Rapidly deployable underwater oil spill collection dome

Abstract

The application discloses a quick-expanding underwater oil spill collecting cover, which comprises a recovery pump, an opening-cup device and an opening-cup framework, wherein the bottom of the recovery pump is provided with the opening-cup device, the opening-cup device is provided with the opening-cup framework, the opening-cup device and the opening-cup framework form a cover body structure, a plurality of baffle plates are transversely densely arranged on the opening-cup framework to form a collecting cover surface, the opening-cup framework is rotationally connected with the baffle plates, and the baffle plates are rotationally controlled through a baffle plate control device arranged on the collecting cover. The collecting cover surface is formed in the way that the plurality of baffle plates are transversely densely arranged, the baffle plates rotate around a central shaft, and the function of underwater expansion of the collecting cover is realized. When the collecting cover is lowered to the vicinity of an oil spill point to perform underwater opening, the baffle plates are rotated and opened, are parallel to the direction of the water flow resistance during expansion, greatly reduce the expansion resistance, and realize quick expansion. After the underwater opening is completed, the baffle plates are closed and reset, so that the collecting cover surface is sealed, the water inside and outside the collecting cover is effectively separated, and the function of the collecting cover to collect the oil spill is ensured.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of marine environmental technology, and more specifically to a rapidly deployable underwater oil spill collection hood. Background Technology

[0002] With the increasing intensity of deepwater oilfield exploration and development operations worldwide, subsea production systems are being widely applied in deepwater oilfield development. Consequently, the risk of deepwater oilfield spills is constantly increasing, particularly the risk of oil and gas leaks from subsea production systems such as deepwater wellhead production trees and manifolds. Following deepwater oilfield spills, oil spill pollutants continuously enter marine waters, causing long-term and significant impacts on marine ecosystems. Due to the limitations imposed by the objective conditions of deepwater oilfields, conventional emergency response methods such as oil booms and skimmers are often ineffective, necessitating more effective solutions. Especially after the Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, countries have vigorously pursued research and development of subsea oil spill emergency response technologies. Furthermore, within the framework of the 1990 International Convention for Oil Pollution Preparedness, Response and Cooperation (OPRC Convention), international organizations such as the International Petroleum Industry Environmental Protection Association (IPIECA), the International Maritime Organization (IMO), and the International Oil and Gas Production Association (IOGP) are promoting exchange and cooperation among countries to ensure rapid emergency recovery of subsea oil spills.

[0003] For underwater oil spill recovery, using a collection hood to collect the spilled oil is an effective method. The basic design of the collection hood is an inverted funnel shape, covering the oil spill point of the underwater production system. The spilled oil gradually rises under its own buoyancy and jet pressure, entering the inverted funnel-shaped collection hood and collecting at the end of the funnel for further pumping and recovery. Early collection hoods were fixed, mostly constructed from rigid materials such as steel plates or concrete, as shown in invention patents US10385642B2, WO2015193698A1, US9140104B2, and US8986548B2. However, due to the excessive size of these collection hoods, transportation and deployment were difficult, affecting the timeliness of rapid emergency response. Therefore, collection hoods have gradually evolved towards foldable designs. These collection covers are umbrella-shaped, covered with a flexible material, and are transported and lowered in a folded state. They then open underwater to cover the oil spill site, reducing the difficulty of transportation and lowering, and improving emergency response speed to some extent. Examples include invention patents EP2570584A1, EP2619407B1, CN103240257A, CN111318541A, and CN103240255A. Because they need to collect as much oil spill as possible, the collection covers often require an area of ​​nearly 100 square meters. Therefore, when these collection covers open underwater, the large unfolded area results in significant water resistance, leading to a slow opening speed and hindering rapid emergency response.

[0004] Therefore, the main shortcoming of existing invention patents is the slow underwater parachute deployment speed. Summary of the Invention

[0005] This invention overcomes the shortcomings of the prior art and provides a rapidly deployable underwater oil spill collection hood.

[0006] The objective of this invention is achieved through the following technical solution.

[0007] The rapidly deployable underwater oil spill collection cover includes a recovery pump, an umbrella opening device, and an umbrella opening frame. The umbrella opening device is located at the bottom of the recovery pump, and the umbrella opening frame is located on the umbrella opening device. The umbrella opening device and the umbrella opening frame form the cover structure. Baffles are arranged horizontally and densely on the umbrella opening frame to form the surface of the collection cover. The umbrella opening frame is rotatably connected to the baffles, and the baffles are rotated by a baffle control device installed on the collection cover.

