Methods and devices of cleaning subsea structures

Abstract

A tool for cleaning subsea structures, the tool comprising a frame comprising a stationary frame portion; and a rotating frame portion rotationally connected to the stationary frame portion; and at least one cleaning device attached to the rotating frame portion.

1 . A tool for cleaning subsea structures, the tool comprising:
 a frame comprising:
 a stationary frame portion; and 
 a rotating frame portion rotationally connected to the stationary frame portion; and 
   at least one cleaning device attached to the rotating frame portion.   
     
     
         2 . The tool of  claim 1 , wherein the tool comprises a clamshell device comprising at least one set of clamps. 
     
     
         3 . The tool of  claim 1 , further comprising a connection to a remote location, the remote location comprising a power source. 
     
     
         4 . The tool of  claim 1 , wherein the frame has a height from 0.5 to 5 meters. 
     
     
         5 . The tool of  claim 1 , wherein the subsea structures are selected from the group consisting of bare tubulars, vortex-induced vibration reduction devices and drag reduction devices, such as helical strakes. 
     
     
         6 . The tool of  claim 1 , further comprising a hydraulic, pnematic, or electric system supported by the frame adapted to open and/or close the frame around the subsea structures. 
     
     
         7 . The tool of  claim 1 , wherein the cleaning device is selected from brushes, scrapers, water jets, ultrasonic and/or cavition devices. 
     
     
         8 . The tool of  claim 1 , wherein the rotating frame portion comprises a plurality of sections adapted to surround from 180 degrees to 360 degress of a circumference of the subsea structure. 
     
     
         9 . The tool of  claim 8 , further comprising at least one connector between two adjacent sections, the connector adapted to secure the adjacent sections, wherein the sections may be secured manually, remotely, or autonomously. 
     
     
         10 . A method of remotely cleaning a subsea structure, the method comprising:
 (a) positioning a tool adjacent to the subsea structure, wherein the tool comprises a stationary portion and a rotating portion comprising at least one cleaning device;   (b) moving the tool to position the tool around the subsea structure;   (c) closing the tool to a closed configuration to close the tool around the subsea structure, wherein the tool covers from about 10% to about 100% of a circumference of the subsea structure;   (d) holding the stationary portion and moving the stationary portion along a length of the subsea structure,   (e) rotating the rotating portion rotates about the circumference of the subsea structure; and   (f) cleaning at least a portion of the subsea structure.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the tool is operated underwater with a remotely operated vehicle, wherein the remotely operated vehicle is connected to the stationary portion. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the tool is closed around the structure above a water level, and is activated to clean the structure below the water level. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the cleaning comprises at least one of the group consisting of brushing, scraping, spraying, and vibrating the structure.