In-Situ Power Plant Deployment 



The emplacement of the in-situ plant includes two modules, the power 

 plant and the load module, which are rigidly coupled to a common base with 

 either negative or positive buoyancy, depending on the mission. However, 

 each module is positively buoyant and is provided with a safe method of 

 separating from the base or from the other module in an emergency. The 

 base has provisions for a ballast system. A wire rope and winch-down system 

 are also included in the base for controlled descent and ascent. 



The power plant and the load module would be connected together 

 with the power and control cables at the surface prior to submergence. The 

 in-situ plant is emplaced on the bottom by towing the preassembled system 

 to the work site. The anchor is lowered to the bottom by heavy-lift ship, 

 and the plant complex is trimmed out to the required buoyancy. Descent of 

 the plant is accomplished by winching down against the positive buoyancy. 

 A system of leveling legs and minor anchor blocks may be used for leveling 

 when the system nears the bottom. In an emergency, the power unit may be 

 shut down and the power cable disconnected (by explosive or mechanical 

 means) to allow the power module to ascend upon release from the base. 

 Retrieval of this power plant would involve the reversal of the deployment 

 steps. 



When it is impractical to deploy the two modules together on a 

 common base, precaution must be taken in the handling of the power cable. 

 If the two modules are deployed without a common base and are connected 

 with a short link coupling, inherent cable fouling problems may occur. If 

 the mission requires the two modules to be separated by a working radius 

 greater than the depth of submergence, then deployment is greatly facilitated 

 since the emplacement techniques used for the surface-tendered plant could 

 be utilized. 



Surface Power Plant Deployment 



The sequence of deploying a surface-tendered power source and its 

 related power cable is the establishment of the moor, emplacement of the 

 surface power plant, and the connection and emplacement of the load 

 module. Equipment and components required include a winch, specialized 

 heavy lift equipment or modifications to a ship for the winch, and sensing 

 and control devices. Flotation devices may also be used, particularly for 

 the deeper depths. The mooring deployment vessels and equipment should 

 have the capability of installing one leg of the moor without having to be 

 resupplied with cable during the installation. A minimum of three deploy- 



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