Equipment for separating nodular material from non-nodular material and removing material from the bottom of water bodies.

Abstract

A transport vehicle (6) device for removing material from the seabed is disclosed. The transport vehicle includes a first propeller (10) for vertical movement of the transport vehicle and a second propeller (12) for horizontal movement of the transport vehicle. A collector unit (16) removes material from the seabed, and a locking mechanism (42) is adapted to connect to a riser so that the removed material can be transported to a vessel on the water surface.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to apparatus for removing material from the bottom of a body of water, and particularly, but not exclusively, to apparatus for removing nodular material from the seabed. Background Technology

[0002] Nodules, which contain minerals and rare metals, form on the seabed at greater depths. These nodules are known to be extracted using mining equipment, which is anchored on the seabed and powered by a surface vessel via an umbilical cable. This equipment is connected to a conduit called a jumper hose, through which the nodule material is pumped to the surface vessel via a riser pump.

[0003] This type of known equipment has several drawbacks. First, a robotic arm or remotely operated vehicle (ROV) is required to assist in attaching the equipment to the crosspipe. Furthermore, because the weight of the equipment is supported by the umbilical cable as it is lowered from and raised from the surface vessel, significant mechanical reinforcement of the umbilical cable is necessary. The mechanical reinforcement required for the umbilical cable typically has poor thermal conductivity, resulting in the umbilical cable insulation heating up, which in turn limits the power that can be supplied to the equipment. Additionally, the catenary curve of the reinforced umbilical cable is similar to that of the crosspipe used to transport nodular material to the surface, resulting in a risk of collision between the umbilical cable and the crosspipe during equipment operation. Another known disadvantage of this type of equipment is its difficulty to operate on very soft ground. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The preferred embodiments of this disclosure seek to overcome one or more of the above-described disadvantages.

[0005] According to one aspect of this disclosure, an apparatus is provided for separating nodular material from non-tuberculous material, the apparatus comprising:

[0006] At least one container for receiving a liquid containing tuberculous and non-tubeculous substances;

[0007] At least one corresponding inlet is provided for allowing liquid containing both nodular and non-nodular material to enter at least one of the containers;

[0008] At least one corresponding first outlet for enabling liquid to exit from at least one of the containers; and

[0009] At least one corresponding second outlet is provided to allow liquid to exit at least one of the containers, wherein at least one second outlet is arranged at a higher height than at least one first outlet provided on the corresponding container, and the liquid enters the container via at least one of the inlets, resulting in a reduction in the velocity of the liquid.

[0010] By providing at least one corresponding second outlet to allow liquid to exit from at least one of the containers, wherein the at least one second outlet is arranged at a higher height than the at least one first outlet disposed on the corresponding container, and the liquid entering the container via at least one of the inlets causes a reduction in liquid velocity, this provides the advantage of reducing liquid velocity, resulting in an increase in the concentration of nodular material in the liquid discharged from the first outlet and an increase in the concentration of non-nodular material in the liquid discharged from the second outlet. In the case of removing nodular material from the seabed, this provides a further advantage, namely, a reduction in the amount of unwanted non-nodular material removed from surface vessels, thereby reducing the environmental impact of returning non-nodular material already removed from surface vessels to the seabed, for example by making it feasible to transport such non-nodular material ashore.

[0011] The device may also include a blocking device for blocking the shortest path from at least one of the inlets to at least one of the second outlets.

[0012] This provides the advantage that nodular material is more difficult to reach the second exit than non-nodular material, thereby minimizing the loss of nodular material and increasing the concentration of nodular material near at least the first exit.

[0013] The blocking device may include at least one plate.

[0014] The blocking device allows liquid to travel from at least one of the inlets through the blocking device to at least one of the second outlets.

[0015] This provides the advantage that even if nodular material can be pushed toward at least one of the first outlets, it makes it difficult for nodular material to reach the second outlet, thereby minimizing the loss of nodular material and increasing the concentration of nodular material near at least one of the first outlets.

[0016] The device may also include a flow redirection device for redirecting the liquid flow toward at least one of the first outlets.

[0017] This provides the advantage of increasing the concentration of nodular material near one or more first outlets while minimizing turbulence in the flow, thereby providing better control over the process used to separate nodular material from non-nodular material.

[0018] Flow redirection devices may include curved surfaces.

[0019] At least one of the containers may include a corresponding body that tapers toward at least one of the first outlets.

