J-Lay Tower Layout for Piggy-Back Pipeline and Conduit Laying
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pipe-laying vessels are unable to simultaneously lay rigid pipelines and flexible conduits in J-lay configuration, and they struggle to handle bulky items when the tower angle is low, as they are not designed for 'piggy-back' pipelaying and have limited flexibility in tower orientation.
Innovation Solution
A pipe-laying vessel with a J-lay tower featuring three separate workstations along its length, allowing for J-lay mode operation, with the ability to tilt between 55 degrees to 90 degrees to the horizontal, and equipped with clamping assemblies to handle both rigid and flexible pipelines separately, enabling the connection of flexible conduits alongside the rigid pipeline without interference from clamping assemblies.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a pipe-laying vessel uses a conventional single-workstation tower design, then the tower structure is simpler and lighter, but it cannot simultaneously lay rigid pipelines and flexible conduits in J-lay configuration
Solution Approach 1:
The tower is divided into multiple workstations (first, second, and third workstations) spaced at different heights along the tower length. Each workstation is equipped with dedicated clamping assemblies and processing equipment, allowing simultaneous independent operations on rigid pipelines and flexible conduits without interference
2Adaptability or versatility
If the tower is designed with clamping assemblies for rigid pipelines, then rigid pipeline laying is enabled, but flexible conduits cannot be handled effectively when tower angle is low
Solution Approach 1:
The third workstation is positioned at a lower height on the tower, providing a different spatial dimension for handling flexible conduits. This lower position allows better accessibility and maneuverability for bulky items and flexible products, especially when the tower is at lower angles during J-lay operations
3Productivity
If workstations are positioned higher on the tower for optimal J-lay operation, then pipeline processing is improved, but handling of bulky items and flexible conduits becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The tower is segmented into multiple workstations at different heights, with the third workstation positioned lower to handle bulky items and flexible conduits, while the first and second workstations are positioned higher for optimal J-lay pipeline processing. This vertical segmentation allows each workstation to specialize in specific tasks at appropriate heights
4Adaptability or versatility
If the vessel is designed for simultaneous laying of rigid and flexible pipelines, then operational versatility is improved, but the tower becomes heavier and less suitable for smaller vessels
Solution Approach 1:
The tower is divided into modular workstation segments that can be independently configured. Each workstation contains essential clamping and processing equipment, allowing the tower to achieve versatile functionality while maintaining a relatively compact and lightweight structure suitable for smaller vessels
Data Source
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AI summary
A pipe-laying vessel (100) includes a pipe-laying tower (200) extending upwardly from the vessel. Mounted along the length of the tower, are separate workstations (e.g. 240, 260, 280) and at least two clamping assemblies (250, 270) for clamping a pipeline. A workstation (280) mounted on the tower below the lowermost clamping assembly (270) is used to attach a flexible conduit alongside the pipeline. There is also disclosed a method of J-laying pipeline from a vessel (100), which may include laying a product in the form of flexible conduit piggy-backed onto the rigid pipeline, a method of abandoning such a product (134) from the vessel (100), and a method of recovering such a previously abandoned product (134) to the vessel (100).