Analytical modeling of a diver dry suit enhanced with micro-encapsulated phase change materials

Over the years, various forms of phase change materials (PCMs) have been utilized as thermal storage mediums for cooling and heating applications. Recently, the U.S. Navy has investigated using phase change materials inside divers' dry suits to enhance thermal protection in extremely cold water applications. The thermal performance of optional types of insulative Comfortemp¹ foam mediums, medium thicknesses, and foam-to-Thermosorb² ratios are evaluated analytically in this paper to compare the relative thermal performances of PCM-enhanced dry suits with existing commercial dry suits. An analytical model of dry suit systems, both conventional and those containing Comfortemp materials, is developed to predict their thermal performances in simulated ocean environments. This analytical model is used to compare the relative thermal performances of PCM-enhanced dry suits with existing commercial dry suits, and to assess the relative thermal performances of candidate Comfortemp foams, including those interspersed with different weight percentages of micro-encapsulated PCMs, in an effort to maximize thermal storage capabilities. The observations from this modeling effort provides guidelines and recommendations for materials selection and thickness requirements for candidate Comfortemp foams to be used in prototype dry suits for divers.     

A compressed gas-powered heating system for underwater divers

This article presents a heating system for divers which is totally powered by the compressed gas used in supporting their lives underwater. The pressure energy stored in the breathing gas, which is conventionally wasted through throttling, is utilized to generate a heating effect by expanding the gas in an optimally designed vortex tube.A mathematical model is presented to predict the generated heating effect at different dive depths and ambient temperatures with air and heliox as breathing mixtures.Comparisons are given between the heating effect developed by the system and those required by the divers when wearing different diving suits and working at various work loads. Those comparisons emphasize the potential of the system as a viable means for heating the divers, their inhaled gases as well as their dive gear in a way that eliminates the complexity and hazards of presently available systems.     

Fatigue strength assessment of MARK-III type LNG cargo containment system

The aim of this paper is to investigate the fatigue strength of the GTT Mark-III type LNG insulation system. The LNG insulation system consists of several composite layers with various connections; plywood, triplex, reinforced polyurethane foam and mastic. Consequently, the LNG insulation system may include mechanical failures such as cracks as well as delaminations within the layers due to sloshing impact loads and fatigue loadings. In addition, these failures may cause a significant decrease of structural integrity. In this study, a series of fatigue tests have been carried out for Mark-III type LNGC insulation systems at room temperature considering the effect of sloshing impact. The load levels have been determined based on the ultimate strength of reinforced polyurethane foam. The aim of the study is to investigate the typical failure characteristics of the MARK-III LNG insulation system and to obtain the S–N data under fatigue loading. A consolidated single S–N curve is obtained based on a systematic finite element procedure. Future use of the S–N data in fatigue analysis requires that the response analysis is carried out using a finite element model with the same mesh density and material properties. This study can be used as a fundamental study for the fatigue assessment of the LNGC insulation system as well as a design guideline.     

Ambient and dynamic pore pressures in fine-grained submarine sediments: Mississippi Delta

A multisensor piezometer probe has measured pore pressures in fine-grained submarine sediments of the Mississippi Delta over a period of approximately eight months. Data presented here cover the initial 2650 hours of the experiment. Dynamic and ambient pore pressures were recorded. Analogue data collected from the time of probe insertion include decay characteristics, steady-state (ambient) excess pore pressures, and the response of pore pressures to surface wave activity. The probe was installed in 43–44 ft of water near an offshore platform in the East Bay area of the Delta. Sensors were located at 21, 41 and 51 ft below the mudline. Ambient excess pore pressures were determined to be 0.7, 2.8 and 6.6 psi (lb/in²) at the respective depths. The relatively high excess pressures and the measured laboratory wet unit weights of the soil result in a significantly low effective stress. Pressure fluctuations due to tidal and surface wave activity were observed to produce significant pore pressure response in these soils. Preliminary data obtained using high-airentry and corundum stones indicate that considerably more research is necessary in order to fully understand the peculiarities observed in the data and to assess the role of dissolved and free gas on the pore pressures in submarine sediments.     

