Coherent-pulse bilateral wall-attached pulsating jet type seabed mineral particle collecting device

Abstract

The present application relates to a kind of before gathering after gathering bilateral wall pulsating jet flow type seabed ore grain collection device, comprising: ore grain enrichment mechanism, including the pair of outer expansion jet nozzle symmetrically installed in the front of ore collection head, the direction of the pair of outer expansion jet nozzle is: in horizontal plane visual angle, each is aligned with the direction of the oblique rear between them;In elevation visual angle, each is inclined downward;Bilateral convex curved wall ore collection mechanism, including the jet nozzle of each row arranged in the front and rear side of ore collection head, the direction of two rows of jet nozzle is: in horizontal visual angle, it is set towards;In elevation visual angle, each is inclined downward;The ore grain enrichment mechanism and bilateral convex curved wall ore collection mechanism form the circulation of two-way ore collection water flow symmetry between.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a seabed hydraulic mineral collection device, and more particularly to a double-sided wall-attached pulsating jet deep-sea mineral collection device that first gathers and then collects minerals, belonging to the field of fluid machinery and control technology. Background Technology

[0002] Deep-sea hydrometallurgical mining is one of the key approaches that promises to address the shortage of mineral resources on land. The deep sea contains abundant mineral resources, including polymetallic nodules, cobalt-rich nodules, and polymetallic sulfides. Therefore, developing reliable, efficient, and environmentally friendly hydrometallurgical mining technologies will be crucial in alleviating my country's high dependence on foreign metal resources.

[0003] The shortcomings of existing technologies and their causes:

[0004] 1) Existing hydraulic ore collection methods generally have shortcomings in terms of ore collection efficiency, environmental disturbance and energy consumption due to unreasonable flow field design and optimization and single flow pattern.

[0005] 2) Existing wall-mounted hydraulic ore collection devices use a single-sided curved wall constant jet ore collection method. During the ore collection process, there are stagnant zones in the flow field that are not conducive to the lifting of ore particles. The energy consumption is high, and the ore particles are prone to contact with the wall surface during the start-up process, which makes it difficult to meet the high efficiency and low disturbance requirements of seabed ore collection.

[0006] 3) The existing design of the seabed mining vehicle can only collect mineral particles within the width of the collection head when the mining vehicle is moving. The width of the collection head does not exceed the width of the main body of the mining vehicle. When carrying out mining operations in mining areas with low mineral particle distribution density, a long travel route needs to be planned. The mining area is large, the economic efficiency is poor, and the environmental disturbance is large.

[0007] Comparison of patent document list:

[0008] CN115123503 A, A walking device for an all-terrain seabed mining vehicle, published on 2022-09-30;

[0009] CN217001843U, Mining head and seabed mining vehicle, Publication date 2022-07-19;

[0010] CN114109390A, A composite collection mechanism for an underwater mining vehicle and its usage method, published on 2022-03-01;

[0011] CN113187483A, an underwater mining vehicle, published on 2021-07-30. Summary of the Invention

[0012] The technical problem that this invention aims to solve is the low mineral particle collection rate, high energy consumption, and large degree of environmental disturbance in existing deep-sea hydraulic mineral collection technologies.

[0013] This invention proposes a double-sided convex curved wall attached pulsating jet type seabed ore collection device that can realize the "aggregate first, then mine" operation mode, and specifically adopts the following technical solution:

[0014] A pre-aggregation and post-mining double-sided wall-attached pulsating jet seabed mineral particle collection device includes: a mineral particle enrichment mechanism, which includes a pair of outward-expanding jet nozzles symmetrically installed on both sides in front of the collection head. The direction of the pair of outward-expanding jet nozzles is: in a horizontal view, each is aligned with the direction obliquely behind the two nozzles; in a vertical view, each is inclined downward. A double-sided convex curved wall mineral collection mechanism includes a row of jet nozzles 7 and 8 on each side of the collection head. The direction of the two rows of jet nozzles 7 and 8 is: in a horizontal view, they are arranged facing each other; in a vertical view, each is inclined downward. The mineral particle enrichment mechanism and the double-sided convex curved wall mineral collection mechanism form a symmetrical two-way mineral collection water circulation.

