Tornado Macrofouling Collector

Abstract

1. A tornado macrofouling cutter for cutting, transporting and collecting macrofouling on submerged rigid structures such as the flooded sections of an FPSO, pontoons, platform legs, docklands, pilings, rigid anchoring structures and / or flooded sections of a floating wind turbine, wherein macrofouling is marine growth beyond algal and bacterial films and includes hard organisms such as living shellfish, kelp, seaweed and / or larger organisms including numerous organisms that may grow extensively, wherein macrofouling in the context of the present invention includes organisms with a greatest dimension greater than 1 cm covering an area greater than 50% of the area to be cleaned and is defined as biofouling with species attached to the underlying structure. The Tornado macrofouling cutter is unique in that it comprises an inlet suction volume, an outlet suction pipe disposed relative to the inlet suction volume and operably coupled to a suction device such as a suction pump, the suction pump or suction device in operation providing a lower pressure within the inlet suction volume compared to the pressure outside the inlet suction volume, and a macrofouling cutter disposed at or within an inlet to the inlet suction volume for severing macrofouling from a structure to be cleaned for macrofouling, the severing macrofouling being retained within the inlet suction volume and transported through the outlet suction pipe to a macrofouling collection facility, preferably on the deck of the structure to be cleaned for macrofouling or on a work vessel or on a wharf having a macrofouling collection facility, or other feasible location. Uses of the Tornado Macrofouling Collector

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to the removal and collection of biofouling from submerged structures, such as ships or other structures operating at sea. [Background technology]

[0002] To date, the tools and methods described and shown in the applicant's patent publication EP 2531401 likely represent the prior art in the safe removal and collection of biofouling on ships. Commercial operation of said tools and methods has shown that fuel consumption by ships can be reduced by up to 20% due to reduced friction after removing biofouling from the hull, and collecting all removed biofouling reduces the spread of unwanted marine growth species, including pathogens and parasites, from one location to another.

[0003] However, the operation of structures that are more stationary than ships in normal operation does not pose the same problems of excessive fuel consumption or the unwanted spread of marine species from one location to another. Examples of such more stationary structures include floating oil production facilities such as FPSOs, many drilling rigs, floating wind turbine substructures, semi-submersible structures, and structures that stand on the seabed or are otherwise positioned relatively stationary. Many of these structures never move during their operational lives, and their submerged portions often accumulate large amounts of marine growth.

[0004] However, some structures, such as some semi-submersibles and many mobile drilling rigs, move frequently. Such structures may hold large numbers of species and entire marine ecosystems, which can be transported and spread to new sites. The amount of biofouling on a large drilling rig or semi-submersible can be tens to hundreds of tons. Structures can move thousands of kilometers for new contracts or for decommissioning.

[0005] Decommissioning often involves sinking large structures into deep fjords or ocean areas, such as the deep Norwegian fjords, or in the waters around the Canary Islands. Unlike regulations for ships in normal operation, very few regulations restrict the unwanted spread of marine biota due to decommissioning or moving such structures. Unintentional introduction of marine vomit is a very recent and significant problem in Norwegian waters.

[0006] Furthermore, excessive fuel consumption due to such severe biofouling can exceed 100%, and the weight and / or drag due to such severe biofouling can require heavier structures with thicker walls and strength elements. The impacts on the environment and native biosystems are significant and negative.

[0007] After a period of time, the accumulated biofouling will be dominated by relatively large hard organisms such as shellfish and clams, in addition to kelp and several species of other living marine organisms. Such marine biofouling is referred to in the present context as macrofouling.

[0008] The tools and methods described and shown in patent publication EP 2531401 typically include nozzles for high-pressure jets of water and / or brushes for biofouling removal, which are very effective on surfaces with relatively soft and small-sized biofouling. However, when the biofouling becomes macrofouling, which is dominated by hard organisms such as live shellfish, kelp, seaweed, and thick layers of larger organisms including numerous organisms that may grow extensively, the usual tools and methods used on ships are no longer effective.

