Helium collection system and seawater helium collection equipment

Abstract

The application discloses a helium collection system and seawater helium collection equipment, which comprises a separation tank body, a gas separation net arranged in the separation tank body, a conveying pipeline penetrating through the separation tank body, a separation assembly arranged in a first chamber of the separation tank body, and a collection assembly communicated with the first chamber through a gas outlet arranged at the top of the separation tank body. The gas separation net divides the inner cavity of the separation tank body into the first chamber and a second chamber arranged in a vertical mode. The conveying pipeline extends along the arrangement direction of the first chamber and the second chamber, and the outlet end of the conveying pipeline is arranged in the first chamber, the inlet end of the conveying pipeline penetrates through the bottom of the separation tank body, and a gas-water inlet is connected to the conveying pipeline. The conveying pipeline is configured to convey a gas-water mixture into the second chamber, and the separation assembly is configured to separate helium from liquid. The helium enters the collection assembly through the gas outlet, and the liquid enters the second chamber and is discharged. The application solves the problem of insufficient helium resources in China.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application relates to the field of helium collection. More particularly, it relates to a helium collection system and a seawater helium collection device. BACKGROUND

[0002] Helium is a very light colorless, odorless, tasteless monatomic inert gas, which is generally difficult to react with other substances due to its chemical inertness. The relative atomic mass of helium is 4.003, which is the smallest among all gases in natural environment except hydrogen. Due to this property, helium will quickly escape from the earth's gravity after leaving the earth's crust, which results in a very low content of helium in the air, with an average of only 0.0005%. The content of helium in water may be more considerable than that in the atmosphere. According to the research of the American Geographical Society, the proportion of helium in groundwater is about 0.5% to 2.5%, and the proportion of helium in seawater is about 6% to 7%, and sometimes even up to about 10%. These excess helium should be escaped from the earth's interior. The inventors have measured the water helium content in the drilling water in the work area several times during the process of searching for uranium mines, with the highest value reaching 4000PPM, indicating that there is indeed a relatively high concentration of helium in water. Although it is known that there is a relatively high concentration of helium in seawater, how to exploit it has become a big problem. SUMMARY

[0003] In view of the above problems, one object of the present application is to provide a helium collection system.

[0004] Another object of the present application is to provide a seawater helium collection device comprising the above-mentioned helium collection system.

[0005] To achieve the above-mentioned objects, the present application adopts the following technical solutions:

[0006] According to one aspect of the present application, a helium collection system is provided, comprising:

[0007] a separation tank body;

[0008] a gas separation net arranged in the separation tank body, the gas separation net separating the inner cavity of the separation tank body into a first chamber and a second chamber distributed vertically;

[0009] a delivery pipeline penetrating the separation tank body;

[0010] a separation assembly located in the first chamber; and

[0011] a collection assembly in communication with the first chamber through a gas outlet, the gas outlet being located at the top of the separation tank body;

[0012] The conveying pipeline is arranged along the arrangement direction of the first chamber and the second chamber, the outlet end of the conveying pipeline is located in the first chamber, the inlet end penetrates through the bottom of the separation tank body, and the gas-water inlet is connected.

[0013] The conveying pipeline is configured to convey the gas-water mixture into the first chamber, the helium gas is separated from the liquid by the separation assembly, the helium gas enters the collection assembly through the gas outlet, and the liquid enters the second chamber and is discharged.

[0014] In addition, preferably, the conveying pipeline divides the second chamber into a conveying channel and a discharge channel, the conveying channel is the inner cavity of the conveying pipeline, the gas-water mixture enters the first chamber through the conveying channel, and the liquid after gas-water separation is discharged through the discharge channel.

[0015] In addition, preferably, the gas separation net is in a funnel structure and is coaxially arranged with the separation tank body.

[0016] The center of the gas separation net comprises an opening through which the conveying pipeline passes, so that the conveying pipeline can convey the gas-water mixture into the first chamber.

[0017] In addition, preferably, the gas-water inlet is in a conical structure, the inner diameter of which gradually converges in the direction close to the conveying pipeline, and the gas-water inlet is combined with the inlet end of the conveying pipeline.

[0018] In addition, preferably, the separation assembly comprises a balloon in the first chamber, and a gas filling pump and a gas pumping pump outside the separation tank body, the gas filling pump and the gas pumping pump are connected with the balloon through a gas conveying pipe, and the separation assembly is configured to change the pressure in the first chamber to separate the gas and the water.

[0019] In addition, preferably, the collection assembly comprises a purifier, a temporary storage balloon, a compressor and a gas storage container.

