Stainless Steel Short Chains
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- Energy from the Ocean Marine Technology, May 2014 #28
As did many readers of this article, I grew up in a coastal community, with the relaxing sounds of waves rolling over the rocks and on the seashore helping me drift to sleep at night. While soothing, the oceans also generate enormous amounts energy, still largely untapped.
Used car and truck tires are plentiful and cheap, and they also have excellent water and mechanical resistance properties. Is there a way that recycled tires can be utilized in the conversion of wave energy to cheap electricity? I believe so.
As the world continues to burn fossil fuel, supplies will begin to run low. At the same time, the supply of discarded tires grows higher, piles that present a significant fire risk and form a breeding ground for mosquitos. While there has been a movement to ween ourselves from fossil fuels, wind and thermal energy are still relatively costly sources.
In 2008, the author began to build a 1/20th scaled model of a floating platform to help harness wave energy. The idea comes from the common paddle used to propel a boat forward. If we could position a paddle (Figure 1) in the path of the wave and maintain it in that approximate position relative to the fluctuating water level; would it then be possible to have the wave move the paddle? A structure needed to be built to hold the paddle in place.
In the context of wave energy conversion, the concept of using recycled tires to produce electricity may be an innovative approach. Conditions for the structure (shown in Figure 2) and the overall project strive to meet the following requirements:
Economically feasible
Ensure livelihood of people who depend on the ocean
Respect the ocean
Do no harm to creatures in the ocean
Allow water to flow relatively unrestricted
Be heavy enough to be stable in the water
Strong enough to protect the moving blades and survive
Have sufficient buoyancy force
Minimal risk of sinking or being destroyed by the ocean
A cubical module measuring 20 cubic feet made of welded 18 inch diam. aluminum tubes and fitted with recycled tires (Figure 2). The tubes are individually sealed and the tires are filled with water resistant foam. An axle is suspended in the center of the cube and supported by stainless steel roller bearings. A turbine is formed by welding four backward large blades to the axle called “reverse wave paddles.” The paddles are moved by the waves going forward towards the shore and possibly during the return undercurrent wave cycle. A large gear is rotated slowly around at the speed of the waves and the rotation is conveyed to a gearbox mounted on a platform above water level. The gearbox is connected to an electrical generator to produce electricity for use on the float and with large scale deployment, cables can carry electricity to the shore.
The configuration described above can be easily and inexpensively built. The author maintains that the structure has minimal risk of sinking because each component is a floatation device. It is designed to be reliable in the water because it is mostly synthetic rubber and aluminum construction. The combination of sealed aluminum tubes and water resistant foam filled used tires (Figure 3) is compatible with salt water, inexpensive, and has high mechanical resistance. The sealed tubes and foam filled tires together provide strong buoyancy force. Four stabilizer water tanks are mounted on four corners of the float to adjust the position of the rotating blades relative to the water level. When heavy weights are added water can be released from the tanks to return float to desired position. Alternating modules are used to direct and increase wave energy into the active modules. Modules are connected together via stainless steel short chains, leaving some flexibility to float relative to each other. When several modules are connected they form a continuous multifunctional platform. Wind turbines and other structures can be mounted on the upper deck of the platform (Figure 4).
For test purposes, nine units should be deployed to evaluate all parameters of the modules including functionality, reliability, efficiency, anchoring, cost, maintenance, survivability, effect on sea life and other factors. Because material costs are competitive, construction of nearly identical units can provide economy of scale, and because of the versatility and the flexibility of the platform; cost of electricity from wave and wind energy can be extremely competitive.
Wind turbines can be installed on the top deck, as ocean winds are a valuable and reliable source of clean energy. Offshore coastal areas with high wind potential may be able to utilize the large surface areas of the platform to separate the wind storms form the warm ocean surface water on which they feed.
The ideal location is a function of several factors:
• Close to islands or near-shore communities which depend on fossil fuel for generating electricity
• Away from areas normally used for recreation
• Close to areas with established electrical transmission lines
• At a distance from shore where surface waves and undercurrent could be utilized.
