Solar
Pontoon
Mooring Lines & Anchor Systems
The Solar pontoons could be provided with different mooring lines and anchoring systems. The solar pontoons could be configured with the following mooring lines: chains, wire rope and synthetic fibre ropes. The upper ends of the mooring lines could be attached to different points on the pontoon, while the lower ends could be anchored to the seabed in different ways. Below the different mooring lines and anchor possibilities will be elucidated further.
Chain
The most common used mooring lines are chains, which are available in different diameters and grades. The chain is best suited for application in shallow water. From the two mostcommonly used type of chain mooring line, the Studless chain is the best suited for the Solarpontoon. The studless chain is commonly used for permanent mooring.
Wire rope
For offshore applications the wire ropes are commonly used in two different designs, a six strand and spiral strand. When comparing the wire ropes to chain wires a lower weight is needed for the same breaking load and a higher elasticity. In order to connect the wire rope to other components of the mooring system a socket is used.
Synthetic fibre rope
Synthetic fibre rope is made from high modules polyethylene, which makes them very light. Another advantage is that the material has a high elasticity. The synthetic fibre rope is connected to other components of the mooring system by using a special spool and shackle.
( From left to right chain line, wire rope and synthetic fibre rope)
Anchoring systems
The flexibility of the solar pontoon results in the fact that the pontoons will be anchored in different bottom soil conditions. The soil conditions determine the load capacity of the anchor system. In order to attach the pontoons to the seabed different anchors could be used. The mooring system relies strongly on the strength of the anchors. The three anchor types are drag embedment, suction and vertical load.
Drag embedded anchor
The drag-embedded anchor is dragged along until it reaches the required depth. The drag anchor penetrates the seabed and uses soil resistance to hold the anchor in place. The weight of the mooring lines will cause a line tension to drive the anchor deeper. The drag-embedded anchor is ideal suited with the catenary mooring system. The system will provide a high horizontal load capacity.
Suction anchor
Suction Anchor pile are tubular piles with open and closed end. The piles are driven into the seabed, where after a pump sucks out the water from the top of the tubular. Once the pile is installed, the friction between the pile and soil will hold the pile in place. The suction anchor could be used to anchor the solar pontoons as well as a buoy.
Vertical Load anchors
Vertical load anchors are very similar tod rag anchors. The vertical load anchor are able to withstand both horizontal and vertical mooring forces. The driven pile anchor is an example of a vertical load anchors.
Driven pile anchor can achieve high load capacity and are ideal suited to take up vertical loading. The driven pile anchors are a permanent construction and can be located precisely.