Multi-channel gas lift sludge discharge system of submarine pipeline trencher

Abstract

The invention belongs to the field of ocean engineering, particularly relates to a multichannel gas lift sludge discharge system of a submarine pipeline trencher, and aims to solve the problems that a sludge discharge system of a traditional submarine pipeline trencher is relatively weak in suction capacity, the operation efficiency is not matched with that of a ground breaking system and the like. The device comprises an air compressor, a gas flow distribution tank, a sludge discharge mechanism and a high-pressure rubber pipe, high-pressure gas is generated through the air compressor, the high-pressure gas passes through the gas flow distribution tank and is injected into the underwater sludge discharging mechanism along the high-pressure rubber pipe, a sludge-water mixture is discharged under the action of seabed flow pressure, the volume of the gas is gradually increased in the ascending process of the gas in the sludge discharging mechanism, a carrying effect is generated on the sludge-water mixture, and therefore a groove is formed in the seabed. The problem that mud of a submarine pipeline trencher cannot be discharged in time in the environments of sandy soil, high flow speed, large burial depth and the like is effectively solved, meanwhile, under any working condition, a mud discharging system and a ground breaking system can achieve the best adaptability, and the operation efficiency is maximized.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention belongs to the field of marine engineering, and in particular relates to a multi-channel gas lift mud discharge system of a submarine pipeline trencher. Background Art

[0002] Submarine pipelines are the main arteries of marine oil and gas transportation. Their safety is mainly affected by the natural environment and human marine operations. The most common method people take to ensure the safety and stability of submarine pipelines is to dig trenches underwater to bury pipelines to prevent submarine pipelines from being affected by the submarine environment and mechanical damage. Submarine pipeline trenchers are key equipment for trenching and burying pipelines on the seabed. According to the operating principle, they can be mainly divided into: mechanical trenchers, plow trenchers and jet trenchers. Among them, jet trenchers have the advantages of low average power consumption and low requirements on the performance of the mother ship. At the same time, their structural complexity and functional completeness are relatively balanced, the pipeline is safe to bury, and the operation is convenient. The overall performance is better than the first two. It is the earliest trenching equipment used in marine oil and gas pipeline construction projects and is still widely used.

[0003] The working principle of the jet-type submarine pipeline trenching machine is to use high-pressure hydraulic jetting to break up the seabed soil, and then discharge the broken up soil mud through the mud discharge system, thus forming a trench under the pipeline. The jet-type trenching machine generally consists of three parts: the main structure, the soil breaking system, and the mud discharge system.

[0004] The design performance of traditional submarine pipeline trenchers is more focused on ground-breaking ability. The use of large flow and high-pressure water flow can achieve strong ground-breaking ability, while the mud discharge system generally uses a water-lift siphon or underwater mud pump, which has weak suction capacity. When operating in sea areas with high flow rates and sandy seabeds, the mud discharge effect is poor. In addition, the mud discharge system of the traditional trencher is fixedly connected to the main structure, and the lateral spacing, vertical height and operating power cannot be controlled separately. In different sea areas and different geological conditions, the operating conditions vary greatly. The internal flow field formed after the trencher breaks the ground is quite different. The mud discharge system of the traditional trencher does not have good adaptability and does not match the operating efficiency of the powerful ground-breaking system, resulting in the mud that was not discharged in time after the trencher broke the ground falling back into the trench, and the trenching depth is severely restricted. The maximum trenching depth at a single time generally does not exceed 2m. When the pipeline is required to be buried deeper, in order to achieve the designed trenching depth, the trencher needs to repeatedly excavate the same section of the route, and the operation efficiency is low. The mud discharge capacity of the traditional submarine pipeline trencher can no longer meet the design requirements of large diameter submarine pipelines with large burial depths.

[0005] Based on this, the present invention provides a multi-channel air lift mud discharge system for a submarine pipeline trencher. Summary of the invention

[0006] In order to solve the above problems in the prior art, namely, the conventional submarine pipeline trenching machine mud discharge system has weak suction capacity, the operation efficiency is not matched with the earth-breaking system, etc., the present invention provides a submarine pipeline trenching machine multi-channel gas lift mud discharge system, the system comprises: an air compressor, a gas flow distribution tank, a mud discharge mechanism, and a high-pressure hose;

[0007] The air compressor is fixed to the deck of the mother ship, the mother ship is used to provide traction, and the air compressor is used to provide high-pressure gas;

[0008] The gas flow distribution tank is sealed and connected to the air compressor via the high-pressure hose, and the gas flow distribution tank is fixed to the deck of the mother ship;

[0009] The mud discharge mechanism is sealedly connected to the gas flow distribution tank through the high-pressure rubber hose, and the mud discharge mechanism is arranged on the seabed.

