Electric Trace Heat Design Methods for De-Icing and Anti-Icing of Vessels, Support Equipment and Infrastructure in the Arctic

摘要

With the increasing needs for long-term fossil fuels, the Arctic regions of the world have opened up to opportunities in oil/gas development. Northern transportation, and sea routes to reduce travel times between Europe and Asia are also increasing interest in commerce along those routes. The increased number of drilling rigs, production platforms, accommodation ships and support/supply vessels working in these regions must be equipped to operate and work safely without endangering their cargo, personnel, and the fragile eco-system environment in the Arctic. The requirements for winterization of these structures will be imperative to safely support these operational endeavors. Previously, with thick polar ice caps the transportation, fishing, and oil exploration industries were focused on ice free areas of the world. Changing water temperatures and diminishing ice packs have created increase business and sea traffic opportunities which did not exist 25 years ago. The television show, "The Deadliest Catch" clearly reveals the risks, perils and rewards of working in the Arctic waterways. During the course of the fishing season, very rudimentary methods for de-icing vessels are utilized by the crews on the show. The anti-icing and deicing systems for the next generations of transportation, communications, safety, and crew vessels working in the Arctic must be designed for these operational requirements everywhere in the Arctic and elsewhere. The traditional definitions of "winterization" of equipment, structures, and personnel safety must be expanded because freeze-protection of water lines, drains, safety showers, and instruments are now only some of the design concerns and applications for Arctic duty equipment [1] [2]. Design requirements for anti-icing and de-icing (AI/DI) to maintain functionality in cold water and oceans, as well as to protect navigation systems, access to emergency equipment and evacuation routes has been increasing dramatically over the last decade. The utilization of electric heat tracer methods and design standards for anti-icing and de-icing solutions can be implemented for both new equipment construction and retrofits of vessels and infrastructure in the Arctic service [1]. Electric heating system design requirements for various operating conditions can be quantified with implementation of new design standards, expanded research and mathematical design models.