Container for a bacteria-containing liquid, said container comprising a submersible pump, and system for cleaning an oil-filled cable

Abstract

The invention relates to a container (10) for a bacteria-containing liquid for cleaning an oil-filled cable (12), the container comprising a submersible pump (20) in the container (10), which submersible pump is designed to inject air or pure oxygen into the bacteria-containing liquid. The invention also relates to a system for cleaning an oil-filled cable (12), said system comprising a container (10) and a pump (14) for pumping the bacteria-containing liquid from the container (10) into the oil-filled cable (12) and from the oil-filled cable (12) via an oil separator (16) back into the container (10).

Description

[0001] Container for a bacteria-containing liquid comprising a submersible pump and system for cleaning an oil cable

[0002] TECHNICAL AREA

[0003] The present disclosure relates to a container for a bacteria-containing liquid for cleaning an oil cable, comprising a submersible pump, and a system for cleaning an oil cable.

[0004] BACKGROUND

[0005] An oil-filled cable is a special type of high-voltage cable that differs from conventional cables in its use of mineral oil for insulation and cooling of the inner conductor. The oil improves the insulating properties, thus enabling the transmission of higher voltages. At the same time, it acts as a coolant, preventing the cable from overheating. Oil-filled cables were once widely used in high-voltage applications, such as in power plants, substations, overhead lines, and underground cables. Today, however, they are rarely installed due to disadvantages related to the environment, maintenance, and cost. In many areas, they have been replaced by cables with plastic insulation, which are comparatively cheaper, require less maintenance, and are more environmentally friendly.

[0006] Many kilometers of disused oil-filled power lines are laid underground. To prevent the oil from seeping into the ground, the lines would have to be excavated and disposed of. However, this is very time-consuming and expensive.

[0007] To avoid excavating oil-filled cables, it is known to leave them underground and clean them there. A solution containing bacteria is pumped into the cable and left there for a predetermined time. The bacteria in the solution are able to use the hydrocarbons in the oil as an energy source and thus break them down. The solution, along with the absorbed oil, is then pumped out of the cable. This process can be repeated several times. Once cleaned, the cable can remain underground and does not need to be excavated.

[0008] However, a problem with the cleaning of oil-filled cables described above is that

[0009] Storage of the bacteria-containing fluid before and after pumping it into and out of the oil-filled cable. The bacteria in the fluid are relatively sensitive and may die if stored improperly, or may only be able to break down a small amount of oil.

[0010] SUMMARY OF THE REVELATION

[0011] The present disclosure is based on the objective of providing a container for a bacteria-containing liquid for cleaning an oil-filled cable and a system for cleaning an oil-filled cable that enables optimal storage of the bacteria-containing liquid.

[0012] To solve this problem, a container for a bacteria-containing liquid for cleaning an oil cable is proposed, which includes a submersible pump in the container designed to blow air or pure oxygen into the bacteria-containing liquid.

[0013] The bacteria in the bacteria-containing liquid can be various types of bacteria capable of breaking down oil. These bacteria use the breakdown of oil as an energy source for their growth and metabolism. The following bacteria, among others, can be used:

[0014] Pseudomonas spp.: This genus of bacteria includes various species that are able to break down a variety of hydrocarbons, including oils.

[0015] Alcanivorax spp.: These bacteria are specialized in the degradation of aliphatic hydrocarbons, which are commonly found in oils.

[0016] Rhodococcus spp.: This is another genus of bacteria known for its ability to break down hydrocarbons. Some species of Rhodococcus can degrade both aliphatic and aromatic hydrocarbons found in various types of oils.

[0017] Bacillus spp.: This genus of bacteria is known for its versatility and ability to break down a wide range of organic substances, including some oils.

[0018] Oleispira spp.: These bacteria are specialized in the degradation of hydrocarbons and are often found in environments affected by oil pollution.

[0019] The container can be made of plastic. It can be transparent. The container can, for example, be cuboid in shape. Furthermore, the container can have a capacity of several hundred liters of bacteria-containing liquid. The submersible pump is a pump that is completely immersed in the bacteria-containing liquid and injects air or pure oxygen into it. It can be powered by electricity. In this case, all live parts are insulated from the environment, and the electric motor of the submersible pump is cooled by the surrounding liquid.

[0020] The submersible pump may include a ventilation pump or an oxygen injection pump.

[0021] The submersible pump can also include a pipe designed to supply the pump with oxygen, maintain it at a predetermined level within the container, and lower the pump into or out of the container. This pipe could, for example, be a plastic hose. Thus, the pipe serves multiple functions, eliminating the need for additional components.

