A suspended single-pile current protection structure

Abstract

The utility model discloses a kind of vertical suspension type single pile current protection structures, including steel wire rope and the anode assembly for protecting single pile and constant potential instrument, the steel wire rope outer wall is respectively fixed with anode fixed support and reference fixed support, anode assembly is installed between two adjacent anode fixed support, reference fixed support is installed with reference assembly, the anode assembly top is electrically connected to the positive output end of constant potential instrument by anode cable, the reference assembly top is electrically connected to the detection signal input end of constant potential instrument by reference cable, the base body of single pile is then connected to the negative pole of constant potential instrument. The utility model because auxiliary anode is stably arranged on seabed by gravity base, can be arranged around single pile vertically and evenly, so that the protection current generated can very evenly cover the entire single pile surface, avoid the uneven phenomenon that single pile bottom potential over negative, top potential deviated positive possibly caused by traditional remote anode.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of monopile current protection technology, and in particular to a suspended monopile current protection structure. Background Technology

[0002] Offshore wind turbine monopile foundations are exposed to harsh marine corrosion environments for extended periods. Their structural safety and durability directly impact the operational lifespan of the entire wind turbine. To effectively control the electrochemical corrosion of monopile foundations, impressed current cathodic protection technology, as an active and controllable protective measure, is widely used in large-scale offshore wind power projects. The core principle of this technology is to continuously apply a controllable cathodic current to the monopile foundation using an external power system, causing its surface potential to be negatively polarized to a stable region, thereby inhibiting the anodic dissolution reaction of the metal. A complete impressed current cathodic protection system mainly consists of a potentiostat, an auxiliary anode, a reference electrode, and connecting cables. The potentiostat serves as the control core, dynamically adjusting the output current based on the potential signal fed back from the reference electrode to ensure that the monopile potential remains stable within the effective protection range (e.g., -0.85V to -1.10V vs. Ag / AgCl / seawater). The auxiliary anode (often using a long-life mixed metal oxide anode) is responsible for introducing the protective current into the medium, while the reference electrode acts as the system's "ruler," and its measurement accuracy is crucial to the control effect.

[0003] Compared to the traditional sacrificial anode method, the impressed current system has significant advantages such as large output current, wide adjustable range, strong adaptability, and potentially greater economic efficiency for large structures throughout its entire life cycle. It can flexibly adjust the protective current according to the coating condition and changes in the seawater environment, avoiding the "over-design" problem common in sacrificial anodes. It is especially suitable for long-term protection of large monopile foundations. However, this technology also faces a series of unique technical challenges. First, in terms of protection effect, due to the huge size and complex shape of monopile structures, uneven current distribution is prone to occur, especially in welds, coating damage areas, and deep water areas, which may lead to local under-protection or over-protection. Over-protection can cause hydrogen evolution, leading to coating peeling or even metal hydrogen embrittlement, threatening structural safety. At the same time, stray currents may be generated during system operation, causing interference and corrosion to nearby seabed metal facilities.

[0004] Therefore, for offshore wind turbine monopile foundations, developing highly reliable, long-life impressed current cathodic protection technology that can adapt to complex marine environments, and thoroughly solving its application challenges in practical engineering, is of great practical significance for ensuring the safe and stable operation of offshore wind power facilities. Utility Model Content

[0005] The purpose of this utility model is to address the shortcomings of existing technologies by proposing a suspended monopile current protection structure.

[0006] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention adopts the following technical solution:

[0007] A suspended monopile current protection structure includes a steel wire rope, an anode assembly for protecting the monopile, and a potentiostat. An anode fixing bracket and a reference fixing bracket are fixed to the outer wall of the steel wire rope. The anode assembly is installed between two adjacent anode fixing brackets. A reference assembly is installed on the reference fixing bracket. The top of the anode assembly is electrically connected to the positive output terminal of the potentiostat via an anode cable. The top of the reference assembly is electrically connected to the detection signal input terminal of the potentiostat via a reference cable. The foundation body of the monopile is connected to the negative terminal of the potentiostat.