• In locations not frequently used for fishing, crabbing and other related activities
• In areas with minimal interference with marine traffic.(As published in the May 2014 edition of Marine Technology Reporter - http://www.marinetechnologynews.com/Magazine)
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March 2024 - Marine Technology Reporter page: 35of outgassing and possible explosion. The metallic in a metal case, including common alkaline cells, cannot be lithium, contained inside a thin stainless-steel cylinder, is ex- pressure compensated. tremely reactive with water. Physical Modi? cations to a battery, including means to pres- ? Lithium-ion
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March 2024 - Marine Technology Reporter page: 23elatively inactive since 2014, the Hunga Tonga–Hunga Ha‘apai (HT-HH) submarine volcano began erupting on December 20, 2021, reaching peak intensity on January 15, 2022. This triggered tsunamis throughout the Pa- R ci? c, destroyed lives and infrastructure, and generated the largest explosion recorded
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March 2024 - Marine Technology Reporter page: 19About the Author vey with the pipe tracker is not required, resulting in signi? - Svenn Magen Wigen is a Cathodic Protection and corrosion control cant cost savings, mainly related to vessel charter. expert having worked across The major advantage of using FiGS on any type of subsea engineering, design
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March 2024 - Marine Technology Reporter page: 17• Integrity assessment, and otherwise covered, e.g., by rock dump. As for depletion of • Mitigation, intervention and repair. sacri? cial anodes, this can be dif? cult or even impossible to Selecting the best method for collecting the data these work- estimate due to poor visibility, the presence of
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March 2024 - Marine Technology Reporter page: 16TECH FEATURE IMR Image courtesy FORCE Technology OPTIMIZING CATHODIC PROTECTION SURVEY USING NON-CONTACT SENSORS By Svenn Magen Wigen, FORCE Technology he principle behind sacri? cial anodes, which are water structures, reducing the need for frequent repairs and used to safeguard underwater pipelines
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March 2024 - Marine Technology Reporter page: 15, engineered for payloads from 10, 20, 100 and up to 350 pounds. All positioners are available in Aluminum housing (standard) but are offered in Stainless Steel and Titanium for maximum longevity in seawater. ROS positioners offer accuracy from +/- 1.5° to 0.1°. ROS AccuPositioner™ is ideal for Sonar
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March 2024 - Marine Technology Reporter page: 7Set a Course for your Career Become a NOAA professional mariner! Sail with NOAA’s fleet of research marinerhiring.noaa.gov 1-833-SAIL-USA (724-5872) and survey ships! - Detects all iron and steel Get your next salvage - Locate pipelines, anchors and job done faster chains with a JW Fishers
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April 2024 - Maritime Reporter and Engineering News page: 3rd CoverYour Specialist Ofshore Lubricant Partner T Togeth her w we go o furt ther r Our commitment to customer service and technical support extends to ofshore operations. With our robust global supply chain, we deliver the optimal marine lubrication solution to your ?eet, precisely when and where it’s needed.
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April 2024 - Maritime Reporter and Engineering News page: 48Index page MR Apr2024:MN INDEX PAGE 4/5/2024 1:33 PM Page 1 ANCHORS & CHAINS MILITARY SONAR SYSTEMS tel:+44 (0) 1752 723330, [email protected] , www.siliconsensing.com Anchor Marine & Supply, INC., 6545 Lindbergh Houston, Massa Products Corporation, 280 Lincoln Street, SONAR TRANSDUCERS
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April 2024 - Maritime Reporter and Engineering News page: 40TECH FEATURE SITUATIONAL AWARENESS SITUATIONAL AWARENESS SYSTEM BATTLES COGNITIVE FATIGUE IN WATCHKEEPERS All images courtesy Groke Technologies Today’s evolving maritime security risks pose all-too-familiar threats to international shipping, and as just one of the many causes of fatigue, they add
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April 2024 - Maritime Reporter and Engineering News page: 39Tech Files Latest Products, Systems and Ship Designs “Wall Climbing Robot” Danish Pilot calls gets ClassNK Nod LEGO Model "A tribute build to a work life at sea" Image courtesy MOL, Sumitomo Heavy Industries lassNK granted its Innovation Endorse- Image courtesy Espen Andersen/DanPilot ment for
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April 2024 - Maritime Reporter and Engineering News page: 38Tech Files Latest Products, Systems and Ship Designs Zero-Emission Mooring Service of a Tanker Consulmar achieved a milestone by executing what it calls ing boat Castalia, which operates on full electric propulsion. the world's ? rst zero-emissions mooring service for a tanker. Equipped with two 150 kW
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April 2024 - Maritime Reporter and Engineering News page: 35SIMULATION e have a close relationship with tech- Realism is prized beyond immersive, photo-realistic visu- nology, evidenced by, for example, als, and providers are introducing increasingly accurate func- the phones we are estimated to un- tionality. FORCE Technology’s upcoming DEN-Mark2 math- lock around
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April 2024 - Maritime Reporter and Engineering News page: 29RADM PHILIP SOBECK, MILITARY SEALIFT COMMAND U.S. Navy photo by Bill Mesta/released U.S. Navy photo by Ryan Carter Rear Adm. Philip Sobeck, Commander, United States Navy’s Military Sealift Command, visits USNS Patuxent (T-AO 201) for a tour of the ship at Naval Station Norfolk, Va., November 20, 2023.
