EP1644589B9 - Method and device for collecting fresh water - Google Patents

Method and device for collecting fresh water Download PDF

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Publication number
EP1644589B9
EP1644589B9 EP04767334A EP04767334A EP1644589B9 EP 1644589 B9 EP1644589 B9 EP 1644589B9 EP 04767334 A EP04767334 A EP 04767334A EP 04767334 A EP04767334 A EP 04767334A EP 1644589 B9 EP1644589 B9 EP 1644589B9
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Prior art keywords
duct
tank
fresh water
water
spring
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German (de)
French (fr)
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EP1644589A1 (en
EP1644589B1 (en
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Pierre Becker
Thierry Carlin
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NYMPHEA ENVIRONNEMENT
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Nymphea Water
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    • EFIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E03WATER SUPPLY; SEWERAGE
    • E03BINSTALLATIONS OR METHODS FOR OBTAINING, COLLECTING, OR DISTRIBUTING WATER
    • E03B3/00Methods or installations for obtaining or collecting drinking water or tap water
    • E03B3/06Methods or installations for obtaining or collecting drinking water or tap water from underground

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a method of capturing fresh water from an underwater freshwater source.
  • the present invention also relates to a freshwater collection device and a process for placing a freshwater collection device at the bottom of the sea. These freshwater springs are resurgences of freshwater underwater at the bottom of the sea.
  • a reservoir structure with concavity directed downwards covering the source of fresh water, and in which the fresh water is trapped in the upper part thanks to its lower density than that of seawater.
  • This structure is open at its base to allow the evacuation of sea water and / or filling with fresh water.
  • the catchment method and device must make it possible to avoid the mixing of fresh and sea water, so that pure fresh water is collected.
  • the hydraulic pressure at the flow orifice of the freshwater source is related to the height of the wafer above said orifice, c that is to say at the depth of the orifice at the rate of 1 bar per ten meters of depth. This hydraulic pressure is independent of the natural flow rate of the source.
  • FR 2 701 974 are specially adapted for freshwater catchment along the coasts and can not be used for offshore sources at the bottom of the sea and far away from the coast. In any case, these methods and devices of capture do not make it possible to avoid the mixture of the sea salt water and the fresh water during its capture.
  • the open base of the tank is moored at the bottom of the sea at a distance from the bottom, thus facilitating the installation of the device in case of crowded environment of the seabed such as rocks or rugged terrain. Under these conditions, however, it is not practical in practice to avoid the mixing of sea water and fresh water inside the tank.
  • the open base of the tank conforms to the seabed in a sealed manner, so as to avoid the mixing of seawater and freshwater after the initial emptying phase of the tank initially filled with seawater
  • non-return valves allowing the evacuation of the water in case of increase of the flow rate of the source, thus avoiding causing excessive hydraulic overpressure at the level of the source.
  • the increases in flow are such that one is obliged to provide a very large number of valves.
  • these valves are relatively fragile mechanical devices, calibrated for a given flow, and which further increase the cost of the device. These methods and capture devices are therefore not satisfactory both economically and technically.
  • the catchment device is not easy to install when the seabed, near the source, is uneven because, in this case, it is difficult to ensure the seal between the seabed and the sea. the open base of the reservoir which represents a relatively large diameter.
  • the object of the present invention is therefore to provide freshwater collection methods and devices which are simple and inexpensive to produce and install, which operate in a technically reliable manner over time and which combine the advantages of absence of mixing. sea water and fresh water and no risk of excessive hydraulic overpressure at the source, so as to avoid causing irremediable damage in the natural duct, and which do not require a contribution d energy, especially by pumping.
  • the present invention provides a method for capturing fresh water from an underwater freshwater source at the seabed according to claim 1.
  • the fresh water is harvested at the end of said second conduit at a rate corresponding to the average flow rate of said freshwater source.
  • the height H and the dimensions of the first duct are therefore determined as a function of ⁇ PS.
  • said length 1 is greater than or equal to H.
  • the tolerated hydraulic overpressure ( ⁇ PS) at the source is less than or equal to 0.1 bar (10 4 Pa).
  • the present invention provides a freshwater capture device from an underwater freshwater source for a process according to claim 5.
  • the present invention also provides a process for placing a freshwater catching device in the seabed according to claim 15.
  • the methods and the device for capturing fresh water according to the invention are advantageous for several reasons.
  • the method and device according to the invention make it possible to capture the fresh water with a flow rate of freshwater uptake that is substantially constant, without the risk of excessive overpressure and thus avoiding any hydrogeological disturbance of the source that may result therefrom, and this, in the absence of mechanical means (s) flow control inside said first and second conduits such as evacuation check valves, especially at the junction of said first and second ducts or at the tank level.
  • the method and device according to the invention make it possible to regulate the flow taken from the source and the hydraulic load from the source to its output, regardless of its natural flow, avoiding the risk of intrusion of salt water into the delivery pipe ashore through said second pipe in case of excessive pumping, and this by means of regulation based on a principle hydraulic and non-mechanical and therefore in the absence of the implementation of additional mechanical control means.
  • the adjustment of the height H of the interface has a direct influence on the flow passing through said second duct t 2 , as well as on the value of the overpressure generated on the source.
  • the pressure drops P 1 in said first pipe t 1 are related to the geometry and, of course, to the state of the surface of the constituent material of the inner wall of said ducts, as well as to the speed of the water flowing in said first pipe.