[0009] Apparently, there is no clear definition for the term macrofouling, except that macrofouling includes marine growths beyond algal and bacterial films and includes larger organisms.

[0010] In this context, macrofouling is defined as biofouling containing organisms with a maximum dimension greater than 1 cm that cover more than 50% of the area to be cleaned and have species that adhere to the substructure. Macrofouling cannot be easily removed by high-pressure jetting and / or brushing.

[0011] Related art was identified as Chinese Patent Application Publication No. 113173229, International Patent Application Publication No. 2015031933, US Patent Application Publication No. 2012006244, US Patent No. 693242, and European Patent No. 2531401. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0012] There is a need for a particularly feasible technique for removing and collecting macrofouling from submersible structures, such as rigid and especially essentially stationary structures submerged in water. [Means for solving the problem]

[0013] This need is met by the present invention.

[0014] More specifically, the present invention provides a Tornado macrofouling cutter for cutting, transporting, and collecting macrofouling on submerged rigid structures such as the flooded sections of an FPSO, pontoons, platform legs, docklands, pilings, rigid anchoring structures, risers, heat exchangers, and / or flooded sections of floating wind turbines, where macrofouling is marine growth beyond algal and bacterial films and includes hard organisms such as living shellfish, kelp, seaweed, and / or larger organisms including numerous organisms that may grow extensively, where macrofouling in the context of the present invention is defined as biofouling including organisms with a greatest dimension greater than 1 cm covering an area greater than 10% (but typically greater than 50%) of the area to be cleaned and having species attached to the substructure.

[0015] Tornado Macro Fouling Cutter Tornado Macro Fouling Cutter an inlet suction volume; an outlet suction pipe positioned relative to the inlet suction volume and operably coupled to a suction device, such as a suction pump, wherein the suction pump or suction device, in operation, provides a lower pressure within the inlet suction volume compared to the pressure outside the inlet suction volume; and and a macrofouling cutter located at or within the inlet to the inlet suction volume for severing macrofouling from the structure to be cleaned for macrofouling, the cut macrofouling being retained inside the inlet suction volume, assisted by the low pressure, and transported through an outlet suction pipe to a remote macrofouling collection facility, preferably on the deck of the structure to be cleaned for macrofouling or on a work vessel, barge, or wharf having a macrofouling collection facility, or to another feasible location.

[0016] The Tornado Macrofouling Cutter is a tool or system for severing macrofouling from a submerged surface or a surface within a splash zone, collecting the severed macrofouling, and transporting the severed macrofouling, preferably to a collection facility, without spreading the severed macrofouling into the surrounding water and without clogging the tool or outlet suction pipe.

[0017] The macrofouling that is released flows into the suction volume and is removed by water that flows from the suction volume through the suction pipe to a collection facility; or, if acceptable, the macrofouling can be discarded. If there is any risk of unwanted spread of biota (unwanted species, including pathogens and parasites) and / or if regulations so require, the macrofouling is preferably collected as sorted and used as found suitable. If there is no risk of unwanted spread of biota, for example, when removing macrofouling from a stationary FPSO on site, and if regulations permit, the macrofouling may be discarded on site because the microfouling only contains the site's local biota. Collecting the macrofouling also results in collecting any polymers or micropolymers that are collected by the biological species and removed from the coating, and disposal of the polymers may be illegal.

[0018] The inlet to the inlet suction volume can have many shapes, but is preferably elongated, with the long side facing the surface to be cleaned of macrofouling preferably having a shape that matches or corresponds to the shape of said surface, while the other side can be curved, spherical, semi-elliptical, trapezoidal, or other shape.

[0019] Tornado macrofouling cutters are also referred to as tornado macrofouling collectors or tornado macrofouling cutters and collectors, or simply macrofouling cutters and / or collectors, since all or most commercial embodiments involve collecting macrofouling. The different terms are synonymous in this context.

