A uniform material regulating and intermediate bin and method for deep sea mining gas lift lifting

Abstract

The application provides a uniform material adjusting and relay bin and method for deep-sea mining air-lift lifting, which comprises a relay bin outer cylinder and a relay bin inner cylinder arranged inside the relay bin outer cylinder; a material conveying pipe and a lifting pipe are penetrated from the top of the relay bin outer cylinder and enter the relay bin inner cylinder to cooperate with the gap between the relay bin inner cylinder; a lifting mechanism is connected to the bottom of the relay bin inner cylinder; the inside of the relay bin inner cylinder is provided with a rotating mechanism; a measuring device is installed on the top of the relay bin inner cylinder, which is used to measure the distance between the ore layer and the measuring device, and according to the measurement result, the lifting mechanism lifts the relay bin inner cylinder, so that the depth of the bottom end opening of the lifting pipe being buried by the ore layer is controlled, and the material conveying pipe is not inserted into the ore layer. The application avoids the reduction of the ore lifting efficiency caused by the hollow of the lifting pipe opening and the excessive burying of the ore layer, guarantees the full acceleration of the rising seawater of the lifting pipe to the ore and the smooth feeding of the material conveying pipe, and effectively improves the lifting stability of the ore.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of deep-sea mining gas lift system technology, specifically to a uniform material adjustment relay bin and method for deep-sea mining gas lift. Background Technology

[0002] With economic and social development, the demand for strategic mineral resources such as cobalt, nickel, manganese, and copper is increasing, and the abundant mineral resources hidden in the deep sea are attracting more and more attention. In the field of deep-sea mining, gas lift pipeline hoisting is a feasible solution that has been proven through sea trials. By injecting stable high-pressure gas into the lifting pipeline, the buoyancy of the gas causes it to slip with the seawater, thereby accelerating the seawater inside the pipeline. When the rising speed of the seawater exceeds the settling speed of the ore at the bottom, the ore will rise in the same direction as the seawater inside the pipeline, thus achieving the lifting and transportation of the ore.

[0003] In deep-sea gas lift mining, the uneven distribution of seabed ore leads to fluctuations in the concentration of the collected ore, which in turn affects the lifting concentration in the pipeline. Therefore, a relay chamber is needed to regulate the ore concentration in the pipeline and improve the lifting efficiency. The distance between the bottom of the riser pipe and the ore layer within the relay chamber significantly impacts the lifting efficiency. Since deep-sea gas lift mining requires accelerating the ore with seawater within a silo, fixed-point lifting can result in voids in the ore layer due to insufficient ore, or blockages in the lifting pipeline due to excessive ore, reducing lifting efficiency. Therefore, this invention aims to design a relay chamber with features for uniform ore layer distribution and adjustable ore layer height. This design eliminates voids in the ore layer and controls the distance between the bottom of the riser pipe and the ore layer, preventing wasted lifting capacity and pipeline blockage, thereby improving ore lifting efficiency. Summary of the Invention

[0004] To address the aforementioned technical problems, this invention provides a relay bin and method for designing and adjusting the uniformity and height of the ore layer. This eliminates localized voids in the ore layer, controls the distance between the bottom of the lifting pipe and the ore layer, prevents wasted lifting capacity and pipe blockage, regulates the lifting concentration, and improves ore lifting efficiency. The technical means employed in this invention are as follows:

[0005] A material equalization and adjustment relay bin for deep-sea mining gas lift includes an outer cylinder of the relay bin and an inner cylinder of the relay bin disposed inside the outer cylinder of the relay bin.

[0006] The conveying pipe and the lifting pipe pass through the top of the outer cylinder of the relay bin and enter the inner cylinder of the relay bin, and are fixedly connected to the outer cylinder of the relay bin and have a clearance fit with the inner cylinder of the relay bin; the bottom of the inner cylinder of the relay bin is fixed to the lower bottom plate, and a lifting mechanism is provided at the bottom of the lower bottom plate inside the outer cylinder of the relay bin; the bottom of the inner cylinder of the relay bin has a rotating mechanism for leveling the ore layer inside the relay bin;

[0007] Inside the relay bin, a measuring device is installed at the top of the relay bin. The measuring device is used to measure the distance between the ore layer and the measuring device. Based on the measurement result, the lifting mechanism raises and lowers the relay bin so that the bottom opening of the lifting pipe is buried by the ore layer and the conveying pipe is not inserted into the ore layer.

[0008] Preferably, the lifting mechanism includes a scissor-type lifting base.

