Low Friction Paint
Offshore Wind Design uses cost optimization techniques including paint to lower the penetration resistance of suction anchors and other soil penetration anchors and foundations.
This technique can be used to reduce the cost of single suction anchors or to increase the load capacities when required. By reducing the penetration resistance and required suction, reduction in vessel time can also give significant cost savings. The benefits of using the low friction paint is:
- Ease of installation
- Reduced suction
- Increased load capacity
- Reduced vessel time
Using low friction paint on foundations, mooring and anchors
The low friction paint can be applied to the surfaces of the gravity or suction installed subsea structure prior to installation to reduce the penetration resistance by lowering the friction between the surface and the soil during installation. Fixed and floating offshore wind mooring structures that could benefits are piles, suction anchors, suction buckets and monopiles.
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Ease of installation and reduced suction
The reduction in surface penetration resistance and required suction provided by the low friction paint will reduce cost of the suction anchors by reducing required ring-stiffeners, wall thickness of the top and skirt compared to suction anchors installed without the paint if the load capacity is equal. The risk of penetration failure, buckling and soil heave will also be reduced.
The reduction in skirt penetration resistance can also be used to reduce the diameter and increase the skirt depths which reduce the overall weight, material and fabrication cost of the suction anchor, if the load capacity is equal.
Increased load capacity and reduced vessel time with low friction paint
The reduction in skirt penetration can also be used to increase the suction anchor dimensions (diameter and depth) to increase the load capacity. This will provide more load capacity per unit and may reduce the number of units required and hence the installation and vessel cost.
Suction Anchors
Learn more about our suction anchor products and innovations.
Gravity Anchors
Learn more about our gravity anchor products and innovations.
Clump Weights
Learn more about our clump weight products and innovations.