[0020] The purifier is located between the temporary storage balloon and the separation tank body, and the purifier is connected with the gas outlet and the temporary storage balloon through a gas inlet pipe and a gas outlet pipe, respectively.

[0021] The temporary storage balloon and the gas storage container are communicated through the compressor, and the compressor is configured to compress the helium gas in the temporary storage balloon into the gas storage container.

[0022] In addition, preferably, the purifier comprises a first purifier and a second purifier arranged in sequence, and the first purifier is communicated with the gas outlet through a gas inlet pipe.

[0023] The first purifier is an activated carbon purifier, and the second purifier is a molecular sieve purifier.

[0024] Further, preferably, the helium collection system further comprises a water pump, which is in communication with the second chamber.

[0025] According to another aspect of the present application, there is provided a seawater helium collection device, comprising a helium collection system, and a helium exploration system.

[0026] The helium collection system is arranged at a collection site by a support frame, wherein the collection assembly is arranged on a horizontal plane by the support frame, and the separation tank and the separation assembly are both arranged below the horizontal plane.

[0027] Further, preferably, the helium exploration system comprises a power supply, a high-voltage adjustment module, an ion current and helium concentration data processing module, a sample inlet and a sample outlet, the sample inlet is connected to a sampling pump by a valve for sampling, and the data processing module is configured to process the helium concentration value in the sample.

[0028] The present application has the following advantages:

[0029] In view of the technical problems in the prior art, the present application provides a helium collection system and a seawater helium collection device. The water pump changes the pressure in the separation tank, so that the gas-water mixture can enter the separation tank, and the helium and water are separated in the first chamber under the action of the separation assembly. The helium rises into the collection assembly due to its small density, and the water falls into the second chamber and is discharged by the water pump. The gas separation net is arranged to make the helium rise and be collected by the collection assembly, instead of being discharged with the water, thereby improving the separation efficiency of the helium, which can reach more than 95%. The present application has the advantages of simple structure, high automation, high helium separation efficiency and high purity. The present application creatively collects helium in seawater, and solves the problems of insufficient helium resources and limited mining capacity in China. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0030] The specific embodiments of the present application will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0031] Figure 1 FIG. 1 shows a structure schematic diagram of a helium collection system provided by an embodiment of the present application.

[0032] Figure 2 FIG. 2 shows a structure schematic diagram of a separation assembly provided by an embodiment of the present application.

[0033] Figure 3 FIG. 3 shows a structure schematic diagram of a purifier provided by an embodiment of the present application.

[0034] Figure 4 FIG. 4 shows a structure schematic diagram of a seawater helium separation device provided by an embodiment of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0035] The application will be described in further detail below with reference to the drawings and embodiments. It is to be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are merely illustrative of the application and are not intended to limit the application. It is also to be understood that, for the purpose of description, only the parts related to the application are shown in the drawings rather than all the parts.

[0036] In the description of the application, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "connected", "connected", "fixed" should be understood broadly, for example, it can be fixed connection, or detachable connection, or integral; it can be directly connected, or indirectly connected through an intermediate medium, it can be the internal communication of two elements or the interaction relationship of two elements. For those skilled in the art, the specific meaning of the above terms in the application can be understood according to the specific circumstances.

[0037] In the application, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the first feature "on" or "under" the second feature can include that the first and second features are in direct contact, or that the first and second features are not in direct contact but are in contact through another feature between them.

[0038] In the description of the embodiments, the terms "upper", "lower", "left", "right" and other orientation or position relationship are based on the orientation or position relationship shown in the drawings, and are only for the convenience of description and simplification of operation, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a particular orientation, be constructed and operated in a particular orientation, therefore it cannot be understood as a limitation on the application. In addition, the terms "first", "second" are only used to distinguish in the description, and have no special meaning.

[0039] Helium is an important strategic resource, widely used in aerospace, automobile transportation, diving, medical and health and many other fields, and has important influence on the economic, military and scientific and technological development of the country. China is short of helium resources, and the supply of helium has long relied on imports, the price is high, and the application is limited.

[0040] The American Geographical Society found that the proportion of helium in groundwater is about 0.5% to 2.5%, and the proportion of helium in seawater is about 6% to 7%, and sometimes it can reach about 10%. The inventors have measured the water helium value in the drilling water of the work area many times in the process of searching for uranium mines, which can be as high as 4000PPM, which shows that there is indeed a relatively high concentration of helium in water. However, the existing technology has limited means for collecting helium, which cannot realize the collection of helium in seawater.