[0015] This technical solution achieves functional expansion of the [Mineral Particle Enrichment Device Design]: In traditional mining vehicle designs, the vehicle can only collect mineral particles within the width of the ore collection head. In mining areas with low mineral particle density, the planned travel route is long, resulting in poor economic efficiency. This invention, through a pre-positioned mineral particle enrichment device based on a pair of symmetrical, outward-expanding jet nozzles, pre-enriches mineral particles outside the ore collection head's width to the working width of the ore collection head before collection (achieving "aggregation before mining"), increasing the actual width range of mineral particle mining. Simultaneously, this invention divides the ore collection device and enrichment device into high and low energy density zones. The jet energy density output by the pump in the mineral particle enrichment device's working zone is low, ensuring effective mineral particle enrichment while avoiding problems such as track collapse caused by a loose substrate during enrichment. The high-energy-density jet output in the ore collection device's working zone effectively improves the ore collection head's collection rate. The two work together to achieve rational energy distribution and effectively save energy consumption.

[0016] This technical solution employs a circulating flow operation: a symmetrical two-way circulating water flow is formed between the mineral particle enrichment mechanism and the double-sided convex curved wall mineral collection mechanism. Utilizing circulating flow reduces environmental disturbance. The water pumps in the mineral collection device repeatedly circulate the seawater-sediment mixture, which has already been separated from the mineral particles, through pipelines. This maintains a high concentration of sediment particles near the collection head, promoting flocculation and sedimentation, reducing particle diffusion, and minimizing pollution.

[0017] Preferably, it also includes a water supply pipeline system, which is provided with a first flow distribution valve 5 and a second flow distribution valve 6; the first flow distribution valve 5 is divided into two outlets, corresponding to an outward-expanding jet nozzle on one side and an outward-expanding jet nozzle on the other side; the second flow distribution valve 6 is divided into two outlets, corresponding to a first jet nozzle (8) located behind the ore collecting head and a second jet nozzle (7) located in front of the ore collecting head.

[0018] Furthermore, a baffle 13 is provided above the jet direction of the one pair of outward-expanding jet nozzles to guide the jet water flow.

[0019] Furthermore, the baffle 13 is fixed to a pair of skids, which are fixedly connected to the ore collecting head via an elastic device, so that when the baffle 13 contacts the seabed, the ore collecting head has an adjustable distance from the seabed.

[0020] Furthermore, the water supply pipeline system includes a water pump 4, and the water pump 4 of the water supply pipeline system adopts a pulsating jet method.

[0021] Furthermore, the water pumps 4 are in pairs, each serving as a link in one of the two circulation paths of the mineral water.

[0022] Furthermore, the water pump 4 is equipped with a filter screen 3 at its inlet. Under the action of the filter screen 7, the mineral particles and the seawater-sediment mixture are separated: the mineral particles fall downward into the ore storage tank, and the seawater-sediment mixture passes through the filter screen 7 and is then transported to the flow distribution valve 5 along the drainage pipes on both sides of the water pump 4; each of the drainage pipes serves as a link in one of the two ore collection water circulation paths.

[0023] Furthermore, the ore collecting pipe wall above the outlet of the first jet nozzle 8 and the second jet nozzle 7 is designed as a downwardly convex streamlined curved wall structure. When the ore particles are enriched in the working area of ​​the ore collecting head, the first jet nozzle 8 and the second jet nozzle 7 at the front and rear of the ore collecting head spray high-speed jets at a set flow rate ratio. The Coanda effect is used to scour, loosen, peel, push and lift the ore particles on the seabed surface. The high-speed water flow forms a high and low pressure difference at the near and far walls of the streamlined curved wall structure, causing the ore particles to tend to move along the curved wall towards the ore collecting outlet.