[0008] As a further embodiment of this utility model: the anode assembly includes an anode tube and an anode fixing bracket, with two anode tube cavities respectively fixed between two adjacent anode fixing brackets, and the anode tube fixed between two adjacent anode tube cavities.

[0009] As a further embodiment of this utility model: the auxiliary anode and the anode cable and the anode tube are electrically connected within the anode tube cavity.

[0010] As a further embodiment of this utility model: the reference assembly includes a reference electrode and a reference cavity, the reference cavity is fixed between two reference fixing brackets, and the reference electrode is fixed to the bottom of the reference cavity.

[0011] As a further improvement of this invention, the reference electrode and the reference cable are electrically connected.

[0012] As a further improvement of this utility model: a heart-shaped ring is installed at the bottom of the wire rope, and a counterweight is suspended on the heart-shaped ring.

[0013] As a further improvement of this utility model, the interior of the anode tube cavity is sealed with epoxy resin potting compound.

[0014] As a further improvement of this utility model, the anode fixing bracket and the reference fixing bracket are detachably fixed to the wire rope.

[0015] Compared with the prior art, this utility model provides a suspended monopile current protection structure, which has the following beneficial effects:

[0016] 1. Since the auxiliary anodes are stably arranged on the seabed by gravity foundation and can be arranged vertically and evenly around the monopile, the generated protective current can cover the entire surface of the monopile very evenly. This avoids the uneven phenomenon that may be caused by the bottom potential of the monopile being too negative and the top potential being too positive, which may be caused by traditional remote anodes. Under the premise of achieving the same protection effect, the total protection current required by the system is smaller. This not only reduces the load and size requirements of the power supply equipment, but also improves the operating efficiency of the entire system.

[0017] 2. The fixing of the anode on a gravity foundation, the connection of the cable, and the tension adjustment can all be completed on land or on the deck. The entire assembled system can be lifted as a whole unit to the predetermined seabed position, requiring little or no complex underwater operations (such as delicate operations by divers or ROVs), which greatly simplifies the installation process, shortens the offshore construction time, and significantly reduces installation costs and risks.

[0018] 3. The structure and weight of the gravity foundation, as well as the tension of the composite cables used for connection, ensure that the system remains stable under various water depths and extreme environmental conditions. It ensures that the composite cables and the platform structure, as well as the cables themselves, maintain a safe distance under any circumstances, effectively preventing damage caused by entanglement and friction. In areas where there is a threat of sea ice, the cables can be further protected by inserting them into protective conduits, thereby improving the overall robustness and long-term reliability of the system.

[0019] 4. Compared to the "remote" system that requires a lot of underwater operations, it has a clear advantage in installation cost. Due to the efficient distribution of the protection current, the energy consumption during system operation is optimized. In addition, the auxiliary anode ground bed of the impressed current system has a long lifespan, which together contributes to its long-term economic advantage over the sacrificial anode method, which requires frequent anode replacement, in large-scale projects.

[0020] 5. Key parameters such as the structure and weight of the gravity foundation, the length and tension of the composite cable, etc., can be customized and optimized according to specific environmental conditions, water depth and other factors. This design flexibility makes it not only suitable for long-term protection of newly built offshore steel structures, but also an effective solution for short-term cathodic protection. Its application scope is not limited to offshore wind power monopiles, but can also be extended to various offshore steel structures such as docks and mobile platforms.

[0021] The parts of this device not covered herein are the same as or can be implemented using existing technologies. This utility model has a simple structure and is easy to operate. Attached Figure Description

[0022] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of a suspended monopile current protection structure proposed in this utility model.

[0023] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the anode component structure of a suspended monopile current protection structure proposed in this utility model;

[0024] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of a reference component structure for a suspended monopile current protection structure proposed in this utility model.

[0025] In the diagram: 1. Wire rope; 2. Anode assembly; 3. Reference assembly; 4. Heart ring; 5. Counterweight; 6. Anode fixing bracket; 7. Anode cable; 8. Anode tube; 9. Anode tube cavity; 10. Reference cable; 11. Reference fixing bracket; 12. Reference electrode; 13. Reference cavity. 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 of the present utility model. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present utility model, and not all embodiments.