[0020] This provides the advantage of increasing the concentration of nodular material near one or more first exits, thereby increasing the efficiency of the process of separating nodular material from non-nodular material.

[0021] At least one of the containers may include a lower surface that is inclined toward at least one of the first outlets.

[0022] This provides the advantage of increasing the concentration of nodular material near one or more first outlets, thereby increasing the efficiency of the process of separating nodular material from non-nodular material. This is especially true when the equipment vibrates during operation.

[0023] At least one of the inlets may point to approximately the center portion of the container in a direction transverse to the direction extending from at least one of the inlets to at least one of the first outlets.

[0024] This provides the advantage of concentrating the liquid flow containing nodules toward one or more first outlets while minimizing turbulence, thereby increasing the efficiency of the process for separating nodule material from non-nodule material.

[0025] At least one of the inlets may define a nozzle.

[0026] This provides the advantage of helping to slow down the flow of liquids containing both nodular and non-nodular material, thus aiding the separation process.

[0027] The device may also include a pumping device for directing liquid to at least one of the inlets and / or directing liquid out of at least one of the first outlets and / or directing liquid out of at least one of the second outlets.

[0028] According to another aspect of this disclosure, an apparatus for removing nodule material from the bottom of a body of water is provided, the apparatus comprising:

[0029] A moving device for moving the equipment relative to the bottom of the water body;

[0030] Material removal device for removing nodular material from the bottom of a body of water;

[0031] A connector device adapted to be connected to a conduit to enable the removal of nodule material to be transported to a vessel on the surface of the water; and

[0032] The apparatus described above for separating nodular material from non-nodular material.

[0033] According to another aspect of this disclosure, an apparatus for removing substances from the bottom of a body of water is provided, the apparatus comprising:

[0034] A first moving device is used to move the device substantially vertically relative to the bottom of the water body;

[0035] The second moving device is used to move the device substantially horizontally relative to the bottom of the water body;

[0036] Substance removal device for removing substances from the bottom of a body of water; and

[0037] A connector device adapted to be connected to a conduit so that the removed material can be transported to a vessel on the surface of the water.

[0038] By providing a first moving device for moving the device substantially vertically relative to the bottom of the water and a second moving device for moving the device substantially horizontally relative to the bottom of the water, several significant advantages are offered. First, the aid of a robotic arm or remotely operated vehicle (ROV) is not required to connect the device to the conduit. The first moving device also allows for more efficient operation of the device on very soft ground. Furthermore, the device can be deployed to the seabed without the use of a taut umbilical cable, thus requiring less reinforcement of the umbilical cable, allowing for greater power delivery to the device via the umbilical cable, and enabling deployment further from surface vessels. Additionally, the device can be replaced more quickly for maintenance purposes, and its easier manipulation without the need for a control umbilical cable allows for more thorough material removal.

[0039] The first moving device may include at least one thruster.

[0040] The second moving device may include at least one thruster.

[0041] The second mobile device may include multiple tracks.

[0042] This provides the advantage of being able to operate the equipment on very soft ground.

[0043] The device may also include a buoyancy device to reduce the weight of the device in the water.

[0044] This provides the advantage of assisting in the operation of the first moving device. Furthermore, it offers the advantage of requiring less mechanical reinforcement of the umbilical cable, resulting in a greater power delivery to the device due to reduced heating of the umbilical cable insulation. Additionally, the different catenary curve of the umbilical cable with less mechanical reinforcement makes it easier to separate the umbilical cable from the conduit, thus minimizing the possibility of collisions between the umbilical cable and conduit during device operation.

[0045] The device may also include a containment device for containing the removed material before transporting it to a ship.

[0046] According to another aspect of this disclosure, an apparatus for removing nodule material from the bottom of a body of water is provided, the apparatus comprising:

[0047] A moving device for moving the equipment relative to the bottom of the water body;

[0048] Material removal device for removing nodule material from the bottom of a body of water; and

[0049] A connector device adapted to be connected to a conduit so that the removed nodule material can be transported to a vessel on the surface of the water.

[0050] The material removal device includes at least one inlet and a bottom engagement device for engaging the bottom of a body of water, wherein the bottom engagement device includes a plurality of protrusions adapted to be arranged in front of at least one of the inlets and extending substantially in the direction of travel of the device.

