Closed deep sea mineral lifting system

Abstract

The present application relates to the technical fields of deep-sea mining, and particularly relates to a closed deep-sea mineral lifting system, which comprises a sea platform, the sea platform having a first mineral-water separation device and a high-pressure water pump in communication with each other; a circulating pipeline, one end of the circulating pipeline being in communication with the high-pressure water pump, and the other end of the circulating pipeline being in communication with the first mineral-water separation device; a water inlet assembly, the water inlet assembly being in communication with the circulating pipeline; a relay platform, the relay platform being capable of being suspended in seawater, and the relay platform being provided with a storage bin; a water pumping assembly, the water pumping assembly being in communication with the storage bin, and the water pumping assembly being used for discharging seawater in the storage bin into the sea; a mining assembly, the mining assembly being in communication with the storage bin; and a feeding assembly, the feeding assembly being arranged between the storage bin and the circulating pipeline, and the feeding assembly being in communication with the circulating pipeline, and the feeding assembly being used for injecting mineral slurry in the storage bin into the circulating pipeline. The present application can realize efficient lifting of minerals, and reduce the influence on the marine ecology.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application relates to the technical field of deep-sea mining, and particularly relates to a closed deep-sea mineral lifting system. BACKGROUND

[0002] In the process of mineral mining on the seabed, a standpipe fluid conveying method is usually used. At present, the standpipe fluid conveying method mainly includes the air lifting method, the pump water lifting method and the diaphragm pump lifting method. The air lifting method has no underwater moving parts and good reliability, but its efficiency is low, and the standpipe diameter is large to form a large-scale standpipe system. The pump water lifting method has relatively high efficiency, but 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 standpipe. For the diaphragm pump water lifting method, although a high lift can be achieved, in terms of the structure of the diaphragm pump, the single diaphragm pump has small conveying capacity, and the particle size of the overflown particles is small, which cannot meet the conveying demand of the mineral with a particle diameter of 100 mm, especially the multi-metal nodule. In addition, the air lifting method and the pump water lifting method also have the problem of tail water treatment, that is, the seawater transported from the seabed to the water surface needs to be injected back 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

[0004] The present application aims to provide a closed deep-sea mineral lifting system, which can realize efficient lifting of minerals while reducing the impact on the marine ecology.

[0005] To achieve this purpose, the present application adopts the following technical solutions:

[0006] The closed deep-sea mineral lifting system comprises:

[0007] A sea platform having a first mineral-water separation device and a high-pressure water pump in communication with each other;

[0008] A circulating pipeline, one end of which is in communication with the high-pressure water pump, and the other end of which is in communication with the first mineral-water separation device;

[0009] A water inlet assembly in communication with the circulating pipeline;

[0010] A relay platform capable of floating in seawater, the relay platform being provided with a storage bin;

[0011] A water pumping assembly in communication with the storage bin, for discharging seawater in the storage bin into the sea;

[0012] A mining assembly in communication with the storage bin;

[0013] A feeding assembly is arranged between the storage bin and the circulating pipeline, and the feeding assembly is communicated with the circulating pipeline, and the feeding assembly is used for injecting the ore pulp in the storage bin into the circulating pipeline.

[0014] In some embodiments, the circulating pipeline comprises a backfill riser, a transition pipeline and a lifting riser communicated in sequence, one end of the backfill riser is communicated with the high-pressure water pump, one end of the lifting riser is communicated with the first ore-water separation device, and the feeding assembly is communicated with the backfill riser and the transition pipeline.

[0015] In some embodiments, the feeding assembly comprises a high-pressure bin, an upper end of the high-pressure bin is communicated with the storage bin, a first blocking valve is arranged on a pipeline between the high-pressure bin and the storage bin, a lower end of the high-pressure bin is communicated with the transition pipeline, a second blocking valve is arranged on a pipeline between the high-pressure bin and the transition pipeline, the high-pressure bin is communicated with the backfill riser, and a balance valve is arranged on a pipeline between the high-pressure bin and the backfill riser.

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

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

[0018] In some embodiments, the water pumping assembly comprises a water pumping device and a drain pipe communicated with each other, and the water pumping device is communicated with the storage bin.

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

[0020] In some embodiments, the water inlet assembly comprises a water inlet pipeline communicated with the circulating pipeline, and a water inlet valve is arranged on the water inlet pipeline.

[0021] In some embodiments, the offshore platform has a mine bin.