[0020] In one preferred embodiment, the tornado macrofouling cutter includes a cutting edge or other macrofouling cutter located on one side of a substantially rectangular inlet opening relative to the inlet suction volume, preferably on the long rectangular side facing the structure to be cleaned during operation. Having the macrofouling cutter integrated into or on the side of the inlet opening facing the surface to be cleaned requires no or little additional structure and allows for relatively easy replacement and / or sharpening of the cutting edge or other embodiments of the macrofouling cutter. Alternatively, the cutting edge or other macrofouling cutter may be located on an additional structure within the periphery of the inlet opening or a short distance in front of the inlet opening in the direction for moving the tornado macrofouling collector during operation.

[0021] Preferably, the tornado macrofouling collector comprises a cutting edge having a flat or serrated edge or a combination of a flat and a serrated edge that is fixed to the inlet and follows the movement of the tornado macrofouling collector, and / or similarly is movable relative to the inlet and moves perpendicular to and / or along the movement of the inlet in addition to following the movement of the tornado macrofouling collector, and further comprises a drive mechanism operably coupled to the cutting edge.

[0022] In some preferred embodiments of the macrofouling collector of the present invention, the macrofouling cutter comprises a multi-cutter. The most preferred embodiment comprises a static structure for the tornado macrofouling collector, combined with a moving structure for the tornado macrofouling collector, positioned directly above the static structure. One preferred embodiment comprises a sliding comb or parallel ski structure oriented outward from and parallel to the direction in which the macrofouling cutter / collector moves during operation, the sliding comb or parallel ski structure pointing in the direction in which the tornado macrofouling collector moves. One embodiment comprises a lateral moving cutter positioned directly above the static structure. Another embodiment comprises a rotating cutter, arranged, for example, in two rows, positioned directly above the static structure, which slides over the surface to be cleaned and is displaced to cut all macrofouling at its roots. As the tornado macrofouling collector moves forward during operation, macrofouling roots, such as shellfish, kelp, and algae roots, are positioned between the tines or skis or similar structures, and the relatively moving parts, the horizontal and / or rotary cutters, or the like, cut the roots. In some embodiments, the static tines or skis are preferably shaped as converging knives toward the inner end closest to the inlet suction volume, preferably rounded and blunt rather than sharp at the front, and / or the knife edges are positioned to be oriented forward in the direction of operation between the tines or skis to facilitate cutting the macrofouling roots and prevent excessive macrofouling roots from clogging between the tines or skis, while also minimizing the risk of damaging the coating on the structure being cleaned.

[0023] The tornado macrofouling collector may also be feasible for collecting macrofouling from non-rigid and / or non-stationary structures, and for removing biofouling in general, with or without biofouling removal tools other than the macrofouling cutter. For example, one or two rows of cleaning tools according to the teachings of EP 2531401 may be operably and removably positioned in front of the inlet of the tornado macrofouling cutter when the biofouling includes a significant amount of soft biofouling films or microfouling, which is biofouling that is too small to fall within the definition of macrofouling. In the case of such an operating configuration, high-pressure water may preferably be coupled to the nozzle of a tool according to the teachings of EP 2531401, if such a nozzle is included in the tool embodiment, and suction from the tool may be connected to the outlet suction pipe of the tornado macrofouling collector. Thus, the Tornado macrofouling collector can be equipped with high-pressure jets, cavitation jets, and / or brushes in addition to or as a tool to temporarily replace a conventional macrofouling cutter for cleaning structures that have relatively undemanding biofouling to be removed.

[0024] A protective cover for the cutter is included in some embodiments, for example to reduce the risk of kelp getting caught or entangled in the cutter structure or other structures at or near the entrance.

[0025] One or two or more rotating rollers with ridges and / or holes and / or slits to lift macrofouling for the cutter are included for some preferred embodiments.

[0026] In some preferred embodiments, the tornado macrofouling cutter is replaceable and operably positioned in front of the inlet and comprises a frame or shovel-like structure having macrofouling cutters, multi-cutters, high-pressure jets, cavitation jets, and / or brushes arranged in any combination to provide versatility.

