Grading negative pressure drainage lifting device for flammable and explosive environment and large-height-difference tunnel

Abstract

The invention discloses a graded negative-pressure drainage lifting device for a flammable and explosive environment and a large-height-difference tunnel. The graded negative-pressure drainage lifting device comprises a water collecting pit arranged in a working well and a plurality of water collecting pits with different elevations and arranged at the bottom of the tunnel. The water collecting pits at the bottom of the tunnel are connected with a leakage water collecting system of the tunnel; a drainage pipeline is arranged between every two adjacent water collecting pits, and a vacuum water pumping device is arranged at the position close to the higher end of each drainage pipeline. All the vacuum water pumping devices are connected with the vacuum pump through independent vacuum pipes, and each vacuum pipe is provided with an electromagnetic valve to control opening and closing. And each electromagnetic valve is opened according to feedback of a high-water-level liquid level meter arranged in the corresponding water collecting pit in which the water body needs to be pumped, and the corresponding vacuum pipe is opened, so that the water body in the corresponding water collecting pit is pumped into the other adjacent water collecting pit with the higher elevation by the corresponding drainage pipeline. While the explosion-proof safety in the whole process is ensured, the drainage response speed, the operation reliability and the full-life-cycle economy are improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of drainage technology for tunnels with large elevation differences, and particularly to a graded negative pressure drainage and lifting device for tunnels with large elevation differences in flammable and explosive environments. Background Technology

[0002] Long-distance underwater tunnels, especially energy tunnels used to transport flammable and explosive media such as natural gas and oil, are critical infrastructure for traversing water obstacles. These tunnels typically face extremely complex engineering environments.

[0003] On the one hand, the tunnel is deep and passes through high water pressure strata, posing a continuous risk of high-pressure water inrush and leakage;

[0004] On the other hand, the tunnel is a relatively enclosed space, and the medium being transported has flammable and explosive properties, which places extremely stringent requirements on the safety of all operations, including drainage.

[0005] In existing technologies, drainage for extra-long tunnels traditionally relies mainly on a centralized drainage scheme consisting of "gravity flow + sump pit + pumping station".

[0006] This solution is widely used in conventional tunnels, but when applied to tunnels with extremely long distances, large elevation differences, and flammable and explosive internal environments, it faces a series of insurmountable technical bottlenecks and safety hazards:

[0007] 1. There is a risk of flammable gas accumulation and explosion in the sump area;

[0008] In tunnels transporting flammable media, even minute gas leaks are difficult to completely avoid. Traditional sump pits, as relatively enclosed water storage spaces, are prone to becoming accumulation zones for lightweight flammable gases (such as methane). Furthermore, the high-powered drainage pumps and their electrical equipment installed within the pits may generate electrical sparks or form high-temperature surfaces during start-up, shutdown, and operation. During pump start-up, shutdown, and operation, this area can easily become an ignition source, posing a serious explosion hazard.

[0009] 2. The high head requirement poses a significant contradiction to system reliability and is prone to generating sparks, potentially leading to an explosion;

[0010] To overcome the significant head loss caused by the extremely long distance and large elevation differences, traditional solutions require the installation of large sump pits and high-lift drainage pumps at the lowest points of the tunnel. These pumps typically require extremely high single-stage head, placing stringent demands on pump structure, sealing performance, and drive motors. This results in high equipment costs, high energy consumption, and a high failure rate under prolonged high-load operation. If the main pump fails, the drainage system may be paralyzed, and the rapid rise in water levels will directly threaten the structural safety of the tunnel. Furthermore, when drainage pumps operate in flammable and explosive environments, the impeller and bearings generate mechanical sparks due to friction and collision, which could become ignition sources, easily causing explosions or fires and posing a significant safety hazard.

[0011] 3) Strict safety requirements during operation, and traditional solutions have systemic defects in gas control;

[0012] Once operational, leaks may occur in the pipeline due to aging or settlement and cracking. The tunnel may also contain explosive gas environments due to the transport of flammable media. The drainage system must fundamentally eliminate the risk of ignition and effectively control the entry and accumulation of combustible gases.

[0013] Therefore, existing centralized drainage systems have the following prominent problems in terms of gas safety:

[0014] Gas intrusion risk: Traditional sump pits are prone to accumulating leaked light flammable gases (such as methane), forming an explosive mixture.

