Closed deep sea mineral lifting system

Abstract

The invention relates to the technical field of deep-sea mining, in particular to a closed deep-sea mineral lifting system which comprises an offshore platform, and the offshore platform is provided with a first mineral-water separation device and a high-pressure water pump which are communicated with each other; one end of the circulating pipeline is communicated with the high-pressure water pump, and the other end of the circulating pipeline is communicated with the first mineral-water separation device; the water inlet assembly is communicated with the circulating pipeline; the relay platform can suspend in seawater, and a storage bin is arranged on the relay platform; the water pumping assembly communicates with the storage bin and is used for discharging the seawater in the storage bin into the sea; the mining assembly is communicated with the storage bin; and the feeding assembly is arranged between the storage bin and the circulating pipeline, the feeding assembly communicates with the circulating pipeline, and the feeding assembly is used for injecting the ore pulp in the storage bin into the circulating pipeline. According to the method, the influence on marine ecology can be reduced while efficient mineral lifting is achieved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of deep-sea mining, and in particular to a closed deep-sea mineral lifting system. Background Art

[0002] In the process of seabed mineral mining, a riser fluid delivery method is usually used. The main riser fluid delivery methods currently developed include pneumatic lifting, pumping hydraulic lifting and diaphragm pump lifting. The pneumatic lifting method has no underwater moving parts and good reliability, but its efficiency is low, and the large diameter of the riser causes the scale of the riser system to be large. Although the pumping hydraulic lifting method has relatively high efficiency, it has problems such as easy wear of high-speed rotating flow parts, difficulty in replacement, backflow blockage and pump vibration affecting the reliability of the riser. For the diaphragm pump hydraulic lifting method, although a higher head can be achieved, in terms of the structure of the diaphragm pump, the capacity that a single diaphragm pump can deliver is small, and the particle size of the flowing particles is small, which cannot meet the transportation needs of coarse particles, especially polymetallic nodules with a particle diameter of 100 mm. In addition, the pneumatic lifting method and the pumping hydraulic lifting method also have the problem of tailwater treatment, that is, the seawater transported from the seabed to the surface needs to be reinjected to a certain depth to reduce the impact on the marine ecology.

[0003] Therefore, a closed deep-sea mineral lifting system is needed to solve the above problems. Summary of the invention

[0004] The purpose of the present invention is to provide a closed deep-sea mineral lifting system that can achieve efficient mineral lifting while reducing the impact on the marine ecology.

[0005] To achieve this object, the present invention adopts the following technical solutions:

[0006] Closed deep sea mineral lifting system, including:

[0007] An offshore platform, wherein the offshore platform has a first mineral-water separation device and a high-pressure water pump that are interconnected;

[0008] A circulation pipeline, one end of which is connected to the high-pressure water pump, and the other end of which is connected to the first mineral-water separation device;

[0009] A water inlet assembly, the water inlet assembly being in communication with the circulation pipeline;

[0010] A relay platform, capable of being suspended in seawater, wherein a storage silo is provided on the relay platform;

[0011] A pumping assembly, the pumping assembly is in communication with the storage bin and is used to discharge the seawater in the storage bin into the sea;

[0012] a mining assembly, the mining assembly being in communication with the storage bin;

[0013] A feeding assembly is disposed between the storage bin and the circulation pipeline, and the feeding assembly is communicated with the circulation pipeline, and the feeding assembly is used to inject the slurry in the storage bin into the circulation pipeline.

[0014] In some embodiments, the circulation pipeline includes a reinjection riser, a transition pipe and a lifting riser connected in sequence, one end of the reinjection riser is connected to the high-pressure water pump; one end of the lifting riser is connected to the first mine-water separation device, and the feeding assembly is connected to the reinjection riser and the transition pipe.

[0015] In some embodiments, the feed assembly includes a high-pressure silo, the upper end of which is connected to the storage silo, and a first isolating valve is provided on the pipeline between the high-pressure silo and the storage silo, the lower end of which is connected to the transition pipe, and a second isolating valve is provided on the pipeline between the high-pressure silo and the transition pipe, the high-pressure silo is connected to the reinjection riser, and a balancing valve is provided on the pipeline between the high-pressure silo and the reinjection riser.