[0010] In some preferred embodiments, the gas flow distribution tank includes a gas input control valve, a main control valve, a tank body, a gas output control valve, and a base;

[0011] The base is fixed to the deck of the mother ship, the base is fixed to the tank body, one side of the outer circumference of the tank body is sealed and fixed to a plurality of the gas input control valves, and the gas input control valves are sealed and connected to the air compressor through a plurality of the high-pressure hoses;

[0012] The other side of the outer circumferential surface of the tank body is sealed and fixed with a plurality of the gas output control valves, and the gas output control valves are sealed and connected with the mud discharge mechanism through a plurality of the high-pressure hoses;

[0013] The tank body is sealed and fixed to the main control valve, and the main control valve is used to control the input and output of high-pressure gas.

[0014] In some preferred embodiments, the gas flow distribution tank further comprises: a pressure gauge, a safety valve, and a pressure relief valve;

[0015] The pressure gauge, the safety valve and the pressure relief valve are all sealed and fixed to the tank body; the pressure gauge is used to display the internal pressure of the tank body; the safety valve and the pressure relief valve are both used to adjust the internal pressure of the tank body.

[0016] In some preferred embodiments, the mud discharge mechanism includes: a mud discharge pipeline, a high-pressure gas injection pipe, and a trencher main structure;

[0017] The gas output control valve is sealedly connected to one end of the high-pressure gas injection pipe through a plurality of high-pressure rubber hoses, the other end of the high-pressure gas injection pipe is sealedly connected to the mud discharge pipeline, the mud discharge pipeline is connected to the trencher main structure, the trencher main structure is arranged on the seabed, and the trencher main structure is used to break the ground and dig trenches on the seabed.

[0018] In some preferred embodiments, the mud discharge pipeline is connected to the main structure of the trencher in the following manner: the mud discharge pipeline is arranged in the adjusting slide rail and moves along the adjusting slide rail, and the adjusting slide rail is fixed to the main structure of the trencher;

[0019] The mud discharge pipeline is hinged to the piston rod of the hydraulic adjustment cylinder, and the hydraulic cylinder is fixed to the main structure of the trencher.

[0020] In some preferred embodiments, the mud discharge pipeline, the hydraulic adjustment cylinder, the high-pressure gas injection pipe, and the adjustment slide rail are evenly distributed in multiple groups along the outer surface of the trencher main structure.

[0021] In some preferred embodiments, the number of the mud discharge pipelines, the hydraulic regulating cylinders, the high-pressure gas injection pipes, and the regulating slide rails is less than or equal to the number of the gas output control valves of the tank body.

[0022] In some preferred embodiments, the surface of the suction port of the mud discharge pipeline close to one end of the seabed is inclined.

[0023] In some preferred embodiments, a plurality of the air compressors are disposed on the deck of the mother ship.

[0024] Beneficial effects of the present invention:

[0025] A multi-channel air-lift mud discharge system for submarine pipeline trenchers has been invented. Through the comprehensive design of the entire system, it is ensured that the mud discharge system and the suction system of the trencher maintain coordinated operating efficiency under any working conditions, effectively solving the problems of untimely mud discharge, shallow trenching depth, low operating efficiency, etc. of submarine pipeline trenchers in sandy soil, high flow rate, and deep burial environment, and significantly improving the trenching depth and overall operating capacity of the trencher. Under any working conditions, the mud discharge system and the ground-breaking system can achieve optimal adaptability and maximize operating efficiency. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0026] Other features, objects and advantages of the present application will become more apparent by reading the detailed description of non-limiting embodiments made with reference to the following drawings:

[0027] Figure 1 It is a top view of the overall arrangement of a multi-channel gas lift mud removal system of a submarine pipeline trenching machine of the present invention;

[0028] Figure 2 It is an axonometric diagram of a mud discharge mechanism of a multi-channel gas lift mud discharge system of a submarine pipeline trenching machine of the present invention;

[0029] Figure 3 It is an axonometric diagram of a gas flow distribution tank of a multi-channel gas lift mud removal system of a submarine pipeline trencher of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0030] The present application will be further described in detail below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and embodiments. It is to be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are only used to explain the relevant invention, rather than to limit the invention. It is also necessary to explain that, for ease of description, only the parts related to the relevant invention are shown in the accompanying drawings.