Optimum design of filament-wound multilayer-sandwich submersible pressure hulls

Submersible pressure hulls with fiber-reinforced multilayer-sandwich constructions have been developed in recent years as substitutes for classical metallic ring-stiffened pressure hulls. This study aims to optimize the design of filament-wound multilayer-sandwich submersible pressure hulls, taking into consideration the shell buckling strength constraint, the angle-ply laminated facing failure strength constraint and the low-density isotropic core yielding strength constraint under hydrostatic pressure using the hybrid genetic algorithm (HGA). The thickness of the facing, the thickness of the core layer, the orientation angle of the fibers in the facings and the shear modulus of the core material are taken as design variables. A sensitivity analysis is performed to study the effects of the operational depths and the hull shell geometry parameter, the length-to-diameter ratio (L/D), on the optimal design of filament-wound multilayer-sandwich submersible pressure hulls with graphite/epoxy, glass/epoxy and boron/epoxy composite facings. The results reveal that the optimal weight of various sandwich pressure hulls increases linearly with the operational depth, but it is almost unchanged as the geometry paramter. Furthermore, Graphite/Epoxy is the best choice for the material of the facings in a light-weight design. With reference to wall design, Boron/Epoxy is the best choice for the material of the facing at shallow depths, but Graphite/Epoxy is the best choice at extreme depths. Results of this study provide a valuable reference for designers of underwater vehicles.     

深海浮球内部气压对水下内爆波的抑制机理

深海潜器常携带中空浮球来为其提供浮力。陶瓷因其高强度、低密度等优点成为浮球的理想材料。然而,中空结构在外部高压环境下易发生内爆,产生的内爆波会对周围结构产生毁灭性损害。为了探索浮球内部初始气压对内爆波的影响,首先,利用气泡动力学对其不考虑球壳影响时进行理论分析,得到内爆波压力脉冲沿径向以指数?1 衰减,并指出其物理意义和隐含假设,进而从能量分析得到增加内压使压缩空气消耗的能量增加,从而减弱释放到水中的压力波能量;其次,采用三相流固耦合有限元模型进行计算,考虑水的可压缩性和球壳因挤压引起的脆性破裂的影响,得到更为接近实际的内爆压力的分布。由于两侧挤压球壳,外部的水在不断扩大的缺口处产生向内的射流,造成内部气体非球形塌缩,后续压力波呈现出与球壳碎裂方式有关的方向性差异。通过有限元模型对内部初始气压的研究表明,增加初始内部气体压力到 1 MPa 时,压力脉冲在球壳表面处下降了 15. 6%~24. 8%。这一结果表明,在几乎不增加浮球质量的条件下,增加内部初始气压具有很好地抑制近端内爆波强度的效果。     

About transformation of the deep-water methane bubbles into hydrate powder and hydrate foam

During the Russian Academy of Sciences “MIRI na Baikale, 2008–2010” expedition, deep-water experiments with the bubbles of methane seeping from the bottom at depths 405, 860 and 1400 meters were carried out. These depths correspond to gas hydrate stability zone. Bubbles were caught by the trap which was looked like an inverted glass. It was found that the behavior of bubbles in a trap depends on the depth. At depth of 405 meters formation of hydrates was not observed. Having got to a trap at the depth of 860 meters, bubbles became covered by solid hydrate envelope, kept the initial form, and after a time period collapsed in a number of hydrate fragments which showed all properties of a granular matter. No visible changes in the hydrate granular matter were observed in the course of lifting it to a depth of 380 meters. Shallower, the decomposition of the hydrate granular matter into methane gas was observed. In the experiments at depth of 1400 meters the caught bubbles, becoming covered by hydrate envelope formed solid hydrate foam in the trap. At lifting this foam structure was deformed slightly but simultaneously a free gas left the foam and filled the trap. The volume of free gas in the trap at lifting varied according to the Boyle-Mariotte law.     