[0016] In some embodiments, a feeder is disposed in the high-pressure silo.

[0017] In some embodiments, a plurality of groups of the feeding assemblies are arranged between the feeding assemblies and the storage bin.

[0018] In some embodiments, the pumping assembly includes a pump and a drain pipe that are interconnected, and the pump is connected to the storage bin.

[0019] In some embodiments, a second mineral-water separation device is provided in the storage bin.

[0020] In some embodiments, the water inlet assembly includes a water inlet pipe, the water inlet pipe is connected to the circulation pipeline, and a water inlet valve is provided on the water inlet pipe.

[0021] In some embodiments, the offshore platform has a ore bunker.

[0022] In some embodiments, the mining assembly includes a ore collector and a conveying pipe that are in communication with each other, and the conveying pipe is in communication with the storage bin.

[0023] Beneficial effects of the present invention:

[0024] The invention provides a closed deep-sea mineral lifting system, wherein the offshore platform has a first mineral-water separation device and a high-pressure water pump which are interconnected, one end of the circulation pipeline is connected to the high-pressure water pump, the other end of the circulation pipeline is connected to the first mineral-water separation device, and the water inlet component is connected to the circulation pipeline. The relay platform is suspended in the seawater, and a storage bin is arranged on the relay platform. The pumping component is connected to the storage bin, the mining component is connected to the storage bin, and the feeding component is arranged between the storage bin and the circulation pipeline, and is used to inject the slurry in the storage bin into the circulation pipeline. In the process of mineral mining, the water inlet component is first opened so that the seawater fills the circulation pipeline and the storage bin, and then the water inlet component is closed, and the pumping component is opened so that the seawater in the storage bin is discharged to form a negative pressure, and the slurry in the mining component is sucked into the storage bin. The mineral material in the slurry is deposited at the bottom of the storage bin and injected into the circulation pipeline through the feeding component, and the seawater in the storage bin directly enters the seabed through the pumping component, thereby reducing the impact on the marine ecology. The seawater is driven to circulate in a closed loop by a high-pressure water pump, so that the mineral material entering the circulation pipeline is brought into the first mineral-water separation device for separation of the mineral material and seawater. The mineral material can be stored later, and the separated seawater continues to circulate in the circulation pipeline through the high-pressure water pump to achieve continuous transportation, thereby ensuring efficient mineral enhancement. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0025] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention, the following briefly introduces the drawings required for use in the description of the embodiments of the present invention. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present invention. For ordinary technicians in this field, other drawings can be obtained based on the contents of the embodiments of the present invention and these drawings without paying any creative work.

[0026] Figure 1 It is a schematic diagram of a closed deep-sea mineral lifting system of the present invention.

[0027] In the figure:

[0028] 1. Offshore platform; 11. First mine-water separation device; 12. High-pressure water pump; 2. Circulation pipeline; 21. Reinjection riser; 22. Transition pipe; 23. Lifting riser; 3. Storage silo; 4. Pumping assembly; 41. Pumping pump; 42. Drain pipe; 5. Water inlet assembly; 51. Water inlet valve; 6. Feeding assembly; 61. High-pressure silo; 611. Feeder; 62. First isolation valve; 63. Second isolation valve; 64. Balance valve; 7. Mining assembly; 71. Ore collector; 72. Delivery pipe. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0029] Before any embodiments of the application are explained in detail, it is to be understood that the application is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the above drawings.

[0030] In this application, the terms "comprises", "includes", "has" or any other variations thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion, so that a process, method, article or device that includes a series of elements includes not only those elements, but also includes other elements not explicitly listed, or also includes elements inherent to such process, method, article or device. In the absence of more restrictions, an element defined by the sentence "comprises a ..." does not exclude the presence of other identical elements in the process, method, article or device that includes the element.

[0031] In the present application, the terms "connect", "combine", "couple", and "install" may refer to direct connection, combination, coupling, or installation, or indirect connection, combination, coupling, or installation. For example, direct connection refers to two parts or components being connected together without the need for an intermediate piece, and indirect connection refers to two parts or components being connected to at least one intermediate piece respectively, and the two parts or components being connected via the intermediate piece. In addition, "connect" and "couple" are not limited to physical or mechanical connections or couplings, and may include electrical connections or couplings.

