Method for pumping mud in pile in ultra-deep sea

Abstract

The invention discloses a method for pumping mud in a pile in an ultra-deep sea. The method comprises the steps that a crane ship is moved to the position near a foundation pile; the mud pumping equipment is moved and lowered into the first foundation pile through the crane ship; rotary mud scraping and bottom mud layer stirring are conducted on the bottom of the foundation pile through a reamer of mud pumping equipment, high-pressure water is output to disperse bottom mud, high-pressure air is output to blow mud residues to the top of the foundation pile, and the mud residues are pumped to a crane ship; the mud pumping equipment is lifted and recycled through a crane ship; the crane ship is moved to the second foundation pile; the mud pumping equipment is moved and lowered into the second foundation pile, and mud in the second foundation pile is pumped into the first foundation pile; the operation is repeated, and the mud pumping operation of the remaining foundation piles is completed in sequence; and after the pile sinking operation of the last foundation pile is completed, the sludge on the crane ship is backfilled into the last foundation pile. The invention is applied to the technical field of offshore wind power jackets.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the technical field of offshore wind turbine jackets, and in particular to a method for dredging mud from inside ultra-deep offshore piles. Background Technology

[0002] Currently, the four-pile jacket foundation is a common foundation type for offshore wind power in China. However, as offshore wind power jackets are developing towards deeper waters and modular designs, the complex geology of deep-sea areas makes it impossible to drive the foundation piles to the design elevation. Using high-energy hydraulic hammers could lead to high equipment damage rates and low feasibility. Furthermore, the influence of water depth, geology, and other natural factors increases the number of uncontrollable factors during on-site construction, making it difficult to control construction efficiency and costs. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to overcome the shortcomings of the prior art and provide a method for dredging mud from deep-sea piles to remove mud and slag from the piles, thereby cleaning the mud and slag at the bottom of the foundation piles, reducing friction and soil plugging effect within the piles, ensuring the pile driving operation of subsequent foundation pile construction, and reducing the need for high-energy hydraulic hammers.

[0004] The technical solution adopted in this invention is as follows: the ultra-deep offshore pile dredging method includes the following steps: Step S1: Move the crane vessel to the vicinity of the foundation piles; Step S2: Move the dredging equipment into the first foundation pile using a crane vessel; Step S3: The bottom mud layer of the foundation pile is scraped and stirred by rotating the cutter of the mud pumping equipment. High-pressure water is output to disperse the bottom mud, and high-pressure air is output to blow the mud to the top of the foundation pile and pump the mud onto the crane barge. Step S4: The dredging equipment is lifted and retrieved by a crane vessel to complete the pile driving construction of the first foundation pile. Step S5: Move the crane vessel to the second foundation pile; Step S6: Move and lower the sludge pumping equipment into the second foundation pile, and pump the sludge from the second foundation pile into the first foundation pile; Step S7: Repeat the above operation to complete the mud removal operation of the remaining foundation piles in sequence. Step S8: After completing the driving operation of the last foundation pile, the mud and debris from the crane ship are backfilled into the last foundation pile.

[0005] Furthermore, the sludge pumping equipment includes a pipe body, a drive mechanism, and multiple cutters. The multiple cutters are located at the lower end of the pipe body. The drive mechanism can drive the multiple cutters to rotate. The pipe body is provided with a high-pressure air pipe and a high-pressure water pipe. The high-pressure air pipe is provided with multiple high-pressure air holes.

[0006] Furthermore, the driving mechanism includes multiple hydraulic pipes, all of which are located within the pipe body. One end of each hydraulic pipe is connected to a hydraulic oil pump, and the other end is connected to a hydraulic motor. The hydraulic motor can drive the reamer to rotate. The high-pressure air pipe is connected to an air compressor, and the high-pressure water pipe is connected to a high-pressure water pump.

[0007] Furthermore, step S1 includes the following steps: Step S101: The crane vessel navigates to the vicinity of the foundation piles using GPS; Step S102: Anchor the crane vessel and position it to complete the advance of the first foundation pile, bringing the foundation pile close to the middle of the crane vessel.

[0008] Furthermore, step S2 includes the following steps: Step S201: Lift the dredging equipment using a crane vessel, and adjust the boom angle of the crane vessel so that the dredging equipment is positioned above the foundation piles. Step S202: Slowly lower the dredging equipment according to GPS, with divers providing underwater assistance and guidance to ensure the equipment accurately enters the foundation pile. Step S203: Under the guidance of the diver, the dredging pipeline connected to the dredging pump is lowered to near the top of the foundation pile.

