SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR SUBSEA BIOFOULING REDUCTION

Abstract

A system including a subsea treatment system configured to inhibit biological growth along one or more surfaces of a subsea equipment, wherein the subsea treatment system includes a light treatment system including one or more light sources configured to output light to inhibit biological growth; or an acoustic treatment system including one or more acoustic devices configured to output acoustics to inhibit biological growth, or a combination thereof.

Claims

1. A system, comprising: a subsea treatment system configured to inhibit biological growth along one or more surfaces of a subsea equipment, wherein the subsea treatment system comprises: a light treatment system comprising one or more light sources configured to output light to inhibit biological growth; or an acoustic treatment system comprising one or more acoustic devices configured to output acoustics to inhibit biological growth; or a combination thereof.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the subsea treatment system comprises the light treatment system.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the one or more light sources comprise one or more ultraviolet light sources, blue light sources, or a combination thereof.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the subsea treatment system comprises the acoustic treatment system.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein the one or more acoustic devices comprise ultrasonic devices.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the subsea treatment system comprises the light treatment system, the acoustic treatment system, a chemical treatment system, and a thermal treatment system.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the subsea treatment system comprises an enclosure configured to at least partially surround the subsea equipment.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein a seawater flow path extends through the enclosure around the subsea equipment, wherein the subsea treatment system comprises the one or more light sources, the one or more acoustic devices, or a combination thereof, along the seawater flow path.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein the subsea equipment comprises a heat exchanger having a process flow path, and the heat exchanger is configured to transfer heat between a seawater along the seawater flow path and a process fluid along the process flow path.

10. The system of claim 1, comprising the subsea equipment configured to mount on or within 50 feet of a sea floor.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein the subsea equipment comprises a heat exchanger, a pump, a compressor, a valve, or a combination thereof.

12. The system of claim 10, wherein the subsea treatment system is mounted directly on the subsea equipment, on a structure separate from the subsea treatment system, within an enclosure at least partially surrounding the subsea equipment, or a combination thereof.

13. The system of claim 1, comprising: the light treatment system having the one or more light sources configured to output the light to inhibit biological growth in a first treatment area; and the acoustic treatment system having the one or more acoustic devices configured to output the acoustics to inhibit biological growth in a second treatment area at least partially not reachable by the light treatment system.

14. The system of claim 1, comprising: a sensor system having one or more sensors configured to monitor one or more parameters related to biological growth; and a controller coupled to the sensor system, wherein the controller has a processor, a memory, and instructions stored on the memory and executable by the processor to control the subsea treatment system based on sensor feedback from the one or more sensors, wherein the controller is configured to operate the subsea treatment system selectively in a continuous mode, a schedule mode, a sensor feedback mode, a computer model based mode, or a combination thereof.

15. A method, comprising: operating a subsea treatment system to inhibit biological growth along one or more surfaces of a subsea equipment, wherein operating the subsea treatment system comprises: operating a light treatment system comprising one or more light sources to output light to inhibit biological growth; or operating an acoustic treatment system comprising one or more acoustic devices to output acoustics to inhibit biological growth; or a combination thereof.

16. The method of claim 15, comprising controlling the light treatment system having the one or more light sources to output the light to inhibit biological growth in a first treatment area, wherein the one or more light sources comprise one or more ultraviolet light sources, blue light sources, or a combination thereof.

17. The method of claim 16, comprising controlling the acoustic treatment system having the one or more acoustic devices to output the acoustics to inhibit biological growth in a second treatment area at least partially not reachable by the light treatment system.

18. A system, comprising: a controller having a processor, a memory, and instructions stored on the memory and executable by the processor to operate a subsea treatment system to inhibit biological growth along one or more surfaces of a subsea equipment, wherein the instructions to operate the subsea treatment system comprise instructions to: operate a light treatment system comprising one or more light sources to output light to inhibit biological growth; or operate an acoustic treatment system comprising one or more acoustic devices to output acoustics to inhibit biological growth; or a combination thereof.

19. The system of claim 18, wherein the instructions to operate the subsea treatment system comprise instructions to control the light treatment system having the one or more light sources to output the light to inhibit biological growth in a first treatment area, wherein the one or more light sources comprise one or more ultraviolet light sources, blue light sources, or a combination thereof.

20. The system of claim 19, wherein the instructions to operate the subsea treatment system comprise instructions to control the acoustic treatment system having the one or more acoustic devices to output the acoustics to inhibit biological growth in a second treatment area at least partially not reachable by the light treatment system.

Description

DRAWINGS

[0013] These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present disclosure will become better understood when the following detailed description is read with reference to the accompanying drawings in which like characters represent like parts throughout the drawings, wherein:

[0014] FIG. 1 is a schematic view of an embodiment of a subsea system having a biological treatment system;

[0015] FIGS. 2-5 are schematic views of embodiments of a subsea equipment of the subsea system of FIG. 1, illustrating a biological treatment system coupled to the subsea equipment;

[0016] FIG. 6 is a schematic view of an embodiment of the biological treatment system distributed about various subsea equipment of the subsea system of FIG. 1; and

[0017] FIG. 7 is a flowchart of an embodiment of a process for controlling a biological treatment system to reduce biofouling associated with a subsea equipment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0018] One or more specific embodiments of the present disclosure will be described below. To provide a concise description of these embodiments, all features of an actual implementation may not be described in the specification. It should be appreciated that in the development of any such actual implementation, as in any engineering or design project, numerous implementation-specific decisions must be made to achieve the developers' specific goals, such as compliance with system-related and business-related constraints, which may vary from one implementation to another. Moreover, it should be appreciated that such a development effort might be complex and time consuming, but would nevertheless be a routine undertaking of design, fabrication, and manufacture for those of ordinary skill having the benefit of this disclosure.

[0019] When introducing elements of various embodiments of the present disclosure, the articles a, an, the, and said are intended to mean that there are one or more of the elements. The terms comprising, including, and having are intended to be inclusive and mean that there may be additional elements other than the listed elements. Any examples of operating parameters and/or environmental conditions are not exclusive of other parameters/conditions of the disclosed embodiments.

[0020] Illustrative examples of the subject matter claimed below will now be disclosed. In the interest of clarity, not all features of an actual implementation are described in this specification. It will be appreciated that in the development of any such actual implementation, numerous implementation-specific decisions may be made to achieve the developers' specific goals, such as compliance with system-related and business-related constraints, which will vary from one implementation to another. Moreover, it will be appreciated that such a development effort, even if complex and time-consuming, would be a routine undertaking for those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of this disclosure.

[0021] The embodiments described in detail below include a biological treatment system configured to treat various surfaces (e.g., external and/or internal surfaces), fluid flow paths, and fluid chambers of subsea equipment. The biological treatment system may include a light treatment system, an acoustic treatment system, a chemical treatment system, a thermal treatment system, or any combination thereof, configured to help inhibit biological growth (e.g., marine growth). For example, the light treatment system may include an ultraviolet (UV) light treatment system, and the acoustic treatment system may include an ultrasonic treatment system. The thermal treatment system may include a heater, a cooler, and/or a heat exchanger configured to control a temperature of the fluid (e.g., water, seawater) to help inhibit biological growth. The chemical treatment system is configured to supply one or more chemicals (e.g., chlorine) to help inhibit biological growth. The disclosed embodiments may distribute and/or operate any one or more of the biological treatment systems to help inhibit biological growth associated with the subsea equipment on a schedule (e.g., periodic operation), continuous operation, in response to sensor feedback (e.g., monitored temperature, pressure, fluid composition, and/or biological growth), and/or based on computer models (e.g., machine learning models, artificial intelligence). In some embodiments, each of the biological treatment systems is configured to cover all or part of the surfaces of the subsea equipment.

[0022] In some embodiments, the light treatment system may provide light (e.g., UV) treatment of surfaces (e.g., external and/or internal surfaces) within view of the light source (e.g., UV light), such as along exterior surfaces and/or interior surfaces of the subsea equipment. However, the light treatment system may have limited or no penetration of various recesses and/or fluid flow passages, particularly fluid flow passages have a non-straight path (e.g., winding, turning, spiraling, etc.). Accordingly, other biological treatment systems may be used to inhibit biological growth in areas not effectively treated by the light treatment system. For example, the acoustic treatment system may provide acoustic waves (e.g., ultrasonic waves) to provide acoustic treatment of surfaces (e.g., external and/or internal surfaces) within range of an acoustic source (e.g., ultrasonic light source), such as along exterior surfaces and/or interior surfaces of the subsea equipment. It should be noted, however, that any of the mentioned treatment systems may treat passing internal fluids instead of or in conjunction with surfaces of the subsea equipment. Advantageously, the acoustic treatment system is configured to treat areas not effectively treated by the light treatment system, such as various recesses and/or fluid flow passages, particularly fluid flow passages have a non-straight path (e.g., winding, turning, spiraling, etc.). Additionally, the thermal treatment system and the chemical treatment system may selectively operate to control the temperature and chemical treatment of various areas within and/or around the subsea equipment. In some embodiments, the chemical treatment system may supply chemicals in an amount that helps inhibit biological growth in combination with the light treatment system and the acoustic treatment system, while the amount of chemicals may be less than an amount used if the chemical treatment system is operating independently without the light treatment system and the acoustic treatment system. In some embodiments, the biological treatment systems (e.g., light, acoustic, chemical, and thermal treatment systems) may selectively operate at a first level of operation for normal prevention of biological growth (e.g., maintenance mode), a second level of operation (e.g., periodic elevated mode) for periodic cleansing of any biological growth, and a third level of operation (e.g., purge mode) for cleaning of any biological growth that exceeds acceptable thresholds. As the biological treatment system operates at progressively higher levels of operation, the biological treatment system may increase an intensity of one or more of the treatments, such as higher intensity light treatment, higher intensity acoustic treatment, higher intensity thermal treatment, and/or higher intensity chemical treatment. A controller may be configured to control the various levels of operation of the biological treatment system based on a schedule, sensor feedback, and/or based on computer models.