[0032] In this application, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the function performed by a component can be performed by one component, multiple components, one part, or multiple parts. Similarly, the function performed by a part can also be performed by one part, one component, or a combination of multiple parts.

[0033] In the present application, the terms "upper", "lower", "left", "right", "front", "back" and other directional words are described based on the orientation and positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings, and should not be understood as limiting the embodiments of the present application. In addition, in the context, it is also necessary to understand that when it is mentioned that an element is connected to another element "upper" or "lower", it can not only be directly connected to another element "upper" or "lower", but also indirectly connected to another element "upper" or "lower" through an intermediate element. It should also be understood that directional words such as upper side, lower side, left side, right side, front side, back side, etc. not only represent the positive orientation, but can also be understood as the lateral orientation. For example, the bottom can include directly below, lower left, lower right, lower front, and lower back, etc.

[0034] In the process of deep-sea mineral mining, in order to achieve efficient mineral upgrading while reducing the impact on the marine ecology, such as Figure 1 As shown, the present invention provides a closed deep-sea mineral lifting system. The closed deep-sea mineral lifting system comprises an offshore platform 1, a circulation pipeline 2, a water intake component 5, a relay platform, a water pumping component 4, a mining component 7 and a material supply component 6.

[0035] The offshore platform 1 has a first ore-water separation device 11 and a high-pressure water pump 12 which are interconnected. One end of the circulation pipeline 2 is connected to the high-pressure water pump 12, and the other end of the circulation pipeline 2 is connected to the first ore-water separation device 11. The water inlet component 5 is connected to the circulation pipeline 2. The relay platform can be suspended in the seawater, and a storage bin 3 is arranged on the relay platform. The pumping component 4 is connected to the storage bin 3, and the pumping component 4 is used to discharge the seawater in the storage bin 3 into the sea. The mining component 7 is connected to the storage bin 3. The feeding component 6 is arranged between the storage bin 3 and the circulation pipeline 2, and the feeding component 6 is connected to the circulation pipeline 2, and the feeding component 6 is used to inject the slurry in the storage bin 3 into the circulation pipeline 2.

[0036] In the process of mineral mining, the water inlet component 5 is first opened to fill the circulation pipeline 2 and the storage bin 3 with seawater, and then the water inlet component 5 is closed, and the pumping component 4 is opened to discharge the seawater in the storage bin 3 to form a negative pressure, and the slurry in the mining component 7 is sucked into the storage bin 3. The mineral material in the slurry is deposited at the bottom of the storage bin 3 and injected into the circulation pipeline 2 through the feeding component 6. The seawater in the storage bin 3 directly enters the seabed through the pumping component 4, reducing the impact on the marine ecology. The seawater is driven by the high-pressure water pump 12 to perform a closed cycle, so that the mineral material entering the circulation pipeline 2 is brought into the first mineral water separation device 11 for separation of the mineral material and the seawater. The mineral material can be stored later, and the separated seawater continues to circulate in the circulation pipeline 2 through the high-pressure water pump 12 to achieve continuous and continuous transportation, thereby ensuring efficient mineral lifting.

[0037] In some embodiments, the circulation pipeline 2 includes a reinjection riser 21, a transition pipe 22, and a lifting riser 23 that are connected in sequence, one end of the reinjection riser 21 is connected to the high-pressure water pump 12, one end of the lifting riser 23 is connected to the first ore-water separation device 11, and the feed assembly 6 is connected to the reinjection riser 21 and the transition pipe 22. Through the above arrangement, the arrangement of the circulation pipeline 2 is convenient, and the high-pressure water pump 12 can be used to pressurize the seawater and then inject it into the reinjection riser 21, and the high-pressure seawater can be brought out of the ore in the transition pipe 22 through the transition pipe 22 to achieve the lifting of the ore.