[0024] This technical solution achieves a [Double-sided convex curved wall ore collection head design] – geometrical innovation: The geometric structure of the ore collection head has been optimized to address the problems of current mainstream ore collection methods both domestically and internationally: jet-type ore collection has a high ore particle collection rate but consumes a lot of energy and causes significant disturbance to seabed sediments; single-sided attached-wall jet-type ore collection generates vortex disturbance flow fields, resulting in less than ideal collection rates, requiring large flow rates during mining, and lacking optimized particle trajectories. This invention designs a more streamlined double-sided convex curved wall ore collection head, replacing the original single-sided convex curved wall, resulting in higher collection efficiency, effectively eliminating vortices, and optimizing particle movement trajectories. Under the same flow rate, the ore particle collection rate of the double-sided convex curved wall ore collection head is always greater than that of the single-sided convex curved wall. Furthermore, the rate of increase in collection rate of the double-sided convex curved wall tends to decrease with increasing flow rate. Simultaneously, this invention solves the problem of a large local low-pressure area near the backflow region within the ore conveying square tube in the single-sided convex curved wall ore collection model, resulting in a better ore particle movement trajectory. It can achieve high-efficiency, low-energy consumption, and low-disturbance seabed mineral particle collection, requiring less flow and with more stable collection performance.

[0025] The beneficial effects of this invention are as follows:

[0026] I. Improved mineral particle collection rate

[0027] The double-sided convex curved wall ore collection head effectively eliminates vortices and solves the problem of a large local low-pressure area near the backflow area in the ore conveying square tube in the single-sided convex curved wall ore collection model. This optimizes the particle movement trajectory and significantly improves the ore particle collection rate compared with the single-sided convex curved wall under the same flow rate.

[0028] II. Low energy consumption and high efficiency

[0029] 1. The pre-positioned ore particle enrichment device on the mining vehicle pre-enriches ore particles outside the width of the ore collection head into the working width of the ore collection head before collection, greatly increasing the effective ore collection width of the mining vehicle and improving collection efficiency. The ore collection device and the enrichment device work together to achieve rational energy distribution and save energy consumption.

[0030] 2. In existing hydraulic mineral collection devices, both the water pump and the wall-mounted jet nozzle consume a certain amount of energy. This invention utilizes a circulating flow operation, directly recycling the separated seawater-sediment mixture for mineral particle aggregation and jet flushing operations, thereby reducing the energy consumption generated by the wall-mounted jet nozzle.

[0031] Third, the degree of environmental disturbance is lower.

[0032] Compared to traditional seabed mineral collection methods, the wall-mounted jet mineral collection method does not directly contact the deep seabed sediment, thus causing less environmental disturbance. Furthermore, through the circulating flow operation mode, as much of the seawater-sediment mixture that is lifted along with the mineral particles as possible can be released back to its original position, increasing sediment concentration, promoting sediment flocculation and settling, and minimizing damage to the seabed ecosystem. Attached Figure Description

[0033] Figure 1 This is a side view of the mining vehicle.

[0034] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the double-sided attached wall pulsating jet seabed mineral particle collection device of the present invention (the collection box has been removed).

[0035] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram showing the symmetrical two-way ore collection water circulation formed between the ore enrichment mechanism and the double-sided convex curved wall ore collection mechanism of the present invention's pre-aggregation and post-mining double-sided wall pulsating jet type seabed ore collection device (ore collection box removed).

[0036] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the double-sided attached wall pulsating jet seabed mineral particle collection device of the present invention (the collection box is retained).

[0037] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the wall-mounted jet ore collection module.

[0038] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram showing a symmetrical two-way ore-collecting water circulation formed between the ore-enriching mechanism based on the mining car and the ore-collecting mechanism with double-sided convex curved walls.

[0039] Figure 7 This is a top view of the mining vehicle.

