Hold Offloading System With Localized Fluidization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for unloading sand or other materials from bulk carriers are inefficient, requiring complex equipment and leading to high costs and risks, with fluidization systems often causing overloading and corrosion in the vessel's hull.
Innovation Solution
A localized fluidization-suction-pump-drive system that includes a fluidization portion and a suction head in proximity, with nozzles connected to a shield directing fluidization inward toward the suction head, allowing for local fluidization and immediate removal of material without flooding the entire hold, reducing the need for vessel modifications and minimizing corrosion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If hydraulic transport is used to unload bulk carriers, then reliable and cost-effective material transport is achieved, but fluidization inside the cargo space becomes complex and challenging
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies local fluidization only in the immediate vicinity of the suction head rather than fluidizing the entire cargo hold. The nozzles are positioned to direct fluidization locally, and a shield contains the fluidized material zone, achieving reliable material transport while minimizing system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The fluidization system is segmented into localized zones around the suction head rather than a comprehensive hold-wide system. The shield divides the cargo space into a fluidized zone and a non-fluidized zone, simplifying the overall system architecture while maintaining transport reliability.
2Productivity
If fluidization is applied throughout the entire hold, then maximum loading capacity can be utilized, but the vessel's loading capacity is exceeded and corrosion in the hull structure occurs
Solution Approach 1:
Fluidization is applied locally only where material is being suctioned rather than throughout the entire hold. This localized approach maintains productivity by efficiently removing material while minimizing the volume of water in the hold, thereby preventing hull corrosion.
Solution Approach 2:
The harmful effect of excessive water in the hold is eliminated by extracting fluidization to only the necessary local zone. The shield contains the fluidized material, preventing it from spreading and causing corrosion throughout the hull structure.
3Ease of operation
If conventional unloading systems are used, then bulk carriers can be unloaded, but conversion to slurry for offloading is required which is not economically feasible
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses the bulk carrier's existing structure and capabilities without requiring conversion to a slurry vessel. The localized fluidization-suction system operates directly within the bulk carrier hold, eliminating the need for economically prohibitive modifications while maintaining unloading capability.
4Quantity of substance
If nozzles are oriented outward to fluidize material, then general fluidization is achieved, but fluidization is not directed to a precise area
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of orienting nozzles outward to create general fluidization, the nozzles are directed inward toward the suction head. This inverted orientation precisely directs fluidization to the area where material needs to be removed, improving both precision and efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The shield acts as an intermediary that directs and contains the fluidized material flow toward the suction head. It mediates between the nozzles and the suction area, ensuring precise localization of fluidization and preventing dispersion.
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 system enables cost-effective and efficient unloading of bulk carriers by keeping fluidization localized, preventing overloading and corrosion, and allowing for the use of bulk carriers without significant modifications, thus reducing economic risks and operational costs.
Implementation Method 1
These localized fluidization-suction-pump-drive systems allow for local fluidization within a holding space and removal of that locally fluidized material from the holding space
Implementation Method 2
a suction head in proximity to the fluidization portion for suctioning the locally fluidized material
Data Source
Figure 1a
Figure 1b
Figure 1c
AI summary
A hold offloading system comprises a holding space (10) for containing a material; and a localized fluidization-suction-pump-drive system (12) for locally fluidizing the material and transporting the fluidized material out of the holding space. The fluidization-suction-pump-drive system (12) includes a fluidization portion (14) and a suction head (16) in proximity to the fluidization portion for suctioning the locally fluidized material.