A bunker device for a deep-sea mining system

Abstract

The present invention discloses a silo device for a deep-sea mining system, which relates to the field of deep-sea mining. The silo device includes a silo chamber. The lower part of the inner wall of the silo chamber has a conical surface structure that is larger at the top and smaller at the bottom. A lifting pipe is vertically arranged on the top of the silo chamber. The lower end of the lifting pipe extends into the interior of the silo chamber, and the upper end of the lifting pipe extends above the silo chamber and is docked with a storage chamber. A feeding port is arranged on the top of the silo chamber, and the feeding port is located on one side of the lifting pipe. A drainage port and a discharging port are arranged at the lower part of the silo chamber, and a discharging control structure is arranged at the drainage port and the discharging port. A water inlet is arranged on the conical surface structure, and a water inlet pipe is externally connected to the water inlet. The water inlet pipe is arranged along the tangent direction of the conical surface structure. By arranging the water inlet pipe along the tangent of the silo chamber, the water entering the silo chamber generates a vortex, which generates a greater upward lifting force on the mineral particles, and the mineral particles are more easily lifted into the storage chamber, thereby improving the mineral lifting efficiency of the deep-sea mining system.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to the field of deep sea mining, and in particular to a silo device of a deep sea mining system. Background Art

[0002] The ocean is a huge treasure trove of resources owned by mankind, and the international seabed area is rich in mineral resources. With the continuous increase in human demand for resources and the depletion of land resources, the exploitation of mineral resources hidden in the deep seabed has become a direction for the world to solve energy problems in the future. At present, the mineral resources with commercial mining value in the deep sea include polymetallic nodules, cobalt-rich crusts, polymetallic sulfides, etc.

[0003] Seabed mineral resources mostly exist in the deep sea of ​​3000-6000 meters, which requires a mining system that is simple to maintain and can achieve long-term operation. At present, the mining systems that have been developed internationally include: trailer mining system, continuous chain bucket mining system, shuttle mining system, etc. However, the reliability and stability of the above mining systems cannot be guaranteed, and there are also problems such as low efficiency and poor economy. In recent decades, the pipeline lifting mining system has been widely used in the field of slurry transportation due to its low operating cost and relatively high reliability. It has become the most studied deep-sea mining system at home and abroad. During the transportation process, the ore particle concentration, transportation speed, ore particle size, ore particle morphology, etc. have a very obvious impact on the transportation performance of the transportation pipeline, which can easily lead to problems such as low transportation efficiency. In order to ultimately achieve the successful application of pipeline transportation in the field of deep-sea mining, it is necessary to analyze the transportation characteristics of the slurry in the pipeline during the transportation process.

[0004] Therefore, it is necessary to establish an onshore slurry lifting platform that simulates deep-sea mining. Through this platform, we can analyze the impact of different particle concentrations, particle sizes, particle shapes, and transportation speeds on the fluid morphology in the conveying pipeline, and we can also analyze the vibration and force of the pipeline, and study the impact of these parameters on the system lifting efficiency, so as to obtain better conveying parameters and deep-sea mining system design data, and effectively solve the problems that the existing system cannot guarantee its reliability, stability, and efficiency. Summary of the invention

[0005] In order to solve the above technical problems, the present invention provides a silo device for a deep-sea mining system, in which a water inlet pipe is arranged along the tangent direction of the conical structure of the silo chamber. The water entering the silo from the water inlet pipe will generate a vortex, which will produce a greater upward lifting force on the mineral particles, making it easier for the mineral particles to be lifted into the storage chamber.

[0006] The technical solution adopted by the present invention to solve its technical problem is: a silo device of a deep-sea mining system, comprising a silo chamber;

[0007] The lower part of the inner wall of the bin chamber has a conical surface structure that is wider at the top and narrower at the bottom;

[0008] A lifting pipe is vertically arranged on the top of the bin chamber. The lower end of the lifting pipe extends into the interior of the bin chamber, and the upper end of the lifting pipe extends above the bin chamber and is docked with the storage chamber;

[0009] A feeding port is arranged on the top of the bin chamber. The feeding port is externally connected with a feeding pipe, and the feeding port is located on one side of the lifting pipe;

[0010] A drain port and a discharge port are arranged at the lower part of the bin chamber, and a discharge control structure is arranged at the drain port and the discharge port;

[0011] The conical surface structure is provided with a water inlet, the water inlet is externally connected with a water inlet pipe, and the water inlet pipe is arranged along the tangent direction of the conical surface structure.