[0031] It should be noted that, in the absence of conflict, the embodiments and features in the embodiments of the present application can be combined with each other. The present application will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and in combination with the embodiments.

[0032] like Figure 1-Figure 3 As shown, see Figure 1 The present invention provides a multi-channel gas lift mud discharge system for a submarine pipeline trencher, comprising: an air compressor 1, a gas flow distribution tank 2, a mud discharge mechanism 3, and a high-pressure hose 4;

[0033] The air compressor 1 is fixed to the deck of the mother ship, the mother ship is used to provide traction, and the air compressor 1 is used to provide high-pressure gas;

[0034] The gas flow distribution tank 2 is sealedly connected to the air compressor 1 through the high-pressure hose 4, and the gas flow distribution tank 2 is fixed to the deck of the mother ship;

[0035] The mud discharge mechanism 3 is sealedly connected to the gas flow distribution tank 2 through the high-pressure rubber hose 4, and the mud discharge mechanism 3 is arranged on the seabed.

[0036] The present invention generates compressed air through multiple air compressors 1 located on the deck of the mother ship. After redistribution by the gas flow distribution tank 2, the compressed air is injected into the underwater mud discharge mechanism 3 along the high-pressure hose 4, thereby reducing the density of the mud-water mixture in the mud discharge mechanism 3. Under the action of the seabed flow pressure, the mud-water mixture is discharged. At the same time, the volume of the gas gradually increases during the rising process in the mud discharge mechanism 3, and the gas expansion work also carries the mud-water mixture, thereby forming grooves on the seabed.

[0037] Preferably, see Figure 1 , Figure 3 The gas flow distribution tank 2 includes a gas input control valve 21, a main control valve 22, a tank body 23, a gas output control valve 24, and a base 25;

[0038] The base 25 is fixed to the deck of the mother ship, the base 25 is fixed to the tank body 23, one side of the outer circumference of the tank body 23 is sealed and fixed to the plurality of gas input control valves 21, and the gas input control valves 21 are sealed and connected to the air compressor 1 through the plurality of high-pressure hoses 4;

[0039] The other side of the outer circumference of the tank body 23 is sealed and fixed with a plurality of the gas output control valves 24, and the gas output control valves 24 are sealed and connected with the mud discharge mechanism 3 through a plurality of the high-pressure hoses 4;

[0040] The tank body 23 is sealed and fixed to the main control valve 22, and the main control valve 22 is used to control the input and output of high-pressure gas.

[0041] In the present invention, the high-pressure gas generated by the air compressor 1 is input into the interior of the tank 23 through the gas input control valve 21 , and then transported to the mud discharge mechanism 3 through the gas output control valve 24 .

[0042] Preferably, see Figure 3 , the gas flow distribution tank 2 also includes: a pressure gauge 26, a safety valve 27, and a pressure relief valve 28;

[0043] The pressure gauge 26 , the safety valve 27 , and the pressure relief valve 28 are all sealed and fixed to the tank body 23 ; the pressure gauge 26 is used to display the internal pressure of the tank body 23 ; the safety valve 27 and the pressure relief valve 28 are both used to adjust the internal pressure of the tank body 23 .

[0044] Preferably, see Figure 1 , Figure 2 The mud discharge mechanism 3 includes: a mud discharge pipeline 31, a high-pressure gas injection pipe 32, and a trencher main structure 33;

[0045] The gas output control valve 24 is sealedly connected to one end of the high-pressure gas injection pipe 32 through multiple high-pressure hoses 4, and the other end of the high-pressure gas injection pipe 32 is sealedly connected to the mud discharge pipeline 31. The mud discharge pipeline 31 is connected to the trencher main structure 33. The trencher main structure 33 is configured on the seabed. The trencher main structure 33 is used to break the ground and dig trenches on the seabed. During the operation, the gas output control valve 24 can be used to individually control the gas input amount of each mud discharge pipeline 31 to adjust its suction capacity.