[0022] In some embodiments, the mining assembly comprises a mining machine and a conveying pipeline communicated with each other, and the conveying pipeline is communicated with the storage bin.

[0023] Advantages of the present application:

[0024] The closed deep-sea mineral lifting system provided by the application comprises a sea platform, a first mineral-water separation device and a high-pressure water pump which are connected with each other, one end of a circulating pipeline is connected with the high-pressure water pump, the other end of the circulating pipeline is connected with the first mineral-water separation device, and a water inlet assembly is connected with the circulating pipeline. A relay platform is suspended in seawater, a storage bin is arranged on the relay platform, a water pumping assembly is connected with the storage bin, a mining assembly is connected with the storage bin, a feeding assembly is arranged between the storage bin and the circulating pipeline, and the feeding assembly is used for injecting the ore slurry in the storage bin into the circulating pipeline. During the mineral mining process, the water inlet assembly is first opened, the seawater is stored in the circulating pipeline and the storage bin, then the water inlet assembly is closed, the water pumping assembly is opened, the seawater in the storage bin is discharged to form a negative pressure, and the ore slurry in the mining assembly is sucked into the storage bin. The ore in the ore slurry is deposited at the bottom of the storage bin and is injected into the circulating pipeline through the feeding assembly, and the seawater in the storage bin directly enters the seabed through the water pumping assembly, thereby reducing the influence on the marine ecology. The seawater is driven by the high-pressure water pump to realize closed circulation, so that the ore in the circulating pipeline is brought into the first mineral-water separation device to separate the ore and seawater, the ore can be stored subsequently, and the separated seawater continues to circulate in the circulating pipeline through the high-pressure water pump to realize continuous conveying, thereby guaranteeing the efficient lifting of the minerals. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0025] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application, the following will briefly introduce the drawings needed to be used in the description of the embodiments of the present application. Obviously, the drawings in the following description are only some embodiments of the present application, and other drawings can be obtained by those skilled in the art according to the contents of the embodiments of the present application and the drawings without any creative effort.

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

[0027] In the drawings:

[0028] 1, sea platform; 11, first mineral-water separation device; 12, high-pressure water pump; 2, circulating pipeline; 21, reinjection riser; 22, transition pipe; 23, lifting riser; 3, storage bin; 4, water pumping assembly; 41, water pumping pump; 42, drain pipe; 5, water inlet assembly; 51, water inlet valve; 6, feeding assembly; 61, high-pressure bin; 611, feeder; 62, first partition valve; 63, second partition valve; 64, balance valve; 7, mining assembly; 71, ore collector; 72, conveying 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-described drawings.

[0030] In this application, the terms "comprising" or "comprises", "include" or "including" or any other variation thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements does not include only those elements but can include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus. Without further limitation, an element preceded by "comprises a" does not, without more constraints, foreclose the existence of additional identical elements in the process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises the element.

[0031] In this application, the terms "connected", "coupled", "engage", "mounting" can be direct connection, combination, coupling or mounting, or indirect connection, combination, coupling or mounting. For example, direct connection refers to the connection of two parts or components without the need for an intermediate part, while indirect connection refers to the connection of two parts or components with at least one intermediate part, and the two parts or components are connected through the intermediate part. In addition, "connection" and "coupling" are not limited to physical or mechanical connection or coupling, and can include electrical connection or coupling.

[0032] In this application, those of ordinary skill in the art will understand that the functions performed by the components can be performed by one component, multiple components, one part, or multiple parts. Similarly, the functions performed by the parts can also be performed by one part, one component, or multiple parts in combination.

[0033] In this application, the terms "up", "down", "left", "right", "front", "back", and the like are described in the orientation and positional relationship shown in the drawings, and should not be understood as limiting the embodiments of the application. In addition, it should be understood in the context that when referring to one element connected to another element "on" or "under", it can be directly connected to another element "on" or "under", or indirectly connected to another element "on" or "under" through an intermediate element. It should also be understood that the terms "up", "down", "left", "right", "front", "back", and the like not only represent the positive direction, but also can be understood as the side direction. For example, the lower side can include the lower side, the lower left side, the lower right side, the lower front side, and the lower back side, etc.

