A foldable underwater oil spill collection cover with dual interface response

Abstract

The present invention proposes a foldable underwater oil spill collection hood with dual-interface response. The hood primarily consists of a main cylinder, an autonomous air-release and liquid-sealing valve, a liquid discharge port, an oil-water interface detection sensor, a cover cloth, a cover frame, and anchors. At least three cover frames are hingedly connected to the lower outer portion of the main cylinder. The bottom end of the main cylinder is sealed to the top opening of the cover cloth to form a complete hood. The autonomous air-release and liquid-sealing valve and the liquid discharge port are connected to the top cover of the main cylinder. The cover cloth is attached to the cover frames, and anchors are located at the bottom ends of the cover frames. The oil-water interface detection sensor is mounted inside the main cylinder, with its transmission cable extending outside the main cylinder. The autonomous air-release and liquid-sealing valve spool responds to the presence of gas within the hood, while the oil-water interface detection sensor responds to changes in the oil-water interface. When in operation, the hood is positioned above an underwater leak, automatically releasing gas to cover the leak and measuring the oil-water interface within the hood. The hood can be folded for daily storage and transportation, taking up minimal space.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of marine petroleum and marine environmental protection technology, in particular to a double-interface responsive foldable underwater oil spill collection cover for emergency recovery of underwater oil spills. Background Art

[0002] At present, the collection of offshore oil spills is divided into surface collection and underwater collection. Surface collection is the main method, using oil spill cleanup vessels, oil booms, oil absorbent mats, skimmers, etc. to recover spilled oil. Underwater collection of oil spills is less commonly used. Reports have seen the use of concrete covers for collection and then transporting them to surface ships, as well as flexible collection covers, but these have not been applied.

[0003] The main advantage of collecting oil above the water surface is that the technology is mature and the operating facilities are complete. The disadvantage is that the oil spill spreads on the sea surface and pollutes a large area. The advantage of collecting oil spills underwater is that it is basically collected from the source and the pollution is small. The disadvantage is that the operation is difficult and there is no special emergency material and equipment reserve.

[0004] Underwater oil spill collection hoods are categorized into rigid and flexible structures. Rigid structures, made of concrete or steel, are heavy and bulky, making them difficult to store and install. Patent CN201220040339.0 (A Soft Underwater Oil Spill Collection Hood) is simple and easy to store, but lacks fixed support points, making it difficult to connect to measurement, control, and external equipment when used underwater.

[0005] Existing technologies or patents do not take into account the gas leakage that often accompanies underwater oil leaks. Since the density of gas is too small, the buoyancy of gas storage underwater is too great, and it may also form hydrates to block external transmission pipelines. At the same time, the pollution of gas to the ocean is very small, and gas recovery can be ignored during emergency disposal. Therefore, it is necessary to set up an underwater oil leakage collection cover with an autonomous gas release device. Summary of the Invention

[0006] The purpose of the present invention is to address the problems existing in the prior art and provide a double-interface responsive foldable underwater oil leak collection cover, which is used for emergency collection of damaged oil leaks from submarine pipelines, oil wells, etc., and can be used as a spare part for more convenient storage.

[0007] The present invention is achieved through the following technical solutions:

[0008] The present invention provides a foldable underwater oil leakage collection cover with dual-interface response, which consists of a main cylinder, an autonomous air-release and liquid-sealing valve, a liquid discharge interface, an oil-water interface detection sensor, a cover cloth, a cover frame, and an anchor. The main cylinder is placed vertically during operation, and the lower outer side is hinged to at least 1 cover frame. The bottom end of the main cylinder is sealed and connected to the top opening of the cover cloth to form a complete cover. A special opening is opened on the top cover of the main cylinder to fix the autonomous air-release and liquid-sealing valve and the liquid discharge interface. The cover cloth is attached to the cover frame and transmits the main external force it receives to the cover frame. Anchors are provided at the bottom end of the cover frame. The oil-water interface detection sensor is installed on the inner side of the main cylinder, and its transmission cable is passed to the outer side of the main cylinder. The exterior of the autonomous air-release and liquid-sealing valve is in the ambient water body, and the interior is in gas, liquid or gas-liquid two-phase body. The valve core responds according to the gas-liquid interface, and the oil-water interface detection sensor responds as the oil-water interface changes.