[0046] The present invention injects high-pressure gas into the mud discharge pipeline 31 of the underwater trencher along the high-pressure rubber hose 4 through the high-pressure gas injection pipe 32, thereby reducing the density of the mud-water mixture in the mud discharge mechanism 3, and discharging the mud-water mixture under the action of the seabed flow pressure. At the same time, the volume of the gas gradually increases during the rising process in the mud discharge mechanism 3, and the expansion work of the gas also carries the mud-water mixture, thereby forming a groove on the seabed.

[0047] Among them, the mud discharge pipeline 31 can be set in multiple numbers, and the specific number can be set according to actual requirements. The overall structure of the device adopts a modular design. Before the trenching construction of the submarine pipeline, the trenching machine breaking flow field is analyzed through numerical simulation according to the working conditions of different sea areas. According to the analysis results, the multi-channel mud discharge pipeline 31 is arranged on one side in the best transverse symmetrical manner, but it is not limited to the transverse symmetrical arrangement. The mud discharge pipeline 31 can be arranged arbitrarily according to actual conditions. All arrangements of the mud discharge pipeline 31 are within the protection scope of this application.

[0048] Preferably, see Figure 2 The mud discharge pipeline 31 is connected to the trenching machine main structure 33 in the following manner: the mud discharge pipeline 31 is arranged in the adjusting slide rail 34 and moves along the adjusting slide rail 34, and the adjusting slide rail 34 is fixed to the trenching machine main structure 33;

[0049] The mud discharge pipeline 31 is hinged to the piston rod of the hydraulic adjustment cylinder 35 , and the hydraulic cylinder 35 is fixed to the trencher main structure 33 .

[0050] The present invention provides a separate hydraulic adjustment cylinder 35 on each mud discharge pipeline 31, and uses imaging sonar to monitor the operation process in real time during construction. The hydraulic adjustment cylinder 35 can be used to separately control the mud discharge pipeline 31 to move up and down along the adjustment slide rail 34 according to the monitored ditching effect, thereby changing its vertical elevation, thereby achieving a higher mud discharge effect.

[0051] Among them, the trencher main body structure 33 is the existing technology.

[0052] Preferably, see Figure 2 The mud discharge pipeline 31, the hydraulic adjustment cylinder 35, the high-pressure gas injection pipe 32, and the adjustment slide rail 34 are evenly distributed in multiple groups along the outer surface of the trencher main structure 33.

[0053] The present invention can improve the mud discharge efficiency through the above contents.

[0054] Preferably, see Figure 1 , Figure 2 , Figure 3The number of the mud discharge pipeline 31 , the hydraulic adjustment cylinder 35 , the high-pressure gas injection pipe 32 , and the adjustment slide rail 34 is less than or equal to the number of the gas output control valve 24 of the tank body 23 .

[0055] Preferably, see Figure 2 The surface of the suction port of the mud discharge pipeline 31 close to one end of the seabed is inclined.

[0056] The present invention can increase the suction volume of the mud discharge pipeline 31 through the above content, thereby improving the mud discharge efficiency.

[0057] Preferably, see Figure 1 , Figure 2 A plurality of air compressors 1 are arranged on the deck of the mother ship, and the specific number can be set according to actual needs. The number of the air compressors 1 is determined by the ratio of the total flow rate of high-pressure gas required for mud discharge to the output gas flow rate of a single compressor. In this embodiment, 6 air compressors are preferably used.

[0058] The terms "first", "second", etc. are used to distinguish similar objects rather than to describe or indicate a particular order or sequence.

[0059] The term "comprise" or any other similar term is intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus / device that includes a list of elements includes not only those elements but also other elements not expressly listed, or also includes elements inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus / device.

[0060] So far, the technical solutions of the present invention have been described in conjunction with the preferred embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings. However, it is easy for those skilled in the art to understand that the protection scope of the present invention is obviously not limited to these specific embodiments. Without departing from the principle of the present invention, those skilled in the art can make equivalent changes or substitutions to the relevant technical features, and the technical solutions after these changes or substitutions will fall within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A multi-channel gas lift mud removal system for a submarine pipeline trencher, characterized in that: include: Air compressor (1), gas flow distribution tank (2), mud discharge mechanism (3), high-pressure rubber hose (4); The air compressor (1) is fixed to the deck of a mother ship, the mother ship is used to provide traction, and the air compressor (1) is used to provide high-pressure gas; The gas flow distribution tank (2) is sealedly connected to the air compressor (1) via the high-pressure rubber hose (4), and the gas flow distribution tank (2) is fixed to the deck of the mother ship; The mud discharge mechanism (3) is sealedly connected to the gas flow distribution tank (2) via the high-pressure rubber hose (4), and the mud discharge mechanism (3) is arranged on the seabed.