[0009] Preferably, the scissor-type lifting base includes a scissor-type telescopic rod. Each of the two bottom ends and two top ends of the scissor-type telescopic rod is hinged with a fixing block and a slider, respectively. The upper fixing block and the lower fixing block are fixedly connected to the lower base plate and the base plate of the relay compartment outer cylinder, respectively. The upper slider and the lower slider are slidably connected to the lower base plate and the base plate of the relay compartment outer cylinder, respectively. The lower fixing block is connected to a screw rod. One end of the screw rod passes through the fixing block and the slider and is threaded into the slider. The screw rod is parallel to the sliding direction of the slider, and the other end of the screw rod is connected to the output end of the base motor. The base motor is fixed to the base plate of the relay compartment outer cylinder.

[0010] Preferably, an upper baffle is fixed to the top of the inner cylinder of the relay compartment, and the upper baffle has a through hole for the conveying pipe and the lifting pipe to pass through; the top of the support rod is fixedly connected to the upper baffle, and the bottom is fixedly connected to the support rod base fixed to the lower base plate; the support rod is fixedly connected to the inner cylinder of the relay compartment; there is a gap between the lower base plate and the bottom of the inner cylinder of the relay compartment; and the measuring device is fixed to the lower surface of the upper baffle.

[0011] Preferably, the rotating mechanism includes a central rotating wheel located at the center of the bottom of the inner cylinder of the relay compartment, the top of the vertical rod being connected to the central rotating wheel via a gearbox, and a worm gear fixed on the vertical rod, the worm gear being connected to a worm cooperating with it, and the worm being connected to a waterproof motor, the waterproof motor and the lower end of the vertical rod being connected to the lower base plate; the bottom of the inner cylinder of the relay compartment is recessed towards the center, and the central rotating wheel is located at the lowest point of the bottom of the inner cylinder of the relay compartment.

[0012] Preferably, the outer diameter of the lower base plate and the upper baffle is adapted to the inner diameter of the outer cylinder of the relay compartment, and is clearance-fitted with the outer cylinder of the relay compartment.

[0013] Preferably, the measuring device is an ultrasonic sensor.

[0014] Preferably, the inner diameter D of the conveying pipe and the lifting pipe is designed to be... in for:

[0015]

[0016] Q m Q is the flow rate of the multiphase flow within the riser or the feed pipe. m for:

[0017]

[0018] Among them: Q s The ability to transport ore to the riser or the feed pipe;

[0019] ρ s The density of the wet nodules of the ore;

[0020] C V The volume concentration of ore lifted by the conveying pipe or the lifting pipe;

[0021] In equation (1), V mix To minimize the velocity increase in multiphase flow, the gas-liquid-solid three-phase flow is simplified as a liquid-solid two-phase flow, V mix According to Govier's theory in two-phase flow theory, the minimum velocity required for the two-phase flow to rise is greater than the ore settling velocity V. s 3 to 5 times; of which V s The calculation formula is:

[0022]

[0023] Wherein: S f is the shape factor of the ore, determined based on polymetallic nodule experiments;

[0024] ρ l The density of seawater;

[0025] d represents the ore particle size;

[0026] g is the acceleration due to gravity.

[0027] Preferably, the diameter D of the inner cylinder of the relay compartment is... b The inner diameter D of the riser tube is greater than that of the riser tube. in More than 5 times the height H of the inner cylinder of the relay compartment, so as to reduce the center of gravity of the inner cylinder of the relay compartment, and the height H of the inner cylinder of the relay compartment is more than 5 times the volume V of the inner cylinder of the relay compartment. b The relationship is as follows:

[0028]

[0029] in:

[0030] k bThe volume loss coefficient of the inner cylinder of the relay compartment is used to offset the volume calculation error caused by the non-standard cylindrical inner cylinder.

[0031]

[0032] Where T represents 1 hour, h;

[0033] α is the porosity, which is the ratio of the ore volume to the packing volume at the corresponding nodule particle size d, and is obtained through experiments;

[0034] Based on equations (4) and (5), the formula for calculating the inner cylinder height H is as follows:

[0035]

[0036] Preferably, the initial value h of the length of the conveying pipe extending into the inner cylinder is... g The initial value h of the length of the riser pipe extending into the inner cylinder of the relay compartment. t Satisfy h g <h t To ensure that the conveying pipe has an adjustable length in the height direction, the riser pipe is fully inserted into the ore layer, h g =0.25H, h t =0.75H;

[0037] Preferably, the lifting height h of the scissor-type base is... b The relationship between the length L of the scissor telescopic rod and the length L is as follows:

[0038] h b =sin(β)L (7)

[0039] Where β is the angle between the scissor telescopic rod and the plane containing the slider;

[0040] Take the initial value h b0 At that time, h g =0.25H, at which point the included angle has an initial value of β0;

[0041] Maximum value h bmax <h b0 +0.25H, at which point the included angle reaches its maximum value β. max ;

[0042] Minimum value h bmin >h b0 +0.25H, at which point the included angle reaches its minimum value β. min ;

[0043] At the same time h b Take the initial value h b0 At that time, the measuring device in the inner cylinder measures the distance h0 between the device and the ore layer. When h0 decreases, the lifting height hb Reduce the height of h to prevent the ore layer from clogging the inlet of the conveying pipe; when h0 increases, the lifting height h b Increase the size to ensure the riser pipe reaches the ore layer and improve conveying efficiency.

