METHOD AND SYSTEM TO HEAT SUBMERGED OBJECTS WITH LASER LIGHT

摘要

A method and system for restoring flow capacity to a submerged fluid conduit comprising a laser light apparatus to generate blue laser light to be impinged on the fluid conduit. The method and system include a frequency multiplier (15) for converting infrared laser light from a laser light generator (14) to blue laser light having a higher transmissivity in seawater. The frequency multiplier may be disposed on a submergible vehicle (2). In one embodiment, a non-submerged infrared laser light generator (14) supplies, via optical conduits (21), laser light to a submerged frequency multiplier (15) on the vehicle (2). Blue laser light, at a wavelength in the range of 440-500 nm, is emitted through an optical window and through seawater to impinge on the surface of the fluid conduit.

主权项

1. A method of warming a submerged fluid conduit to remove a deposit of a material, comprising:
providing an electrical current source; providing an umbilical including an electrical conduit having a first end connected to the electrical current source and a second end; providing a submergible apparatus including an electrically-powered laser light generator connected to the second end of the electrical conduit and an optical frequency multiplier to condition laser light from the laser light generator that is introduced into the optical frequency multiplier; submerging the submergible apparatus in a body of water in which the fluid conduit is submerged for transporting fluid from a fluid source to a fluid destination; conducting an electrical current from the current source through the electrical conduit of the umbilical to the laser light generator; generating laser light using the laser light generator; introducing the laser light from the generator into the optical frequency multiplier to produce blue laser light; directing the blue laser light from the submergible apparatus to impinge onto an exterior surface of the fluid conduit to irradiate the fluid conduit; and warming at least a portion of the fluid conduit using the blue laser light.