Seafloor particulate collection device and method of collection

Abstract

This application discloses a seabed particulate matter collection device, comprising a collection hood with an inlet and an outlet, and a pneumatic control mechanism, a nozzle, and a pressure sensing unit sequentially arranged near the outlet of the collection hood. The nozzle is mounted on and penetrates the outer shell of the collection hood, with its nozzle orifice facing the outlet of the collection hood. The pneumatic control mechanism is connected to both the nozzle and the pressure sensing unit, and is disposed on the outer surface of the collection hood. The pressure sensing unit is disposed on the inner surface of the collection hood and is installed between the nozzle and the outlet of the collection hood. This application also provides a collection method using the above-described seabed particulate matter collection device. This invention can not only collect particulate minerals efficiently, but also solve the technical problems of particulate minerals being trapped in "dead zones," reducing collection efficiency, and threatening the safety of the mining process.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of deep-sea mining technology, and in particular to a seabed particulate matter collection device and collection method thereof. Background Technology

[0002] The seabed contains abundant metallic minerals. With the depletion of terrestrial mineral resources and the continuous development of deep-sea mining technology, mining seabed minerals has become a global trend. Patents such as "A method and apparatus for mining seabed hydrothermal sulfide deposits (CN200910042871.9)," "A mining head for cobalt-rich crusts of seabed mineral resources (CN201910592348.7)," "A mining vehicle for seabed hydrothermal sulfide deposits (CN200910042809.X)," and "A mining vehicle for cobalt-rich crusts of seabed minerals (CN201610548011.2)" indicate that most existing seabed mining technologies employ cutting methods to collect seabed minerals. First, a cutting device is used to cut large mineral blocks into particles of a certain size, and then a collection hood is used to collect and lift the particles.

[0003] In existing technologies, most collection hoods are spherical or square. Simulation and experimental studies have shown that when lifting particulate minerals, a "dead zone" easily forms near the outlet of the collection hood. This means that some particulate minerals become trapped near the outlet, preventing lifting and reducing collection efficiency, which is detrimental to the smooth progress of the mining process. Therefore, inventing a collection device that can automatically detect whether particulate minerals are trapped in the "dead zone" and promptly lift them to improve collection efficiency and ensure the safety of the mining process is a technical problem that urgently needs to be solved by those skilled in the art. Summary of the Invention

[0004] To address the aforementioned technical problems, this invention provides a seabed particulate matter collection device and method, which can not only collect particulate minerals efficiently, but also solve the technical problems of particulate minerals being trapped in "dead zones," reducing collection efficiency, and threatening the safety of the mining process.

[0005] The technical solution provided by this invention is as follows:

[0006] A seabed particulate matter collection device includes a collection hood with an inlet and an outlet, and a pneumatic control mechanism, a nozzle, and a pressure sensing unit sequentially arranged near the outlet of the collection hood. The nozzle is mounted on and penetrates the outer shell of the collection hood, with the nozzle orifice facing the outlet of the collection hood. The pneumatic control mechanism is connected to both the nozzle and the pressure sensing unit, and is disposed on the outer surface of the collection hood. The pressure sensing unit is disposed on the inner surface of the collection hood and is installed between the nozzle and the outlet of the collection hood.

[0007] Preferably, the angle between the axis of the nozzle and the horizontal direction is α, where 10°≤α≤30°, with α being most preferably 20° and secondarily 25°.

[0008] Preferably, the number of nozzles is one, two or more. When the number of nozzles is greater than two, the nozzles are symmetrically installed on the collection cover.

[0009] Preferably, the pneumatic control mechanism includes an air pump, a control valve, and a control lever. The air pump is connected to the nozzle via a connecting pipe. The control valve is located on the connecting pipe between the air pump and the nozzle. One end of the control lever is connected to the control valve to adjust the opening of the control valve. The pressure sensing and control unit is connected to the other end of the control lever.

[0010] Preferably, the opening degree of the control valve is a. i a i =(p i / p f )×a f , where p i p represents the actual output pressure of the pressure sensing and control unit. f 'af' represents the full-scale output pressure of the pressure sensing and control unit, and 'af' represents the maximum opening degree of the control valve.

[0011] Preferably, the pressure sensing and control unit includes a pressure sensing plate and a pressure controller, the pressure controller being fixed on the collection cover, and the pressure sensing plate being fixed in the inner space of the collection cover.

[0012] Preferably, the area near the outlet of the collection hood includes an arc-shaped region with the centerline of the collection hood as the baseline and an angle of θ, wherein θ is 30 to 60°.