[0044] Preferably, the angular velocity ω of the central rotating wheel determines the centrifugal force F provided by the central rotating wheel. n Size, calculated as follows:

[0045] F n =m i ω 2 r i (8)

[0046] Where m i Let i be the mass of particle i;

[0047] r i denoted as the distance from the position of particle i to the center of the inner cylinder;

[0048] To ensure the stable structure of the disrupted particle accumulation layer, centrifugal force F n It should be greater than the peak value F of the radially distributed tangential force generated by the central rotating wheel surface at the bottom of the inner cylinder and the nodule ore layer. tmax Peak tangential force F under specific working conditions tmax It can be calculated using the numerical method of particle discrete element method;

[0049] The mass m and distribution of the ore layer inside the inner cylinder directly affect the torque and power required by the submersible motor. When the load mass m is applied to the central rotating wheel, the motor must provide sufficient torque τ to overcome inertia and the normal force F exerted by the ore layer on the rotating wheel. nmax To achieve the desired rotation, the calculation formula is as follows:

[0050]

[0051] Where τ is the torque required for the load mass m to act on the motor;

[0052] m is the load mass;

[0053] r is the distance from the load mass m to the disk axis, which is determined experimentally.

[0054] The angular acceleration of the central rotating wheel is given according to the design requirements;

[0055] F nmax The normal force exerted by the ore layer on the central rotating wheel is calculated using numerical methods.

[0056] The load mass m can be calculated by the following formula:

[0057]

[0058] Where h is the height of the ore layer, satisfying 0 < h < H, m;

[0059] The power required by the motor is P, and the calculation formula is as follows:

[0060] P=τω (11)

[0061] Where P represents power, W.

[0062] This invention also discloses a method for uniform material leveling and height adjustment in gas lift for deep-sea mining, comprising:

[0063] (1) The conveying pipe conveys ore to the inner cylinder of the relay bin, and the lifting pipe lifts the ore upward;

[0064] (2) The rotating mechanism and the measuring device are turned on; ore is continuously injected into the conveying pipe, and the ore layer in the local area at the bottom of the relay bin gradually rises. Through the rotation of the rotating mechanism, the ore is gradually and evenly distributed at the bottom of the entire relay bin, and the voids formed between the lifting pipe and the ore layer due to the ore's own angle of accumulation are destroyed, and the entire ore layer is evenly leveled.

[0065] (3) Based on the data measured by the measuring device, the lifting mechanism adjusts the height of the inner cylinder of the intermediate compartment relative to the lifting pipe;

[0066] When the measuring distance of the measuring device is less than the set value: the lifting mechanism descends, so that the ore layer still buries the lifting pipe, and the bottom of the conveying pipe is higher than the ore layer;

[0067] When the measuring distance of the measuring device is greater than the set value: the lifting mechanism rises, causing the ore layer to bury the lifting pipe, and the bottom of the conveying pipe is still not inserted into the ore layer.

[0068] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following advantages:

[0069] This invention disrupts the tilted accumulation of ore through rotation, thereby forming a flat and uniform ore layer. This avoids the reduction in ore lifting efficiency caused by voids in the lifting pipe. The distance of the ore layer is measured by an ultrasonic sensor and fed back to the scissor-type lifting base to regulate the lifting and lowering. This ensures that the rising seawater in the lifting pipe fully accelerates the ore and that the material delivery pipe smoothly feeds the material. It also prevents the waste of lifting capacity at the lifting pipe opening and blockages caused by excessive insertion of the lifting pipe. The pipe lifting concentration is adjusted, further improving the air lift efficiency.

[0070] Based on the above reasons, this invention can be widely promoted in fields such as deep-sea mining gas lift systems. Attached Figure Description

[0071] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention 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 some embodiments of the present invention. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0072] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of a uniform material adjustment relay bin structure for gas lift in deep-sea mining, according to a specific embodiment of the present invention.

[0073] Figure 2 This is a cross-sectional view of a uniform material adjustment relay chamber for gas lift in deep-sea mining, according to a specific embodiment of the present invention.

[0074] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the internal structure of the outer cylinder of the relay compartment in a specific embodiment of the present invention.

[0075] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the external structure of the inner cylinder of the relay compartment in a specific embodiment of the present invention.

[0076] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the scissor-type lifting base structure in a specific embodiment of the present invention.