  • the H value remains constant. However, in the event of accidental removal greater than the natural flow rate of the source, the level of fresh water in the upper part of said first conduit will drop and pass under the lower end of said second conduit t 2 , which will have the effect of bring air into said second conduit t 2 3 and not salt water because the system is momentarily defused.
  • said tank is lowered to the bottom of the sea, empty of air and thus filled with seawater, and when it is positioned above the upper end of said first conduit t 1 , it injects the air inside the tank and it is the amount of air injected into said tank that adjusts the height H.
  • the tightness at the lower end of said first conduit is obtained by ensuring that the perimeter of the conduit matches the contour of the relief of the seabed at the source.
  • Said first duct may be moored at the bottom of the sea by ballast or a peripheral ring at the bottom.
  • the first pipe t 1 extends over a height of water preferably greater than the altitude of the relief of the seabed, in the immediate vicinity of the source and / or obstacles and congestion, natural or not , such as mainly rocks.
  • the open base of the tank can thus be moored to the bottom of the sea and / or said first pipe, cleared at a distance above the source and, in particular, above said relief and / or objects, natural or not , in the area of the source.
  • a freshwater catchment system was designed to harvest fresh water from the so-called "Mortola” spring in Italy between Menton and Ventimiglia.
  • This source has an average fresh water flow of 100 1 / s.
  • Hydrogeologists have determined that the maximum permissible hydraulic overpressure for this source is 0.1 bar.
  • This source is located at a depth of 36 m and its orifice comes out at the foot of boulders from a height of 5 m. It is located 800 m from the coast.
  • first conduit t 1 2 with a total height of 7 m, having a tubular running portion with circular section with a diameter of 0.4 m.
  • Said first conduit t 1 2 is terminated at its lower end 2 1 by a downwardly flared funnel and whose lower end forms a circle 1.3 m in diameter, so as to come to surround said source in view of the geometry of the outlet orifice of said source.
  • This first lower funnel 2 1 consists of a rigid sheet, plastic or metal, surrounding the circular end of the running portion of said first conduit t 1 2 at its lower end.
  • Said lower funnel 21 represents a height of 4 m.
  • Said first conduit t 1 2 comprises, in its upper part, a second funnel 2 2 of small and large bases with circular sections, also made by winding a metal sheet or thermoformed plastic, surrounding the upper end portion of said first leads.
  • This flared upward shape of the upper part of said first duct aims to facilitate the discharge of the excess flow of fresh water from the source inside the tank 4.
  • the open bottom base of the first funnel 2 1 is integral with a base 8 resting at the bottom of the sea and surrounding the source. It may also be surrounded by a roll of sand or concrete or other circumferential ballast ensuring sealing with the seabed.
  • the current portion of said first pipe t 1 2 may consist of a flexible or rigid pipe. It is arranged vertically above said source.
  • Said tank 4 consists of a rigid upper envelope 4 1 traversed at its center by a second conduit t 2 3, preferably rigid, with a diameter of 0.4 m.
  • the rigid casing constitutive of the upper portion of said container 4 forms a hemispherical cap 4 1 of diameter 1.8 m and extended at its base by a frustoconical surface hereinafter referred cone 4 2 2 m height surrounding said first conduit . It is the open base of said cone 4 2 which lets out the excess fresh water in case of flood of the source.
  • the base of the cone 4 2 is moored by mooring means 7 1 to said first conduit t 1 2, so that the base of said cone is located at a height of 5 m from the seabed.
  • the presence of the cone 4 2 is optional. It is possible to moor the base of the cap 4 1 directly to said first conduit.
  • the portion of said second conduit t 2 3 located inside said reservoir 4 has a length of 1 m.
  • the height H between the air-water interface 6 inside the reservoir 4 and the air-water interface at the upper end of said upper funnel 2 2 of said first conduit t 1 2 is 0.2 m.
  • the lower end 3 1 of said second conduit t 2 3 comprises at its periphery gussets or webs 9 which serve as reinforcements and centering of said lower end of the second conduit inside said funnel 2 1 at the upper end of said first leads.
  • a flowmeter 10 has been represented at approximately halfway up the said first duct. It is the characteristics of this flowmeter 10 which have justified the use of a portion of said first duct t 1 2 which is narrower at this level for adapt it to the flowmeter 10 that was available.
  • reinforcement elements 7 1 have also been fitted, which also serve as bolting anchors on a base 8 sealingly surrounding the orifice of the source 1.
  • the flow rate passing through said pipe t 2 by the path C 2 remains about the average flow of 100 1 / s, while the flow rate of the fresh water passing through the path C 1 in the annular space between the lower end of said second pipe t 2 and the upper end of said first pipe t 1 , is 400 l / s maximum in general.
  • the fresh water overflows from the upper end of said first conduit t 1 2 and flows into the air along the outer wall of said first upper funnel 2 1 and then arrives in the salt water, which has the effect of hunting, by the lower part of the tank, a quantity of fresh water so that the volume of compressed air 5 contained in the tank 4 remains constant and the height H.
  • the fresh water passes into said second conduit t 2 3 flowing at the average flow rate of the source of 100 l / s in view of the dimensioning of said first pipe and the determination of the value H d on the one hand, and the fact that the maximum hydraulic overpressure tolerated by the source is 0.1 bar.
  • H mass volume of fresh water
  • the "resistance" encountered by the fresh water to flow through the pipe t 2 is equal to the pressure losses generated by its flow in said pipe t 2, but is calculated in a conventional manner as a function of diameter, the length of said pipe t 2 and the flow rate.
  • the rigid envelope 4 1 and the cone 4 2 constituting said reservoir 4 may be made of a plastic material, a composite material or steel.
  • This freshwater collection system can operate, as mentioned above, without a pump since the fresh water, due to its lower density than seawater, naturally rises to the surface.
  • the altitude level at which said second conduit t 2 3 emerges must be sufficiently below sea level to at least compensate the pressure drops in the pipe t 2 .

