Monopile Foundation Membrane for Dry Offshore Functional Space
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing monopile foundations for offshore structures in water basins have an inner space that is filled with ground material and water, preventing any functional use of the space due to the lack of a separating barrier, which limits the installation of devices like energy storage, cooling equipment, or water desalination modules.
Innovation Solution
A monopile foundation with a tight membrane and reinforcing ribs creates a dry functional space by using a cement-based filling and inert gas, allowing for the installation of devices such as energy storage, gas generation, and cooling equipment, while maintaining structural rigidity and stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the inner space of the monopile foundation is filled with ground material and water, then the foundation achieves structural stability, but the space cannot be used for functional devices
Solution Approach 1:
The monopile foundation is divided into two distinct spaces: a lower ballast compartment filled with ground material and water for structural stability, and an upper dry functional space for installing devices. The tight membrane separates these two spaces, allowing each to fulfill its specific function independently.
Solution Approach 2:
A tight membrane acts as an intermediary barrier between the ballast space and the functional space. This membrane prevents water and ground material from entering the functional space while allowing the foundation to maintain structural stability through the ballast compartment.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a tight membrane is installed to create a dry functional space, then devices can be installed in the inner space, but the structural rigidity may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The tight membrane is strategically positioned only in the upper portion of the monopile where dry conditions are needed for device installation. The lower portion maintains its traditional filled structure for ballast and stability, ensuring that structural rigidity is not compromised while achieving the desired dry functional space.
Solution Approach 2:
The foundation employs a composite structure combining the tight membrane material with the traditional monopile construction. The membrane is integrated with the monopile walls and reinforced with stiffening elements to maintain overall structural integrity while creating the dry functional environment.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the inner space is kept dry with inert gas, then corrosion protection is achieved, but the installation complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The upper functional space is filled with inert gas (such as nitrogen or carbon dioxide) to create a corrosion-free environment for electrical and electronic devices. This inert atmosphere prevents oxidation and corrosion of sensitive components, significantly extending their operational life in the harsh marine environment.
Solution Approach 2:
The tight membrane is installed and sealed before the monopile is driven into the ground. This preliminary installation ensures that the dry functional space is already protected from water and corrosion agents before the foundation is permanently installed, simplifying the overall installation process and avoiding the need for complex post-installation sealing operations.
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 dry functional space enables the installation of working devices like energy storage, gas generation, and cooling equipment, protecting them from corrosion and enhancing the structural integrity and cost-effectiveness of the foundation.
Implementation Method 1
it is provided with a tight membrane (21) comprising of a top panel (23) and of a bottom panel (22) located inside, with at least one reinforcing rib (31) and a filling (30) between the panels
Implementation Method 2
The space between the bottom membrane panel (22) and the top edge of the outlet openings (19) is an air cushion (20a) facilitating a driving of the monopile foundation (2) into the bottom of the basin
Implementation Method 3
The monopile foundation is used as a foundation or a foundation element for structures using, for example, renewable energy sources, such as wind, solar energy or sea tides and currents. Working structures according to the invention include, in particular, wind turbines comprising power farms located in water basins in an offshore system
Implementation Method 4
The monopile foundation is used as a foundation or a foundation element for structures using, for example, renewable energy sources, such as wind, solar energy or sea tides and currents. The monopile foundation comprises a foundation or a part of a foundation of an offshore type structure. Such foundations provide a supporting structure, on which the working device is located and placed by vibrating and/or impulse penetration into the bottom of the basin
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~7
AI summary
The monopile foundation (2) has the form of a cylindrical steel pipe intended for driving into the bottom of a water basin. The area above the bottom (26a) includes the top connection flange (15) and inside, a tight membrane (21) including a bottom panel (22) and a top panel (23), between which at least one reinforcing rib is present (31) as well as a filling (30) in the form of a cement-based material. The monopile foundation (2) includes a dry functional space (26b) above the membrane (21), containing the internal working infrastructure (27), located between the membrane (21) and the top connection flange (15). An installation method of the monopile foundation on the bottom of the water basin, wherein a surrounding clamp is attached at the bottom area (12) of the monopile foundation, and a transport attachment (14) is attached in the area above the ground (26a), and the monopile foundation (2) is placed vertically. Once the monopile foundation (2) is placed vertically, a geovertical device (17a) is closed around its circumference, and the monopile foundation (2) is submersed into the basin, followed by driving the monopile foundation (2) into the bottom of the basin (18b), wherein during the submersion and driving, air and water containing bottom sediments are discharged outside the monopile foundation (2) through outlet openings (19) below the bottom panel of the membrane (22) using an air cushion (20a), above the outlet openings (19). The surrounding clamp (13) is unlocked and the monopile foundation (2) is gravitationally driven into the bottom of the basin (18b). The transport attachment (14) at the top of the monopile foundation (2) is removed and replaced with a driving device (25) for the monopile foundation (2) at the target location in the bottom of the basin. The clamp (13) is removed and the monopile foundation is weighed down such that the dry functional space (26b) of the monopile foundation (2), above the membrane (21) is equipped with working infrastructure (27), and subsequently the intermediate part (28) is installed on the connection flange (15) at the top of the monopile foundation (2) and the working device (29) is installed on it, for example a wind turbine, while the area above the bottom (26a) inside the monopile foundation (2) is filled with an inert gas.