[0027] The tornado macrofouling collector, in some embodiments, may be operated by a diver, but preferably further comprises a drive mechanism for moving the tornado macrofouling collector along or over the surface of the structure being cleaned of macrofouling. Preferably, the drive mechanism is an ROV, or a ROT (remotely operated tool), or a manipulator arm, such as a barge or dockside-located excavator arm, relative to which the tornado macrofouling collector is disposed. The ROV and / or ROT are moved by thrusters and / or other types of magnetic devices, such as magnetic wheels or devices, with or without an operably disposed drive mechanism. Other embodiments may be moved by gravity and a winch or crane mechanism.

[0028] The tornado macrofouling collector preferably further comprises a sorting screen, e.g., a macrofouling sorting device such as a shaker screen, and / or a macrofouling storage structure, e.g., one or more operably arranged containers or flexible bags for a particular type of macrofouling, said containers or bags preferably comprising an opening for discharging water.

[0029] Some preferred embodiments of the Tornado macrofouling cutter include a double version with one inlet at either end of the inlet volume or two parallel inlet volumes and / or Tornado macrofouling cutters, preferably located on an ROV with one inlet facing one direction of the moving ROV and the other facing the opposite direction to enable macrofouling cutting in both directions. Closure valves / baffles or mechanisms may be required for the inactive side or tool. A common suction pump is preferred, or for redundancy, a parallel process train may be arranged to include two suction pumps with converging outlets. Such a double tool may simultaneously improve productivity and redundancy.

[0030] Preferably, the tornado macrofouling collector has an inlet suction volume that is narrower at the top and wider at the bottom, such that, when viewed during normal operation, the lower elevation portion extends further forward in the direction of travel of the tornado macrofouling collector than the higher elevation portion. During normal operation, the long side is nearly vertical. On vertical structures, such as the side of a ship, the orientation can be vertical. This feature ensures better collection by utilizing both gravity and suction. More specifically, the macrofouling being cut off will settle from the cutting edge by gravity as long as there is a downward vertical component toward the suction outlet, in addition to being sucked in by the low pressure in the outlet suction pipe at the lower elevation.

[0031] Preferably, the outlet suction pipe, positioned relative to the inlet suction volume and operably coupled to the suction pump or device, has an inlet at a low, most preferably lowest, elevation relative to the inlet suction volume when viewed during normal operation. Normal operation means that the Tornado macrofouling collector inlet has a vertical component in the direction of the cutter, such as when removing macrofouling from a vertical ship hull or other surface with a vertical component, and both gravity and suction contribute to collecting the macrofouling that is cut off. For downward-facing, horizontally oriented surfaces, gravity also contributes because the outlet suction pipe inlet is at a lower elevation than the surface. For upward-facing, horizontal surfaces, suction alone typically contributes to the collection because the outlet suction pipe inlet is at a higher elevation.

[0032] Preferably, the suction pump or device is a heavy duty pump such as a so-called fish pump or dredge pump, both of which can accommodate relatively large objects without clogging and are commercially available from several suppliers.

[0033] The operating suction pump or device provides a low pressure in the inlet suction volume that is large enough to avoid leakage of macrofouling cut off by the macrofouling cutter. Preferably, the suction effect is adjustable, such as by an adjustable speed or frequency drive. The actual flow rate to provide sufficient suction to ensure efficient suction of released macrofouling into the inlet opening, into the inlet suction volume, and into the outlet suction pipe positioned relative to the inlet suction volume will vary depending on the size of the tornado macrofouling collector, the type of macrofouling, and the orientation of the tornado macrofouling collector. 1 to 15 m 3 / min, 2~10m 3 / min, or 4-8m 3 / min flow rate range will typically be achievable, but the limits may be exceeded for very large or small tornado macrofouling collectors or very demanding macrofouling.