[0015] During the extraction process, if reliable gas-liquid separation and gas blocking measures are lacking, combustible gases may be drawn into the drainage pipes or even the pump body, increasing the risk of internal combustion and explosion in the system.

[0016] Lack of active exhaust control: Even if some gas enters the system, traditional solutions lack supporting measures to safely extract and discharge it to a designated area under controlled conditions, causing gas to remain in pipelines or equipment and creating potential hazards.

[0017] The operation and maintenance safety process is cumbersome: In order to ensure operational safety, long-term gas detection and forced ventilation are required in enclosed spaces such as sump pits before each start-up of drainage equipment, which seriously affects the system response speed and significantly increases daily operation and maintenance costs and management burden.

[0018] Meanwhile, in flammable and explosive environments, the inspection and maintenance of water collection pits and pumping stations in deep-buried tunnels is not only inconvenient to operate, but also carries a high safety risk.

[0019] In summary, long-distance underwater tunnels, especially energy tunnels used to transport flammable and explosive media such as natural gas and oil, face multiple complex challenges during construction and operation, including high-pressure water abundance, significant elevation differences, long distances, and an internally explosive environment. The current mainstream centralized drainage solution of "gravity flow + sump pit + pumping station" is clearly insufficient for addressing these complex tunnel conditions.

[0020] Therefore, how to achieve a drainage improvement scheme that ensures safe gas-liquid separation and explosion-proof operation throughout the entire process at the system level, while achieving efficient drainage and ensuring that light combustible gases do not enter or are safely discharged from the system under controlled conditions, thus balancing operational safety and response efficiency, has become a technical problem that urgently needs to be solved by those skilled in the art. Summary of the Invention

[0021] In view of the above-mentioned deficiencies of the prior art, the present invention provides a graded negative pressure drainage lifting device for flammable and explosive environments and tunnels with large elevation differences. The purpose is to solve the shortcomings of the prior art in "flammable and explosive environments", "large elevation differences" and "ultra-long distance" tunnels, and to meet the requirements of "continuous safe operation" for rapid and stable drainage.

[0022] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention discloses a graded negative pressure drainage and lifting device for flammable and explosive environments and tunnels with large elevation differences. The device is installed in the part of the tunnel that is only inclined downward or only inclined upward, and a working well is provided at the highest elevation. The device includes a water collection pit installed in the working well, and multiple water collection pits at different elevations arranged along the length of the tunnel at the bottom of the tunnel.

[0023] The water collection pits arranged at the bottom of the tunnel are all connected to the tunnel's seepage water collection system, through which water that needs to be discharged is introduced;

[0024] A drainage pipe is provided between every two adjacent water collection pits, and a vacuum pumping device is provided near the water collection pit with a higher elevation. The water in the water collection pit with a lower elevation is pumped to the water collection pit with a higher elevation through the corresponding vacuum pumping device.

[0025] All of the vacuum pumping devices are connected to the vacuum pump through independent vacuum tubes, and each vacuum tube is equipped with a solenoid valve to control its opening and closing.

[0026] Each of the solenoid valves is opened based on feedback from the high-level liquid level gauge installed in the corresponding sump where water needs to be extracted. When the liquid level of the corresponding sump triggers the corresponding high-level liquid level gauge, the solenoid valve on the corresponding vacuum tube is opened, so that the corresponding drainage pipe extracts the water in the corresponding sump to another adjacent sump with a higher elevation.

[0027] Preferably, the vacuum pump is installed in an explosion-proof vacuum pump station inside the working well; all the solenoid valves are explosion-proof solenoid valves.

[0028] Preferably, the vacuum pump provides a vacuum pressure of -6m to -8m water column.

[0029] Preferably, the water collection pits arranged at the bottom of the tunnel are all equipped with low water level gauges at low water level positions;

[0030] When any of the low water level gauges is triggered, the solenoid valve of the vacuum tube corresponding to the sump is closed.

[0031] More preferably, all of the high-level water level gauges, all of the low-level water level gauges, and all of the solenoid valves are connected to the PLC control system;

[0032] The PLC control system controls the opening and closing of all the solenoid valves according to a preset program and feedback from all the high-level and low-level water level gauges.

