Title: Subsea wellhead spud-in marking and as-built position estimation method based on ultra-short baseline acoustic positioning

Author/Authors: Tomczak A., Stępień G., Abramowski T., Bejger A., 

Place of publication: MEASUREMENT

Year: 2022

Keywords: subsea offshore assets positioning, position estimation, subsea navigation, seafloor mapping

Abstract: Positioning seabed objects in ultra-deep waters is critical in the mapping, exploration, and industrial exploitation of oceans. This paper presents research on a subsea wellhead positioning process for the marking of seabed positions and its subsequent as-built verification. The results indicate that the ultra-short baseline (USBL) acoustic technique can provide static positioning accuracy and precision comparable to those of a long-baseline method (LBL) and significantly reduces the time and cost of the offshore project. The new approach was tested at different stages of the process. First, an innovative offset transformation method, which increases the precision of alignments, was proposed, followed by a step-by-step procedure for determining the positions of marker buoys on the seabed based on spin tests and cardinal heading calibration. Finally, the M-estimation method, which has not yet been applied in subsea engineering, was implemented and proved to be a suitable alternative to the ordinary least squares method.

Website address (link) to the full text of the publication: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0263224122004134

DOI: 10.1016/j.measurement.2022.111155

Title: Structural Economic Assessment of Polymetallic Nodules Mining Project with Updates to Present Market Conditions

Author/Authors: Abramowski T., Urbanek M., Baláž P.

Place of publication: Minerals

Year: 2021

Keywords: deep seabed mining, economic assessment, polymetallic nodules

Abstract: This paper presents the economic structure, assumptions, and relations of deep-sea mining project assessment and the results of its evaluation, based on exploration activities and research in the field of geology, mining technology, processing technology, and environmental and legislative studies. The Interoceanmetal Joint Organization (IOM) and cooperating organizations conducted a study incorporating those elements of the project that are recognized as most important for commercial viability. On the basis of formulated financial flow of operating and capital expenses of one processing technology the possible market unit price of polymetallic nodules was estimated and the result is presented in this paper. The rapidly changing economic situation, affected inter alia by the COVID-19 pandemic, is reflected in the study and updated results are based on recent changes in metal prices. Although assumptions related to mining costs need to be confirmed during pilot mining tests, promising results have been shown in the case of the use of high-pressure acid leaching processing technology (HPAL) as well as in the case of raw ore sales. A pre-feasibility study of the project will focus on the two most promising variants of the model.

Website address (link) to the full text of the publication: https://www.mdpi.com/2075-163X/11/3/311

DOI: 10.3390/min11030311

Title: Chemostratigraphic and Textural Indicators of Nucleation and Growth of Polymetallic Nodules from the Clarion-Clipperton Fracture Zone (IOM Claim Area)

Author/Authors: Abramowski T., Skowronek A., Maciąg Ł., Zawadzki D., Strzelecka A., Balaź P., Mianowicz K., Konećny P. , Krawcewicz A.

Place of publication: MDPI

Year: 2021

Keywords: Clarion-Clipperton Fracture Zone, polymetallic nodules, geochemistry, mineralogy, Cochronometer, intranodulith

Abstract: The detailed mineralogical and microgeochemical characteristics of polymetallic nodules collected from the Interoceanmetal Joint Organization (IOM, Grand-Saconnex, Switzerland) claim area, Eastern Clarion-Clipperton Fracture Zone (CCFZ, Eastern Pacific) were described in this study. The obtained data were applied for the delimitation of nodule growth generations and estimation of the growth ratios (back-stripping using the Co-chronometer method). The applied methods included bulk X-ray powder diffraction (XRD) and electron probe microanalysis (EPMA), providing information about Mn-Fe minerals and clays composing nodules, as well as the geochemical zonation of the growth generations. The analyzed nodules were mostly diagenetic (Mn/Fe > 5), with less influence on the hydrogenous processes, dominated by the presence of 10-Å phyllomanganates represented by todorokite/buserite, additionally mixed with birnessite and vernadite. The specific lithotype (intranodulith), being an integral part of polymetallic nodules, developed as a result of the secondary diagenetic processes of lithification and the cementation of Fe-rich clays (potentially nontronite and Fe-rich smectite), barite, zeolites (Na-phillipsite), bioapatite, biogenic remnants, and detrital material, occurs in holes, microcaverns, and open fractures in between ore colloforms. The contents of ∑(Ni, Cu, and Co) varied from 1.54 to 3.06 wt %. Several remnants of siliceous microorganisms (radiolarians and diatoms) were found to form pseudomorphs. The applied Co-chronometer method indicated that the nodules’ age is mainly Middle Pliocene to Middle Pleistocene, and the growth rates are typical of diagenetic and mixed hydrogenetic–diagenetic (HD) processes. Additionally, few nodules showed suboxic conditions of nucleation. Growth processes in the eastern part of the CCFZ deposit might have been induced with the Plio-Pleistocene changes in the paleooceanographic conditions related to the deglaciation of the Northern Hemisphere.

