Multi-purpose offshore platform and method for manufacturing and installing thereof

Abstract

Multi-purpose offshore platform and method for manufacturing and installing thereof in the water for the installation of power generation, desalinated water and food production devices from sea's natural resources, or in order to serve as foundation for any structure to be installed in water. It includes a foundation formed by one or more reinforced concrete slabs ( 1 ) with lattice ( 3 ) pillars, piles for driving into the seabed, placed inside the pillars ( 3 ), a superfluous sealing and buoyancy system ( 8 ), an immersion controlling system that allows inmersing the foundation at a controlled rate, once the platform is in its final location, a hydraulic system for lifting the platform to a height above the highest wave expected, as well as plants ( 5 ) for installing devices.

1 . Multi-purpose offshore platform for installing devices for power generation, for producing desalinated water and food from natural sea resources, or in order to serve as foundation for any structure intended to be installed in the sea, comprising the following elements:
 A foundation formed by one or several reinforced concrete slabs ( 1 ) wherein lattice pillars ( 3 ) and/or tubular section towers are embedded.   Piles for driving into the seabed, placed inside the lattice pillars ( 3 ) or in the tubular section towers,   A superfluous sealing and buoyancy system ( 8 )   An immersion controlling system that allows immersing the foundation at a controlled rate, once the platform is in its final location   A hydraulic system for lifting the platform at a height above the highest wave expected.   The platform also includes plants ( 5 ) for installing production devices and devices for operating and maintaining thereof.   
     
     
         2 . Offshore platform according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the slab ( 1 ) may have any geometry, whether be rectangular, hexagonal, octagonal... 
     
     
         3 . Offshore platform according to  claim 2 , characterized in that the slab ( 1 ) is stiffened by beams ( 2 ). 
     
     
         4 . Offshore platform according to  claim 2 , characterized in that the slab ( 1 ) is stiffened by edge beams. 
     
     
         5 . Offshore platform according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the pillars ( 3 ) are made of a steel lattice. 
     
     
         6 . Offshore platform according to  claim 1 , characterized in that in case the bed is rocky, the pillars ( 3 ) have a device for drilling anchorages therein. 
     
     
         7 . Offshore platform according to  claim 1 , characterized in that it comprises a wind turbine ( 7 ) mounted in a telescopic tower or tubular structure ( 4 ) joined through it bottom to the foundation. 
     
     
         8 . Method for manufacturing and installing the offshore platform described in the preceding claims, characterized in that the manufacturing is carried out in land and mass production, and comprises the following steps:
 Previous step for pre-manufacturing the pillars and manufacturing the concrete  Manufacturing the platform passing through the following stations:   First station: manufacturing the reinforced concrete slab ( 1 ) that is part of the foundation, either stiffened by beams or edge beams.   Second station: installing the superfluous sealing and buoyancy system; the prefabricated pillars ( 3 ) incorporating the piles therein for driving into the bed are also installed; furthermore, in case of using the platform as support for a wind turbine ( 7 ), the telescopic tower ( 4 ) will be placed in the center of the slab ( 1 ), at this time.   Third station: the installation of the superfluous sealing and buoyancy system ( 8 ) is completed.   Fourth Station: therein all the devices required in order to develop the intended activity on the platform are installed.   Setting afloat and launching the platform and transferring it to the final location   Conditioning and leveling the bed at the location   Immersing the platform allowing the vertical downward motion of the foundation, guided by towers and pillars, reaching the ground without oscillations and being flat at the bed.   Driving and inserting the piles and/or perforating the anchorages. Embedding the slab into the piles and/or anchorages. Fixing the structure to the ground.   Lifting the operation and maintenance plant ( 5 ) to a height above the maximum wave height expected   Screwing the pillars   
     
     
         9 . Method for manufacturing and placing the offshore platform at its final location according to  claim 8  characterized in that if the platform will be use as support for a wind turbine ( 7 ) a telescopic tower ( 4 ) will be placed at the center of the slab ( 1 ) in the second station of the manufacturing process. 
     
     
         10 . Method for manufacturing and installing the offshore platform according to  claim 9  characterized in that at the fourth station of the manufacturing process takes place the installation of the wind turbine ( 7 ) with only two of its blades, on the telescopic tower ( 4 ), the device ( 6 ) required for placing the third blade will also be installed at this station. 
     
     
         11 . Method for manufacturing and installing the offshore platform at its final location according to  claim 10  characterized in that after lifting the operation and maintenance plant ( 5 ) and screwing the pillars ( 3 ), the tower ( 4 ) with the wind turbine ( 7 ) is lifted up to a height that allows the installation of the third blade. 
     
     
         12 . Method for manufacturing and installing the offshore platform at its final location according to  claim 8  characterized in that at the fourth station a laboratory for marine study and aquaculture is installed. 
     
     
         13 . Method for manufacturing and installing the offshore platform at its final location according to  claim 8  characterized in that at the fourth station wind motors that directly actuate a sea water desalination machine are installed. 
     
     
         14 . Method for manufacturing and installing the offshore platform at its final location according to  claim 8  characterized in that at the fourth station a combined cycle plant of organic Rankine or Calima with liquefied gas tank is installed. 
     
     
         15 . Method for manufacturing and installing the offshore platform at its final location according to  claim 8  characterized in that at the fourth station any device, structure o installation required to be fixed in water is installed.