Copper Anode Ion Injection for Offshore Drilling Fouling

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for preventing marine fouling in offshore drilling structures, such as chlorination, are costly, toxic, and pose safety hazards, while prior art solutions do not effectively address the operational issues caused by marine growth fouling in seawater pumping systems.

Innovation Solution

An anti-fouling ion injection system that uses strategically placed copper anodes to release copper ions into seawater, inhibiting the growth of fouling organisms, with a control system to regulate ion concentration and ensure environmental safety.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If chlorination systems are used to prevent marine fouling, then fouling prevention effectiveness is improved, but capital cost, operating cost, and maintenance cost increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefouling prevention effectivenessVSAvoidcapital outlay and operating cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and eliminates the need for complex chlorination systems, electrolysis equipment, and chemical storage infrastructure by using a simple copper anode dissolution mechanism that naturally releases copper ions into the seawater system, achieving fouling prevention without the associated high capital and operating costs

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs sacrificial copper anodes that are relatively inexpensive and can be replaced periodically. These anodes dissolve over time releasing copper ions, and when depleted, are simply replaced with new anodes, providing a low-cost alternative to expensive and complex chlorination systems

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

2Reliability

If chlorination systems are used to prevent marine fouling, then fouling prevention effectiveness is improved, but toxicity, corrosiveness, and safety hazards increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefouling prevention effectivenessVSAvoidtoxicity, corrosiveness, and safety hazards

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts the naturally occurring corrosion of copper into a beneficial anti-fouling mechanism. The copper anodes are designed to corrode/dissolve in seawater, releasing copper ions that create a biocidal environment preventing marine organism attachment, thus transforming a potentially harmful corrosion process into a protective function

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Solution Approach 2:

The copper anodes automatically dissolve in seawater through electrochemical corrosion, self-regulating the release of copper ions without requiring external power, control systems, or chemical dosing equipment. The system uses the natural corrosive environment of seawater to generate the anti-fouling effect

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Device complexity

If marine fouling is left unchecked, then system simplicity is maintained, but flow restriction, pressure reduction, and equipment damage occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem simplicityVSAvoidflow rate and pressure

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary protective action by releasing copper ions at the point of seawater intake and throughout the piping system before marine larvae can attach and grow. The copper ions create a protective environment that prevents fouling from establishing, maintaining optimal flow conditions without requiring later intervention or complex monitoring systems

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

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

Effectively prevents marine fouling in seawater pump systems with minimal maintenance, adjustable output, and low operational costs, while ensuring environmental safety by dispersing copper ions that are not harmful to sea life upon return to the ocean.

Implementation Method 1

strategically placed copper anodes to release copper ions into seawater, inhibiting the growth of fouling organisms

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrochemical dissolution: Electrolysis

Data Source

PatentUS7950452B2Anti-fouling system for offshore drilling structures

Publication Date: 2011.05.31 FLOW AMERICA LLC

AI summary

An anti-fouling system for offshore drilling structures which injects metallic ions into seawater pumping systems. An ion generator may be positioned at various positions including the strainer basket of one or more of the seawater pumps or at various positions in the system. As well, ion generators may be skid mounted and/or otherwise centrally located and connected by controllable valves to various treated water injection points, whereby the flow rates are determined and ion concentrations are maintained at desired levels throughout the system, regardless of different pumping rates.