Seabed Sediment Thermal Properties Test Facility

Abstract

This invention discloses a testing device for the thermal properties of seabed sediments, comprising a support frame, a rotating assembly, and an electrical control chamber. The support frame includes a base and a cylindrical rod, with an operating hole on the base, and the cylindrical rod fixed to the base. The rotating assembly includes a rotating frame sleeved on the outside of the cylindrical rod, and a sleeve release structure, a placement structure, a gripping structure, a heating structure, and a sampling structure that slide through the rotating frame along the axis of the cylindrical rod. When the rotating frame rotates, the sleeve release structure, placement structure, gripping structure, heating structure, and sampling structure can all be aligned with the operating hole. The electrical control chamber is electrically connected to the heating structure to supply power to it. Compared to existing technologies, this invention's testing device for the thermal properties of seabed sediments enables in-situ testing in the deep sea. By heating and sampling seabed sediments in the deep-sea environment, and then measuring the obtained samples, more accurate test results can be obtained.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of in-situ heating sampling technology for microorganisms in seabed sediments, and in particular to a testing device for the thermal properties of seabed sediments. Background Technology

[0002] Methane is a significant greenhouse gas that profoundly impacts global climate change. It is also a major component of natural gas hydrates. Marine sediments are an important ecological region for methane biotransformation. Methane-metabolizing microorganisms residing in the sediment surface utilize oxygen as an electron acceptor to degrade complex organic matter. After oxygen is rapidly depleted in the surface region, nitrite / nitrate, iron and manganese ions, and sulfate ions become the main electron acceptors for microbial metabolism, anaerobicly degrading organic matter to produce carbon dioxide or methane. Under high pressure and low temperature conditions, free methane and dissolved methane polymerize with water to form a cage-like crystal similar to ice—natural gas hydrate—which is relatively stably stored in the sediment. Temperature and nutrients have a significant impact on the methane metabolism process of microorganisms in the seabed surface, but currently, there are no deep-sea devices capable of controlling these two parameters. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The purpose of this invention is to provide a test device for the thermal properties of seabed sediments, which delivers sediment samples with pre-mixed initial nutrients to the seabed for in-situ heating and sampling.

[0004] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention provides the following solution:

[0005] This invention discloses a testing device for the thermal properties of seabed sediments, comprising a support frame, a rotating assembly, and an electrical control chamber. The support frame includes a base and a round rod, with an operating hole on the base, and the round rod fixed to the base. The rotating assembly includes a rotating frame sleeved on the outside of the round rod, and a sleeve release structure, a laying-out structure, a gripping structure, a heating structure, and a sampling structure that slide through the rotating frame along the axial direction of the round rod. When the rotating frame rotates, the sleeve release structure, the laying-out structure, the gripping structure, the heating structure, and the sampling structure can all be aligned with the operating hole.

[0006] The sleeve release structure includes a sleeve for insertion into seabed sediment below the operating hole, and the sleeve release structure is capable of releasing the sleeve; the sampling structure is used to inject a sediment sample with pre-mixed initial nutrients into the sleeve; the grasping structure is used to remove the sleeve from the operating hole; the heating structure is used to heat the sediment sample; and the sampling structure is used to recover the heated sediment sample.

[0007] The electrical control compartment is electrically connected to the heating structure to supply power to the heating structure.

[0008] Preferably, the base is provided with a handle.

[0009] Preferably, the sleeve release structure includes the sleeve and a first rod; the sleeve is sleeved on the outside of the first rod and is connected to the first rod by a rotating buckle, and the first rod slides through the rotating frame; the first rod is provided with a first handle for lifting, and the first handle is located on the side of the rotating frame away from the base.

[0010] Preferably, the lofting structure includes a lofting cylinder, a second rod, and a lofting piston; the lofting cylinder is fixed to the rotating frame, the lofting piston is fixed to the second rod and slides in contact with the inner wall of the lofting cylinder, and the opening of the lofting cylinder faces the base; the second rod slides through the rotating frame, and the second rod is provided with a second handle for lifting, the second handle being located on the side of the rotating frame away from the base.