[0009] Furthermore, step S3 includes the following steps: Step S301: Start the mud pumping equipment and use the cutter of the mud pumping equipment to rotate and scrape the mud at the bottom of the foundation pile and stir the bottom mud layer. Step S302: High-pressure water is output through the high-pressure water pipe of the sludge pump to disperse the bottom mud. Step S303: High-pressure air output through the high-pressure air hole of the sludge pumping equipment is used to blow the mud to the top of the foundation pile; Step S304: Use a mud pump to pump the mud from the foundation piles into the mud collection tank of the crane vessel until the mud reaches the bottom of the foundation piles.

[0010] Furthermore, step S6 includes the following steps: Step S601: Move the dredging equipment into the second foundation pile using a crane vessel; Step S602: Connect the sludge pumping pipeline to the space between the first foundation pile and the second foundation pile. Step S602: Pump the mud and slag from the second foundation pile to the required elevation position of the first foundation pile.

[0011] The beneficial effects of this invention are: Compared to the shortcomings of existing technologies, this invention utilizes high-pressure water to disperse the bottom soil and high-pressure air to blow the mud to the top of the foundation pile. This enhances the mud dispersion effect and improves mud extraction efficiency. Furthermore, the high-pressure air-lift mud extraction method reduces internal friction within the foundation pile and the soil plugging effect at the pile tip, solving the problems of complex geology in ultra-deep sea areas and its impact on foundation pile driving. Secondly, the use of a reamer to rotate and scrape the mud at the bottom of the foundation pile and stir the bottom mud layer can disperse the soil to adapt to complex geological conditions such as hard soil and clay, meeting the requirements of ultra-deep water... The removal of mud and sludge from the area effectively solves the problem that traditional mud pumping equipment cannot disperse cohesive soil. In addition, by pumping the mud and sludge from the first foundation pile to the crane vessel and backfilling it into the last foundation pile, the utilization rate of mud and sludge can be improved, thereby controlling construction costs. Therefore, this invention uses an ultra-deep-sea pile internal mud pumping method to extract mud and sludge from deep-sea piles, thereby cleaning the mud and sludge at the bottom of the foundation pile, reducing the internal friction and soil plugging effect of the foundation pile, ensuring the pile driving operation of subsequent foundation pile construction, and reducing the need for the use of high-energy hydraulic hammers. Attached Figure Description

[0012] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention or the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present invention. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on the structures shown in these drawings without creative effort.

[0013] Figure 1 This is a flowchart illustrating the present invention; Figure 2 This is a plan view of the crane vessel of the present invention when it is anchored and positioned. Figure 3 This is a plan view of the sludge pumping equipment of the present invention during lifting and lowering; Figure 4 This is a plan view of the present invention during dredging operations; Figure 5 This is a plan view of the present invention when the mud and sludge from the second foundation pile are pumped to the first foundation pile; Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the planar structure of the present invention when backfilling mud and slag up to the last foundation pile; Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the planar structure of the sludge pumping device of the present invention.

[0014] The attached figures are labeled as follows: 1. Crane vessel; 2. Foundation piles; 3. Dredging equipment; 4. Cutting tool; 5. Pipe body; 6. High-pressure air pipe; 7. High-pressure water pipe; 8. High-pressure air vent; 10. Dredging pipeline; 11. Dredging tank.

[0015] The realization of the objective, functional features and advantages of the present invention will be further explained in conjunction with the embodiments and with reference to the accompanying drawings. Detailed Implementation

[0016] The technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of the present invention, and not all of the 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.

[0017] It should be noted that all directional indications in the embodiments of the present invention, such as up, down, left, right, front, back, clockwise, counterclockwise, etc., are only used to explain the relative positional relationship and movement of the components in a specific posture. If the specific posture changes, the directional indication will also change accordingly.

[0018] Furthermore, the use of terms such as "first" and "second" in this invention is for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying their relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of technical features indicated. Therefore, a feature defined with "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include at least one of that feature. Additionally, the technical solutions of the various embodiments can be combined with each other, but only on the basis of being achievable by those skilled in the art. When the combination of technical solutions is contradictory or impossible to implement, such a combination of technical solutions should be considered non-existent and not within the scope of protection claimed by this invention.

