High-energy acoustic beam dilution and suction device and method

Abstract

This application provides a high-energy acoustic beam dilution and suction device for suctioning stored and transported oil sludge. Its specific structure includes: multiple mounting discs, arranged parallel to each other at intervals, with the centers of each disc connected in series to a vertically arranged lifting lug; adjacent discs are fixedly connected by multiple connecting rods; multiple excitation units, each vertically fixedly mounted on one of the mounting discs; an oil suction pipe, passing through and fixed to the mounting discs from top to bottom, for suctioning oil; and a pump body connected to the oil passage of the suction pipe to provide suction force. This application also provides a high-energy acoustic beam dilution and suction method for suctioning stored and transported oil sludge, specifically using the aforementioned high-energy acoustic beam dilution and suction device to suction stored and transported crude oil.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of oil sludge extraction equipment for storage and transportation, and in particular to a high-energy acoustic beam dilution extraction device and a high-energy acoustic beam dilution extraction method. Background Technology

[0002] Storage and transportation sludge specifically refers to oily sludge generated during crude oil storage and transportation. Since crude oil is often transported through various storage tanks, settling tanks, or sludge tanks, storage and transportation sludge often refers to the sludge at the bottom of these tanks. In addition, storage and transportation sludge also includes oily sludge removed from the bottom of pipelines and the bilges of tankers during pipeline and tanker transportation. The formation process of tank bottom sludge is hierarchical. Crude oil stored in tanks, containing sediment particles and mechanical impurities, will first settle to the bottom under gravity due to their different densities. The hydrocarbon mixture in the oil phase, due to differences in molecular size and structure, also has varying densities; as they settle in the tank, they arrange themselves from bottom to top according to a gradient of decreasing molecular weight and density. Simultaneously, asphaltenes, paraffin wax, and fine sediment particles in the crude oil colloid will also adsorb each other, aggregate, and settle. Emulsified water droplets carrying dissolved inorganic salts also aggregate and settle together. Therefore, the bottom sludge of the tank mainly consists of three parts: (1) mechanical impurities and coarse silt that settle directly; (2) asphalt, paraffin, micro-silt particles and emulsified water droplets; and (3) inorganic salts dissolved in the emulsified water droplets.

[0003] The significant difference between stored and transported oil sludge and other types of oil sludge (such as landed oil sludge and refinery "three types of sludge") is its high oil content, high viscosity, and severe emulsification. Studies have found that the oil content of tank bottom sludge ranges from 15% to 70%, and can exceed 80% in extremely high cases. The high viscosity and high emulsification characteristics of stored and transported oil sludge are mainly due to its composition. The large amount of asphaltenes, gums, and fine sand contained in the oil sludge can act as natural emulsifiers. When the emulsifier in the emulsion system is a high-molecular-weight organic compound such as asphaltenes or a solid such as adhesives, gravel, or paraffin, the resulting interfacial film has extremely high mechanical strength, and the stability of the emulsion is also stronger. In addition, asphaltenes and gums can form a protective layer with a cross-network structure at the oil-water interface. Coupled with the strong intermolecular interactions of asphaltenes, this protective layer is very strong and can prevent oil droplets from agglomerating, playing a key role in maintaining the stability of the emulsion. At the same time, in the entire mixture system, solid particles are tightly and randomly entangled with each other and with each other, forming a continuous network structure that fills the entire space. This structure, together with the entangled and coiled structure formed between heavy molecules such as asphaltene and gum, contributes to the high viscosity of oil sludge in storage and transportation.

[0004] The large amount of oil sludge that forms in storage tanks not only affects the quality of the crude oil inside and reduces the effective volume of the tank, but also, if the oil sludge continuously deposited in settling tanks, wastewater treatment tanks, and wastewater pools is not removed in time, it will accelerate the corrosion of the tank bottom plate and inner wall, reducing the service life of the tank. Therefore, it is necessary to clean oil tanks regularly. According to relevant national regulations, large oil storage tanks must be cleaned before maintenance or changing the type of oil stored, and the cleaning cycle stipulated in the petrochemical industry is 5 years. Currently, the three commonly used cleaning methods at home and abroad are manual cleaning, mechanical cleaning, and robotic cleaning. However, all of these methods have a drawback: the cleaning is difficult and costly.

