actual needs during construction. Different ballast compartments 2a can be used sequentially according to actual assembly needs.

[0036] In the technical solution provided by this invention, due to the radial extension of the ballast structure 2, the axial dimension of the Spar-type wind turbine floating platform 100 is reduced and the radial dimension is increased without changing the drainage volume. This significantly reduces the required draft while ensuring the stability of the Spar-type wind turbine floating platform 100, thus enabling it to adapt to shallow coastal waters. Furthermore, the arrangement of multiple ballast chambers 2a allows the Spar-type wind turbine floating platform 100 to lower its center of gravity and radius of inertia by rationally arranging the ballast, meeting the requirement that the center of gravity is lower than the center of buoyancy and achieving a larger center of gravity height. This results in excellent hydrodynamic performance for the Spar-type wind turbine floating platform 100. Moreover, since the wind turbine tower is installed at the mounting end 11 of the column structure 1, the waterline surface of the mounting end 11 in contact with the water surface is small, resulting in less wave force on the Spar-type wind turbine floating platform 100.

[0037] In some embodiments, the ballast structure 2 includes an extension portion 21 and a sag suppression portion 22 stacked in the axial direction, and in the axial direction, the projected area of ​​the extension portion 21 is smaller than the projected area of ​​the sag suppression portion 22, and a first ballast compartment 21a is formed inside the extension portion 21; a plurality of ballast compartments 2a include the first ballast compartment 21a. It should be noted that the extension section 21 is used to load external ballast, thereby adjusting the overall center of gravity of the Spar type wind turbine floating platform 100. Since the ballast structure 2 extends radially from the column structure 1, the cross-section of the extension section 21 in the axial direction should be at least larger than the cross-section of the column structure 1 in the axial direction. The sag suppression section 22 is stacked with the extension section 21. Specifically, the sag suppression section 22 can be located at the bottom of the extension section 21 or at the top of the extension section 21. This embodiment does not limit this. The sag suppression section 22 can be configured as a flat square column structure or a flat cylindrical structure. This embodiment does not limit its specific structure.

[0038] According to the above technical solution, the function of the heave suppression part 22 is to increase the added mass and heave damping of the Spar type wind turbine floating platform 100, thereby increasing its heave period. When the Spar type wind turbine floating platform 100 is in a heave motion state, the presence of the heave suppression part 22 causes a large number of eddies to be generated around the Spar type wind turbine floating platform 100, which can reduce the heave motion response of the Spar type wind turbine floating platform 100. At the same time, there are many structural types of the heave suppression part 22, as long as it can ensure that the heave suppression part 22 extends to the peripheral position of the extension part 21. This embodiment does not limit it. In this embodiment, the ballast chamber 2a includes, but is not limited to, the first ballast chamber 21a.

[0039] In some embodiments, multiple heave suppression portions 22 are spaced apart in the axial direction, and an extension portion 21 is provided between two adjacent heave suppression portions 22. (See also...) Figure 1 The number of droop suppression units 22 can be set to two; please refer to [link / reference]. Figure 3 The number of heave suppression units 22 can be increased, and this embodiment does not limit the number. Depending on the different water depth restrictions, multiple heave suppression units 22 can be set to obtain better center of gravity adjustment capability and heave suppression performance, and can also be equipped with a more powerful upper fan.

[0040] In some embodiments, a second ballast compartment 22a is formed within the heave suppression section 22; the plurality of ballast compartments 2a further include the second ballast compartment 22a. It should be noted that the size and shape of the second ballast compartment 22a can be determined according to the specific shape of the heave suppression section 22. By providing the second ballast compartment 22a in the heave suppression section 22, the internal space of the heave suppression section 22 can be fully utilized to place ballast, thereby further improving the center of gravity adjustment capability of the Spar type wind turbine floating platform 100.

[0041] In some embodiments, the cross-sectional area of ​​the mounting end 11 gradually decreases in the direction from the ballast end 12 to the mounting end 11. This arrangement further reduces the cross-sectional area of ​​the mounting end 11 in contact with the water surface, thereby further reducing the wave force experienced by the Spar-type wind turbine floating platform 100.

[0042] In some embodiments, the ballast compartment 2a is formed around the periphery of the column structure 1. Since the ballast compartment 2a itself is formed around the column structure 1, after the ballast is uniformly loaded, the actual center of gravity of the Spar type wind turbine floating platform 100 is more likely to be kept on the axis, which can prevent the actual center of gravity from deviating significantly from the design and causing the Spar type wind turbine floating platform 100 to overturn.

[0043] In some embodiments, the structure of the Spar-type wind turbine floating platform 100 includes a steel structure or a reinforced concrete structure. The overall structure of the Spar-type wind turbine floating platform 100 can be made of steel or reinforced concrete, which can effectively reduce manufacturing costs. Preferably, the reinforced concrete structure has a larger weight, which has a significant effect on lowering the center of gravity of the structure.

[0044] In one specific embodiment, the Spar-type wind turbine floating platform 100 includes a column structure 1 and a ballast structure 2. The column structure 1 has an installation end 11 and a ballast end 12 in the axial direction. The installation end 11 is used to install the wind turbine tower. The ballast structure 2 is disposed at the ballast end 12 and extends along the radial direction of the column structure 1. The ballast structure 2 includes a plurality of sag suppression parts 22 arranged at intervals in the axial direction. An extension part 21 is disposed between two adjacent sag suppression parts 22. A first ballast compartment 21a is formed in the extension part 21, and a second ballast compartment 22a is formed in the sag suppression part 22. The first ballast compartment 21a and the second ballast compartment 22a are formed around the periphery of the column structure 1. In the axial direction away from the column structure 1, the cross-sectional area of ​​the installation end 11 gradually decreases.