[0051] By providing a bottom engagement device comprising multiple protrusions adapted to be arranged in front of at least one of the inlets and extending substantially in the direction of travel of the device, this offers the advantage of being able to collect nodule material from the seabed surface while minimizing disturbance to the seabed, thereby minimizing the environmental impact of removing the nodule material. Another advantage provided is that lower levels of seabed disturbance result in less drag, leading to less energy consumption.

[0052] The protrusion may include multiple sharp teeth.

[0053] The device may include at least one first hole arranged behind at least one of the inlets in the direction of travel of the device, for allowing tuberculin material to pass through therethrough.

[0054] This provides the advantage of preventing the inlet from being blocked by tuberculous material if the device is unable to remove the tuberculous material into the catheter.

[0055] The device may also include a separator arrangement located near at least one of the inlets for separating nodular material from non-nodular material at the bottom of the water body.

[0056] By providing a separator device for separating nodular material from non-nodular material at the bottom of a body of water, this offers the advantage of minimizing energy consumption while minimizing the amount of unwanted non-nodular material (e.g., sediment) transported to the surface from the bottom of the body of water, and avoiding the environmental impact of non-nodular material previously removed to the surface returning to the seabed.

[0057] The separator device may include at least one surface that is inclined relative to the bottom of the water body during use and has at least one second hole therethrough for allowing non-nodulating material to pass through and preventing nodulating material from passing through.

[0058] The device may also include a suction device for removing tuberculin material from at least one of the inlets.

[0059] The suction device can be adapted to reverse the direction of water flow.

[0060] This offers the advantage of helping to clear blockages. Attached Figure Description

[0061] Embodiments will now be described by way of example only and not in any way, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0062] Figure 1 These are rear and side perspective views of the nodule mining equipment of the first embodiment;

[0063] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 Front and side perspective views of nodule mining equipment;

[0064] Figure 3 yes Figure 2 A detailed view of a portion of the nodule mining equipment;

[0065] Figure 4 yes Figure 1 Front view of the device, showing the collector unit with a conduit in the deployed state;

[0066] Figure 5 yes Figure 4 Side view of the equipment;

[0067] Figure 6 yes Figure 1 Front view of the device, showing the collector unit with a conduit in a folded state;

[0068] Figure 7 yes Figure 6 Side view of the equipment;

[0069] Figure 8 It shows Figure 1 The equipment was lowered to the seabed;

[0070] Figure 9 It shows Figure 1 The equipment is connected to the riser;

[0071] Figure 10 It shows Figure 1 The equipment harvests nodules;

[0072] Figure 11 This is a front view of the device according to the second embodiment, wherein the collector unit has a conduit in an deployed state;

[0073] Figure 12 yes Figure 11 Side view of the equipment;

[0074] Figure 13 yes Figure 11 Front view of the device, showing the collector unit with a conduit in a folded state;

[0075] Figure 14 yes Figure 13 Side view of the equipment;

[0076] Figure 15 yes Figure 11 Front perspective view of the separator unit of the equipment;

[0077] Figure 16 yes Figure 15 Rear perspective view of the separator assembly; and

[0078] Figure 17 yes Figure 15 A cross-sectional view of the tank of the separator device. Detailed Implementation

[0079] Reference Figures 1 to 10 This embodies the invention for use from the seabed 4 ( Figure 8 )Removal of tuberculin material 2 ( Figure 3 The equipment includes a nodule mining vehicle 6 having a buoyancy component 8 for reducing the weight of the vehicle 6 in the water; a first moving device in the form of a first thruster 10 for vertically moving the vehicle 6 relative to the seabed 4; and a second moving device in the form of a second thruster 12 for horizontally moving the vehicle 6 relative to the seabed 4 without direct contact with it. The vehicle 6 is also provided with tracks 14 for moving the vehicle 6 relative to the seabed 4 when in contact with it, and for maneuvering the vehicle 6.

[0080] A material removal device in the form of a collector unit 16 is positioned in front of the track 14 and has multiple inlets 18 for receiving nodule material 2 removed from the seabed 4. The collector unit 16 has a separator device for separating the nodule material 2 from non-nodule material, such as sediment. This separator device is in the form of a ramp 20 having a surface 22 inclined relative to the seabed 4 and a second hole 24 that allows sediment to pass through while preventing the nodules 2 from passing through. A bottom engagement device including protrusions in the form of fangs 26 engages the seabed 4 and the nodules 2 located on the seabed 4 to facilitate their entry into the collector unit 16. The fangs 26 are arranged in front of the inlets 18 and extend forward of the vehicle 6 in the direction of travel of the vehicle 6. This allows the fangs 26 to engage the nodules 2, causing them to slide down the ramp 20 into the inlet 18 while minimizing disturbance to the seabed 4, thereby minimizing the environmental impact of the nodule collection process.

