Coastal marine facilities created from large floating ice structures

This paper describes a new and novel method of creating coastal marine facilities by freezing water in preformed modular structures. This technique has many desirable features for construction, operation and maintenance of large floating facilities in the coastal ocean environment. Since the structural material is mainly frozen coastal waters affixed to a metal or plastic framework there is relatively little environmental impact in its construction and operation in coastal waters. This method provides a means of sustainable development in harmony with the environment. Building large floating structures requires enormous amounts of cooling energy. Liquid natural gas (LNG) is used at -162 degrees centigrade as the source of thermal energy. Since LNG is used for gas energy it is abundantly available as an energy source near large coastal communities. The coastal water used will primarily be drawn from fresh water river outflows or brackish water from nearby estuaries. Once frozen, there are several proven methods that can be used to insulate the structure to limit thawing. The structure size and shape is determined by the preconstructed framework. Plastic membrane structures can be used for the frameworks. The resulting ice structures are very durable in compression and impact loads. The cost of material and material transportation is relatively economical