[0019] like Figure 1 As shown, in this embodiment, the method for dredging mud from inside an ultra-deep offshore pile includes the following steps: like Figure 2 As shown, in step S1, the crane vessel 1 is moved to the vicinity of the foundation pile 2; like Figure 3 As shown, in step S2, the dredging equipment 3 is moved and lowered into the first foundation pile 2 by the crane vessel 1; like Figure 4 As shown, in step S3, the bottom of the foundation pile 2 is scraped and stirred by the cutter 4 of the mud pumping device 3, the bottom mud layer is dispersed by outputting high-pressure water, and the mud is blown to the top of the foundation pile 2 by outputting high-pressure air, and the mud is pumped onto the crane ship 1. Step S4: The dredging equipment 3 is lifted and retrieved by the crane vessel 1 to complete the pile driving construction of the first foundation pile 2; specifically, the dredging equipment 3 is lifted and retrieved to the deck of the crane vessel 1 by the auxiliary hook of the crane vessel 1.

[0020] like Figure 5 As shown, in step S5, the crane vessel 1 is moved to the second foundation pile 2; specifically, the crane vessel 1 is moved to the next foundation pile 2 by using GPS to anchor and move the vessel.

[0021] Step S6: Move and lower the sludge pumping device 3 into the second foundation pile 2, and pump the sludge from the second foundation pile 2 into the first foundation pile 2; Step S7, repeat the above operation to complete the mud removal operation of the remaining foundation piles 2 in sequence; like Figure 6 As shown, in step S8, after completing the driving operation of the last foundation pile 2, the mud and slag on the crane vessel 1 are backfilled into the last foundation pile 2. Specifically, during the backfilling of mud and slag, the backfilling height is measured to the design elevation with the assistance of divers; through this process, all the mud and slag removed from the foundation piles 2 are ultimately backfilled into the last foundation pile, achieving zero external transportation and comprehensive utilization of mud and slag, thereby reducing costs.

[0022] Compared to the shortcomings of existing technologies, this invention utilizes high-pressure water to disperse the bottom soil and high-pressure air to blow the mud to the top of the foundation pile 2, which enhances the mud dispersion effect and improves the mud extraction efficiency. Furthermore, the high-pressure air-lift mud extraction method reduces internal friction and the soil plugging effect at the pile tip of the foundation pile 2, solving the problems of complex geology in ultra-deep sea areas and its impact on pile driving. Secondly, the rotary scraping and stirring of the bottom mud layer by the reamer 4 disperses the soil to adapt to complex geological conditions such as hard soil and clay, meeting the requirements of ultra-deep water environments. The mud and sludge are discharged, effectively solving the problem that traditional mud pumping equipment 3 cannot disperse cohesive soil. In addition, by pumping the mud and sludge from the first foundation pile 2 onto the crane vessel 1 and backfilling the mud and sludge into the last foundation pile 2, the utilization rate of mud and sludge can be improved, thereby controlling construction costs. Therefore, this invention uses an ultra-deep-sea pile internal mud pumping method to extract mud and sludge from deep-sea piles, thereby cleaning the mud and sludge at the bottom of the foundation pile 2, reducing the internal friction and soil plugging effect of the foundation pile 2, ensuring the pile driving operation of subsequent foundation pile 2 construction, and reducing the need for the use of high-energy hydraulic hammers.

[0023] like Figure 7As shown, in some embodiments, the sludge pumping device 3 includes a pipe body 5, a drive mechanism, and multiple cutters 4. The multiple cutters 4 are located at the lower end of the pipe body 5. The drive mechanism can drive the multiple cutters 4 to rotate. The pipe body 5 is provided with a high-pressure air pipe 6 and a high-pressure water pipe 7. The high-pressure air pipe 6 is provided with multiple high-pressure air holes 8. The drive mechanism includes multiple hydraulic pipes, all of which are located in the pipe body 5. One end of each hydraulic pipe is connected to a hydraulic oil pump, and the other end is connected to a hydraulic motor. The hydraulic motor can drive the cutters 4 to rotate. The high-pressure air pipe 6 is connected to an air compressor, and the high-pressure water pipe 7 is connected to a high-pressure water pump. Multiple high-pressure air holes 8 are arranged along the length of the high-pressure air pipe 6. The cables and hydraulic lines used for dredging are built into the steel pipe body 5 and connected to the corresponding equipment. The pipe body 5 can be connected and extended using bare bolts or hoses. The hydraulic drive of the reamer 4 is achieved through a hydraulic oil pump, hydraulic pipelines, and a hydraulic motor. The hydraulic motor is a low-speed, high-torque hydraulic motor that can drive the reamer 4 to rotate. Specifically, by driving the reamer 4 to rotate and scrape and stir the bottom mud layer, high-pressure air is injected into the bottom mud layer. The pressure of the high-pressure gas is used to lift the mud and sludge in the foundation pile 2 to the top, realizing the underwater dredging function. The mud and sludge located in the foundation pile 2 are then pumped to the mud receiving pool 11 of the crane vessel 1 by the dredging pump.