[0027] A type of suspended monopile current protection structure, such as Figures 1 to 3 As shown, the device includes a steel wire rope 1, an anode assembly 2 for protecting a monopile, and a potentiostat. The steel wire rope 1 has an anode fixing bracket 6 and a reference fixing bracket 11 fixed to its outer wall. The anode assembly 2 is installed between two adjacent anode fixing brackets 6. A reference assembly 3 is installed on the reference fixing bracket 11. The top of the anode assembly 2 is electrically connected to the positive output terminal of the potentiostat via an anode cable 7. The top of the reference assembly 3 is electrically connected to the detection signal input terminal of the potentiostat via a reference cable 10. The foundation body of the monopile is connected to the negative terminal of the potentiostat.

[0028] After the anode cable 7 and reference cable 10 are laid to the platform at the top of the monopile, the anode cable 7 is connected to the positive output terminal of the potentiostat, the reference cable 10 is connected to the detection signal input terminal of the potentiostat, and the monopile foundation body is connected to the negative terminal of the potentiostat. After all electrical connections are completed and the insulation is confirmed to be correct, the system is powered on and begins to work. The reference component 3 continuously monitors the potential on the surface of the monopile and feeds the signal back to the potentiostat. The potentiostat dynamically adjusts the current output to the auxiliary anode component 2 according to the set value, so that the potential of each part of the monopile is stabilized within the effective protection range. The working principle of the potentiostat is existing technology and will not be described in detail here.

[0029] The anode assembly 2 includes an anode tube 8 and an anode fixing bracket 6. Two anode tube cavities 9 are respectively fixed between two adjacent anode fixing brackets 6. The anode tube 8 is fixed between two adjacent anode tube cavities 9. The auxiliary anode and the anode cable 7 in the anode tube cavity 9 are electrically connected to the anode tube 8.

[0030] After the auxiliary anode in the anode tube cavity 9 is energized under the control of the potentiostat, the protective current is introduced into the seawater through the wall of the anode tube 8. The electrical connection structure is sealed and protected by epoxy resin potting compound inside the anode connection cavity 9. The current flows evenly to the entire surface of the monopile, which serves as the cathode, through the seawater electrolyte, causing it to undergo cathodic polarization. The anode cable 7 is responsible for conducting the current output by the potentiostat to the anode.

[0031] The reference assembly 3 includes a reference electrode 12 and a reference cavity 13. The reference cavity 13 is fixed between two reference fixing brackets 11. The reference electrode 12 is fixed to the bottom of the reference cavity 13, and the reference electrode 12 and the reference cable 10 are electrically connected.

[0032] The reference electrode 12 serves as the core of the potential sensing and continuously monitors the instantaneous potential at the interface between the monopile and the seawater. Its bottom is equipped with a microporous structure that allows seawater to permeate. The potential signal is transmitted in real time to the potentiostat via the reference cable 10, serving as the reference for its intelligent control output. The reference cavity 13 ensures stable contact between the electrode and the seawater and protects it from mechanical damage and biological adhesion interference.

[0033] A heart-shaped ring 4 is installed at the bottom of the wire rope 1, and a counterweight 5 is suspended on the heart-shaped ring 4;

[0034] During operation, a crane vessel is used to hoist the assembled structure to a predetermined position on the sea surface near the monopile via steel wire rope 1. With the assistance of GPS and acoustic positioning system, it is controlled to sink slowly. The counterweight 5 provides sinking force and helps stabilize the posture, so that the structure is finally suspended at the optimal water depth position determined by calculation on the side of the monopile, ensuring that the protective current can evenly cover the target area.

