POTENTIALITY OF MULTI-MODULAR TRANSFORMER WATERCRAFTS FOR OCEAN EXPLORATION

The multi-modular transformer watercrafts based on modules with vortex engines might represent a new class of watercrafts significantly expanding the range of achievable parameters in production processes carried out in the World Ocean. 
Composed of modules of the same type and capable of functioning autonomously with vortex propulsion devices, they can, firstly, be assembled to sizes and shapes that are not accessible to modern vessels of traditional design, and secondly, if necessary, they will not have limitations in terms of independent operation, so their properties are similar to artificial islands in any given water area of the Global Ocean, while possessing mobility.
The objective of this paper is to assess the prospects for the use of multi-modular transformer watercrafts as carriers of technological systems for scientific and production processes carried out in the World Ocean.
Models of application of multi-modular transformer watercrafts with vortex propulsion are suggested for their autonomous year-round continuous operation in given non-freezing waters. 
To assess the effectiveness of the use of the proposed transformer watercrafts, a simulation of their operation was carried out, as well as a direct comparison of their specifications with traditional vessels that support operation of scientific and production complexes in the World Ocean. For comparison, the currently known marine complexes are selected that require long-term continuous operation (fish canning floating base; a floating complex for extraction and production of liquefied natural gas).
The paper shows that, in relation to all the considered processes, the proposed multi-modular transformer watercrafts have at least two advantages. Firstly, they make it possible to realize continuous and long-term (determined by direct wear of the main module) functioning of the complex, and secondly, with autonomous functioning of individual modules, the zone of action of the complex as a whole is an area with a characteristic size of hundreds of miles. 

1. Ostroukhov, N. N., Chumakova, E. V. Layout Diagrams of Water Vessels and Aircrafts with Vortex Propulsion Units. World of Transport and Transportation, 2018, Vol. 16, Iss. 5, pp. 40-49.

2. Melnikov, A. V., Melnikov, V. N. Stock management of commercial fish and nature conservation: Study guide [Upravlenie zapasami promyslovykh ryb i okhrana prirody: Ucheb. posobie]. Astrakhan, AGTU publ., 2008, 544 p.

3. Kirichenko, V. Yu., Kashirsky, A. S. Technology of mining ferromanganese nodules using a cassette trawl [Tekhnologiya dobychi zhelezomargantsevykh konkretsii s pomoshchyu kassetnogo trala]. Gidromekhanizatsiya. Gorniy informatsionno-analiticheskiy byulleten, 2015, Iss. 11, pp. 114-121.

4. Bazilevskaya, E. S. Research on iron-manganese ores of the ocean. [Issledovanie zhelezo-margantsevykh rud okeana]. Trudy Geologicheskogo instituta, 2007, Iss. 518, 189 p.

5. Skorenko, T. The largest vessel in the world [Samiy bolshoy korabl v mire]. Populyarnaya mekhanika, 2014, Iss. 6. [Electronic resource]: https://www.popmech.ru/technologies/16058-probuzhdayushchiy-ktulkhu/#part0. Last accessed 08.10.2019. Shell’s massive Prelude hull world’s biggest-ever floating vessel and first ocean-based LNG plant, Financial Post (3 December 2013). [Electronic resource]: https://business.financialpost.com/commodities/energy/record-breaking-lng-ship-launched-bigger-one-planned. Last accessed 08.10.2019.