Spherical Cap Directioning Body for Underwater Hydrocarbon Recovery
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing equipment for underwater hydrocarbon recovery during uncontrolled releases, such as blowouts, is ineffective in containing and conveying hydrocarbons due to high-pressure streams causing turbulent motions and dispersion, leading to environmental damage and safety risks.
Innovation Solution
A cylindrical directioning body with a perforated spherical cap is used to attenuate the momentum of the hydrocarbon stream, allowing for effective separation into a heavy and light phase within a tubular separation chamber, which is then conveyed to the surface using pumping and ejection systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If hollow containers or dome-shaped shields are positioned above the well outlet to capture hydrocarbons, then containment is attempted, but the high outflow power induces hydrocarbons to exit from the base of the structure rather than through controlled ducts
Solution Approach 1:
The invention employs a substantially spherical cap-shaped structure positioned above the well outlet. The curved, dome-like geometry is specifically designed to effectively deviate and redirect high-rate hydrocarbon streams, utilizing fluid dynamics principles to guide the flow into controlled upward ducts rather than allowing escape at the base. This curved configuration proves superior to conventional dome shapes in handling high-velocity blowout conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The spherical cap structure incorporates multiple separate upwardly extending ducts distributed across its surface. This segmentation allows the system to capture and channel hydrocarbon flow through multiple controlled pathways simultaneously, increasing overall containment effectiveness and preventing base escape even under high outflow conditions.
2Productivity
If a cone structure with slits is used to direct fluid through a duct, then hydrocarbons can be conveyed to the surface, but turbulent motions generated by plume impact can cause jet emission from the cone and reduced recovery efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces the conical structure with a substantially spherical cap geometry. This curved configuration reduces turbulent motions caused by plume impact, allowing for more stable and efficient hydrocarbon conveyance through the upwardly extending ducts without jet emission disruptions.
3Device complexity
If conventional structures are used for high-rate blowout streams, then structure simplicity is maintained, but the power of the phenomenon causes hydrocarbons to exit from the base rather than controlled ducts
Solution Approach 1:
The spherical cap configuration provides an effective geometric solution for containing high-rate blowout streams. The curved geometry naturally deviates hydrocarbon flow and directs it into controlled ducts, maintaining structural simplicity while significantly improving containment reliability compared to conventional flat or conical designs.
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 solution enables efficient interception, containment, and recovery of hydrocarbons, minimizing environmental dispersion and ensuring effective separation and conveyance of hydrocarbons, even during high-rate blowouts.
Implementation Method 1
a directioning body (18) of the hydrocarbon stream coming from the well (21), having a substantially cylindrical shape, or as a truncated paraboloid with both ends open, wherein a first end is an inlet of the hydrocarbon stream coming from the well (21), and a second end, distal with respect to the inlet of the hydrocarbon stream (20), is in fluid connection with the separation chamber (23)
Implementation Method 2
chamber (23) for the separation of the flow of hydrocarbons coming from the well (21) into a heavy phase (23a) and a light phase (23b)
Implementation Method 3
pumping means (16) for the conveyance of the heavy phase (23a) towards the surface
Implementation Method 4
ejection system (17) for the conveyance of the light phase (23b) towards the surface
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to equipment for the conveying and recovery of hydrocarbons from an underwater well for the extraction of hydrocarbons under uncontrolled release conditions, comprising a chamber (23) for the separation of the hydrocarbon stream leaving the well, into a heavy phase (23a) and a light phase (23b), means (15,16,17,24,25,26) being envisaged, in connection with the separation chamber (23), for conveying the heavy phase (23a) and light phase (23b) towards the surface, characterized in that it comprises a directioning body (18) of the hydrocarbon stream, having a substantially cylindrical shape, or as a truncated paraboloid with both ends open, wherein a first end is an inlet of the hydrocarbon stream leaving the well, and a second end, distal with respect to the inlet of the hydrocarbon stream (20), is in fluid connection with the separation chamber (23) with the interpositioning of a perforated spherical cap (22).