[0081] Collector unit 16 is equipped with a suction device in the form of an ejector 28, which is connected to inlet 18 via a corresponding conduit 30 for removing nodules 2 from the inclined surface 22 of ramp 20. The conduit 30 leads to a receiving device in the form of a tank 32, which has an inclined bottom surface 34 to allow the nodules 2 to be collected at the rear of the tank 32. The nodules 2 are contained at the rear of the tank 32 before being pumped to the water surface by means of a mud pump 36 and other pumps (not shown) on a riser 38, and are then transported to the water surface via the riser 38. The ejector 28 can reverse the flow of water through the conduit 30 to help clear blockages.

[0082] The collector unit 16 also has a first hole 40 on its rear surface to allow the nodule 2 to pass through in the event of blockage of one or more conduits 30. This prevents the corresponding conduit 30 from becoming blocked by preventing the nodule 2 from blocking the inlet 18 as the vehicle 6 moves forward.

[0083] The outlet of the mud pump 36 is connected to a connecting device in the form of a locking mechanism 42, allowing the transport vehicle 6 to connect to the riser 38, thereby enabling the nodule material 2 to be pumped from the tank 32 to a vessel located on the water surface. The locking mechanism 42 extends generally vertically and is pivotally mounted to the transport vehicle 6. This allows the transport vehicle 6 to easily rotate 180 degrees at the end of its tracks, thus enabling more efficient harvesting of the nodules 2.

[0084] Now refer to Figures 8 to 10 Describe the operation of vehicle 6.

[0085] Initially, the transport vehicle 6 is lowered from the surface vessel (not shown) via an umbilical cable 44 connected to a suspension point 46 on the seabed 4, as... Figure 8As shown. Then, the vehicle 6 is raised from the seabed 4 via the first thruster 10 and the second thruster 12, so that the locking mechanism 42 of the vehicle 6 can be connected to the riser 38. As... Figure 10 As shown, the vehicle 6 then returns to the seabed 4 and moves along the seabed 4 via the second propeller 12 and / or tracks 14 to harvest the nodules 2.

[0086] refer to Figures 11 to 17 Among them, with Figures 1 to 10 The same components are indicated by the same reference numerals in the embodiments, but 100 is added to show the vehicle 106 of the second embodiment. The vehicle 106 has a collector unit 116, which includes a separately foldable collector conduit 130, which can be in a folded state ( Figure 13 and 14 ) and unfolded state ( Figure 11 and 12 The collector unit 116 moves between these sections. In its folded state, the transport vehicle 106 can be deployed more compactly to the seabed, while in its unfolded state, the collector unit 116 has its maximum lateral width. The collector conduit 130 is connected to the conduit 150. Figure 12 , 14 The conduit 150 is then connected to the inlet 152 of a separator device, which includes a tank 132 for separating nodules from non-nodulating material such as sludge or sediment. The inlet 152 points towards the transverse central region of the tank 132.

[0087] Figure 17 The separator device is shown in more detail below. Tank 132 has a body 154 that tapers gradually from inlet 152 toward a first outlet 156 located at the bottom of tank 132. Inlet 152 defines a nozzle 158, which slows the flow of water 160 containing both nodules and non-nodules as it enters tank 132. As a result, nodules tend to settle toward the bottom 134 of tank 132, while non-nodules remain suspended in the water.

[0088] In conjunction with the conical tank body 154, the water containing nodules is directed towards the transverse center of the tank 132, minimizing turbulence in the nodule-containing water flow, which in turn minimizes disturbance to nodule deposition near the first outlet 156. The tank 132 is also equipped with a flow redirection device in the form of a curved upper plate 162 to redirect the nodule-containing water flow toward the first outlet 156 while minimizing turbulence in the water flow. The tank 132 has an inclined lower surface 134 that also extends toward the first outlet 156, which causes nodules to tend to move along the lower surface 134 toward the first outlet 156, especially when the separator device vibrates during operation.