[0023] In certain embodiments, the biological treatment systems (e.g., light, acoustic, chemical, and thermal treatment systems) may adjust operation based on the particular subsea equipment and operating parameters. For example, the subsea equipment may include a subsea tree, a wellhead, a valve (e.g., gate valve, ball valve, blowout preventer, etc.), a reciprocating or rotating machine (e.g., pump, compressor, motor, etc.), a separator (e.g., a gravity separator, a centrifugal separator, a filter, etc.), a heat exchanger (e.g., heater, cooler, etc.), a subsea transformer, a pipeline, a subsea fluid manifold, or any combination thereof. Each subsea equipment may include any number and type of the biological treatment systems (e.g., light, acoustic, chemical, and thermal treatment systems). In certain embodiments, the biological treatment systems (e.g., light, acoustic, chemical, and thermal treatment systems) may adjust operation depending on the fluid, such as seawater, freshwater, production fluid, process fluid, and so forth. In certain embodiments, the biological treatment systems (e.g., light, acoustic, chemical, and thermal treatment systems) may adjust operation depending on rate of biological growth at a particular subsea equipment, internal surface, and/or external surface. In certain embodiments, the biological treatment systems (e.g., light, acoustic, chemical, and thermal treatment systems) may adjust operation depending on the effectiveness of each treatment, sensor feedback, and machine learning models. The following discussion presents various aspects of the biological treatment systems (e.g., light, acoustic, chemical, and thermal treatment systems) in subsea equipment; however, it should be understood that the illustrations are intended as non-limiting examples.

[0024] Before proceeding with a detailed discussion of the drawings, a brief discussion of the light treatment system in context of a cooling system (e.g., a heat exchanger) is provided as an example. The light frequencies used for treatment may include ultraviolet light frequencies, visible light frequencies, and infrared light frequencies. In one or more embodiments, the cooling system may include a process loop and a seawater loop. The medium to be cooled enters the process loop to be cooled by cooling coils, while the heat released by the process loop is absorbed by seawater flowing through the seawater loop.

[0025] In one or more embodiments, the lights of the cooling system may include ultraviolet (UV) lights. The UV lights may be disposed within the cooling system such that all internal surfaces of the cooling system exposed to seawater are illuminated. The UV lights reduce marine growth and biofouling in the cooling system, which may cause subsequent degradation of the performance of the cooling system.

[0026] In one or more embodiments, the cooling system may further include a pump located upstream or downstream of the seawater loop. The pump enables flow of seawater through the cooling system via the seawater loop to force heat transfer between the process loop and seawater loop via convection. The size and type of the pump is dependent on the target cooling capacity, and control of the heat transfer can be regulated by adjusting the pump speed.

[0027] In one or more embodiments, the cooling system may further include a filter located upstream. The filter minimizes larger objects, such as fish and marine debris, entering the pump or the cooler.

[0028] In one or more embodiments, the process loop and the seawater loop may further include valves. Valves in the process loop are used to close the process loop during installation and/or intervention processes, whereas valves in the seawater loop are used during downtime or during longer periods of standstill to minimize biofouling while the cooling system is not operating. The cooling system may still be used as a passive cooler while the seawater loop is closed, but with significantly lower cooling capacity limited by heat transfer on the external surface of the cooling system.

[0029] In one or more embodiments, UV lights may also be applied for usage in subsea passive heat exchangers of any type and configuration, with or without walls or a chimney, on external and internal surfaces of subsea piping, or other surfaces that may require biofouling treatment.

[0030] In operation, the medium to be cooled enters the cooling system via the process loop and is distributed to N cooling coils through a manifold. N cooling coils is decided based on the required cooling capacity, as well as the coil configuration of the cooling coils. At the same time, seawater is drawn into the seawater loop by a pump upstream of the cooling system. The seawater absorbs the heat released from the process loop by means of force convection generated by the upstream pump, and the heated seawater is released back to sea. The present example includes a coil based cooling system; however, in other embodiments, a different cooling system may be used including a passive heat exchanger, an active heat exchanger, geometry tapes: shell and tube, plate, coiled, piping, or a heat exchanger of any shape and form.

[0031] Marine growth and biofouling are more pronounced for shallow water, especially if the ambient temperature is high. Using UV treatment for these applications may also be applied to wind farms, transformer stations, subsea transformer stations, etc.

[0032] In embodiments, UV lights may be used to sterilize seawater in a subsea system (e.g., seawater entering a cooling system or a heat exchanger) to preemptively mitigate marine growth within the system. In other embodiments, UV lights may be used to sterilize seawater in a subsea system in conjunction with UV light applied to internal and/or external surfaces of the subsea system. In embodiments, the disclosed system may be used in various applications including, but not limited to, seawater injection systems for pressure support and desalination for drinking water.

[0033] In one or more embodiments, UV lights may also be applied for heat pump circuits placed in fresh or saltwater. Using this to heat commercial buildings results in long length pipes submerged in water. Protection against marine growth can reduce the size of the heat exchanging coil.

[0034] In one or more embodiments, the UV lights may be applied to carbon dioxide (CO.sub.2) evaporators where the CO.sub.2 is low and where the ambient water may heat and evaporate the CO.sub.2.

[0035] In one or more embodiments, the cooling medium is not limited to seawater, but may be fresh water or any other cooling/heating agent.

[0036] In certain embodiments, the UV lights of the light treatment system are used alone or in combination with acoustic sources of the acoustic treatment system, chemical sources of the chemical treatment system, and heaters and/or coolers of the thermal treatment system. The following discussion is intended to apply any number and configuration of the biological treatment systems (e.g., light, acoustic, chemical, and thermal treatment systems) in subsea equipment, wherein a controller may selectively operate any one or more of the biological treatment systems based on a schedule, sensor feedback, and/or based on computer models.

[0037] FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a subsea system 10 having biological treatment systems 11 (e.g., subsea biological treatment systems or subsea treatment systems) configured to inhibit biological growth and biofouling associated with various subsea equipment 13. As discussed in detail below, the biological treatment systems 11 may include one or more light, acoustic, chemical, and thermal treatment systems. The illustrated subsea system 10 includes electrical cables 12 used for transmitting information and primary electrical power for various subsea components (e.g., actuators, operator valves, sensors, etc.). The subsea system 10 may include a subsea hydrocarbon production system configured to extract oil or gas from a subterranean reservoir, a subsea fluid injection system configured to inject fluid (e.g., liquid or gas) into a subterranean reservoir, or any other subsea system associated with subterranean reservoirs. For example, the subsea fluid injection system may include a subsea gas, water, and/or carbon dioxide (CO.sub.2) injection system. In certain embodiments, the subsea system 10 may include a subsea tree 14 coupled to a wellhead 16 to form a subsea station 18 configured to extract and/or inject fluids relative to a subterranean reservoir. For example, the subsea station 18 may be configured to extract formation fluid, such as oil and/or natural gas, from the sea floor 20 through the well 22. By further example, the subsea station 18 may be configured to inject CO.sub.2 into the subterranean reservoir via the well 22. In some embodiments, the subsea system 10 may include multiple subsea stations 18 that extract and/or inject fluids relative to respective wells 22.

[0038] In embodiments of the subsea system 10, after passing through the subsea tree 14, the formation fluid may flow through fluid conduits 24 to a pipeline manifold 26. The pipeline manifold 26 may connect to one or more flowlines 28 to enable the formation fluid to flow from the wells 22 to a surface platform 30 via the pipeline manifold 26 and one or more flowlines 28. In some embodiments, the surface platform 30 may include a floating production, storage, and offloading unit (FPSO) or a shore-based facility. As the flowlines 28 carry the formation fluid away from the wells 22 to the platform 30, the subsea system 10 may include one or more data conduits 32 that carry control and data lines to communicatively couple the platform 30 to the subsea equipment of the subsea system 10. Additionally or alternatively, these data conduits 32 may facilitate the distribution of fluids to the subsea equipment, as well as provide control and command signal outputs to the subsea equipment via the control and data lines. These data conduits 32 may connect to a distribution module 34, which in turn couples to the one or more subsea stations 18 via supply lines 36. In some scenarios, the platform 30 may be located a significant distance (e.g., greater than 100 m, greater than 1 km, greater than 10 km, or greater than 60 km) away from the wells 22.