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April 2024 - Maritime Reporter and Engineering News page: 25RADM PHILIP SOBECK, MILITARY SEALIFT COMMAND Photo by Brian Suriani USN Military Sealift Command From a global supply chain perspective, What makes MSC so vital to the we’ve learned a lot about dealing with Navy’s ? eet and our military disruptions. COVID delivered a big forces around the world? wake-up
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April 2024 - Maritime Reporter and Engineering News page: 23offshore wind; and the foreign ? ag Maersk supply WTIV at Seatrium Singapore, together with U.S. ? ag feeder ATBs for transportation and installation of the Empire Wind. Three newbuild SOVs and three conversions/retro? ts were award- ed, too, and 22 CTVs were also announced. The ? rst US rock installa
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April 2024 - Maritime Reporter and Engineering News page: 22INTERVIEW WE ARE ENGAGED WITH MULTIPLE US OSW WIND DEVELOPMENTS AND SEEING AN UP-TICK FOR CVA, TECHNOLOGY REVIEW AND RISK REDUCTION SERVICES IN EARLY DEVELOPMENT PHASES. WITH NEW LEASE ROUNDS COMING AND NEW OPPORTUNITIES, WE DO NOT SEE A BIG SLOWDOWN FOR OSW DEVELOPMENTS APART FROM THE OBVIOUS
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April 2024 - Maritime Reporter and Engineering News page: 18MARKETS & gas activity returns, we anticipate that supply of the vessels The Question of Emissions to offshore wind projects will reduce, driving demand for ad- Given that SOVs and CSOVs operate in a segment target- ditional CSOVs. ing reduced emissions, and many operate in the North Eu- Outside of China
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April 2024 - Maritime Reporter and Engineering News page: 16MARKETS SOVs – Analyzing Current, Future Demand Drivers By Philip Lewis, Director of Research, Intelatus © Björn Wylezich/AdobeStock t a high-level, there are three solutions to transferring Lower day rate CTVs are often used for daily transfer of technicians from shore bases to offshore wind farms
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April 2024 - Maritime Reporter and Engineering News page: 6Editorial MARITIME REPORTER AND ENGINEERING NEWS his month’s coverage is M A R I N E L I N K . C O M almost an afterthought HQ 118 E. 25th St., 2nd Floor following the tragedy that New York, NY 10010 USA T +1.212.477.6700 Tunfolded in Baltimore in the wee hours of Tuesday, March 26, CEO John C.
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April 2024 - Marine News page: 43, by a hexacore processor, each offers ex- ceptional clarity and brightness and in- 2 speeds/2 shaft lengths. Fully adjust- able wipe from 62º - 92º. Stainless corporate Furuno’s hybrid control with class Azipod DI system opens new pros- the intuitive RotoKey control knob as pects for the icebreaker developmen
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April 2024 - Marine News page: 39There are ? ve major paint catego- lenges in shipyards is managing small building is a multifaceted endeavor ries in new construction shipbuilding: parts, which are prone to surface rust that demands integrative systems before installation. Optimizing the planning, as well as adoption of new 1.
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April 2024 - Marine News page: 38Tech File Optimizing Blast and Paint Processes in New Construction Shipbuilding By Colin Gallagher, Director of Shipyard Optimization, BlastOne International The ef? cacy of surface preparation and coating appli- 1. Raw material entry cation in the new construction shipbuilding industry is 2. Painting
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April 2024 - Marine News page: 35Capt. Josh Ferguson, master of the eWolf. Administration (MARAD), which all provided ? nancial support and other resources. “This tug becomes somewhat commercially viable be- cause of the grant process,” Manzi said. “Unlike a ferry service that’s paid for by tax dollars, we have to collect fares and