[0034] In the process of deep-sea mineral mining, in order to realize efficient lifting of minerals while reducing the impact on the marine ecosystem, such as Figure 1 As shown in the figure, the application provides a closed deep-sea mineral lifting system. The closed deep-sea mineral lifting system comprises a sea platform 1, a circulating pipeline 2, a water inlet assembly 5, a relay platform, a water pumping assembly 4, a mining assembly 7 and a feeding assembly 6.

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

[0036] In the process of mineral exploitation, first, the water inlet assembly 5 is opened, so that the seawater fills the circulating pipeline 2 and the storage bin 3, then the water inlet assembly 5 is closed, the water pumping assembly 4 is opened, so that the seawater in the storage bin 3 is discharged to form a negative pressure, and the ore slurry in the mining assembly 7 is sucked into the storage bin 3. The ore in the ore slurry is deposited at the bottom of the storage bin 3 and is injected into the circulating pipeline 2 through the feeding assembly 6, and the seawater in the storage bin 3 directly enters the seabed through the water pumping assembly 4, thereby reducing the impact on the marine ecology. The seawater is driven by the high-pressure water pump 12 to circulate in a closed loop, so as to bring the ore in the circulating pipeline 2 to the first ore-water separation device 11 for separation of the ore and seawater, and the ore can be subsequently stored, and the separated seawater continues to circulate in the circulating pipeline 2 through the high-pressure water pump 12 to realize continuous conveying, thereby ensuring efficient ore lifting.

[0037] In some embodiments, the circulating pipeline 2 includes a reinjection riser 21, a transition pipe 22 and a lifting riser 23 in sequence, one end of the reinjection riser 21 is in communication with the high-pressure water pump 12, one end of the lifting riser 23 is in communication with the first ore-water separation device 11, and the feeding assembly 6 is in communication with the reinjection riser 21 and the transition pipe 22. Through the above arrangement, the arrangement of the circulating pipeline 2 is facilitated, and the seawater pressurized by the high-pressure water pump 12 can be injected into the reinjection riser 21, and the high-pressure seawater can bring the ore in the transition pipe 22 out of the transition pipe 22, thereby realizing the lifting of the ore.

[0038] In some embodiments, the feeding assembly 6 comprises a high-pressure bin 61, the upper end of the high-pressure bin 61 is communicated with the storage bin 3, and a first isolation valve 62 is arranged on the pipeline between the high-pressure bin 61 and the storage bin 3, the lower end of the high-pressure bin 61 is communicated with the transition pipe 22, and a second isolation valve 63 is arranged on the pipeline between the high-pressure bin 61 and the transition pipe 22, the high-pressure bin 61 is communicated with the injection riser 21, and a balance valve 64 is arranged on the pipeline between the high-pressure bin 61 and the injection riser 21. When it is needed to transfer the ore into the high-pressure bin 61, the first isolation valve 62 is opened, so that the ore enters the high-pressure bin 61 under the action of gravity, and then the first isolation valve 62 is closed. The balance valve 64 is opened, so that part of the high-pressure seawater from the injection riser 21 enters the high-pressure bin 61, and the pressure between the high-pressure bin 61 and the transition pipe 22 is balanced, and finally the second isolation valve 63 is opened, and the ore is flushed into the transition pipe 22 under the action of the high-pressure seawater. Through the above arrangement, the smooth transfer of the ore can be ensured.

[0039] In some embodiments, the high-pressure bin 61 is provided with a feeder 611. By arranging the feeder 611, the ore can be quickly fed into the transition pipe 22, and the blockage of the high-pressure bin 61 can be prevented. Moreover, the amount of feeding can be controlled by controlling the feeder 611, and the blockage of the transition pipe 22 by the ore can be prevented.

[0040] In some embodiments, a plurality of feeding assemblies 6 are arranged between the feeding assembly 6 and the storage bin 3. Specifically, in the present embodiment, three feeding assemblies 6 are arranged, and the three feeding assemblies 6 are opened in sequence to feed, so as to ensure that the ore is smoothly transferred from the high-pressure bin 61 to the transition pipe 22. In other embodiments, the number of feeding assemblies 6 can be determined according to actual needs, which will not be described in detail here.

[0041] In some embodiments, the water pumping assembly 4 comprises a water pumping pump 41 and a drain pipe 42 communicated with each other, and the water pumping pump 41 is communicated with the storage bin 3. By arranging the water pumping pump 41, the seawater in the storage bin 3 can be discharged to the sea through the water pumping pump 41. While ensuring that the storage bin 3 has sufficient space to store the ore, the seawater is directly backfilled to the deep sea, thereby reducing the damage to the marine environment.

