Autonomous Buoy Hydrocarbon Detection and Sampling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional marine surveying methods for hydrocarbon exploration are limited by poor imaging fidelity, especially at increasing depths, and are costly and inefficient due to the need for manned vessels, which restricts the ability to accurately detect and sample subsurface hydrocarbon accumulations.
Innovation Solution
An autonomous buoy system that combines remote sensing with concurrent sampling operations, using buoys equipped with sensors and sampling components to identify and collect samples of hydrocarbons, biological materials, and chemical anomalies in near real-time, enhancing the detection and characterization of environmental features in marine environments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional reflection seismic technology is used for remote sensing, then hydrocarbon accumulations can be identified, but imaging fidelity deteriorates with increasing depth
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an autonomous buoy as an intermediary platform between the sea surface and subsurface hydrocarbon accumulations. The buoy carries sensors (mass spectrometer, fluorometer, UV sensors) that directly sample and analyze hydrocarbon indicators in the water column, providing intermediate measurement data that bridges the gap between surface remote sensing and deep subsurface imaging, thereby maintaining measurement precision independent of depth
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical/acoustic seismic imaging system with a chemical/biological sensing system. Instead of using acoustic waves that lose fidelity with depth, the system uses chemical sensors (mass spectrometer for hydrocarbon composition, fluorometer for aromatic compounds, UV sensors for oil slicks) that detect hydrocarbon indicators directly in the water column, eliminating the depth-related imaging degradation problem
2Reliability
If manned vessels are deployed for sampling operations, then samples can be collected, but operational costs and deployment time increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The autonomous buoy is equipped with self-contained sampling and analysis capabilities, including mass spectrometer, fluorometer, UV sensors, and automated sample collection systems. The buoy independently navigates to identified targets, collects samples, analyzes them onboard, and transmits data without requiring human intervention or manned vessel support, thereby eliminating deployment time and operational costs while maintaining reliable sample collection
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the sampling and analysis functions from the manned vessel context and transfers them to the autonomous buoy platform. By removing the need for vessel deployment, crew operations, and shore-based processing, the system achieves rapid deployment and continuous operation, converting a time-intensive manual process into an automated, always-on monitoring system
3Measurement precision
If conventional marine surveying approaches are used, then hydrocarbon locations can be identified, but the ability to confirm presence and volume of accumulations is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple detection and sampling modalities into a single integrated buoy system: mass spectrometer for hydrocarbon composition identification, fluorometer for aromatic compound detection, UV sensors for surface oil slick detection, and automated sampling systems. This multi-sensor fusion provides complementary information that confirms both the presence and volume of hydrocarbon accumulations, eliminating the information loss inherent in single-method approaches
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements real-time feedback through continuous monitoring and analysis. The buoy autonomously navigates, collects samples, analyzes them onboard using multiple sensors, and immediately transmits results. This closed-loop feedback system allows for real-time verification of hydrocarbon presence and volume, enabling dynamic adjustment of sampling strategies and providing immediate confirmation data that conventional batch-processing approaches cannot deliver
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach provides more detailed and cost-effective characterization of marine environments, enabling more accurate identification and sampling of hydrocarbon accumulations, biodiversity data, and environmental monitoring, while reducing the need for manned vessels and improving the timeliness and accuracy of data collection.
Implementation Method 1
A buoy may include a mass spectrometer configured to detect waterborne liquid hydrocarbons
Implementation Method 2
A buoy may include a fluorometer configured to detect waterborne liquid hydrocarbons
Implementation Method 3
A boom may be secured between the buoys. The boom may be configured to maintain waterborne liquid hydrocarbons at a surface of the body of water
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 1C~1E
Figure 2
AI summary
Method and system is described for hydrocarbon exploration and development. The method and system include one or more remote devices, such as buoys, which are utilized to identify and collect samples of target materials. The buoys include measurement components, sampling components and storage components to manage the obtained samples.