A deep sea mining vehicle flow meeting collection auxiliary nodule rear end recovery system and method

Abstract

The present application relates to a deep-sea mining vehicle flow collection auxiliary nodule rear-end mining system and method technical field, proposes a kind of deep-sea mining vehicle flow collection auxiliary nodule rear-end mining system and method, by design flow collection system and flow collection system cooperate to realize multistage fluid distribution, and the fluid in the front of collection vehicle is used to eject flow for the collection head rear end, while reducing the resistance of mining vehicle travel, reduce the operation energy consumption of nodule mining. Including mining vehicle, flow collection system, exclusion system, monitoring system and fluid pipeline system, the front end of the mining vehicle is equipped with fixed frame plate, and opening is arranged on the fixed frame plate;Including flow pipe, the front end of the flow pipe passes through the opening and is fixed to the fixed frame plate, the front end of the flow pipe is equipped with horn mouth, for responsible for guiding the external fluid collected by horn mouth, the tail of the flow pipe is communicated with the fluid pipeline system, for fluid is guided to collection area, form flow auxiliary.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the technical field of deep-sea mining truck upstream collection auxiliary nodule back-end harvesting system and method, specifically, to a deep-sea mining truck upstream collection auxiliary nodule back-end harvesting system and method. Background Technology

[0002] Deep-sea mineral resources are abundant. Currently, there is a lot of research and development on the mining technology of polymetallic nodules, and the mainstream mining scheme is the riser mining system.

[0003] As a core component, the mining vehicle faces significant water resistance while traveling on the seabed, impacting operational efficiency. The collection head at the front of the mining vehicle primarily relies on jet stripping to harvest nodules, while also requiring auxiliary measures at the rear. By installing jet guides or suction devices at the collection channel, the upward force of the nodules within the channel after the jet impact is initiated is enhanced, ensuring successful nodule harvesting. However, weak transport sections exist at both the jet and suction ends, and the difficulty in obtaining subsea power and the high energy consumption of the suction pump significantly increase operating costs.

[0004] For example, Chinese patent CN117627656A discloses a pneumatic-powered seabed mining vehicle and a deep-sea multi-metal combined mining system, including a mining vehicle body and a pneumatic sampling head. The sampling head is composed of several linearly arrayed units, each with a cavity on its outer wall. The two ends of the cavity are connected to an ore inlet and a connecting transport port, respectively, to complete mineral extraction through negative pressure. However, this solution mainly focuses on the separation and transportation of minerals after extraction, without improving the extraction efficiency at the rear end of the sampling head, and does not address the optimization of the mining vehicle's travel resistance.

[0005] For example, Chinese patent CN102712260A discloses a mining vehicle and its energy supply method, including a mining vehicle, a carrier, a drive unit, and a mining working device, etc., which is connected to a power generation auxiliary unit through a control unit to supply a small portion of the power required by the motor. However, the designed mining vehicle has high energy consumption and low efficiency when operating on the seabed, and its design is complex, making it difficult to directly apply to existing mining vehicles. Furthermore, its energy supply method can only optimize the power supply of the mining system and fails to reduce the energy consumption of the mining vehicle operation at the source.

[0006] Therefore, an innovative solution is needed to address the problems in the existing technology. Summary of the Invention

[0007] One of the objectives of this invention is to propose a deep-sea mining truck upstream collection system to assist in the back-end harvesting of nodules. By designing an upstream collection system that works in conjunction with another upstream collection system, multi-stage fluid distribution is achieved, and the fluid in front of the mining truck is collected and used for the jet flow at the back end of the collection head. This reduces the driving resistance of the mining truck and reduces the energy consumption of nodule harvesting operations.

[0008] The technical solution of the present invention is as follows:

[0009] A deep-sea mining truck upstream collection auxiliary nodule back-end harvesting system includes a mining truck, an upstream collection system, a discharge system, a monitoring system, and a fluid pipeline system. The mining truck has a fixed frame plate at the front end and an opening in the fixed frame plate.

[0010] It includes a tapered tube, the front end of which passes through an opening and is fixed to a fixed frame plate. The front end of the tapered tube is provided with a flared mouth, which is responsible for guiding the external fluid collected by the flared mouth. The tail end of the tapered tube is connected to the fluid pipeline system, which is used to guide the fluid to the collection area, forming a strong flow-supporting effect.

