Polymetallic Nodule Mining System Utilizing In-situ Hydrogen Energy in the Deep Sea

Abstract

The present invention discloses a polymetallic nodule mining system utilizing in-situ deep-sea hydrogen energy, which relates to the technical field of marine exploitation. This system includes a deep-sea hydrogen extraction platform, an energy storage station, and underwater equipment, and constructs an integrated technology system for deep-sea hydrogen development and utilization. By establishing a hydrogen energy storage station for hydrogen-oxygen fuel cells on the seabed, the hydrogen generated by the serpentinization of deep-sea peridotite is converted into electrical energy and stored in the energy storage station to provide energy for underwater equipment. The system uses a floating gas extraction platform to extract hydrogen and precisely controls the hydrogen-oxygen mixing ratio through a flow control valve to ensure the efficient operation of the fuel cell. The energy storage station of the system has a wireless charging function, and ensures stable fitting during the charging process through infrared recognition and lifting components, effectively preventing debris from entering the charging interface, and ensuring charging safety and long-term operation stability. The present invention can significantly reduce the transmission energy consumption of hydrogen energy between the development end and the user end, provide reliable energy support for deep-sea mining, and improve the operation efficiency and safety.

Description

Technical Field

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

[0002] There are extremely rich polymetallic nodule mineral resources in the deep sea. The ore contains a large amount of metal elements such as manganese, cobalt, and nickel, which are important raw materials for new energy batteries. Developing deep-sea polymetallic nodules can provide power and support for the development of China's new energy industry. Deep-sea polymetallic nodule development generally uses a subsea crawler collector to collect ore. The crawler vehicle travels on the seabed at a water depth of 4000 - 6000 meters. The surface mother ship provides power energy through pipelines. Due to the long underwater distance, the energy loss of pipeline transportation is relatively high, and long-distance pipelines are easily affected by ocean currents, with a relatively high risk of leakage, which poses a threat to the deep-sea mining system. The deep-sea mining system is underwater equipped with underwater devices AUV and ROV for monitoring operations. The energy supply of ROV is similar to that of the crawler vehicle through pipelines. AUV needs to return to the surface mother ship to obtain energy supply, which greatly limits the underwater operation time of underwater devices.

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

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

[0005] 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 utilizing in-situ hydrogen energy in the deep sea, comprising:

[0007] A fuel cell;

[0008] High-pressure oxygen tanks and high-pressure hydrogen tanks are respectively connected and arranged on both sides of the fuel cell;

[0009] The high-pressure hydrogen tank is connected with a gas production tree, and the gas production tree is buried in the seabed for mining hydrogen deposits;

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

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

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

[0013] Preferably, the high-pressure hydrogen tank transmits and stores hydrogen to the floating gas collection platform, and a hydraulic check valve is provided at the gas outlet end communicating with the floating gas collection platform.

[0014] Preferably, the charging device includes interface charging and wireless charging, and the charging device is used to supplement electric energy to underwater equipment.

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

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

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

[0018] Preferably, the external component includes a housing. A water-tight chamber is fixedly connected to one side of the housing. The electrical cabinet is fixedly connected to the inner wall of the water-tight chamber. The lifting component is fixedly connected to the inner wall of the housing. A plurality of rope bands are fixedly connected to the upper surface of the lifting component. The tops of the plurality of rope bands are commonly fixedly connected to a floating board. A power transmitting end for wireless charging is fixedly connected to the upper surface of the floating board;

[0019] Anchor rods for seabed fixation are fixed at the four corners of the lower surface of the housing;

[0020] An infrared signal sensing end is provided on the upper surface of the water-tight chamber.

[0021] Preferably, the lifting component includes two parallel panels. Shear frames are commonly provided at the four corners of the two panels. The four shear frames are symmetrically arranged in pairs. The opposite surfaces of two symmetric shear frames are commonly movably connected by a pin shaft to a retaining frame and a frame plate. The upper and lower ends of the shear frames are movably connected to the opposite surfaces of the two panels by pin shafts. Threaded rods are commonly penetrated through the surfaces of the two frame plates and the two shear frames. The threaded rods slide in the inner walls of the two shear frames. The threaded rods are in threaded cooperation with the inner wall of the left frame plate. Two retaining rods are fixedly connected to the opposite surfaces of the two frame plates. The retaining rods penetrate and slide in the inner walls of the two retaining frames;

[0022] A spline hole is formed at the right end of the threaded rod. A spline shaft is slidably engaged with the inner wall of the spline hole. A driver for driving the spline shaft is provided at the right end of the spline shaft. The driver is slidably mounted on the inner wall of the water-sealing chamber. A sliding hole for cooperating with the sliding of the driver is formed in the inner wall of the water-sealing chamber.

[0023] Advantageous effects:

[0024] This solution realizes underwater power supply for the subsea mining vehicle, AUV, and ROV, improves the operation efficiency of the mining system, and reduces the cost of the deep-sea mining energy transmission system.

[0025] At the same time, based on the low-temperature environment on the seabed, the heat release of the hydrogen battery during power generation is effectively suppressed, which is safer compared to the use of hydrogen on land. By completing the application of deep-sea hydrogen deposits underwater, the energy loss during transportation is reduced, the energy consumption from mining to utilization is reduced, and high-efficiency deep-sea hydrogen energy development is realized.