[0011] Preferably, the end of the lofting cylinder near the base is provided with a petal structure; when the lofting piston moves toward the base, the petal structure can open; when the lofting piston moves away from the base, the petal structure can elastically return to its original position.

[0012] Preferably, the gripping structure includes a hook and a third rod; the hook is fixed to one end of the third rod near the base, and the hook can be elastically deformed to engage in a groove on the inner wall of the sleeve; the third rod slides through the rotating frame, and the third rod is provided with a third handle for lifting, the third handle being located on the side of the rotating frame away from the base.

[0013] Preferably, the heating structure includes a heating probe and a lifting component; the lifting component includes a locking block and a fourth rod, the fourth rod being fixed to the locking block and having a fourth handle for lifting; the tip of the heating probe passes through the locking block and the rotating frame, and the fourth rod, the locking block, and the rotating frame are arranged sequentially along the length of the heating probe; the wiring terminal of the heating probe is located on the side of the locking block away from the rotating frame.

[0014] Preferably, the sampling structure includes a sampling cylinder, a fifth rod, and a sampling piston; the sampling piston is fixed to the fifth rod and slides in contact with the inner wall of the sampling cylinder, the opening of the sampling cylinder faces the base, and the sampling cylinder is fixed to the rotating frame; the fifth rod slides through the rotating frame, and the fifth rod is provided with a fifth handle for lifting, the fifth handle being located on the side of the rotating frame away from the base.

[0015] Preferably, the electrical control compartment is equipped with a watertight connector and a Hall switch; the watertight connector is connected to the wiring terminal of the heating probe via a wire, and the Hall switch is used to control the current flow of the heating probe.

[0016] Preferably, the sleeve release structure, the lofting structure, the gripping structure, the heating structure, and the sampling structure are evenly distributed along the circumference of the round rod.

[0017] The present invention achieves the following technical effects compared to the prior art:

[0018] The thermal property testing device for seabed sediments of the present invention can conduct in-situ tests in the deep sea. By heating and sampling seabed sediments in the deep sea environment, and then measuring the obtained samples, more accurate test results can be obtained. Attached Figure Description

[0019] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention or the prior art, the drawings used in the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present invention. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0020] Figure 1 This is a front view of the experimental apparatus for testing the thermal properties of seabed sediments according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0021] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the experimental apparatus for testing the thermal properties of seabed sediments according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0022] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram from another perspective of the seabed sediment thermal property testing device according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0023] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of another perspective of the experimental apparatus for testing the thermal properties of seabed sediments according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0024] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached drawings: 1 Rotating assembly; 1-1 Sleeve release structure; 1-2 Lofting structure; 1-3 Grabbing structure; 1-4 Heating structure; 1-5 Sampling structure; 2 Support; 2-1 Handle; 2-2 Rotating frame; 2-3 Operating hole; 3 Electrical control compartment; 3-1 Watertight connector; 3-2 Hall switch. Detailed Implementation

[0025] The technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present invention, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0026] The purpose of this invention is to provide a test device for the thermal properties of seabed sediments, which delivers sediment samples with pre-mixed initial nutrients to the seabed for in-situ heating and sampling.

[0027] To make the above-mentioned objects, features and advantages of the present invention more apparent and understandable, the present invention will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments.

[0028] Reference Figures 1-4 This embodiment provides a device for testing the thermal properties of seabed sediments, including a support 2, a rotating assembly 1, and an electrical control cabin 3. The support 2 includes a base and a round rod. The base has an operating hole 2-3, and the round rod is fixed to the base. The rotating assembly 1 includes a rotating frame 2-2 slidably sleeved on the outside of the round rod, and a sleeve release structure 1-1, a placement structure 1-2, a gripping structure 1-3, a heating structure 1-4, and a sampling structure 1-5 that slide through the rotating frame 2-2 along the axial direction of the round rod. When the rotating frame 2-2 rotates, the sleeve release structure 1-1, the placement structure 1-2, the gripping structure 1-3, the heating structure 1-4, and the sampling structure 1-5 can all be aligned with the operating hole 2-3.