[0041] In view of the defects of the prior art, the application provides a helium collection system for extracting helium from seawater or other liquid containing helium. Combined with the above-mentioned problems of the prior art, the helium collection system has the advantages that Figures 1-3As shown, the helium collection system comprises a separation tank, a delivery pipeline 2, a separation assembly 3 and a collection assembly 4. The separation tank is provided with a gas barrier net 11, which can block gas but allow other liquids such as water to pass through, thereby ensuring the efficiency of gas-water separation.

[0042] In a specific embodiment, as shown, Figure 1 The gas barrier net 11 divides the separation tank into a first chamber 12 and a second chamber 13 arranged in an upper and lower manner, and the separation assembly 3 is arranged in the first chamber 12, which is mainly used for gas-water separation. A gas outlet is formed at the top of the first chamber 12 (i.e. the top of the separation tank), and the collection assembly 4 communicates with the first chamber 12 through the gas outlet, so that the separated helium can be collected by the collection assembly 4.

[0043] The delivery pipeline 2 is arranged in the separation tank and extends along the arrangement direction of the first chamber 12 and the second chamber 13, i.e. in a vertical direction. The delivery pipeline 2 is used to deliver the gas-water mixture into the separation tank. Specifically, the outlet end of the delivery pipeline 2 is located in the first chamber 12, and the inlet end penetrates the bottom of the separation tank and is connected with a gas-water inlet 5. The delivery pipeline 2 draws the gas-water mixture through the gas-water inlet 5, so that the gas-water mixture enters the first chamber 12 along the delivery pipeline 2, and the separation assembly 3 promotes the separation of helium and water. Due to the difference in density between water and helium, the helium rises and is collected by the collection assembly, and the water falls into the second chamber 13 and is discharged by the water pump 6, thereby realizing the separation of the gas-water mixture.

[0044] In a specific embodiment, the delivery pipeline 2 divides the second chamber 13 into a delivery passage and a discharge passage. The delivery passage is the inner cavity of the delivery pipeline 2, and the gas-water mixture enters the first chamber 12 from the delivery passage. The discharge passage is part of the second chamber 13 excluding the delivery pipeline 2, and the discharge passage communicates with the water pump 6. The water pump 6 can change the pressure in the separation tank by continuously pumping water, so that the gas-water mixture can enter the delivery pipeline 2 from the gas-water inlet 5, enter the first chamber 12 through the delivery pipeline 2 for gas-water separation, and the separated water enters the discharge passage through the gas barrier net 11 and is discharged by the water pump 6, while the new gas-water mixture enters the delivery pipeline 2.

[0045] In one embodiment, the air separation net 11 is a 240 purpose 316 stainless steel net. When the gas-water mixture is transported by the transport pipeline 2, irregular gas will form small air bubbles, which cannot pass through the air separation net 11 and cannot enter the second chamber 13. Due to the density relationship, the air bubbles will rise and enter the collection assembly 4 through the gas outlet. The separated water can pass through the air separation net 11 and be discharged downward by the water pump 6.

[0046] Specifically, the air separation net 11 has a funnel structure, is fixed in combination with the inner wall of the first chamber 12, and is coaxially arranged with the separation tank body. The funnel structure of the air separation net 11 has a larger contact area with the separated water, which can improve the discharge efficiency of the separated water, thereby improving the efficiency of the gas-water mixture entering the helium collection system and improving the helium collection efficiency.

[0047] Since the transport pipeline 2 is arranged in the separation tank body, and the outlet end of the transport pipeline 2 is located in the first chamber 12, an opening corresponding to the outer diameter of the transport pipeline 2 is arranged at the center of the air separation net 11 to allow the transport pipeline 2 to pass through.

[0048] In one embodiment, the gas-water inlet 5 has a conical structure, the inner diameter of which is gradually tapered toward the direction of the transport pipeline 2, and is fixed in combination with the inlet end of the transport pipeline 2, like a horn, which can increase the contact area with the gas-water mixture, so that more gas-water mixture enters the helium collection system, thereby improving the helium collection efficiency. In addition, since the density of helium is smaller, the rising speed is faster than that of water and other gases except hydrogen, so the large diameter of the bottom of the gas-water inlet 5 is beneficial to collect more helium.

