Multi-metal nodule mining system utilizing deep sea in-situ hydrogen energy

Abstract

The invention discloses a multi-metal nodule mining system utilizing deep-sea in-situ hydrogen energy, and relates to the technical field of ocean exploitation, the system comprises a deep-sea hydrogen production platform, an energy storage station and underwater equipment, and an integrated technical system for deep-sea hydrogen development and utilization is constructed. A hydrogen energy storage station of a hydrogen-oxygen fuel cell is established on a seabed, hydrogen generated by serpentine of deep sea peridotite is converted into electric energy, the electric energy is stored in the energy storage station, and energy is provided for underwater equipment. The system utilizes the floating gas production platform to produce hydrogen, and the hydrogen-oxygen mixing ratio is accurately controlled through the flow control valve, so that efficient operation of the fuel cell is guaranteed. The energy storage station of the system has a wireless charging function, stable fitting in the charging process is guaranteed through infrared recognition and a lifting assembly, sundries are effectively prevented from entering a charging interface, and charging safety and long-term operation stability are guaranteed. The transmission energy consumption of hydrogen energy between the development end and the user end can be remarkably reduced, reliable energy support is provided for deep-sea mining, and the operation efficiency and safety are improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention belongs to the technical field of marine mining, and in particular, relates to a polymetallic nodule mining system utilizing deep-sea in-situ hydrogen energy. Background Art

[0002] The deep sea contains extremely rich polymetallic nodule mineral resources. The ores contain a large amount of strategic metal elements such as manganese, cobalt, and nickel, which are important raw materials for new energy batteries. The development of deep-sea polymetallic nodules can provide power and support for the development of my country's new energy industry. Deep-sea polymetallic nodule development generally uses submarine crawler ore collectors to collect ore. The crawler vehicles travel on the seabed at a depth of 4,000-6,000 meters, and the surface mother ship provides power energy through pipelines. Due to the long underwater distance, the energy loss of pipeline transportation is high, and long-distance pipelines are easily affected by ocean currents, and the risk of leakage is high, which poses a threat to the deep-sea mining system. The deep-sea mining system is equipped with underwater monitoring equipment AUV and ROV. The ROV power supply is similar to the crawler pipeline power supply. The AUV needs to return to the surface mother ship to get energy supply, which greatly limits the underwater operation time of the underwater equipment.

[0003] The deep rock layers of the deep seabed react with seawater to produce hydrogen deposits. According to ocean surveys, deep-sea hydrogen deposits overlap with deep-sea polymetallic nodule deposits. If hydrogen can be used as the energy source for mining systems, the efficiency of deep-sea mining operations will be greatly improved. The increasingly mature hydrogen-powered energy technology (such as hydrogen-powered cars) provides the basic conditions for the combination of the two.

[0004] In view of this, the present invention is proposed. Summary of the invention

[0005] In order to solve the above technical problems, the basic concept of the technical solution adopted by the present invention is:

[0006] A polymetallic nodule mining system using deep-sea in-situ hydrogen energy, including:

[0007] Fuel cells;

[0008] The two sides of the fuel cell are respectively connected with a high-pressure oxygen tank and a high-pressure hydrogen tank;

[0009] The high-pressure hydrogen tank is connected to a gas-gathering tree, which is buried in the seabed for mining hydrogen ore;

[0010] The fuel cell is electrically connected to an energy storage station, and the energy storage station is electrically connected to a plurality of charging devices;

[0011] The high-pressure hydrogen tank is connected to the floating gas production platform, the high-pressure oxygen tank is connected to an air compressor, and one side of the air compressor is connected to an oxygen storage tank.

[0012] Preferably, the connecting pipes between the high-pressure oxygen tank, the high-pressure hydrogen tank and the fuel cell are all provided with flow control valves.

[0013] Preferably, the high-pressure hydrogen tank transmits and stores hydrogen to the floating gas production platform, and a hydraulic one-way valve is provided at the gas outlet end connected to the floating gas production platform.

[0014] Preferably, the charging device includes interface charging and wireless charging, and the charging device is used to replenish electrical energy for the underwater equipment.

[0015] Preferably, a water outlet pipe is provided on one side of the fuel cell.

[0016] Preferably, the underwater device includes an installed driving battery, one side of the driving battery is provided with a power receiving end cooperating with a charging device, and one side of the underwater device is also provided with an infrared signal transmitting end.

[0017] Preferably, the charging device comprises an external component, an inner wall of the external component is provided with a lifting component, and an electrical cabinet is fixedly connected to the inner wall of the external component.