[0022] To ensure a good supply of air or oxygen to the bacteria-containing liquid, the predetermined height can correspond to the bottom of the container or half the height of the container.

[0023] According to one embodiment, the container includes a magnet at its base, either inside or outside the container, for holding the submersible pump. In this case, the submersible pump comprises at least one metal element that can be detachably connected to the magnet. An advantage of the magnet is the ease with which the submersible pump can be attached and detached.

[0024] The container may further comprise an opening on the top of the container, in particular centrally on the top of the container, wherein the opening is provided for the inlet and outlet of the submersible pump.

[0025] One side of the opening can be designed to secure the pipe. In particular, the opening can be designed to be closable. A closure can be provided to close the opening and secure the pipe.

[0026] The container may further include a device for mixing the bacteria-containing liquid, the device being arranged within the container. Efficient mixing of the bacteria-containing liquid can improve oxygen exchange with the environment. This can be achieved by stirring, pumping, or another mechanical device.

[0027] For even better storage of the bacteria-containing liquid in the container, the container can include an electric heating mat that at least partially surrounds the container from the outside.

[0028] A heating mat can be a flat mat, for example, 1 cm wide, that generates heat. It can also be an electric heating mat, consisting of a thin, insulated heating cable embedded in a fabric or film. Electric current heats the cable, distributing the heat evenly across the surface of the mat. The power output of an electric heating mat can be measured in watts per square meter (W / m²). 2 The power output must be specified so that it can be determined how much heat it can generate. The electric heating mat may have a thermostat to regulate the temperature.

[0029] To precisely control the temperature of the bacteria-containing liquid in the container, the heating mat can surround the container from the sides and / or bottom. The heating mat can be attached to the container, for example, with a rubber band.

[0030] To ensure an optimal storage temperature for the bacteria-containing liquid in the container, the heating mat can be set up to heat the bacteria-containing liquid to 25 to 30 °C.

[0031] The container may further include a temperature measuring device for measuring the temperature of the bacteria-containing liquid and a control device for controlling the heating mat, the control device being configured to regulate the temperature of the heating mat depending on the temperature measured by the temperature measuring device. The temperature measuring device may be arranged inside or outside the container.

[0032] For reliable temperature measurement of the bacteria-containing liquid, the temperature measuring device can include a temperature sensor positioned in the center of the container. The temperature sensor can be suspended inside the container by a cord.

[0033] The control device can be configured, after the container has been initially filled with the bacteria-containing liquid, to control the heating mat to emit a temperature higher than 30 °C until the bacteria-containing liquid reaches a temperature of 25 to 30 °C. This can reduce the time required to reach optimal storage conditions for the bacteria-containing liquid. A flow sensor can signal to the control device when the container has been initially filled.

[0034] The control device can also be configured to control the heating mat to emit a temperature higher than 30 °C after the bacteria-containing liquid has returned to the container following cleaning of the oil cable, until the bacteria-containing liquid reaches a temperature of 25 to 30 °C. This can reduce the time required to reach optimal storage conditions for the bacteria-containing liquid. A flow sensor at the outlet of the oil cable can inform the control device when the bacteria-containing liquid has returned to the container or when the return flow has ceased.

[0035] The aforementioned task is also solved by a system for cleaning an oil-filled cable, which includes one of the containers described above and a pump for pumping the bacteria-containing liquid from the container into the oil-filled cable and from the oil-filled cable, via an oil separator, back into the container. After the oil is separated in the oil separator, the bacteria-containing liquid flows back into the container for reuse.

[0036] The pump could be, for example, a diaphragm pump, a gear pump, a piston pump, an eccentric screw pump or a submersible centrifugal pump.

[0037] The oil separator is designed to separate oil from bacteria-containing liquid. To achieve this, the oil separator can include an inlet, a calming zone, coalescing baffles, an oil separation chamber, an outlet, and a sludge collection chamber. The oily water enters the oil separator through the inlet. In the calming zone, the flow velocity of the bacteria-containing liquid is reduced so that the oil droplets can settle on the surface. The coalescing baffles, made of metal or plastic, cause the small oil droplets to coalesce into larger droplets. The separated oil collects in the oil separation chamber. The cleaned, bacteria-containing liquid flows from the oil separator through the outlet into the storage tank. Solids such as sand and dirt collect in the sludge collection chamber.

[0038] The aspects and variants described above can be combined without this being explicitly stated. Each of the described design variants is therefore optional to any other design variant or combination thereof. This disclosure is thus not limited to the individual designs and variants in the described order or to any specific combination of aspects and design variants.

