An oil storage type ballast tank and offshore platform

Abstract

The utility model belongs to the technical field of ocean platform ballast tank, disclose a kind of oil storage type ballast tank, including cabin and the diaphragm being set in cabin interior, diaphragm is obliquely arranged, bottom is connected with the bottom wall of cabin, top is connected with the lateral wall or top wall of cabin, cabin is divided into oil tank located below diaphragm and water tank located above diaphragm;The lateral wall of oil tank is provided with oil inlet, and the bottom wall of oil tank is provided with oil outlet, the top wall of water tank is provided with water inlet, and the bottom wall of water tank is provided with water outlet.In the present application, the ballast tank for oil storage and ballast is realized, and the space utilization of the ballast tank is improved. The cabin is divided into oil tank and water tank by diaphragm, which can avoid the corrosion of cabin wall caused by replacing different media. By obliquely arranging the diaphragm, vortex formation is avoided when loading seawater, reducing the impact on the cabin. By setting the water outlet and oil outlet at the bottom of the cabin, seawater and crude oil can be fully unloaded.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model belongs to the technical field of ballast tanks for offshore platforms. More specifically, this utility model relates to an oil storage ballast tank and an offshore platform. Background Technology

[0002] Ballast tanks refer to the collective term for the compartments on an offshore platform used to load ballast water. They are usually located on the outermost side of the platform and are divided into multiple independent sub-compartments. By pumping seawater into the ballast tanks and then pumping water out of the tanks in the reverse direction, the distribution of ballast water is adjusted, thereby regulating the floating attitude of the offshore platform and enabling it to remain relatively free and stable on the sea surface.

[0003] Ballast tanks mainly consist of three basic components: the ballast tank body, ballast water pipelines, and ballast water pumps and related valves.

[0004] Ballast tanks are classified by function into dedicated ballast tanks and multi-functional ballast tanks. Dedicated ballast tanks are those used solely for loading ballast water; these tanks have a simpler structure and are easier to manage, but they occupy more space. Multi-functional ballast tanks, on the other hand, can be used to load ballast water, cargo, fuel oil, or fresh water. Multi-functional ballast tanks can be used to load ballast water to adjust ship stability when needed, and can also be used to store fuel oil or fresh water under other operating conditions, significantly improving space utilization.

[0005] According to the "Rules for Classification of Steel Seagoing Ships," when dry cargo tanks or oil tanks also serve as ballast tanks, the ballast piping system must be equipped with blind flanges or other isolation devices to prevent cargo from contaminating the ballast system. This means that ballast water lines and fuel oil lines are arranged in parallel but strictly isolated. Because the compartments need to alternately contact different media, the linings are typically made of high-performance epoxy resin coatings or stainless steel composite plates to maintain good adhesion and impermeability.

[0006] To facilitate switching between different functions, multi-functional ballast tanks require more complex piping systems, valves, and isolation devices. For example, oil tanks that also function as ballast tanks must be equipped with dedicated crude oil washing systems and ballast water isolation devices. The coatings of multi-functional tanks need to withstand the alternating effects of different media, making them more prone to peeling and corrosion, thus increasing the frequency of maintenance.

[0007] Chinese patent application No. 202510160124.4 discloses an adjustable ballast tank and its media preparation method, as well as a floating offshore platform. The adjustable ballast tank includes multiple media bladders, which are nested or arranged adjacently. Each media bladder has an independent media chamber, which can store one type of medium. Each media chamber is connected to the outside through a channel on the media bladder to allow for media filling or discharge. By setting multiple media chambers, various media can be stored, enabling the floating offshore platform to prepare and use media during operation at sea. While its adjustable multi-media bladder design is powerful, the nested bladder structure and layered connecting pipes significantly increase the system complexity and pose a risk of leakage.

[0008] In view of this, there is an urgent need to provide an oil storage ballast tank suitable for offshore platforms, which can both carry and store oil, and achieve the effects of simplified structure, effective isolation of valves and pipelines, and reduced risk of leakage. Utility Model Content

[0009] To address at least one or more of the technical problems mentioned above, this utility model provides an oil storage ballast tank, comprising: a tank body and a diaphragm disposed inside the tank body. The diaphragm is inclined, with its bottom connected to the bottom wall of the tank body and its top connected to the side wall or top wall of the tank body, dividing the tank body into an oil tank located below the diaphragm and a water tank located above the diaphragm. The side wall of the oil tank is provided with an oil inlet, the bottom wall of the oil tank is provided with an oil outlet, the top wall of the water tank is provided with a water inlet, and the bottom wall of the water tank is provided with a water outlet.