[0038] In some embodiments, the feed assembly 6 includes a high-pressure silo 61, the upper end of which is connected to the storage silo 3, and a first isolating valve 62 is provided on the pipeline between the high-pressure silo 61 and the storage silo 3, the lower end of which is connected to the transition pipe 22, and a second isolating valve 63 is provided on the pipeline between the high-pressure silo 61 and the transition pipe 22, the high-pressure silo 61 is connected to the reinjection riser 21, and a balancing valve 64 is provided on the pipeline between the high-pressure silo 61 and the reinjection riser 21. When it is necessary to transfer the mineral material to the high-pressure silo 61, the first isolating valve 62 is opened to allow the mineral material to enter the high-pressure silo 61 under the action of gravity, and then the first isolating valve 62 is closed. The balancing valve 64 is opened to allow part of the high-pressure seawater from the reinjection riser 21 to enter the high-pressure silo 61, balance the pressure between the high-pressure silo 61 and the transition pipe 22, and finally the second isolating valve 63 is opened to flush the mineral material into the transition pipe 22 under the action of the high-pressure seawater. Through the above settings, the transfer of mineral materials can be guaranteed to proceed smoothly.

[0039] In some embodiments, a feeder 611 is provided in the high-pressure silo 61. By providing the feeder 611, it is possible to ensure that the ore quickly enters the transition pipe 22, thereby preventing blockage in the high-pressure silo 61. Moreover, by controlling the feeder 611, the feeding amount can be controlled, thereby preventing the ore from blocking the transition pipe 22.

[0040] In some embodiments, multiple groups of feeding components 6 are arranged between the feeding components 6 and the storage bin 3. Specifically, in this embodiment, three groups of feeding components 6 are arranged, and the three groups of feeding components 6 are opened in sequence to feed materials, ensuring that the mineral materials are smoothly transferred from the high-pressure bin 61 to the transition pipe 22. In other embodiments, the number of feeding components 6 can be determined according to actual needs, and no further details are given here.

[0041] In some embodiments, the pumping assembly 4 includes a pumping pump 41 and a drain pipe 42 that are interconnected, and the pumping pump 41 is connected to the storage bin 3. By providing the pumping pump 41, the seawater in the storage bin 3 can be discharged into the sea through the pumping pump 41. While ensuring that the storage bin 3 has sufficient space to store mineral materials, the seawater is directly backfilled into the deep sea, thereby reducing damage to the marine environment.

[0042] In some embodiments, a second mineral-water separation device is provided in the storage bin 3. By providing the second mineral-water separation device, the seawater and mineral materials can be effectively separated, and the wear of the mineral materials on the water pump 41 can be reduced during the operation of the water pump 41, thereby extending the service life of the water pump 41. In addition, the flow diameter of the water pump 41 can be reduced, thereby reducing the volume of the water pump 41.

[0043] In some embodiments, the water inlet assembly 5 includes a water inlet pipe, which is connected to the circulation pipeline 2 and is provided with a water inlet valve 51. When the circulation pipeline 2 and the storage bin 3 need to be filled with seawater, the water inlet valve 51 only needs to be opened, and the seawater can enter the circulation pipeline 2 and the storage bin 3 through the water inlet pipe.

[0044] In some embodiments, the offshore platform 1 has an ore bin. Through the above configuration, the ore separated by the first ore-water separation device 11 can be directly stored in the ore bin. In this embodiment, the offshore platform 1 is a transport ship, which is convenient for collecting and transporting ore.

[0045] In some embodiments, the mining assembly 7 includes a ore collector 71 and a conveying pipe 72 that are interconnected, and the conveying pipe 72 is connected to the storage bin 3. After the ore collector 71 collects the mineral slurry on the seabed, the storage bin 3 is under negative pressure due to the action of the water pump 41, so that the mineral slurry smoothly enters the storage bin 3 through the conveying pipe 72, thereby realizing the collection of minerals.

