With the characteristics of light weight, high strength, seawater corrosion resistance, fatigue resistance, etc., carbon fiber has significant application potential in offshore floating platforms (such as offshore wind power floating foundations, marine aquaculture platforms, scientific research/sightseeing floating platforms, etc.), which can solve the problems of "large weight, easy corrosion, and high maintenance costs" of traditional metal structures, and the specific application directions are as follows:
1. The main structure of the floating platform
Floating frame/shell: Replace steel or concrete, used for the main load-bearing frame of the floating platform, buoyancy cabin shell. Lightweight can reduce the weight of the floating platform, reduce the draft and improve the buoyancy efficiency. Seawater corrosion resistance does not require frequent corrosion protection, especially suitable for long-term immersion in high salt spray environments.
Connection structure: The connecting parts (such as hinges and support beams) between the modules of the floating platform are made of carbon fiber composite materials, which can withstand the dynamic load brought by the impact of waves, and the fatigue resistance is better than that of metal, prolonging the service life of the joint.
2. Buoyancy chamber and energy storage components
Buoyancy cabin shell: The closed buoyancy cabin (the core component that provides buoyancy) of the buoyancy platform is made of carbon fiber composite materials, which has high strength and tightness to resist the high pressure of the deep sea, and at the same time is light in weight to avoid increasing the additional load of the buoyancy. When filled with lightweight foam, the carbon fiber housing protects the core buoyancy unit from seawater.
Energy storage equipment shell: The protective shell of energy storage batteries, hydraulic devices and other equipment on the floating platform uses the corrosion resistance and impact resistance characteristics of carbon fiber to adapt to the humid and salty spray environment of the ocean.
3. Auxiliary structures and equipment
Deck and fence: The working deck and safety fence of the pontoon platform are made of carbon fiber composite materials to reduce the weight of the superstructure, reduce the center of gravity of the pontoon, and improve stability; At the same time, it has strong weather resistance and reduces the rust problem caused by seawater immersion.
Mooring system components: mooring lines and guide wheels connecting the pontoon platform and submarine anchor, the high tensile strength and fatigue resistance of carbon fiber can withstand long-term wave tension, and the weight is lighter than steel cables, reducing the load of mooring system.
Monitoring equipment bracket: The bracket of meteorological and hydrological monitoring instruments installed on the floating platform uses the lightweight and anti-corrosion characteristics of carbon fiber to avoid tilting or damage to the equipment caused by the corrosion of the metal bracket.
4. Special floating platform scene
Deep-sea exploration pontoons: Floats for deep-sea scientific research and resource exploration, carbon fiber components reduce overall weight, facilitate transportation and deployment, and withstand deep-sea high pressures and extreme environments.
Modular floating platform: The modular floating platform that can be quickly spliced (such as temporary docks and emergency rescue platforms) has a lightweight and high-strength carbon fiber structure, which is easy to lift and assemble and improve deployment efficiency.
Core values
The core of the application of carbon fiber in offshore pontoons is to reduce the construction cost of pontoons (reduce the demand for foundation loads), extend the maintenance interval (especially suitable for pontoons in remote sea areas), and improve the stability and safety in complex sea conditions through the triple advantages of "lightweight + corrosion resistance + fatigue resistance". With the decline in the cost of carbon fiber, its application in medium and large floating platforms (such as offshore wind power floating foundations) is advancing from pilot to large-scale.