Gas-Filled Resonator Arrays for Deepwater Subsea Noise Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Subsea oil and gas facilities generate long-term low-frequency noise that can travel over long distances, posing environmental and regulatory concerns, and existing noise mitigation technologies are inadequate for deepwater applications.
Innovation Solution
A deepwater resonator array comprising gas-filled resonators is deployed around subsea machinery to mitigate noise, using a frame and actuation system to position and control the resonators effectively.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If conventional noise mitigation technologies are used, then noise reduction is achieved in shallow water, but they are inadequate for deepwater applications
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical parameters of the resonators by filling them with gas instead of liquid, and by adjusting the resonator geometry and spacing to be suitable for deepwater conditions. This allows the noise mitigation system to function effectively at deepwater pressures while maintaining its noise reduction capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The noise mitigation system is divided into multiple individual resonators arranged in an array, with each resonator independently filled with gas. This segmentation allows the system to be optimized for deepwater conditions while maintaining effectiveness across multiple frequency ranges.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If resonators are filled with liquid, then noise attenuation is achieved, but the system cannot function in deepwater due to pressure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the fluid parameter from liquid to gas within the resonators. Gas-filled resonators can withstand deepwater pressures without collapsing or losing their functional properties, ensuring reliable operation in deepwater environments while maintaining noise attenuation capability.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If resonator array is deployed around subsea machinery, then noise mitigation is achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The resonator array is segmented into multiple identical, modular resonator units that can be independently manufactured and deployed. This modularity simplifies the overall deployment process compared to a single complex structure, while still providing comprehensive noise mitigation coverage.
Solution Approach 2:
The resonator array design is universal and can be applied to various subsea machinery configurations. The standardized resonator units can be arranged in different configurations to suit different noise sources and deepwater conditions, reducing the need for custom-designed systems for each application.
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
The resonator array effectively attenuates noise across various frequencies, providing long-term noise mitigation for subsea equipment, facilitating compliance with environmental regulations and reducing operational noise pollution.
Implementation Method 1
a deepwater resonator array configured for deepwater use and including an array of resonators filled with gas to mitigate the noise
Implementation Method 2
the resonators being configured to mitigate noise generated by the rotating equipment/machinery during operation
Data Source
AI summary
A subsea oil and/or gas facility includes rotating equipment/machinery located subsea and configured for subsea use. The rotating equipment/machinery includes pumping equipment/machinery having one or more pumps, or compression equipment/machinery having one or more compressors, or both, for processing oil and/or gas generated by the subsea oil and/or gas facility. The subsea oil and/or gas facility also includes a noise mitigation system configured for deepwater use and configured to mitigate noise generated by the rotating equipment/machinery. The noise mitigation system includes a deepwater resonator array configured for deepwater use and including an array of resonators filled with gas to mitigate the noise.