[0077] In the diagram: 1. Outer cylinder of relay bin; 2. Conveying pipe; 3. Lifting pipe; 4. Inner cylinder of relay bin; 5. Support rod; 6. Scissor lift base; 7. Central rotating wheel; 8. Gearbox; 9. Vertical rod; 10. Worm gear; 11. Worm; 12. Waterproof motor; 13. Lower base plate; 14. Upper baffle; 15. Ultrasonic sensor; 16. Ore layer; 17. Base motor; 18. Slider; 19. Screw rod; 20. Scissor telescopic rod; 21. Support rod base; 22. Through hole; 23. Fixing block. Detailed Implementation

[0078] It should be noted that, unless otherwise specified, the embodiments and features described in the present invention can be combined with each other. The present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments.

[0079] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the embodiments of the present invention clearer, 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. The following description of at least one exemplary embodiment is merely illustrative and is in no way intended to limit the present invention or its application or use. 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.

[0080] It should be noted that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to limit the scope of exemplary embodiments according to the invention. As used herein, the singular form is intended to include the plural form as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. Furthermore, it should be understood that when the terms "comprising" and / or "including" are used in this specification, they indicate the presence of features, steps, operations, devices, components, and / or combinations thereof.

[0081] Unless otherwise specifically stated, the relative arrangement, numerical expressions, and values ​​of the components and steps described in these embodiments do not limit the scope of the invention. It should also be understood that, for ease of description, the dimensions of the various parts shown in the drawings are not drawn to actual scale. Techniques, methods, and devices known to those skilled in the art may not be discussed in detail, but where appropriate, such techniques, methods, and devices should be considered part of the specification. In all examples shown and discussed herein, any specific values ​​should be interpreted as merely exemplary and not as limitations. Therefore, other examples of exemplary embodiments may have different values. It should be noted that similar reference numerals and letters in the following figures denote similar items; therefore, once an item is defined in one figure, it need not be further discussed in subsequent figures.

[0082] In the description of this invention, it should be understood that the orientation or positional relationship indicated by directional terms such as "front, back, up, down, left, right", "horizontal, vertical, horizontal" and "top, bottom" is generally based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings, and is only for the convenience of describing this invention and simplifying the description. Unless otherwise stated, these directional terms do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be construed as a limitation on the scope of protection of this invention. The directional terms "inner" and "outer" refer to the inner and outer contours relative to the outline of each component itself.

[0083] For ease of description, spatial relative terms such as "above," "over," "on the upper surface of," "above," etc., are used herein to describe the spatial positional relationship of a device or feature as shown in the figures to other devices or features. It should be understood that spatial relative terms are intended to encompass different orientations in use or operation besides the orientation of the device as described in the figures. For example, if the device in the figures is inverted, a device described as "above" or "above" other devices or structures would subsequently be positioned as "below" or "under" other devices or structures. Thus, the exemplary term "above" can include both "above" and "below." The device may also be positioned in other different ways (rotated 90 degrees or in other orientations), and the spatial relative descriptions used herein will be interpreted accordingly.

[0084] Furthermore, it should be noted that the use of terms such as "first" and "second" to define components is merely for the purpose of distinguishing the corresponding components. Unless otherwise stated, the above terms have no special meaning and therefore should not be construed as limiting the scope of protection of this invention.

[0085] like Figures 1-5 As shown, a material equalization and adjustment relay bin for deep-sea mining gas lift includes an outer cylinder 1 and an inner cylinder 4 disposed inside the outer cylinder 1.

[0086] The outer cylinder 1 of the relay compartment is generally shaped as a combination of a cylinder and a frustum, and has a bottom plate at the bottom.

[0087] The conveying pipe 2 and the lifting pipe 3 pass through the top of the outer cylinder 1 of the relay bin and enter the inner cylinder 4 of the relay bin. The outer cylinder 1 of the relay bin is fixedly connected and has a clearance fit with the upper baffle 14 fixed to the top of the inner cylinder 4 of the relay bin. The upper baffle 14 has through holes 22 for the conveying pipe 2 and the lifting pipe 3 to pass through. Multiple support rods 5 are distributed around the inner cylinder 4 of the relay bin. The top of the support rods 5 is fixed to the upper baffle 14, and the bottom of the support rods 5 is fixedly connected to the support rod base 21 fixed to the lower base plate 13. The support rods 5 are welded to the outer wall of the inner cylinder 4 of the relay bin, and there is a gap between the bottom of the inner cylinder 4 of the relay bin and the lower base plate 13. The outer diameter of the lower base plate 13 and the upper baffle 14 is adapted to the inner diameter of the outer cylinder 1 of the relay bin and has a clearance fit with the outer cylinder 1 of the relay bin. The lifting pipe 3 is directly opposite the center of the inner cylinder 4 of the relay bin, and the height of the bottom opening of the lifting pipe 3 is lower than the height of the bottom opening of the conveying pipe 2.