[0018] Preferably, the external component includes a shell, one side of the shell is fixedly connected to a water-blocking tank, the electrical cabinet is fixedly connected to the inner wall of the water-blocking tank, the lifting component is fixedly connected to the inner wall of the shell, the upper surface of the lifting component is fixedly connected to a plurality of ropes, the top ends of the plurality of ropes are commonly fixedly connected to a floating plate, and the upper surface of the floating plate is fixedly connected to a power transmitter for wireless charging;

[0019] Anchor rods for fixing to the seabed are fixed at the four corners of the lower surface of the shell;

[0020] An infrared signal sensing terminal is arranged on the upper surface of the water-blocking chamber.

[0021] Preferably, the lifting assembly includes two parallel panels, the four corners of the two panels are jointly provided with shear frames, the four shear frames are symmetrically arranged between two of them, the opposite surfaces of the two symmetrical shear frames are movably connected with a retaining frame and a frame plate through a pin shaft, the upper and lower ends of the shear frame are movably connected to the opposite surfaces of the two panels through a pin shaft, the surfaces of the two frame plates and the two shear frames are jointly penetrated with a threaded rod, the threaded rod slides on the inner walls of the two shear frames, the threaded rod is threadedly matched with the inner wall of the left frame plate, the opposite surfaces of the two frame plates are fixed with two retaining rods, the retaining rods penetrate and slide on the inner walls of the two retaining frames;

[0022] A spline hole is provided at the right end of the threaded rod, and the inner wall sliding piece of the spline hole is matched with a spline shaft. A driver for driving the spline shaft is provided at the right end, and the driver is slidably installed on the inner wall of the water-blocking bin. A sliding hole is provided on the inner wall of the water-blocking bin for matching the sliding of the driver.

[0023] Beneficial effects:

[0024] This solution realizes underwater power supply for seabed mining vehicles, AUVs, and ROVs, improves the operating efficiency of the mining system, and reduces the cost of deep-sea mining energy transmission systems.

[0025] At the same time, the low temperature environment on the seabed effectively suppresses the heat release of hydrogen battery power generation, which is safer than using hydrogen on land. By completing the application of deep-sea hydrogen deposits underwater, energy losses during transportation are reduced, and energy consumption from mining to utilization is reduced, thus achieving efficient deep-sea hydrogen energy development.

[0026] The specific implementation modes of the present invention are further described in detail below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0027] In the attached picture:

[0028] Figure 1 It is a system structure block diagram of the present invention;

[0029] Figure 2 It is a schematic diagram of the system layout structure of the present invention;

[0030] Figure 3 It is a schematic diagram of the interaction state between the underwater device and the charging device of the present invention;

[0031] Figure 4 It is a three-dimensional structural schematic diagram of the charging device of the present invention;

[0032] Figure 5 It is a schematic diagram of a three-dimensional cross-sectional structure of the charging device of the present invention;

[0033] Figure 6 It is a schematic structural diagram of the explosion of the lifting assembly of the present invention.

[0034] In the figure: 1. fuel cell; 2. high-pressure oxygen tank; 3. high-pressure hydrogen tank; 4. air compressor; 5. oxygen storage tank; 6. gas tree; 7. energy storage station; 8. charging device; 81. external components; 811. shell; 812. closed water tank; 813. floating plate; 814. power transmitter; 815. rope; 816. anchor rod; 817. infrared signal sensing end; 82. lifting component; 821. panel; 822. shear frame; 823. retaining frame; 824. frame plate; 825. threaded rod; 826. spline hole; 827. spline shaft; 828. drive; 829. retaining rod; 83. electrical cabinet; 84. sliding hole; 9. flow control valve; 10. hydraulic check valve; 11. water outlet pipe; 12. hydrogen mine. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0035] In order to make the purpose, technical solutions and advantages of the embodiments of the present invention clearer, the technical solutions in the embodiments will be clearly and completely described below in conjunction with the drawings in the embodiments of the present invention. The following embodiments are used to illustrate the present invention.

[0036] like Figures 1 to 6 As shown, the polymetallic nodule mining system using deep-sea in-situ hydrogen energy includes:

[0037] The two sides of the fuel cell 1 are connected to a high-pressure oxygen tank 2 and a high-pressure hydrogen tank 3 respectively;

[0038] The high-pressure hydrogen tank 3 is connected to a gas tree 6, which is buried on the seabed for mining hydrogen mines 12;

[0039] The fuel cell 1 is electrically connected to an energy storage station 7, and the energy storage station 7 is electrically connected to a plurality of charging devices 8;

[0040] The high-pressure hydrogen tank 3 is connected to the floating gas production platform, the high-pressure oxygen tank 2 is connected to an air compressor 4, and one side of the air compressor 4 is connected to an oxygen storage tank 5.