[0040] Figure 8 It's a 3D view of a mining truck.

[0041] In the diagram, 3. Filter screen, 4. Water pump, 5. First flow distribution valve, 6. Second flow distribution valve, 7. Second jet nozzle, 8. First jet nozzle, 13. Baffle. Detailed Implementation

[0042] The present invention will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments.

[0043] See Figures 1-8A double-sided convex curved wall pulsating jet seabed mineral particle collection device, comprising: a mineral particle enrichment mechanism, which includes a pair of outward-expanding jet nozzles symmetrically installed on both sides in front of the collection head, wherein the direction of the pair of outward-expanding jet nozzles is: in a horizontal view, each is aligned with the direction obliquely behind the two; in a vertical view, each is inclined downward; a double-sided convex curved wall mineral collection mechanism, which includes a row of jet nozzles 7 and 8 on the front and rear sides of the collection head, wherein the direction of the two rows of jet nozzles 7 and 8 is: in a horizontal view, they are arranged facing each other; in a vertical view, each is inclined downward; the mineral particle enrichment mechanism and the double-sided convex curved wall mineral collection mechanism form a symmetrical two-way mineral collection water circulation.

[0044] See Figure 2 and Figure 5 It also includes a water supply pipeline system, which is equipped with a flow distribution valve 5. The flow distribution valve 5 is divided into four outlets, which correspond to: a first jet nozzle 8 located behind the ore collecting head; a second jet nozzle 7 located in front of the ore collecting head; an outward-expanding jet nozzle located on one side; and an outward-expanding jet nozzle located on the other side.

[0045] See Figure 2 and Figure 7 A baffle 13 is provided above the jet direction of the one pair of outward-expanding jet nozzles to guide the jet water flow.

[0046] See Figure 2 The baffle 13 is fixed on a pair of skids, which are fixedly connected to the ore collecting head by an elastic device, so that when the baffle 13 contacts the seabed, the ore collecting head has an adjustable distance from the seabed.

[0047] See Figure 2 The water supply pipeline system includes a water pump 4, and the water pump 4 of the water supply pipeline system adopts a pulsating jet method.

[0048] Combination Figure 2 and Figure 3 The water pumps 4 are in pairs, each serving as a link in one of the two circulation paths of the mineral water.

[0049] Combination Figure 3 and Figure 4 The water pump 4 is equipped with a filter screen 3 at its inlet. Under the action of the filter screen 7, mineral particles and seawater-sediment mixture are separated: the mineral particles fall downward into the ore storage tank, and the seawater-sediment mixture passes through the filter screen 7 and is transported to the flow distribution valve 5 along the drainage pipes on both sides of the water pump 4; each of the drainage pipes serves as a link in one of the two ore collection water flow circulation paths.

[0050] See Figure 5The ore collecting pipe wall above the outlet of the first jet nozzle 8 and the second jet nozzle 7 is designed as a streamlined convex curved wall structure with downward convexity. When the ore particles are enriched in the working area of ​​the ore collecting head, the first jet nozzle 8 and the second jet nozzle 7 at the front and rear of the ore collecting head spray high-speed jets at a set flow rate ratio. The Coanda effect is used to scour, loosen, peel, push and lift the ore particles on the seabed surface. The high-speed water flow forms a high and low pressure difference at the near and far walls of the streamlined convex curved wall structure, which makes the ore particles tend to move along the curved wall towards the ore collecting outlet.

[0051] The principle of double-sided convex curved wall attached wall pulsating jet ore collection:

[0052] Based on the principle of double-sided convex curved wall attached jet ore collection, its foundation is the Coanda effect ( The wall-mounted jet hydraulic ore collection method (with effect) operates on the principle that the jet flows along a convex curved wall. The flow velocity is high and the pressure is low near the curved wall, while the flow velocity is low and the pressure is high further away. Coarse ore particles are agitated by the pressure gradient. This method is characterized by the fact that the ore inlet of the collection device does not directly contact the seabed, and the water jet adheres to the solid wall of the collection device, resulting in minimal scouring and disturbance of the seabed surface sediments.