[0012] When this solution is used, first close the discharge control structure, add a certain amount of water to the lifting platform, continuously add the minerals to be lifted from the feeding port into the bin body, turn on the power equipment, the water in the bin chamber is driven to enter the storage chamber through the lifting pipe, and then re-enter the bin chamber through the water inlet pipe, so that the water completes a cycle in the lifting platform. During the circulation process, the water flow enters the bin body from the water inlet. Since the water inlet pipe is tangent to the conical inner wall of the bin body, the water entering the bin body will flow along the conical surface structure of the bin body. When the water flow rate is large enough, a vortex will be formed in the bin body, which will generate a greater upward lifting force on the mineral particles. The mineral particles will reach the upper storage chamber through the lifting pipe along with the rising water flow. The above realizes the lifting of the mineral particles. After the lifting of the mineral particles is completed, open the discharge control structure to drain all the residual water in the bin body. When there are residual mineral particles in the bin body that cannot be lifted, the discharge plug can be opened after draining the water, and the residual mineral particles can be taken out manually.

[0013] Preferably, the distance between the water inlet and the bottom of the bin chamber is 1 / 3 - 1 / 2 of the height of the conical surface structure. This is to make it easier for water to generate a vortex when entering the bin chamber.

[0014] Preferably, the lifting pipe includes an inner pipe and an outer pipe, and the lower end of the inner pipe is lower than the lower end of the outer pipe. This is to reduce the distance between the lower end of the inner pipe and the bottom of the bin, so that it is easier for mineral particles to enter the lifting pipe. The inner pipe is slidably fitted inside the outer pipe. Different lengths of inner pipes can be replaced according to different sizes of particles. When the mineral particles are larger, the inner pipe can be replaced to increase the distance between the lower end of the inner pipe and the bottom and the wall of the bin, avoiding the distance between the lower end of the inner pipe and the bottom and the wall of the bin being too close, resulting in the mineral particles being stuck between the lower end of the inner pipe and the bottom and the wall of the bin.

[0015] Preferably, the inner tube is slidably fitted inside the outer tube. Inner tubes of different lengths can be replaced according to different sizes of particles.

[0016] Preferably, a limiting platform is arranged on the periphery of the upper end of the inner tube, a first flange is arranged at the upper end of the outer tube, and a groove for accommodating the limiting platform is arranged on the upper surface of the first flange. This is to enable better mutual cooperation between the inner tube and the outer tube.

[0017] Preferably, the side wall of the bin includes an inner bin wall and an outer bin wall. The inner bin wall is a conical surface structure with a larger upper part and a smaller lower part, and the outer bin wall is a cylindrical structure. On the one hand, the inner wall of the bin has a conical surface structure, and on the other hand, the outer bin wall with a cylindrical structure can support the inner bin wall, improving the strength of the inner bin wall.

[0018] Preferably, the discharge control structure includes a discharge plug and a drain valve. The discharge port is externally connected to a discharge pipe, and the detachable discharge plug is arranged at the discharge port. The drain port is located on the inner wall of the discharge plug, the drain port is externally connected to a drain pipe, the drain pipe is placed inside the discharge plug, and the drain valve is located on the drain pipe. Placing the drain pipe inside the discharge plug can, on the one hand, make the structure more integrated, and on the other hand, avoid opening too many holes in the bin body, preventing the formation of internal vortices from being interfered by the holes.

[0019] Preferably, a filter screen is arranged at the drain port. This can prevent mineral particles from entering the drain pipe and causing blockage.

[0020] Preferably, the inner diameter of the water inlet pipe is not greater than the inner diameter of the inner tube. This is to make the water entering the bin through the water inlet pipe flow faster and more easily form a vortex in the bin.

[0021] Preferably, a flow rate regulating valve is arranged on the water inlet pipe. It is used to control the flow rate of the incoming water.

[0022] Advantages of the present invention:

[0023] In this solution, the water inlet pipe is arranged along the tangential direction of the conical surface structure of the bin, so that the water entering the bin generates a vortex. Compared with the situation where no vortex is formed, the incoming water flow generates a greater upward lifting force on the mineral particles, resulting in the mineral particles being more easily lifted into the storage chamber. Description of the drawings

[0024] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention or the prior art, the following will briefly introduce the drawings required for the description of the embodiments. Obviously, the following drawings are only six of the present invention. For those of ordinary skill in the art, without creative efforts, other drawings can also be obtained based on these drawings.