[0009] The autonomous air-release and liquid-sealing valve described in the present invention is installed vertically, and the valve core specific gravity is between 0.2-0.6. When there is gas in the main cylinder, the buoyancy of the valve core is significantly lower than when it is filled with liquid. The valve core opens under the action of gravity and the gas is discharged autonomously, otherwise it closes.

[0010] The liquid discharge interface of the present invention is inserted into the inner side of the top cover of the main cylinder by an appropriate distance, and is provided with an air-blocking slip ring and a movable tongue installed in the inner cavity of the liquid discharge interface.

[0011] The oil-water interface detection sensor described in the present invention has a carrier specific gravity between 0.72 and 0.96, and an angular displacement sensor is coaxially and watertightly installed at its rotating shaft to continuously output interface change signals. An ultrasonic sensor can also be installed to continuously measure the oil-water interface or a proximity switch can be installed to indicate the interface at a specific position.

[0012] The present invention has the following advantages:

[0013] (1) The complete set of foldable underwater oil spill collection covers with dual-interface response only collects oil but not air underwater, which will not generate excessive buoyancy or quickly fill the collection device. It effectively controls the factors that cause marine pollution and facilitates the realization of systematic underwater temporary storage.

[0014] (2) It basically possesses the advantages of both flexible and rigid collection covers. That is, it has the advantage of a rigid collection cover being easy to connect to measurement and control instruments and equipment and external transmission pipelines, while also having the advantage of a flexible collection cover being foldable and easy to store.

[0015] (3) Low cost, small size, easy to store, transport and carry.

[0016] (4) Based on the above advantages, it is particularly suitable for rapid early adoption in emergency conditions, thus buying time for taking subsequent measures. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] Figure 1A cross-sectional view of the double-interface responsive foldable underwater oil spill collection cover of the present invention in working condition;

[0018] Figure 2 A cross-sectional view of the reserve state of the foldable underwater oil spill collection cover with dual-interface response;

[0019] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the autonomous air-release and liquid-sealing valve and the liquid discharge interface;

[0020] In the figure: 1-main cylinder, 2-autonomous air release and liquid sealing valve, 2a-valve core, 3-liquid discharge interface, 3a-air blocking slip ring, 3b-leverage tongue, 3c-air blocking slip ring push rod, 3d-leverage tongue float, 4-oil-water interface detection sensor, 5-cover cloth, 6-cover frame, 7-anchor. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0021] The following embodiments of the present invention are described in further detail with reference to the accompanying drawings and examples. The following examples are used to illustrate the present invention but are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention.

[0022] Example 1

[0023] like Figure 1 、 Figure 2 As shown, a foldable underwater oil leakage collection cover with dual interface response consists of a main cylinder 1, an autonomous air-release and liquid-sealing valve 2, a liquid discharge interface 3, an oil-water interface detection sensor 4, a cover cloth 5, a cover frame 6, and an anchor 7; the main cylinder 1 is placed vertically when working, and no less than 3 cover frames 6 are hinged on the lower outer side, and the bottom end of the main cylinder 1 is sealed with the top opening of the cover cloth 5 to form a complete cover; a special opening is opened on the top cover of the main cylinder 1 to fix the autonomous air-release and liquid-sealing valve 2 and the liquid discharge interface 3, the cover cloth 5 is attached to the cover frame 6 and transmits the main external force it receives to the cover frame 6, an anchor 7 is set at the bottom end of the cover frame 6, the oil-water interface detection sensor 4 is installed on the inner side of the main cylinder 1, and its transmission cable is passed to the outside of the main cylinder 1; the autonomous air-release and liquid-sealing valve 2 is in the ambient water body outside and in gas, liquid or gas-liquid two-phase body inside, its valve core responds according to the gas-liquid interface, and the oil-water interface detection sensor 4 responds with the change of the oil-water interface.