[0041] Deep sea hydrogen development and energy storage:

[0042] The first step is to use a floating offshore gas production platform to mine hydrogen energy. After collecting it using pipelines, part of it is stored in high-pressure hydrogen storage tanks on the seabed, and the excess is collected on the offshore platform.

[0043] In the second step, the offshore gas production platform prepares oxygen through biological, chemical and other means, and transports it to the high-pressure oxygen storage tank 5 on the seabed through pipelines.

[0044] In the third step, hydrogen and oxygen are fed into the fuel cell 1, which continuously produces electrical energy and stores it in the energy storage station 7 on the seabed. The energy storage station 7 is provided with a wireless charging device 8, which can be charged close to it.

[0045] Energy supply for underwater operation vehicles (mine cars) and underwater equipment (AUV, ROV):

[0046] In the fourth step, the underwater mining vehicle and underwater equipment are provided with an energy red line. When the electric energy is lower than the red line, an alarm is sounded and the vehicle drives to the nearest energy storage station 7 to reach the corresponding charging point for charging.

[0047] In the fifth step, the infrared signal sensing end cooperates with the infrared signal transmitting end to identify the type of underwater equipment, and can automatically identify the underwater equipment for charging.

[0048] Step 6: After the underwater equipment is fully charged, it will sound an alarm and leave the energy station to continue mining operations.

[0049] Specifically, Figure 1 As shown: the connecting pipes between the high-pressure oxygen tank 2, the high-pressure hydrogen tank 3 and the fuel cell 1 are all provided with flow control valves 9.

[0050] Through the flow control valve 9, the gas output from the high-pressure oxygen tank and the high-pressure hydrogen tank 3 can be started, and the mixing ratio of hydrogen and oxygen can be accurately controlled, so that the fuel cell 1 (hydrogen and oxygen fuel cell 1) generates electricity and stores the electrical energy in the energy storage station 7, and then the energy storage station 7 supplies energy to multiple charging devices 8.

[0051] Specifically, Figure 2 As shown: the high-pressure hydrogen tank 3 transmits and stores hydrogen to the floating gas production platform, and a hydraulic one-way valve 10 is provided at the gas outlet end connected to the floating gas production platform.

[0052] By providing a high-pressure hydrogen tank 3, hydrogen can be stored inside and a high-pressure space can be formed. In conjunction with the hydraulic one-way valve 10, the internal pressure can be kept constant. At the same time, its pressure can cooperate with the flow control valve 9 to control the gas output.

[0053] Specifically, Figure 1 As shown: the charging device 8 includes interface charging and wireless charging, and the charging device 8 is used to supplement electric energy for underwater equipment.

[0054] The charging device 8 includes two charging methods. Its interface charging leads to the charging port through the electrical cabinet 83, and can be charged by plugging in. This solution preferably adopts wireless charging for use, which can adapt to the charging adaptation of different devices.

[0055] Specifically, Figure 1 As shown: a water outlet pipe 11 is provided on one side of the fuel cell 1 .

[0056] Specifically, Figure 3 As shown: the underwater device includes an installed driving battery, one side of the driving battery is provided with an electric energy receiving end that cooperates with the charging device 8, and one side of the underwater device is also provided with an infrared signal transmitting end.

[0057] Specifically, Figure 4 As shown, the charging device 8 includes an external component 81 , a lifting component 82 is provided on the inner wall of the external component 81 , and an electrical cabinet 83 is fixedly connected to the inner wall of the external component 81 .

[0058] The lifting assembly 82 can ensure that the power transmitting end 814 is attached to the bottom of the underwater device so that it can meet a sufficient charging distance, and the electrical cabinet 83 can protect the relevant electrical equipment to avoid damage.

[0059] Specifically, Figure 4 and Figure 5 As shown: the external component 81 includes a shell 811, a water-blocking tank 812 is fixedly connected to one side of the shell 811, an electrical cabinet 83 is fixedly connected to the inner wall of the water-blocking tank 812, a lifting component 82 is fixedly connected to the inner wall of the shell 811, a plurality of ropes 815 are fixedly connected to the upper surface of the lifting component 82, a floating plate 813 is fixedly connected to the top ends of the plurality of ropes 815, and a power transmitting end 814 for wireless charging is fixedly connected to the upper surface of the floating plate 813;

[0060] Anchor rods 816 for fixing to the seabed are fixed at the four corners of the lower surface of the shell 811;

[0061] The anchor rod 816 can fix the charging device 8 on the seabed so that it will not be displaced due to the water flow.

[0062] An infrared signal sensing terminal 817 is disposed on the upper surface of the water-blocking chamber 812 .

