Non-Producing Offshore Platforms for 3D Seaweed Growth and Harvesting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional seaweed growing methods are limited to shallow depths and require extensive ocean territory, leading to inefficiencies in space utilization, high project costs, and prolonged implementation timelines, while lacking integration with renewable energy sources and other aquaculture activities.
Innovation Solution
Utilizing non-producing offshore oil and gas platforms reconfigured with seaweed support systems, renewable power sources, and subsea lighting to facilitate high-density, three-dimensional seaweed farming at greater depths, integrating with fish farming and utilizing solar, wind, tidal, and wave energy for sustainable operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If seaweed is grown in shallow depths (up to 5 meters), then sufficient natural light is available for photosynthesis, but extensive ocean territory is required leading to inefficient space utilization
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from two-dimensional surface farming to three-dimensional vertical farming by extending seaweed cultivation downward from the surface along support structures. Multiple seaweed lines hang vertically from the platform, creating volumetric utilization of water space rather than requiring extensive horizontal ocean territory. This dimensional change allows high-density cultivation in a compact footprint.
Solution Approach 2:
The offshore platform serves multiple functions: it provides structural support for seaweed cultivation, houses renewable energy generation systems (wind turbines, solar panels), and acts as a centralized harvesting hub. This multi-functionality consolidates what would otherwise require separate installations into a single integrated system, improving space efficiency.
2Ease of manufacture
If conventional shallow water farming is used, then implementation is simpler, but project costs are high and implementation timelines are prolonged
Solution Approach 1:
The patent repurposes abandoned or non-producing offshore oil and gas platforms for seaweed cultivation. Instead of building new infrastructure, the existing platform structures are adapted and reused, significantly reducing capital costs and implementation timelines while maintaining structural integrity and operational simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The platform integrates multiple revenue-generating functions including seaweed cultivation, fish farming in central regions, and renewable energy generation. This multi-functionality maximizes the utility of the infrastructure investment and reduces the need for separate facilities, improving overall project economics.
3Area of stationary object
If seaweed farming is expanded to greater depths, then ocean space utilization improves, but natural light becomes insufficient for photosynthesis
Solution Approach 1:
Artificial light sources are introduced as an intermediary to bridge the gap between depth and natural light availability. LEDs or other subsea lighting systems are positioned along the seaweed lines to provide supplemental illumination at depths where natural light is insufficient, enabling photosynthesis to continue at productive rates.
Solution Approach 2:
The system extends cultivation vertically into deeper water columns where space is more abundant, using artificial lighting to compensate for reduced natural light. This allows the farming operation to access the three-dimensional water column volume rather than being constrained to the shallow surface layer.
4Productivity
If single-point harvesting is implemented, then harvesting efficiency improves, but infrastructure complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The offshore platform serves as a multi-functional hub that consolidates seaweed cultivation, fish farming, renewable energy generation, and centralized harvesting operations. By co-locating these functions on a single structure, the system achieves efficient single-point harvesting without proportionally increasing infrastructure complexity, as the platform already provides the necessary support structures and utilities.
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
Enhances ocean space utilization, reduces project costs and timelines, enables single-point harvesting, integrates with aquaculture, and supports climate change goals by increasing CO2 absorption, while providing seaweed for various industrial and food uses.
Implementation Method 1
a support system coupled to the platform and configured to facilitate subsea growth of the seaweed
Implementation Method 2
a plurality of light sources coupled to the support system in the body of water, the light sources disposed in the body of water at a depth greater than 5 meters
Data Source
AI summary
An offshore system for growing and harvesting seaweed. In some instances, the offshore system for growing and harvesting seaweed includes an existing non-producing offshore platform. In addition, in some instances, the offshore system for growing and harvesting seaweed includes a seaweed support system coupled to the platform and configured to support the subsea growth of seaweed.