[0045] Because traditional Spar-type floating wind turbines have a deep draft, the upper turbine cannot be hoisted in a dry dock. They typically require wet towing to a predetermined sea area, ballasting and righting them, before offshore hoisting. This process is difficult and costly. Therefore, the construction method proposed in this invention is based on the Spar-type floating wind turbine platform 100 of any of the above embodiments:

[0046] The construction method includes the following steps:

[0047] Provide a Spar type wind turbine floating platform 100, and add the first ballast material into one of the ballast compartments 2a from bottom to top;

[0048] It should be noted that the first ballast material can be a fixed ballast material such as concrete or iron ore. Its structure has a high density, which has a significant effect on lowering the center of gravity of the Spar type wind turbine floating platform 100. Adding the first ballast material to each ballast compartment 2a from bottom to top is a more reliable method, which can ensure that the center of gravity of the Spar type wind turbine floating platform 100 is kept at a low position and prevent the Spar type wind turbine floating platform 100 from overturning due to an excessively high center of gravity.

[0049] After hoisting the wind turbine tower to the installation end 11 and the upper wind turbine to the wind turbine tower, water is released into the dock where the Spar type wind turbine floating platform 100 is located.

[0050] It should be noted that before this step, the Spar type wind turbine floating platform 100 needs to be fully constructed and set up vertically to facilitate the hoisting of the wind turbine tower and the upper wind turbine.

[0051] The Spar type wind turbine floating platform 100 is towed to the designated water area, and the second ballast is added to the remaining ballast compartment 2a from bottom to top until the waterline of the Spar type wind turbine floating platform 100 is at the position of the installation end 11.

[0052] It should be noted that the second ballast material can be a movable ballast material such as ballast water (e.g., seawater), or, if necessary, a fixed ballast material such as concrete or iron ore. All of these are for adjusting the overall center of gravity of the Spar type wind turbine floating platform 100. The fact that the waterline of the Spar type wind turbine floating platform 100 is located at the installation end 11 means that the Spar type wind turbine floating platform 100 is basically completely submerged in water and is in the designed floating working state. At this time, the waterline surface of the installation end 11 is small, and the overall structure is less affected by wind and waves.

[0053] In this embodiment, the entire Spar-type wind turbine floating platform 100 can be constructed in a dry dock. During or after construction, the first ballast material can be sequentially laid from bottom to top into multiple ballast chambers 2a located at the bottom. The number of ballast chambers 2a used in this process can be one or more, depending on the pre-design requirements; this embodiment does not limit this. After that, the wind turbine tower can be hoisted to the installation end 11 of the column structure 1 in the dry dock, and then the upper wind turbine can be hoisted onto the wind turbine tower. After hoisting, seawater is placed in the dry dock, and the entire Spar-type wind turbine floating platform 100 floats on the water. Under the action of force, after sufficient design calculations and simulations, the Spar type wind turbine floating platform 100 floats at the ballast structure 2 on the water surface. Then, it is transported as a whole to the designated sea area by tugboat. After the mooring system is connected in the designated sea area, the second ballast is injected into the remaining ballast compartment 2a at the high position until the waterline is located at the installation end 11, which is the design draft position. After the ballast is completed, the center of gravity of the structure is lower than the center of buoyancy, and it has excellent hydrodynamic performance. During the entire construction process, the hoisting operation of the upper wind turbine can be completed in the dock, avoiding offshore hoisting operations and reducing installation difficulty and cost.

[0054] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention and does not limit the patent scope of the present invention. Any equivalent structural transformations made under the concept of the present invention using the description and drawings of the present invention, or direct / indirect applications in other related technical fields, are included within the patent protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A Spar-type floating platform for wind turbines, characterized in that, include: The column structure (1) has an axial mounting end (11) and a ballast end (12), the mounting end (11) being used to mount the wind turbine tower; as well as, Ballast structure (2) is provided at the ballast end (12) and extends along the radial direction of the column structure (1). The interior of the ballast structure (2) has a plurality of ballast compartments (2a) distributed along the axial direction. The ballast compartments (2a) are used to load external ballast. The ballast structure (2) includes an extension (21) and a sag suppression part (22) stacked along the axial direction. In the axial direction, the projected area of ​​the extension (21) is smaller than the projected area of ​​the sag suppression part (22). A first ballast compartment (21a) is formed inside the extension (21). The plurality of ballast compartments (2a) include the first ballast compartment (21a); The heave suppression section (22) is provided in multiple spaced intervals in the axial direction, and an extension section (21) is provided between two adjacent heave suppression sections (22). A second ballast compartment (22a) is formed within the heave suppression section (22); The plurality of ballast compartments (2a) further include the second ballast compartment (22a); In the direction from the ballast end (12) to the mounting end (11), the cross-sectional area of ​​the mounting end (11) gradually decreases; Ballast compartment (2a) is formed around the periphery of the column structure (1).

2. The Spar-type floating wind turbine platform as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The structure of the Spar-type wind turbine floating platform includes a steel structure or a reinforced concrete structure.

3. A construction method, based on the Spar type wind turbine floating platform as described in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The construction method includes the following steps: Provide the Spar type wind turbine floating platform, and add the first ballast material into a portion of the ballast compartment (2a) from bottom to top; After hoisting the wind turbine tower to the installation end (11) and the upper wind turbine to the wind turbine tower, water is released into the dock where the Spar type wind turbine floating platform is located. The Spar type wind turbine floating platform is towed to the designated water area, and second ballast is added to the remaining ballast compartment (2a) from bottom to top until the waterline of the Spar type wind turbine floating platform is at the position of the installation end (11).

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