[0046] The specific working process of this closed deep-sea mineral lifting system is as follows:

[0047] 1) Before the relay platform is deployed from the water surface to underwater, open the water inlet valve 51, the balancing valve 64, the first isolation valve 62 and the second isolation valve 63 of the relay platform. The seawater on the seabed enters the circulation pipeline 2 and the storage bin 3 through the water inlet valve 51, and the internal and external pressures are always kept the same. After the relay platform is deployed to the predetermined depth, close the first isolation valve 62, the second isolation valve 63 and the balancing valve 64, start the high-pressure water pump 12 on the water surface, and after the circulation pipeline 2 is filled with seawater, close the water inlet valve 51, and the system enters the closed circulation state of seawater.

[0048] 2) Start the water pump 41 to suck the seawater in the storage bin 3, forming a negative pressure in the storage bin 3, and the seawater in the conveying pipe 72 between the ore collector 71 and the relay platform enters the storage bin 3. From then on, the suction and conveying channel from the ore collector 71 to the relay platform is established.

[0049] 3) After the flow rate in the conveying pipe 72 is stabilized, the ore collector 71 starts the collection operation, and the minerals are mixed with the pumped seawater on the ore collector 71 to form a mineral-water mixture, which is pumped to the storage bin 3 through the conveying pipe 72. Large particles of minerals and some small particles of minerals settle in the lower part of the storage bin 3 due to their own weight. In addition, through the second mineral-water separation device set between the storage bin 3 and the flow channel of the pump 41, the seawater is pumped away by the pump 41, and the small particles of minerals remain in the storage bin 3.

[0050] 4) After the minerals in the storage bin 3 have been deposited for a certain period of time, the balancing valve 64 is closed, the first isolation valve 62 is opened, and the minerals fall from the storage bin 3 to the high-pressure bin 61 by their own weight. At the same time, the balancing valve 64 of the second group of feeding components 6 is closed, the first isolation valve 62 is opened, and the minerals fall from the storage bin 3 to the high-pressure bin 61 of the second group by their own weight.

[0051] 5) After the high-pressure silo 61 is full, close the first isolation valve 62, open the balance valve 64, and then open the second isolation valve 63. The minerals in the high-pressure silo 61 enter the transition pipe 22 through the feeder 611, and the feeder 611 gradually increases the feed. The mineral material is mixed with the high-pressure water, and after mixing, it is transported to the water surface platform through the lifting riser 23, and the mineral water is separated by the first mineral water separation device 11. The mineral enters the ore bin in the water surface platform, and the seawater enters the high-pressure water pump 12. The high-pressure water pump 12 pressurizes the seawater and refluxes it through the reinjection riser 21 to achieve circular transportation. At the same time, after the high-pressure silo 61 of the second group is full, close the first isolation valve 62 of the second group.

[0052] 6) When the feeding of the mineral in the high-pressure silo 61 of the first group is about to end, the feeding device in the high-pressure silo 61 of the first group gradually reduces the feeding until it ends. At the same time, the balance valve 64 of the second group is opened, and then the second isolation valve 63 is opened, the mineral in the high-pressure silo 61 of the second group enters the transition pipe 22, and the feeding of the feeder 611 of the second group gradually increases. At the same time, the balance valve 64 of the third group of feeding components 6 is closed, and the first isolation valve 62 of the third group is opened, and the mineral falls from the storage bin 3 to the high-pressure silo 61 of the third group by its own weight.

[0053] 7) After the mineral feeding in the second group of high-pressure silo 61 is completed, the balance valve 64 and the second isolation valve 63 of the second group are closed, and the first isolation valve 62 of the first group of feeding components 6 is opened, and the mineral falls from the storage silo 3 to the first group of high-pressure silo 61 by its own weight.

[0054] 8) The balance valve 64 of the third group is opened, and then the second isolation valve 63 of the third group is opened, and the minerals in the high-pressure silo 61 enter the transition pipe 22, and the feeding of the feeder 611 in the third group storage silo 3 is gradually increased. At the same time, the balance valve 64 and the second isolation valve 63 of the second group are closed, and the first isolation valve 62 of the second group is opened, and the minerals fall from the storage silo 3 to the high-pressure silo 61 of the second group by their own weight.

[0055] 9) When the feeding of the mineral in the high-pressure silo 61 of the third group is about to end, the feeding of the feeder 611 of the third group is gradually reduced until it ends. At the same time, the balance valve 64 of the first group is opened, and then the second isolation valve 63 of the first group is opened, and the mineral in the high-pressure silo 61 enters the transition pipe 22. From then on, the three groups of feeding components 6 have completed a cycle. The subsequent actions in this method can realize the continuous feeding and transportation of the mineral.