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Environmental & Geological Engineering (AREA)
  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Hydrology & Water Resources (AREA)
  • Public Health (AREA)
  • Water Supply & Treatment (AREA)
  • Physical Water Treatments (AREA)
  • Heat Treatment Of Water, Waste Water Or Sewage (AREA)
  • Separation Using Semi-Permeable Membranes (AREA)
  • Electrical Discharge Machining, Electrochemical Machining, And Combined Machining (AREA)
  • Excavating Of Shafts Or Tunnels (AREA)
  • Removal Of Floating Material (AREA)
  • Jet Pumps And Other Pumps (AREA)

Abstract

The process involves collecting fresh water in a pipe (3) having a lower end extending inside another pipe (2). A discharge from a source is poured from an upper end (2 2) of the pipe (2) into a reservoir containing air, when the discharge exceeds a given discharge. The reservoir confines the air above a water-air interface situated inside the reservoir. The end (2 2) is situated above the level of the interface. Independent claims are also included for the following: (a) a fresh water collecting device (b) a process of placing a fresh water collecting device at bottom of sea.

Description

La présente invention concerne un procédé de captage d'eau douce provenant d'une source d'eau douce sous-marine. La présente invention concerne également un dispositif de captage d'eau douce et un procédé de mise en place au fond de la mer d'un dispositif de captage d'eau douce. Ces sources d'eau douce constituent des résurgences d'eau douce sous-marine au fond de la mer.The present invention relates to a method of capturing fresh water from an underwater freshwater source. The present invention also relates to a freshwater collection device and a process for placing a freshwater collection device at the bottom of the sea. These freshwater springs are resurgences of freshwater underwater at the bottom of the sea.

On connaît déjà différents procédés et dispositifs de captage de sources sous-marines d'eau douce, tels que ceux décrits en particulier dans la demande de brevet en France FR 2 701 974 ou dans la demande internationale WO 00/79309 au nom de la demanderesse.Various methods and devices for capturing freshwater submarine sources, such as those described in particular in the French patent application, are already known. FR 2 701 974 or in the international application WO 00/79309 in the name of the plaintiff.