[0011] Furthermore, the diameter of the tapered tube gradually increases from the front end to the rear end.

[0012] Furthermore, the horn opening is provided with a plurality of guide vanes circumferentially distributed around its own central axis, and each guide vane is arranged perpendicular to the inner wall of the horn opening.

[0013] Furthermore, the surface of each guide vane forms a 15° inclination angle with the central axis of the bell mouth to promote the directional flow of fluid within the bell mouth.

[0014] Furthermore, the tapered tube has a plurality of openings, and the number of openings is the same as the number of tapered tubes and corresponds one-to-one with each tapered tube.

[0015] The number of flared openings is the same as that of the tapered tube, and there are two opening sizes. The two opening sizes of the flared openings are alternately arranged in columns at the front end of the corresponding tapered tube.

[0016] Furthermore, the fluid piping system includes several connecting pipes, and a delivery main pipe is provided at the bottom of the collection tank;

[0017] One end of each connecting pipe is connected to the tail of each incoming pipe, and the other end of each connecting pipe is connected to the main conveying pipe.

[0018] A collection box is connected to the end of the main conveying pipe that is away from each connecting pipe.

[0019] Furthermore, the end of the conveying main pipe away from the collection box is provided with an inverted "T"-shaped opening for discharging excess medium from the mining vehicle.

[0020] Main pipeline for transport.

[0021] Furthermore, it includes a drainage system, which comprises a drain pipe and a solenoid valve;

[0022] The drain pipe is vertically upward, and the height difference between its two ends is greater than or equal to 3 meters.

[0023] The solenoid valve is located inside the drain pipe and is used to control the discharge of excess fluid.

[0024] The monitoring system is used to monitor the upstream flow velocity and pressure inside the drainage pipe.

[0025] Another objective of this invention is to provide a method for collecting nodules upstream of the current using a deep-sea mining truck, comprising the following steps:

[0026] S1: When the mining vehicle is moving, the flow-in pipe collects the fluid at the front of the mining vehicle;

[0027] S2: The collected fluid is fed into the mining vehicle through a pipeline system and is divided into three levels of utilization based on the travel speed and the pressure inside the pipe;

[0028] S3: End the data collection after completion.

[0029] Furthermore, the third-level exploitation method in step S2 includes:

[0030] When the travel speed is 0.1-0.5m / s, the solenoid valve is closed, the flow is used entirely for the jet, and the suction device is opened at the same time. The two back-end systems assist in lifting the nodules in the collection channel.

[0031] When the travel speed is 0.5-1m / s, the solenoid valve is closed, the suction system is closed, and the flow is used entirely for the jet.

[0032] When the travel speed is greater than 1 m / s, the solenoid valve opens and the suction system closes. Part of the incoming flow is discharged upward under the action of pressure difference, and the rest is used for the jet flow to avoid the jet flow velocity being too high and interfering with the double-row jet flow field.

[0033] The beneficial effects of this invention are as follows:

[0034] This invention achieves multi-stage fluid distribution by designing a front-flow collection system in conjunction with another front-flow collection system. By collecting the fluid in front of the mine car and using it for the jet flow at the rear of the collection head, the resistance of the mine car is reduced while the energy consumption of nodule mining is reduced, thus realizing low-energy, high-efficiency and economical deep-sea mineral resource mining. Attached Figure Description

[0035] The present invention will now be described in further detail with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments.

[0036] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of Example 1;

[0037] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the upstream collection system in Example 1;

[0038] Figure 3This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the large or small flared mouth in Example 1;

[0039] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the piping layout of the fluid collection system in Example 1;

[0040] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the gradient section structure of the inlet pipe in Example 1;

[0041] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the acquisition head and its rear-end pipeline connection in Example 2;

[0042] Figure 7 This is a flowchart of Example 3;

[0043] Figure 8 This is a partial schematic diagram of the flared opening in Example 1;

[0044] Figure 9 This is a schematic diagram of the unmodified data acquisition flow field.

[0045] Figure 10 This is a schematic diagram of the improved data acquisition flow field.