[0013] Preferably, the nozzle orifice does not extend beyond the outer wall of the collection shroud.

[0014] A method for collecting seabed particulate matter, employing the seabed particulate matter collection device described above, includes the following steps:

[0015] S1. Turn on the pressure sensing and control unit and put it into working condition. When the particulate minerals are sucked in from the inlet of the collection hood and move to a position near the outlet of the collection hood, the pressure sensing and control unit generates an output pressure p. i And compare and judge the actual output pressure p generated by the pressure sensing and control unit. i The magnitude relationship between the pressure and the predetermined pressure value P0 of the pressure sensing and control unit;

[0016] S2, when p i When the pressure is less than P0, the pressure sensing and control unit does not output a control signal, the pneumatic control mechanism does not work and is in standby mode;

[0017] S3, when p iWhen the pressure is not less than P0, the pressure sensing and control unit outputs a control signal, the pneumatic control mechanism works, and high-pressure gas is injected into the nozzle. The high-pressure gas is ejected from the nozzle orifice and generates a flow field in the collection hood that moves towards the outlet of the collection hood. This flow field transports the particulate minerals to the outlet of the collection hood.

[0018] Preferably, the predetermined pressure value P0 in step S1 is set according to the following formula:

[0019]

[0020] Where r is the diameter of the mineral particles, ρ is the density of the mineral particles, and g is the gravitational acceleration.

[0021] The working principle and process of the seabed particulate matter collection device and its collection method of the present invention are as follows:

[0022] When the collection hood is in operation, the particulate minerals at the inlet of the collection hood form a suction flow field under the suction force generated by the collection hood itself, enabling them to flow from the inlet to the outlet of the collection hood. Near the outlet, due to the existence of a "dead zone," the particulate minerals entering this area are trapped because there is no suction flow field. A pressure control unit is installed in the "dead zone." When the output pressure pi of the pressure control unit is greater than or equal to the predetermined value p0 of the pressure control unit, the pressure control unit outputs a control signal, the pneumatic control mechanism operates, and high-pressure gas flows out from the pneumatic control mechanism and enters the nozzle. The nozzle generates a flow field within the collection hood that moves towards the outlet of the collection hood, thereby transporting the particulate minerals in the "dead zone" to the outlet of the collection hood. Since the particulate minerals vary in size, the flow field pressure required to remove them from the "dead zone" differs. This invention cleverly adjusts the flow rate of the nozzle-generated flow field by adjusting the opening of the pneumatic control mechanism, thereby achieving the transport of particulate minerals of different sizes, ensuring transport capacity while saving energy consumption. Specifically, when the particle size in the "dead zone" increases, the output pressure pi of the pressure sensing and control unit increases accordingly, the opening ai of the pneumatic control mechanism increases accordingly, and the flow velocity of the nozzle-generated flow field also increases accordingly, thus enhancing the particle conveying capacity. When the particle size in the "dead zone" decreases, the output pressure pi of the pressure sensing and control unit decreases accordingly, the opening ai of the pneumatic control mechanism decreases accordingly, and the flow velocity of the nozzle-generated flow field also decreases accordingly, thus reducing the energy consumption required for particle conveying. Setting the angle α between the nozzle axis and the horizontal direction to 10°–30° helps the nozzle form an upward flow field, reducing operating energy consumption.

[0023] The present invention has the following advantages over the prior art:

[0024] The seabed particulate matter collection device and method of the present invention, by installing nozzles near the outlet of the collection hood, can generate a flow field towards the outlet of the collection hood by relying on the high-pressure gas ejected from the nozzles, so that the particulate matter near the outlet of the collection hood can flow out smoothly from the outlet of the collection hood, which can effectively solve the problem of "dead zone" blockage. The entire anti-blockage process is automatically carried out by adopting a mechanical structure, which has low energy consumption and significantly improves the working efficiency and safety of the collection hood. At the same time, by detecting the size of the particulate matter in real time and adjusting the opening of the pneumatic control mechanism, the conveying capacity is ensured while saving working energy. Attached Figure Description

[0025] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this application or the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments recorded in this application. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0026] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the seabed particulate matter collection device in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0027] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the flow field distribution in the region near the outlet of the collection hood when the nozzle is working in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0028] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the nozzle in an embodiment of the present invention, showing the angle α between the nozzle axis and the horizontal direction.