[0008] The central position of the baffle is connected to the umbrella frame via a central axis.

[0009] The baffle control device is an electromagnet, which is installed on the umbrella frame above the baffle. The electromagnet is connected to a power source. The baffle is made of ferromagnetic material and rotates under the influence of the magnetic field of the energized electromagnet.

[0010] The baffle control device includes a drive motor and a connecting rod, and each drive motor is connected to one end of the baffle at a corresponding position through a corresponding connecting rod.

[0011] The connecting rod includes a main rod and connecting rods. Connecting rods are provided at equal intervals on the main rod, and each connecting rod is connected to the corresponding baffle.

[0012] The beneficial effects of this invention are as follows:

[0013] The present invention forms the surface of the collection hood by arranging multiple baffles in a dense horizontal arrangement. The baffles rotate around the central axis to realize the underwater deployment function of the collection hood.

[0014] When the collection cover is lowered from the surface vessel, the baffle closes, sealing the surface. As the cover descends to the vicinity of the oil spill point and deploys underwater, the baffle rotates and opens, parallel to the direction of the underwater resistance, significantly reducing deployment resistance and enabling rapid deployment. After underwater deployment, the baffle closes and resets, sealing the surface and effectively separating the water inside and outside the cover, ensuring its function of collecting spilled oil. Furthermore, the overall rapid deployment device for the collection cover has a simple structure and is suitable for widespread use. Attached Figure Description

[0015] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of the present invention;

[0016] Figure 2 This is a 3D schematic diagram of an underwater oil spill collection hood;

[0017] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of an underwater oil spill collection hood with electromagnetic control in a folded state.

[0018] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of an underwater oil spill collection hood with electromagnetic control that is currently opening its umbrella.

[0019] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the underwater oil spill collection hood structure, which is completed by electromagnetic control through umbrella deployment.

[0020] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the underwater oil spill collection hood structure with mechanical control in a folded state.

[0021] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of an underwater oil spill collection hood structure with a mechanical control method that is currently opening its umbrella.

[0022] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of the underwater oil spill collection hood structure, which is a mechanically controlled system for opening the umbrella.

[0023] In the diagram: 1. Recovery pump; 2. Umbrella opening device; 3. Umbrella opening frame; 4. Baffle; 5. Central shaft; 6. Electromagnet; 7. Drive motor; 8. Connecting rod; 81. Main rod; 82. Connecting rod. Detailed Implementation

[0024] The technical solution of the present invention will be further described below through specific embodiments.

[0025] Example 1

[0026] The rapidly deployable underwater oil spill collection cover includes a recovery pump 1, an umbrella opening device 2, and an umbrella opening frame 3. The recovery pump 1 is equipped with the umbrella opening device 2 at its bottom, and the umbrella opening device 2 is equipped with the umbrella opening frame 3. The umbrella opening device 2 and the umbrella opening frame 3 form the cover structure. Baffles 4 are arranged horizontally and densely on the umbrella opening frame 3 to form the surface of the collection cover. The umbrella opening frame 3 is rotatably connected to the baffles 4, and the baffles 4 are rotated by a baffle control device provided on the collection cover.

[0027] The central position of the baffle 4 is connected to the umbrella frame 3 via the central shaft 5.

[0028] like Figure 1 and Figure 2As shown, the working principle of this invention is as follows: The underwater oil spill collection cover is carried by a ship and deployed to the corresponding area. The umbrella opening device 2 drives the umbrella opening frame 3 to open. The umbrella opening device 2 is a hydraulic device driven by a hydraulic pump. When the umbrella opening signal is received, the hydraulic pump starts, injecting hydraulic oil into the hydraulic cylinder to push the piston rod out of the hydraulic cylinder, thereby pushing the umbrella opening frame to unfold. When the umbrella opening frame 3 is not open, the baffles 4 are in a closed state. When the umbrella opening frame 3 is open, the baffles 4 are driven by the baffle control device to rotate, so that each baffle 4 rotates to be parallel to the direction of water flow resistance, greatly reducing the resistance in the unfolding direction, so that the umbrella opening frame 3 can open quickly. When the umbrella opening frame 3 is fully opened, the baffles 4 are driven by the baffle control device to rotate, so that each baffle 4 rotates to the closed state.