Website address (link) to the full text of the publication: https://www.mdpi.com/2075-163X/11/8/868

DOI: 10.3390/min11080868

Title: Reduction of resistance, fuel consumption and GHG emission of a small fishing vessel by adding a bulbous bow

Author/Authors: Szelangiewicz T., Abramowski T., Żelazny K, Sugalski K.

Place of publication: MDPI

Year: 2021

Keywords: bulbous bow, calculation of fluid dynamics—CFD, fishing vessels in service, fuel consumption and exhaust gases content, reduction of the vessel’s resistance

Abstract: Protection of marine environment and reduction of GHG emissions are currently imperative criterion for ship design. For ships in service, including fishing vessels powered by internal combustion engines, options of retrofitting are sought to reduce their hydrodynamic resistance and fuel consumption. One such possibility is the addition of a simple-shape bulbous bow, which can be installed at low cost to upgrade a fishing vessel. We present an analysis of the effect that the bulbous bow has on fishing vessel resistance across the whole range of speeds at which the entire work cycle of the vessel is carried out. The resistance was calculated using a calculation of fluid dynamics (CFD) method for the actual size of the vessel. We show that it is possible to develop such a bulbous bow for which the resistance of fishing vessel with a bulbous bow is going to be lower than that of an unmodified shape. For the modified shape of the fishing vessel, fuel consumption, amount and composition of exhaust gases were calculated and the obtained results were compared with the parameters of the vessel without modification. The tests carried out and the obtained calculation results indicate that a significant reduction of fuel consumption and GHG emissions may be obtained for the existing old fishing vessels at low anticipated modernization costs.

Website address (link) to the full text of the publication: https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/14/7/1837

DOI: 10.3390/en14071837

Title: Fractionation Trends and Variability of Rare Earth Elements and Selected Critical Metals in Pelagic Sediment from Abyssal Basin of NE Pacific (Clarion-Clipperton Fracture Zone)

Author/Authors: Zawadzki D., Maciąg Ł., Abramowski T., McCartney K.

Place of publication: Minerals

Year: 2020

Keywords: critical metals, rare earth elements, Clarion-Clipperton, Fracture Zone, geochemical fractionation, early diagenesis

Abstract: The geochemical and mineralogical characteristics of pelagic sediments collected from the Interoceanmetal Joint Organization (IOM) claim area, located in the eastern part of the Clarion-Clipperton Fracture Zone (CCFZ; eastern tropical Pacific), are described in this paper. The concentrations of rare earth elements (REE), as well as other selected critical elements contained in 135 sediment samples of siliceous clayey silts, are presented. The vertical and spatial variabilities of elements, with particular emphasis on REE as well as metals of the highest economic interest such as Cu, Ni, and Co, are detailed. The applied methods include grain size analysis by laser diffraction, geochemistry examination using ICP-MS, XRF, AAS, and CNS spectrometry, and XRD analysis of mineral composition (Rietveld method). Additionally, statistical methods such as factor analysis (FA) and principal components analysis (PCA) were applied to the results. Finally, a series of maps was prepared by geostatistical methods (universal kriging). Grain size analysis showed poor sorting of the examined fine-grained silts. ICP-MS indicated that total REE contents varied from 200 to 577 ppm, with a mean of 285 ppm, which is generally low. The contents of critical metals such as Cu, Ni, and Co were also low to moderate, apart from some individual sampling stations where total contents were 0.15% or more. Metal composition in sediments was dominated by Cu, Ni, and Zn. A mineral composition analysis revealed the dominance of amorphous biogenic opaline silica (27–58%), which were mostly remnants of diatoms, radiolarians, and sponges associated with clay minerals (23% to 48%), mostly Fe-smectite and illite, with mixed-layered illite/smectite. The high abundance of diagenetic barite crystals found in SEM−EDX observations explains the high content of Ba (up to 2.4%). The sediments showed complex lateral and horizontal fractionation trends for REE and critical metals, caused mostly by clay components, early diagenetic processes, admixtures of allogenic detrital minerals, or scavenging by micronodules.

Website address (link) to the full text of the publication: https://www.mdpi.com/2075-163X/10/4/320

DOI: 10.3390/min10040320

Title: Preliminary Balance of the Cold Accumulated in Polymetallic Nodules Stored on the Mining Ship

Author/Authors: Abramowski T., Nikończuk P.

