Artificial Wave Ice Fracture for Platform Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ice management systems in Arctic regions require multiple robust icebreakers to effectively break and clear ice masses, which is inefficient and poses risks to hydrocarbon development platforms due to the need for tight coordination and additional responsibilities such as shepherding smaller ice pieces, especially during sudden changes in ice direction or multiple ice approaches.
Innovation Solution
A method and system utilizing an intervention vessel equipped with a water-agitating mechanism, such as a gyroscopic system, air guns, paddles, or offsetting propulsion motors, to generate artificial waves that fracture and clear approaching ice masses, allowing for the separation and diversion of ice pieces away from hydrocarbon development platforms, thereby reducing the need for multiple icebreakers and enhancing operational safety.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple robust icebreakers are used to break and clear ice masses, then the effectiveness of ice management is improved, but the device complexity and operational coordination requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intervention vessel as an intermediary between the ice mass and the hydrocarbon development platform. This vessel uses a water-agitating mechanism to generate artificial waves that fracture the ice mass into smaller pieces, which are then naturally dispersed by currents and wind away from the platform. This intermediary approach eliminates the need for multiple robust icebreakers while effectively managing ice hazards.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical ice-breaking system (multiple icebreakers physically breaking ice through contact) with a wave-generation system. The water-agitating mechanism creates artificial waves that fracture the ice mass through hydraulic pressure and mechanical stress from water motion, rather than direct mechanical contact from icebreaker hulls.
2Productivity
If multiple icebreakers are deployed for ice management, then ice clearing capability is improved, but the operational safety and coordination requirements worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The intervention vessel serves as a standalone intermediary that handles ice fragmentation independently. The generated waves break up the ice mass, and natural environmental forces (currents, wind) handle the dispersal of ice pieces. This eliminates the need for coordinated operations between multiple icebreakers, one for breaking and another for shepherding ice pieces.
Solution Approach 2:
The system leverages natural environmental forces (water currents, wind) to perform the ice dispersal function that would otherwise require a second icebreaker. The wave-generated ice fragments are naturally carried away from the platform by ambient water motion and atmospheric conditions, reducing operational complexity.
3Strength
If traditional icebreaking methods are used, then ice mass break-up is achieved, but the risk of collision with floating equipment increases
Solution Approach 1:
The intervention vessel acts as a buffer zone between the ice mass and the hydrocarbon development platform. By positioning the vessel updrift of the platform and generating waves that fracture the ice, the system creates a protective barrier that prevents large ice pieces from directly contacting the platform, thereby reducing collision risk.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces direct mechanical ice breaking (which creates large ice fragments that must be manually managed) with wave-induced ice fracture. The artificial waves break the ice mass into smaller, more uniformly distributed pieces that are naturally dispersed by environmental forces, reducing the hazard to floating equipment.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach effectively breaks up ice masses into smaller pieces, creating an ice-free zone around hydrocarbon development platforms, extending the operational season and reducing the risk of collisions, while potentially reducing the number of icebreakers required and improving operational efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
actuating the water-agitating mechanism so as to propagate artificially generated waves toward the ice mass
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for clearing an approaching floating ice mass comprising locating a hydrocarbon development platform in a marine environment, and determining a direction from which the ice mass is approaching the hydrocarbon development platform. The method also includes providing an intervention vessel having a water-agitating mechanism associated therewith for propagating artificially generated waves towards a leading edge of the approaching ice mass to fracture the ice mass along the leading edge, thereby causing small ice pieces to separate from the ice mass.