[0039] In certain embodiments, the subsea system 10 (e.g., the subsea tree 14, the subsea station 18, the pipeline manifold 26, and/or the distribution module 34) may include a hydraulic control system coupled to a plurality of valves for controlling fluid flow throughout the subsea system 10. While the subsea system 10 described above is for extracting hydrocarbons, it should be understood that the present disclosure may also apply to other types of subsea systems 10, such as subsea injection systems (e.g., subsea gas injection system, subsea water injection system, subsea carbon dioxide injection system).

[0040] The subsea system 10 (e.g., the electrical cables 12, the subsea station 18, the fluid conduits 24, the pipeline manifold 26, the flowlines 28, the data conduits 32, the distribution module 34, and the supply lines 36, etc.) may form a subsea conduit network 40 that facilitates the flow of data, control signals, production fluid, and/or control fluid through the subsea system 10. In some embodiments, the subsea conduit network 40 may further include various landing strings, pumps, connectors, pipes, tubes, valves, and other components that work together to transport the extracted resources to the platform 30. As discussed in more detail below, one or more portions of the subsea conduit network 40 may include multiple main valves and operator valves configured to direct and control the volume and the direction of a fluid flow of the various production resources.

[0041] As discussed in further detail below, the subsea system 10 includes biological treatment systems 11 (e.g., light, acoustic, chemical, and thermal treatment systems) configured to inhibit biological growth and biofouling associated with subsea equipment 13. The subsea equipment 13 may include any of the components described in FIG. 1, which may include subsea trees 14, wellheads 16, subsea stations 18, fluid conduits 24, manifolds 26, flowlines 28, valves (e.g., gate valves, ball valves, blowout preventers, etc.), reciprocating or rotating machines (e.g., pump, compressor, motor, etc.), separators (e.g., gravity separators, centrifugal separators, filters, etc.) configured to separate different substances (e.g., gases, liquids, and solids), heat exchangers (e.g., heaters, coolers, etc.), subsea transformers, pipelines, subsea fluid manifolds, or any combination thereof. In some embodiments, the subsea equipment 13 may be coupled to and/or part of a wind power plant, an offshore platform, or a combination thereof. The subsea equipment 13 may be mounted on or near a floor of a body of water (e.g., seawater), such as within 10 to 50 feet from the floor. In certain embodiments, the floor of the body of water and/or the subsea equipment 13 may be hundreds or thousands of feet deep of water. Although a cooling system (e.g., heat exchanger) may be presented as one possible example, the biological treatment systems 11 (e.g., light, acoustic, chemical, and thermal treatment systems) may be used with any surface or subsea equipment 13.

[0042] FIG. 2 is a schematic view of an embodiment of a subsea equipment 13 of the subsea system 10 of FIG. 1, illustrating the biological treatment system 11 coupled to the subsea equipment 13. In the illustrated embodiment, the biological treatment system 11 includes a light treatment system 42 (e.g., UV light treatment system), an acoustic treatment system 44 (e.g., ultrasonic treatment system), a chemical treatment system 46, and a thermal treatment system 48 configured to help inhibit, reduce, or remove biological growth associated with the subsea equipment 13. The biological treatment system 11 may be configured to treat external surfaces and/or internal surfaces of the subsea equipment 13, including various fluid flow paths through the subsea equipment 13 and/or surfaces exposed to one or more fluids susceptible to biological growth (e.g., marine growth, biofouling). Furthermore, in the illustrated embodiment, the subsea equipment 13 includes a subsea cooling system 50. However, the subsea equipment 13 may include any suitable subsea equipment as discussed above, and thus the cooling system 50 is merely one example of a possible application for the biological treatment system 11. Thus, the following discussion is not intended to be limited to the cooling system 50. In embodiments in which the subsea equipment 13 is not a cooling system 50, the biological treatment system 11 described below may be configured in substantially the same way.

[0043] In the illustrated embodiment, the cooling system 50 includes a process flow path 52 and a seawater flow path 54 through a body 56 of a heat exchanger 58. The process flow path 52 may be configured to flow any suitable process fluids, such as formation fluids, hydraulic fluids, lubricant fluids, cooling fluids, or any combination thereof. The seawater flow path 54 may be configured to flow seawater, freshwater, treated water, or any other water source, or any other thermal fluids used for heat transfer in the heat exchanger 58. In the illustrated embodiment, the process flow path 52 and the seawater flow path 54 include one or more fluid passages 97, 98, respectively, physically separated from one another by walls of the heat exchanger 58, while enabling heat transfer between the process fluid and the seawater. In certain embodiments, the fluid passages 97, 98 include straight parallel fluid passages. However, in some embodiments, the fluid passages 97, 98 may include non-straight and/or non-parallel fluid passages, such as winding fluid passages, spiral fluid passages, or generally turning or curved fluid passages. For example, in the illustrated embodiment, the process flow path 52 includes cooling coils 78 along the plurality of fluid passages 98 (e.g., fluid conduits, tubing, or branches 98A, 98B, 98C, 98D). In the illustrated embodiment, the process flow path 52 includes four fluid passages 98, but in other embodiments, the process flow path 52 may include a single fluid passage 98 or any other number of fluid passages 98 (e.g., 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, or more). The seawater flow path 54 may include the same or similar numbers and configurations of the fluid passages 97. However, in some embodiments, the seawater flow path 54 includes a single fluid passage (e.g., fluid chamber) around all of the fluid passages 98 (e.g., conduits) of the process flow path 52 within the body 56 of the heat exchanger 58. The process flow path 52 may be coupled to upstream and downstream process equipment, whereas the seawater flow path 54 may be open to the surrounding seawater in a subsea location. However, in some embodiments, the seawater flow path 54 may be coupled to upstream and downstream equipment and/or flow a different fluid.

[0044] The biological treatment system 11 may include a treatment region 91 (e.g., a fluid volume, chamber, passage, or area) configured to remove or reduce biofouling on or near subsea equipment 13. In some embodiments, the treatment region 91 is defined by the process flow path 52 and/or the seawater flow path 54, and may be defined by internal and/or external surfaces (e.g., conduit walls) along the respective flow paths 52 and 54. The treatment region 91 may be upstream, within, or downstream from the subsea equipment 13 (e.g., cooling system 50). In some embodiments, the treatment region 91 includes an enclosure 93 at least partially or fully surrounding or enclosing some part of the subsea equipment 13. For example, the enclosure 93 may include a wall 92 (e.g., top wall), a wall 94 (e.g., bottom wall), and one or more walls 96 (e.g., side walls 96A, 96B). In some embodiments, the enclosure 93 is an integral part of the subsea equipment 13, such as the cooling system 50. However, in certain embodiments, the enclosure 93 is separate from the subsea equipment 13, such that enclosure 93 extends around an exterior surface of the subsea equipment 13. The enclosure 93 may be a rectangular enclosure, a cylindrical enclosure, or any other suitable shaped enclosure. In some embodiments, enclosure 93 includes openings in one or more of the walls 92, 94, and 96 to enable a flow of the seawater around an exterior of the subsea equipment 13, such as around an exterior of the fluid passages 98 (e.g., fluid conduits) having the cooling coils 78 along the process flow path 52 through the heat exchanger 58. In the illustrated embodiment, the walls 96 (e.g., side walls 96A, 96B) are closed walls, whereas the wall 92 (e.g., top wall) and the wall 94 (e.g., bottom wall) are fluidly coupled to the process flow path 52 and the seawater flow path 54 via fluid conduits. In certain embodiments, the walls 96 represent a cylindrical or annular side wall extending circumferentially about the subsea equipment 13, or the walls 96 may represent a polygonal shape with 2, 3, 4, or more side walls arranged about the subsea equipment 13. Some embodiments of the enclosure 93 exclude one or more of the walls 92, 94, and 96, such as excluding the wall 92 (e.g., top wall) and the wall 94 (e.g., bottom wall) as shown in FIG. 4, and some embodiments have no walls, as shown in FIG. 6.

[0045] The biological treatment system 11 includes one or more components of the light treatment system 42 (e.g., UV light treatment system), the acoustic treatment system 44 (e.g., ultrasonic treatment system), the chemical treatment system 46, the thermal treatment system 48, and a sensing system 60 along the treatment region 91. The biological treatment system 11 is also coupled to and controlled by a controller 62 as discussed in further detail below. In certain embodiments, the light treatment system 42 includes one or more UV lights 80 configured to emit UV light into the treatment region 91. The acoustic treatment system 44 includes one or more acoustic devices 82 (e.g., acoustic or ultrasonic generators), one or more acoustic shields 84, and one or more acoustic dampers 90 (e.g., noise cancellation dampers). The thermal treatment system 48 may include one or more heaters, coolers, or heat exchangers configured to adjust a temperature between upper and lower temperature thresholds. The chemical treatment system 46 may include one or more chemical tanks, pumps, chemical injection circuits, and chemical injection nozzles configured to supply chemicals into the treatment region 91. The sensing system 60 includes one or more sensors (S) configured to monitor operating parameters, such as a temperature, a pressure, a flow rate, a fluid composition, a biological growth, or any combination thereof.