[0039] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0040] Further advantages, details and features of the devices and systems described here will become apparent from the following description of exemplary embodiments and the figures.

[0041] Fig. 1 shows a schematic representation of an embodiment of a system for cleaning an oil cable;

[0042] Fig. 2 shows a schematic representation of a first embodiment of a container for storing a liquid containing bacteria; and

[0043] Fig. 3 shows a schematic representation of a second embodiment of a container for storing a liquid containing bacteria.

[0044] DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0045] Figure 1 shows a schematic representation of an embodiment of a system for cleaning an oil-filled cable 12. The oil-filled cable 12 is buried in the ground. In principle, however, any type of oil-filled cable can be cleaned with the described system.

[0046] The system comprises a tank 10, a pump 14, an oil separator 16, and a disposal tank 18. The tank 10, the pump 14, the oil separator 16, the disposal tank 18, and the oil cable 12 are connected to each other via pipes or hoses. The tank 10 includes an inlet hose 8 and a

[0047] Drain hose 9.

[0048] The following describes a process for cleaning the oil-filled cable 12. A liquid containing bacteria is introduced into the container 10. The pump 14 pumps the liquid containing bacteria from the container 10 into the oil-filled cable 12. The liquid containing bacteria then remains in the oil-filled cable 12 for a predetermined time (e.g., 24 hours). The bacteria in the liquid containing bacteria use the hydrocarbons in the oil of the oil-filled cable 12 as an energy source and break down the oil. Subsequently, the liquid containing bacteria, along with the absorbed oil, is pumped from the oil-filled cable 12 into the oil separator 16. The oil separator 16 separates the oil from the liquid containing bacteria into the disposal container 18. The remaining liquid containing bacteria is pumped back into the container 10 for reuse. The process for cleaning the oil-filled cable 12 is then repeated until the cable 12 is sufficiently clean of oil.

[0049] Fig. 2 shows a schematic representation of a first embodiment of a container 10 for storing a liquid containing bacteria. The container 10 can be the container 10 shown in Fig. 1 or another container.

[0050] Container 10 is cuboid in shape and made of plastic. It is filled with a liquid containing bacteria. Container 10 has an opening 11 at its top. A submersible pump 20 is inserted into container 10 through this opening via a hose 22. The pump can also be removed from container 10 using the hose 22. The pump 20 is supplied with power and air via the hose 22. The submersible pump 20 is designed as an aeration pump. Located at the bottom of container 10, submerged in the liquid containing bacteria, the pump 20 pumps air into the liquid, thus improving its storage conditions. The pump 20 can run continuously as long as there is a sufficient amount of liquid containing bacteria in container 10, i.e., as long as the pump 20 remains submerged.

[0051] Optionally, a magnet is attached to the bottom of the outside of the container 10, which holds the (partially metallic) submersible pump 20 detachably to the underside of the container 10.

[0052] After the submersible pump 20 has been lowered into the container 10, the hose 22 can be fixed to an edge of the opening 11 or to the top of the container using a fastening element 24. The fastening element 24 can also be integrated into a closure (not shown in Fig. 2) of the opening 11. Furthermore, a mixer 50 (for example, a rotating element that is electrically driven) can be provided in the container 10, which continuously mixes the bacteria-containing liquid to further improve the storage conditions for the bacteria-containing liquid.

[0053] Furthermore, in the embodiment shown in Fig. 2, the inlet and outlet hoses 8 and 9 shown in Fig. 1 can be provided.

[0054] Fig. 3 shows a schematic representation of a second embodiment of a

[0055] Container 10 for storing a liquid containing bacteria. Container 10 may be the container 10 shown in Fig. 1, the container 10 shown in Fig. 2, or another container. In particular, all or some of the containers shown in Figs.

[0056] The elements shown in 2 and 3 are provided in a container 10.

[0057] Container 10 is cuboid in shape and made of plastic. Container 10 is filled with a liquid containing bacteria. Container 10 has an opening 11 at its top.

[0058] The container 10 comprises an electric heating mat 30 that at least partially surrounds the container 10. In this embodiment, the heating mat 30 surrounds the container 10 laterally and from below. The heating mat 30, or another cover, can also cover the container 10 from above. The heating mat 30 is designed to heat the bacteria-containing liquid to 25 to 30 °C. The heating mat 30 has a thickness of approximately 1 to 3 cm and is attached to the container 10 by a rubber band (not shown in Fig. 3).