[0024] like Figure 2 As shown, in some embodiments, step S1 includes the following steps: Step S101: The crane vessel 1 navigates to the vicinity of the foundation pile 2 via GPS; Step S102: Anchor the crane vessel 1 to position it and complete the advance of the first foundation pile 2, so that the foundation pile 2 is close to the middle of the crane vessel 1.

[0025] Specifically, while advancing the first foundation pile 2, a mud collection pool 11 is set up on the deck of the crane vessel 1 in advance. The mud collection pool 11 is used for collecting drill cuttings inside the pile and backfilling the soil after the pile is driven. At the same time, while the crane vessel 1 is anchored and in place, the construction personnel assemble the mud pumping pipeline 10 used for mud pumping, connect water pipes, hydraulic oil pipes, air compressors and other equipment, and increase the counterweight of the mud pumping equipment 3 according to the required mud pumping depth.

[0026] like Figure 3 As shown, in some embodiments, step S2 includes the following steps: Step S201: Lift the dredging equipment 3 using the crane vessel 1, and adjust the boom angle of the crane vessel 1 so that the dredging equipment 3 is positioned above the foundation pile 2; specifically, lift the dredging equipment 3 using the auxiliary hook of the crane vessel 1.

[0027] Step S202: Slowly lower the dredging equipment 3 according to GPS, wherein the dredging equipment 3 is accurately inserted into the foundation pile 2 by underwater assistance and command from a diver. Step S203: Under the guidance of the diver, the dredging pipeline 10 connected to the dredging pump is lowered to near the top of the foundation pile 2.

[0028] Specifically, the mud and slag inside the foundation pile 2 are extracted to the vicinity of the top of the foundation pile 2 by the mud pumping equipment 3 in the form of high pressure air lift, and then the mud and slag located at the top of the foundation pile 2 are extracted to the mud receiving pool 11 of the crane vessel 1 by the mud pump.

[0029] like Figure 4 As shown, in some embodiments, step S3 includes the following steps: Step S301: Start the mud pumping equipment 3, and use the cutter 4 of the mud pumping equipment 3 to rotate and scrape the mud and stir the bottom mud layer of the foundation pile 2. Step S302: High-pressure water is output through the high-pressure water pipe 7 of the sludge pumping device 3 to flush away the bottom mud. Step S303: High-pressure air output through the high-pressure air hole 8 of the mud pumping device 3 is used to blow the mud to the top of the foundation pile 2. Step S304: Use a mud pump to pump the mud from the foundation pile 2 into the mud collection pool 11 of the crane vessel 1 until the mud is pumped to the bottom of the foundation pile 2.

[0030] Specifically, the air compressor and hydraulic system used for dredging are started. When the cutter 4 starts working, high-pressure water is output through the high-pressure water pipe 7 to flush away the bottom soil. The high-pressure air output from the high-pressure air hole 8 blows the mud to the top of the foundation pile 2. The mud on the top of the foundation pile 2 is pumped to the mud collection pool 11 on the deck of the crane ship 1 by the dredging pump again until the mud is pumped to the bottom of the foundation pile 2, thus completing the dredging operation.

[0031] like Figure 5 As shown, in some embodiments, step S6 includes the following steps: Step S601: Move and lower the dredging equipment 3 into the second foundation pile 2 using the crane vessel 1; Step S602: Connect the sludge pumping pipeline 10 to the space between the first foundation pile 2 and the second foundation pile 2. Step S603: Pump the mud and slag in the second foundation pile 2 to the required elevation position of the first foundation pile 2.