[0024] like Figure 3As shown, the autonomous air-release and liquid-sealing valve 2 is mounted vertically. Its valve core 2a slides within the valve body. Its overall specific gravity (including any enclosed cavities for adjustment) ranges from 0.2 to 0.6. When gas is present within the main cylinder 1, it automatically fills the smaller valve chamber at the top. The buoyancy of the valve core 2a rapidly decreases and becomes significantly lower than when it is filled with liquid. Gravity forces the valve core 2a open, allowing the gas to escape autonomously and raising the liquid level. Conversely, when the main cylinder 1 is filled with liquid, liquid flows into the valve chamber, rapidly increasing the buoyancy of the valve core 2a. The valve core 2a slides upward and closes, achieving autonomous air release and liquid sealing. The lower limit of the overall specific gravity of the valve core 2a is determined by the specific gravity of the selected pressure-resistant material, while the upper limit ensures a certain buoyancy margin in light oil products. A cavity for adjusting the specific gravity can be provided within the valve core 2a as needed.

[0025] like Figure 1 、 Figure 2 As shown, the oil-water interface detection sensor 4 has a carrier with a specific gravity between 0.72 and 0.96, which is smaller than water but larger than oil. At the oil-water interface, it drives an angular displacement sensor, coaxially and watertightly mounted on its rotating shaft, to continuously output an interface change signal. This signal can indicate the amount of oil leaking and control the start and stop of external transmission facilities. The advantage of an angular displacement sensor is its sensitive and continuous output signal, making it a preferred solution.

[0026] like Figure 3As shown, the liquid discharge interface 3 extends into the inner side of the top cover of the main cylinder 1 by an appropriate distance and is provided with a side wall through hole on the side wall below the top cover of the main cylinder 1. The inner cavity of the liquid discharge interface 3 is provided with an air-blocking slip ring 3a, and a through hole is opened in the side wall of the lower half of the air-blocking slip ring 3a. A movable tongue 3b is provided at the bottom inlet of the liquid discharge interface 3. A air-blocking slip ring push rod 3c is fixed to one side of the bottom of the air-blocking slip ring 3a, and a movable tongue float 3d is fixed on the movable tongue 3b. The movable tongue float 3d has a specific gravity similar to that of the carrier of the oil-water interface detection sensor 4, with a specific gravity between 0.72 and 0.96. It moves with the oil-water interface under the action of buoyancy. When dirty oil accumulates on the upper part of the main cylinder 1, the movable tongue 3b of the liquid discharge interface 3 is in the open state, and the air-blocking slip ring 3a blocks the side wall through hole of the liquid discharge interface 3. Under normal conditions, when there is gas in the main cylinder 1, it will not be discharged from the liquid discharge interface 3, but will be discharged from the higher-positioned autonomous air release and liquid sealing valve 2. When water submerges the bottom inlet of the liquid discharge port 3, the movable tongue 3b, under the buoyancy of the movable tongue float 3d, seals the inlet of the liquid discharge port 3 and generates an electrical signal. When the collection hood is ready for removal, the sidewall through-holes of the liquid discharge port 3, blocked by the air-blocking slip ring 3a, need to be opened to drain the residual oil from the dead volume within the main cylinder 1 under normal conditions. At this point, the movable tongue 3b pushes the air-blocking slip ring 3a via the air-blocking slip ring push rod 3c, aligning the sidewall through-holes of the liquid discharge port 3 with those of the air-blocking slip ring 3a, allowing the residual oil (possibly containing a small amount of gas) in the dead volume within the main cylinder 1 under normal conditions to be drained.

[0027] Example 2

[0028] Example 2 is essentially the same as Example 1, except that the oil-water interface detection sensor 4 is replaced with a proximity switch. Within the collection hood, at least two proximity switches are fixed at different heights around the main cylinder 1. The advantages of proximity switches are low cost and high reliability, but their disadvantage is that they make it difficult to continuously monitor interface changes.

[0029] Example 3

[0030] The third embodiment is basically the same as the first embodiment, except that the oil-water interface detection sensor 4 is replaced by an ultrasonic sensor. The advantage of an ultrasonic sensor is a wide measurement range, but the disadvantage is high power consumption and a tendency to false alarms in non-uniform media.