[0063] When the underwater equipment needs to be charged, it transmits the corresponding infrared sensing beacon through the infrared signal transmitting end, and the infrared signal sensing end 817 of the charging device 8 distinguishes and identifies the underwater equipment (mine car, AUV and ROV). When the underwater equipment moves to the designated charging position, it stops moving and charges.

[0064] Specifically, Figure 6 As shown: the lifting assembly 82 includes two parallel panels 821, and shear frames 822 are commonly arranged at the four corners of the two panels 821. The four shear frames 822 are symmetrically arranged in pairs. The opposite surfaces of the two symmetrical shear frames 822 are movably connected with a retaining frame 823 and a frame plate 824 through a pin shaft. The upper and lower ends of the shear frames 822 are movably connected to the opposite surfaces of the two panels 821 through a pin shaft. The surfaces of the two frame plates 824 and the two shear frames 822 are commonly penetrated by a threaded rod 825, and the threaded rod 825 slides on the inner walls of the two shear frames 822. The threaded rod 825 is threadedly matched with the inner wall of the left frame plate 824. The opposite surfaces of the two frame plates 824 are fixed with two retaining rods 829, and the retaining rods 829 penetrate and slide on the inner walls of the two retaining frames 823.

[0065] A spline hole 826 is provided at the right end of the threaded rod 825, and the inner wall sliding piece of the spline hole 826 is matched with a spline shaft 827. A driver 828 is provided at the right end of the spline shaft 827 to drive it. The driver 828 is slidably installed on the inner wall of the water-blocking bin 812, and a sliding hole 84 is provided on the inner wall of the water-blocking bin 812 for matching the sliding of the driver 828.

[0066] When the threaded rod 825 rotates, the two frames 824 move toward each other, and the threaded rod 825 moves accordingly. Since the driver 828 does not move, its spline shaft 827 slides in the spline groove to meet the axial movement of the threaded rod 825. At the same time, when the height changes, the driver 828 slides in the sliding hole 84 to adapt to the height change.

[0067] The model of the underwater equipment transmitted by the infrared signal transmitting end is recognized by the infrared signal sensing end 817 of the charging device 8 for charging, and then the driver 828 of the lifting assembly 82 drives the spline shaft 827 to rotate, and then the spline shaft 827 rotates with the threaded rod 825. When the threaded rod 825 rotates, the two frame plates 824 approach each other, and the shear frame 822 begins to deform under the pressure, so that its two panels 821 begin to move away, and the upper panel 821 is lifted until the power transmitting end 814 is attached to the bottom of the underwater equipment under the action of the floating plate 813, and the pull rope loses its tension. At this time, the power transmitting end 814 is completely attached under the action of buoyancy and can be reset after charging is completed. During the reset process, as the shear frame 822 is reset, the pull rope pulls the floating plate 813 downward.

[0068] This method can achieve stable fit during the charging process, ensuring that debris is not easily introduced between the power transmitting end 814 and the power receiving end during charging in a complex underwater environment, thereby ensuring the safety and stability of the long-term charging process.

[0069] In summary, this solution mainly includes deep-sea hydrogen mining platforms, seabed hydrogen energy storage (hydrogen is converted into electricity and stored in energy storage station 7), and underwater equipment. Develop and utilize hydrogen deposits 12 produced by serpentinization of deep-sea peridotite, and build a hydrogen energy storage station 7 (hydrogen is converted into electricity) based on hydrogen-oxygen fuel cells 1 on the seabed to power underwater equipment (including deep-sea polymetallic nodule mining vehicles and AUVs and ROVs for monitoring mining operations). The present invention constructs an integrated technical system for deep-sea hydrogen development and deep-sea mining utilization, which can reduce the transmission energy consumption of hydrogen energy between the development end and the user end, and at the same time provide support for deep hydrogen development and deep-sea mining.

[0070] By building an integrated technology system for deep-sea hydrogen development and utilization, the energy consumption of hydrogen energy transmission between the development end and the user end is reduced. At the same time, the use of deep-sea in-situ hydrogen energy as a driving force significantly improves the efficiency and stability of deep-sea mining operations. In addition, the system uses hydrogen-oxygen fuel cells1 for electrical energy conversion and storage, ensuring that underwater equipment can continuously and reliably obtain energy supply in complex environments, thereby enhancing the safety and sustainability of deep-sea mining operations.

