| EPSRC Reference: |
EP/P030297/1 |
| Title: |
STORM - Specialized Thimbles for Offshore Renewable Marine energy applications |
| Principal Investigator: |
McKay, Dr B |
| Other Investigators: |
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| Researcher Co-Investigators: |
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| Project Partners: |
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| Department: |
Inst of Materials & Manufacturing: BCAST |
| Organisation: |
Brunel University London |
| Scheme: |
Technology Programme |
| Starts: |
01 February 2017 |
Ends: |
31 January 2018 |
Value (£): |
101,149
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| EPSRC Research Topic Classifications: |
| Energy - Marine & Hydropower |
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| EPSRC Industrial Sector Classifications: |
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| Related Grants: |
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| Panel History: |
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Summary on Grant Application Form |
In the UK it has been estimated that there will be an increase in energy demand of 66% by 2050 that could create a large
energy gap. The World Energy Council has estimated that approximately 2 terawatts (2 million megawatts), about double
current world electricity production, could be produced from the oceans with wave, tidal and offshore floating wind arrays
supplying a significant amount (up to 20%) of the UK's future energy needs. However, a critical component in these devices
is the mooring system due to the extreme environments in which they must operate. In the past 10 years there has been
considerable amount of research focused on ropes which has resulted in lighter and stronger products. This now means
that the major weakness in these mooring lines lies at the in-line and end connectors. This weakness currently presents a
major barrier for those wishing to develop the aforementioned energy technologies.
Typically ropes are spliced and metal connectors inserted to prevent wear. However, at these critical areas chaffing of the
rope on the insert can occur, resulting in its premature failure. To assemble the connector within the eye of the ropes the
connector must be split and reassembled onsite. There is a significant commercial need to develop connectors which are
faster, lighter and easier to assemble in order to increase reliability, productivity, whilst also reducing maintenance costs
and improving safety of the device.
The objective of this feasibility study is to design a new multi-material hybrid connector in order to enhance the lifespan of
the mooring system. To date a multi-material hybrid solution has not been marketed for this application. The component
must be corrosion resistant, have a higher strength than polymers, have low coefficient of friction, have high wear
resistance and have good fatigue resistance. No one material offers the range of properties that is required by the
component and thus the innovation arises from the design and the use of combining the latest novel state-of-the-art
nylon/Al materials.
TTI will use state of the art modelling to design a connector for ropes with 60-100 Tonne breaking loads. Nylacast have
produced a revolutionary low friction, high wear resistant nylon material called Nylacast CF072. The component will be
specially designed to ensure that the nylon remains under compressive loads. However, as it lacks strength, BCAST will
produce a lightweight, corrosion resistant core using a novel Al/Basalt fibre composite. This Al material exhibits
considerable increased corrosion resistance compared to mild steel. The research will investigate combining the two
dissimilar materials by overcasting and will investigate mechanical interlock and chemical bonding (using selective
coatings) at the interface. If successful, the consortium will look to upscale the product for larger mooring systems. As
wave, tidal and floating wind energy are in their infancy EMEC will conduct an LCOE analysis to fully determine the impact
of the technology in this marine energy sector with an aim to increase its use and future market penetration.
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Key Findings |
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This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
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Potential use in non-academic contexts |
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This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
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Impacts |
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| Description |
This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk |
| Summary |
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| Date Materialised |
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Sectors submitted by the Researcher |
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This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
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| Project URL: |
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| Further Information: |
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| Organisation Website: |
http://www.brunel.ac.uk |