[0046] In the illustrated embodiment, the process flow path 52 includes one or more valves 72A, 72E coupled to fluid conduits upstream and downstream of the subsea equipment 13 (e.g., cooling system 50). The controller 62 is configured to control a valve position of the valves 72A, 72E to control a flow rate of the process fluid through the subsea equipment 13 (e.g., cooling system 50) and the biological treatment system 11. The valves 72A, 72E may be closed during installation, intervention, and/or shutdown procedures of the biological treatment system 11 and/or the subsea equipment 13. Otherwise, the valves 72A, 72E may be opened during normal operation of the subsea equipment 13 and may be adjusted according to operating parameters of the subsea equipment 13 and/or to help facilitate biological treatment by the biological treatment system 11. The controller 62 may be configured to operate the biological treatment system 11 continuously (e.g., a continuous mode), periodically on a schedule (e.g., a schedule mode), in response to sensor feedback from the sensor system 60 (e.g., a sensor feedback mode), and/or based on computers models (e.g., a computer model based mode) with or without a flow of the process fluid along the process flow path 52. For example, the controller 62 may be configured to operate the biological treatment system 11 to treat surfaces along the process flow path 52 while the valves 72A, 72E are open and enable flow of the process fluid, while the valves 72A, 72E are closed and isolate an interior chamber of the cooling system 50 (e.g., heat exchanger 58), or a combination thereof.

[0047] Similarly, the seawater flow path 54 includes one or more valves 72B, 72C, 72D, one or more filters 74, and one or more pumps 76 coupled to fluid conduits upstream and/or downstream of the subsea equipment 13 (e.g., cooling system 50). Similarly, the controller 62 is configured to control a position of the valves 72B, 72C, 72D and a speed of the one or more pumps 76 to control a flow rate of the seawater through the subsea equipment 13 (e.g., cooling system 50) and the biological treatment system 11. The filters 74 may be coupled to an intake (e.g., intake port and/or intake fluid conduit) of the subsea equipment 13, wherein the filters 74 are configured to filter out larger debris, organisms, algae, and the like from entering the subsea equipment 13 and/or the biological treatment system 11. The filters 74 may include media filters and/or separators, such as gravity separators, centrifugal separators, and/or membrane separators. Filtering out larger debris, organisms, algae, and the like from entering the biological treatment system 11 or subsea equipment 13 may prevent or reduce excess algae growth, as well as minimize anything that may block the algae growth treatment. For example, the filters 74 may minimize debris that may block the UV lights 80 from reaching and treating the desired areas in the biological treatment system 11. The pumps 76 may direct the seawater through the seawater flow path 54 to maintain flow through the biological treatment system 11 and subsea equipment 13. The controller 62 may be configured to operate the biological treatment system 11 continuously, periodically on a schedule, in response to sensor feedback from the sensor system 60, and/or based on computers models with or without a flow of the seawater along the seawater flow path 54. For example, the controller 62 may be configured to operate the biological treatment system 11 to treat surfaces along the seawater flow path 54 while the valves 72B, 72C, 72D are open and enable flow of the seawater, while the valves 72B, 72C, 72D are closed and isolate an interior chamber of the cooling system 50 (e.g., heat exchanger 58), or a combination thereof.

[0048] The controller 62 is configured to control a flow rate of the process fluid through the process flow path 52 and the seawater through the seawater flow path 54 of the cooling system 50 (e.g., heat exchanger 58), thereby controlling a heat transfer between the seawater and the process fluid. The heat exchanger 58 may be used for cooling fluids (e.g., coolant fluid, lubricant fluid, etc.) of an electric subsea equipment, such as an electric motor, a pump, a compressor, or a transformer. In the illustrated embodiment, the heat exchanger 58 may be a shell and tube heat exchanger (e.g., cooler); however, the heat exchanger 58 may be any type of heat exchanger. Alternatively or additionally, the illustrated embodiment may be any type of subsea equipment 13 as described above. The seawater flow path 54 may direct seawater from the open water into the biological treatment system 11 to treat the seawater and reduce or prevent marine growth on internal and/or external surfaces of the subsea equipment 13.

[0049] In the illustrated embodiment, the biological treatment system 11 includes one or more ultraviolet (UV) lights 80 of the light treatment system 42 disposed along the process flow path 52, along the seawater flow path 54, or a combination thereof, wherein the one or more ultraviolet (UV) lights 80 may be disposed upstream, within, and/or downstream of the subsea equipment 13 (e.g., cooling system 50). The UV lights 80 may be configured to turn on continuously, at treatment schedules (e.g., periodic times for treatment periods), based on sensor data, based on computer models, or any combination thereof, in response to control by the controller 62. The treatment schedules may be based on expected parameters for the seawater, subsea equipment 13, or biological treatment system 11. Parameters may include temperature of the water, temperature of the subsea equipment 13, natural light reaching the biological treatment system 11, suspected biofouling potential around the subsea equipment 13 or biological treatment system 11, or the like. For example, the UV lights 80 may turn on more frequently or for longer treatment periods if the parameters of the biological treatment system 11, seawater, or subsea equipment 13 are more conducive to biofouling, such as in higher temperatures. The UV lights 80 may turn on at periodic times for a treatment period to disinfect the seawater or subsea equipment 13 and minimize biofouling. The periodic times may include a periodic number of seconds, minutes, hours, or days, as set by the controller 62. Similarly, the treatment period may include a number of seconds, minutes, or hours, as set by the controller 62. In certain embodiments, the controller 62 may set a fixed treatment schedule (e.g., periodic times, treatment duration), or the controller 62 may adjust (e.g., increase or decrease) the frequency of the periodic times and/or the length of the treatment depending on the likelihood for biological growth and/or actual biological growth. In some embodiments, blue lights may replace, or work in conjunction with, the UV lights 80. Thus, the light treatment system 42 may include any number of UV lights 80, blue lights, and/or other types of lights suitable for biological treatment.

[0050] The UV lights 80 may be disposed along one or more walls of the subsea equipment 13, such that the UV lights 80 minimize biofouling the desired area in the subsea equipment 13. For example, the UV lights 80 may be placed every foot, every few feet, every meter, or the like. In some embodiments, the UV lights 80 may also be located on the seawater flow path 54 to prophylactically target some or all of the seawater entering the biological treatment system 11 to minimize biofouling potential. In certain embodiments, the UV lights 80 may be mounted circumferentially about internal surfaces and/or external surfaces to ensure 360 degree coverage of all surfaces. For example, the UV lights 80 may be aimed in a variety of directions and/or angles to ensure that the UV light is able to reach substantially all internal surfaces and/or external surfaces desired for UV light treatment. However, in some embodiments, due to complex surfaces and/or non-straight flow paths, one or more areas of the treatment region 91 may be targeted by other components of the biological treatment system 11.

[0051] In the illustrated embodiment, the biological treatment system 11 includes one or more acoustic devices 82 of the acoustic treatment system 44 disposed along the process flow path 52, along the seawater flow path 54, or a combination thereof, wherein the one or more acoustic devices 82 may be disposed upstream, within, and/or downstream of the subsea equipment 13 (e.g., cooling system 50). The acoustic devices 82 may be configured to generate acoustic waves. The acoustic devices 82 may emit high-frequency ultrasonic waves to disrupt the settlement and growth of fouling organisms. The high-frequency ultrasonic waves create microscopic vibrations on the surface of the subsea equipment 13 or biological treatment system 11, making it difficult for organisms like algae, barnacles, and mussels to attach and grow. Further, specific acoustic signals may deter marine organisms from settling. For instance, certain frequencies may be unpleasant or disruptive to the larvae of fouling organisms, which may deter the marine organisms from settling and growing on surfaces.

[0052] The acoustic devices 82 may be located at various locations around the subsea equipment 13 within the biological treatment system 11. In the illustrated embodiment, the acoustic devices 82 are disposed between UV lights 80. However, in other embodiments, as shown in FIGS. 3-6, the acoustic devices 82 may be located on any wall of the biological treatment system 11, coupled to one or more locations on the subsea equipment 13, or the like, based on the desired range and effect of the acoustic devices 82. Further, there may be one or more than one acoustic devices 82 based on the ranges and desired effect of the acoustic waves. For example, there may be more acoustic devices 82 if the biological treatment system 11 and subsea equipment 13 is larger or more prone to biofouling, or fewer acoustic devices if the biological treatment system 11 and subsea equipment 13 is smaller or less prone to biofouling.