[0042] In some embodiments, the storage bin 3 is provided with a second ore-water separation device. By arranging the second ore-water separation device, the separation of seawater and ore can be effectively realized, the wear of the water pumping pump 41 by the ore can be reduced during the operation of the water pumping pump 41, and the service life of the water pumping pump 41 can be prolonged. Moreover, the flow diameter of the water pumping pump 41 can be reduced, thereby reducing the volume of the water pumping pump 41.

[0043] In some embodiments, the water inlet assembly 5 comprises a water inlet pipe which is in communication with the circulation pipeline 2, and a water inlet valve 51 is arranged on the water inlet pipe. When it is required to fill the circulation pipeline 2 and the storage bin 3 with seawater, the water inlet valve 51 is simply opened, and 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 a mineral bin. Through the above arrangement, the mineral material separated by the first mineral-water separation device 11 can be directly stored in the mineral bin. In this embodiment, the offshore platform 1 is a transport ship, which facilitates the collection and transportation of the mineral material.

[0045] In some embodiments, the mining assembly 7 comprises a 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. After the collector 71 collects the mineral material slurry on the seabed, the mineral material slurry can smoothly enter the storage bin 3 through the conveying pipe 72 due to the negative pressure formed in the storage bin 3 under the action of the water suction pump 41, thereby realizing the collection of the mineral material.

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

[0047] 1) Before the relay platform is deployed from the water surface to the underwater, the water inlet valve 51, the balance valve 64, the first shut-off valve 62 and the second shut-off valve 63 of the relay platform are opened. 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 the same. After the relay platform is deployed to the predetermined depth, the first shut-off valve 62, the second shut-off valve 63 and the balance valve 64 are closed, the high-pressure water pump 12 on the water surface is started, and after the seawater in the circulation pipeline 2 is filled, the water inlet valve 51 is closed, and the system enters the seawater closed circulation state.

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

[0049] 3) After the flow rate in the conveying pipe 72 is stabilized, the collector 71 starts the collection operation. The mineral material and the suction seawater are mixed on the collector 71 to form a mineral-water mixture, which is sucked to the storage bin 3 through the conveying pipe 72. The large-particle mineral material and part of the small-particle mineral material settle at the lower part of the storage bin 3 due to the self-weight. In addition, through the second mineral-water separation device arranged in the middle of the flow channel of the storage bin 3 and the water suction pump 41, the seawater is sucked away by the water suction pump 41, and the small-particle mineral material remains in the storage bin 3.

[0050] 4) After a certain time of mineral deposition in the storage bin 3, the balance valve 64 of the first group is closed, and the first partition valve 62 is opened. The mineral falls from the storage bin 3 to the high-pressure bin 61 by gravity. At the same time, the balance valve 64 of the second group of feeding assemblies 6 is closed, and the first partition valve 62 is opened. The mineral falls from the storage bin 3 to the high-pressure bin 61 of the second group by gravity.

[0051] 5) After the high-pressure bin 61 is full, the first partition valve 62 is closed, the balance valve 64 is opened, and the second partition valve 63 is opened. The mineral in the high-pressure bin 61 enters the transition pipe 22 through the feeder 611, and the feeding of the feeder 611 is gradually increased. The mineral and high-pressure water are mixed, and the mixture is transported to the water surface platform through the lifting stand pipe 23. The mineral and water are separated through the first mineral-water separation device 11. The mineral enters the mineral 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 returns it through the backflow stand pipe 21, realizing cyclic transportation. At the same time, after the high-pressure bin 61 of the second group is full, the first partition valve 62 of the second group is closed.

[0052] 6) When the feeding of the mineral in the high-pressure bin 61 of the first group is about to end, the feeding of the feeder 611 in the high-pressure bin 61 of the first group is gradually reduced until it ends. At the same time, the balance valve 64 of the second group is opened, and the second partition valve 63 is opened. The mineral in the high-pressure bin 61 of the second group enters the transition pipe 22, and the feeding of the feeder 611 of the second group is gradually increased. At the same time, the balance valve 64 of the third group of feeding assemblies 6 is closed, and the first partition valve 62 of the third group is opened. The mineral falls from the storage bin 3 to the high-pressure bin 61 of the third group by gravity.

