Central Cargo Rail Ventilation for Offshore Supply Vessels
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing offshore supply ships face challenges in safely and efficiently transporting hazardous chemicals due to restrictions on ventilation line placement, leading to longer pipe lengths, increased risk of flooding, and complex evacuation routes, particularly for Type 1 and 2 IBC cargo, which requires innovative solutions for safer and more efficient cargo handling.
Innovation Solution
A central cargo rail is introduced, supporting a derrick crane and equipped with ventilation lines from cargo tanks, slop tanks, and equipped with valves, reducing pipe lengths and eliminating the need for cofferdams, allowing for simpler evacuation and improved ventilation, while also enabling lower side cargo rails for better deck access and reduced maintenance costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If ventilation lines are placed in side cargo rails according to conventional design, then cargo tanks can be ventilated, but pipe lengths become excessive and flooding risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the ventilation function from the side cargo rails and relocates it to a central cargo rail. This separation allows ventilation lines to be positioned optimally for safety and efficiency, removing the conflict between ventilation requirements and safe pipe routing for hazardous chemicals.
Solution Approach 2:
The central cargo rail acts as an intermediary structure that facilitates ventilation of cargo tanks without requiring pipes to pass through side cargo rails. This mediator enables safe ventilation routing by providing a dedicated central pathway for ventilation lines.
2Reliability
If ventilation lines run through side cargo rails, then cargo tanks are ventilated, but the injury zone risk increases for hazardous chemicals
Solution Approach 1:
The ventilation system is extracted from the hazardous side cargo rail zones and relocated to a central position. This removes ventilation lines from areas where damage to side structures could expose them to hazardous chemicals, thereby eliminating the injury zone risk.
3Stability of the object's composition
If side cargo rails are positioned higher for structural support, then cargo storage is stable, but deck ventilation is reduced and visibility is impaired
Solution Approach 1:
The patent shifts the ventilation function from the horizontal side cargo rails to a central vertical dimension. This dimensional relocation allows side cargo rails to be positioned lower for better ventilation and visibility, while the central cargo rail provides the necessary structural support and ventilation pathway.
4Productivity
If separate cargo stations are provided on starboard and port sides, then cargo handling is efficient, but evacuation routes become complex requiring watertight sliding doors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the cargo rail functions into a single central cargo rail that serves both starboard and port sides. This consolidation eliminates the need for separate cargo stations and complex watertight sliding doors, as the central location provides unified access and simplified evacuation routes.
5Reliability
If cofferdams are installed between cargo deck and cargo tanks for pipeline protection, then safety is improved, but cargo capacity for sludge and saltwater tanks is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the pipeline protection function from the cofferdam spaces and relocates pipelines to run through the central cargo rail structure. This eliminates the need for cofferdams, thereby freeing up cargo space while maintaining pipeline safety through the central rail's protective structure.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
AI summary
An offshore supply ship (10) for transport of cargo is described, comprising an, in the main, open deck (12), and also several cargo tanks (30) that lie below the deck (12), and where one or more watertight rooms (24) extend between a number of said cargo tanks (30) and the deck (12). A centrally and longitudinally running cargo rail (18) extends on said deck (12) in the longitudinal direction of the ship (10), and a number of ventilation lines (22) runs from said cargo tanks (30) through said watertight rooms (24) and up into the centrally placed cargo rail (18 ).