[0053] The acoustic devices 82 may be configured to emit acoustic waves continuously, at treatment schedules (e.g., periodic times for treatment periods), based on sensor data, based on computer models, or any combination thereof, in response to control by the controller 62. The treatment schedules may be based on expected parameters for the seawater, subsea equipment 13, or biological treatment system 11. Parameters may include temperature of the water, temperature of the subsea equipment 13, natural light reaching the biological treatment system 11, suspected biofouling potential around the subsea equipment 13 or biological treatment system 11, or the like. For example, the acoustic devices 82 may emit acoustic waves more frequently or for longer treatment periods if the parameters of the biological treatment system 11, seawater, or subsea equipment 13 are more conducive to biofouling, such as in higher temperatures. The acoustic devices 82 may emit acoustic waves at periodic times for a treatment period to disinfect the seawater or subsea equipment 13 and minimize biofouling. The periodic times may include a periodic number of seconds, minutes, hours, or days, as set by the controller 62. Similarly, the treatment period may include a number of seconds, minutes, or hours, as set by the controller 62. It should be noted that the acoustic devices 82 may emit acoustic waves simultaneously with the activation of the UV lights 80, or separately from the activation of the UV lights 80. Indeed, the acoustic devices 82 may emit acoustic waves on a separate schedule than the UV lights 80, may only emit acoustic waves when the sensor system 60 detects an out-of-range level of marine growth or parameters suitable for biofouling, or both. In certain embodiments, the acoustic devices 82 may emit acoustic waves to treat areas not effectively treated and/or unreachable by the UV lights 80. For example, if the UV lights 80 cannot reach areas with various recesses, protrusions, turning flow paths, small spaces, and/or complex geometries, then the controller 62 may operate the acoustic devices 82 of the acoustic treatment system 44 to treat those areas of the subsea equipment 13.

[0054] The biological treatment system 11 may also include equipment to minimize or eliminate the acoustic waves generated by the acoustic devices 82 after the acoustic waves work to reduce biofouling. Minimizing or eliminating acoustic waves generated by the acoustic devices may reduce harm to the ecosystem, or minimize the detectability of the subsea equipment 13. The subsea equipment 13may include acoustic shielding 84 and acoustic dampers 90. The acoustic shielding 84 may be located on one or more sides of the biological treatment system 11 or subsea equipment 13. In some embodiments, the acoustic shielding 84 may be disposed on all sides of the biological treatment system 11. However, in other embodiments, the acoustic shielding 84 may not be on one or more sides of the biological treatment system 11 to provide water openings, such as the seawater flow path 54 to cool the biological treatment system 11 and subsea equipment 13. The acoustic shielding 84 may be configured to block some or all of the acoustic waves generated by the acoustic devices 82. In the illustrated embodiment, the acoustic shielding 84 is coupled to and/or forms at least part of the walls 92, 94, and 96 of the enclosure 93. For example, one or more layers of acoustic shielding material may extending along a surface of the enclosure 93, or the enclosure 93 may be constructed of acoustic shielding material. In some embodiment, the walls 92, 94, and 96 of the enclosure 93 are hollow wall panels (e.g., metal panels) encapsulating the acoustic shielding material.

[0055] The acoustic dampers 90 transmit waves with 180-degree phase change in the opposite direction of the acoustic waves generated by the acoustic devices 82. Dampening the acoustic transmissions used to prevent marine growth may have numerous benefits including utilizing acoustics to defer the location of subsea equipment 13, minimizing the effects of the acoustic waves on the ecosystem, preventing the other noise pollution from subsea processing equipment. Subsea noise cancellation involves generating sound waves that are the inverse (e.g., antiphase) of unwanted noise. When these sound waves meet the unwanted noise, the sound waves interfere destructively, reducing the overall sound level. The acoustic dampers 90 may include a receiver and transducer. The receiver may be configured to receive an indication of an acoustic wave. From there, the system may analyze the acoustic waves, along with features of the subsea environment, such as temperature, pressure, and salinity. Once analysis is complete, the system may use a transducer to emit the noise-cancelling sound waves determined by the system. The transducers may be underwater speakers or the like. The controller 62 is configured to control the acoustic dampers 90 during operation of the acoustic devices 82 of the acoustic treatment system 44, thereby substantially reducing the range of the acoustic waves beyond the vicinity of the subsea equipment 13 receiving acoustic treatment to reduce biological growth. The acoustic dampers 90 may be placed at appropriate locations to reduce noise based on the placement of the acoustic devices 82.

[0056] Additionally, the biological treatment system 11 may include a thermal treatment system 48, a chemical treatment system 46, or both, along the process flow path 52, along the seawater flow path 54, or a combination thereof, wherein the chemical and thermal treatment systems 46, 48 may be disposed upstream, within, and/or downstream of the subsea equipment 13 (e.g., cooling system 50). The thermal treatment system 48 may include one or more heat exchangers configured to heat or cool the biological treatment system 11 based on the likelihood of biofouling in the biological treatment system 11 or on the subsea equipment 13, the usage of UV lights 80, the usage of acoustic device 82, the usage of chemicals of the chemical treatment system 46, and the like. The thermal treatment system 48 may be located within and/or outside of the biological treatment system 11, wherein the thermal treatment system 48 may be configured to heat or cool the chemicals in the chemical treatment system 46, the seawater, the process fluid, or any combination thereof. In some embodiments, the thermal treatment system 48 is used in conjunction with the UV lights 80 of the light treatment system 42, the acoustic devices 82 of the acoustic treatment system 44, the chemical treatment system 46, or a combination thereof.

[0057] The thermal treatment system 48 may be configured to turn on continuously, at treatment schedules (e.g., periodic times for treatment periods), based on sensor data, based on computer models, or any combination thereof, in response to control by the controller 62. The treatment schedules may be based on expected parameters for the seawater, subsea equipment 13, or biological treatment system 11. Parameters may include temperature of the water, temperature of the subsea equipment 13, natural light reaching the biological treatment system 11, suspected biofouling potential around the subsea equipment 13 or biological treatment system 11, or the like. For example, the thermal treatment system 48 may turn on more frequently or for longer treatment periods if the parameters of the biological treatment system 11, seawater, or subsea equipment 13 are more conducive to biofouling, such as in higher temperatures. The thermal treatment system 48 may turn on at periodic times for a treatment period to disinfect the seawater or subsea equipment 13 and minimize biofouling. The periodic times may include a periodic number of seconds, minutes, hours, or days, as set by the controller 62. Similarly, the treatment period may include a number of seconds, minutes, or hours, as set by the controller 62. The controller 62 may be configured to operate the thermal treatment system 48 at the same or different times as the other biological treatment systems 11.

[0058] The chemical treatment system 46 may include one or more chemical treatment units (e.g., biofouling control units) configured to supply chemicals for biological treatment based on the likelihood of biofouling in the biological treatment system 11 or on the subsea equipment 13, the usage of UV lights 80, the usage of acoustic device 82, the usage of heat exchangers of the thermal treatment system 48, and the like. The chemical treatment system 46 may be located within and/or outside of the biological treatment system 11, wherein the chemical treatment system 46 may be configured to supply the chemicals in the treatment region 91, such as in the seawater, the process fluid, along surfaces of the subsea equipment 13, or any combination thereof. In some embodiments, the chemical treatment system 46 is used in conjunction with the UV lights 80, the acoustic devices 82, heat exchangers of the thermal treatment system 48, or a combination thereof. The chemical treatment system 46 may include a copper chlorine system, an electrochlorinator, or a combination thereof. The copper chlorine system is configured to generate concentrations of copper and chlorine with DC electrolysis. The electrochlorinator is configured to use electricity and the naturally occurring chloride ions in seawater to generate sodium hypochlorite. In some embodiments, the biological treatment system 11 may substantially reduce or eliminate the use of chemical treatment system 46, and thus the chemical treatment system 46 may be optionally excluded from the biological treatment system 11.

[0059] The chemical treatment system 46 may be configured to turn on continuously, at treatment schedules (e.g., periodic times for treatment periods), based on sensor data, based on computer models, or any combination thereof, in response to control by the controller 62. The treatment schedules may be based on expected parameters for the seawater, subsea equipment 13, or biological treatment system 11. Parameters may include temperature of the water, temperature of the subsea equipment 13, natural light reaching the biological treatment system 11, suspected biofouling potential around the subsea equipment 13 or biological treatment system 11, or the like. For example, the chemical treatment system 46 may inject chemicals into the biological treatment system 11 more frequently or for longer treatment periods if the parameters of the biological treatment system 11, seawater, or subsea equipment 13 are more conducive to biofouling, such as in higher temperatures. The chemical treatment system 46 may inject chemicals at periodic times for a treatment period to disinfect the seawater or subsea equipment 13 and minimize biofouling. The periodic times may include a periodic number of seconds, minutes, hours, or days, as set by the controller 62. Similarly, the treatment period may include a number of seconds, minutes, or hours, as set by the controller 62. The controller 62 may be configured to operate the chemical treatment system 46 at the same or different times as the other biological treatment systems 11. In some embodiments, the chemical treatment system 46 may inject more chemicals, a higher concentration of chemicals, or both into the biological treatment system 11 based on the expected or detected parameters for the seawater, subsea equipment 13, or biological treatment system 11.

