Methane generation device for mining exposed combustible ice deposits on the seabed surface

Abstract

A methane generation device for exploiting exposed combustible ice deposits (natural gas hydrates) on the seabed surface: It is composed of a bottom-sealed rigid pipe (4) inserted from the sea level into the seabed rock layer, and the requirements are: its diameter can be placed in a submersible pump (B) positioned in its bottom sealing position, and the outer bottom surface of its sealing position is provided with an inverted cone-shaped counterweight foundation (8) that can match the joint position of the seabed rock layer; its lower part is provided with a combustible ice fragment feed port (7) that can be connected to the end position of an underwater conveyor belt (D). The low-pressure environment of the present invention for separating methane and water relies on the influence of one atmosphere of atmospheric pressure in the water surface atmosphere space. The separated methane is finally transported to the user through the exhaust pipe (1), and the separated water is discharged to the outside by the submersible pump (B). - The present invention is set in a deep diving site for exploiting combustible ice deposits on the seabed surface similar to the open-pit coal mining method. At present, all core technologies related to deep diving equipment are at a level where they have been completely solved and perfected by the public.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a methane generating device for exploiting exposed combustible ice deposits on the seabed surface. Background Art

[0002] With the huge consumption of natural resources, mankind has been facing a huge crisis of natural resources since the beginning of the 21st century. As a major energy consumer, China's annual crude oil imports have exceeded 100 million tons, and the output of domestic onshore oil and gas fields has barely remained stable. Experts estimate that it is difficult to have a major breakthrough in the short term. Natural gas hydrate, also known as combustible ice, is an alternative energy source that is being favored by countries around the world, especially developed countries.

[0003] Take the natural gas hydrates formed on the seabed as an example: when the ambient temperature is between 1°C and 20°C, as long as the water depth is 300 meters, that is, the pressure reaches 30 atmospheres, natural gas hydrates, i.e., combustible ice deposits, will be formed; and if the environment is higher than the above temperature or / and lower than the above pressure, the natural gas hydrates will be caused to decompose into methane and water.

[0004] ——The world's reserves of methane hydrate are twice as much as those of other combustible minerals such as oil, which is enough for the global population to use for 1,000 years. Theoretically, 1m 3 Under standard conditions, saturated natural gas hydrate can release 164m 3 The combustion of natural gas hydrate only produces CO2 and H2O, which is a rare green and clean energy.

[0005] The seabed is rich in methane hydrate deposits. However, like other sea areas in the world, the methane hydrate deposits have not been mined. The main reason is that the mining cost of methane hydrate is very high, about $200 / m 3 .

[0006] So far, people have developed many "laboratory" methods, but they are all in the exploratory stage and it is difficult to enter the practical and large-scale commercial mining stage.

[0007] From a specific technical perspective: in order to exploit underwater methane hydrate, the high-depth submersible pumps required for the decomposition of natural gas hydrates in many exploitation methods have not yet been developed. In other words, submersible pumps for high diving depths (for example, hundreds of meters or even thousands of meters) are difficult to develop due to the constraints of various technical problems (which have not yet been resolved). Summary of the invention

[0008] The purpose of the present invention is to propose a solution to the pure structural points of the methane generation device itself for exploiting exposed methane hydrate deposits on the seabed surface.

[0009] The key of the present invention is:

[0010] Mainly, it is proposed that the underwater equipment includes: a rigid pipeline, a sealing cover, a submersible pump and other pure structural components.

[0011] Features of the present invention:

[0012] Since the present invention includes the above-mentioned structural components, it is possible to create sufficient conditions for the on-site separation and treatment of exposed methane hydrate mineral fragments in the rigid pipeline. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] Figure 1 The structural principle of the methane generation device used for the fragments of seabed methane hydrate deposits is illustrated.

[0014] 1: Exhaust pipe; 2: Drain pipe; 3: Sealed methane distribution room (also: temporary studio for people to enter with oxygen cylinders); 4: Rigid pipe; 5: Sealed cover that can be flipped up and down; 6: Combustible ice fragments obtained from mining; 7: Combustible ice fragment feed port; 8: Inverted cone bottom weight foundation; 9: Water supply booster valve (set to open the sealing cover for pressurization); D: Deep-water conveyor belt; B: Submersible pump; R: Microwave heater; W: Receiving net that can be lifted vertically to intercept other debris; G: Flipping sealed cabin mechanism in the bottom machine room; dotted arrow The flow direction of methane (gas) is shown; solid arrows Indicates the direction of water flow. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0015] In order to achieve the above-mentioned purpose of the present invention, the following technical solutions are proposed:

[0016] The main structural features of the present invention are:

[0017] The body of the methane generating device is composed of at least one rigid pipe 4 inserted from the sea level and positioned in the seabed rock formation. The outer bottom surface of the body is provided with a counterweight foundation 8 of an inverted cone shape and capable of matching the position of the joint of the seabed rock formation. A submersible pump B is positioned in the lower part of the body. A broken stone collection net W capable of vertically rising to the sea level is provided above the submersible pump B and between the feed port 7. A microwave heater R is provided above the feed port 7. A flip sealed cabin mechanism G of the bottom machine room is provided above the microwave heater R.

[0018] The feed port 7 is provided with a sealing cover 5 which can be opened or closed by remote control flipping:

[0019] When the sealing cover 5 is opened, the feed port 7 and the end of the external underwater conveyor belt D can be connected in a non-connected manner to accurately receive the combustible ice fragments 6 transported by the underwater conveyor belt D;

[0020] An internal remote-controlled water supply boost valve 9 is provided below the water surface outside the rigid pipe 4. The sealing cover 5 can be opened only when the internal water supply pressure is increased and the pressure is consistent with the external water pressure.

[0021] A drainage pipe 2 is arranged above the submersible pump B to discharge the internal accumulated water which can be automatically discharged by the submersible pump B at any time.

Claims

1. A methane generation device for mining exposed combustible ice deposits on the seabed surface, It is characterized in that The structure includes: A machine body is provided which is composed of at least one rigid pipe (4) inserted from the sea level and positioned in the seabed rock formation. The outer bottom surface of the machine body is provided with a counterweight foundation (8) of an inverted cone shape and capable of matching the position of the joint of the seabed rock formation. A submersible pump (B) is positioned in the lower part of the machine body. A debris collection net (W) capable of vertically rising to the sea level is provided above the submersible pump (B) and between the feed port (7). A microwave heater (R) is provided above the feed port (7). A flip-up sealing hatch cover mechanism (G) of the bottom machine room is provided above the microwave heater (R). The feed port (7) is provided with a sealing cover (5) which can be opened or closed by remote control. When the sealing cover (5) is opened, the feed port (7) and the end of the external underwater conveyor belt (D) can be connected in a non-connected manner, so as to accurately receive the combustible ice fragments (6) transported by the underwater conveyor belt (D); An inward remote-controlled water supply boost valve (9) is arranged below the water surface on the outside of the rigid pipe (4), and the sealing cover (5) can be opened only when the water pressure inside is boosted and is consistent with the pressure of the water body outside; A drainage pipe (2) is arranged above the submersible pump (B) for discharging the internal accumulated water which can be automatically discharged at any time by the submersible pump (B).

Images