[0053] 7) After the feeding of the mineral in the high-pressure bin 61 of the second group is completed, the balance valve 64 and the second partition valve 63 of the second group are closed, and the first partition valve 62 of the first group of feeding assemblies 6 is opened. The mineral falls from the storage bin 3 to the high-pressure bin 61 of the first group by gravity.

[0054] 8) The balance valve 64 of the third group is opened, and the second partition valve 63 of the third group is opened. The mineral in the high-pressure bin 61 enters the transition pipe 22, and the feeding of the feeder 611 in the storage bin 3 of the third group is gradually increased. At the same time, the balance valve 64 and the second partition valve 63 of the second group are closed, and the first partition valve 62 of the second group is opened. The mineral falls from the storage bin 3 to the high-pressure bin 61 of the second group by gravity.

[0055] 9) When the feeding of the mineral in the high-pressure bin 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 the second partition valve 63 of the first group is opened. The mineral in the high-pressure bin 61 enters the transition pipe 22. From then on, the three groups of feeding assemblies 6 realize a round of circulation. Subsequent sequential actions according to this method can realize continuous transportation of mineral feeding.

[0056] The closed deep sea mineral lifting system is used for seabed mineral mining, which can avoid the minerals passing through the water pump 41 and the high-pressure water pump 12, thereby prolonging the service life of the water pump 41 and the high-pressure water pump 12.

[0057] Obviously, the above embodiments of the present application are merely exemplary and are not intended to limit the embodiments of the present application. Based on the above description, other different forms of changes or variations can be made by those skilled in the art. Here, it is not necessary and impossible to exhaust all the embodiments. Any modification, equivalent replacement and improvement made within the spirit and principle of the present application shall be included in the protection scope of the claims of the present application.

Claims

1. A closed-loop deep-sea mineral hoisting system, characterized in that, include: Offshore platform (1), the offshore platform (1) having a first mineral water separation device (11) and a high-pressure water pump (12) interconnected; A circulation pipeline (2), one end of which is connected to the high-pressure water pump (12), and the other end of which is connected to the first mineral water separation device (11); Water inlet assembly (5), the water inlet assembly (5) is connected to the circulation pipeline (2), the water inlet assembly (5) includes a water inlet pipe, the water inlet pipe is connected to the circulation pipeline (2), and a water inlet valve (51) is provided on the water inlet pipe; The relay platform is able to float in seawater. The relay platform is equipped with a storage bin (3), and the storage bin (3) is equipped with a second mineral water separation device. Mining component (7), which is connected to the storage bin (3); Pumping assembly (4), which is connected to the storage silo (3), is used to discharge seawater in the storage silo (3) into the sea so that a negative pressure is formed in the storage silo (3), thereby drawing the slurry in the mining assembly (7) into the storage silo (3); The feeding component (6) is disposed between the storage bin (3) and the circulation pipeline (2), and the feeding component (6) is connected to the circulation pipeline (2). The feeding component (6) is used to inject the slurry in the storage bin (3) into the circulation pipeline (2).

2. The closed-loop deep-sea mineral hoisting system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The circulation pipeline (2) includes a reinjection riser (21), a transition pipe (22) and a lifting riser (23) 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 mineral water separation device (11); and the feeding assembly (6) is connected to the reinjection riser (21) and the transition pipe (22).

3. The closed-loop deep-sea mineral hoisting system according to claim 2, characterized in that, The feeding assembly (6) includes a high-pressure silo (61), the upper end of which is connected to the storage silo (3), and a first isolation valve (62) is provided on the pipeline between the high-pressure silo (61) and the storage silo (3). The lower end of the high-pressure silo (61) is connected to the transition pipe (22), and a second isolation 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 balance valve (64) is provided on the pipeline between the high-pressure silo (61) and the reinjection riser (21).

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

5. The closed-loop deep-sea mineral hoisting system according to claim 1, characterized in that, Multiple sets of the feeding assembly (6) are arranged between the feeding assembly (6) and the storage bin (3).

6. The closed-loop deep-sea mineral hoisting system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The pumping assembly (4) includes a pump (41) and a drain pipe (42) that are connected to each other, and the pump (41) is connected to the storage bin (3).

7. The closed-loop deep-sea mineral hoisting system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The offshore platform (1) has a mine storage area.

8. The closed-loop deep-sea mineral hoisting system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The mining assembly (7) includes an interconnected ore collecting machine (71) and a conveying pipe (72), which is connected to the storage bin (3).

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