[0049] In one embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6, the gas-water inlet 5 has a conical structure, the inner diameter of which is gradually tapered toward the direction of the transport pipeline 2, and is fixed in combination with the inlet end of the transport pipeline 2, like a horn, which can increase the contact area with the gas-water mixture, so that more gas-water mixture enters the helium collection system, thereby improving the helium collection efficiency. In addition, since the density of helium is smaller, the rising speed is faster than that of water and other gases except hydrogen, so the large diameter of the bottom of the gas-water inlet 5 is beneficial to collect more helium. Figure 2As shown, the separation assembly 3 includes a balloon 31, an inflation pump 32 and a deflation pump 33, the balloon 31 is located in the first chamber 12, the inflation pump 32 and the deflation pump 33 are located outside the separation tank, and the inflation pump 32 and the deflation pump 33 are connected with the balloon 31 through gas pipes. The inflation pump 32 and the deflation pump 33 are driven by a single-chip microcomputer 34, the inflation pump 32 is driven to inflate the balloon 31, the volume of the balloon 31 is increased, so that the gas and water in the first chamber 12 are squeezed out, and the helium gas is collected by the collecting assembly 4 upwardly because the gas is lighter and the air group is blocked downwardly by the air-proof net 11; and the water flows downwardly under the action of the water pump 6 and is discharged by the water pump 6, so as to accelerate the gas-water separation. The deflation pump 33 is driven to deflate the balloon 31, so that more gas-water mixture enters the first chamber 12, thereby improving the efficiency of helium gas collection. The separation assembly 3 is further provided with a pressure sensor 35 and a time control switch 36, the pressure sensor 35 is used for measuring the gas pressure in real time, and the time control switch 36 can replace the single-chip microcomputer 34 to drive the inflation pump 32 and the deflation pump 33 to work when the single-chip microcomputer 34 fails.

[0050] In a specific embodiment, the collecting assembly 4 includes a purifier 41, a temporary storage sphere 42, a compressor 43 and a gas storage container 44. The purifier 41 is located between the temporary storage sphere 42 and the separation tank, and the purifier 41 is connected with the gas outlet and the temporary storage sphere 42 through a gas inlet pipe 411 and a gas outlet pipe 412 respectively, so as to store the helium gas separated in the temporary storage sphere 42 after purification. The temporary storage sphere 42 and the gas storage container 44 are communicated through the compressor 43, when the gas pressure in the temporary storage sphere 42 reaches a set pressure, the compressor 43 is started to press the helium gas in the temporary storage sphere 42 into the gas storage container 44 for storage, and when the pressure in the gas storage container 44 reaches a set value, the gas storage container 44 is replaced to continue collecting the helium gas. In the embodiment, the gas storage container 44 is selected as a steel cylinder.

[0051] In an embodiment, as shown in Figure 3 The purifier 41 includes a first purifier 413 and a second purifier 414 arranged in sequence, the first purifier 413 is communicated with the gas inlet pipe 411 and the gas outlet, and the second purifier 414 is connected with the temporary storage sphere 42 through the gas outlet pipe 412. The first purifier 413 is an active carbon purifier, and the second purifier 414 is a molecular sieve purifier, and the purity of the helium gas purified by the first purifier 413 and the second purifier 414 can reach more than 95%.

[0052] In an embodiment, as shown in Figure 1As shown, the separation tank body can be two separately arranged first tank body 101 and second tank body 102, and the first tank body 101 and the second tank body 102 are connected by a flange sealing connection, and the air separation net 11 is arranged in the first tank body 101, so that part of the inner cavity of the first tank body 101 is used as a first chamber 12 for gas-water mixture separation.

[0053] In one embodiment, the helium collection system further comprises a power supply 7, which is connected to the water pump 6, the separation assembly 3 and the compressor 43 respectively to drive the operation thereof, thereby improving the efficiency and automation degree of helium separation.

[0054] In one embodiment, the separation tank body, the conveying pipeline 2, the separation assembly 3, the air separation net 11 and the gas-water inlet 5 are all made of stainless steel, which can be used in seawater environment.

[0055] Another embodiment of the present application provides a seawater helium collection device, as shown by Figure 4 As shown, the helium collection system in the above embodiment and the helium exploration system are included. The helium collection system is erected on the collection site through the support frame 8 and can be used in seawater at a certain depth. When used in seawater, the collection assembly 4 is arranged on the horizontal plane through the support frame 8, and the separation tank body, the conveying pipeline 2 and the separation assembly 3 are arranged below the horizontal plane.

[0056] In one embodiment, the helium exploration system is used to find a helium source. When collecting helium, the helium exploration system is used to analyze and research the information such as the position, depth and concentration of the helium source, and then the helium collection system is used to collect helium.

