Hypergravity Centrifuge for Deep-Sea Stress Field Simulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current experimental devices lack the capability to realistically simulate the deep-sea high pressure and low temperature environment necessary for natural gas hydrate mining under hypergravity conditions, limiting the effectiveness of mining methods and increasing the risk of geological and engineering disasters.
Innovation Solution
A hypergravity experimental device is developed, comprising a high pressure reactor, hypergravity water pressure control module, and temperature control systems, which uses a centrifuge to simulate the deep-sea environment, allowing for realistic reproduction of the stress field and temperature conditions, enabling the depressurization and heat shock methods for natural gas hydrate mining.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If normal gravity experimental devices are used, then the device complexity is low, but the simulation accuracy of deep-sea stress field is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by transitioning from normal gravity (1g) to hypergravity (ng) conditions through centrifugal acceleration. This fundamental parameter change enables the experimental device to reproduce the self-weight stress field of deep-sea reservoirs, achieving realistic simulation of effective stress conditions that cannot be obtained under normal gravity. The hypergravity parameter allows the model to reflect the true stress state of deep reservoirs while maintaining manageable device scale.
2Measurement precision
If the model size is increased to simulate deep reservoir stress field, then the simulation accuracy improves, but the device size and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dimensionality change by introducing the hypergravity dimension (centrifugal acceleration) to achieve stress field simulation. Instead of increasing model size in three-dimensional space, the invention uses the hypergravity dimension to reproduce deep-sea stress conditions. This allows realistic simulation of deep reservoir stress fields while keeping the physical model size manageable, as the stress field is reproduced through acceleration rather than scale.
3Reliability
If hypergravity experimental conditions are implemented, then the simulation realism of deep-sea environment is improved, but the device complexity and operational difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the hypergravity experimental system into distinct functional modules: the hypergravity centrifuge system for generating stress field, the temperature control system for maintaining low-temperature conditions, the pressure control system, and the data acquisition system. This modular segmentation allows each subsystem to be optimized and controlled independently, reducing operational complexity while maintaining the integrated hypergravity environment necessary for realistic deep-sea simulation.
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 device effectively simulates the deep-sea environment, allowing for the realistic reproduction of natural gas hydrate mining processes, providing insights into mining efficiency and safety, and reducing the risk of disasters by accurately mimicking the seabed stress field and temperature conditions.
Implementation Method 1
The hypergravity (ng) experimental device is equipped with a hypergravity centrifuge, which uses hypergravity to reproduce the real effective stress of the reservoir
Implementation Method 2
The depressurization mining breaks the phase equilibrium state of natural gas hydrate through reducing pressure for natural gas hydrate to decompose
Implementation Method 3
The heat shock method heats the natural gas hydrate reservoir through various heating technologies, so that the temperature of the reservoir reaches the decomposition temperature of natural gas hydrate
Data Source
AI summary
A pressure-control temperature-control hypergravity experimental device includes a high pressure reactor, a hydraulic oil station, a manifold board, a hypergravity water pressure control module, a hypergravity mining control module, a kettle body temperature control module, and a data collection box. The hydraulic oil station is connected to the manifold board and then two paths are formed. The two paths are respectively connected to the high pressure reactor via the hypergravity water pressure control module and the hypergravity mining control module. The kettle body temperature control module is connected to the high pressure reactor. The high pressure reactor, the manifold board, the data collection box, the hypergravity water pressure control module and the hypergravity mining control module are disposed on a hypergravity centrifuge air-conditioning chamber. The hydraulic oil station, a computer and the kettle body temperature control module are disposed outside the hypergravity centrifuge air-conditioning chamber.