Dans ces procédés et dispositifs, on met en oeuvre une structure-réservoir à concavité dirigée vers le bas, coiffant la source d'eau douce, et dans laquelle l'eau douce est piégée en partie haute grâce à sa densité plus faible que celle de l'eau de mer. Cette structure est ouverte à sa base pour permettre l'évacuation de l'eau de mer et/ou le remplissage par l'eau douce.In these methods and devices, a reservoir structure with concavity directed downwards, covering the source of fresh water, and in which the fresh water is trapped in the upper part thanks to its lower density than that of seawater. This structure is open at its base to allow the evacuation of sea water and / or filling with fresh water.

Il existe plusieurs difficultés pour réaliser un procédé et dispositif de captage d'eau douce en mer satisfaisant.There are several difficulties in achieving a satisfactory process and device for capturing fresh seawater.

En premier lieu, il faut que le dispositif de captage soit simple et aisé à installer au fond de la mer et peu coûteux à réaliser.In the first place, it is necessary that the collection device is simple and easy to install at the bottom of the sea and inexpensive to achieve.

En second lieu, les procédé et dispositif de captage doivent permettre d'éviter le mélange entre l'eau douce et l'eau de mer, de façon à ce que l'on récolte de l'eau douce pure.Secondly, the catchment method and device must make it possible to avoid the mixing of fresh and sea water, so that pure fresh water is collected.

Enfin, il faut que ces procédé et dispositif n'engendrent pas de perturbation de la charge hydraulique de la source d'eau douce. On sait, en effet, qu'une source d'eau douce sous-marine fraye son chemin à travers des conduits naturels souterrains et que l'écoulement de la source peut être perturbé, voire interrompu de manière irrémédiable, lorsqu'une surpression hydraulique excessive est exercée au niveau de l'orifice d'écoulement de la source causant des dégâts ou modifications dans lesdits conduits naturels souterrains fragiles. Pour chaque source, les hydrogéologues sont capables de déterminer la valeur de la surpression limite tolérable à ne pas dépasser pour ne pas perturber l'écoulement de ladite source, laquelle surpression hydraulique se situe, en général, entre 0 et 0,1 bar (104 Pa).Finally, it is necessary that these method and device do not cause disturbance of the hydraulic load of the fresh water source. Indeed, it is known that a source of freshwater submarine fogs its way through underground natural conduits and that the flow of the source can be disrupted or irreparably interrupted when excessive hydraulic overpressure is exerted at the flow orifice of the source causing damage or alterations in these fragile underground natural conduits. For each source, the hydrogeologists are able to determine the value of the tolerable overpressure limit not to exceed so as not to disturb the flow of said source, which hydraulic overpressure is, in general, between 0 and 0.1 bar (10 4 Pa).

En l'absence de tout dispositif de captage, la pression hydraulique, au niveau de l'orifice d'écoulement de la source d'eau douce, est liée à la hauteur de la tranche d'eau située au-dessus dudit orifice, c'est-à-dire à la profondeur de l'orifice à raison de 1 bar par dizaine de mètres de profondeur. Cette pression hydraulique est indépendante du débit naturel d'écoulement de la source.In the absence of any sensing device, the hydraulic pressure at the flow orifice of the freshwater source is related to the height of the wafer above said orifice, c that is to say at the depth of the orifice at the rate of 1 bar per ten meters of depth. This hydraulic pressure is independent of the natural flow rate of the source.

En revanche, en présence d'un dispositif de captage, il se produit des pertes de charges par frottement de l'eau s'écoulant dans ledit dispositif. Cette perte de charge par frottement est proportionnelle à la valeur du débit d'écoulement de l'eau dans le dispositif de captage. Les sources d'eau douce peuvent connaître des variations naturelles de débit, notamment en cas de crue, pouvant aller jusqu'à une multiplication du débit d'un facteur 5, voire 10. Ces variations de débit induisent une surpression hydraulique au niveau de la source, due à l'accroissement de perte de charge liée au passage de l'eau à travers les conduits des dispositifs de captage le cas échéant.On the other hand, in the presence of a sensing device, frictional losses of water flowing in said device occur. This frictional pressure drop is proportional to the value of the flow rate of the water in the collection device. Freshwater sources can experience natural variations in flow, especially in the event of flooding, which can go up to a multiplication of the flow by a factor of 5, or even 10. These flow variations induce a hydraulic overpressure at the level of the source, due to the increase in pressure drop due to the passage of water through the conduits of the collection devices if necessary.

