Design and application of moonpool system in polar icebreaker Xuelong 2

Abstract

Objective In polar regions, the operation mode of launching and recovering detection and sampling devices for scientific research by shipside is limited due to dense ice floes around ship. For achieving the smooth acquisition of data records and samples in the densely packed ice floes regions, a square shape moonpool system was designed in the mid-ship of Xuelong 2 icebreaker. Methods Benefiting from the accumulated experiences from the polar surveys for decades, and taking into full account of operation characteristics in the ice zone, the design option of reasonable setting of switching process between shipside and moonpool operation was put forward. Specifically, innovative use of techniques such as water-tight bottom cover of moon pool, special track docking plan, de-icing of movable joints in low temperature environment was implemented. Result The field tests in Antarctic area demonstrated that the proposed scheme can effectively deal with the problem of launching and recovering of apparatus and devices for scientific survey in the densely packed ice floe region. Conclusions The proposed moonpool scheme fullfil the actual need of Chinese polar expedition, thereby increased the sampling capability of Xuelong 2 in the densely packed ice floes regions and match the capacity of icebreaking of the ship.