[0033] More preferably, all of the high-level water level gauges, all of the low-level water level gauges, and all of the solenoid valves are connected to the PLC control system via fiber optic transmission lines.

[0034] Preferably, each of the vacuum tubes is equipped with a vacuum pressure gauge, and vacuum level data is collected through the corresponding vacuum pressure gauge.

[0035] The beneficial effects of this invention are:

[0036] This invention utilizes a distributed, hierarchical drainage integrated device with negative pressure-induced start-up and gas-liquid separation for explosion-proof safety. This device achieves comprehensive coordination of construction and operation needs at the system level, ensuring explosion-proof safety throughout the process while improving drainage response speed, operational reliability, and life-cycle economic efficiency. It provides a proprietary solution for drainage safety in high-risk tunnel environments.

[0037] This invention provides a safe drainage solution that is explosion-proof, reliable, and continuously operating for extra-long tunnels transporting flammable and explosive media such as natural gas, especially in underwater sections with significant elevation differences and ultra-long distances.

[0038] This invention integrates explosion-proof design, negative pressure (vacuum) induced start-up, and multi-stage negative pressure relay lifting technology to achieve safe and efficient graded lifting and drainage of leaking water in tunnels in flammable and explosive environments, fundamentally eliminating the risk of explosion accidents caused by drainage operations.

[0039] Overcoming the technical challenges of multiple harsh conditions, this solution provides a complete, dedicated, reliable, and safe graded negative pressure drainage system for major linear underground projects that are crucial to the national economy and people's livelihood.

[0040] The following will further explain the concept, specific structure, and technical effects of the present invention in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, so as to fully understand the purpose, features, and effects of the present invention. Attached Figure Description

[0041] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of an embodiment of the present invention is shown. Detailed Implementation

[0042] Example: Figure 1As shown, a graded negative pressure drainage and lifting device for flammable and explosive environments and tunnels with large elevation differences is installed in the part of the tunnel that is only inclined downward or only inclined upward, and a working well is provided at the highest elevation. It includes a water collection pit 1 installed in the working well, and multiple water collection pits 1 at different elevations arranged along the length of the tunnel at the bottom of the tunnel.

[0043] The water collection pits 1 located at the bottom of the tunnel are all connected to the tunnel's seepage water collection system, through which the water that needs to be discharged is introduced.

[0044] A drainage pipe 2 is provided between every two adjacent sump pits 1, and a vacuum pumping device is provided near the sump pit 1 with a higher elevation. The water in the sump pit 1 with a lower elevation is pumped to the sump pit 1 with a higher elevation through the corresponding vacuum pumping device.

[0045] All vacuum pumping devices are connected to vacuum pump 4 through independent vacuum pipes 3, and each vacuum pipe 3 is equipped with a solenoid valve 5 to control its opening and closing.

[0046] Each solenoid valve 5 is opened based on the feedback from the high water level gauge 7 set in the corresponding water collection pit 1 that needs to be pumped. When the liquid level of the corresponding water collection pit 1 triggers the corresponding high water level gauge 7, the solenoid valve 5 on the corresponding vacuum tube 3 is opened, so that the corresponding drainage pipe 2 pumps the water in the corresponding water collection pit 1 to another adjacent water collection pit 1 with a higher elevation.

[0047] This invention divides the tunnel into several sections based on the negative pressure drainage capacity by using multiple water collection pits 1 at different elevations, achieving step-by-step relay and segmented lifting, and finally leading the collected water to the water collection pit 1 in the working well, and then discharging it to the outside in a unified manner.

[0048] All sump pits 1 are connected by drainage pipes 2 between every two adjacent sump pits 1, and the drainage is achieved in stages through the negative pressure generated by the corresponding vacuum pumping device. Figure 1 As shown, water collection pit 1, numbered 1#, is connected to water collection pit 1, numbered 2#, by a drainage pipe 2. Water is lifted and transported to water collection pit 1, numbered 2#, by a corresponding vacuum pumping device. Water is transported between water collection pit 1, numbered 2# and water collection pit 1, between water collection pit 1, numbered 3# and water collection pit 1, numbered 3# and water collection pit 1, numbered 4#, and the remaining water collection pits 1 in the same way, until the water collection pit 1 in the highest working well.

