Offshore Wind Turbine Fluid Supply Cleaning for Electrolyzer Fouling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Offshore wind turbines face efficiency and maintenance issues due to build-up of salt, grease, dirt, and marine growth in the fluid supply assembly, which obstructs the flow of input fluid to the electrolytic unit, leading to pressure drops and potential damage to components.
Innovation Solution
A fluid supply assembly with a cleaning unit that uses a nozzle to spray a cleaning fluid, such as desalinated water or a treatment fluid, to dissolve and remove build-up from the fluid connection and inlet, improving flow efficiency and reducing maintenance needs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a fluid supply assembly is used to supply input fluid from below water level to the electrolytic unit, then the height difference is overcome and fluid supply is enabled, but build-up of salt, grease, dirt and marine growth obstructs the fluid passage causing pressure drop and reduced efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning unit performs preliminary cleaning actions on the fluid connection and inlet areas before build-up can significantly obstruct fluid flow. By continuously or periodically removing salt, grease, dirt and marine growth, the system maintains optimal fluid passage conditions and prevents pressure drops that would reduce productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The fluid supply assembly cleans itself through the integrated cleaning unit that removes build-up from the fluid connection and inlet areas. This self-maintaining capability eliminates the need for external intervention and keeps the system operating at peak efficiency without manual maintenance.
2Reliability
If the pump increases power to compensate for pressure drop caused by build-up, then fluid supply to electrolytic unit is maintained, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning unit performs preliminary cleaning to prevent build-up that would cause pressure drops. By maintaining clear fluid passages, the pump operates at optimal power levels without needing to increase energy consumption to compensate for obstructions.
Solution Approach 2:
The cleaning unit responds to detected build-up conditions by activating cleaning operations. This feedback mechanism prevents severe pressure drops that would require excessive pump power, thereby optimizing energy consumption while maintaining reliable fluid supply to the electrolytic unit.
3Productivity
If manual cleaning and maintenance is performed, then build-up is removed, but maintenance efforts and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning unit automatically removes build-up from the fluid connection and inlet areas without requiring manual intervention. This self-cleaning capability eliminates the need for periodic manual maintenance operations, reducing both maintenance effort and associated costs while sustaining optimal fluid flow efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The cleaning unit operates continuously or periodically to maintain clean fluid passages, ensuring uninterrupted optimal performance. This continuous cleaning action prevents the accumulation of build-up that would otherwise require periodic shutdowns for manual maintenance.
4Ease of operation
If build-up is not removed, then system operates without maintenance, but components of electrolytic unit may be damaged
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning unit performs preliminary removal of build-up before it can reach levels that would damage electrolytic unit components. By continuously or periodically cleaning the fluid connection and inlet areas, the system maintains both operational continuity and component durability.
Solution Approach 2:
The cleaning unit provides protective cushioning by removing build-up before it can cause damage to components. This preventive cleaning action shields the electrolytic unit from potential damage while allowing the system to operate continuously without interruption.
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 cleaning unit effectively maintains fluid flow and prevents damage by dissolving and removing obstructions, reducing energy consumption and maintenance costs, and ensuring continuous operation of the electrolytic unit.
Implementation Method 1
The cleaning unit comprises a nozzle configured to spray a cleaning fluid, in particular desalinated water or a treatment fluid, to dissolve a build-up
Data Source
AI summary
An offshore wind turbine erected in a body of water includes a generator, a foundation, a nacelle, a tower having a first end mounted to the foundation and a second end supporting the nacelle, an electrolytic unit arranged above a water level and electrically powered by the generator to produce hydrogen from an input fluid, in particular water, and a fluid supply assembly for supplying the input fluid from a fluid inlet arranged below the water level to the electrolytic unit by means of a fluid connection, wherein the fluid supply assembly includes a cleaning unit configured to clean a build-up formed along an area extending through the inner part of at least a part of the fluid connection or formed at the fluid inlet.