[0034] In many preferred embodiments, the tornado macrofouling collector includes wheels and / or sliding skis or rails on the side facing the rigid surface being cleaned of macrofouling, preferably with an adjustable liftoff from said surface, preferably adjustable to ensure cutting of the macrofouling at a distance within a range of 0-25 mm, 0-20 mm, 0-15 mm, or 0-10 mm, preferably 0-8 mm, and more preferably about 0-5 mm, 0-2 mm, or 0-1 mm, from the structure being cleaned of macrofouling. The specified distance range is measured from the top of the coating on the structure from which the macrofouling is being removed to sea level of the cutting. This ensures cutting of the macrofouling at its roots without damaging the structure and / or the coating on the structure from which the macrofouling is cut and collected. Many species of macrofouling, such as the common mussel, have roots or threads that are firmly anchored to the structure being cleaned, and these roots or threads may be the weakest part of the macrofouling and are easier to cut if cut very close to the surface being cleaned. In another preferred embodiment, the tornado macrofouling collector has a cutting edge that rests and slides against the surface being cleaned without the wheels and / or sliding skis, and the edge is slightly convex when resting on the surface being cleaned, and the cutting of the macrofouling is within 0-5 mm, 0-2 mm, or 0-1 mm above the surface being cleaned, or on the surface.

[0035] Preferably, the inlet to the inlet suction volume for cutting off the collected macrofouling is shaped substantially like a rectangle or other elongated shape having a long side at least 5, 8 or 10 times longer than the short side, wherein the replaceable cutting edge or other macrofouling cutter is located on or at the outer long side of the long side so as to face the structure to be cleaned during operation, and the outlet suction pipe can have an inlet located at a lower or lowest elevation from the inlet suction volume when viewed when operating on a structure having a vertical component; In operation of the Renado macrofouling collector, for all structures in a nearly vertical orientation or in a horizontal orientation but facing downwards, the suction effect plus gravity ensures that there is no leakage of the macrofouling that is cut off; for horizontally oriented structures facing upwards, the suction effect alone ensures that there is no leakage of the macrofouling that is cut off, but preferably the suction effect can be adjusted so that for the particular microfouling type that is cut off and collected, it is sufficient to collect all the macrofouling that is cut off in all orientations of the structure being cleaned.

[0036] Preferably, the cutting edges and / or macrofouling cutters such as multi-cutters are replaceable and comprise layers of ceramic cutting edges between steel layers, and / or layers of high carbon steel cutting edges within layers of stainless steel, POM, or other high strength polymer or material and / or high strength stainless steel and / or high capacity high carbon steel, and / or layers of wire cutters such as diamond coated wire cutters, with or without a rotation mechanism that provides sawtooth movement of the wire in one or two directions.

[0037] The present invention also provides the use of the Tornado Macrofouling Cutter according to the present invention for removing, and preferably collecting, macrofouling on submerged rigid structures such as submerged sections of FPSOs, pontoons, platform legs, docklands, piles, rigid anchoring structures, risers, heat exchangers, and / or submerged sections of floating wind turbines, and / or for removing, and preferably collecting macrofouling on submerged flexible or non-rigid structures such as flexible anchoring or riser structures. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0038] [Figure 1] 1 illustrates an embodiment of a tornado macrofouling collector according to the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 10 illustrates a further embodiment of a tornado macrofouling collector according to the present invention. [Figure 3] FIG. 1 shows details of one embodiment of the tornado macrofouling collector of the present invention. [Figure 4] FIG. 1 illustrates one embodiment of the tornado macrofouling collector of the present invention when operably coupled to an ROV. [Figure 5] FIG. 1 shows a submerged structure covered in macrofouling with and without an area cleaned for macrofouling. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0039] 1a-1e, 2a-2e, 3a-3c, 4, and 5, the figures show a tornado macrofouling collector 1 that can be implemented to remove and collect macrofouling on a submerged rigid structure 2, such as a flooded portion of an FPSO, a pontoon, a platform leg, a dockland, a pile, a rigid anchoring structure, and / or a flooded portion of a floating wind turbine. The tornado macrofouling collector comprises an inlet suction volume 3, an outlet suction pipe 4 positioned relative to the inlet suction volume and operatively coupled to a suction device such as a suction pump, and a macrofouling cutting edge 6 positioned at or within an inlet 5 to the inlet suction volume for cutting off the collected macrofouling.

