Gravity-Sealed Brine Extraction Device for Narrow Boreholes
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The challenge is to extract brine from deep underground salt caverns, where existing electronic devices are unsuitable due to corrosive conditions and limited pipe diameter, preventing the use of large equipment.
Innovation Solution
A liquid taking device comprising a bottle with a heavy ball and control ropes, where the heavy ball blocks the mouth to prevent leakage and allows brine to flow in when the mouth is turned upward, utilizing a displacement liquid with lower density to facilitate extraction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of moving object
If a pipe string with small diameter is used to connect underground salt cavern and ground surface, then the device can be lowered to the required depth, but large equipment cannot be passed through and operation is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The liquid taking device is divided into multiple components that can pass through the narrow pipe string: a bottle for collecting liquid, a heavy ball for sealing, and control ropes for operation. These segmented components can be lowered through the small-diameter pipe string individually and assembled or operated at depth, resolving the contradiction between reaching great depth and passing large equipment.
2Extent of automation
If electronic liquid taking devices are used, then automated liquid taking can be achieved, but they are not suitable for corrosive brine environments
Solution Approach 1:
The device uses simple mechanical components (bottle, heavy ball, control ropes) that operate automatically through gravity and buoyancy principles. The heavy ball automatically seals the bottle mouth when the bottle is inverted, and the displacement liquid automatically flows in when the bottle is upright, eliminating the need for electronic controls that would be vulnerable to corrosion.
3Productivity
If the bottle mouth is open to allow liquid flow, then brine can be taken in, but liquid leakage occurs when the bottle is inverted
Solution Approach 1:
The heavy ball acts as an intermediary sealing element between the bottle interior and exterior. When the bottle is inverted, the heavy ball falls to the mouth opening under gravity and blocks it, preventing leakage of the collected brine. When the bottle is upright, the heavy ball settles at the bottom, opening the mouth for liquid intake. This intermediary element enables both functions without direct mechanical valves.
4Productivity
If displacement liquid with lower density is used, then brine can flow in when bottle is upright, but the device becomes heavier to lower
Solution Approach 1:
The heavy ball serves as a counterweight that enables the bottle to be inverted and controlled during operation. Its weight provides the necessary momentum to overcome the buoyancy of the displacement liquid and allows the operator to maneuver the bottle into the correct orientation for liquid intake or sealing, compensating for the added weight of the displacement liquid.
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
Enables effective and simple extraction of brine from deep underground salt caverns by controlling the device's position and orientation with control ropes, preventing leakage and ensuring the brine's composition is not affected.
Implementation Method 1
the heavy ball blocks the mouth to prevent leakage
Implementation Method 2
utilizing a displacement liquid with lower density to facilitate extraction
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosure provides a liquid taking device and a liquid taking method. The liquid taking device comprises a liquid taking bottle, a heavy ball and liquid taking ropes. The liquid taking bottle has a first mouth and a bottom opposite to the first mouth. The heavy ball is arranged in the liquid taking bottle. The liquid taking device can be controlled to reach different depths under the ground by the action of two liquid ropes. When the first mouth of the bottle is placed facing downward, the heavy ball blocks the first mouth of the bottle under its own gravity to prevent liquid leakage; when the first mouth of the bottle is turned upwards under the action of the liquid taking rope, the heavy ball falls onto the bottom of the bottle, such that an external liquid can flow into the liquid taking device, which has a good practical utility.