[0046] In the picture:

[0047] 1. Mining vehicle;

[0048] 2. Upstream collection system; 21. Large horn mouth; 22. Small horn mouth; 23. Guide vanes; 24. Fixed frame plate; 25. Support; 26. Collection box; 27. Sleeve;

[0049] 3. Collection head; 31. Flow deflector; 32. Tuberculum delivery channel;

[0050] 4. Fluid piping system; 41. Incoming flow pipe; 42. Connecting pipe; 43. Delivery riser; 44. Delivery main;

[0051] 5. Suction device;

[0052] 61. Recessed pipe section; 62. Pipe tail;

[0053] 7. Drainage system; 71. Drain pipe; 72. Solenoid valve;

[0054] 8. Monitoring system. Detailed Implementation

[0055] The technical solutions of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the embodiments of the present invention. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present invention, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0056] Example 1

[0057] like Figure 1-6 As shown in Figures 8-10, a deep-sea mining truck upstream collection auxiliary nodule back-end harvesting system mainly includes a mining truck 1, an upstream collection system 2, a monitoring system 8, and a fluid pipeline system 4. The upstream collection system 2 has two sets (which can be divided into an upper upstream structure and a lower upstream structure). The two upstream structures are identical in construction and are positioned at the upper and lower levels respectively, used for jet extraction and nodule transport. Finally, the tail 62 of the upstream pipe 41 in the upper upstream structure is connected to the connecting pipe 42 via multiple transport risers 43, and then connected to the transport main pipe 44 to converge into the collection box 26. The transport main pipe 44 in the lower upstream structure first passes through a guide plate 31 before converging into the collection box 26.

[0058] Specifically, the flow-collecting system 2 has a fixed frame plate 24 at the front end of the mining vehicle 1, with an opening in the fixed frame plate 24. The fixed frame plate 24 can be divided into front and rear plates, which are fixed by a bracket 25, and will not be described in detail in this embodiment. The front end of the flow-collecting pipe 41 is passed through the opening and then fixed to the fixed frame plate 24 by a sleeve 27. The front end of the flow-collecting pipe 41 is fixed with a flared mouth by the bracket 25, which is used to guide the external fluid collected by the flared mouth. The end of the flow-collecting pipe 41, i.e., the pipe tail 62, is connected to the fluid pipeline system 4 to guide the fluid to the collection area, forming a strong flow-collecting assistance.

[0059] In this embodiment, there are multiple flow-receiving pipes 41, and the number of openings is the same as the number of flow-receiving pipes 41, corresponding one-to-one with each flow-receiving pipe 41. The number of flared openings is also the same as the number of flow-receiving pipes 41, and they are divided into two specifications: large flared openings 21 and small flared openings 22. The opening diameters of the two types of flared openings are different. One type, such as large flared openings 21, is arranged in one row, and the other type, such as small flared openings 22, is also arranged in one row. Then, the two types of flared openings are alternately arranged in rows at the front end of the corresponding flow-receiving pipe 41 to reduce ore blockage and ensure smooth ore transport. In actual situations, the number of rows or columns can be increased or decreased as needed. The alternating arrangement of large flared openings 21 and small flared openings 22 can expand the flow-receiving cross-section, optimize fluid flow, and improve the collection efficiency of the flow-receiving pipe 41.

[0060] In order to reduce flow velocity, reduce turbulence, and optimize flow design, the diameter of the inlet pipe 41 in this embodiment gradually increases from the front end to the tail end 62, i.e., the tapered pipe section 61 shown in the figure.

[0061] In this embodiment, the flared openings (i.e., the large flared opening 21 and the small flared opening 22), or flared covers, have a gradually widening interface designed to optimize fluid flow and reduce flow resistance. Several guide vanes 23, circumferentially distributed around their central axis, are disposed within the flared openings. Each guide vane 23 is perpendicular to the inner wall of the flared opening to accommodate flow requirements at different velocities and improve fluid flow efficiency as it passes through the flared opening. Furthermore, the surface of each guide vane 23 forms a 15° inclination angle with the central axis of the flared opening to promote directional fluid flow within the flared opening.