[0029] Example 2

[0030] Based on Embodiment 1, the baffle control device is an electromagnet 6, which is installed on the umbrella frame 3 on the upper side of the baffle 4. The electromagnet 6 is connected to a power source. The baffle 4 is made of ferromagnetic material and rotates under the influence of the magnetic field of the energized electromagnet 6.

[0031] like Figure 3-5 As shown, the movement process of the umbrella frame 3 is folded state - umbrella opening state - umbrella opening completed state. In the folded state, the electromagnet 6 is energized, and the baffle 4 is magnetized step by step under the influence of the magnetic field of the energized electromagnet 6, and is closely arranged to seal the surface of the collection hood.

[0032] The collection hood is then placed near the oil spill point for underwater deployment. First, the electromagnet 6 is deactivated, and the magnetic field disappears. Then, under the action of the deployment device 2, the deployment frame 3 drives the entire collection hood to open.

[0033] The baffle 4 rotates to be parallel to the direction of water flow resistance under the resistance of the opening umbrella, which greatly reduces the resistance in the deployment direction, thereby achieving rapid deployment.

[0034] Once the collection hood has opened, the electromagnet 6 is activated. Under the influence of the magnetic field, the baffles 4 rotate and reset, tightly aligning to seal the surface of the collection hood. This effectively collects oil spills from the underwater production system and transports them to the surface vessel via a recovery pipeline.

[0035] Example 3

[0036] Based on Embodiment 1, the baffle control device includes a drive motor 7 and a connecting rod 8. Each drive motor 7 is connected to one end of the baffle 4 located at a corresponding position through the corresponding connecting rod 8.

[0037] The connecting rod 8 includes a main rod 81 and connecting rods 82. The main rod 81 is provided with connecting rods 82 at equal intervals, and each connecting rod 82 is connected to the corresponding baffle 4.

[0038] like Figure 6-8 As shown, the drive motor 7 is installed on the upper side of the baffle 4 to drive the baffle 4.

[0039] When the collection cover is lowered from the ship at sea, the drive motor 7 on the folded collection cover 2 rotates in the forward direction, driving the connecting rod 8 to make the baffles 4 move to a close arrangement, thereby sealing the surface of the collection cover.

[0040] When the collection cover is lowered to the vicinity of the oil spill point for underwater deployment, the drive motor 7 of the deployment cover starts to rotate in the opposite direction, driving the connecting rod 8 to rotate the baffle 4 to be parallel to the direction of water flow resistance, which greatly reduces the resistance in the deployment direction, thereby achieving rapid deployment.

[0041] When the collection hood has finished opening, the drive motor 7 starts to rotate in the forward direction, driving the connecting rod 8 to rotate and reset the baffles so that they are tightly arranged, thereby sealing the surface of the collection hood.

[0042] The embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above, but the content described is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention and should not be considered as limiting the scope of the present invention. All equivalent changes and improvements made in accordance with the scope of the present invention should still fall within the patent coverage of the present invention.

Claims

1. A rapidly deployable underwater oil spill collection hood, characterized in that: It includes a recovery pump, an umbrella opening device, and an umbrella opening frame. The recovery pump has an umbrella opening device at its bottom, and the umbrella opening device has an umbrella opening frame. The umbrella opening device and the umbrella opening frame form a cover structure. Baffles are arranged horizontally and densely on the umbrella opening frame to form the surface of the collection cover. The umbrella opening frame is rotatably connected to the baffles, and the baffles are rotated by a baffle control device set on the collection cover.

2. The rapidly deployable underwater oil spill collection hood according to claim 1, characterized in that: The central position of the baffle is connected to the umbrella frame via a central axis.

3. The rapidly deployable underwater oil spill collection hood according to claim 2, characterized in that: The baffle control device is an electromagnet, which is installed on the umbrella frame above the baffle. The electromagnet is connected to a power source. The baffle is made of ferromagnetic material and rotates under the influence of the magnetic field of the energized electromagnet.

4. The rapidly deployable underwater oil spill collection hood according to claim 2, characterized in that: The baffle control device includes a drive motor and a connecting rod, and each drive motor is connected to one end of the baffle at a corresponding position through a corresponding connecting rod.

5. The rapidly deployable underwater oil spill collection hood according to claim 4, characterized in that: The connecting rod includes a main rod and connecting rods. Connecting rods are provided at equal intervals on the main rod, and each connecting rod is connected to the corresponding baffle.

Images