[0032] Specifically, divers connect the dredging pipeline 10 of the dredging pump between the first foundation pile 2 and the second foundation pile 2. At this point, the mud and debris at the top of the second foundation pile 2 can be pumped into the first foundation pile 2, thus raising the mud and debris from the second foundation pile 2 to the required elevation position of the first foundation pile 2. Similarly, the mud and debris from the third foundation pile 2 are pumped to the required elevation position of the second foundation pile 2, and the mud and debris from the fourth foundation pile 2 are pumped to the required elevation position of the third foundation pile 2. The above steps are repeated to complete the dredging work for the remaining foundation piles 2.

[0033] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention and does not limit the patent scope of the present invention. All equivalent structural transformations made under the inventive concept of the present invention using the contents of the present invention specification and drawings, or direct / indirect applications in other related technical fields, are included within the patent protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A method for dredging mud from piles in ultra-deep offshore areas, characterized in that: It includes the following steps: Step S1: Move the crane vessel to the vicinity of the foundation piles; Step S2: Move the dredging equipment into the first foundation pile using a crane vessel; Step S3: The bottom mud layer of the foundation pile is scraped and stirred by rotating the cutter of the mud pumping equipment. High-pressure water is output to disperse the bottom mud, and high-pressure air is output to blow the mud to the top of the foundation pile and pump the mud onto the crane barge. Step S4: The dredging equipment is lifted and retrieved by a crane vessel to complete the pile driving construction of the first foundation pile. Step S5: Move the crane vessel to the second foundation pile; Step S6: Move and lower the sludge pumping equipment into the second foundation pile, and pump the sludge from the second foundation pile into the first foundation pile; Step S7: Repeat the above operation to complete the mud removal operation of the remaining foundation piles in sequence. Step S8: After completing the driving operation of the last foundation pile, the mud and debris from the crane ship are backfilled into the last foundation pile.

2. The method for dredging mud from an ultra-deep marine pile according to claim 1, characterized in that: The sludge pumping equipment includes a pipe body, a drive mechanism, and multiple cutters. The multiple cutters are located at the lower end of the pipe body. The drive mechanism can drive the multiple cutters to rotate. The pipe body is provided with a high-pressure air pipe and a high-pressure water pipe. The high-pressure air pipe is provided with multiple high-pressure air holes.

3. The method for dredging mud from an ultra-deep marine pile according to claim 2, characterized in that: The drive mechanism includes multiple hydraulic pipes, all of which are located within the pipe body. One end of each hydraulic pipe is connected to a hydraulic oil pump, and the other end is connected to a hydraulic motor. The hydraulic motor can drive the reamer to rotate. The high-pressure air pipe is connected to an air compressor, and the high-pressure water pipe is connected to a high-pressure water pump.

4. The method for dredging mud from inside piles at ultra-deep sea depths according to claim 1, characterized in that: Step S1 includes the following steps: Step S101: The crane vessel navigates to the vicinity of the foundation piles using GPS; Step S102: Anchor the crane vessel and position it to complete the advance of the first foundation pile, bringing the foundation pile close to the middle of the crane vessel.

5. The method for dredging mud from an ultra-deep marine pile according to claim 1, characterized in that: Step S2 includes the following steps: Step S201: Lift the dredging equipment using a crane vessel, and adjust the boom angle of the crane vessel so that the dredging equipment is positioned above the foundation piles. Step S202: Slowly lower the dredging equipment according to GPS, with divers providing underwater assistance and guidance to ensure the equipment accurately enters the foundation pile. Step S203: Under the guidance of the diver, the dredging pipeline connected to the dredging pump is lowered to near the top of the foundation pile.

6. The method for dredging mud from an ultra-deep marine pile according to claim 5, characterized in that: Step S3 includes the following steps: Step S301: Start the mud pumping equipment and use the cutter of the mud pumping equipment to rotate and scrape the mud at the bottom of the foundation pile and stir the bottom mud layer. Step S302: High-pressure water is output through the high-pressure water pipe of the sludge pump to disperse the bottom mud. Step S303: High-pressure air output through the high-pressure air hole of the sludge pumping equipment is used to blow the mud to the top of the foundation pile; Step S304: Use a mud pump to pump the mud from the foundation piles into the mud collection tank of the crane vessel until the mud reaches the bottom of the foundation piles.

7. The method for dredging mud from an ultra-deep marine pile according to claim 1, characterized in that: Step S6 includes the following steps: Step S601: Move the dredging equipment into the second foundation pile using a crane vessel; Step S602: Connect the sludge pumping pipeline to the space between the first foundation pile and the second foundation pile. Step S603: Pump the mud and slag from the second foundation pile to the required elevation position of the first foundation pile.

Images