[0059] The container 10 further comprises a temperature measuring device 40 for measuring the temperature of the bacteria-containing liquid and a control device 35 for controlling the heating mat 30. The temperature measuring device 40 includes a temperature sensor 45, which floats centrally in the middle of the container 10. For example, the temperature sensor 45 hangs through the opening 11 on a rope (not shown in Fig. 3).

[0060] The control device 35 is configured to control the temperature of the heating mat 30 depending on the temperature measured by the temperature measuring device 40. In particular, the control device 35 is configured, after the container 10 has been initially filled with the bacteria-containing liquid, to control the heating mat 30 to emit a temperature higher than 30 °C until the bacteria-containing liquid reaches a temperature of 25 to 30 °C.

[0061] Additionally or alternatively, the control device 35 is configured to control the heating mat 30 to emit a temperature higher than 30 °C after the bacteria-containing liquid has returned to the container 10 following cleaning of the oil cable 12, until the bacteria-containing liquid has a temperature of 25 to 30 °C.

[0062] A flow sensor (not shown in Fig. 3) can signal the control device 35 when the container 10 is initially filled. A flow sensor (not shown in Fig. 3) at the outlet of the oil cable 12 can also inform the control device 35 when the bacteria-containing liquid flows back into the container 10 or when this flow has ceased. Furthermore, in the embodiment shown in Fig. 3, the inlet and outlet hoses 8 and 9 shown in Fig. 1 can be provided. In the examples presented, different features and functions of the present disclosure have been described separately and in specific combinations. However, it is understood that many of these features and functions can be freely combined with one another, unless explicitly excluded.

Claims

REQUIREMENTS 1. Container (10) for a bacteria-containing liquid for cleaning an oil cable (12), comprising a submersible pump (20) in the container (10) which is configured to blow air or pure oxygen into the bacteria-containing liquid.

2. Container (10) according to claim 1, wherein the submersible pump (20) comprises a pipe (22) which is configured to supply the submersible pump (20) with oxygen, to keep the submersible pump (20) at a predetermined height in the container (10) and to insert the submersible pump (20) into the container (10) or to discharge it from the container (10).

3. Container (10) according to claim 2, further comprising an opening (11) on a top side of the container (10), in particular centrally on a top side (11) of the container (10), wherein the opening (11) is provided for the inlet and outlet of the submersible pump (20).

4. Container (10) according to claim 3, wherein one side of the opening (11) is provided for fixing (24) the tube (22).

5. Container (10) according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the predetermined height corresponds to the bottom of the container (10) or half the height of the container (10).

6. Container (10) according to one of the preceding claims, further comprising a magnet (26) at the bottom of the container (10), inside or outside the Container (10) for holding the submersible pump (20).

7. Container (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the submersible pump (20) comprises a ventilation pump or an oxygen injection pump.

8. Container (10) according to one of the preceding claims, further comprising a device for mixing (50) the bacteria-containing liquid, wherein the device (50) is arranged in the container (10).

9. Container (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising an electric heating mat (30) that at least partially surrounds the container (10) from the outside.

10. Container (10) according to claim 9, wherein the heating mat (30) surrounds the container (10) laterally and / or underneath.

11. Container (10) according to one of claims 9 to 10, wherein the heating mat (30) is configured to heat the bacteria-containing liquid to 25 to 30 °C.

12. Container (10) according to one of claims 9 to 11, further comprising a temperature measuring device (40, 45) for measuring the temperature of the bacteria-containing liquid and a control device (35) for controlling the heating mat (30), wherein the control device (35) is configured to control the temperature of the heating mat (30) depending on the temperature measured by the temperature measuring device (40, 45).

13. Container (10) according to claim 12, wherein the control device (35) is configured to control the heating mat (30) to deliver a temperature higher than 30 °C after an initial filling of the container (10) with the bacteria-containing liquid until the bacteria-containing liquid has a temperature of 25 to 30 °C.

14. Container (10) according to claim 12 or 13, wherein the control device (35) is configured to control the heating mat (30) to deliver a temperature higher than 30 °C after a return of the bacteria-containing liquid to the container (10) following a cleaning of the oil cable (12), until the bacteria-containing liquid has a temperature of 25 to 30 °C.

15. Container (10) according to one of claims 12 to 14, wherein the temperature measuring device (40, 45) comprises a temperature sensor (45) which is arranged in the center of the container (10).

16. System for cleaning an oil cable (12), comprising a container (10) according to one of the preceding claims and a pump (14) for pumping the bacteria-containing liquid from the container (10) into the oil cable (12) and from the oil cable (12) via an oil separator (16) into the container (10).

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