[0010] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the oil inlet is provided with a first valve and a first pump body; the oil outlet is provided with a second valve and a second pump body; the water inlet is provided with a third valve and a third pump body; the water outlet is provided with a fourth valve and a fourth pump body; the water inlet is located close to the diaphragm; and the oil outlet is located away from the diaphragm.

[0011] According to one embodiment of the present invention, a pressure or vacuum detection diaphragm sensor is embedded in the diaphragm.

[0012] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the inner wall of the cabin is provided with an epoxy resin coating.

[0013] According to one embodiment of the present invention, a partition is provided between the position where the diaphragm is connected to the bottom of the chamber and the outlet; the partition is formed on the bottom wall of the chamber 1 and extends upward.

[0014] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the partition is bent away from the diaphragm to form a rounded corner.

[0015] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the partition plate is provided with through holes.

[0016] According to one embodiment of the present invention, at least one of the oil inlet, oil outlet, water inlet and water outlet is provided with a mesh-like protective cover.

[0017] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the protective cover is curved and rises from the inner wall of the cabin toward the interior of the cabin.

[0018] According to another aspect of the present invention, a marine platform is provided, which is provided with the aforementioned oil storage ballast tank.

[0019] This invention realizes a ballast tank that serves both as oil storage and ballast, improving the space utilization of the ballast tank. The tank interior is divided into oil and water tanks by a diaphragm, avoiding corrosion caused by changing different media. By tilting the diaphragm, eddies are avoided during seawater loading, reducing impact on the tank. The oil outlet is positioned away from the diaphragm, reducing the likelihood of blockage. By placing the water and oil outlets at the bottom of the tank, both seawater and crude oil can be fully unloaded. A baffle prevents the flexible diaphragm from excessively deforming under the influence of internal fluids, thus preventing blockage of the water outlet. The protective cover, with its curved, raised structure, forms a buffer zone between the diaphragm and the inlet / outlet, ensuring that even under maximum design pressure differentials and sway angles, diaphragm displacement is blocked by the protective cover surface, preventing outlet blockage. Attached Figure Description

[0020] The above and other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become readily understood by reading the following detailed description of exemplary embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, several embodiments of the present invention are shown by way of example and not limitation, and like or corresponding reference numerals denote like or corresponding parts, wherein:

[0021] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of an oil storage ballast tank is shown;

[0022] Figure 2 A schematic diagram of an oil storage ballast tank with baffles is shown.

[0023] Figure 3 A schematic diagram of a partition with through holes is shown;

[0024] Figure 4 A schematic diagram of an oil-filled ballast tank with a protective cover at the outlet is shown.

[0025] Figure 5 A schematic diagram of an oil storage ballast tank with multiple protective shields is shown. Detailed Implementation

[0026] The technical solutions of the present utility model will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings of the embodiments. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present utility model, not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present utility model, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the protection scope of the present utility model.

[0027] It should be understood that the terms "comprising" and "including" used in the specification and claims of this utility model indicate the presence of the described features, integrals, steps, operations, elements and / or components, but do not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integrals, steps, operations, elements, components and / or collections thereof.

[0028] It should also be understood that the terminology used in this specification is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to limit the scope of the invention. As used in this specification and claims, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It should also be understood that the term “and / or” as used in this specification and claims refers to any combination and all possible combinations of one or more of the associated listed items, and includes such combinations.

[0029] The specific embodiments of this utility model will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0030] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of an oil storage ballast tank is shown.

[0031] like Figure 1 As shown, the oil storage ballast tank includes: a tank body 1 and a diaphragm 2 disposed inside the tank body 1. The diaphragm 2 is inclined and its bottom is connected to the bottom wall of the tank body 1, and its top is connected to the side wall or top wall of the tank body 1, dividing the tank body 1 into an oil tank 10 located below the diaphragm 2 and a water tank 20 located above the diaphragm 2. The side wall of the oil tank 10 is provided with an oil inlet, and the bottom wall of the oil tank 10 is provided with an oil outlet. The top wall of the water tank 20 is provided with a water inlet, and the bottom wall of the water tank 20 is provided with a water outlet.

[0032] Hull 1 refers to the main structure of the ballast tank, typically a sealed container welded from steel plates, used to load crude oil and seawater. In offshore platforms, Hull 1 must meet watertightness and structural strength requirements, employing a double-shell design to enhance safety. Hull 1 is usually rectangular or cylindrical, but other shapes are also possible. The inner wall at the bottom of Hull 1 is called the bottom wall, and the inner wall at the top is called the top wall.

