Installation and construction method of a methane generating device for exploiting exposed combustible ice deposits on the seabed surface

Abstract

A method for installing and constructing a methane generating device for mining exposed combustible ice deposits on the seabed surface: the device is composed of a bottom-sealed rigid pipe (4) inserted from the sea level into the seabed rock formation, and the requirements are: its diameter can be placed in a submersible pump (B) positioned in its bottom-sealed position, and 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 installation and construction method is: a drilling machine is used to set an inverted cone hole that can match the inverted cone foundation (8) of the methane generating device in the seabed rock formation; then the methane generating device is hoisted into the inverted cone hole position that matches the methane generating device on the seabed, and the rigid pipe (4) is connected from its top to the methane collecting and distributing chamber (3) on the water surface, and the exhaust pipe (1) and the drainage pipe (2) are installed. - Its setting is similar to open-pit coal mining on land. At present, all core technologies related to deep diving equipment (continuous work for at least one year) are at a level where they have been completely solved by the public.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to an installation and construction method for a methane generating device used for mining 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 methane gas, while the combustion of natural gas hydrate only produces CO 2 and H 2 O 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. Summary of the invention

[0007] The purpose of the present invention is to propose a method for using a methane generation device to solve the problem of mining exposed methane hydrate deposits on the seabed surface.

[0008] The key of the present invention is:

[0009] It mainly proposes the use method in the process of continuous batch production of methane in the underwater equipment, which will involve the coordination of related matters of structural electromechanical measures when there are various changes in the underwater container, that is, in the bottom position of the rigid pipe.

[0010] Features of the present invention:

[0011] Since the present invention can coordinate the electromechanical measures of the relevant equipment in the process of producing methane, it can create conditions for the smooth on-site separation of methane from the fragments of exposed combustible ice deposits. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] Figure 1 The structural principle of the methane generation device used for the fragments of seabed methane hydrate deposits is illustrated.

[0013] 1: Exhaust pipe; 2: Drainage 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

[0014] (set up to open the sealing cover and increase pressure); D: deep-water conveyor belt; B: submersible pump; R: microwave heater; W: receiving net that can be lifted vertically to intercept other debris; G: flip sealing 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 provided above the submersible pump B to discharge the internal accumulated water that can be automatically discharged at any time by the submersible pump B.

[0022] When the water in the rigid pipe 4 is evacuated by the submersible pump B, it will be indirectly affected by the atmospheric pressure of the water surface. The indirect influence is as follows:

[0023] The methane generated in the rigid pipe 4 is collected in the distribution chamber 3 and finally output from the exhaust pipe 1 to the outside for people to use.

[0024] The present invention is characterized in that the installation construction method:

[0025] First, a drilling machine is used to set an inverted cone-shaped hole in the seabed rock layer that can match the inverted cone-shaped foundation 8 of the methane generation device;

[0026] Then, the methane generating device is hoisted from the water surface to the inverted cone hole position matching with the methane generating device at the bottom of the water, and the process includes connecting: connecting the rigid pipe 4 from the top of the methane generating device to the water surface;

[0027] Finally, the methane distribution chamber 3 above the water surface, as well as the exhaust pipe 1 and the drainage pipe 2 are set up;

[0028] The vertical section of the drainage pipe 2 on the seabed passes through the vertical pipe portion of the rigid pipe 4 when it passes through the position of the flip-up sealing hatch cover mechanism G, and is connected to the outside of the rigid pipe 4 by a bypassing local design engineering structure of the drainage pipe 2;

[0029] The methane distribution chamber 3 takes into account the conditions for workers carrying oxygen cylinders to enter the work;

[0030] The joints of the rigid pipe 4 allow external water to leak inward, but as long as the submersible pump B can control the lowest horizontal surface at the bottom of the methane generation device during periodic batch production, that is, during the process of separating the combustible ice into methane and water in batches.

Claims

1. A method for installing and constructing a methane generating device for mining exposed combustible ice deposits on the seabed surface. Features: (I) 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 provided above the submersible pump (B) for discharging the internal accumulated water which can be automatically discharged at any time by the submersible pump (B). (II) Installation and construction method: First, a drilling machine is used to set an inverted cone-shaped hole in the seabed rock layer that can match the inverted cone-shaped foundation (8) of the methane generation device; Then, the methane generating device is hoisted from the water surface to the inverted cone hole position matching with the methane generating device at the bottom of the water, wherein the hoisting of the methane generating device from the water surface to the bottom of the water comprises: connecting a rigid pipe (4) from the top of the methane generating device to the water surface; Finally, the methane distribution chamber (3) above the water surface and the exhaust pipe (1) and the drainage pipe (2) are installed; The vertical section of the drainage pipe (2) on the seabed passes through the position of the flip-up sealing hatch cover mechanism (G), and the vertical pipe portion passes through the rigid pipe (4), and is connected to the outside of the rigid pipe (4) by a bypassing local design of the drainage pipe (2); The methane distribution room (3) takes into account the conditions for workers carrying oxygen cylinders to enter the work; The joint of the rigid pipe (4) allows external water to leak inward, but as long as the submersible pump (B) can control the lowest water level at the bottom of the methane generation device during periodic batch production, that is, during the process of batch separation of combustible ice into methane and water.

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