Gas hydrates from the continental slope,offshore Sakhalin Island,Okhotsk Sea

Ten gas-vent fields were discovered in the Okhotsk Sea on the northeast continental slope offshore from Sakhalin Island in water depths of 620—1040 m. At one vent field, estimated to be more than 250 m across, gas hydrates, containing mainly microbial methane (¹³C = –64.3), were recovered from subbottom depths of 0.3–1.2 m. The sediment, having lenses and bedded layers of gas hydrate, contained 30–40% hydrate per volume of wet sediment. Although gas hydrates were not recovered at other fields, geochemical and thermal measurements suggest that gas hydrates are present.     

松南长岭断陷东部深层天然气勘探潜力分析

松辽盆地南部长岭断陷为古生界变质基底上发育的箕状断陷,沙河子组发育厚度较大的深湖相黒色泥岩,有机质丰度高,热演化程度高,生烃强度大,具备很好的天然气资源基础.断陷期发育2套火山岩,其中营城组爆发相、溢流相火山岩大面积分布,岩性以酸性流纹岩、凝灰岩、火山角砾岩等为主,孔洞发育,储集物性较好.长岭断陷东部发育2个大型古隆起,断裂发育,天然气运聚条件较好,目前已发现3个气藏3个含气构造,是寻找大型天然气藏的最有利地区.     

In situ hydrocarbon concentrations from pressurized cores in surface sediments, Northern Gulf of Mexico

Two newly developed coring devices, the Multi-Autoclave-Corer and the Dynamic Autoclave Piston Corer were deployed in shallow gas hydrate-bearing sediments in the northern Gulf of Mexico during research cruise SO174 (Oct–Nov 2003). For the first time, they enable the retrieval of near-surface sediment cores under ambient pressure. This enables the determination of in situ methane concentrations and amounts of gas hydrate in sediment depths where bottom water temperature and pressure changes most strongly influence gas/hydrate relationships. At seep sites of GC185 (Bush Hill) and the newly discovered sites at GC415, we determined the volume of low-weight hydrocarbons (C₁ through C₅) from nine pressurized cores via controlled degassing. The resulting in situ methane concentrations vary by two orders of magnitudes between 0.031 and 0.985 mol kg^− 1 pore water below the zone of sulfate depletion. This includes dissolved, free, and hydrate-bound CH₄. Combined with results from conventional cores, this establishes a variability of methane concentrations in close proximity to seep sites of five orders of magnitude. In total four out of nine pressure cores had CH₄ concentrations above equilibrium with gas hydrates. Two of them contain gas hydrate volumes of 15% (GC185) and 18% (GC415) of pore space. The measurements prove that the highest methane concentrations are not necessarily related to the highest advection rates. Brine advection inhibits gas hydrate stability a few centimeters below the sediment surface at the depth of anaerobic oxidation of methane and thus inhibits the storage of enhanced methane volumes. Here, computerized tomography (CT) of the pressure cores detected small amounts of free gas. This finding has major implications for methane distribution, possible consumption, and escape into the bottom water in fluid flow systems related to halokinesis.     

论反转构造

反转构造指同一断裂面出现两期力学性质和运动方向都相反的构造组合。依反转构造的尺度有断层的反转，盆地的反转及盆地系的反转。负反转包括三类型式，发生在裂谷期的正反转有三类型式，发生在后裂谷期的有四种型式。反转构造的成因有应力型，重力型的热力型。大型的负反转与裂陷作用复合可以使地壳厚度显著减薄。     

玻纤增强柔性管等效简化模型研究

玻纤增强柔性管作为一种新型海底油气输送管道,具有比强度高、柔度大和抗腐蚀性强等特点,因此在深海油气开发中具有非常广阔的应用前景。玻纤增强柔性管主要由内衬层、增强层和外保护层组成,其中增强层的等效模拟是玻纤增强柔性管设计成功与否的关键。根据玻纤增强柔性管的结构特征和材料特性,选取了四种不同的等效简化模型,对比研究了玻纤增强柔性管在轴向拉压荷载、弯曲荷载以及内压荷载作用下的力学性能。将不同简化模型的计算结果与相应的试验数据进行对比,进行等效模型的优选。研究结果表明,在内压载荷和弯曲载荷作用下,基于Halpin-Tsai模型数值结果与试验结果最为接近。在轴向载荷作用下,采用分离式模型或回形模型计算精度更高,若材料达到屈服状态时,则建议采用分离式模型进行模拟。     