[0088] Inside the outer cylinder 1 of the relay bin, a lifting mechanism is provided at the bottom of the lower base plate 13. The lifting mechanism is a scissor-type lifting base 6. The bottom of the inner cylinder 4 of the relay bin has a rotating mechanism for leveling the ore layer within the relay bin.

[0089] Inside the inner cylinder 4 of the relay compartment, a measuring device is installed on the lower surface of the upper baffle 14. The measuring device is an ultrasonic sensor 15.

[0090] The scissor-type lifting base 6 includes a scissor-type telescopic rod 20, which is formed by two hinged rods at their midpoints, and is X-shaped. The two bottom ends and two top ends of the scissor-type telescopic rod 20 are respectively hinged to a fixing block 23 and a slider 18. The upper and lower fixing blocks 23 are fixedly connected to the lower base plate 13 and the base plate of the relay compartment outer cylinder 1, respectively. The upper and lower sliders 18 are slidably connected to the lower base plate 13 and the base plate of the relay compartment outer cylinder 1, respectively. The lower fixing block 23 is connected to a screw rod 19. One end of the screw rod 19 passes through the fixing block 23 and the slider 18, and is threadedly engaged with the slider 18 and clearance-engaged with the fixing block 23. The screw rod 19 is parallel to the sliding direction of the slider 18, and the other end of the screw rod 19 is connected to the output end of the base motor 17. The base motor 17 is fixed to the base plate of the relay compartment outer cylinder 1.

[0091] The rotating mechanism includes a central rotating wheel 7 located at the center of the bottom of the inner cylinder of the relay compartment. The top of a vertical rod 9 located outside the inner cylinder of the relay compartment is connected to the central rotating wheel 7 via a gearbox 8. A worm gear 10 is fixed on the vertical rod 9. The worm gear 10 is connected to a worm 11 that cooperates with it. The worm 11 is connected to a waterproof motor 12. The waterproof motor 12 is fixedly connected to the lower base plate 13. The lower end of the vertical rod 9 is rotatably connected to the lower base plate 13. The bottom of the inner cylinder of the relay compartment 4 is concave towards the center. The central rotating wheel 7 is located at the lowest point of the bottom of the inner cylinder of the relay compartment 4 and is geometrically fitted to the inner cylinder of the relay compartment 4 with minimal gaps.

[0092] The ultrasonic sensor 15 is used to measure the distance between the ore layer and the ultrasonic sensor 15. According to the measurement result, the scissor lift base 6 and the relay chamber inner cylinder 4 make the bottom opening of the lifting pipe 3 buried by the ore layer 16, and the conveying pipe 2 does not insert into the ore layer 16.

[0093] The inner diameter D of the conveying pipe 2 and the riser pipe 3 is designed. in The conveying capacity Q should be based on the system design. s , ore volume concentration C V Nodule particle size d, particle settling velocity Vs Once the key parameters are determined, D in The calculation formula is as follows:

[0094]

[0095] Q m The multiphase flow rate (m) delivered to the riser 2 or the feed pipe 3 3 / h, the calculation formula is as follows:

[0096]

[0097] Q s The capacity of the riser or the feed pipe to transport ore, m 3 / h;

[0098] ρ s The density of wet nodules in the ore is kg / m³. 3 When a dry nodule (ore) with porosity is soaked in seawater, its density will increase. This density is called the wet nodule density.

[0099] C V The ore lifting volume concentration, in % of the conveying pipe 2 or the lifting pipe 3;

[0100] In equation (1), V mix To minimize the velocity increase in multiphase flow, the gas-liquid-solid three-phase flow is simplified as a liquid-solid two-phase flow, V mix According to Govier's theory in two-phase flow theory, the minimum velocity required for two-phase flow to rise should be greater than the ore settling velocity V. s To ensure good bulk properties of solid particles, the concentration of V must be 3 to 5 times that of 25V. s The calculation formula, based on the experimental research results of polymetallic nodules in my country, is as follows:

[0101]

[0102] Where S f is the shape factor of the ore, determined based on polymetallic nodule experiments;

[0103] ρ l The density of seawater is kg / m³. 3 ;

[0104] d is the ore particle size, in meters;

[0105] g is the acceleration due to gravity, m / s² 2 ;

[0106] Based on equations (1), (2), and (3) above, the minimum required design inner diameter D of the riser pipe can be calculated. inIf multiple conveying pipes are designed, the inner diameter of a single conveying pipe can be appropriately reduced. Furthermore, according to existing literature and experiments, the particle volume concentration in conveying pipes is relatively higher than that in riser pipes conveying gas-liquid-solid three-phase flow because they transport a solid-liquid two-phase flow; this will further reduce the inner diameter of the conveying pipes.