[0029] The sleeve release structure 1-1 has a sleeve for insertion into the seabed sediment below the operating hole 2-3, and the sleeve release structure 1-1 can release the sleeve. The sampling structure 1-2 is used to inject a sediment sample with pre-mixed initial nutrients into the sleeve. The gripping structure 1-3 is used to remove the sleeve from the operating hole 2-3. The heating structure 1-4 is used to heat the sediment sample at the operating hole 2-3. The sampling structure 1-5 is used to recover the heated sediment sample. The electrical control chamber 3 is electrically connected to the heating structure 1-4 to supply power to the heating structure 1-4. The sleeve release structure 1-1, sampling structure 1-2, gripping structure 1-3, heating structure 1-4, and sampling structure 1-5 are preferably evenly distributed along the circumference of the cylindrical rod. A handle is preferably provided at the top center of the rotating frame 2-2 to facilitate rotation of the rotating frame 2-2.

[0030] The usage process of the seabed sediment thermal property testing device in this embodiment is as follows:

[0031] S1. First, place the base at the designated location on the seabed.

[0032] S2. Rotate the rotating frame 2-2 to align the sleeve with the operating hole 2-3. First, insert the sleeve into the seabed sediment below the operating hole 2-3, and then release the sleeve. The sleeve remains in the seabed sediment below the operating hole 2-3 to prevent sediment collapse.

[0033] S3. Rotate the rotating frame 2-2 to align the layout structure 1-2 with the operating hole 2-3, and inject the prepared initial nutrients from the layout structure 1-2 into the sleeve.

[0034] S4. Rotate the rotating frame 2-2 to align the gripping structure 1-3 with the operating hole 2-3, and remove the sleeve from the operating hole 2-3.

[0035] S5. Rotate the rotating frame 2-2 so that the heating structure 1-4 is aligned with the operating hole 2-3, and heat the sediment sample below the operating hole 2-3 through the heating structure 1-4.

[0036] S6. Rotate the rotating frame 2-2 to align the sampling structure 1-5 with the operating hole 2-3, and collect the heated sediment sample through the sampling structure 1-5.

[0037] In this embodiment, the above-mentioned operation process can be completed by an underwater robot. It should be noted that in the prior art, seabed sediment thermal characteristic tests are often conducted in shallow water areas to simulate test results in the deep sea. However, due to the significant pressure difference between shallow water and the deep sea, the test results often differ considerably. The seabed sediment thermal characteristic testing device of this embodiment can conduct in-situ tests in the deep sea. By heating and sampling seabed sediments in the deep-sea environment, and then measuring the obtained samples, more accurate test results can be obtained.

[0038] As a possible example, in this embodiment, the base is provided with a handle 2-1. The handle 2-1 is used for underwater robot gripping to facilitate placing the seabed sediment thermal properties testing device in a designated location.

[0039] As a possible example, in this embodiment, the sleeve release structure 1-1 includes a sleeve and a first rod. The sleeve is fitted onto the outside of the first rod and is connected to the first rod by a rotating snap-fit. The first rod slides through the rotating frame 2-2. The first rod is provided with a first handle for lifting, which is located on the side of the rotating frame 2-2 away from the base. In use, by pressing down the first handle with an underwater robot, the sleeve and the first rod move downwards synchronously, thereby inserting the sleeve into the seabed sediment below the operating hole 2-3. Then, by rotating the first handle with the underwater robot, the snap-fit ​​relationship between the sleeve and the first rod is released. Next, by lifting the first handle with the underwater robot, the first rod is separated from the sleeve.

[0040] As a possible example, in this embodiment, the lofting structure 1-2 includes a lofting cylinder, a second rod, and a lofting piston. The lofting cylinder is fixed to the rotating frame 2-2, and the lofting piston is fixed to the second rod and slides in contact with the inner wall of the lofting cylinder. The opening of the lofting cylinder faces the base. The second rod slides through the rotating frame 2-2 and is equipped with a second handle for lifting. The second handle is located on the side of the rotating frame 2-2 away from the base. After the opening of the lofting cylinder is aligned with the operating hole 2-3, the second handle is pressed down by the underwater robot. The second rod, which is fixedly connected to the second handle, can then drive the lofting piston downward, thereby injecting the prepared initial nutrients (below the lofting piston) into the sleeve. Since the lofting cylinder is fixed to the rotating frame 2-2, the height of the lofting cylinder is not affected when the lofting piston moves up and down.

