Ocean Thermal Conversion (OTEC) Project Bottom Cable Protection Study. Analysis and Selection of Protection Techniques.
Abstract
General guidelines and procedures for cable protection are given for the four proposed Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC) plant sites and cable routes, together with seafloor scenarios ad protection strategies for each site. Burial of the cable below the seafloor is the recommended and best method of protecting OTEC cables from the hazards existing at all sites, namely, chafe and corrosion, hydrodynamic forces, trawler/dredge, and ship anchor. For landslides and earthquakes the only feasible method of protection, although limited, is to provide slack, in the cable, i.e. lay extra length. Trenches for burying the cable are recommended to be constructed a) by blasting through hard bottom at Hawaii for the first nautical mile (n.m.) and at Puerto Rico for the first 0.9 n.m; b)by a plowing machine at Hawaii for the next 0.5 n.m.; c) by a trenching machine at Guam for the first 0.55 n.m.; d) by a trenching /laying machine at Florida for 110 n.m.; and e) by a conventional floating dredge for 15 n.m. For the outshore segments of the cable routes it is recommenced to lay the cable on th seafloor because bottom sediments are soft enough to permit the cable to bury itself. Except for the Florida route, a normal cable laying vessel is recommended for laying the cable from plant site to landfall and for performing the protection details which are temie concrete cover over the cable at Hawaii for 0.5 n.m. and split pipe and rock anchor at Puerto Rico for 0l2 n.m.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Oct 01, 1981
- Accession Number
- ADA167702
Entities
Organizations
- Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command