Offshore Barge Fluid Recovery With Turbine-Powered Recirculation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Offshore drilling barges face high energy consumption due to the need for continuous intake of fresh seawater for coolant, which increases operational loads and costs.
Innovation Solution
A fluid recapture system comprising a translation sub-system, recirculation sub-system, and energy conversion sub-system that captures and recirculates discharged fluid to reduce the need for fresh seawater intake, utilizing the energy of discharged fluid to power the recirculation process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If fresh seawater is continuously intake for coolant, then cooling function is maintained, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system recovers discharged coolant water that would otherwise be discarded and reintroduces it into the cooling system. The recapture system captures discharged water from the barge and feeds it back to the coolant system, reducing the need for continuous fresh seawater intake and associated energy consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The recapture system is self-powered by using the kinetic energy of the discharged water stream itself to drive the turbine, which in turn powers the pump that recirculates the water. This eliminates the need for additional energy-consuming equipment and makes the system self-sustaining.
2Quantity of substance
If discharged water is recaptured and recirculated, then fresh seawater intake is reduced, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system combines multiple functions into a single integrated structure. The turbine is positioned within the discharged water stream path, and the pump is coupled to the turbine, creating a self-contained recirculation unit that merges energy conversion and fluid recapture functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses hydraulic principles by positioning the turbine in the discharged water stream to extract kinetic energy directly from the flowing water. The water flow itself drives the turbine, which then powers the pump, creating a hydraulic energy conversion system.
3Use of energy by moving object
If turbine is used to power pump, then energy efficiency improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The discharged water stream serves multiple functions: it provides cooling, it drives the turbine for energy generation, and it is recirculated back to the cooling system. This multi-functionality maximizes the utility of the discharged water while minimizing additional system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The turbine acts as an intermediary device that converts the kinetic energy of the discharged water into mechanical power to drive the pump. This intermediary mechanism enables energy recovery without requiring complex control systems or additional power sources.
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 system decreases the overall energy load and operational costs by harnessing discharged fluid energy to power fluid pumps, reducing the reliance on fresh seawater intake and enhancing energy efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
The energy conversion sub-system interacts with the discharged fluid to rotate a turbine and transfer the rotational energy generated by the turbine to a fluid pump
Data Source
AI summary
A fluid recapture system includes a translation sub-system, a recirculation sub-system, and an energy conversion sub-system. The translation sub-system a moveable platform on which the recirculation sub-system and energy conversion sub-system are mounted. The recirculation sub-system includes a fluid line having a first end, a second end, and a fluid channel extending from the first end to the second end. The translation sub-system also includes a basin attached to the second end of the fluid line and a fluid pump disposed on the fluid line. The basin is fluidly connected to the fluid channel of the fluid line. The fluid pump is operable to convey fluid from the basin to the first end of the fluid line. The energy conversion sub-system includes a turbine aligned with the basin and a transmission connected to the fluid pump and connected to the turbine. The transmission is operable to power the pump.