[0053] According to the Coanda effect, mineral particles are initiated by the jets from the two rows of nozzles 7 and 8, and move along the convex curved wall of the collecting head under the action of the pressure gradient. Under the action of the water pump 4 inside the collecting car, they are drawn into the collecting car along with the seawater-sediment mixture through the pipe. The mineral particles and the seawater-sediment mixture are separated by the filter screen 3. The mineral particles then enter the storage box. Figure 4 The image shows a collection box, where the seawater-sediment mixture converges along pipes on both sides at the circulation outlet (i.e., flow distribution valve 5), which contains an electric valve. The electric valve in the first flow distribution valve 5 controls the flow rate of circulating water to one row of outward-expanding jet nozzles, while the electric valve in the second flow distribution valve 6 controls the flow rate of circulating water to the two rows of jet nozzles 7 and 8. This cleverly achieves a circulating flow operation.

[0054] When the enrichment module is working, the decision system will adjust the jet intensity at the nozzle based on information such as the type, shape, and density of the mineral particles in the current mining area, so as to drive the mineral particles to enrich towards the center; at the same time, the jet height can be adjusted by the height adjustment device according to different environments to maximize enrichment efficiency.

[0055] This invention has the following three main innovative features:

[0056] Innovation Point 1: [Double-sided Convex Curved Wall Ore Head Design] - Geometric Structural Innovation

[0057] This invention optimizes the geometry of the ore collection head to address issues present in current mainstream ore collection methods both domestically and internationally: jet-type ore collection achieves high particle recovery rates but consumes significant energy and causes substantial disturbance to seabed sediments; single-sided attached-wall jet-type ore collection generates vortex disturbances, resulting in less than ideal recovery rates, requiring large flow rates during mining, and necessitating particle trajectory optimization. This invention designs a more streamlined double-sided convex curved-wall ore collection head to replace the original single-sided convex curved-wall head, achieving higher collection efficiency, effectively eliminating vortices, and optimizing particle trajectory. Under the same flow rate, the particle recovery rate of the double-sided convex curved-wall head is consistently higher than that of the single-sided convex curved-wall head. Furthermore, the rate of increase in the recovery rate of the double-sided convex curved-wall head tends to decrease with increasing flow rate. Simultaneously, this invention solves the problem of large local low-pressure areas near the backflow region within the ore conveying square tube in the single-sided convex curved-wall ore collection model, resulting in better particle trajectory. This invention enables high-efficiency, low-energy-consumption, and low-disturbance seabed ore collection, requiring less flow and exhibiting more stable collection performance.

[0058] Innovation Point 2: [Design of Mineral Particle Enrichment Device] - Functional Expansion

[0059] In traditional mining vehicle designs, the vehicle can only collect mineral particles within the width of the collection head. In mining areas with low mineral particle density, the planned travel route is long, resulting in poor economic efficiency. This invention, however, utilizes a pre-positioned mineral particle enrichment device based on a pair of symmetrical, outward-expanding jet nozzles to pre-enrich mineral particles outside the collection head's width to the working width of the collection head before collection, thus increasing the actual width range of mineral particle mining. Furthermore, this invention divides the collection device and enrichment device into high- and low-energy-density zones. The enrichment device's pump output jet energy density is low, ensuring effective mineral particle enrichment while avoiding problems such as track subsidence caused by a loose substrate during the enrichment process. The collection device's working zone outputs a high-energy-density jet, effectively improving the collection rate of the collection head. The two work together to achieve rational energy distribution and effectively save energy consumption.

[0060] Innovation Point 3: [Adopting a cyclical workflow for operations]

[0061] This invention utilizes a circulating flow system, further reducing environmental disturbance. The water pumps in the ore collection device repeatedly circulate the seawater-sediment mixture, already separated from the ore particles, through pipelines. This maintains a high concentration of sediment particles near the collection head, promoting flocculation and sedimentation, reducing particle diffusion, and minimizing pollution.