[0005] Given the high viscosity of oil sludge during storage and transportation, effective measures are needed to reduce its viscosity so that it can be extracted from the tank along with crude oil for subsequent processing. Summary of the Invention

[0006] In view of this, this application provides a high-energy acoustic beam dilution and suction device for suctioning and transporting oil sludge. Its specific structure includes: multiple mounting discs, which are arranged parallel to each other at intervals, with the centers of each disc connected in series to a vertically arranged lifting lug; adjacent discs are fixedly connected by multiple connecting rods; multiple excitation units, each vertically fixedly mounted on one of the mounting discs; an oil suction pipe, passing through and fixed to the mounting discs from top to bottom, for suctioning oil; and a pump body connected to the oil passage of the suction pipe for providing suction force to the suction pipe.

[0007] Using the aforementioned specific structure, a high-energy acoustic beam dilution and suction device is lowered into the oil sludge storage area using lifting lugs. Multiple excitation units fixed on several mounting discs emit ultrasonic waves into the oil sludge, reducing its viscosity through ultrasonic viscosity reduction technology. The sludge, now with reduced viscosity, is then pumped away through a suction pipe, allowing it to be extracted from the tank along with crude oil for subsequent processing.

[0008] As one possible implementation, multiple mounting disks are provided with mounting holes, which are evenly distributed on the mounting disks, and multiple excitation units are respectively vertically fixed on the mounting disks through the multiple mounting holes.

[0009] As one possible implementation, the mounting disc is provided with a plurality of vent holes, which are evenly distributed around the plurality of mounting holes.

[0010] By employing the aforementioned possible implementation methods, the vent can reduce the weight of the mounting disk, thereby simplifying the operation of the high-energy acoustic beam dilution suction device. Furthermore, the vent can also be used to expel gas generated by the cavitation effect of ultrasound waves in the liquid, preventing damage to the high-energy acoustic beam dilution suction device.

[0011] As one possible implementation, the plurality of mounting discs includes a first mounting disc, a second mounting disc, and a third mounting disc. The first mounting disc is provided with a first number of mounting holes. The second mounting disc is disposed below the first mounting disc, and its size is larger than that of the first mounting disc. The second mounting disc is provided with a second number of mounting holes, and the second number is greater than the first number. The third mounting disc is disposed below the second mounting disc, and its size is larger than that of the second mounting disc. The third mounting disc is provided with a third number of mounting holes, and the third number is greater than the second number.

[0012] Using the aforementioned possible implementation methods, the high-energy acoustic beam dilution and suction device comprises a multi-layered ultrasonic excitation unit consisting of a first mounting disk, a second mounting disk, and a third mounting disk. Furthermore, the lower the mounting disk, the larger its size and the more excitation units mounted on it, resulting in a better ultrasonic viscosity reduction effect. Therefore, ultrasonic viscosity reduction can be performed specifically targeting the characteristic that the viscosity of stored sludge increases with depth.

[0013] As one possible implementation, the oil suction pipe is provided with multiple oil suction holes, which are evenly distributed on the portion of the oil suction pipe adjacent to the multiple excitation units.

[0014] As one possible implementation, the excitation unit includes: an amplitude transformer; a high-energy acoustic beam transducer disposed at the top end of the amplitude transformer; and a tool head disposed at the bottom end of the amplitude transformer.

[0015] As one possible implementation, the high-energy acoustic beam transducer is fixedly connected to the amplitude transformer via a first built-in stud; the tool head is fixedly connected to the amplitude transformer via a second built-in stud.

[0016] As one possible implementation, the bottom of the tool head is provided with a scattering surface.

[0017] Using the above-mentioned possible implementation methods, the high-energy sound beams generated by the high-energy sound beam transducers are all emitted downwards, which cannot effectively reduce the viscosity of the oil sludge stored near the excitation unit. The direction of the high-energy sound beam emission can be changed by using a scattering surface, thus improving the viscosity reduction effect.

[0018] As one possible implementation, a fixing protrusion is provided on the outer circle of the amplitude rod, and the excitation unit is fixed in the mounting hole through the fixing protrusion.

[0019] This application also provides a high-energy acoustic beam dilution and suction method, specifically, the method involves using the high-energy acoustic beam dilution and suction device described above to suction the stored and transported sludge. Attached Figure Description

[0020] The various technical features of this application and their relationships will be further explained below with reference to the accompanying drawings. The drawings are exemplary; some technical features are not shown to scale, and some drawings may omit technical features commonly used in the art to which this application pertains that are not essential for understanding and implementing this application, or additionally show technical features that are not essential for understanding and implementing this application. In other words, the combination of various technical features shown in the drawings is not intended to limit this application. Furthermore, throughout this application, the same reference numerals refer to the same things. Specific descriptions of the drawings are as follows:

[0021] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of a high-energy acoustic beam dilution and suction device according to an embodiment of this application;

[0022] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of a third mounting disk in a high-energy acoustic beam dilution and suction device according to an embodiment of this application, in which an excitation unit is installed;

[0023] Figure 3 This is a top view of the third mounting disk in the high-energy acoustic beam dilution and suction device according to an embodiment of this application;

[0024] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the excitation unit in the high-energy acoustic beam dilution and suction device according to an embodiment of this application;

[0025] Figure 5 This is a cross-sectional view of the excitation unit in the high-energy acoustic beam dilution and suction device according to an embodiment of this application.