[0040] Figures 1a-1e and 2a-2e show two respective embodiments of the tornado macrofouling collector of the present invention, which are substantially identical but have slightly different dimensions, as viewed from one side (Figures 1a and 2a), from the front (Figures 1b and 2b), from the opposite side (Figures 1c and 2c) relative to Figures 1a and 2a, and from the top (Figures 1d and 2d), with the cross-sections shown in Figures 1e and 2e taken along line BB shown on Figures 1d and 2d.

[0041] 3a-3c show a tornado macrofouling collector 1 operably coupled to an ROV 7. The coupling between the tornado macrofouling collector 1 and the ROV comprises a spring loaded wheel combined with a hinged coupling, providing some flexibility in terms of the relative orientation between the tornado macrofouling collector and the ROV, thereby allowing the tornado macrofouling collector to precisely follow the orientation of the structure being cleaned with flexibility compared to a more rigid coupling.

[0042] 4 shows one embodiment of the tornado macrofouling collector 1 of the present invention operatively coupled to an ROV 7. The ROV is able to hold the macrofouling cutting edge 6 in intimate contact with the surface to be cleaned while moving the ROV and cutting edge forward, thereby cutting and collecting the macrofouling and transporting it through a suction outlet 4 to a collection location (not shown).

[0043] FIG. 5 is a photograph showing a structure 2, such as a ship hull side or pontoon side, before and after cleaning the surface from macrofouling by operating a Tornado macrofouling collector of the present invention.

Claims

1. 1. A tornado macrofouling cutter for cutting, transporting and collecting macrofouling on submerged rigid structures such as the submerged portions of FPSOs, pontoons, platform legs, docklands, pilings, rigid anchoring structures and / or submerged portions of floating wind turbines, wherein macrofouling is marine growth beyond algal and bacterial films and includes hard organisms such as living shellfish, kelp, seaweed and / or larger organisms including numerous organisms that may grow extensively, wherein macrofouling in the context of the present invention is defined as biofouling including organisms with a maximum dimension greater than 1 cm covering an area of ​​more than 10% (but typically greater than 50%) of the area to be cleaned and having species attached to the substructure; an inlet suction volume; an outlet suction pipe positioned relative to the inlet suction volume and operably coupled to a suction device, such as a suction pump, wherein the suction pump or suction device, in operation, provides a lower pressure within the inlet suction volume compared to the pressure outside the inlet suction volume; and a macrofouling cutter positioned at or within the inlet to the inlet suction volume for severing macrofouling from the structure to be cleaned for macrofouling, wherein the cut macrofouling is retained inside the inlet suction volume and transported through the outlet suction pipe to a macrofouling collection facility, preferably on the deck of the structure to be cleaned for macrofouling or on a work vessel or on a wharf having a macrofouling collection facility, or to other feasible location.

2. 10. The tornado macrofouling cutter of claim 1, further comprising a cutting edge disposed on one side of a substantially rectangular inlet opening to the inlet suction volume, the side facing a structure to be cleaned during operation.

3. Features include: The macrofouling cutter is replaceable. the macrofouling cutter is disposed on a further structure within the periphery of the inlet opening or a short distance in front of the inlet opening in the direction of movement of the tornado macrofouling collector during operation; The macrofouling cutter cutting edge comprises a layer of ceramic cutting edge between steel layers and / or a layer of high carbon steel cutting edge within a layer of stainless steel and / or high strength stainless steel and / or high capacity high carbon steel; the macrofouling cutter comprises a cutting edge fixed to the inlet and having a flat or serrated edge or a combination of flat and serrated edges that follows the movement of the tornado macrofouling collector, or the cutting edge is movable relative to the inlet and moves perpendicular to and / or along the movement of the inlet, and further comprises a drive mechanism operably coupled to the movable cutting edge; The macrofouling cutter comprises a multi-cutter comprising a static structure relative to the tornado macrofouling collector, the static structure being combined with a moving structure relative to the tornado macrofouling collector located directly above the static structure, the relatively static structure preferably comprising a sliding comb or parallel ski structure oriented outwardly from and parallel to the direction of movement of the tornado macrofouling collector during operation, the moving structure preferably comprising a lateral moving cutter located directly above the static structure and / or a rotating cutter located directly above the sliding static structure; Preferably, the static combs or skis are rounded and blunt at the front, but are preferably shaped as converging knives towards the other end, and / or the knife edges are arranged such that they are oriented forward in the driving direction between the combs or skis and / or macrofouling collection facilities.

