Bespoke Engineered Solution for Concept Subsea Noise Mitigation System
Project info:
Client
Pulcea
Location
Blyth
Harlyn were Tasked
Harlyn Solutions were requested by Pulcea Ltd to design and fabricate a support frame for the containment sleeves, which form the basis for their concept Subsea Noise Mitigation System, for use during proof of concept trials at ORECatapult dock in Blyth.
Pulcea’s basic concept is a subsea noise barrier created by adding small quantities of environmentally safe H2O2 to seawater contained within ‘sleeves’; of almost any size & shape which would surround a subsea noise source.
Due to the novelty of the concept, it is believed that this type of testing had never been undertaken previously, and many aspects of the project were new both to Puclea and Harlyn.
Harlyn supplied the framework assembly and also provided the lifting and engineering support. Eight of Harlyn’s highly experienced personnel were deployed to site to assemble and install the completed frame around a test monopile in the dry dock.
From initial technical discussions with the Puclea Engineering team, through site preparation, to final installation, Harlyn personnel, took responsibility for the design, engineering, and project management of the project. We also oversaw the on-site assembly and installation at ORECatapult while ensuring full compliance with all site QHSE requirements.
As always, our key focus was to ensure delivery of all agreed deliverables, exactly to the clients specification, timeline and budget, which we achieved by working to our established project processes which also helped to de-risk the project which allowed the site worked to be completed on schedule in 3 days.
No Precedent Design
The challenge:
In addition to the limited budget and strict timeline, the main challenge was to provide a frame design that would be easily transportable and be able to be assembled on-site quickly with minimal specialist tooling. Due to the novel nature of the Pulcea concept, for which there is no precedent a novel solution had to be designed from scratch. Time was taken to understand the particular requirements of this concept and to finding different ways that would match Pulcea’s requirements. This involved several technical brainstorming sessions between Harlyn and Pulcea, and a lot of testing of the modelled solutions.
The challenges on-site were focused on safely delivering and unloading the frame sections to a relatively small area with restricted access. In addition, the modular nature of the frame meant that until all the frame sections were fully assembled, the partly assembled structure would remain inherently unstable. This was further complicated by the uneven ground on which the frame had to be assembled.
At 8m tall assemble working at height would be required again this would be complicated by the uneven ground.
The Optimal Solution
The solution:
Following the initial technical discussions with Puclea, using latest 3D modelling software to bring to life the ideas formulated by our experience engineers, we modelled and tested several variations of the framework to determine which design offered the optimal solution; providing the required structural stiffness and integrity to support the sleeves, ease of construction on-site and the required rigidity to allow the whole frame; and the sleeves, to be lifted into the dock.
Once the final design solution had been approved it was fabricated, under the direct supervision of Harlyn engineers, to ensure full compliance to the design and quality specifications.
While fabrication proceeded, Harlyn’s specialist lifting team designed the lifting plan and procedures for the loading, unloading, assembly and final installation of the frame as well as the post testing removal procedure.
All required third party contractors, were identified and engaged with to ensure full understanding and alignment on the lifting plans and all procedures prior to mobilisation to site.
The lift plans and procedures were shared with ORECatapult and the Pulcea Project Manager to ensure all stakeholders had full visibility of how the scope was to proceed and the safety and environmental mitigations to be applied.
Outcome
Close Collaboration with Client
Pulcea were delighted that the on-site assembly and installation phase were delivered to schedule allow them to conduct their research trials within their project timeline.
We are proud to have delivered this groundbreaking project—marking a first of its kind and showcasing the expanded capabilities of Harlyn in developing engineered solutions to complex challenges in close collaboration with our clients. Completing this work for Pulcea has been especially rewarding being a Blyth-based R&D organisation, we are deeply committed to contributing to the growth and innovation within our local community along the Blyth Estuary.
Once again, thank you all for your amazing support to Pulcea, and myself, I doubt if we could have achieved what we did without that support. Big thanks to you and your team for helping us to make the concept a reality. Overall everything went well, and we managed to stay with the 3 day window.
Pulcea, Project Manager
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