[0026] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached drawings: 100-First mounting disc; 200-Second mounting disc; 300-Third mounting disc; 400-Excitation unit; 410-High-energy sound beam transducer; 420-Amplitude rod; 430-Tool head; 431-Scattering surface; 440-Fixing protrusion; 450-First stud; 460-Second stud; 500-Lifting lug; 600-Connecting rod; 700-Oil suction pipe; 710-Oil suction hole; 800-Exhaust hole; 900-Connecting hole; 1000-Mounting hole. Detailed Implementation

[0027] The specific embodiments of this application will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0028] This application provides a high-energy acoustic beam dilution and suction device for pumping and transporting oil sludge. For example... Figure 1 As shown, the high-energy acoustic beam dilution and suction device involved in this application embodiment consists of multiple mounting discs, multiple excitation units 400, an oil suction pipe 700, and a pump body.

[0029] The system comprises multiple mounting discs arranged parallel to each other at intervals. The centers of all the discs are connected in series to a vertically positioned lifting lug 500. Adjacent discs are fixedly connected by multiple connecting rods 600. The connecting rods 600 are fixed to the discs via connecting holes 900. Each disc has mounting holes 1000 evenly distributed across it, and multiple excitation units 400 are vertically fixed to the discs via these holes. Each excitation unit 400 emits ultrasonic waves to the stored sludge, reducing its viscosity through ultrasonic viscosity reduction technology. Multiple vent holes 800 are also provided on the discs, evenly distributed around the mounting holes 1000. These vent holes 800 reduce the weight of the discs, thereby simplifying the operation of the high-energy acoustic beam dilution suction device. In addition, the exhaust port 800 can also be used to discharge the gas generated by the ultrasonic waves in the liquid due to the cavitation effect, so as to prevent the gas from damaging the high-energy acoustic beam dilution suction device involved in the embodiments of this application.

[0030] The multiple excitation units 400 are vertically fixed in each of the mounting holes 1000 on the multiple mounting discs. Each excitation unit 400 includes an amplitude transformer 420, a high-energy acoustic beam transducer 410 is provided at the top end of the amplitude transformer 420, and a tool head 430 is provided at the bottom end of the amplitude transformer 420.

[0031] In this embodiment, the high-energy acoustic beam transducer 410 is a piezoelectric transducer. Alternatively, in other embodiments, other types of transducers may be used, such as pneumatic, hydraulic, or magnetically actuated transducers.

[0032] In this embodiment, there are three mounting discs: a first mounting disc 100, a second mounting disc 200, and a third mounting disc 300. The first mounting disc 100 has a first number of mounting holes 1000. The second mounting disc 200 is located below the first mounting disc 100, and its size is larger than the first mounting disc 100. The second mounting disc 200 has a second number of mounting holes 1000, and the second number is greater than the first number. The third mounting disc 300 is located below the second mounting disc 200, and its size is larger than the second mounting disc 200. The third mounting disc 300 has a third number of mounting holes 1000, and the third number is greater than the second number. Alternatively, in other embodiments, the number of mounting discs can be other, such as two, four, or five.

[0033] In this embodiment, the first quantity is four, the second quantity is eight, and the third quantity is twelve. In other embodiments, the first, second, and third quantities can be other quantities.

[0034] In this embodiment, the high-energy acoustic beam dilution and suction device comprises a multi-layered ultrasonic excitation unit 400 consisting of a first mounting disk 100, a second mounting disk 200, and a third mounting disk 300. The lower mounting disks are larger, resulting in more excitation units 400 at lower levels, greater ultrasonic intensity, and better viscosity reduction. Therefore, ultrasonic viscosity reduction can be performed to address the characteristic that the viscosity of stored sludge increases with depth.

[0035] In this embodiment, a fixing protrusion 440 is provided on the outer circle of the amplitude extension rod 420, and the excitation unit 400 is fixed in the mounting hole 1000 through the fixing protrusion 440. The fixing protrusion 440 is bolted to the mounting disc.