[0089] The second outlet 164 is positioned at a higher altitude than the first outlet 156, and the direct path from the inlet 152 to the second outlet 164 is blocked by a baffle 166 arranged on the upper part of the tank 132. As a result, when water containing both nodules and non-nodules is pumped into the tank 132, nodules tend to accumulate around the first outlet 156, while non-nodules, such as silt or sediment, can reach the second outlet 164 below the baffle 166. This allows suspended non-nodules to reach the second outlet 164, but makes it difficult for nodules to do so. Thus, by appropriately controlling the pumping rates from the first outlet 156 and the second outlet 164, the concentration of nodules in the water pumped from the first outlet 156 is maximized, while the concentration of nodules in the water pumped from the second outlet 164 is minimized. This minimizes the amount of unwanted non-nodules pumped to the surface through the riser 38, thereby reducing the environmental impact of returning such material to the seabed, especially if the amount of such non-nodules is small enough to allow it to be transported to the coast.

[0090] Those skilled in the art will understand that the above embodiments have been described by way of example only and are not intended to be limiting, and that various changes and modifications are possible without departing from the scope of this disclosure as defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. An apparatus for separating nodular material from non-nodular material, the apparatus comprising: At least one container for receiving a liquid containing tuberculous and non-tubeculous substances; At least one corresponding inlet is provided for allowing liquid containing both nodular and non-nodular material to enter at least one of the containers; At least one corresponding first outlet is provided to allow liquid to exit from at least one of the containers; as well as At least one corresponding second outlet is provided to allow liquid to exit from at least one of the containers, wherein the at least one second outlet is arranged at a higher height than at least one first outlet disposed on the corresponding container, and wherein the device further includes a blocking device for blocking the shortest path from at least one of the inlets to at least one second outlet, so that liquid travels downward toward at least one corresponding first outlet. The blocking device includes at least one plate, and The blocking device causes the liquid to travel downward from at least one of the inlets toward at least one corresponding first outlet once, and then travel toward at least one second outlet by passing under the blocking device, thereby reducing the velocity of the liquid as it enters the container via at least one of the inlets.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a flow redirection device for redirecting the liquid flow toward at least one of the first outlets.

3. The device according to claim 2, wherein, The flow redirection device includes a curved surface.

4. The device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein, At least one of the containers includes a corresponding body that tapers toward at least one of the first outlets.

5. The device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein, At least one of the containers includes a lower surface that slopes toward at least one of the first outlets.

6. The device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein, At least one of the inlets points towards the central portion of the container in a direction transverse to the direction extending from at least one of the inlets to at least one of the first outlets.

7. The device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein, At least one of the aforementioned inlet-defined nozzles.

8. The device according to any one of claims 1 to 3 further includes a pumping device for directing liquid to at least one of the inlets and / or directing liquid out of at least one of the first outlets and / or directing liquid out of at least one of the second outlets.

9. An apparatus for removing nodule material from the bottom of a body of water, the apparatus comprising: A moving device for moving the equipment relative to the bottom of the water body; Material removal device for removing nodular material from the bottom of a body of water; A connector device adapted to be connected to a conduit so that the removed nodule material can be transported to a vessel on the surface of the water. as well as Apparatus for separating nodular material from non-nodular material according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

10. An apparatus for removing nodule material from the bottom of a body of water, the apparatus comprising: A moving device for moving the equipment relative to the bottom of the water body; Material removal device for removing nodular material from the bottom of a body of water; as well as A connector device adapted to be connected to a conduit so that the removed nodule material can be transported to a vessel on the surface of the water. The material removal device includes at least one inlet and a bottom engagement device for engaging the bottom of the water body, wherein the bottom engagement device includes a plurality of protrusions adapted to be arranged in front of at least one of the inlets and extending in the direction of travel of the device. The device further includes at least one first hole arranged behind at least one of the inlets in the direction of travel of the device, for allowing tuberculous material to pass through therethrough; It also includes a separator device arranged near at least one of the inlets for separating nodular material from non-nodular material at the bottom of the water body; The separator device includes at least one surface that is inclined relative to the bottom of the water body during use and has at least one second hole therethrough for allowing non-nodulating material to pass through and preventing nodulating material from passing through.

11. The device according to claim 10, wherein, The protrusion includes multiple sharp teeth.

12. The apparatus of claim 10 or 11 further includes a suction device for removing tuberculous material from at least one of the inlets.

13. The device according to claim 12, wherein, The suction device is adapted to reverse the direction of the water flow passing through it.

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