[0041] As a possible example, in this embodiment, the end of the lofting cylinder near the base is provided with a petal structure. The petal structure is made of an elastic material (e.g., rubber) to automatically recover its shape after deformation. When the lofting piston moves towards the base, the petal structure can open to inject the prepared initial nutrients into the sleeve. When the lofting piston moves away from the base, the petal structure can elastically return to its original position. By providing the petal structure, this embodiment can improve the sealing performance of the lofting cylinder and prevent leakage of the prepared initial nutrients inside the lofting cylinder.

[0042] As a possible example, in this embodiment, the gripping structure 1-3 includes a grappling hook and a third rod. The grappling hook is fixed to the end of the third rod near the base. The grappling hook has multiple claw tips, which are evenly distributed along the circumference of the third rod, and the tips of the grappling hooks open outwards at an angle upwards towards the third rod. The grappling hook is elastically deformable; when the grappling hook enters the sleeve downwards, the claw tips move towards the third rod under the pressure of the inner wall of the sleeve. When the claw tips move to the groove on the inner wall of the sleeve, the claw tips elastically return to their original position. The third rod slides through the rotating frame 2-2. The third rod is equipped with a third handle for lifting and a disc for positioning. The third handle and the disc are both located on the side of the rotating frame 2-2 away from the base, and the disc is used to abut against the upper surface of the rotating frame 2-2. In use, the third rod and the grappling hook can be moved synchronously by moving the third handle upwards or downwards using the underwater robot.

[0043] As a possible example, in this embodiment, the heating structure 1-4 includes a heating probe and a lifting member. The lifting member includes a locking block and a fourth rod, the fourth rod being fixed to the locking block and having a fourth handle for lifting. The tip of the heating probe passes through the locking block and the rotating frame 2-2. Along the length of the heating probe, the fourth rod, locking block, and rotating frame 2-2 are arranged sequentially. The wiring terminal of the heating probe is located on the side of the locking block opposite to the rotating frame 2-2. The tip of the heating probe and the locking block maintain a relative position through friction. By pressing down the tip of the heating probe, the tip of the heating probe can be inserted into the operating hole 2-3. After heating is completed, the fourth handle is lifted to pull the tip of the heating probe out of the operating hole 2-3. Then, the rotating frame 2-2 is rotated to displace the tip of the heating probe from the operating hole 2-3, and then the fourth handle is pressed down. After the lower end of the tip of the heating probe abuts against the base, it stops moving downwards, and the locking block continues to move downwards until it abuts against the upper surface of the rotating frame 2-2.

[0044] As a possible example, in this embodiment, the sampling structure 1-5 includes a sampling cylinder, a fifth rod, and a sampling piston. The sampling piston is fixed to the fifth rod and slides in contact with the inner wall of the sampling cylinder. The opening of the sampling cylinder faces the base, and the sampling cylinder is fixed to the rotating frame 2-2. The fifth rod slides through the rotating frame 2-2, and a fifth handle for lifting is provided on the fifth rod. The fifth handle is located on the side of the rotating frame 2-2 away from the base. After the lower opening of the sampling cylinder is aligned with the operating hole 2-3, the underwater robot lifts the fifth handle, causing the sampling piston to move upward, thereby drawing the heated sediment sample below the operating hole 2-3 into the sampling cylinder. Then, the rotating frame 2-2 is rotated so that the lower end face of the sampling cylinder is in contact with the upper surface of the base, so that the sediment sample is collected in the space enclosed by the base and the sampling cylinder.

[0045] As a possible example, in this embodiment, the electrical control compartment 3 is equipped with a watertight connector 3-1 and a Hall switch 3-2. The watertight connector is connected to the wiring terminal of the heating probe via a wire, and the Hall switch 3-2 is used to control the current flow of the heating probe.

[0046] As a possible example, in this embodiment, the rotating frame 2-2 is magnetically attracted to the sleeve, the lofting cylinder, the sampling cylinder, the disk, and the clamping block, respectively.