2. A multi-channel gas lift mud removal system for a submarine pipeline trencher according to claim 1, characterized in that: The gas flow distribution tank (2) comprises a gas input control valve (21), a main control valve (22), a tank body (23), a gas output control valve (24), and a base (25); The base (25) is fixed to the deck of the mother ship, the base (25) is fixed to the tank body (23), one side of the outer circumference of the tank body (23) is sealed and fixed to a plurality of the gas input control valves (21), and the gas input control valves (21) are sealed and connected to the air compressor (1) through a plurality of the high-pressure hoses (4); The other side of the outer circumferential surface of the tank body (23) is sealed and fixed to a plurality of the gas output control valves (24), and the gas output control valves (24) are sealed and connected to the mud discharge mechanism (3) through a plurality of the high-pressure hoses (4); The tank body (23) is sealed and fixed to the main control valve (22), and the main control valve (22) is used to control the input and output of high-pressure gas.

3. A multi-channel gas lift mud removal system for a submarine pipeline trencher according to claim 2, characterized in that: The gas flow distribution tank (2) further comprises: a pressure gauge (26), a safety valve (27), and a pressure relief valve (28); The pressure gauge (26), the safety valve (27), and the pressure relief valve (28) are all sealed and fixed to the tank body (23); the pressure gauge (26) is used to display the internal pressure of the tank body (23); the safety valve (27) and the pressure relief valve (28) are both used to adjust the internal pressure of the tank body (23).

4. A multi-channel gas lift mud removal system for a submarine pipeline trencher according to claim 3, characterized in that: The mud discharge mechanism (3) comprises: a mud discharge pipeline (31), a high-pressure gas injection pipe (32), and a trenching machine main body structure (33); The gas output control valve (24) is sealedly connected to one end of the high-pressure gas injection pipe (32) through a plurality of high-pressure rubber hoses (4); the other end of the high-pressure gas injection pipe (32) is sealedly connected to the mud discharge pipeline (31); the mud discharge pipeline (31) is connected to the trenching machine main structure (33); the trenching machine main structure (33) is arranged on the seabed; and the trenching machine main structure (33) is used to break the soil and dig trenches on the seabed.

5. A multi-channel gas lift mud removal system for a submarine pipeline trencher according to claim 4, characterized in that: The mud discharge pipeline (31) is connected to the trenching machine main structure (33) in the following manner: the mud discharge pipeline (31) is arranged in the adjusting slide rail (34) and moves along the adjusting slide rail (34), and the adjusting slide rail (34) is fixed to the trenching machine main structure (33); The mud discharge pipeline (31) is hinged to the piston rod of the hydraulic adjustment cylinder (35), and the hydraulic cylinder (35) is fixed to the main structure (33) of the trencher.

6. A multi-channel gas lift mud removal system for a submarine pipeline trencher according to claim 5, characterized in that: The mud discharge pipeline (31), the hydraulic adjustment cylinder (35), the high-pressure gas injection pipe (32), and the adjustment slide rail (34) are evenly distributed in multiple groups along the outer surface of the trenching machine main structure (33).

7. A multi-channel gas lift mud removal system for a submarine pipeline trencher according to claim 6, characterized in that: The number of the mud discharge pipeline (31), the hydraulic adjustment cylinder (35), the high-pressure gas injection pipe (32), and the adjustment slide rail (34) is less than or equal to the number of the gas output control valves (24) of the tank body (23).

8. The multi-channel gas lift mud removal system for a submarine pipeline trencher according to claim 7, characterized in that: The surface of the suction port of the mud discharge pipeline (31) close to one end of the seabed is arranged inclined.

9. A multi-channel gas lift mud removal system for a submarine pipeline trencher according to claim 8, characterized in that: A plurality of the air compressors (1) are arranged on the deck of the mother ship.

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