Aubin, a leading independent supplier of specialist chemicals to the energy industry, has successfully completed offshore sea trials for the recently launched Gel Lift System (GLS).
GLS, a potentially game-changing new product that could save millions of pounds when installing offshore renewables infrastructure, was tested off the coast of Orkney.
The technology, uses a low-density gel which is non hazardous and environmentally responsible, to provide incompressible buoyancy subsea and can be used to install all types of offshore structures including wind, wave and tidal.
During the tests, a lift bag of GLS was attached to a 1050kg clump weight and used to controllably place it on the sea bed. By pumping GLS into the lift bag the weight could then be supported in the water. Pumping small quantities GLS into or out of the bag enabled the weight to be raised, lowered or even made neutrally buoyant so it would float underwater.
Aubin Managing Director Paddy Collins said: “The testing went exceptionally well, the lift was assisted and monitored by divers from Leask Marine who reported the rate of decent and ascent was exceptionally well controlled.”
“By accurately controlling the volume of GLS in the lift bag we were able to control the amount of lift generated. This allowed us to make the weight neutrally buoyant so it would float mid water and to reduce the perceived weight to the point that a diver could lift 1050kg using only two fingers.”
GLS can be used for lifts from any size, from 20kg to 2000 tonnes to a water depth of 150 metres.
Aubin, together with Aberdeen based engineering partner Ecosse Subsea, are currently developing installation techniques utilising GLS for offshore renewable technologies.
Aubin was established in Ellon, Aberdeenshire, in 1987 and has a team of 20 people. It designs researches, develops, manufactures and supplies high-quality chemical technology for a wide range of energy industry applications.
The company received SMART funding to develop the GLS technology from the Scottish Government scheme providing financial assistance to individuals and SMEs to help support commercially viable projects which represent a significant technological advance.
Aubin is also supported by the Carbon Trust Entrepreneurs Fast Track, which helps create step-change growth in the UK’s best low carbon technology businesses.
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Source: Aubin, September 06, 2011;