Plus généralement, en pratique, il est difficile de réunir les deux conditions de non-miscibilité d'eau de mer et d'eau douce et d'absence de surpression hydraulique excessive au niveau de la source, tout en mettant en oeuvre un dispositif de captage simple et peu coûteux à réaliser et à installer et fiable techniquement, sans apport d'énergie tel que par pompage.More generally, in practice, it is difficult to combine the two conditions of non-miscibility of seawater and fresh water and the absence of excessive hydraulic overpressure at the source, while implementing a device for capture simple and inexpensive to achieve and install and technically reliable, without energy input such as pumping.

Les procédés et dispositifs décrits dans FR 2 701 974 sont spécialement adaptés au captage d'eau douce le long des côtes et ne peuvent pas être mis en oeuvre pour des sources situées en pleine mer, au fond de la mer et à grande distance de la côte. En tout état de cause, ces procédés et dispositifs de captage ne permettent pas d'éviter le mélange de l'eau de mer salée et de l'eau douce lors de son captage.The methods and devices described in FR 2 701 974 are specially adapted for freshwater catchment along the coasts and can not be used for offshore sources at the bottom of the sea and far away from the coast. In any case, these methods and devices of capture do not make it possible to avoid the mixture of the sea salt water and the fresh water during its capture.

Dans WO 00/79309 , différents procédés et dispositifs de captage d'eau douce sont décrits, dans lesquels on récupère l'eau douce dans un réservoir à base ouverte, en forme de cloche ou chapeau, recouvrant la source d'eau douce au fond de la mer, puis un tuyau remontant depuis le sommet dudit réservoir jusqu'à la surface de la mer.In WO 00/79309 various fresh water capture methods and devices are described, in which fresh water is recovered in an open-base, bell-shaped or hat-shaped tank, covering the source of fresh water at the bottom of the sea, and then a pipe rising from the top of said tank to the surface of the sea.

Dans un premier mode de réalisation de WO 00/79309 , la base ouverte du réservoir est amarrée au fond de la mer à une certaine distance du fond, facilitant ainsi l'installation du dispositif en cas d'environnement encombré du fond de la mer tel que des rochers ou un relief accidenté. Dans ces conditions, on n'arrive cependant pas en pratique à éviter le mélange de l'eau de mer et de l'eau douce à l'intérieur du réservoir.In a first embodiment of WO 00/79309 , the open base of the tank is moored at the bottom of the sea at a distance from the bottom, thus facilitating the installation of the device in case of crowded environment of the seabed such as rocks or rugged terrain. Under these conditions, however, it is not practical in practice to avoid the mixing of sea water and fresh water inside the tank.

Dans un deuxième mode de réalisation de WO 00/79309 , la base ouverte du réservoir épouse le fond de la mer de manière étanche, de manière à éviter le mélange de l'eau de mer salée et de l'eau douce après la phase initiale de vidage du réservoir initialement rempli d'eau de mer. Dans ce deuxième mode de réalisation, on prévoit des clapets anti-retour permettant l'évacuation de l'eau en cas d'augmentation du débit d'écoulement de la source, évitant ainsi d'occasionner une surpression hydraulique excessive au niveau de la source. Toutefois, en pratique les augmentations de débit sont telles que l'on est obligé de prévoir un très grand nombre de clapets. Or, ces clapets sont des dispositifs mécaniques relativement fragiles, calibrés pour un débit donné, et qui augmentent en outre le coût du dispositif. Ces procédés et dispositifs de captage ne sont donc pas satisfaisants aussi bien économiquement que techniquement. En outre le dispositif de captage n'est pas aisé à installer lorsque le fond de la mer, à proximité de la source, est accidenté car, dans ce cas, il est difficile d'assurer l'étanchéité entre le fond de la mer et la base ouverte du réservoir qui représente un diamètre relativement important.In a second embodiment of WO 00/79309 , the open base of the tank conforms to the seabed in a sealed manner, so as to avoid the mixing of seawater and freshwater after the initial emptying phase of the tank initially filled with seawater In this second embodiment, there are provided non-return valves allowing the evacuation of the water in case of increase of the flow rate of the source, thus avoiding causing excessive hydraulic overpressure at the level of the source. However, in practice the increases in flow are such that one is obliged to provide a very large number of valves. However, these valves are relatively fragile mechanical devices, calibrated for a given flow, and which further increase the cost of the device. These methods and capture devices are therefore not satisfactory both economically and technically. In addition, the catchment device is not easy to install when the seabed, near the source, is uneven because, in this case, it is difficult to ensure the seal between the seabed and the sea. the open base of the reservoir which represents a relatively large diameter.