[0060] In certain embodiments, the controller 62 is configured to control the biological treatment system 11 (e.g., light treatment system 42, acoustic treatment system 44, chemical treatment system 46, and thermal treatment system 48) based on sensor feedback from the sensor 60 and various threshold parameters and computer models (e.g., machine learning models, artificial intelligence). The sensor system 60 may include temperature sensors, pressure sensors, salinity sensors, composition sensors, acoustic sensors, flow rate sensors, or any combination thereof, along the flow paths (e.g., process flow path 52 and seawater flow path 54). The temperature sensors, pressure sensors, and salinity sensors may be used to determine the potential for biofouling at a given time. The pressure sensors also may monitor a pressure drop across flow paths (e.g., process flow path 52 and seawater flow path 54), wherein the pressure drop may indicate a degree of biofouling along the particular flow path. The composition sensors may detect the composition of the seawater to identify the amount of marine life and biofouling reduction chemicals in the seawater. The acoustic sensors may be underwater microphones (e.g., hydrophones) used to detect ambient noise levels. Acoustic sensors may monitor the presence and growth of marine organisms on submerged surfaces by recording the reflective acoustic waves off the submerged surfaces compared to the original acoustic waves. Acoustic sensor data may inform cleaning schedules or the deployment of preventive measures, to assist with eliminating or reducing growth on surfaces.

[0061] In certain embodiments, the sensor system 60 may include cameras, optical sensors, light sensors, or any combination thereof, configured to monitor a surface of the subsea equipment 13 and/or a clarity of the fluid flow (e.g., seawater) as an indication of biological growth. In certain embodiments, a light source and a light sensor are used to detect an amount of marine growth blocking light between the light source and the light sensor, wherein the light source may be the same or different than the UV lights 80. In certain embodiments, the sensor system 60 is configured to monitor for an increase in biological growth, a decrease in biological growth, and/or an effectiveness of each of the biological treatment systems 11 (e.g., light treatment system 42, acoustic treatment system 44, chemical treatment system 46, and thermal treatment system 48) and various operating parameters thereof.

[0062] The biological treatment system 11 may utilize sensor data received from the foregoing sensors to determine the frequency or schedule of the treatment (e.g., once a minute, once an hour, etc.), the type of treatment (e.g., UV lights 80, acoustic device 82, thermal treatment system 48, chemical treatment system 46, or a combination thereof), the intensity of the treatment (e.g., light intensity, chemical concentration, degree of heat exchange, etc.), or a combination thereof. The controller 62 is configured to control operation of the biological treatment system 11, including the light treatment system 42 (e.g., UV lights 80, blue lights, etc.), the acoustic treatment system 44 (e.g., the acoustic devices 82, the acoustic dampers 90, etc.), the thermal treatment system 48, and the chemical treatment system 46. In certain embodiments, the controller 62 may initiate simultaneous treatments using all or some of the biological treatment systems 11 (e.g., light, acoustic, chemical, and/or thermal treatment systems 42, 44, 46, and 48), or a sequence of biological treatments using all or some of the biological treatment systems 11. For example, in some embodiments, the controller 62, using computer models (e.g., machine learning models, artificial intelligence) may determine that the biological treatments are more effective when used in certain combinations, sequences, operating parameters, or any combination thereof. Accordingly, the controller 62 may progressively improve the biological treatments by training the machine learning models using sensor feedback from the sensor system 60 before and after various biological treatments.

[0063] In certain embodiments, the biological treatment systems 11 (e.g., light, acoustic, chemical, and/or thermal treatment systems 42, 44, 46, and 48) may include fixed mounting positions or adjustable mounting positions (e.g., adjustable via one or more actuators coupled to positional adjusters), thereby enabling changes in the orientation, angle, and/or position of the biological treatments (e.g., UV lights 80, acoustic devices 82, etc.). For example, in some embodiments, the controller 62 may control positional adjusters to move the UV lights 80 and/or the acoustic devices 82 linearly along and/or rotationally about one or more axes (e.g., X, Y, and Z axes) to increase the coverage of the biological treatments. In some embodiments, the UV lights 80 and/or the acoustic devices 82 may be mounted to the enclosure 93, wherein the controller 62 is configured to control positional adjusters to move the enclosure 93 about the subsea equipment 13. In some embodiments, the enclosure 93 is disposed in a fixed position about the subsea equipment 13, wherein the controller 62 is configured to control positional adjusters to move the UV lights 80 and/or the acoustic devices 82 along an interior of the enclosure 93 about the subsea equipment 13.

[0064] The controller 62 includes one or more processors 64, memory 66, instructions 68 stored on the memory 66 and executable by the processors 64, and communication circuitry 70. The communication circuitry 70 is configured to enable wired or wireless communication between the controller 62, the sensing system 60, the various components of the biological treatment system 11, and one or more computing devices. The processor(s) 64 may be any suitable type of computer processor or microprocessor capable of executing computer-executable code. Moreover, the processor(s) 64 may include multiple microprocessors, one or more general-purpose microprocessors, one or more special-purpose microprocessors, and/or one or more application specific integrated circuits (ASICS), or some combination thereof. For example, the processor(s) 64 may include one or more than one reduced instruction set (RISC) or complex instruction set (CISC) processors. The memory 66 may also be used to store instructions 68 executed by the processor(s) 64, sensor data acquired by the sensing system 60, and other software applications. The memory 66 may represent non-transitory computer-readable media (e.g., any suitable form of memory 66 or storage) that may store the processor-executable code used by the processor(s) 64 to perform various techniques described herein. As illustrated, the monitoring tool biological treatment system 11 includes one or more controllers 62 that communicate with and/or control data acquisition from the sensing system 60.

[0065] FIG. 3 is a schematic view of an embodiment of a subsea equipment 13 of the subsea system 10 of FIG. 1, illustrating the biological treatment system 11 coupled to the subsea equipment 13. FIG. 3 shows a heat exchanger configuration 110 utilizing ultraviolet (UV) lights, ranging from process coolers to barrier fluid coolers. The biological treatment system 11 with the heat exchanger configuration 110 of FIG. 3 operates in substantially the same way as the biological treatment system 11 with the cooling system 50 of FIG. 2. However, the subsea equipment 13 of the illustrated embodiment is a different form of heat exchanger than the subsea equipment 13 of FIG. 2. Indeed, the heat exchanger configuration 110 is not a shell and tube heat exchanger. Further, the seawater flow path from FIG. 2 has been replaced with a cooling flow path 92, which pumps a fluid from the bottom of the heat exchanger configuration 110 to the top of the heat exchanger configuration 110. The fluid in the cooling flow path 92 may be seawater or another fluid suitable for cooling the biological treatment system 11 and/or subsea equipment 13. To direct fluid through the cooling flow path 92, the illustrated embodiment has two flow generating devices (e.g., pumps) 76A, 76B on opposite ends of the cooling flow path 92. However, some embodiments may only include flow generating device 76A or flow generating device 76B if one or the other flow generating device 76 may adequately direct flow through the cooling flow path 92.

[0066] Further, the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 3 illustrates the acoustic devices 82 disposed towards the center of the biological treatment system 11 between the piping and flow paths of the subsea equipment 13, while the acoustic devices 82 in FIG. 2 are disposed along the walls of the biological treatment system 11 between the UV lights 80. However, as described in the description for FIG. 2, the acoustic devices 82 may be disposed anywhere within the biological treatment system 11 or on the subsea equipment 13 suitable for delivering acoustic waves to reduce or prevent biofouling.

[0067] FIG. 4 is a schematic view of an embodiment of a subsea equipment 13 of the subsea system 10 of FIG. 1, illustrating the biological treatment system 11 coupled to the subsea equipment 13. FIG. 4 shows a heat exchanger configuration utilizing ultraviolet (UV) lights, ranging from process coolers to barrier fluid coolers. The biological treatment system 11 with the heat exchanger configuration 130 of FIG. 4 operates in substantially the same way as the biological treatment system 11 with the cooling system 50 of FIG. 2. However, the subsea equipment 13 of the illustrated embodiment is a different form of heat exchanger than the subsea equipment 13 of FIG. 2. Indeed, the heat exchanger configuration 130 is not a shell and tube heat exchanger. Further, as described previously, in some embodiments, the subsea equipment 13 may include manifolds, flowlines, compressors, separators, other kinds of heat exchangers, or any other piece of subsea processing equipment. The biological treatment system 11 in the illustrated embodiment differs from the biological treatment system 11 of FIG. 2 or FIG. 3. Specifically, in the illustrated embodiment, the biological treatment system 11 excludes the wall 92 (e.g., top wall) and the wall 94 (e.g., bottom wall), while still including the wall 96 (e.g., side walls 96A, 96B).

[0068] It should be noted that the seawater flow path 54 in FIG. 4 flows from the bottom of the biological treatment system 11 to the top of the biological treatment system 11, which differs from FIG. 2. For example, in the illustrated embodiment, the seawater flow path 54 in FIG. 4 may naturally flow upward based on natural convection and buoyancy forces caused by the heat in the process fluid flowing through the subsea equipment 13 (e.g., cooling system 50) along the process flow path 52. Thus, in the illustrated embodiment, the seawater may naturally flow upward through the seawater flow path 54 without any pumps. In some embodiments, the seawater flow path 54 may further include one or more pumps to force a desired flow rate of the seawater through the subsea equipment 13. Thus, the flow of the seawater through the seawater flow path 54 may be in any direction (e.g., top to bottom, bottom to top, side to side, side to top, side to bottom, top to side, bottom to side) based on the subsea equipment 13 and the desired seawater flow through the subsea equipment 13 and/or biological treatment system 11. Further, the process flow path 52 flows from the top of the biological treatment system 11 to the bottom of the biological treatment system 11, which is the same as FIG. 2 and FIG. 3. The flow of the process fluid or barrier fluid through the process flow path 52 may be in any direction (e.g., top to bottom, bottom to top, side to side, side to top, side to bottom, top to side, bottom to side) based on the subsea equipment 13 and the desired seawater flow through the subsea equipment 13 and/or biological treatment system 11.