[0062] The above are preferred embodiments of the present invention. Those skilled in the art can make various modifications or improvements based on these embodiments. Without departing from the overall concept of the present invention, such modifications or improvements should fall within the scope of protection claimed by the present invention.

Claims

1. A double-sided wall-attached pulsed jet seabed mineral particle collection device that first aggregates and then mines, characterized in that, include: The mineral particle enrichment mechanism includes a pair of outward-expanding jet nozzles symmetrically installed on both sides in front of the ore gathering head. The direction of the pair of outward-expanding jet nozzles is as follows: from a horizontal viewpoint, each nozzle is aligned with the direction diagonally behind the other two nozzles; from a vertical viewpoint, each nozzle is tilted downwards. The double-sided convex curved wall ore collection mechanism includes a row of jet nozzles (7, 8) on the front and rear sides of the ore collection head. The two rows of jet nozzles (7, 8) are oriented as follows: in a horizontal view, they are facing each other; in a vertical view, they are each inclined downwards. The mineral particle enrichment mechanism and the double-sided convex curved wall mineral collection mechanism form a symmetrical two-way mineral collection water circulation; It also includes a water supply pipeline system, on which a first flow distribution valve (5) and a second flow distribution valve (6) are provided. The first flow distribution valve (5) is divided into two outlets, which correspond to: an outward-expanding jet nozzle on one side and an outward-expanding jet nozzle on the other side, respectively; The second flow distribution valve (6) is divided into two outlets, corresponding to: the first jet nozzle (8) located behind the ore collecting head, and the second jet nozzle (7) located in front of the ore collecting head. A baffle (13) is provided above the jet direction of the one pair of outward-expanding jet nozzles to guide the jet water flow. The baffle (13) is fixed on a pair of skids, which are fixedly connected to the ore collection head by an elastic device, so that when the baffle (13) contacts the seabed, the ore collection head has an adjustable distance from the seabed.

2. The double-sided attached wall pulsed jet seabed mineral particle collection device as described in claim 1, characterized in that: The water supply pipeline system includes a water pump (4), and the water pump (4) of the water supply pipeline system adopts a pulsating jet method.

3. The pre-aggregation followed by mining double-sided wall-attached pulsed jet seabed mineral particle collection device as described in claim 2, characterized in that: The water pumps (4) are in pairs, each serving as a link in one of the two circulation paths of the mineral water.

4. The pre-aggregation followed by mining double-sided wall-attached pulsed jet seabed mineral particle collection device as described in claim 3, characterized in that: The water pump (4) is equipped with a filter screen (3) at its inlet. Under the action of the filter screen (7), the mineral particles and the seawater-sediment mixture are separated: the mineral particles fall downward into the ore storage tank, and the seawater-sediment mixture passes through the filter screen (7) and is then transported to the flow distribution valve (5) along the drainage pipes on both sides of the water pump (4); each of the drainage pipes serves as a link in one of the two ore collection water circulation paths.

5. The pre-aggregation followed by mining double-sided wall-attached pulsed jet seabed mineral particle collection device as described in claim 1, characterized in that: The ore collecting pipe wall above the outlet of the first jet nozzle (8) and the second jet nozzle (7) is designed as a streamlined convex curved wall structure with downward convexity. When the ore particles are enriched in the working area of ​​the ore collecting head, the first jet nozzle (8) and the second jet nozzle (7) at the front and rear of the ore collecting head spray high-speed jets at a set flow rate ratio. The Coanda effect is used to scour, loosen, peel, push and lift the ore particles on the seabed surface. The high-speed water flow forms a high and low pressure difference at the near and far walls of the streamlined convex curved wall structure, so that the ore particles have the tendency to move along the curved wall towards the ore collecting outlet.

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