[0062] The fluid pipeline system 4 includes a main delivery pipe and several connecting pipes 42. One end of each connecting pipe 42 is connected to the tail 62 of each incoming pipe 41, and the other end of each connecting pipe 42 is connected to the main delivery pipe. A collection box 26 is connected to the end of the main delivery pipe away from each connecting pipe 42 to stabilize the water flow rate for use.

[0063] The conveying main pipe 44 at the bottom of the collection box 26 has an inverted "T"-shaped opening at the end away from the collection box 26 for discharging excess medium from the mining vehicle 1.

[0064] Based on this embodiment, the delivery main pipe 44 acts as a jet to assist in the collection of nodules. The nodule delivery channel 32 outside the collection head 3 is inclined and connected to a guide plate 31. At the end of the nodule delivery channel 32, there is a suction device 5 for use as a rear-end device to assist in the collection of nodules.

[0065] like Figure 9 As shown, the unimproved acquisition process is presented. The length of the process in the figure represents the flow field intensity. The nodules near the seabed surface are transported by the flow field of the jet head, while the nodules near the suction end are transported by the negative pressure of the suction. There are weak sections in the transport process inside the acquisition channel.

[0066] like Figure 10 As shown, the added lower flow-facing mechanism in this embodiment reduces travel resistance while effectively increasing the flow field and flow capacity in the weakest section of the intermediate transport, enhancing the transport speed of nodules in the collection channel and preventing mid-section blockage. Simultaneously, the upper flow-facing structure, while reducing travel resistance, enhances the flow field strength and transport smoothness of nodules in the suction section, reducing the energy required for the original suction negative pressure to a certain extent, thus reducing energy consumption.

[0067] Example 2

[0068] like Figure 6As shown, based on Embodiment 1, this embodiment includes a drainage system 7, comprising a drain pipe 71 and a solenoid valve 72. The drain pipe 71 is vertically upward, with a height difference of 3 meters or more between its two ends. The pressure difference at the seabed allows fluid at the bottom to be easily drained into the mining vehicle 1. The solenoid valve 72 is located inside the drain pipe 71 and is used to control the drainage of excess fluid. It can be flexibly switched by coordinating different flow rate modes to adapt to the collection requirements. A monitoring system 8 is used to monitor the upstream flow velocity and pressure within the drain pipe 71.

[0069] The upstream collection system 2, the suction device 5, and the solenoid valves 72 involved in each component are all connected to and used in conjunction with the monitoring system 8, so that the monitoring system 8 can intelligently switch according to the actual situation.

[0070] Example 3

[0071] like Figure 7 As shown, a method for collecting nodules upstream of a deep-sea mine truck to assist in the downstream recovery of nodules includes the following steps:

[0072] S1: When the mining vehicle 1 is moving, the flow-inducing pipe 41 collects the fluid at the front end of the mining vehicle 1. On the one hand, it reduces the resistance of the mining vehicle, and on the other hand, it acts as the middle and rear jet of the collection head 3 to assist in the collection of nodules.

[0073] S2: The collected fluid is introduced into the mining vehicle 1 through the pipeline system and is divided into three levels of utilization according to the travel speed and the pressure inside the pipe, taking into full account all possible situations.

[0074] Specifically, when the travel speed is 0.1-0.5 m / s, the solenoid valve 72 is closed, the upstream flow is used entirely for the jet flow, and the suction device 5 is opened at the same time. The two back-end systems (i.e. the jet flow formed by the upstream collection system 2 and the suction device 5 for the two back-end collection systems) assist in lifting the nodules in the collection channel and enhance the collection efficiency.

[0075] When the travel speed is 0.5-1m / s, the solenoid valve 72 is closed, the suction system is closed, and the flow is used entirely for the jet flow.

[0076] When the travel speed is greater than 1 m / s, the solenoid valve 72 opens and the suction system closes. Part of the incoming flow is discharged upward under the action of pressure difference, and the rest is used for the jet flow. This avoids the jet flow velocity being too high and interfering with the flow field of the double-row jet, so that the collected incoming flow can be fully utilized and the nodule collection performance can be optimized.

[0077] S3: End the data collection after completion.