Geothermal modeling of the gas hydrate stability zone along the Krishna Godavari Basin

A wide-spread bottom simulating reflector (BSR), interpreted to mark the thermally controlled base of the gas hydrate stability zone, is observed over a close grid of multichannel seismic profiles in the Krishna Godavari Basin of the eastern continental margin of India. The seismic data reveal that gas hydrate occurs in the Krishna Godavari Basin at places where water depths exceed 850 m. The thickness of the gas hydrate stability zone inferred from the BSR ranges up to 250 m. A conductive model was used to determine geothermal gradients and heat flow. Ground truth for the assessment and constraints on the model were provided by downhole measurements obtained during the National Gas Hydrate Program Expedition 01 of India at various sites in the Krishna Godavari Basin. Measured downhole temperature gradients and seafloor-temperatures, sediment thermal conductivities, and seismic velocity are utilized to generate regression functions for these parameters as function of overall water depth. In the first approach the base of gas hydrate stability is predicted from seafloor bathymetry using these regression functions and heat flow and geothermal gradient are calculated. In a second approach the observed BSR depth from the seismic profiles (measured in two-way travel time) is converted into heat flow and geothermal gradient using the same ground-truth data. The geothermal gradient estimated from the BSR varies from 27 to 67°C/km. Corresponding heat flow values range from 24 to 60 mW/m². The geothermal modeling shows a close match of the predicted base of the gas hydrate stability zone with the observed BSR depths.     

Heated diver decompression shelter: The “womb concept”

A hybrid thermal protection method using waste heat from a surface-mounted outboard motor is shown to create a warm “micro-climate” environment for divers. The effects of surface heater capacities, water flow rates, shelter volume and shelter insulation on micro-climate temperatures are characterized. During long, cold-water decompression stops this method offers a reliable, low-cost alternative to surface-supplied hot water suits or diver-carried heating systems. An added bonus for divers using closed-circuit breathing apparatus is prolonged durations of their carbon dioxide scrubbers when surrounded by the warm water “micro-climate”. Closed-circuit and open-circuit options of this diver decompression shelter concept are evaluated.     

A self-heated first stage breathing regulator for underwater divers

This article presents a new class of first stage breathing regulators for underwater divers with built-in self-heating capabilities. In this class of regulators, the energy of the high pressure life support gas is used to heat both the inhaled gases and the regulator core in an attempt to combat problems of cold water diving.The thermal characteristics of this regulator are monitored and compared with those of a conventional regulator under different simulated dive temperatures, breathing frequencies and also under free flow conditions.The obtained results show that the self-heated first stage (SHFS) regulator delivered warm gases and performed successfully in zero°C water while the conventional regulator failed even when equipped with the environmental protection kit.This paper emphasizes the potential of the self-heated regulator as an essential part of cold water diving gear.     

海洋环境噪声垂直分布测试和分析

采用船舷法对某海域海洋环境噪声垂直分布进行了测量.数据处理与分析结果表明,在6种接收深度下,当地的海面风生破碎波浪噪声对环境噪声有显著贡献.给出了所测海域环境噪声在0.1～20.0kHz频段的宽带声级和接收深度以及多种频率谱级与风速的对数之间的关系.1.0～4.0kHz频段的谱级与风速的对数呈良好的线性关系,且基本上不受接收深度的影响.     

Assessment of thermal evolution of Paleozoic successions of the Holy Cross Mountains (Poland)