Place of publication: Springer

Year: 2019

Keywords: Waste cold, Deep-sea mining, Polymetallic nodules

Abstract: Continuous depletion of land resources of metals and other raw materials (e.g., energy) motivates humanity to seek new sources of obtaining raw materials. An alternative source of the metal ores is the seabed. During the industrial mining of polymetallic nodules from the ocean floor, the waste cold is accumulated in nodules and seawater transported vertically from a depth of 4000–6000 m, where there is a constant temperature of 1–2 °C. Part of cold returns back into the ocean with water and the sediment. The cold, which is accumulated in separated nodules, can be utilized in exploitation conditions of a mining or transport ship. The chapter presents a methodology for estimating the amount of cold extracted from the seabed and accumulated in nodules stored in mining vessel. The purpose of the calculations was to estimate the waste cold. Its amount clearly indicates the possibility of using it and reducing the energy consumption of some equipment and installations on mining and transport vessels, particularly in tropical environments where the deposits of polymetallic nodules are located. The cold accumulated in the nodules may be a cold source for a number of service processes of the mining and transport vessels.

Website address (link) to the full text of the publication: https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-981-13-9271-9_45

DOI: 10.1007/978-981-13-9271-9_45

Title: Determination of Regression Formulas for Key Design Characteristics of Container Ships at Preliminary Design Stage

Author/Authors: Abramowski T., Cepowski T., Zvolenský P.

Place of publication: Walter de Gruyter (Sciendo)

Year: 2018

Keywords: Preliminary, ship, containership, design, main, dimensions, regression

Abstract: This article presents regression equations to estimate container ship design characteristics based on the most up-to-date data and deadweight capacity, the number of containers and their combination at the preliminary design stage. These design formulas could have application for the estimation of key container ship characteristics such as: main ship dimensions, geometric parameters, main engine total power, ship velocity, final price and others. Regression equations were performed on the basis of IHS Maritime & Trade main container ship data built from 2005-2015. All equations presented in this paper could have practical application at the preliminary design stage and increase ship design theory development.

Website address (link) to the full text of the publication: https://content.sciendo.com/view/journals/ntpe/1/1/article-p247.xml?rskey=6McNjk&result=1

DOI: 10.2478/ntpe-2018-0031

Title: Basis of high-pressure water-jet use for polymetallic nodule comminution

Author/Authors: Borkowski P., Borkowski J., Bielecki M., Jędrysek M., Abramowski T.

Place of publication: Mechanik

Year: 2018

Keywords: polymetallic nodule, hydro-jet comminution, high-pressure water-jet

Abstract: Two-stage mechanical and hydro-jetting method of polymetallic dules’ comminution are presented in the paper. Physical basis as well as possibilitiess of high-pressure water jet method for efficient processing of such nodules, extracted from 4200 m below sea level, are given too.

Website address (link) to the full text of the publication: http://mechanik-science.com/index.php/mechanik/article/view/369

DOI: 10.17814/mechanik.2018.10.163

Title: Environment Protection Policy and Monitoring Systems for Polymetallic Nodules Exploitation

Author/Authors: Abramowski T.

Place of publication: Walter de Gruyter (Sciendo)

Year: 2018

Keywords: deep sea mining, protection of environment and monitoring, polymetallic nodules

Abstract: The paper presents the analysis of ongoing implementation of environmental protection policies into deep seabed mining projects of Clarion-Clipperton Fracture Zone, (CCZ). Short introduction to the current environmental regime in the Area under UNCLOS jurisdiction is presented and potential impact of deep seabed mining is discussed. Selected results of efforts to minimize the impact on the marine environment and environmental baseline studies are described.

Website address (link) to the full text of the publication: https://content.sciendo.com/view/journals/ntpe/1/1/article-p523.xml?rskey=yNTZP8&result=1

DOI: 10.2478/ntpe-2018-0065

Title: Energy saving procedures for fishing vessels by means of numerical optimization of hull resistance

Author/Authors: Abramowski T., Sugalski K.

Place of publication: Zeszyty Naukowe Akademii Morskiej w Szczecinie

Year: 2017

Keywords: hull shape optimization, CFD, fishing boat, hull, resistance, OpenFoam, simulation

Abstract: This paper presents the general method for hull shape optimization of fishing boats with the objective of reducing resistance. In particular, it presents an example of the results of the application of resistance-reducing devices such as the ducktail, the cylindrical bulb and the streamlined bulbous bow. The resistance was determined using computational fluid dynamics (CFD). For the purpose of flow simulation, the OpenFoam system, distributed under an open source license, was used. The turbulent, unsteady flow with free surface liquid around the analyzed hulls was computed and investigated for potential resistance reduction. Ultimately, the calculation results were generalized by the parameterization of dimensionless geometric variables for the shape of a bulbousbow and were given in a form suitable for practical application in the hull design process.

Website address (link) to the full text of the publication: http://repository.scientific-journals.eu/handle/123456789/2391

DOI: 10.17402/196