[0029] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the area near the outlet of the collection hood in an embodiment of the present invention, and the angle θ between the area and the centerline of the outlet of the collection hood.

[0030] Figure label:

[0031] 1. Collection hood; 2. Pneumatic control mechanism; 21. Air pump; 22. Control valve; 23. Control lever; 3. Nozzle; 4. Pressure sensing and control unit; 41. Pressure sensing plate; 42. Pressure controller; 5. Particle mineral. Detailed Implementation

[0032] To enable those skilled in the art to better understand the technical solutions in this application, the technical solutions in the embodiments of this application will be clearly and completely described below. Obviously, the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of this application, and not all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments in this application, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of this application.

[0033] like Figure 1-4 As shown, this embodiment of the invention provides a seabed particulate matter collection device, including a collection hood 1 with an inlet and an outlet, and a pneumatic control mechanism 2, a nozzle 3, and a pressure sensing unit 4 sequentially arranged near the outlet of the collection hood 1. The nozzle 3 is installed on the outer shell of the collection hood 1 and penetrates the outer shell of the collection hood 1. The nozzle 3's nozzle orifice faces the outlet direction of the collection hood 1. The pneumatic control mechanism 2 is connected to the nozzle 3 and the pressure sensing unit 4 respectively. The pneumatic control mechanism 2 is disposed on the outer surface of the collection hood 1, and the pressure sensing unit 4 is disposed on the inner surface of the collection hood 1. The pressure sensing unit 4 is installed between the nozzle 3 and the outlet of the collection hood 1.

[0034] In this embodiment, the angle between the axis of nozzle 3 and the horizontal direction is α, where 10°≤α≤30°, with α being most preferably 20° and secondly 25°. Setting the angle α between the axis of nozzle 3 and the horizontal direction to 10°~30° helps nozzle 3 form an upward flow field and reduces operating energy consumption.

[0035] In this embodiment, there is one nozzle 3. In other embodiments, there may be two or more nozzles 3. When there are more than two nozzles 3, the nozzles 3 are symmetrically installed on the collection cover.

[0036] In this embodiment, the pneumatic control mechanism 2 includes an air pump 21, a control valve 22, and a control rod 23. The air pump 21 is connected to the nozzle 3 through a connecting pipe. The control valve 22 is installed on the connecting pipe between the air pump 21 and the nozzle 3. One end of the control rod 23 is connected to the control valve 22 to adjust the opening of the control valve 22. The pressure sensing and control unit 4 is connected to the other end of the control rod 23. The working state of the control rod 23 is controlled by the pressure sensing and control unit 4.

[0037] In this embodiment, the opening degree of control valve 22 is a. i a i =(p i / p f )×a f , where p i p represents the actual output pressure of pressure sensing and control unit 4. f α is the full-scale output pressure of pressure sensing and control unit 4, and αf is the maximum opening degree of control valve 22.

[0038] In this embodiment, the pressure sensing and control unit 4 includes a pressure sensing plate 41 and a pressure controller 42. The pressure controller 42 is fixed on the collection hood 1, and the pressure sensing plate 41 is fixed in the inner space of the collection hood 1. The pressure sensing plate 41 in the pressure sensing and control unit 4 is used to adjust the opening of the control valve 22. The output pressure of the pressure sensing plate 41 is proportional to the opening of the control valve 22. The greater the output pressure of the pressure sensing plate 41, the greater the opening of the control valve 22. Specifically, the flow rate of the flow field generated by the nozzle 3 is adjusted by controlling the opening of the conditional control valve 22, thereby realizing the conveying of mineral particles 5 of different sizes, saving working energy while ensuring conveying capacity. When the mineral particles 5 in the "dead zone" (near the outlet of the collection hood 1) increase, the output pressure pi of the pressure sensing plate 41 increases accordingly, and the opening a of the control valve 22 increases. i As the pressure increases accordingly, the flow velocity of the flow field generated by nozzle 3 also increases, enhancing the conveying capacity of the particulate minerals 5. When the particulate minerals 5 in the "dead zone" become smaller, the output pressure p of the pressure sensing plate 41 increases. i As the value decreases, the opening a of control valve 22... i As the flow rate decreases accordingly, the flow velocity generated by nozzle 3 also decreases accordingly, and the energy consumption required for transporting particulate minerals 5 decreases accordingly.

[0039] In this embodiment, the area near the outlet of the collection hood 1 includes an arc-shaped region with the centerline of the collection hood 1 as the baseline and an angle of θ, where θ is 30-60°. Within this region, a "dead zone" is easily formed, and the particulate minerals 5 are easily trapped within this region, making it difficult for them to flow out of the outlet of the collection hood.

