Offshore Energy Generation System Hybrid Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing floating nuclear facilities lack the unique characteristics to meet current environmental benefits such as zero carbon emissions, clean freshwater, and ammonia as an energy carrier for hydrogen, and their installation is inefficient in areas with extreme wind and current forces or unknown water depths.
Innovation Solution
An offshore energy generation system (OEGS) utilizing a hybrid positioning system for effective static and dynamic positioning, capable of producing electricity, freshwater, ammonia, and hydrogen, while navigating extreme environmental conditions without requiring a dynamic positioning system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-generated harmful factors
If existing floating nuclear facilities are used, then electricity generation is achieved, but environmental benefits such as zero carbon emissions, clean freshwater, and ammonia production are not provided
Solution Approach 1:
The offshore energy generation system is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: generating electricity through nuclear fission, producing clean freshwater through desalination, and synthesizing ammonia through chemical processing. This multi-functional approach allows a single facility to deliver comprehensive environmental benefits rather than just electricity generation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system merges previously separate functions (electricity generation, water desalination, ammonia production) into an integrated offshore facility. The nuclear reactor provides heat for both power generation and desalination processes, while excess heat and produced materials are utilized for ammonia synthesis, creating a synergistic system that maximizes resource utilization and environmental benefits.
2Ease of operation
If floating nuclear facilities are installed in areas with extreme wind and current forces, then power delivery to remote locations is achieved, but installation efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs a dynamic positioning system that actively adjusts the floating facility's position in real-time to counteract extreme wind and current forces. This dynamic adaptation allows the facility to maintain optimal positioning for power delivery while ensuring safe and efficient installation and operation in challenging marine environments.
3Ease of operation
If floating nuclear facilities are installed in areas with unknown water depths, then remote location power delivery is achieved, but installation efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
Before installation in areas with unknown water depths, the system performs preliminary bathymetric surveys and environmental assessments to map the seafloor topography and identify optimal installation sites. This advance preparation ensures that the floating facility can be efficiently installed and positioned in remote locations without encountering unexpected depth-related challenges during the installation process.
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 OEGS efficiently delivers clean energy and freshwater, mitigates climate change and water scarcity, and enhances safety and operational efficiency, achieving the net zero emissions targets and optimizing land use.
Implementation Method 1
a steam generation system, operatively coupled with the seawater collection system, configured for generating steam from the volume of seawater collected by the seawater collection system
Implementation Method 2
a freshwater generation system, operatively coupled with the seawater collection system and the steam generation system, configured for distilling freshwater by using the volume of seawater collected by the seawater collection system and a residual thermal energy generated by the steam generation system
Implementation Method 3
a hydrogen (H2) generation system, operatively coupled with the freshwater generation system and the electric power generation system, configured for generating hydrogen by using the distilled freshwater from the freshwater generation system and the electric power generated by the electric power generation system
Data Source
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AI summary
Disclosed is an offshore energy generation system (100, 200, 400) (OEGS) that is configured for zero greenhouse gases emissions during operations, mitigating earthquake and tsunami impacts thereon, and nuclear meltdown safety. The OEGS comprises floating facility (202, 404) coupled to hybrid positioning system (134, 434) comprising mooring arrangement (432) and maneuvering arrangement (436, 600). Floating facility is also coupled to seawater collection system (112); steam (102, 204, 406), electric power (104, 206, 408), ammonia (118, 214, 416), freshwater (106, 208, 410), nitrogen (116, 212, 414) and hydrogen (114, 210, 412) generation systems; cooling water system; electric power export lines (120), freshwater (108) and ammonia (110) export systems; offshore cranes (226, 304, 428, 502), living quarters (222, 424) and helideck (224, 426); automation, control and safety system (130). The OEGS is effective, affordable and reliable solution for global climate change as it delivers clean energy in form of electricity, ammonia and/or freshwater.