[0033] The diaphragm 2 is a partition structure made of flexible or semi-rigid materials, installed at an angle inside the hull 1, for the physical isolation of oil and water. The diaphragm 2 needs to be oil-resistant, pressure-resistant, and corrosion-resistant; common materials include rubber composites or special polymers.

[0034] The diaphragm 2 is inclined, meaning its top and bottom are not vertical, forming an inclined curved surface when in a relaxed state. Preferably, the diaphragm 2 forms an angle of 30° to 60° with the horizontal plane. When installed inside the tank 1, the edges of the diaphragm 2 are in close contact with the inner wall of the tank 1, maintaining the seal and effective isolation between the water tank and the oil tank. The part of the diaphragm 2 that connects to the top wall of the tank 1 is the top, the part that connects to the bottom wall of the tank 1 is the bottom, and the part that connects to the side wall of the tank 1 is the side. By inclinedly setting the diaphragm 2, it naturally hangs towards the oil tank without external force.

[0035] The diaphragm 2 is an elastic membrane, and its elasticity and length are set so that it can deform to fit tightly against the inner wall of the oil tank when deforming towards the oil tank or to fit tightly against the inner wall of the water tank when deforming towards the water tank.

[0036] When the top of the diaphragm 2 is connected to the side wall of the cabin 1, the distance from the top of the cabin 1 is preferably 1 / 3 of the total height of the cabin 1.

[0037] The bottom of the diaphragm 2 is connected to the bottom wall of the hull 1, and there is a certain distance between the connection position and the side wall of the hull 1 to leave a certain space for the outlet. This allows the outlet to be located at the lowest point inside the hull 1, which is convenient for discharging seawater for ballast.

[0038] Oil tank 10 is a compartment located below diaphragm 2, specifically for storing crude oil. It has inlet and outlet ports on its side walls and bottom for loading and unloading oil. Water tank 20 is a compartment located above diaphragm 2, used to load ballast seawater, controlling the stability of the offshore platform by adjusting the water volume. The top inlet and bottom outlet form a circulation path for the ballast seawater. The oil inlet and outlet, as well as the water inlet and outlet, are all pipeline interfaces, connected by flanges or welding. The oil inlet connects to the external oil transfer system, the oil outlet leads to the pump room or unloading pipeline, the water inlet connects to the seawater valve box, and the water outlet connects to the ballast pump discharge pipeline.

[0039] The oil inlet is located on the upper part of the side wall to avoid blockage by sediment. The oil outlet is located at the lowest point of the bottom wall for easy complete emptying. The water inlet is located at the top of the water tank 20, and the diffuser reduces water flow impact. Preferably, the water inlet is close to the top of the diaphragm 2, and the water outlet is close to the bottom of the diaphragm 2, located at the lowest point of the bottom wall, to facilitate the emptying of ballast seawater.

[0040] The oil inlet is equipped with a first valve 102 and a first pump body 101; the oil outlet is equipped with a second valve 104 and a second pump body 103; the water inlet is equipped with a third valve 202 and a third pump body 201; the water outlet is equipped with a fourth valve 204 and a fourth pump body 203; the water inlet is located close to the diaphragm 2; the oil outlet is located away from the diaphragm 2. The pump body can be a centrifugal pump.

[0041] When seawater needs to be loaded for ballast operations, the third pump body 201, acting as a ballast pump, draws seawater from top to bottom and injects it into the water tank 20. The inclined diaphragm 2 design causes the water flow to form a laminar flow along the surface of the diaphragm 2, reducing disturbance to the lower oil tank 10. The third valve 202 automatically closes when the preset capacity is reached. When unloading seawater, it is done through the outlet at the bottom of the water tank 20. After the fourth pump body 203 is started, seawater is drawn out from the lowest point of the tank bottom.

[0042] When crude oil needs to be loaded, it is done through the inlet on the side wall of oil tank 10. The inlet is usually located on the upper part of the side wall, and the crude oil flow rate is controlled by the first pump body 101. When the preset capacity is reached, the first valve 102 is automatically closed. The crude oil unloading process begins with the opening of the outlet on the bottom wall. The outlet is located at the lowest point of oil tank 10, and the crude oil is heated and its viscosity reduced by the second pump body 103 before being extracted.

[0043] In this invention, the diaphragm 2 divides the interior of the tank 1 into an oil tank 10 and a water tank 20, thus avoiding corrosion caused by changing different media. By tilting the diaphragm 2, eddies are avoided during seawater loading, reducing impact on the tank 1. The oil outlet is positioned away from the diaphragm 2, reducing the likelihood of blockage. By placing the water outlet and oil outlet at the bottom of the tank 1, both seawater and crude oil can be fully unloaded.