[0057] The helium exploration system includes a power supply, a high-voltage adjustment, an ion flow and helium concentration data processing module, a sample inlet and a sample outlet. The helium exploration system is connected to the outlet of the sampling pump through the first valve, and the second valve is used for sample discharge. The inlet pipe of the sampling pump is provided with a depth mark, so that the helium collection system can be arranged at the best position with high helium concentration and shallow depth.

[0058] The ion flow value is proportional to the helium concentration, and the conversion formula between the two is configured in the ion flow and helium concentration data processing module. Through signal acquisition and data processing, the helium concentration value of the sample to be measured can be obtained. Then, the sampling depth and helium concentration data are used to guide the helium collection system to be arranged at the nearest position.

[0059] The helium collection system and the seawater helium collection device provided by the embodiment of the present application have the advantages of simple structure, high degree of automation, high helium separation efficiency and high purity, and creatively collect helium in seawater, thereby solving the problems of insufficient helium resources and limited mining capacity in China.

[0060] Obviously, the above embodiments of the present application are merely examples for clearly illustrating the present application, and are not intended to limit the implementation modes of the present application. For those skilled in the art, other different forms of changes or modifications can be made on the basis of the above description, and it is impossible to enumerate all the implementation modes here. Any obvious changes or modifications derived from the technical solutions of the present application still fall within the protection scope of the present application.

Claims

1. A helium gas collection system, characterized in that, include: Separate tank; An air-tight mesh is installed inside the separation tank, which divides the inner cavity of the separation tank into a first chamber and a second chamber distributed vertically. The conveying pipeline passing through the separation tank; The separation assembly located within the first chamber; and A collection assembly connected to the first chamber via a gas outlet, the gas outlet being located at the top of the separation tank; The delivery pipeline extends along the arrangement direction of the first chamber and the second chamber. The outlet end of the delivery pipeline is located in the first chamber, and the inlet end extends out of the bottom of the separation tank and is connected to a gas-water inlet. The delivery pipeline is configured to deliver the gas-liquid mixture into the first chamber, where the separation component causes the helium to separate from the liquid. The helium enters the collection component from the gas outlet, and the liquid enters the second chamber and is discharged.

2. The helium gas collection system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The delivery pipeline divides the second chamber into a delivery channel and a discharge channel. The delivery channel is the inner cavity of the delivery pipeline. The gas-water mixture enters the first chamber through the delivery channel, and the liquid after gas-water separation is discharged through the discharge channel.

3. The helium gas collection system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The air-tight mesh has a funnel structure and is coaxially arranged with the separation tank. The center of the air-tight mesh includes an opening through which the delivery pipe passes, enabling the delivery pipe to deliver the gas-water mixture into the first chamber.

4. The helium gas collection system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The gas-water inlet has a conical structure, with its inner radial direction gradually narrowing towards the delivery pipeline, and is fixed to the inlet end of the delivery pipeline.

5. The helium gas collection system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The separation assembly includes a balloon located in the first chamber, and an inflation pump and an exhaust pump located outside the separation tank. The inflation pump and the exhaust pump are respectively connected to the balloon via air supply pipes. The separation assembly is configured to change the pressure inside the first chamber to separate the gas and water.

6. The helium gas collection system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The collection components include a purifier, a temporary storage sphere, a compressor, and a gas storage container; The purifier is located between the temporary storage sphere and the separation tank, and the purifier is connected to the gas outlet and the temporary storage sphere through an inlet pipe and an outlet pipe, respectively. The temporary storage sphere and the gas storage container are connected by the compressor, which is configured to compress the helium gas in the temporary storage sphere into the gas storage container for storage.

7. The helium gas collection system according to claim 6, characterized in that, The purifier includes a first purifier and a second purifier arranged in sequence, wherein the first purifier is connected to the gas outlet through an inlet pipe; The first purifier is an activated carbon purifier, and the second purifier is a molecular sieve purifier.

8. The helium gas collection system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The helium collection system also includes a water pump, which is connected to the second chamber.

9. A seawater helium collection device, characterized in that, Includes the helium collection system as described in any one of claims 1-8, and the helium exploration system; The helium collection system is set at the collection site via a support frame, wherein the collection component is set on a horizontal plane via the support frame, and both the separation tank and the separation component are set below the horizontal plane.

10. The seawater helium collection device according to claim 9, characterized in that, The helium exploration system includes a power supply, a high-voltage regulation module, an ion flow and helium concentration data processing module, a sample inlet, and a sample outlet. The sample inlet is connected to a sampling pump via a valve for sampling. The data processing module is configured to process and obtain the helium concentration value in the sample.

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