[0078] The above are merely preferred embodiments of the present invention and are not intended to limit the present invention. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc., made within the spirit and principles of the present invention should be included within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A deep-sea mining truck upstream collection system for auxiliary nodule harvesting, comprising a mining truck (1), an upstream collection system (2), a discharge system (7), a monitoring system (8), and a fluid pipeline system (4), characterized in that, The flow-collecting system (2) includes a flow-collecting pipe (41) and a fixed frame plate (24) located at the front end of the mining vehicle (1), with an opening in the fixed frame plate (24); the front end of the flow-collecting pipe (41) passes through the opening and is fixed to the fixed frame plate (24); the front end of the flow-collecting pipe (41) is provided with a flared mouth, which is responsible for guiding the external fluid collected by the flared mouth; the tail end (62) of the flow-collecting pipe (41) is connected to the fluid pipeline system (4) to guide the fluid to the collection area, forming a flow-collecting aid; The horn opening is provided with a number of guide vanes (23) circumferentially distributed around its own central axis, and each guide vane (23) is set perpendicular to the inner wall of the horn opening; Furthermore, the surface of each guide vane (23) forms a 15° inclination angle with the central axis of the bell mouth, which is used to promote the directional flow of fluid within the bell mouth; The diameter of the inlet pipe (41) gradually increases from the front end to the tail end (62); The flow-inlet pipe (41) has a plurality of openings, the number of openings being the same as the number of flow-inlet pipes (41) and corresponding one-to-one with each flow-inlet pipe (41); The number of horn openings is the same as that of the incoming pipe (41), and there are two opening sizes. The horn openings of the two opening sizes are alternately arranged in columns at the front end of the corresponding incoming pipe (41). The fluid pipeline system (4) includes several connecting pipes (42), and a conveying main pipe (44) is provided at the bottom of the collection box (26). One end of each connecting pipe (42) is connected to the tail (62) of each incoming pipe (41), and the other end of each connecting pipe (42) is connected to the conveying main pipe (44). The end of the main conveying pipe (44) away from each connecting pipe (42) is connected to a collection box (26); The drainage system (7) includes a drain pipe (71) and a solenoid valve (72). The drain pipe (71) is vertically upward, and the vertical height difference between the two ends of the drain pipe (71) is greater than or equal to 3 meters; The solenoid valve (72) is located inside the drain pipe (71) and is used to control the discharge of excess fluid; The monitoring system (8) is used to monitor the upstream flow velocity and pressure inside the drain pipe (71); The tuberculosis transport channel (32) outside the collection head (3) is inclined and connected to a guide plate (31), and the end of the tuberculosis transport channel (32) is provided with a suction device (5) for use as an auxiliary tuberculosis collection device.

2. The deep-sea mining truck upstream collection auxiliary nodule back-end harvesting system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The conveying main pipe (44) has an inverted "T"-shaped opening at the end away from the collection box (26) for discharging excess medium from the mining vehicle (1).

3. The method of using a deep-sea mining truck upstream collection auxiliary nodule back-end harvesting system according to any one of claims 1-2, characterized in that, Includes the following steps: S1: When the mining vehicle (1) is moving, the flow-in pipe (41) collects the fluid at the front end of the mining vehicle (1); S2: The collected fluid is fed into the mining vehicle (1) through the fluid pipeline system (4) and is divided into three levels of utilization according to the travel speed and the pressure inside the pipe; S3: End the data collection after completion.

4. The method of using a deep-sea mining truck upstream collection auxiliary nodule back-end harvesting system according to claim 3, characterized in that: The third-level exploitation method in step S2 includes: When the travel speed is 0.1-0.5m / s, the solenoid valve (72) is closed, the flow is used entirely for the jet, and the suction device (5) is opened at the same time. The jet formed by the flow collection system (2) and the suction device (5) suction the two back-end collection systems to help lift the nodules in the collection channel. When the travel speed is 0.5-1m / s, the solenoid valve (72) is closed, the suction device (5) is closed, and the flow is used entirely for the jet flow. When the travel speed is greater than 1 m / s, the solenoid valve (72) is opened and the suction device (5) is closed. Part of the incoming flow is discharged upward under the action of pressure difference, and the rest is used for the jet flow to avoid the jet flow velocity being too large and interfering with the double-row jet flow field.

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