Anchor Hub for Hydrocarbon Tank Access and Remediation
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for a safe, effective, convenient, and economical method and apparatus to access and remediate hydrocarbon storage cells in offshore installations, particularly for removing attic oil from subsea storage tanks associated with Gravity Base Structures, which requires secure and sealed attachment points for equipment without the need for surface polishing.
Innovation Solution
An anchor hub system is provided, which includes a main body with a throughbore and securing means to fix into a blind hole in the capping plate of the storage cell, along with a valve manifold for isolation and process equipment connection, allowing for staged drilling and secure access to the storage cell.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a conduit is temporarily secured to the surface using magnets or similar means, then the conduit can be positioned for drilling, but the securing method is insufficient for permanent or high-load applications and may not provide adequate seal integrity
Solution Approach 1:
The anchor hub is divided into multiple functional segments: an upper portion for surface attachment, a lower portion for blind hole engagement, and an intermediate section with securing means. This segmentation allows each part to perform its specific function optimally - the upper portion provides temporary positioning while the lower portion provides permanent securing through the blind hole engagement.
Solution Approach 2:
The blind hole is prepared in advance in the capping plate before the anchor hub is installed. This preliminary action ensures that the anchor hub can be securely fixed in its final position without requiring complex securing operations during installation, improving both ease of manufacture and reliability.
2Reliability
If the conduit neck is expanded through the hole in the structure, then the conduit achieves secure internal anchoring, but the process becomes more complex and requires additional equipment and steps
Solution Approach 1:
The expanding function is extracted from the main conduit installation process and integrated into the anchor hub design itself. The anchor hub's lower portion is designed to engage directly with the blind hole, eliminating the need for separate expansion operations while achieving secure anchoring.
Solution Approach 2:
The anchor hub acts as an intermediary component between the conduit and the capping plate. Instead of directly expanding the conduit through the hole, the anchor hub mediates the connection by providing a secured interface that the conduit can be attached to, simplifying the overall process.
3Strength
If surface polishing is required for secure attachment, then the attachment strength is improved, but the process time and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The anchor hub design provides different surface qualities at different locations: the upper portion may have polishing or smoothing for aesthetic or minor attachment purposes, while the lower portion engages with the blind hole through a different mechanism that does not require extensive polishing. This local differentiation reduces overall preparation time while maintaining necessary attachment strength.
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B~2
Figure 3
AI summary
The present disclosure provides an anchor hub (60, 110, 120, 140) for providing an access point in a capping plate (408) of a hydrocarbon storage cell (2), the anchor hub (60, 110, 120, 140). The anchor hub comprises a main body (61) comprising an upper opening, a lower opening and a throughbore (65) extending between the upper and lower openings. The main body further comprises a lower portion (63) configured to be located in and extend into a blind hole (412) formed in an upper surface of the capping plate (408). The anchor hub further comprises securing means configured to fix the lower portion (63) of the anchor hub (60, 110, 120, 140) in the blind hole (412). The anchor hub further comprises an annular seal (609, 116, 143, 144) arranged to provide a seal between the lower portion (63) and the blind hole (412). The anchor hub further comprises an attachment point for connecting an item of process or flow equipment to the anchor hub (60, 110, 120, 140) such that the item of process or flow equipment is in communication with the throughbore (65).