Seabed Methane Hydrate Detection via Backscattering Strength
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current seabed resource exploration methods, such as seismic exploration, are inefficient and costly, failing to directly confirm the presence of resources like methane hydrate, leading to potential missed discoveries during mining.
Innovation Solution
A seabed resource exploration system that transmits sound waves into the sea, receives scattered waves reflected from methane gas and hydrate mixtures, and analyzes backscattering strength to determine methane hydrate presence using a predetermined relationship of backscattering strength values, enabling precise detection of methane hydrate deposits.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If seismic exploration method is used, then geology exploration can be performed, but resources cannot be directly confirmed and exploration cost and time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and focuses on detecting specific target objects (methane hydrate, gas hydrate, oil, natural gas) directly in the seabed using acoustic imaging, rather than performing comprehensive geology exploration. This extraction of the essential detection function eliminates unnecessary exploration steps, directly confirming resource presence without time-consuming geological surveys.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces an acoustic image as an intermediary representation that directly visualizes the distribution and state of resources in the seabed. This acoustic image serves as a mediator between the sonar device and resource confirmation, providing direct visual evidence of resource presence, composition, and saturation state, thereby enabling reliable and rapid resource detection.
2Reliability
If seismic exploration method is used, then geology exploration can be performed, but exploration expense increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and focuses on detecting specific target objects (methane hydrate, gas hydrate, oil, natural gas) directly in the seabed using acoustic imaging, rather than performing comprehensive geology exploration. This extraction of the essential detection function eliminates unnecessary exploration steps, directly confirming resource presence without expensive geological surveys.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses a sonar device that generates acoustic images for direct resource detection, replacing expensive and complex seismic exploration equipment and methods. This simpler, more affordable acoustic imaging approach provides sufficient information for resource confirmation at a fraction of the cost of traditional seismic exploration.
3Ease of operation
If mineral resources are sought only by geology data search, then exploration process is simplified, but resource detection reliability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention introduces an acoustic image as an intermediary representation that directly visualizes the distribution and state of resources in the seabed. This acoustic image serves as a mediator between the sonar device and resource confirmation, providing direct visual evidence of resource presence, composition, and saturation state, thereby enabling reliable and rapid resource detection.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces traditional mechanical/geological exploration methods with acoustic imaging technology. Instead of physically examining geological samples and data, the system uses sound waves to create visual images of resources in their natural state, substituting a simpler acoustic measurement system for complex geological analysis while improving detection reliability.
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 method allows for reliable and cost-effective exploration of seabed resources by accurately identifying methane hydrate deposits based on calculated backscattering strength, reducing the risk of missed discoveries and minimizing exploration expenses and time.
Implementation Method 1
transmitting means for transmitting a sound wave into the sea
Implementation Method 2
receiving means for receiving a scattered wave in which the sound wave is reflected on a boundary surface between seawater and a mixture of methane gas and methane hydrate
Data Source
AI summary
A seabed resource exploration system includes: a vibrator 1 for transmitting a sound wave into the sea and receiving a scattered wave in which the sound wave is reflected on a boundary surface between seawater and a mixture of methane gas and methane hydrate, which exists in the seawater; and an analyzer 17 for determining that the methane hydrate exists in a seabed immediately under the mixture when backscattering strength, calculated by the transmitted sound wave and the received scattered wave, is in a predetermined relationship. The predetermined relationship satisfies a relationship that a maximum value of the backscattering strength is −60 to −30 dB and an average value of the backscattering strength is −70 to −50 dB. The backscattering strength is on a grid obtained by cutting the mixture into round slices in the depth direction by a predetermined width, in a range from the seabed to a predetermined height.