[0040] In this embodiment, the nozzle 3 does not protrude from the outer shell of the collection cover 1, ensuring that the nozzle 3 will not be damaged by the impact of particulate minerals when it is not in operation.

[0041] A method for collecting seabed particulate matter, employing the aforementioned seabed particulate matter collection device, includes the following steps:

[0042] S1. The pressure sensing and control unit 4 is turned on and put into working condition. When the particulate mineral 5 is sucked in from the inlet of the collection hood and moves to a position near the outlet of the collection hood 1, the pressure sensing and control unit 4 generates an output pressure p. i And compare and judge the actual output pressure p generated by the pressure sensing and control unit 4. i The magnitude relationship between the pressure and the predetermined pressure value P0 of the pressure sensing and control unit 4;

[0043] S2, when p i When the pressure is less than P0, the pressure sensing and control unit 4 does not output a control signal, and the pneumatic control mechanism 2 does not work and is in standby mode.

[0044] S3, when p iWhen the pressure is not less than P0, the pressure sensing and control unit 4 outputs a control signal, the pneumatic control mechanism 2 works, and high-pressure gas is injected into the nozzle 3. The high-pressure gas is ejected from the nozzle 3 and generates a flow field in the collection hood 1 in the direction of the outlet of the collection hood 1. This flow field transports the particulate mineral 5 to the outlet of the collection hood 1.

[0045] In this embodiment, the predetermined pressure value P0 in step S1 is set according to the following formula:

[0046]

[0047] Where r is the diameter of the mineral particles, ρ is the density of the mineral particles, and g is the gravitational acceleration. In actual operation, the diameter of the mineral particles is generally 5-20 mm. In order to ensure the feasibility of the entire operation, the maximum value of the mineral particle diameter is generally taken to determine the value of P0.

[0048] The working principle and process of the seabed particulate matter collection device and its collection method in this embodiment are as follows:

[0049] When the collecting hood 1 is working, the particulate minerals at the inlet of the collecting hood 1 form a suction flow field under the suction force generated by the collecting hood 1 itself, realizing the flow from the inlet of the collecting hood 1 to the outlet of the collecting hood 1. Near the outlet of the collecting hood 1, due to the existence of a "dead zone", the particulate minerals 5 will be trapped in the area after entering the area because there is no suction flow field. The pressure sensing and control unit 4 is installed in the "dead zone". When the output pressure pi of the pressure sensing and control unit 4 is greater than or equal to the predetermined value p0 of the pressure sensing and control unit 4, the pressure sensing and control unit 4 outputs a control signal, the pneumatic control mechanism 2 works, and the high-pressure gas flows out from the pneumatic control mechanism 2 and enters the nozzle 3. The nozzle 3 generates a flow field in the collecting hood 1 toward the outlet of the collecting hood 1, thereby transporting the particulate minerals 5 in the "dead zone" to the outlet of the collecting hood 1. Because the particle minerals 5 vary in size, the flow field pressure required to remove them from the "dead zone" differs. This invention cleverly adjusts the flow rate of the flow field generated by the nozzle 3 by controlling the opening of the pneumatic control mechanism 2, thereby achieving the conveying of particle minerals of different sizes. This ensures conveying capacity while saving energy. Specifically, when the particle minerals 5 in the "dead zone" increase in size, the output pressure pi of the pressure sensing and control unit 4 increases accordingly, the opening ai of the pneumatic control mechanism 2 increases accordingly, and the flow rate of the flow field generated by the nozzle 3 also increases accordingly, enhancing the conveying capacity of the particle minerals 5. When the particle minerals 5 in the "dead zone" decrease in size, the output pressure pi of the pressure sensing and control unit 4 decreases accordingly, the opening ai of the pneumatic control mechanism 2 decreases accordingly, and the flow rate of the flow field generated by the nozzle 3 also decreases accordingly, reducing the energy consumption required for conveying the particle minerals 5.

[0050] The seabed particulate matter collection device and method of this embodiment, by installing nozzles 3 near the outlet of the collection hood 1, can generate a flow field towards the outlet of the collection hood 1 by relying on the high-pressure gas ejected from the nozzles 3, so that the particulate minerals 5 near the outlet of the collection hood 1 can flow out smoothly from the outlet of the collection hood 1, which significantly improves the working efficiency and working safety of the collection hood 1. At the same time, by detecting the size of the particulate minerals 5 in real time and adjusting the opening of the pneumatic control mechanism 2, the conveying capacity is ensured while saving working energy consumption.