[0035] Working Principle: First, the auxiliary anode, using highly durable materials such as mixed metal oxide anodes, and the reference electrode, such as silver / silver chloride electrode, are pre-fixed on a rigid support structure at the factory or dock, such as a frame composed of vertical and horizontal support steel pipes. The modular design integrates the anode, reference electrode, and connecting cables into a robust unit. All cable joints are waterproofed and sealed, such as with epoxy resin potting, to ensure long-term reliability in harsh marine environments. During offshore construction, a lifting device is used to lift the assembled anode-reference electrode unit as a whole. Through precise control, such as using GPS and acoustic positioning systems, it is lowered to a predetermined position in the water near the monopile. For suspended systems, the unit is not directly fixed to the seabed but suspended at a specific water depth by an anti-current steel wire rope 1. This depth is calculated to ensure that the protective current optimally covers the area required for monopile protection. During lowering, special attention must be paid to the tension of the steel wire rope 1 to avoid excessive slack, which could cause the unit to swing excessively in the water or collide with the monopile, and to prevent... Excessive tension can cause excessive stress. The anode cable 7 and reference cable 10, which are led out from the suspended anode-reference electrode unit, need to be laid upwards along the monopile to the potentiostat on the top platform. The cables must be firmly fixed to the special brackets pre-installed on the monopile. The spacing of the fixing points must be reasonably designed. The cables should be kept at appropriate tension and equipped with anti-current rings or other vibration reduction measures to effectively resist fatigue damage caused by long-term wave and water flow impact. All cable fixing points to the monopile must use corrosion-resistant clamps and be strictly waterproofed and insulated. This is a key step in preventing cable failure. After the anode-reference electrode unit is in place and all cables are laid, connect the anode cable 7 to the positive output terminal of the potentiostat, the reference cable 10 to the signal input terminal of the potentiostat, and the protected structure of the monopile body to the negative terminal of the potentiostat. All terminal connections must be secure and waterproofed and corrosion-resistant again, for example, by using waterproof junction boxes and insulating glue. Before the system is powered on, the insulation resistance of all cables must be tested to ensure that there are no short circuits or insulation damage.

[0036] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present utility model, but the protection scope of the present utility model is not limited thereto. Any equivalent substitutions or changes made by those skilled in the art within the technical scope disclosed in the present utility model, based on the technical solution and the inventive concept of the present utility model, should be included within the protection scope of the present utility model.

Claims

1. A suspended monopile current protection structure, comprising a steel wire rope (1), an anode assembly (2) for protecting the monopile, and a potentiostat, characterized in that, The outer wall of the wire rope (1) is fixed with an anode fixing bracket (6) and a reference fixing bracket (11). The anode assembly (2) is installed between two adjacent anode fixing brackets (6). The reference fixing bracket (11) is equipped with a reference assembly (3). The top of the anode assembly (2) is electrically connected to the positive output terminal of the potentiostat via an anode cable (7). The top of the reference assembly (3) is electrically connected to the detection signal input terminal of the potentiostat via a reference cable (10). The foundation body of the single pile is connected to the negative terminal of the potentiostat.

2. The suspended monopile current protection structure according to claim 1, characterized in that, The anode assembly (2) includes an anode tube (8) and an anode fixing bracket (6). Two anode tube cavities (9) are respectively fixed between two adjacent anode fixing brackets (6), and the anode tube (8) is fixed between two adjacent anode tube cavities (9).

3. The suspended monopile current protection structure according to claim 2, characterized in that, The auxiliary anode and the anode cable (7) and the anode tube (8) are electrically connected within the anode tube cavity (9).

4. The suspended monopile current protection structure according to claim 1, characterized in that, The reference assembly (3) includes a reference electrode (12) and a reference cavity (13). The reference cavity (13) is fixed between two reference fixing brackets (11), and the reference electrode (12) is fixed at the bottom of the reference cavity (13).

5. A suspended monopile current protection structure according to claim 4, characterized in that, The reference electrode (12) and the reference cable (10) are electrically connected.

6. A suspended monopile current protection structure according to claim 5, characterized in that, The bottom of the wire rope (1) is equipped with a heart-shaped ring (4), and a counterweight (5) is suspended on the heart-shaped ring (4).

7. A suspended monopile current protection structure according to claim 2, characterized in that, The interior of the anode tube cavity (9) is sealed with epoxy resin potting compound.

8. A suspended monopile current protection structure according to claim 7, characterized in that, The anode fixing bracket (6) and the reference fixing bracket (11) are detachably fixed to the wire rope (1).

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