[0107] The design diameter D of the inner cylinder 4 of the relay compartment b It should be larger than the design inner diameter D of the riser pipe. in The height H of the inner cylinder 4 of the relay compartment is more than five times that of the inner cylinder, so as to reduce the height H of the inner cylinder 4 and lower the center of gravity of the relay compartment to meet the stability design requirements. The height H of the inner cylinder 4 of the relay compartment is more than five times that of the inner cylinder volume V. b The relationship between them can be simplified as follows:

[0108]

[0109] Where V b The volume of the inner cylinder 4 of the relay compartment is m. 3 ;

[0110] k b This is the volume loss coefficient for the inner cylinder 4 of the relay compartment, used to offset the volume calculation error caused by the non-standard cylindrical inner cylinder;

[0111] D b The design diameter of the inner cylinder 4 of the relay compartment is in meters (m).

[0112] H is the height of the inner cylinder 4 of the relay compartment, in meters;

[0113] Meanwhile, the volume of the inner cylinder 4 of the relay compartment should be able to store at least 0.8 times Q. s The amount of nodules produced per hour is sufficient to meet the continuous supply capacity of the relay warehouse, namely:

[0114]

[0115] Where T represents 1 hour, h;

[0116] α is the porosity, which is the ratio of the ore volume to the bulk volume at a corresponding ore particle size d, and is obtained through experiments;

[0117] Based on equations (4) and (5), the formula for calculating the inner cylinder height H is as follows:

[0118]

[0119] Note that the height H of the inner cylinder 4 of the relay compartment is relative to the design diameter D of the inner cylinder. b If the stability design requirements are not met, the inner cylinder design diameter D can be adjusted according to the actual situation. b Size, and iterate the design again.

[0120] The initial value h of the length of the feed pipe 2 extending into the inner cylinder 4 of the relay bin.g The initial value h of the length of the riser pipe 3 extending into the inner cylinder 4 of the relay compartment. t h should be satisfied g <h t To ensure that the conveying pipe 2 has an adjustable length in the height direction and that the lifting pipe 3 is fully inserted into the ore layer, it can be designed as h. g =0.25H, h t =0.75H;

[0121] The scissor lift base 6 is a relatively mature lifting device. This section mainly discusses the lifting height h of the scissor lift base. b The relationship between the length L of the scissor-type telescopic pole 20 is expressed as follows:

[0122] h b =sin(β)L (7)

[0123] Where β is the angle between the scissor telescopic rod 20 and the fixed plane of the slider 18, which is obtained from the scissor lifting base model test process.

[0124] h b The following restrictions must be met: 1. Initial value h b0 At that time, h g =0.25H, at which point the included angle has an initial value β0; 2. Maximum value h bmax <h b0 +0.25H, at which point the included angle reaches its maximum value β. max 3. Minimum value h bmin >h b0 +0.25H, at which point the included angle reaches its minimum value β. min At the same time h b Take the initial value h b0 At that time, the measuring device in the inner cylinder 4 of the relay chamber measured the distance h0 between the device and the ore layer. When h0 decreases, the lifting height h b Reduce the height to prevent the ore layer from clogging the two inlets of the conveying pipe; when h0 increases, the lifting height h b Increase the size to ensure that the riser pipe 3 is inserted into the ore layer 16, thereby improving the conveying efficiency.

[0125] The angular velocity ω of the central rotating wheel 7 determines the magnitude of the centrifugal force Fn provided by the central rotating wheel 7, and the calculation formula is as follows:

[0126] F n =m i ω 2 r i (8)

[0127] Where m i Let i be the mass of particle i, in kg;

[0128] r idenoted as the distance from the location of particle i to the center of the inner cylinder 4 of the relay compartment, in meters;

[0129] To ensure the stable structure of the disrupted particle accumulation layer, centrifugal force F n It should be greater than the peak value F of the radially distributed tangential force generated by the central rotating wheel surface at the bottom of the inner cylinder and the nodule ore layer. tmax Peak tangential force F under specific working conditions tmax It can be calculated using the numerical method of particle discrete element method.

[0130] The mass m and distribution of the ore layer in the inner cylinder 4 of the relay compartment directly affect the torque and power required by the submersible motor. When the load mass m is applied to the central rotating wheel 7, the motor must provide sufficient torque τ to overcome inertia and the normal force F exerted by the ore layer 16 on the rotating wheel. nmax To achieve the desired rotation, the calculation formula is as follows:

[0131]

[0132] Where τ is the torque required by the load mass m to act on the motor, N·m;

[0133] m is the load mass, in kg;

[0134] r is the distance from the load mass m to the disk axis, which is measured experimentally;

[0135] The angular acceleration of the central rotating wheel is given according to design requirements, in rad / s. 2 ;

[0136] F nmax The normal force exerted by the ore layer on the central rotating wheel is calculated using numerical methods, N;

[0137] The load mass m can be estimated by the following formula:

[0138]

[0139] Where h is the height of the ore layer, satisfying 0 < h < H, m;

[0140] The power required by the motor is P, and the calculation formula is as follows:

[0141] P=τω (11)

[0142] Where P represents power, W.