[0051] The above description of the disclosed embodiments enables those skilled in the art to make or use the invention. Various modifications to these embodiments will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the general principles defined herein may be implemented in other embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Therefore, the invention is not to be limited to the embodiments shown herein, but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and novel features disclosed herein.

Claims

1. A device for collecting seabed particulate matter, characterized in that, The system includes a collection hood (1) with an inlet and an outlet, and a pneumatic control mechanism (2), a nozzle (3), and a pressure sensing unit (4) sequentially arranged near the outlet of the collection hood (1). The nozzle (3) is mounted on the outer shell of the collection hood (1) and penetrates the outer shell of the collection hood (1). The nozzle (3) faces the outlet of the collection hood (1). The pneumatic control mechanism (2) is connected to both the nozzle (3) and the pressure sensing unit (4). The pneumatic control mechanism (2) is located on the outer surface of the collection hood (1), and the pressure sensing unit (4) is located on the inner surface of the collection hood (1). The sensing part of unit (4) is installed between the nozzle (3) and the outlet of the collection hood (1); the pneumatic control mechanism (2) includes an air pump (21), a control valve (22) and a control rod (23). The air pump (21) is connected to the nozzle (3) through a connecting pipe. The control valve (22) is set on the connecting pipe between the air pump (21) and the nozzle (3). The control rod (23) connects the control valve (22) and the pressure sensing unit (4). The pressure sensing unit (4) adjusts the opening degree a of the control valve (22) through the control rod (23) according to the detected pressure signal. i , and a i The output pressure p of the pressure sensing and control unit (4) i Proportional.

2. The seabed particulate matter collection device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The angle between the axis of the nozzle (3) and the horizontal direction is α, where 10°≤α≤30°.

3. The seabed particulate matter collection device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The number of nozzles (3) is one, two or more. When the number of nozzles (3) is greater than 2, the nozzles (3) are symmetrically installed on the collection cover (1).

4. The seabed particulate matter collection device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The opening degree of the control valve (22) is a i a i =(p i / p f )×a f , where p i p is the actual output pressure of the pressure sensing and control unit (4). f is the full-scale output pressure of the pressure sensing and control unit (4), and af is the maximum opening of the control valve (22).

5. The seabed particulate matter collection device according to any one of claims 1-4, characterized in that, The pressure sensing and control unit (4) includes a pressure sensing plate (41) and a pressure controller (42). The pressure controller (42) is fixed on the collection cover (1), and the pressure sensing plate (41) is fixed in the inner space of the collection cover (1).

6. The seabed particulate matter collection device according to any one of claims 1-4, characterized in that, The outlet of the collection hood (1) includes an arc-shaped region with the centerline of the collection hood (1) as the baseline and an angle of θ, where θ is 30 to 60°.

7. The seabed particulate matter collection device according to any one of claims 1-4, characterized in that, The nozzle (3) does not protrude from the outer shell of the collection shroud (1).

8. A method for collecting particulate matter from the seabed, characterized in that, The seabed particulate matter collection device according to any one of claims 1-7 includes the following steps: S1. When the pressure sensing and control unit (4) is turned on and put into working condition, the pressure sensing and control unit (4) generates an output pressure p when the particulate mineral is sucked in from the inlet of the collection hood (1) and moves to a position near the outlet of the collection hood (1). i And compare and judge the actual output pressure p generated by the pressure sensing and control unit (4). i The magnitude relationship between the pressure value P0 of the pressure sensing and control unit (4) and the pressure value P0; S2, when p i When the pressure is less than P0, the pressure sensing and control unit (4) does not output a control signal, and the pneumatic control mechanism (2) does not work and is in standby mode; S3, when p i When the pressure is not less than P0, the pressure sensing and control unit (4) outputs a control signal, the pneumatic control mechanism (2) works, and high-pressure gas is injected into the nozzle (3). The high-pressure gas is ejected from the nozzle (3) and generates a flow field in the collection hood (1) toward the outlet of the collection hood (1). This flow field transports the particulate minerals to the outlet of the collection hood (1).

9. The method for collecting seabed particulate matter according to claim 8, characterized in that, In step S1, the predetermined pressure value P0 is set according to the following formula: Where r is the diameter of the mineral particles, ρ is the density of the mineral particles, and g is the gravitational acceleration.

Images