[0036] In this embodiment, the high-energy acoustic beam transducer 410 is fixedly connected to the amplitude transformer 420 via a first built-in stud 450; the tool head 430 is fixedly connected to the amplitude transformer 420 via a second built-in stud 460. Alternatively, in other embodiments, other connection methods can be used, such as riveting, flange connection, etc.

[0037] In this embodiment, a scattering surface 431 is provided at the bottom of the tool head 430. The high-energy sound beams generated by the high-energy sound beam transducer 410 are all emitted downwards, which cannot effectively reduce the viscosity of the sludge stored near the excitation unit 400. The scattering surface 431 can change the direction of the high-energy sound beam emission, thereby improving the viscosity reduction effect.

[0038] The oil suction pipe 700 passes through and is fixed on multiple mounting discs from top to bottom for oil suction. The oil suction pipe 700 is provided with multiple oil suction holes 710, which are evenly distributed on the part of the oil suction pipe 700 adjacent to the multiple excitation units 400.

[0039] The pump body is connected to the oil passage of the oil suction pipe 700 to provide suction to the oil suction pipe 700.

[0040] In summary, the high-energy acoustic beam dilution and suction device involved in this application embodiment is hoisted into the storage and transportation sludge by the lifting lug 500, and the excitation unit 400 can reduce the viscosity of the surrounding storage and transportation sludge by ultrasonic waves. The reduced-viscosity storage and transportation sludge is sucked out by the suction pipe 700 through the suction hole 710, thereby achieving the purpose of being extracted from the tank along with crude oil for subsequent production and processing.

[0041] Understandably, this application also provides a high-energy acoustic beam dilution and suction method, specifically, the method involves using the high-energy acoustic beam dilution and suction device described above to suction the stored and transported sludge.

[0042] The ultrasonic viscosity reduction technology used in the high-energy acoustic beam dilution and suction device involved in the embodiments of this application will be described below.

[0043] Ultrasonic viscosity reduction technology is a low-cost, simple, and promising method for reducing the viscosity of oily sludge. Studies have shown that ultrasound can disrupt the internal particle system of oily sludge, reducing the viscosity of the sludge system and the adhesion between crude oil and inorganic solid particles, thereby lowering the sludge viscosity. By adjusting the physical parameters of the ultrasound, different viscosity-reducing effects can be achieved on oily sludge.

[0044] Ultrasonic waves are generated by transducers. Ultrasonic vibration energy is converted from mechanical and electromagnetic energy by the ultrasonic transducer. The technical solution in this application uses a piezoelectric transducer.

[0045] Ultrasonic waves possess the capabilities of directionality, focusing, reflection, and projection, allowing them to easily penetrate both oil and water phases. Furthermore, ultrasonic waves exert strong forces through mechanical, cavitation, thermal, and chemical action.

[0046] (1) Mechanical action

[0047] This is a type of ultrasonic energy radiation diffusion mechanism, related to the vibration process of ultrasonic waves. It can generate linear alternating vibrations in a medium with relatively small amplitude displacement. However, it produces vibrational accelerations tens of thousands of times greater than gravitational acceleration within the medium, resulting in a mechanical effect sufficient to achieve demulsification of oil sludge, thus enabling ultrasonic waves to reduce the viscosity of stored and transported oil sludge.

[0048] (2) Cavitation

[0049] Cavitation refers to a series of processes in which a sudden decrease in pressure within a liquid medium leads to the generation, growth, and collapse of bubbles within the liquid or at the solid-liquid interface. Ultrasonic cavitation primarily affects liquid media. When the acoustic energy of the ultrasound is sufficiently high to exceed the liquid's "cavitation threshold" (the minimum acoustic intensity required for bubble formation), a large number of bubbles are generated within the liquid medium and at the interface. These bubbles gradually expand until they collapse as the ultrasonic effect intensifies. The collapsed bubbles then grow and collapse again, in a continuous cycle. The foam growth and collapse process is short in duration and small in scope. Upon collapse, cavitation bubbles can generate high pressures exceeding 50 MPa and high temperatures of 5000 K, with the temperature at the cavitation bubble interface reaching as high as 2000 K. After cavitation, the temperature drops, creating microjets with speeds of at least 400 km / h and powerful shock waves within the medium, thus providing favorable physical and chemical conditions for further reactions.