[0143] This specific embodiment also discloses a method for uniform material leveling and height adjustment in gas lift for deep-sea mining, including:

[0144] (1) The conveying pipe system is turned on to transport the ore. The ore enters the inner cylinder 4 of the relay bin through the conveying pipe 2. The lifting pipe conveying system is turned on. The seawater in the lifting pipe 3 forms an upward flow, which accelerates the ore at the bottom and extracts the mineral upward.

[0145] (2) The rotating mechanism and the ultrasonic sensor 15 are turned on; ore is continuously injected into the conveying pipe 2, and the ore layer in a local area at the bottom of the relay bin inner cylinder 4 gradually rises. Through the rotation of the rotating mechanism, the ore is gradually and evenly distributed at the bottom of the entire relay bin inner cylinder 4, and the void formed between the lifting pipe 3 and the ore layer 16 due to the ore's own angle of accumulation is destroyed, and the entire ore layer 16 is evenly leveled.

[0146] (3) Based on the data measured by the ultrasonic sensor 15, the scissor-type lifting base 6 adjusts the height of the intermediate chamber inner cylinder 4 relative to the lifting pipe 3.

[0147] When the measurement distance of the ultrasonic sensor 15 is less than the set value: the scissor-type lifting base 6 descends, so that the ore layer 16 still buries the lifting pipe 3, and the bottom of the conveying pipe 2 is higher than the ore layer 16; the lifting pipe 3 ensures lifting efficiency, and the conveying pipe 2 ensures smooth feeding of ore into the relay bin inner cylinder 4.

[0148] When the measuring distance of the ultrasonic sensor 15 is greater than the set value: the scissor-type lifting base 6 rises, causing the ore layer 16 to bury the lifting pipe 3, while the bottom of the conveying pipe 2 remains uninserted into the ore layer. This improves the lifting efficiency of the conveying pipe 2 when the amount of ore is insufficient, while not affecting the normal conveying of ore into the inner cylinder of the relay bin.

[0149] Finally, it should be noted that the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of the present invention, and not to limit them; although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that modifications can still be made to the technical solutions described in the foregoing embodiments, or equivalent substitutions can be made to some or all of the technical features; and these modifications or substitutions do not cause the essence of the corresponding technical solutions to deviate from the scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention.

Claims

1. A uniform material leveling relay bin for deep-sea mining gas lift, characterized in that, It includes an outer cylinder of the relay compartment and an inner cylinder of the relay compartment disposed inside the outer cylinder of the relay compartment; The conveying pipe and the lifting pipe pass through the top of the outer cylinder of the relay bin and enter the inner cylinder of the relay bin, and are fixedly connected to the outer cylinder of the relay bin and have a clearance fit with the inner cylinder of the relay bin; the bottom of the inner cylinder of the relay bin is fixed to the lower bottom plate, and a lifting mechanism is provided at the bottom of the lower bottom plate inside the outer cylinder of the relay bin; the bottom of the inner cylinder of the relay bin has a rotating mechanism for leveling the ore layer inside the relay bin; Inside the relay bin, a measuring device is installed at the top of the relay bin. The measuring device is used to measure the distance between the ore layer and the measuring device. Based on the measurement result, the lifting mechanism raises and lowers the relay bin so that the bottom opening of the lifting pipe is buried by the ore layer and the conveying pipe is not inserted into the ore layer.

2. The uniform material leveling relay bin for deep-sea mining gas lift as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The lifting mechanism is a scissor-type lifting base.

3. A uniform material leveling relay bin for deep-sea mining gas lift as described in claim 2, characterized in that, The scissor-type lifting base includes a scissor-type telescopic rod. Each of the two bottom and two top ends of the scissor-type telescopic rod is hinged with a fixing block and a slider. The upper fixing block and the lower fixing block are fixedly connected to the lower base plate and the base plate of the relay compartment outer cylinder, respectively. The upper slider and the lower slider are slidably connected to the lower base plate and the base plate of the relay compartment outer cylinder, respectively. The lower fixing block is connected to a screw rod. One end of the screw rod passes through the fixing block and the slider and is threaded into the slider. The screw rod is parallel to the sliding direction of the slider, and the other end of the screw rod is connected to the output end of the base motor. The base motor is fixed to the base plate of the relay compartment outer cylinder.