Poland is considered the most prospective country for shale gas production in Europe. Hydrocarbon generation/expulsion scenarios, drawn in the latest intensive exploration phases, tend to overestimate maturation levels when compared with brand new data acquired after recent drillings. We tested an integrated workflow to correlate published and original thermal maturity datasets for the Paleozoic to Jurassic successions cropping out in the Holy Cross Mountains. These successions, when preserved in subsurface, host the major source rocks in the area. The application of the workflow allowed us to highlight the burial and thermal evolutionary scenarios of the two tectono-stratigraphic blocks of the Holy Cross Mountains (Łysogòry and Kielce blocks) and to propose this approach as a tool for reducing levels of uncertainty in thermal maturity assessment of Paleozoic successions worldwide. In particular, published datasets including colour alteration indexes of Paleozoic microfossils (conodont, acritarchs) and vitrinite and graptolite reflectance data, show differences in levels of thermal maturity for the Łysogòry (mid mature to overmature) and Kielce (immature to late mature) blocks. Original data, derived from optical analysis, pyrolysis, and Raman spectroscopy on kerogen, and X-Ray diffraction on fine-grained sediments, mostly confirm and integrate published data distribution. 1D thermal models, constrained by these data, show burial and exhumation events of different magnitude, during the Late Cretaceous, for the Łysogòry (maximum burial depths of 9 km) and Kielce (burial depths of 6 km) blocks that have been related to the Holy Cross Fault polyphase activity. In the end, Palynomorph Darkness Index and Raman spectroscopy on kerogen, for Llandoverian and Cambrian rocks, turned out to be promising tools for assessing thermal maturity of Paleozoic organic facies devoid of vitrinite macerals.     

压力及温度对海洋动物生理影响的研究进展

随着海洋深度的增加,压力逐渐升高而温度逐渐降低。因此,应对压力和温度变化的能力直接影响着海洋动物的垂直分布模式。本文综述了近年来国际上关于压力及温度对海洋动物生理影响的研究进展,概述了3种常用的研究方法,包括直接比较不同深度近缘海洋动物的差异、使用加压装置培养海洋动物、在常压及原位温度下培养深海动物;然后归纳了压力及温度对海洋动物生理的影响,包括有机渗透调节物质浓度及蛋白质序列、胚胎及幼体发育速率和畸变率、行为模式及代谢速率、基因表达水平;最后讨论了海洋动物适应高压环境的生理机制,压力对海洋动物垂直分布的限制能力,以及浅海动物和深海动物的起源关系。     

Defining the 3D geometry of thin shale units in the Sleipner reservoir using seismic attributes

Defining the 3D geometry and internal architecture of reservoirs is important for prediction of hydrocarbon volumes, petroleum production and storage potential. Many reservoirs contain thin shale layers that are below seismic resolution, which act as impermeable and semi-permeable layers within a reservoir. Predicting the storage volume of a reservoir with thin shale layers from conventional seismic data is an issue due to limited seismic resolution. Further, gas chimneys indicative of gas migration pathways through thin shale layers, are not easily defined by conventional seismic data. Additional information, such as borehole data, can be used to aid mapping of shale layers, but making lateral predictions from 1D borehole data has high uncertainty. This paper presents an integrated workflow for quantitative seismic interpretation of thin shale layers and gas chimneys in the Utsira Formation of the Sleipner reservoir. The workflow combines the use of attribute and spectral analysis to add resolution to conventional seismic amplitude data. Detailed interpretation of these analyses reveals the reservoirs internal thin shale architecture, and the presence of gas chimneys. The comprehensive interpretation of the reservoirs internal structure is used to calculate a new reservoir storage volume. This is done based on the distribution of sand and interpreted shale layers within the study area, for this active CO₂ storage site.     

Stratigraphic and structural control on the distribution of gas hydrates and active gas seeps on the Posolsky Bank, Lake Baikal

The distribution and origin of shallow gas seeps in the vicinity of the Posolsky Bank in Lake Baikal were studied based on the integration of detailed seismic, multibeam, and hydro-acoustic water-column investigations. In all, 65 acoustic flares have been detected on the Posolsky Fault scarp near the crest of the bank and in a similar, nearby setting at water depths of ?43 to ?332?m. The seismic data reveal BSRs (bottom-simulating reflectors) occurring up to water depths of ?300?m. Calculations involving hydrate stability, heat flow, and topographic modulation based on BSR occurrence and multibeam bathymetry enabled prediction of a methane–ethane gas mixture and heat-flow values that would account for gas hydrate stability in the lake sediments under prevailing ambient conditions. These predictions are supported by ground truth data. The findings suggest that seeps concentrated along the crest of the Posolsky Bank are fed mainly by gas coming from below the base of the gas hydrate stability zone, which would migrate updip via permeable stratigraphic pathways beneath the bank. Gas would ultimately be released into the water column where these pathways are cut off by faults.