[0044] According to one embodiment of this invention, a pressure or vacuum detection diaphragm sensor is embedded in the diaphragm 2. An early warning is triggered by a change in pressure or vacuum caused by a change in the integrity of the diaphragm. For example, the sensor employs a double-layer diaphragm structure, with a dedicated intermediate conductive fluid filling the space between the two diaphragms. During normal operation, the intermediate fluid maintains a stable pressure. When a diaphragm ruptures, the pressure of the intermediate fluid changes immediately, triggering an alarm or automatically stopping the pump to prevent leakage. As another example, the space between the two diaphragms is evacuated to a vacuum state, and changes in the vacuum level are continuously monitored to determine if the diaphragm is damaged.

[0045] In this invention, the sensor can be connected to an external receiving device via wired or wireless means, allowing the user to view the damage to the diaphragm 2 through the receiving device.

[0046] According to one embodiment of this utility model, the inner wall of the chamber 1 is provided with an epoxy resin coating. The epoxy resin coating on the inner wall of the chamber 1 effectively protects the metal chamber from corrosive media through its unique chemical stability and physical barrier function.

[0047] Figure 2 A schematic diagram of an oil storage ballast tank with baffles is shown.

[0048] Figure 3 A schematic diagram of a partition with through holes is shown.

[0049] like Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, a baffle 205 is provided between the connection point of the diaphragm 2 and the bottom of the chamber 1 and the outlet; the baffle 205 is formed on the bottom wall of the chamber 1 and extends upward. Preferably, the baffle 205 is bent away from the diaphragm 2 to form a rounded corner. Preferably, the baffle 205 is provided with a through hole.

[0050] The extension height of the baffle 205 is set to prevent the diaphragm 2 from blocking the outlet when it deforms. Preferably, when the baffle 205 is provided with through holes, the extension height of the baffle 205 is set to 1 / 2, 2 / 3, 3 / 4, or 1 / 1 of the height of the inner wall of the compartment 1.

[0051] The installation method of the bulkhead 205 extending upwards from the bottom wall of the hull 1 establishes a reliable physical barrier between the outlet and the diaphragm 2. This layout achieves two key functions: firstly, it prevents the flexible diaphragm 2 from excessively deforming and blocking the outlet under the action of fluids within the hull; secondly, it creates an optimized path for the flow of ballast seawater. When the ballast tank needs to switch its ballast function to oil storage function, the ballast seawater needs to be discharged from the water tank 20 through the outlet. Without the presence of the bulkhead 205, the diaphragm 2 may shift towards the outlet under water pressure, especially during rapid drainage operations, where this risk is more significant. The intervention of the bulkhead 205 effectively decouples the mechanical coupling between the movement of the diaphragm 2 and the function of the outlet, allowing both to perform their respective functions independently without interfering with each other.

[0052] The baffle 205 is preferably designed with rounded corners at the contact point with the diaphragm 2. The rounded corners of the baffle 205 prevent damage to the diaphragm 2. The through holes on the baffle 205 facilitate the passage of ballast seawater and reduce resistance to the ballast seawater.

[0053] Figure 4 A schematic diagram of an oil-filled ballast tank with a protective cover at the outlet is shown.

[0054] Figure 5 A schematic diagram of an oil storage ballast tank with multiple protective shields is shown.

[0055] like Figure 4 and Figure 5 As shown, at least one of the oil inlet, oil outlet, water inlet, and water outlet is provided with a mesh-like protective cover 206. Preferably, the protective cover 206 is curved and bulges from the inner wall of the compartment 1 toward the interior of the compartment 1.

[0056] In this invention, the protective cover 206 can be shared with the partition 205, or either one can be chosen. Preferably, the protective cover 206 and the partition 205 are respectively provided at the water outlet and the oil outlet, while only the protective cover 206 is provided at the water inlet and the oil inlet. This serves to prevent blockage and also to prevent damage to the diaphragm.

[0057] The mesh protective covers 206 installed at the oil inlet, oil outlet, water inlet, and water outlet of hull 1 are key safety components in the oil storage ballast tank system. Their unique curved surface design and mesh structure provide multiple layers of protection for the system. The protective covers 206 not only act as a physical barrier to prevent large foreign objects from entering the piping system, but more importantly, they protect the flexible diaphragm 2 from mechanical damage and abnormal deformation.