[0026] The following further describes in detail the specific implementation manners of the present invention with reference to the accompanying drawings. Description of the Drawings

[0027] In the drawings:

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

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

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

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

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

[0033] Figure 6 is the exploded structure schematic diagram 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, Christmas tree; 7, energy storage station; 8, charging device; 81, external components; 811, housing; 812, water-sealed chamber; 813, floating board; 814, electric energy transmitting end; 815, rope belt; 816, anchor rod; 817, infrared signal sensing end; 82, lifting component; 821, panel; 822, shear frame; 823, cage; 824, shelf board; 825, threaded rod; 826, spline hole; 827, spline shaft; 828, driver; 829, holding rod; 83, electrical cabinet; 84, sliding hole; 9, flow control valve; 10, hydraulic check valve; 11, water outlet pipe; 12, hydrogen ore. Detailed implementation manners

[0035] To make the objectives, technical solutions and advantages of the embodiments of the present invention clearer, the following will clearly and completely describe the technical solutions in the embodiments in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in the embodiments of the present invention. The following embodiments are used to illustrate the present invention.

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

[0037] On both sides of the fuel cell 1, a high-pressure oxygen tank 2 and a high-pressure hydrogen tank 3 are respectively connected and arranged in communication;

[0038] The high-pressure hydrogen tank 3 is connected and arranged in communication with a Christmas tree 6, and the Christmas tree 6 is buried on the seabed for mining hydrogen ore 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 in communication with a floating gas production platform, the high-pressure oxygen tank 2 is connected and arranged in communication with an air compressor 4, and on one side of the air compressor 4, an oxygen storage tank 5 is connected and arranged in communication.

[0041] Deep-sea hydrogen development and energy storage:

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

[0043] 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] Third step, hydrogen and oxygen are fed into the fuel cell 1 to continuously generate electric energy, which is stored in the energy storage station 7 on the seabed. The energy storage station 7 is provided with a wireless charging device 8 and can be charged by approaching.

[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, as Figure 4 shown: The charging device 8 includes an external component 81. An elevating 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 elevating component 82 can ensure that the power transmission end 814 fits against the bottom of the underwater device, enabling it to meet the sufficient charging distance. The electrical cabinet 83 can protect related electrical devices from being damaged.

[0059] Specifically, as Figure 4 and Figure 5 shown: The external component 81 includes a housing 811. A water-tight chamber 812 is fixedly connected to one side of the housing 811. The electrical cabinet 83 is fixedly connected to the inner wall of the water-tight chamber 812. The elevating component 82 is fixedly connected to the inner wall of the housing 811. A plurality of rope bands 815 are fixedly connected to the upper surface of the elevating component 82. The top ends of the plurality of rope bands 815 are commonly fixedly connected to a floating plate 813. A power transmission end 814 for wireless charging is fixedly connected to the upper surface of the floating plate 813;

[0060] Anchoring rods 816 for seabed fixation are fixedly provided at the four corners of the lower surface of the housing 811;

[0061] The anchoring rods 816 can fix the charging device 8 in place on the seabed so that it will not be displaced by the action of the water flow.

[0062] An infrared signal sensing end 817 is provided on the upper surface of the water-tight chamber 812.

[0063] When the underwater device needs to be charged, it emits a corresponding infrared sensing beacon through the infrared signal transmitting end. The infrared signal sensing end 817 of the charging device 8 differentiates and identifies the underwater devices (mining carts, AUVs, and ROVs). When the underwater device moves to the designated charging position, it stops moving and starts charging.

[0064] Specifically, as Figure 6 shown: The elevating component 82 includes two parallel panels 821. Shearing frames 822 are commonly provided at the four corners of the two panels 821. The four shearing frames 822 are symmetrically arranged in pairs. A retaining frame 823 and a frame plate 824 are commonly movably connected by a pin shaft on the opposite surfaces of two symmetric shearing frames 822. The upper and lower ends of the shearing frames 822 are movably connected to the opposite surfaces of the two panels 821 by pin shafts. A threaded rod 825 penetrates through the surfaces of the two frame plates 824 and the two shearing frames 822. The threaded rod 825 slides inside the inner walls of the two shearing frames 822. The threaded rod 825 is in threaded cooperation with the inner wall of the left frame plate 824. Two retaining rods 829 are fixedly provided on the opposite surfaces of the two frame plates 824. The retaining rods 829 penetrate and slide inside 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 constructing an integrated technology system for deep-sea hydrogen development and utilization, the transmission energy consumption of hydrogen energy between the development end and the user end is reduced. At the same time, by using the in-situ deep-sea hydrogen energy as the driving force, the efficiency and stability of deep-sea mining operations are significantly improved. In addition, the system uses a hydrogen-oxygen fuel cell 1 for electric energy conversion and storage to ensure 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 the preferred specific embodiments of the present invention, but the protection scope of the present invention is not limited thereto. Any person skilled in the art within the technical scope disclosed by the present invention, according to the technical solution and inventive concept of the present invention, making equivalent substitutions or changes should be covered within 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 tree (6), and the gas 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 charging device (8) includes interface charging and wireless charging, and the charging device (8) is used to supplement electric energy for underwater equipment; 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); the external component (81) comprises a shell (811), one side of the shell (811) is fixedly connected to a water-blocking tank (812), the electrical cabinet (83) is fixedly connected to the inner wall of the water-blocking tank (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 an electric energy 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); 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; 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: A water outlet pipe (11) is provided on one side of the fuel cell (1).

5. The polymetallic nodule mining system using deep-sea in-situ hydrogen energy according to claim 1 is 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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