3. The tornado macrofouling cutter of claim 1 or 2, comprising one or two or more of the following in any combination:

4. 4. The tornado macrofouling cutter of claim 1, further comprising a drive mechanism for moving the tornado macrofouling cutter along or over a surface of a structure to be cleaned of macrofouling, the drive mechanism being an ROV to which the tornado macrofouling cutter is operably positioned by a coupling and which moves while the macrofouling is cut and transported, the coupling between the tornado macrofouling cutter and the ROV including flexibility by including spring-loaded and / or elastomeric elements to enable the tornado macrofouling cutter to accurately follow the structure to be cleaned.

5. 5. The tornado macrofouling cutter of claim 1, 2, 3, or 4, comprising a macrofouling collector and a macrofouling sorting device such as a filter or shaker screen.

6. 6. The tornado macrofouling cutter of claim 1, having an inlet suction volume that is narrower at the top and wider at the bottom, wherein the lower elevation portion extends further forward than the higher elevation portion when viewed during normal operation on a structure having a vertical component.

7. 7. The tornado macrofouling cutter of claim 1, wherein the outlet suction pump positioned relative to the inlet suction volume and operably coupled to a suction pump or device such as a heavy-duty pump has an inlet at a low elevation, preferably the lowest elevation, of the inlet suction volume when viewed during normal operation on a structure having a vertical component or a downward-facing horizontal structure.

8. 8. A tornado macrofouling cutter according to any one of claims 1 to 7, comprising adjustable wheels and / or sliding skis to ensure cutting of macrofouling at a distance in the range of 0 to 20 mm, preferably 0 to 8 mm, more preferably about 0 to 5 mm or 0 to 2 mm or 0 to 1 mm from the structure to be cleaned of macrofouling, or cutting edge rests and slides that contact the surface to be cleaned without said wheels and / or sliding skis.

9. Preferably, the inlet to said inlet suction volume for cutting off collected macrofouling is substantially shaped like a rectangle with long sides at least 5 or 8 or 10 times longer than the short sides, wherein a replaceable cutting edge or other macrofouling cutter is arranged on or at the outer long side so as to face the structure to be cleaned during operation, and said outlet suction pipe can have an inlet arranged at a lower or lowest elevation from said inlet suction volume when viewed when operating on a structure having a vertical component; 9. The tornado macrofouling cutter according to claim 1, wherein for all structures in a substantially vertical orientation or in a horizontal orientation but facing downwards, the suction effect plus gravity ensures that there is no leakage of the macrofouling that is cut off; for horizontally oriented structures facing upwards, the suction effect alone ensures that there is no leakage of the macrofouling that is cut off, but preferably the suction effect can be adjusted so that for a particular microfouling type that is cut off and collected, it is sufficient to collect all the macrofouling that is cut off in all orientations of the structure to be cleaned.

10. 10. Use of the tornado macrofouling cutter according to any one of claims 1 to 9 for removing, and preferably collecting, macrofouling on submerged rigid structures such as submerged portions of FPSOs, pontoons, platform legs, docklands, pilings, rigid anchoring structures, risers, heat exchangers, and / or submerged portions of floating wind turbines, and / or for removing, and preferably collecting macrofouling on submerged flexible or non-rigid structures such as flexible anchoring or riser structures.

Images