[0049] In some embodiments, the vacuum pump 4 is installed in an explosion-proof vacuum pump station inside the working well; all solenoid valves 5 are explosion-proof solenoid valves.

[0050] In some embodiments, vacuum pump 4 provides a vacuum pressure of -6m to -8m water column.

[0051] In some embodiments, the sump pit 1 located at the bottom of the tunnel is equipped with a low water level gauge 8 at the low water level position.

[0052] When any low water level gauge 8 is triggered, the solenoid valve 5 of the corresponding vacuum tube 3 in the corresponding water collection pit 1 is closed.

[0053] In practical applications, when the water level in the sump pit 1 located at the bottom of the tunnel is pumped down to a low level, the low water level gauge 8 will signal the corresponding solenoid valve 5 to close, thereby terminating the drainage operation in that section.

[0054] In some embodiments, all high-level water level gauges 7, all low-level water level gauges 8, and all solenoid valves 5 are connected to the PLC control system 11.

[0055] The PLC control system 11 controls the opening and closing of all solenoid valves 5 according to the preset program and feedback from all high-level liquid level gauges 7 and all low-level liquid level gauges 8.

[0056] In some embodiments, all high-level water level gauges 7, all low-level water level gauges 8, and all solenoid valves 5 are connected to the PLC control system 11 via fiber optic transmission lines.

[0057] In some embodiments, each vacuum tube 3 is equipped with a vacuum pressure gauge 6, through which vacuum level data is collected.

[0058] This invention achieves relay-lifting by segmenting water collection pits and drainage pipes along the longitudinal direction of the tunnel. It employs explosion-proof vacuum equipment and a water level detection mechanism (hydraulic gauge) to automatically complete negative pressure start-up and shutdown, segmented drainage, and safety interlocking under PLC control. The device enables reliable drainage over long distances and with significant elevation differences, improving the system's safety, response speed, and maintenance convenience in hazardous environments. It effectively solves the problems of high risk, low efficiency, and control lag inherent in traditional drainage systems in such tunnels.

[0059] In practical applications, the implementation process of this invention is as follows:

[0060] Step 1: System Deployment

[0061] Water collection pits 1 are set up in sections along the longitudinal direction of the tunnel, such as Figure 1 The water collection pits 1, numbered 1# and 2#, are connected by drainage pipes 2. Seepage water in the tunnel is collected through cross-cutting ditches and other collection systems and directed to the corresponding water collection pit 1. Each drainage pipe 2 is connected to an independent vacuum branch pipe 3. All vacuum branch pipes 3 converge at the explosion-proof vacuum pump station, which is connected to the vacuum pump 4 to obtain negative pressure. Explosion-proof solenoid valves 5 and vacuum pressure gauges 6 are installed on the vacuum branch pipes 3 at the edge of the working shaft.

[0062] Step 2: Installation of control components

[0063] A high-level hydraulic gauge 7 and a low-level hydraulic gauge 8 are installed in each water collection pit 1;

[0064] The high-level hydraulic gauge 7, the low-level hydraulic gauge 8, the solenoid valve 5, the vacuum pressure gauge 6, etc. are connected to the PLC control system 11 through the fiber optic transmission line 10 to form a complete negative pressure control system.

[0065] Step 3: Start the tiered drainage system

[0066] When a certain water collection pit 1, taking water collection pit 1 numbered 1# as an example, reaches the high water level warning line, the high water level hydraulic gauge 7 is triggered, and the signal is transmitted to the PLC control system 11 via the fiber optic transmission line 10; the PLC control system 11 controls the vacuum pump 4 to start and opens the solenoid valve 5 on the corresponding vacuum branch pipe 3 to start suction and establish negative pressure.

[0067] Step 4: Negative Pressure Lifting Operation

[0068] When the vacuum pressure gauge 6 detects that the negative pressure in the vacuum branch pipe 3 reaches the preset working value, which is usually -6m to -8m water column, drainage will proceed automatically. The water in the No. 1 water collection pit 1 will be lifted and transported to the downstream No. 2 water collection pit 1 under the action of negative pressure through the drainage pipe.

