Continuous Reinforced Cold Water Pipe for OTEC Systems
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Solution Overview
Problem
The high cost and time-consuming assembly of continuous reinforced cold water pipes for Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion systems, due to the need for pre-manufactured sections and the requirement to withstand extreme ocean conditions during assembly, which are not encountered during operation.
Innovation Solution
Forming a continuous reinforced pipe by sequentially molding rigid frame sections with a curable material on-site, reducing transport costs and assembly time, while maintaining high strength and resistance to environmental forces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If pre-manufactured CWP sections are assembled on-site, then the pipe can be constructed with high quality materials and structural integrity, but transport costs increase significantly and assembly time extends to four months
Solution Approach 1:
The pipe is divided into modular rigid frame sections that can be connected sequentially on-site. Each section maintains structural integrity through standardized coupling mechanisms while enabling rapid assembly without requiring four months of construction time.
Solution Approach 2:
The rigid frame sections are pre-manufactured with coupling mechanisms and reinforcement structures already in place, allowing for quick on-site assembly. The framing sections are prepared in advance with all necessary structural elements integrated before deployment to the ocean platform.
2Reliability
If the pipe is designed to withstand extreme ocean environmental conditions during assembly, then reliability under harsh conditions is improved, but the pipe weight and material costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The pipe structure implements different levels of reinforcement at different locations. The rigid frame provides maximum strength at critical coupling points and connection zones, while intermediate sections use optimized material distribution that reduces weight without compromising overall reliability under extreme ocean conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The pipe combines rigid framing materials with curable material encasement to create a composite structure. This composite design provides high strength-to-weight ratio, maintaining reliability against environmental forces during assembly while reducing overall pipe weight compared to solid homogeneous construction.
3Strength
If large cylindrical CWP sections are manufactured and transported to the platform, then the pipe can be assembled with proper structural integrity, but the transport space requirements and costs increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The pipe is divided into smaller modular rigid frame sections that can be transported more efficiently to the ocean platform. These segmented sections require significantly less transport space and cost compared to moving one large cylindrical section, while maintaining structural integrity through standardized coupling mechanisms.
4Manufacturing precision
If the pipe assembly process is extended to ensure proper curing and structural development, then manufacturing quality is improved, but the pipe remains exposed to extreme environmental conditions for longer periods
Solution Approach 1:
The rigid frame sections are prepared with all structural elements and coupling mechanisms in place before being transported to the ocean platform. This preliminary preparation allows the pipe to be quickly assembled and deployed, minimizing exposure time to extreme environmental conditions while ensuring proper curing quality through controlled manufacturing processes.
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
This approach reduces transport costs, assembly time, and environmental design considerations, resulting in a lighter, more efficient pipe with improved resistance to pressure differentials and corrosion, enabling faster deployment and lower production costs.
Implementation Method 1
enclosing at least a portion of the rigid frame section in a curable material, and curing the curable material
Data Source
AI summary
A continuous reinforced cold water pipe (CWP) for an Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC) system is formed from a sequential series of molded pipe sections, which are formed from a series of rigid frame sections and a curable material to form the continuous reinforced CWP. Each molded pipe section is formed by moving a rigid frame section into a mold, enclosing at least a portion of the rigid frame section in the curable material, and curing the curable material. As each molded pipe section is moved out of the mold, the next sequential rigid frame section, which is connected to the previous rigid frame section, is moved into the mold. The cycle is repeated as many times as required to form the continuous reinforced CWP having a desired length.