Ocean Bottom Cable Cleaning Apparatus with Segmented Component Treatment
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Solution Overview
Problem
The challenge in marine seismic surveys is to ensure that ocean bottom cables are clean, free from salt, and dry during retrieval, while maintaining cost efficiency and environmental sustainability, as existing methods are either inefficient or environmentally harmful.
Innovation Solution
A cleaning apparatus comprising an initial flushing device for seawater flushing, a loading/unloading apparatus for unloading sensor capsules, a washing tunnel for freshwater flushing, and separate conveyor means for different components, allowing for efficient removal of salt and fouling, and optional drying of components to prevent corrosion and fouling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional cleaning methods are used for ocean bottom cables, then cleaning effectiveness is improved, but environmental harm and operational complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
A water tunnel serves as an intermediary environment between the seawater environment and the cleaning process. The tunnel provides a controlled space where freshwater can be introduced to clean the cable components without directly discharging cleaning water into the marine environment, thus mediating between cleaning needs and environmental protection
Solution Approach 2:
The cable components (sensor capsules and node casings) are extracted from the seawater environment and placed into the water tunnel for cleaning. This separation allows the cleaning process to occur in a controlled environment away from the sensitive marine ecosystem, removing the harmful interaction between cleaning operations and the ocean environment
2Reliability
If comprehensive cleaning and drying of all components is performed, then component protection is improved, but freshwater consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning system is segmented into separate treatment paths: sensor capsules receive full cleaning and drying treatment through the water tunnel and drying facility, while node casings and stress elements can be routed through a separate path. This segmentation allows freshwater resources to be concentrated on components that most need protection (sensor capsules) rather than uniformly treating all components
Solution Approach 2:
Different cleaning and drying intensities are applied to different components based on their specific requirements. Sensor capsules, which contain sensitive electronics, receive comprehensive freshwater washing and drying. Node casings and stress elements, which are more robust, can receive reduced treatment. This local differentiation of treatment quality optimizes freshwater consumption while maintaining adequate protection
3Adaptability or versatility
If manual cleaning and handling of cable components is performed, then flexibility is improved, but productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The water tunnel system provides self-service cleaning through automated water delivery and flow control. The system can automatically flush sensor capsules and node casings without requiring manual intervention for the actual cleaning action, significantly increasing productivity while maintaining flexibility in handling different component types
Solution Approach 2:
Manual mechanical cleaning operations are replaced with automated water-based flushing systems. The high-velocity water jets automatically remove salt and fouling from components, eliminating the need for manual scrubbing and handling while maintaining adaptability to different component geometries through adjustable water flow patterns
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 apparatus effectively removes salt and fouling from ocean bottom cables during retrieval, ensuring components are clean and dry, reducing freshwater consumption and environmental impact, while allowing for different treatment paths for various components based on their requirements.
Implementation Method 1
an initial flushing device (340) configured to flush the ocean bottom cable with seawater
Implementation Method 2
a washing tunnel (110) disposed downstream from the loading/unloading apparatus, wherein the washing tunnel is configured to flush the sensor capsule with water supplied from a freshwater tank
Implementation Method 3
a drying facility configured to dry the ocean bottom cable, the sensor capsule and the node casing
Data Source
AI summary
A cleaning apparatus (100) for an ocean bottom cable (19) including a plurality of node casings (5), each containing at least one sensor capsule (9). During retrieval, an initial flushing device flushes the assembled cable with seawater before the capsules (9) are separated from the casings (5) in a loading/unloading apparatus (300). A washing tunnel (110) is configured to flush the sensor capsule (9) with water supplied from a freshwater tank (115) through a waterfeed pipe (117). Preferably, the cleaning apparatus also comprises a secondary flushing device for flushing the components with seawater after separation, and a drying tunnel (120). Separate conveyors convey the sensor capsules (9) and the node casings (5) to their respective destinations, such that each component may be flushed in seawater and/or freshwater and/or dried as required. The cleaning apparatus is optimized to use a minimum of freshwater and energy.