[0025] Figure 1 Schematic diagram of an embodiment of the present invention;

[0026] Figure 2 Of the embodiment of the present invention Figure 1 Top view;

[0027] Figure 3 Schematic diagram of the chamber, water inlet pipe, discharge pipe and outer pipe of the embodiment of the present invention;

[0028] Figure 4 Schematic diagram of the inner pipe and the limiting platform of the embodiment of the present invention;

[0029] Figure 5 Schematic diagram of the discharge plug and the drain pipe of the embodiment of the present invention;

[0030] Figure 6 Schematic diagram of the overall lifting platform of the embodiment of the present invention;

[0031] Among them, 1, inner warehouse wall; 2, outer warehouse wall; 3, inner pipe; 4, outer pipe; 5, feeding port; 6, feeding pipe; 7, discharging port; 8, discharging pipe; 9, drain pipe; 10, drain port; 11, filter screen; 12, drain valve; 13, water inlet pipe; 14, flow rate regulating valve; 15, limiting platform; 16, groove; 17, discharge plug; 18, storage chamber. Detailed implementation manners

[0032] To deepen the understanding of the present invention, the present invention will be further described in detail below in conjunction with the drawings and embodiments. The embodiments are only used to explain the present invention and do not limit the protection scope of the present invention.

[0033] Embodiment

[0034] As Figure 1 And Figure 3 shown, a silo device of a deep-sea mining system includes a chamber. The lower part of the inner wall of the chamber is a conical surface structure with a larger upper part and a smaller lower part; a lifting pipe is vertically arranged on the top of the chamber. The lower end of the lifting pipe extends into the chamber, and the upper end of the lifting pipe extends above the chamber and is docked with the storage chamber 18; in combination with Figure 6 shown, a feeding port 5 is arranged on the top of the chamber. The feeding port 5 is externally connected with a feeding pipe 6, and the feeding port 5 is located on one side of the lifting pipe; a drain port 10 and a discharging port 7 are arranged at the lower part of the chamber, and a discharging control structure is arranged at the drain port 10 and the discharging port 7; a water inlet is arranged on the conical surface structure, and the water inlet is externally connected with a water inlet pipe 13. The water inlet pipe 13 is arranged along the tangent direction of the conical surface structure.

[0035] At the upper end of the riser of this solution, a storage chamber 18 is connected. The storage chamber 18 is provided with a pipeline communicating with the water inlet pipe 13, which is used to return the water in the storage chamber 18 to the water inlet pipe 13 and then re-enter the chamber. At present, there are two design directions for the power source of the water cycle. One is to set an air injection pipeline on the side wall of the riser to drive the water to flow upward during the upward movement of the gas in the riser, thus forming a cycle. The other is to set a circulation pump at the water inlet pipe 13 to drive the water to be injected into the chamber to provide the power for the cycle.

[0036] Combined with Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown, the riser includes an inner pipe 3 and an outer pipe 4. The lower end of the inner pipe 3 is lower than the lower end of the outer pipe 4. In this way, the distance between the lower end of the inner pipe 3 and the bottom of the chamber can be reduced, making it easier for mineral particles to enter the riser. The inner pipe 3 is slidably fitted inside the outer pipe 4. Different lengths of the inner pipe 3 can be replaced according to different sizes of particles. When the mineral particles are larger, the inner pipe 3 can be replaced to increase the distance between the lower end of the inner pipe 3 and the bottom and the wall of the chamber, avoiding the distance between the lower end of the inner pipe 3 and the bottom and the wall of the chamber being too close, resulting in the mineral particles being stuck between the lower end of the inner pipe 3 and the bottom and the wall of the chamber.

[0037] The distance between the water inlet and the bottom of the chamber is 1 / 3 - 1 / 2 of the height of the conical structure. In this way, it is easier for water to generate a vortex when entering the chamber.

[0038] A limiting platform 15 is arranged around the upper end of the inner pipe 3. A first flange is arranged at the upper end of the outer pipe 4, and a groove 16 for accommodating the limiting platform 15 is arranged on the upper surface of the first flange. In this way, the inner pipe 3 and the outer pipe 4 can be better matched with each other.

[0039] The side wall of the chamber includes an inner chamber wall 1 and an outer chamber wall 2. The inner chamber wall 1 is a conical structure with a larger upper part and a smaller lower part, and the outer chamber wall 2 is a cylindrical structure. On the one hand, the inner wall of the chamber has a conical structure, and on the other hand, the cylindrical outer chamber wall 2 can support the inner chamber wall 1 to improve the strength of the inner chamber wall 1.

