Seafloor Mining Tools for Deep Water Ore Recovery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current seafloor mining technologies are limited to shallow waters and complex topographies, and lack the capability to efficiently operate at significant depths and varying seabed conditions, restricting the retrieval of valuable deposits.
Innovation Solution
A method involving multiple seafloor mining tools, including an auxiliary mining tool for traversing uneven terrain, a bulk mining tool for cutting benches, and a gathering machine for pumping ore slurry to a riser system, which lifts the ore to a surface vessel, allowing for operation in deep waters and complex topographies.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional dredging equipment is used, then shallow water mining is effective, but deep water operation capability is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the mining operation into multiple independent components: an auxiliary mining tool for terrain preparation, a bulk mining tool for ore extraction, and a gathering machine for material collection and slurry pumping. Each component is independently controllable and optimized for its specific function, enabling reliable operation in deep water environments where complete system failure would otherwise occur.
Solution Approach 2:
The mining tools are designed with dynamic positioning and orientation capabilities, allowing them to adapt to varying seabed topographies and maintain stable operation at different water depths. The tools can dynamically adjust their configuration and position to optimize performance across different operational conditions.
2Productivity
If bulk mining is performed on complex topography, then mining efficiency increases, but tool interference and umbilical entanglement increase
Solution Approach 1:
The mining process is segmented into distinct phases performed by specialized tools: terrain preparation by the auxiliary tool, bulk mining by the dedicated mining tool, and gathering by the separate gathering machine. This segmentation allows each tool to operate independently with reduced interference, while maintaining high overall productivity through coordinated operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system utilizes three-dimensional spatial arrangement of multiple mining tools operating simultaneously at different positions and orientations on the seabed. This dimensional distribution minimizes tool interference and umbilical entanglement while maximizing mining efficiency through parallel operations.
3Productivity
If multiple mining tools are deployed, then ore recovery is maximized, but system complexity and operational difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
Each mining tool is designed with multi-functional capabilities that simplify overall system operation. The auxiliary mining tool can perform both terrain preparation and preliminary mining, the bulk mining tool integrates cutting and material discharge functions, and the gathering machine combines material collection with slurry pumping. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate operations required while maximizing ore recovery.
4Strength
If cutter suction dredging is used, then hard rock can be cut, but energy consumption increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The cutting operation is segmented between the auxiliary mining tool for preliminary breakdown of hard rock and the bulk mining tool for efficient bulk material removal. This segmentation allows hard rock to be fractured into smaller pieces that require less energy to remove in bulk, reducing overall energy consumption while maintaining cutting capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system utilizes hydraulic systems for both cutting operations and material removal, replacing energy-intensive mechanical cutter suction dredging with more efficient hydraulic fracture and slurry pumping techniques that reduce overall energy consumption while maintaining the ability to cut hard rock.
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 efficient retrieval of seafloor materials at depths greater than 1500 meters and complex topographies, maximizing ore recovery and site productivity while minimizing tool interference and umbilical entanglement, with adaptable buoyancy and propulsion systems for navigation.
Implementation Method 1
lifting the slurry to a surface vessel using a riser and lifting system
Implementation Method 2
lifting the slurry to a surface vessel
Implementation Method 3
pumping gathered ore as a slurry from the gathering machine to a riser base
Data Source
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AI summary
A system for seafloor mining. A seafloor auxiliary mining tool works a seafloor site to prepare a bench, and deposits cut ore in a gathering area. A seafloor bulk mining tool undertakes production cutting of a bench and deposits cut ore in a gathering area. A seafloor gathering machine gathers cut ore deposited in the gathering area and pumps gathered ore as a slurry to a riser base. A riser and lifting system receives slurry from the gathering machine and lifts the slurry to the surface. A surface vessel receives slurry from the riser and lifting system.