[0069] Additionally, the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 4 illustrates one acoustic devices 82 disposed towards the center of the biological treatment system 11 between the piping and flow paths of the subsea equipment 13, while the acoustic devices 82 in FIG. 2 are disposed along the walls of the biological treatment system 11 between the UV lights 80. However, as described in the description for FIG. 2, the acoustic devices 82 may be disposed anywhere within the biological treatment system 11 or on the subsea equipment 13 suitable for delivering acoustic waves to reduce or prevent biofouling. In the illustrated embodiment, only one acoustic device is shown. It should be noted that there may be more than one acoustic devices 82 based on the target acoustic wave range of the acoustic devices 130.

[0070] FIG. 5 is a schematic view of an embodiment of a subsea equipment 13 of the subsea system 10 of FIG. 1, illustrating the biological treatment system 11 coupled to the subsea equipment 13. FIG. 5 shows a water sterilizer utilizing UV lights to sterilize the water. The biological treatment system 11 configuration 150 of FIG. 5 operates in substantially the same way as the biological treatment system 11 with the cooling system 50 of FIG. 2. However, as illustrated, the configuration 150 of FIG. 5 does not include a heat exchanger 58 with a process flow path 52. As a result, the water flows through the water flow path 152 to sterilize the water. Indeed, the illustrated embodiment is configured to sterilize the water in the water flow path 152. In some embodiments, the water in the water flow path 152 is seawater, while in other embodiments, the water in the water flow path 152 is freshwater. As illustrated, the water flow path 152 breaks off into branches 154A, 154B, 154C, 154D. There are four branches 154 in the illustrated embodiment. However, in other embodiments, there may be no branches, 2 branches, 3 branches, or 5 or more branches based on the goals of the system.

[0071] Additionally, the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 4 illustrates two acoustic devices 82 disposed in the middle of the walls of the biological treatment system 11 between the UV lights 80, while there are four acoustic devices 82 in FIG. 2 which are disposed along the walls of the biological treatment system 11 between the UV lights 80. However, as described in the description for FIG. 2, the acoustic devices 82 may be disposed anywhere within the biological treatment system 11 or on the subsea equipment 13 suitable for delivering acoustic waves to reduce or prevent biofouling. In the illustrated embodiment, only one acoustic device is shown. It should be noted that there may be one or more than two acoustic devices 82 based on the target acoustic wave range of the acoustic devices 130.

[0072] FIG. 6 is a schematic view of an embodiment of the biological treatment system 11 distributed about various subsea equipment 13 of the subsea system 10 of FIG. 1. The illustrated embodiment shows a water line 172 delineating topside and subsea operations. The subsea operations in the illustrated embodiment include the biological treatment system 11, which operates in substantially the same way as the biological treatment system 11 of FIG. 2-5. However, the biological treatment system 11 of FIG. 6 may have few or no walls or barriers limiting the reach of the UV lights 80 of the light treatment system 42 and the acoustic devices 82 of the acoustic treatment system 44.

[0073] Operation 174 illustrates a subsea installation having multiple structures 180A, 180B. The biological treatment system 11 UV lights 80, acoustic devices 82, and sensing systems 60 on or near the structures 180A, 180B. In some embodiments, the UV lights 80, acoustic devices 82, and sensing system 60 may be located on a vertical pole 182A or a horizontal pole 182B to support the UV lights 80, acoustic devices 82, and sensing system 60 and direct the effects of the devices towards the desired areas or structures in operation 174. Further, operation 174 may include one or more acoustic dampers 84 to limit the acoustic waves that leave the vicinity of the operation 174. In certain embodiments, the structures 180A, 180B include any of the subsea equipment 13 described in detail above.

[0074] Operation 176 illustrates a cross section of a subsea installation having a pipe 184. The biological treatment system 11 UV lights 80, acoustic devices 82, and sensing systems 60 on, near, or in the pipe 184. The biological treatment system 11 may direct the effects of the treatment at the interior of the pipe 184, the exterior of the pipe 184, or the fluid in the pipe 184. Further, operation 176 may include one or more acoustic dampers 84 to limit the acoustic waves that leave the vicinity of the operation 176.

[0075] Operation 178 illustrates a surface 186 of a subsea installation. The biological treatment system 11 includes UV lights 80, acoustic devices 82, and sensing systems 60 on or near, either side of the surface 186. The treatment system may direct the effects of the treatment either side of the surface 186 based on the goals of the system. Further, operation 178 may include one or more acoustic dampers 84 to limit the acoustic waves that leave the vicinity of the operation 178.

[0076] FIG. 7 is a flowchart of an embodiment of a process 200 for controlling a biological treatment system 11 to reduce biofouling associated with a subsea equipment 13. The process 200 may be performed using the biological treatment system 11 as described in detail above with reference to FIGS. 1-6, wherein the control may be provided by the controller 62. At block 202, the system may control a treatment system to treat subsea equipment interacting with one or more fluids based on a schedule, wherein the treatment system includes one or more ultraviolet lights, one or more acoustic devices, or both. As described above, the schedule may be continuous operation or periodic operation based on the expected biofouling potential of a subsea operation. The potential biofouling risk parameters may include depth of the installation, pressure of the water around the system, temperature of the water around the system, salinity of the water around the system, the amount of surfaces in the system, the location of the system in the ocean, and the like. As such, the schedule may change at different times of year or after different environmental events, such as hurricanes, oil spills, and the like. In some embodiments, the periodic schedule may be once a minute, once an hour, once every few hours, once a day, or any other schedule suitable for the location of the subsea system. Further, the amount of time the system is running may also depend on the biofouling risk at that location. Additionally, the acoustic devices, UV lights, and any other feature of the treatment system may operate simultaneously, or separately. In embodiments with both UV lights and acoustic devices, the UV lights and acoustic devices may operate on partially overlapping schedules, completely overlapping schedules, or schedules that do not overlap at all.

[0077] At block 204, the system may monitor one or more parameters indicative of a condition of the subsea equipment. As discussed above, the parameters may include salinity, temperature, pressure, composition, natural light reaching the system, or the like. Specifically, there may be one or more sensors of a sensing system disposed around the biological treatment system to monitor the desired parameters of the system. The parameters may indicate the risk of biofouling, the presence of biofouling, or both.

[0078] At block 206, the system may determine if the condition exceeds the first threshold. The system may have a first threshold limit for the condition of the equipment indicated by the parameters monitored in block 204. The threshold limit for the condition may be determined by one or more thresholds of the parameters indicative of the condition. For example, the threshold may be reached when one parameter reaches a threshold, when two or more parameters approximate 90% of a threshold, or some other threshold determined based on the location and baseline risk of biofouling at the installation.

[0079] If, at block 206, the system determines the condition exceeds the first threshold, the system may proceed to block 208. However, if the system determines the condition does not exceed a first threshold, the system may revert back to block 202 and continue controlling the treatment system based on a schedule. If the condition does not meet the first threshold, the scheduled treatment of the installation is reducing or eliminating biofouling as desired.

[0080] At block 208, the system may control the biological treatment system using first one or more operating parameters. In some embodiments, the first one or more operating parameters may be an increase in duration, frequency, or intensity of the UV lights, the acoustic devices, or both. In some embodiments, the first one or more operating parameters may be the use of a chemical treatment, a thermal treatment, or both. In embodiments in which the chemical treatment or thermal treatment are used in block 202, the first one or more operating parameter may be an increase in duration, frequency, or intensity of the chemical treatment or thermal treatment. In still other embodiments, the first one or more operating parameters may be a combination of the former embodiments.

[0081] At block 210, the system may determine if the condition exceeds a second threshold. The second threshold may be determined similarly to the first threshold. However, in some embodiments, the second threshold may be a higher threshold than the first threshold. In other embodiments, the second threshold may be the same as the first threshold. Specifically, if the second threshold is the same as the first threshold, the condition exceeding the second threshold may indicate that the treatment in block 208 was not suitable to remove or reduce the biofouling to the desired amount. If the system determines the condition does not exceed a first threshold, the system may revert back to block 202 and continue controlling the treatment system on a schedule.

[0082] If, at block 210, the system determines the condition exceeds the first threshold, the system may proceed to block 212. In some embodiments, the second one or more operating parameters may be an increase in duration, frequency, or intensity of the UV lights, the acoustic devices, or both. In some embodiments, the second one or more operating parameters may be the use of a chemical treatment, a thermal treatment, or both. In embodiments in which the chemical treatment or thermal treatment are used in block 202 or block 208, the second one or more operating parameter may be an increase in duration, frequency, or intensity of the chemical treatment or thermal treatment. In still other embodiments, the second one or more operating parameters may be a combination of the former embodiments. The second operating parameter may be the same as the first operating parameter, use different treatments (e.g., thermal, chemical, UV, acoustic) than the first operating parameter, use different intensities, frequencies, or durations than the first operating parameter, or any other parameter suitable to remove or reduce biofouling.