[0040] In this embodiment, only the lower part of the chamber is a conical structure, and the upper part of the chamber is set as a cylindrical structure, that is, the upper edge of the conical structure is butted against the lower edge of the cylindrical structure. Of course, the inner wall of the chamber can also be integrally set as a conical structure, and the upper edge of the conical structure extends to the top of the chamber. The lower part of the chamber is set as a conical structure with a larger upper part and a smaller lower part, which can concentrate the mineral particles in the middle of the bottom of the chamber, and it is easier to enter the riser upward after the lifting starts.

[0041] Combined with Figure 5As shown in the figure, the discharge control structure includes a discharge plug 17 and a drain valve 12. The discharge port 7 is externally connected with a discharge pipe 8. The discharge port 7 is provided with the detachable discharge plug 17. The drain port 10 is located on the inner wall of the discharge plug 17. The drain port 10 is externally connected with a drain pipe 9. The drain pipe 9 is built in the discharge plug 17. The drain valve 12 is located on the drain pipe. Building the drain pipe 9 in the discharge plug 17 can, on the one hand, make its structure more integrated, and on the other hand, avoid opening too many holes in the bin body, so as to avoid the interference of the holes on the formation of the vortex inside the bin chamber. The discharge port 7 and the drain port 10 can also be separately arranged at the bottom or side wall of the bin body. In this embodiment, the structure between the discharge plug 17 and the drain pipe 9 is hollow. Because the actual produced discharge plug is relatively large, setting it as a hollow structure can reduce the load-bearing of the bin side wall. The outer end of the discharge plug 17 and the outer end of the discharge pipe 8 are respectively provided with flanges that cooperate with each other.

[0042] The drain port 10 is provided with a filter screen 11. This can prevent mineral particles from entering the drain pipe 9 and causing blockage, and at the same time ensure the integrity of the inner wall of the bin chamber. Among them, the inner walls of the discharge plug 17 and the filter screen 11 are adapted to the arc surface of the inner wall of the bin chamber, which also ensures the integrity of the inner wall of the bin chamber to avoid interfering with the formation of the vortex of the incoming water flow. The aperture of the mesh holes of the filter screen 11 needs to be smaller than the minimum diameter of the mineral particles in the bin. The filter screen 11 is a detachable structure and can be disassembled from the drain pipe 9 for replacement after being blocked or damaged.

[0043] The inner diameter of the water inlet pipe 13 is not greater than the inner diameter of the inner pipe 3. So that the water entering the bin chamber through the water inlet pipe can have a faster speed and is easier to form a vortex in the bin chamber.

[0044] Among them, flanges are provided at the upper end of the outer pipe 4, the outer end of the discharge pipe 8, and the outer end of the water inlet pipe 13, so as to better disassemble and connect with other components.

[0045] The lower part of the bin chamber is an inverted frustum structure. An arc chamfer is provided at the bottom inner corner of the inner bin wall 1. Among them, the overall axis of the lifting pipe is collinear with the axis of the bin chamber, and there is a certain distance between the feed inlet and the lifting pipe. The discharge pipe 8 and the water inlet pipe 13 are located on different sides of the bin chamber and are both arranged horizontally.

[0046] The water inlet pipe 13 is provided with a flow rate regulating valve 14. It is used to control the flow rate of the incoming water.

[0047] The technical principle of the present invention is as follows:

[0048] When this solution is in use, first install the discharge plug 17, close the drain valve 12, add a certain amount of water into the lifting platform, continuously add the minerals to be lifted from the feeding port 5 into the bin body, turn on the power equipment, the water in the bin is driven to enter the storage chamber through the lifting pipe (a filter screen is arranged at the bottom of the storage chamber, the mineral particles are intercepted, and the water flows downward for circulation), and then re-enters the bin through the water inlet pipe, so that the water completes a cycle in the lifting platform. During the circulation process, the water flow enters the bin from the water inlet. Since the water inlet pipe 13 is tangent to the conical inner wall of the bin, the water entering the bin from the water inlet pipe will flow along the inner wall of the bin. When the flow rate of the water is large enough, a vortex is formed in the bin by the incoming water flow, which will generate a greater upward lifting force on the mineral particles, and the mineral particles will reach the upper storage chamber along with the rising water flow through the lifting pipe. The above realizes the lifting of the mineral particles. After the lifting of the mineral particles is completed, open the drain valve 12 to drain all the residual water in the bin. When there are residual mineral particles in the bin that cannot be lifted, the discharge plug 17 can be opened after draining the water, and the residual mineral particles can be manually taken out.

