Under Keel Ballast Tank for Floating Platform Payload Expansion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing offshore floating platforms face challenges in increasing payload capacity and stability without interrupting operations, as design margins are exhausted due to equipment additions and changing metocean conditions, necessitating physical modifications that are disruptive.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating under keel tanks (UKTs) below the keel of floating structures, which can be filled with air, water, or solid materials as ballast, to lower the vertical center of gravity and enhance stability, allowing for increased payload capacity without significant operational disruption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If blisters or sponsons are added to increase payload capacity, then payload capacity increases, but the modification requires dry docking which interrupts operations
Solution Approach 1:
The ballast system is segmented into multiple independent tanks located in the underwater hull structure, allowing individual tank modifications without requiring complete dry docking of the platform. This segmentation enables operational flexibility while maintaining payload capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The ballast tanks are pre-configured within the hull structure during initial design, allowing for future payload expansion through simple ballast redistribution rather than structural modifications. This preliminary preparation eliminates the need for disruptive dry docking operations.
2Stability of the object's composition
If ballast is moved to lower vertical center of gravity, then stability improves, but existing ballast configuration must be modified
Solution Approach 1:
The ballast system incorporates movable partitions and transfer tubes that allow dynamic redistribution of ballast between tanks. This dynamic capability enables the system to adapt to changing stability requirements without requiring complex structural modifications, maintaining both stability and operational simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The ballast tanks serve multiple functions: providing stability through low center of gravity, enabling payload capacity adjustments, and allowing operational flexibility through movable partitions. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate stabilization systems, simplifying the overall device complexity.
3Quantity of substance
If physical modifications are made to the platform to increase payload, then payload capacity increases, but operations are interrupted for modification installation
Solution Approach 1:
The ballast system is designed to be self-adjusting through automated or manual ballast transfer mechanisms that can redistribute ballast between tanks without external intervention. This self-service capability allows the platform to adapt to payload changes while maintaining continuous operations, eliminating the need for disruptive modification installations.
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 under keel tank solution effectively increases payload capacity and stability by lowering the vertical center of gravity, enabling continued operations and supporting additional topsides equipment without the need for dry docking.
Implementation Method 1
Moving the ballast of the structure in this manner allows the vertical center of gravity of the structure to be lowered. By introducing ballast under the keel, the overall platform stability will be improved against overturning
Implementation Method 2
The under keel tank can be used on an existing facility when additional topsides payload is needed and/or more stability is required. The under keel tank is located at an elevation below the keel. The water ballast inside the pontoon or column may be partially or completely replaced by the new ballast tanks
Data Source
AI summary
A tank is secured under the keel of a floating structure for offshore energy development. The tank is filled with ballast material that supplements or replaces the ballast already present on the floating structure, thereby gaining larger topsides payload capacity for the floating structure or increasing stability and motion performance of the floating structure.