Active Heave Compensation: A Comprehensive Guide
What is Active Heave Compensation?
Active heave compensation (AHC) is a powerful technology that helps reduce the effects of wave motion on applications used for subsea operations. It is used to compensate for the natural heave motion of the sea and other environmental factors, such as waves, wind, and other external forces. As a result, AHC minimizes weather-related downtime, increases operational time and decreases damage to your equipment.
Active Heave Compensation VS Passive Heave Compensation
Passive heave compensation (PHC) is a technique used to reduce the effects of vessel motion by using the natural damping characteristics of the system to reduce the amplitude of the heave motion. This is typically achieved through the use of hydraulic cylinders or tension control on winches. Passive heave compensation systems are simple and reliable, but they are not as effective at reducing heave as active heave compensation systems.
In contrast, active heave compensation measures the vessel motion using a motion reference unit (MRU) and uses this information to control a winch or a cylinder. Active heave compensation systems used to be more complex and require more maintenance than passive systems, until the new AHC Controller entered the market.
Advantages of Active Heave Compensation
The primary benefit of Active Heave Compensation (AHC) is the ability to reduce the effects of vessel motion on equipment used for subsea operations. By actively compensating for the vessel motion, caused by waves, winds, and other external factors, equipment for underwater operations can remain stable and safe in rough seas. This is particularly important for vessels with subsea equipment that need to maintain a certain level of stability in order to safely operate in rough conditions.
In addition to providing stability, Active Heave Compensation (AHC) systems can also improve the efficiency of subsea operations. By reducing the effects of vessel motion, operations can be conducted more quickly, precisely, and safely. This can be especially beneficial for tasks that require precise movements, such as laying pipe and drilling operations.
Examples of applications that benefit from AHC:
ROV Operations
Increase the weather window of your ROV operations with an AHC system that stabilizes the TMS and provides safe docking even in bad weather conditions. Scantrol AHC can be retrofitted to a wide range of existing LARS systems. Learn more
Offshore Cranes
It is widely accepted that AHC provides an increase in performance for large offshore cranes. Scantrol AHC technology makes it affordable to utilize this advantage even on smaller cranes. Learn more
Intervention
Scantrol AHC combines winch and cylinder control to ensure safe and effective intervention operations.
Boulder Clearance
Scantrol AHC combines winch and cylinder control to ensure safe and effective intervention operations. Learn more
Drilling
Scantrol AHC will add accuracy to your passive compensation system and secure optimum bit weight and displacement control when drilling in varying structures. Learn more
Collecting Scientific Data
Most data sampling equipment is affected by vessel motion. Read more about how our AHC solutions can improve performance in all weather conditions. Learn more
Towing Operations
Whether you are towing a sonar or other survey equipment, Scantrol AHC will keep it stable at a certain depth or follow the seabed profile. Learn more
How Active Heave Compensation Works
The Active Heave Compensation (AHC) system works by sensing the heave motion and then applying an opposing motion. This process is known as active heave compensation. When vessel motion is detected, the sensors send a signal to the controller. The AHC controller then calculates the necessary control signal for the winch/cylinder. The AHC system continuously monitors the heave motion and adjusts the control signals applied to compensate for the changing motion. This allows the vessel to maintain a stable underwater operation, even in rough seas.
The Components of an Active Heave Compensation System
mTrack AHC Controller with integrated motion reference unit is a key component for a safe and efficient active heave compensation system and Includes all the tools you need for easy installation and commissioning. Click here to read more about mTrack AHC Controller
Add Value to your New Winch with Scantrol AHC
An easy and fast way to add Active Heave Compensation (AHC) to your winch is to connect the mTrack AHC controller to your own winch control system, but if you need a complete winch control system, Scantrol can supply that as well.
We have specialists and design tools that can provide free assistance for the design of cost-effective hydraulic or electric AHC drives:
• Guiding on AHC requirements for specific applications.
• Guiding on the selection of hydraulic or electric drive systems and components.
• AHC Analyzer for calculation of AHC performance and required power, speed, and torque.
mTrack AHC Controller - probably the world’s most affordable and easy to integrate AHC Solution
• Off-the-shelf AHC controller with integrated MRU.
• A game-changer that makes AHC affordable even for smaller winches and cranes used for subsea operations.
• Includes all the tools you need for easy installation and commissioning, no need for expensive experts.