[0049] The technical effects of the present invention are as follows:

[0050] In this solution, the water inlet pipe 13 is arranged tangentially along the conical inner wall of the bin, so that the incoming water flow can form a vortex inside the bin. Compared with the case where no vortex is formed, the water flow can generate a greater upward lifting force on the mineral particles, resulting in that the mineral particles are more easily lifted into the storage chamber.

[0051] The technical features of the above embodiments can be combined arbitrarily. For the sake of brevity of description, not all possible combinations of the technical features in the above embodiments are described. However, as long as there is no contradiction in the combination of these technical features, it should be considered as the scope described in this specification.

[0052] The above-described embodiments only represent several implementation manners of the present application. The description is relatively specific and detailed, but it should not be construed as a limitation on the scope of the invention patent. It should be noted that for those of ordinary skill in the art, without departing from the concept of the present application, several deformations and improvements can still be made, and these all belong to the protection scope of the present application. Therefore, the protection scope of the patent of the present application should be subject to the appended claims.

Claims

1. A silo device for a deep - sea mining system, Characterized in that, It includes a silo chamber; The lower part of the inner wall of the silo chamber is a conical surface structure with a larger upper part and a smaller lower part; A lifting pipe is vertically arranged on the top of the silo chamber, the lower end of the lifting pipe extends into the interior of the silo chamber, and the upper end of the lifting pipe extends above the silo chamber and is docked with a storage chamber (18); A feeding port (5) is arranged on the top of the silo chamber, the feeding port (5) is located on one side of the lifting pipe, and the feeding port (5) is externally connected to a feeding pipe (6); A drain port (10) and a discharging port (7) are arranged at the lower part of the silo chamber, and a discharging control structure is arranged at the drain port (10) and the discharging port (7); The conical surface structure is provided with a water inlet, the water inlet is externally connected to a water inlet pipe (13), and the water inlet pipe (13) is arranged along the tangent direction of the conical surface structure.

2. The silo device for a deep - sea mining system according to claim 1, Characterized in that: The distance between the water inlet and the bottom of the silo chamber is 1 / 3 - 1 / 2 of the height of the conical surface structure.

3. The silo device for a deep - sea mining system according to claim 1, Characterized in that: The lifting pipe includes an inner pipe (3) and an outer pipe (4), and the lower end of the inner pipe (3) is lower than the lower end of the outer pipe (4).

4. The silo device for a deep - sea mining system according to claim 3, Characterized in that: The inner pipe (3) is in sliding fit with the inside of the outer pipe (4).

5. The silo device for a deep - sea mining system according to claim 3, Characterized in that: A limiting platform (15) is arranged on the periphery of the upper end of the inner pipe (3), a first flange is arranged at the upper end of the outer pipe (4), and a groove (16) for accommodating the limiting platform (15) is arranged on the upper surface of the first flange.

6. The silo device for a deep - sea mining system according to claim 1, Characterized in that: The side wall of the silo chamber includes an inner silo wall (1) and an outer silo wall (2), the inner silo wall (1) is a conical surface structure with a larger upper part and a smaller lower part, and the outer silo wall (2) is a cylindrical structure.

7. The silo device for a deep - sea mining system according to claim 1, Characterized in that: The discharging control structure includes a discharging plug (17) and a drain valve (12), the discharging port (7) is externally connected to a discharging pipe (8), a detachable discharging plug (17) is arranged at the discharging port (7), the drain port (10) is located on the inner wall of the discharging plug (17), the drain port (10) is externally connected to a drain pipe (9), the drain pipe (9) is placed inside the discharging plug (17), and the drain valve (12) is located on the drain pipe (9).

8. The silo device for a deep - sea mining system according to claim 7, Characterized in that: A filter screen (11) is arranged at the drain port (10).

9. The silo device for a deep - sea mining system according to claim 3, Characterized in that: The inner diameter of the water inlet pipe (13) is not greater than the inner diameter of the inner pipe (3).

10. The silo device for a deep - sea mining system according to claim 1, Characterized in that: The water inlet pipe (13) is provided with a flow rate regulating valve (14).

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