Flexible Underwater Oil Collection Balloon with Buoyancy Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for underwater oil extraction and leak containment are ineffective in deep waters and fail to efficiently collect and recover oil and gas while protecting marine environments, leading to wastage and environmental damage.
Innovation Solution
A balloon-like structure with a venting system and buoyancy control, capable of being placed over an underwater source to collect oil and gas, featuring a flexible envelope, gas vent, and control means to manage gas volume and oil level, allowing for controlled ascent and descent, and equipped with filters and sensors for efficient separation and recovery.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a rigid cap structure is used to collect hydrocarbons from a leaking well, then the collection effectiveness is improved in shallow waters, but the device cannot be practically used in deep waters
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a flexible membrane instead of a rigid cap structure. The membrane can be deployed over leaking wells at various depths and conform to the well structure, enabling both effective collection in shallow waters and practical deployment in deep waters where rigid structures would be impractical
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses a dynamically adjustable flexible membrane that can adapt its shape and position. The membrane's flexibility allows it to respond to different depth conditions and well configurations, making the system versatile across different operational environments while maintaining collection effectiveness
2Object-affected harmful factors
If current containment methods are used to mitigate environmental damage, then environmental protection is improved, but oil and gas recovery is not achieved leading to wastage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines environmental protection function with resource recovery function into a single integrated system. The flexible membrane simultaneously contains hydrocarbons to prevent environmental damage and directs them into collection vessels for recovery, eliminating the need for separate containment and recovery operations
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables self-service by automatically directing collected hydrocarbons into recovery vessels through the flexible membrane's design. The membrane's configuration and the buoyancy of collected hydrocarbons work together to naturally channel the substance into collection points, achieving both protection and recovery without additional active intervention
3Ease of manufacture
If a flexible envelope is used for the balloon-like structure, then ease of storage and transportation is improved, but structural strength to prevent collapse under pressure is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a flexible membrane that can be folded and compressed for storage and transportation. When deployed, the membrane's flexibility allows it to conform to the well structure and resist collapse through its adaptive shape rather than rigid structural support
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs buoyancy elements that provide upward force to counteract the external water pressure on the flexible membrane. This buoyant counterforce prevents the membrane from collapsing under deep water pressure while maintaining its flexible, storable form
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
The system effectively collects and recovers oil and gas in both shallow and deep waters, reducing environmental damage and wastage, while allowing for controlled operation and easy storage and transportation.
Implementation Method 1
buoyancy means adapted to control the buoyancy of the structure to enable ascent to the surface of the water in a controlled manner
Implementation Method 2
valve closure means, which valve closure means is adapted to determine the minimum volume of gas retained in the envelope and operable by floating means adapted to float on the oil
Implementation Method 3
a vent adapted to vent gas from the envelope
Data Source
AI summary
A device for collection of oil and gas from an underwater source comprising a balloon-like structure (1) defined by an envelope having an opening (18), which, in operation, is on the underside of the balloon-like structure, which balloon-like structure includes: a vent (23) adapted to vent gas in the envelope, and control means (2) for controlling the oil upper level having a closure valve (3) adapted to control flow of gas in the envelope through the vent, the valve being closable by a valve closure member operable by a float (8) adapted to float on the oil to determine the minimum volume of gas in the envelope, wherein, in use, the balloon-like structure is adapted to be placed over the source to collect oil and gasses from said underwater source. The balloon-like structure further includes buoyancy means (10, 12, 14, 16, 17) adapted to control the buoyancy of the structure to enable ascent to the surface of the water in a controlled manner. The envelope may be formed of a flexible material to enable it to be collapsed or folded for storage and/or transportation.