[0071] The above are only preferred specific implementation modes of the present invention, but the protection scope of the present invention is not limited thereto. Any technician familiar with the technical field can make equivalent replacements or changes according to the technical solutions and inventive concepts of the present invention within the technical scope disclosed by the present invention, which should be covered by the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A polymetallic nodule mining system utilizing deep-sea in-situ hydrogen energy, characterized in that: include: Fuel cell (1); The two sides of the fuel cell (1) are connected to a high-pressure oxygen tank (2) and a high-pressure hydrogen tank (3) respectively; The high-pressure hydrogen tank (3) is connected to a gas extraction tree (6), and the gas extraction tree (6) is buried on the seabed for mining hydrogen ore (12); The fuel cell (1) is electrically connected to an energy storage station (7), and the energy storage station (7) is electrically connected to a plurality of charging devices (8); The high-pressure hydrogen tank (3) is connected to the floating gas production platform, the high-pressure oxygen tank (2) is connected to an air compressor (4), and one side of the air compressor (4) is connected to an oxygen storage tank (5).

2. The polymetallic nodule mining system using deep-sea in-situ hydrogen energy according to claim 1 is characterized in that: The communicating pipes between the high-pressure oxygen tank (2), the high-pressure hydrogen tank (3) and the fuel cell (1) are all provided with flow control valves (9).

3. The polymetallic nodule mining system using deep-sea in-situ hydrogen energy according to claim 1 is characterized in that: The high-pressure hydrogen tank (3) transmits and stores hydrogen to the floating gas production platform, and a hydraulic one-way valve (10) is provided at the gas outlet end connected to the floating gas production platform.

4. The polymetallic nodule mining system using deep-sea in-situ hydrogen energy according to claim 1 is characterized in that: The charging device (8) comprises interface charging and wireless charging, and the charging device (8) is used to supplement electric energy for underwater equipment.

5. The polymetallic nodule mining system using deep-sea in-situ hydrogen energy according to claim 1 is characterized in that: A water outlet pipe (11) is provided on one side of the fuel cell (1).

6. The polymetallic nodule mining system using deep-sea in-situ hydrogen energy according to claim 4 is characterized in that: The underwater device comprises an installed driving battery, one side of the driving battery is provided with an electric energy receiving end cooperating with a charging device (8), and one side of the underwater device is also provided with an infrared signal transmitting end.

7. The polymetallic nodule mining system using deep-sea in-situ hydrogen energy according to claim 4 is characterized in that: The charging device (8) comprises an external component (81), the inner wall of the external component (81) is provided with a lifting component (82), and the inner wall of the external component (81) is fixedly connected to an electrical cabinet (83).

8. The polymetallic nodule mining system using deep-sea in-situ hydrogen energy according to claim 7 is characterized in that: The external component (81) comprises a shell (811), one side of the shell (811) is fixedly connected to a water-blocking chamber (812), the electrical cabinet (83) is fixedly connected to the inner wall of the water-blocking chamber (812), the lifting component (82) is fixedly connected to the inner wall of the shell (811), the upper surface of the lifting component (82) is fixedly connected to a plurality of ropes (815), the top ends of the plurality of ropes (815) are fixedly connected to a floating plate (813), and the upper surface of the floating plate (813) is fixedly connected to a power transmitting end (814) for wireless charging; Anchor rods (816) for fixing to the seabed are fixed at the four corners of the lower surface of the shell (811); An infrared signal sensing terminal (817) is provided on the upper surface of the water-blocking chamber (812).

9. The polymetallic nodule mining system using deep-sea in-situ hydrogen energy according to claim 8, characterized in that: The lifting assembly (82) comprises two parallel panels (821), the four corners of the two panels (821) are jointly provided with shear frames (822), the four shear frames (822) are symmetrically arranged between each other, the opposite surfaces of the two symmetrical shear frames (822) are movably connected with a retaining frame (823) and a frame plate (824) through a pin shaft, the upper and lower ends of the shear frames (822) are movably connected to the opposite surfaces of the two panels (821) through a pin shaft, the surfaces of the two frame plates (824) and the two shear frames (822) are jointly penetrated with a threaded rod (825), the threaded rod (825) slides on the inner walls of the two shear frames (822), the threaded rod (825) is threadedly matched with the inner wall of the left frame plate (824), the opposite surfaces of the two frame plates (824) are fixed with two retaining rods (829), the retaining rods (829) penetrate and slide on the inner walls of the two retaining frames (823); The right end of the threaded rod (825) is provided with a spline hole (826), the inner wall sliding piece of the spline hole (826) is matched with a spline shaft (827), the right end of the spline shaft (827) is provided with a driver (828) for driving it, the driver (828) is slidably installed on the inner wall of the water-blocking chamber (812), and the inner wall of the water-blocking chamber (812) is provided with a sliding hole (84) for matching the sliding of the driver (828).

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