4. A uniform material leveling relay bin for deep-sea mining gas lift as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The top of the inner cylinder of the relay compartment is fixed with an upper baffle plate, which has through holes for the conveying pipe and the lifting pipe to pass through; the top of the support rod is fixedly connected to the upper baffle plate, and the bottom is fixedly connected to the support rod base fixed to the lower base plate. The support rod is fixedly connected to the inner cylinder of the relay compartment. There is a gap between the lower base plate and the bottom of the inner cylinder of the relay compartment. The measuring device is fixed to the lower surface of the upper baffle plate.

5. A uniform material leveling relay bin for deep-sea mining gas lift as described in claim 4, characterized in that, The rotating mechanism includes a central rotating wheel located at the center of the bottom of the inner cylinder of the relay compartment. The top of the vertical rod is connected to the central rotating wheel via a gearbox, and a worm gear is fixed on the vertical rod. The worm gear is connected to a worm that cooperates with it, and the worm is connected to a waterproof motor. The waterproof motor and the lower end of the vertical rod are both connected to the lower base plate. The bottom of the inner cylinder of the relay compartment is concave towards the center, and the central rotating wheel is located at the lowest point of the bottom of the inner cylinder of the relay compartment.

6. A uniform material leveling relay bin for deep-sea mining gas lift as described in claim 4, characterized in that, The outer diameters of the lower base plate and the upper baffle are adapted to the inner diameter of the outer cylinder of the relay compartment, and are clearance-fitted with the outer cylinder of the relay compartment.

7. A uniform material leveling relay bin for deep-sea mining gas lift as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The lifting pipe is directly opposite the center of the inner cylinder of the relay bin, and the height of the bottom opening of the lifting pipe is lower than the height of the bottom opening of the conveying pipe.

8. A uniform material leveling relay bin for deep-sea mining gas lift as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The inner diameter of the conveying pipe and the lifting pipe is designed to be [missing information]. for: （1） in The flow rate of the multiphase flow within the riser or the feed pipe. for: in: The ability to transport ore to the riser or the feed pipe; The density of the wet nodules of the ore; The volume concentration of ore lifted by the conveying pipe or the lifting pipe; In formula (1) To minimize the velocity increase in multiphase flow, the gas-liquid-solid three-phase flow is simplified as a liquid-solid two-phase flow. According to Govier's theory in two-phase flow theory, the minimum velocity required for two-phase flow to rise is greater than the ore settling velocity. 3 to 5 times; of which The calculation formula is: in: is the shape factor of the ore, determined based on polymetallic nodule experiments; The density of seawater; The particle size of the ore; This is the acceleration due to gravity.

9. A uniform material leveling relay bin for deep-sea mining gas lift as described in claim 8, characterized in that, The diameter of the inner cylinder of the relay compartment Larger than the inner diameter of the riser tube More than 5 times, to reduce the height of the inner cylinder of the relay compartment. Lowering the center of gravity of the inner cylinder of the relay compartment, the height of the inner cylinder of the relay compartment With the volume of the inner cylinder of the relay compartment The relationship is as follows: in: The volume loss coefficient of the inner cylinder of the relay compartment is used to offset the volume calculation error caused by the non-standard cylindrical inner cylinder. in For 1 hour, h; Porosity corresponds to the particle size of the nodules. The ratio of the volume of ore below the surface to the total volume of the stock is determined experimentally. The height of the inner cylinder can be obtained from equations (4) and (5). The formula for calculation is: 。 10. A method for uniform material leveling and height adjustment in gas lift lifting for deep-sea mining, characterized in that, A uniform material leveling relay bin for deep-sea mining gas lift as described in any one of claims 1 to 9, comprising: (1) The conveying pipe conveys ore to the inner cylinder of the relay bin, and the lifting pipe lifts the ore upward; (2) The rotating mechanism and the measuring device are turned on; the ore is continuously injected into the conveying pipe, and the ore layer in the local area at the bottom of the relay bin gradually rises. Through the rotation of the rotating mechanism, the ore is gradually and evenly distributed at the bottom of the entire relay bin, and the voids formed between the lifting pipe and the ore layer due to the ore's own angle of accumulation are destroyed, and the entire ore layer is evenly leveled. (3) Based on the data measured by the measuring device, the lifting mechanism adjusts the height of the inner cylinder of the relay compartment relative to the lifting pipe; When the measuring distance of the measuring device is less than the set value: the lifting mechanism descends, so that the ore layer still buries the lifting pipe, and the bottom of the conveying pipe is higher than the ore layer; When the measuring distance of the measuring device is greater than the set value: the lifting mechanism rises, causing the ore layer to bury the lifting pipe, and the bottom of the conveying pipe is still not inserted into the ore layer.

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