US 12,433,213 B2
Systems and methods for growing and harvesting seaweed using non-producing offshore platforms
Phillip Nguyen, Houston, TX (US); James Shih, Houston, TX (US); and Aditya Hariharan, Katy, TX (US)
Assigned to Fluor Technologies Corporation, Irving, TX (US)
Filed by Fluor Technologies Corporation, Irving, TX (US)
Filed on May 13, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/744,549.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/188,899, filed on May 14, 2021.
Prior Publication US 2022/0361427 A1, Nov. 17, 2022
Int. Cl. A01G 3/00 (2006.01); A01G 33/00 (2006.01); B63B 35/44 (2006.01)
CPC A01G 33/00 (2013.01) [B63B 35/4406 (2013.01)] 15 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An offshore system for growing and harvesting seaweed, the system comprising:
a non-producing offshore oil or gas platform disposed in a body of water comprising a base having a vertically oriented central axis, a lower end fixably coupled to the seafloor, upper end disposed above a surface of the body of water, and a deck mounted to the upper end of the base above the surface of the body of water; and
a seaweed support system coupled to the platform and configured to support the subsea growth of seaweed, wherein the seaweed support system comprises:
a plurality of vertical seaweed support columns extending vertically through the body of water;
a plurality of horizontal seaweed support beams extending horizontally between an inner end and a longitudinally opposed outer end each horizontally spaced from the platform whereby an opening is formed between the inner end and the platform, wherein the plurality of horizontal seaweed support beams are coupled to the plurality of vertical seaweed support columns whereby the plurality of vertical seaweed support columns are vertically suspended from the plurality of horizontal seaweed support beams; and
one or more diagonal braces each inclined relative to the central axis of the base and having a first end coupled to the base above the surface of the body of water, and an opposing second end coupled to one of the plurality of horizontal seaweed support beams below the surface of the body of water to cantilever the plurality of horizontal seaweed support beams to the base; and
a plurality of subsea radiation sources positioned below the surface of the body of the water between the plurality of vertical seaweed support columns, wherein the plurality of subsea radiation sources are configured to promote subsea seaweed growth in areas devoid of natural sunlight.