[0058] The protective shield 206 is made of corrosion-resistant, high-strength, and tough materials, such as stainless steel. The edges of the protective shield 206 are connected to the inner wall of the hull 1 via flanges or welding, with a smooth transition design at the connection points to avoid stress concentration. In the oil storage ballast tank system, the flexible diaphragm 2 bears the pressure difference between the oil and water sides and the inertial forces from the movement of the offshore platform, which may cause complex deformation behavior. The presence of the protective shield 206 effectively mitigates the risk of blockage.

[0059] The protective cover 206, through its curved raised structure, forms a buffer zone between the diaphragm 2 and the inlet / outlet, ensuring that even under the maximum design pressure difference and the sway angle of the offshore platform, the displacement of the diaphragm 2 is blocked by the surface of the protective cover 206, thus preventing blockage of the outlet.

[0060] According to another aspect of the present invention, a marine platform is provided, wherein the marine platform is provided with the aforementioned oil-storage ballast tanks. In the marine platform, the oil-storage ballast tanks are arranged around the perimeter of the marine platform, allowing for simultaneous oil storage to balance the center of gravity of the marine platform. For example, oil-storage ballast tanks are respectively arranged at the four corners of a square marine platform.

[0061] This invention realizes a ballast tank that serves both as oil storage and ballast, improving the space utilization rate of the ballast tank. The diaphragm divides the tank interior into oil and water tanks, preventing tank wall corrosion caused by changing different media within the same compartment. By tilting the diaphragm, eddies are avoided during seawater loading, reducing impact on the tank. The oil outlet is positioned away from the diaphragm, reducing the likelihood of blockage. By placing the water and oil outlets at the bottom of the tank, both seawater and crude oil can be fully unloaded. A baffle prevents the flexible diaphragm from excessively deforming under the influence of internal fluids, thus preventing blockage of the water outlet. The protective cover, with its curved, raised structure, forms a buffer zone between the diaphragm and the inlet / outlet, ensuring that even under maximum design pressure differentials and sway angles, diaphragm displacement is blocked by the protective cover surface, preventing outlet blockage.

[0062] While various embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described herein, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that such embodiments are provided by way of example only. Many modifications, alterations, and alternatives will occur to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and intent of the present invention. It should be understood that various alternatives to the embodiments of the present invention described herein may be employed in the practice of the present invention. The appended claims are intended to define the scope of protection of the present invention and therefore cover equivalents or alternatives within the scope of these claims.

Claims

1. An oil storage ballast tank, characterized in that, include: The cabin (1) and the diaphragm (2) disposed inside the cabin (1). The diaphragm (2) is inclined and its bottom is connected to the bottom wall of the compartment (1), and its top is connected to the side wall or top wall of the compartment (1), dividing the compartment (1) into an oil tank (10) located below the diaphragm (2) and a water tank (20) located above the diaphragm (2). The oil tank (10) has an oil inlet on its side wall and an oil outlet on its bottom wall. The water tank (20) has a water inlet on its top wall and a water outlet on its bottom wall.

2. The oil storage ballast tank according to claim 1, characterized in that, The oil inlet is equipped with a first pump body (101) and a first valve (102). The oil outlet is equipped with a second pump body (103) and a second valve (104). The inlet is equipped with a third pump body (201) and a third valve (202). The outlet is equipped with a fourth pump body (203) and a fourth valve (204). The water inlet is located close to the diaphragm (2), and the oil outlet is located away from the diaphragm (2).

3. The oil storage ballast tank according to claim 1, characterized in that, The diaphragm (2) has a pressure or vacuum detection type diaphragm sensor embedded in it.

4. The oil storage ballast tank according to claim 1, characterized in that, The inner wall of the cabin (1) is provided with an epoxy resin coating.

5. The oil storage ballast tank according to claim 1, characterized in that, A partition (205) is provided between the position where the diaphragm (2) is connected to the bottom of the chamber (1) and the outlet. The partition (205) is formed on the bottom wall of the cabin (1) and extends upward.

6. The oil storage ballast tank according to claim 5, characterized in that, The partition (205) is bent away from the membrane (2) to form a rounded corner.

7. The oil storage ballast tank according to claim 5, characterized in that, The partition (205) is provided with through holes.

8. The oil storage ballast tank according to claim 1, characterized in that, At least one of the oil inlet, oil outlet, water inlet and water outlet is provided with a mesh protective cover (206).

9. The oil storage ballast tank according to claim 8, characterized in that, The protective cover (206) is curved and rises from the inner wall of the cabin (1) toward the interior of the cabin (1).

10. A marine platform, characterized in that, The offshore platform is equipped with an oil storage ballast tank as described in any one of claims 1 to 9.

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