[0069] Step 5: Stop Drainage and Transfer the Power

[0070] When the water level in sump 1 drops to near the low water level, the low water level hydraulic gauge 8 sends a signal. Upon receiving the signal, the PLC control system 11 closes the corresponding explosion-proof solenoid valve 5, terminating the drainage operation in that section. The downstream sump 1 is then started sequentially according to the same logic, achieving segmented relay lifting.

[0071] Step Six: Final Discharge. Through step-by-step lifting, the water collected inside the tunnel is finally led to the water collection pit 1 located in the working shaft and discharged outdoors, completing the entire drainage process.

[0072] The preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above. It should be understood that those skilled in the art can make numerous modifications and variations based on the concept of the present invention without creative effort. Therefore, all technical solutions that can be obtained by those skilled in the art based on the concept of the present invention through logical analysis, reasoning, or limited experimentation on the basis of existing technology should be within the scope of protection defined by the claims.

Claims

1. A staged negative pressure drainage lifting device for flammable and explosive environments, large elevation difference tunnels, arranged in a tunnel only inclined downward or only inclined upward, and provided with a working well at the highest position; characterized in that, It comprises a sump (1) arranged in the working well, and a plurality of sumps (1) of different elevations arranged in the bottom of the tunnel along the length direction of the tunnel; The sumps (1) arranged in the bottom of the tunnel are all connected with the seepage water collection system of the tunnel, and the water bodies to be discharged are introduced through the seepage water collection system; Drainage pipes (2) are arranged between every two adjacent sumps (1), and vacuum water pumping devices are arranged near the sumps (1) of higher elevations, and the water bodies in the sumps (1) of lower elevations are pumped to the sumps (1) of higher elevations through the corresponding vacuum water pumping devices; All the vacuum water pumping devices are connected with vacuum pumps (4) through independent vacuum pipes (3), and each vacuum pipe (3) is provided with an electromagnetic valve (5) for controlling opening and closing; Each electromagnetic valve (5) is opened according to the feedback of a high water level liquid level gauge (7) arranged in the corresponding sump (1) from which water bodies are to be pumped, and when the liquid level of the corresponding sump (1) triggers the corresponding high water level liquid level gauge (7), the electromagnetic valve (5) on the corresponding vacuum pipe (3) is opened, so that the corresponding drainage pipe (2) pumps the water bodies in the corresponding sump (1) to another adjacent sump (1) of higher elevation.

2. The hierarchical negative pressure drainage and lifting device for flammable and explosive environment and large height difference tunnel according to claim 1, characterized in that, The vacuum pumps (4) are arranged in an explosion-proof vacuum pump station in the working well, and all the electromagnetic valves (5) are explosion-proof electromagnetic valves.

3. The hierarchical negative pressure drainage and lifting device for flammable and explosive environment and large height difference tunnel according to claim 1, characterized in that, The vacuum pumps (4) provide a vacuum pressure of-6m to-8m water column.

4. The hierarchical negative pressure drainage and lifting device for flammable and explosive environment and large height difference tunnel according to claim 1, characterized in that, The sumps (1) arranged in the bottom of the tunnel are all provided with low water level liquid level gauges (8) at low water level positions; When any low water level liquid level gauge (8) is triggered, the electromagnetic valve (5) of the corresponding vacuum pipe (3) of the corresponding sump (1) is closed.

5. The hierarchical negative pressure drainage and lifting device for flammable and explosive environment and large height difference tunnel according to claim 4, characterized in that, All the high water level liquid level gauges (7), all the low water level liquid level gauges (8), and all the electromagnetic valves (5) are connected with a PLC control system (11); The PLC control system (11) controls the opening and closing of all the electromagnetic valves (5) according to a preset program and the feedback of all the high water level liquid level gauges (7) and all the low water level liquid level gauges (8).

6. The hierarchical negative pressure drainage and lifting device for flammable and explosive environment and large height difference tunnel according to claim 5, characterized in that, All the high water level liquid level gauges (7), all the low water level liquid level gauges (8), and all the electromagnetic valves (5) are connected with the PLC control system (11) through optical fiber transmission lines.

7. The hierarchical negative pressure drainage and lifting device for flammable and explosive environment and large height difference tunnel according to claim 1, characterized in that, Each vacuum pipe (3) is provided with a vacuum pressure gauge (6) for collecting vacuum degree data.

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