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Sinking Hose System for Amphibious Bulk Liquid Transfer System (ABLTS)
Navy SBIR 2016.1 - Topic N161-023 NAVFAC - Mr. Kail Macias - [email protected] Opens: January 11, 2016 - Closes: February 17, 2016 N161-023 TITLE: Sinking Hose System for Amphibious Bulk Liquid Transfer System (ABLTS) TECHNOLOGY AREA(S): Ground/Sea Vehicles, Materials/Processes ACQUISITION PROGRAM: Amphibious Bulk Liquid Transfer System (ABLTS): non ACAT program OBJECTIVE: Develop a new submersible hose system for the Amphibious Bulk Liquid Transfer System (ABLTS). When not in use, the hose must be stowed-flat on a hose-reel similar to ABLTS. Once deployed and full of the working fluid, the specific gravity of the hose must make it negatively buoyant, causing it to sink and rest on the seafloor. DESCRIPTION: The current ABLTS hose is buoyant, made of synthetic yarns that are circular woven and encapsulated in an elastomeric polyurethane lining and cover. A series of clump-weights and mooring lines are installed along the length of the hose to keep it in position as it floats on the surface. Hoses on the surface are readily susceptible to damage via surface-craft, ocean currents and weather conditions. This results in considerable cost for hose replacements and patches, a continual risk of fuel spillage, an Anti-Terrorism/Force Protection (AT/FP) target for sabotage and a subsequent reduction in the long-term operational availability of the system. A sub-surface hose design is sought for the ABLTS system. This hose must be collapsible and expeditionary for flat stowage and deployment off a hose-reel, similar to the existing ABLTS. Once deployed, the hose must sink to the seafloor, where it shall remain until operations are concluded (up to 365-days). It�s important to note that the near-shore environment in which the fuel system must be deployed and maintained causes stresses on the hose. The presence of currents causes line pull loads on anchor points where the hose is secured (stabilized) to the seafloor. The surf zone will cause any bottom-laid and unburied hoses to abrade. Note that hoses are not routinely anchored nor buried in the surf due to safety concerns for the personnel setting the anchors and the difficulty retrieving the anchors. Hoses should be designed for man-handling, manufacturing feasibility, and durability. Current ABLTS hoses weigh 3 pounds per linear foot, and collapse readily without causing damage. While a lie-flat sinking-hose option can be heavier, every effort should be made to achieve a balance between affordability and weight. Current lie-flat ABLTS hose costs approximately $12 per foot. The specifications of the proposed hose solution, when developed into a working system, should meet the following logistics foot print and capability: The hose must be affordably producible with use of existing manufacturing infrastructure. Hose should be available in similar lengths and diameters to the existing ABLTS fuel-hose (5,000-ft, 6in diameter). The hose line pull strength must be no less than 15,000-lbs. Minimum hose burst pressure must be 1,200 psi. Optimal working pressure is approximately 600 psi. For transportability offshore, as well as ease of assembly, the system should be contained in the existing standard ABLTS hose-reel. The hose and its associated connectors must be able to be setup and deployed within 8 hours. Innovative concepts for hose deployment would be of interest. Current footprint on MSC ships is considered maximum allowable due to space constraints on deployment assets. PHASE I: Determine feasibility of developing a flexible, collapsible hose that will sink in seawater when full of fuel or water. Provide calculations and design plans for fabrication of a relevant length of working prototype hose. Computer models of hydrodynamics induced on the hose due to surge, wave, or currents as it interacts with the seafloor are desired. Laboratory scale demonstration would be desirable but not required as a Phase I deliverable. PHASE II: Fabricate and demonstrate a fully functioning lay-flat hose prototype, with demonstrable negative buoyancy in seawater using JP-8 fuel. Tests should demonstrate in-water weight and wear effects induced by hydrodynamics shown in Phase I. Prototype shall be demonstrated in basic offshore test. PHASE III DUAL USE APPLICATIONS: Based on the results of Phase II, the small business will manufacture a full-length hose (5,000-ft) system for Navy use in an operationally relevant environment. The small business will support the Navy with testing and validation of the hose to certify and qualify it for Navy use. Simple system operation and maintenance will also be considered in evaluating possible wider DoD implementation. The solicited technology will be applicable to larger Humanitarian Aid, Disaster Relief situations, as well as for oil-field applications. REFERENCES: 1. "Department of Navy Instruction No. 3501.93E: Required Operational Capabilities and Projected Operational Environment for Naval Beach Groups and Their Elements," 2010. 2. CNA Analysis & Solutions. Over-the-Shore-Fuel Delivery Requirements Study (S). Expeditionary Systems and Support, 2012. 3. Det Norske Veritas. On-Bottom Stability Design of Submarine Pipelines. Recommended Practice DNV-RP-F109, 2007. 4. National Military Strategy. Mobility Capabilities and Requirements Study 2016 (U). 2016. 5. "Seabee Online: Building and Fighting on Land and Sea," Description of ABLTS use in Military Exercise Bold Alligator 2012. March 9, 2012. KEYWORDS: Fuel hose; negative bouncy; collapsible hose; expeditionary; hose reel; sinkable; sea state 4 TPOC-1: Timothy Petro Phone: 805-982-5577 Email: [email protected] TPOC-2: Cody Reese Phone: 808-982-1288 Email: [email protected] Questions may also be submitted through DoD SBIR/STTR SITIS website.
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