[0056] The use of the closed deep-sea mineral lifting system for seabed mineral mining can prevent the minerals from passing through the water pump 41 and the high-pressure water pump 12 , thereby extending the service life of the water pump 41 and the high-pressure water pump 12 .

[0057] Obviously, the above embodiments of the present invention are merely examples for clearly illustrating the present invention, and are not intended to limit the embodiments of the present invention. For those skilled in the art, other different forms of changes or modifications can be made based on the above description. It is not necessary and impossible to list all the embodiments here. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions and improvements made within the spirit and principles of the present invention should be included in the protection scope of the claims of the present invention.

Claims

1. Closed deep-sea mineral lifting system, characterized in that: include: An offshore platform (1), wherein the offshore platform (1) comprises a first mineral-water separation device (11) and a high-pressure water pump (12) which are interconnected; A circulation pipeline (2), one end of the circulation pipeline (2) being connected to the high-pressure water pump (12), and the other end of the circulation pipeline (2) being connected to the first mineral-water separation device (11); A water inlet assembly (5), the water inlet assembly (5) being in communication with the circulation pipeline (2); A relay platform capable of being suspended in seawater, wherein a storage bin (3) is provided on the relay platform; a pumping assembly (4), the pumping assembly (4) being in communication with the storage bin (3) and being used for discharging seawater in the storage bin (3) into the sea; A mining assembly (7), the mining assembly (7) being in communication with the storage bin (3); A feeding component (6), wherein the feeding component (6) is arranged between the storage bin (3) and the circulation pipeline (2), and the feeding component (6) is connected to the circulation pipeline (2), and the feeding component (6) is used to inject the slurry in the storage bin (3) into the circulation pipeline (2).

2. The closed deep-sea mineral lifting system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The circulation pipeline (2) comprises a reinjection riser (21), a transition pipe (22) and a lifting riser (23) which are connected in sequence, one end of the reinjection riser (21) is connected to the high-pressure water pump (12); one end of the lifting riser (23) is connected to the first mine-water separation device (11), and the feed assembly (6) is connected to the reinjection riser (21) and the transition pipe (22).

3. The closed deep-sea mineral lifting system according to claim 2, characterized in that: The feed assembly (6) comprises a high-pressure silo (61), the upper end of the high-pressure silo (61) being connected to the storage silo (3), and a first isolating valve (62) being provided on the pipeline between the high-pressure silo (61) and the storage silo (3), the lower end of the high-pressure silo (61) being connected to the transition pipe (22), and a second isolating valve (63) being provided on the pipeline between the high-pressure silo (61) and the transition pipe (22), the high-pressure silo (61) being connected to the reinjection riser (21), and a balancing valve (64) being provided on the pipeline between the high-pressure silo (61) and the reinjection riser (21).

4. The closed deep-sea mineral lifting system according to claim 3 is characterized in that: A feeder (611) is provided in the high-pressure silo (61).

5. The closed deep-sea mineral lifting system according to claim 1, characterized in that: A plurality of groups of the material supply components (6) are arranged between the material supply components (6) and the material storage bin (3).

6. The closed deep-sea mineral lifting system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The water pumping assembly (4) comprises a water pump (41) and a drainage pipe (42) which are connected to each other, and the water pump (41) is connected to the storage bin (3).

7. The closed deep-sea mineral lifting system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The storage bin (3) is provided with a second mineral-water separation device.

8. The closed deep-sea mineral lifting system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The water inlet assembly (5) comprises a water inlet pipe, the water inlet pipe is in communication with the circulation pipeline (2), and a water inlet valve (51) is provided on the water inlet pipe.

9. The closed deep-sea mineral lifting system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The offshore platform (1) has a ore bin.

10. The closed deep-sea mineral lifting system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The mining assembly (7) comprises a ore collector (71) and a conveying pipe (72) which are in communication with each other, and the conveying pipe (72) is in communication with the storage bin (3).

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