[0050] (3) Thermal effect

[0051] When ultrasound acts on a medium, the medium continuously absorbs the mechanical and electromagnetic energy generated by the ultrasonic waves due to mechanical vibration, which is then converted into heat energy within the medium itself, thus raising its temperature. This, along with the localized temperature of the shock wave front and other parts of the medium, is also increased due to cavitation. The higher temperature allows ultrasound to reduce the viscosity of stored oil sludge.

[0052] (4) Chemical action

[0053] Ultrasonic chemical action is triggered by cavitation. Ultrasonic cavitation generates high-temperature, high-pressure shock waves and high-velocity microjets that act on the medium, causing water molecules to undergo a cracking reaction, generating OH radicals. OH radicals are unstable due to their unpaired electrons and readily react with other substances to become stable molecules. For example, under short-term ultrasonic treatment, pure distilled water will produce hydrogen peroxide. Simultaneously, when dissolved nitrogen is present in the water under ultrasonic treatment, it will react with hydrogen peroxide to produce nitric acid. The resulting acidic chemical substances can dissolve impurities in stored oil sludge, thus enabling ultrasound to reduce the viscosity of the stored oil sludge.

[0054] Through the vibration of the above-mentioned mechanical action, the high temperature generated by cavitation and thermal action, and the chemical reaction of cavitation and chemical action, ultrasound can achieve a good viscosity reduction effect, which can reduce the viscosity of stored and transported sludge by 50%.

[0055] The term “comprising” as used throughout this application should not be construed as limited to what is listed thereafter; it does not exclude other structural elements or steps.

[0056] It is understood that those skilled in the art can combine the features mentioned in one or more embodiments throughout this application with features from other embodiments in any appropriate manner to implement this application.

[0057] Note that the above are merely preferred embodiments and the technical principles employed in this application. Those skilled in the art will understand that this application is not limited to the specific embodiments described herein, and various obvious changes, readjustments, and substitutions can be made without departing from the scope of protection of this application. Therefore, although this application has been described in detail through the above embodiments, this application is not limited to the above embodiments. Many other equivalent embodiments may be included without departing from the technical concept of this application, all of which fall within the scope of protection of this application.

Claims

1. A high-energy acoustic beam dilution and suction device for suctioning and transporting oil sludge, characterized in that, include: Multiple mounting discs are arranged parallel to each other at intervals. The centers of the multiple mounting discs are connected in series to a vertically arranged lifting lug. Adjacent mounting discs are fixedly connected by multiple connecting rods. The multiple mounting discs are provided with mounting holes, which are evenly distributed on the mounting discs. The multiple mounting discs include a first mounting disc, a second mounting disc, and a third mounting disc. The second mounting disc is located below the first mounting disc and its size is larger than the first mounting disc. The third mounting disc is located below the second mounting disc and its size is larger than the second mounting disc. The first mounting disc is provided with a first number of mounting holes, the second mounting disc is provided with a second number of mounting holes, the second number being greater than the first number, and the third mounting disc is provided with a third number of mounting holes, the third number being greater than the second number. Multiple excitation units are vertically fixed on multiple mounting disks. Each excitation unit includes an amplitude transformer, a high-energy acoustic beam transducer at the top of the amplitude transformer, and a tool head at the bottom of the amplitude transformer. The multiple excitation units are vertically fixed on the mounting disks through multiple mounting holes. An oil suction pipe passes through and is fixed to multiple mounting discs from top to bottom for oil suction. The pump body is connected to the oil suction pipe and is used to provide suction for the oil suction pipe.

2. The high-energy acoustic beam dilution and suction device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The mounting disc is provided with multiple vent holes, which are evenly distributed around the mounting holes.

3. The high-energy acoustic beam dilution and suction device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The oil suction pipe is provided with a plurality of oil suction holes, which are evenly distributed on the portion of the oil suction pipe adjacent to the plurality of excitation units.

4. The high-energy acoustic beam dilution and suction device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The high-energy sound beam transducer is fixedly connected to the amplitude transformer via a first built-in stud; the tool head is fixedly connected to the amplitude transformer via a second built-in stud.

5. The high-energy acoustic beam dilution and suction device according to claim 1 or 4, characterized in that, The bottom of the tool head is provided with a scattering surface.

6. The high-energy acoustic beam dilution and suction device according to claim 1 or 4, characterized in that, A fixing protrusion is provided on the outer circle of the amplitude rod, and the excitation unit is fixed in the mounting hole through the fixing protrusion.

7. A high-energy acoustic beam dilution and suction method for suctioning and transporting oil sludge, characterized in that, The high-energy acoustic beam dilution and suction device as described in any one of claims 1-6 is used to suction crude oil for storage and transportation.

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