[0083] At block 212, the system may control the treatment system using second operating parameters before reverting back to block 202 to continue controlling the treatment system on a schedule. The system may alter the schedule as needed based on the risk of biofouling, the first and second operating parameters, and the like. The system may maintain the updated schedule permanently, or may maintain the updated schedule for a predetermined amount of time before reverting to the previous schedule.

[0084] Technical effects of the disclosed embodiments include improved biological treatments of subsea equipment using the biological treatment system 11 (e.g., light, acoustic, chemical, and thermal treatment systems 42, 44, 46, and 48). The disclosed embodiments may selectively operate one or more of the biological treatment system 11 simultaneously, in a sequence, on a schedule, continuously, based on sensor feedback, and/or based on computer models to effectively treat all areas of the subsea equipment 13. For example, the biological treatment system 11 may apply light treatment (e.g., UV treatments) wherever the light can reach surfaces of the subsea equipment 13, while one or more other biological treatments (e.g., acoustic treatment, chemical treatment, and/or thermal treatment) may be applied to surfaces beyond the reach of the light treatment and/or where additional treatment is needed. In certain embodiments, the biological treatment system 11 may vary operating parameters of the biological treatment (e.g., light parameters, acoustic parameters, chemical properties, temperature, etc.), monitor effectiveness of the biological treatments, and make adjustments to improve the biological treatments (e.g., using the sensor feedback for training of machine learning models). In certain embodiments, the biological treatment system 11 may move one or more of UV lights 80 and/or the acoustic devices 82 along a movement pattern to increase coverage of the biological treatment.

[0085] The subject matter described in detail above may be defined by one or more clauses, as set forth below.

[0086] The use of light treatment on subsea surfaces to reduce or inhibit marine growth or biofouling, the system comprising subsea structures, an internal piping surface, an external piping surface, and a heat exchanger.

[0087] The system of the preceding clause, further comprising at least one of a free convection heat exchanger or a forced convection heat exchanger, or both.

[0088] The system of any preceding clause, further comprising processing equipment and rotating equipment.

[0089] The system of any preceding clause, wherein the processing equipment comprises one or more of a valve, a liquid catcher, a liquid retainer, or a measurement instrument.

[0090] The system of any preceding clause, wherein the rotating equipment comprises one or more of a pump, a compressor, or a thruster.

[0091] The system of any preceding clause 1, wherein the light treatment is ultraviolet (UV) light.

[0092] The system of any preceding clause, wherein the use of ultraviolet light purifies a body or flow of water.

[0093] The system of any preceding clause, wherein the purified body or flow of water flows through at least one of a shell and tube heat exchanger, an injection system, and into a reservoir.

[0094] A heat exchanger system for subsea operation, comprising a process loop for cooling a medium, a seawater loop for cooling the process loop with seawater, and a plurality of ultraviolet (UV) lights, the UV lights being disposed within the cooling system such that all internal surfaces of the cooling system exposed to seawater are illuminated by the UV lights.

[0095] The system of the preceding clause, further comprising a filter located upstream of the seawater loop.

[0096] The system of any preceding clause, further comprising a pump located upstream of the seawater loop for drawing the seawater.

[0097] The use of light treatment on subsea surfaces to reduce or inhibit marine growth or biofouling, the system comprising subsea structures, at least one plate, and a heat exchanger.

[0098] The system of the preceding clause, wherein the light treatment is ultraviolet (UV) light.

[0099] A system including a subsea treatment system configured to inhibit biological growth along one or more surfaces of a subsea equipment, wherein the subsea treatment system includes a light treatment system including one or more light sources configured to output light to inhibit biological growth; or an acoustic treatment system including one or more acoustic devices configured to output acoustics to inhibit biological growth, or a combination thereof.

[0100] The system of the preceding claim, wherein the subsea treatment system includes the light treatment system.

[0101] The system of any preceding claim, wherein the one or more light sources include one or more ultraviolet light sources, blue light sources, or a combination thereof.

[0102] The system of any preceding claim, wherein the subsea treatment system includes the acoustic treatment system.

[0103] The system of any preceding claim, wherein the one or more acoustic devices include ultrasonic devices.

[0104] The system of any preceding claim, wherein the subsea treatment system includes the light treatment system, the acoustic treatment system, a chemical treatment system, and a thermal treatment system.

[0105] The system of any preceding claim, wherein the subsea treatment system includes an enclosure configured to at least partially surround the subsea equipment

[0106] The system of any preceding claim, wherein a seawater flow path extends through the enclosure around the subsea equipment, wherein the subsea treatment system includes the one or more light sources, the one or more acoustic devices, or a combination thereof, along the seawater flow path.

[0107] The system of any preceding claim, wherein the subsea equipment includes a heat exchanger having a process flow path, and the heat exchanger is configured to transfer heat between a seawater along the seawater flow path and a process fluid along the process flow path.

[0108] The system of any preceding claim, including the subsea equipment configured to mount on or within 50 feet of a sea floor

[0109] The system of any preceding claim, wherein the subsea equipment includes a heat exchanger, a pump, a compressor, a valve, or a combination thereof.

[0110] The system of any preceding claim, wherein the subsea treatment system is mounted directly on the subsea equipment, on a structure separate from the subsea treatment system, within an enclosure at least partially surrounding the subsea equipment, or a combination thereof.

[0111] The system of any preceding claim, including the light treatment system having the one or more light sources configured to output the light to inhibit biological growth in a first treatment area and the acoustic treatment system having the one or more acoustic devices configured to output the acoustics to inhibit biological growth in a second treatment area at least partially not reachable by the light treatment system.

[0112] The system of any preceding claim, including a sensor system having one or more sensors configured to monitor one or more parameters related to biological growth; and a controller coupled to the sensor system, wherein the controller has a processor, a memory, and instructions stored on the memory and executable by the processor to control the subsea treatment system based on sensor feedback from the one or more sensors, wherein the controller is configured to operate the subsea treatment system selectively in a continuous mode, a schedule mode, a sensor feedback mode, a computer model based mode, or a combination thereof.

[0113] A method including operating a subsea treatment system to inhibit biological growth along one or more surfaces of a subsea equipment, wherein operating the subsea treatment system includes operating a light treatment system including one or more light sources to output light to inhibit biological growth, or operating an acoustic treatment system including one or more acoustic devices to output acoustics to inhibit biological growth, or a combination thereof.

[0114] The method of the preceding clause, including controlling the light treatment system having the one or more light sources to output the light to inhibit biological growth in a first treatment area, wherein the one or more light sources include one or more ultraviolet light sources, blue light sources, or a combination thereof.

[0115] The method of any preceding clause, including controlling the acoustic treatment system having the one or more acoustic devices to output the acoustics to inhibit biological growth in a second treatment area at least partially not reachable by the light treatment system.

[0116] A system including a controller having a processor, a memory, and instructions stored on the memory and executable by the processor to operate a subsea treatment system to inhibit biological growth along one or more surfaces of a subsea equipment, wherein the instructions to operate the subsea treatment system include instructions to operate a light treatment system including one or more light sources to output light to inhibit biological growth, or operate an acoustic treatment system including one or more acoustic devices to output acoustics to inhibit biological growth, or a combination thereof.

[0117] The system of the preceding claim, wherein the instructions to operate the subsea treatment system include instructions to control the light treatment system having the one or more light sources to output the light to inhibit biological growth in a first treatment area, wherein the one or more light sources include one or more ultraviolet light sources, blue light sources, or a combination thereof.

[0118] The system of any preceding claim, wherein the instructions to operate the subsea treatment system include instructions to control the acoustic treatment system having the one or more acoustic devices to output the acoustics to inhibit biological growth in a second treatment area at least partially not reachable by the light treatment system.

[0119] The foregoing description, for purposes of explanation, used specific nomenclature to provide a thorough understanding of the disclosure. However, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that the specific details are not required to practice the systems and methods described herein. The foregoing descriptions of specific examples are presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive of or to limit this disclosure to the precise forms described. Obviously, many modifications and variations are possible in view of the above teachings. The examples are shown and described to best explain the principles of this disclosure and practical applications, to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize this disclosure and various examples with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is intended that the scope of this disclosure be defined by the claims and their equivalents below.

[0120] While only certain features have been illustrated and described herein, many modifications and changes will occur to those skilled in the art. It is, therefore, to be understood that the appended claims are intended to cover all such modifications and changes as fall within the true spirit of the disclosure.

[0121] The techniques presented and claimed herein are referenced and applied to material objects and concrete examples of a practical nature that demonstrably improve the present technical field and, as such, are not abstract, intangible or purely theoretical. Further, if any claims appended to the end of this specification contain one or more elements designated as means for (perform)ing (a function) . . . or step for (perform)ing (a function) . . . , it is intended that such elements are to be interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f). However, for any claims containing elements designated in any other manner, it is intended that such elements are not to be interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f).