Claims

1. A foldable underwater oil spill collection cover with dual-interface response, characterized by: The invention mainly consists of a main cylinder (1), an autonomous air release and sealing valve (2), a liquid discharge interface (3), an oil-water interface detection sensor (4), a cover cloth (5), a cover frame (6), and an anchor (7); the lower outer portion of the main cylinder (1) is hinged with no less than three cover frames (6); the bottom end of the main cylinder (1) is sealed and connected to the top opening of the cover cloth (5) to form a complete cover; a special opening is opened on the top cover of the main cylinder (1) to fix the autonomous air release and sealing valve (2) and the liquid discharge interface (3); the cover cloth (5) is attached to the cover frame (6); the anchor (7) is set at the bottom end of the cover frame (6); the oil-water interface detection sensor (4 ) is installed on the inner side of the main cylinder (1), and its transmission cable is passed through the outer side of the main cylinder (1); the liquid discharge interface (3) is inserted into the top cover of the main cylinder (1), and an air-blocking slip ring (3a) and a movable tongue (3b) are provided in the inner cavity of the liquid discharge interface (3); the oil-water interface detection sensor (4) has a carrier specific gravity between 0.72 and 0.96; a through hole is opened on the side wall of the lower half of the air-blocking slip ring (3a), and the movable tongue (3b) is at the bottom inlet of the liquid discharge interface (3); an air-blocking slip ring top rod (3c) is fixed on one side of the bottom of the air-blocking slip ring (3a), and a movable tongue (3b) is fixed on the movable tongue (3b). The movable tongue float (3d) has a specific gravity similar to that of the carrier of the oil-water interface detection sensor (4), with a specific gravity between 0.72 and 0.96, and moves along the oil-water interface under the action of buoyancy; when dirty oil accumulates on the upper part of the main cylinder (1), the movable tongue (3b) of the liquid discharge interface (3) is in an open state, and the air-blocking slip ring (3a) blocks the side wall through hole of the liquid discharge interface (3). Under normal conditions, when gas exists in the main cylinder (1), it will not be discharged from the liquid discharge interface (3) but from the autonomous air-release and liquid-sealing valve (2) at a higher position; when water covers the bottom of the liquid discharge interface (3), the gas will not be discharged from the liquid discharge interface (3) but from the autonomous air-release and liquid-sealing valve (2) at a higher position; when water covers the bottom of the liquid discharge interface (3), the gas will not be discharged from the liquid discharge interface (3). During the inlet, the movable tongue (3b) seals the inlet of the liquid discharge interface (3) under the buoyancy of the movable tongue float (3d) and can send out an electrical signal; when the collecting cover is ready to be evacuated, in order to discharge the residual oil in the dead volume space under normal conditions in the main cylinder (1), it is necessary to open the side wall through hole of the liquid discharge interface (3) blocked by the sliding air blocking slip ring (3a); at this time, the movable tongue (3b) pushes the air blocking slip ring (3a) through the air blocking slip ring push rod (3c), and the side wall through hole of the liquid discharge interface (3) and the side wall through hole of the air blocking slip ring (3a) are aligned, so that the residual oil in the dead volume space under normal conditions in the main cylinder (1) can be discharged.

2. The foldable underwater oil spill collection cover with dual interface response according to claim 1, characterized in that: The oil-water interface detection sensor (4) has an angular displacement sensor coaxially and watertightly mounted on its rotation axis.

3. The double-interface responsive foldable underwater oil spill collection cover according to claim 1, characterized in that: The autonomous air-release and liquid-sealing valve (2) is installed vertically, and the valve core specific gravity is between 0.2 and 0.

6.

4. The double-interface responsive foldable underwater oil spill collection cover according to claim 1, characterized in that: An ultrasonic transmitter and receiver is installed in the floating carrier of the oil-water interface detection sensor (4).

5. The foldable underwater oil spill collection cover with dual interface response according to claim 1, characterized in that: The oil-water interface detection sensor (4) has iron or magnets installed in its floating carrier, and reed switches are installed at different positions in the underwater oil leakage collection cover.

6. The foldable underwater oil spill collection cover with dual interface response according to claim 1, characterized in that: The anchoring member (7) is one of an anchor, a sinker, a grabbing tooth, and a rope.

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