[0047] This specification uses specific examples to illustrate the principles and implementation methods of the present invention. The descriptions of the above embodiments are only for the purpose of helping to understand the method and core ideas of the present invention. Furthermore, those skilled in the art will recognize that, based on the ideas of the present invention, there will be changes in the specific implementation methods and application scope. Therefore, the content of this specification should not be construed as a limitation of the present invention.

Claims

1. A testing device for the thermal properties of seabed sediments, characterized in that, The system includes a support frame, a rotating assembly, and an electrical control compartment. The support frame includes a base and a round rod. The base has an operating hole, and the round rod is fixed to the base. The rotating assembly includes a rotating frame sleeved on the outside of the round rod, and a sleeve release structure, a lofting structure, a gripping structure, a heating structure, and a sampling structure that slide through the rotating frame along the axial direction of the round rod. When the rotating frame rotates, the sleeve release structure, the lofting structure, the gripping structure, the heating structure, and the sampling structure can all be aligned with the operating hole. The sleeve release structure includes a sleeve for insertion into seabed sediment below the operating hole, and the sleeve release structure is capable of releasing the sleeve; the sampling structure is used to inject a sediment sample with pre-mixed initial nutrients into the sleeve; the grasping structure is used to remove the sleeve from the operating hole; the heating structure is used to heat the sediment sample; and the sampling structure is used to recover the heated sediment sample. The electrical control compartment is electrically connected to the heating structure to supply power to the heating structure; The lofting structure includes a lofting cylinder, a second rod, and a lofting piston; the lofting cylinder is fixed to the rotating frame, the lofting piston is fixed to the second rod and slides in contact with the inner wall of the lofting cylinder, and the opening of the lofting cylinder faces the base; the second rod slides through the rotating frame, and the second rod is provided with a second handle for lifting, the second handle being located on the side of the rotating frame away from the base; The lofting cylinder has a petal structure at one end near the base; when the lofting piston moves toward the base, the petal structure can open; when the lofting piston moves away from the base, the petal structure can elastically return to its original position. The gripping structure includes a hook and a third rod; the hook is fixed to one end of the third rod near the base, and the hook can be elastically deformed to engage in a groove on the inner wall of the sleeve; the third rod slides through the rotating frame, and a third handle for lifting is provided on the third rod, and the third handle is located on the side of the rotating frame away from the base; The sleeve release structure, the lofting structure, the gripping structure, the heating structure, and the sampling structure are evenly distributed along the circumference of the round rod.

2. The experimental apparatus for testing the thermal properties of seabed sediments according to claim 1, characterized in that, The base is equipped with a handle.

3. The experimental apparatus for testing the thermal properties of seabed sediments according to claim 1, characterized in that, The sleeve release structure includes the sleeve and a first rod; the sleeve is sleeved on the outside of the first rod and is connected to the first rod by a rotating buckle, and the first rod slides through the rotating frame; the first rod is provided with a first handle for lifting, and the first handle is located on the side of the rotating frame away from the base.

4. The experimental apparatus for testing the thermal properties of seabed sediments according to claim 1, characterized in that, The heating structure includes a heating probe and a lifting component; the lifting component includes a locking block and a fourth rod, the fourth rod being fixed to the locking block and having a fourth handle for lifting; the tip of the heating probe passes through the locking block and the rotating frame, and the fourth rod, the locking block, and the rotating frame are arranged sequentially along the length of the heating probe; the wiring terminal of the heating probe is located on the side of the locking block away from the rotating frame.

5. The experimental apparatus for testing the thermal properties of seabed sediments according to claim 1, characterized in that, The sampling structure includes a sampling cylinder, a fifth rod, and a sampling piston; the sampling piston is fixed to the fifth rod and slides in contact with the inner wall of the sampling cylinder, the opening of the sampling cylinder faces the base, and the sampling cylinder is fixed to the rotating frame; the fifth rod slides through the rotating frame, and the fifth rod is provided with a fifth handle for lifting, the fifth handle being located on the side of the rotating frame away from the base.

6. The experimental apparatus for testing the thermal properties of seabed sediments according to claim 4, characterized in that, The electrical control compartment is equipped with a watertight connector and a Hall switch; the watertight connector is connected to the wiring terminal of the heating probe via a wire, and the Hall switch is used to control the current flow of the heating probe.

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