En résumé, les procédés et dispositifs de captage d'eau douce sous-marine antérieurs présentent les lacunes et inconvénients suivants :

  • soit le système est complètement étanche à l'eau salée mais l'augmentation de débit d'écoulement d'eau douce en cas de crue (le débit pouvant varier d'un rapport de 1 à 10 en quelques heures) induit une augmentation de la perte de charge liée au frottement et une montée en pression hydraulique de la source pouvant engendrer des dégâts irrémédiables dans le conduit naturel,
  • soit le système implique la présence de surfaces ouvertes au milieu salé ambiant pendant l'évacuation de l'excédent épisodique d'eau douce, ce qui entraîne des contaminations au niveau de l'interface eau douce/eau salée, et
  • enfin, un pompage, dans ces systèmes antérieurs, peut engendrer des variations négatives de pression en cas d'augmentation du débit de la source et, donc, créer un phénomène d'aspiration de l'eau salée polluant alors la conduite en amont.
In summary, previous underwater freshwater capture methods and devices have the following shortcomings and disadvantages:
  • either the system is completely watertight but the increase in flow rate of freshwater in case of flood (the flow rate may vary by a ratio of 1 to 10 in a few hours) induces an increase in pressure loss due to friction and a rise in hydraulic pressure of the source that can cause irreparable damage in the natural pipe,
  • either the system involves the presence of open surfaces in the ambient saline environment during the evacuation of the episodic excess of fresh water, resulting in contamination at the freshwater / saltwater interface, and
  • finally, a pumping, in these prior systems, can cause negative pressure variations in case of increase in the flow rate of the source and, therefore, create a phenomenon of suction of salt water polluting the pipe upstream.

Le but de la présente invention est donc de fournir des procédés et dispositifs de captage d'eau douce qui soient simples et peu coûteux à réaliser et installer, qui fonctionnent de façon techniquement fiable dans la durée et qui cumulent les avantages d'absence de mélange d'eau de mer et d'eau douce et d'absence de risque de surpression hydraulique excessive au niveau de la source, de manière à éviter d'engendrer des dégâts irrémédiables dans le conduit naturel, et qui ne nécessitent pas d'apport d'énergie, par pompage notamment.The object of the present invention is therefore to provide freshwater collection methods and devices which are simple and inexpensive to produce and install, which operate in a technically reliable manner over time and which combine the advantages of absence of mixing. sea water and fresh water and no risk of excessive hydraulic overpressure at the source, so as to avoid causing irremediable damage in the natural duct, and which do not require a contribution d energy, especially by pumping.

Pour ce faire, selon un premier aspect, la présente invention fournit un procédé de captage d'eau douce provenant d'une source d'eau douce sous-marine au fond de la mer selon la revendication 1.To do this, according to a first aspect, the present invention provides a method for capturing fresh water from an underwater freshwater source at the seabed according to claim 1.

On comprend que l'extrémité supérieure dudit premier conduit débouche à l'intérieur dudit réservoir.It is understood that the upper end of said first conduit opens into said tank.

Ainsi on évite tout contact et donc toute pollution entre l'eau douce et l'eau salée mais aussi on limite la surcharge hydraulique sur la source engendrée par le dispositif.Thus it avoids any contact and therefore any pollution between fresh and salt water but also limits the hydraulic overload on the source generated by the device.

Dans un mode préféré de réalisation, l'eau douce est récoltée à l'extrémité dudit deuxième conduit à un débit correspondant au débit moyen de ladite source d'eau douce.In a preferred embodiment, the fresh water is harvested at the end of said second conduit at a rate corresponding to the average flow rate of said freshwater source.

Comme expliqué ci-après, ledit premier conduit t1 est dimensionné et la valeur de H est déterminée de telle sorte que : ϱ 1 × g × H + G + P 1 ΔPS

Figure imgb0001

  • Figure imgb0002
    = masse volumique de l'eau douce,
  • g = 9,81 m/s2,
  • P1 = perte de charge dans ledit premier conduit lorsque l'eau douce s'écoule audit débit donné, notamment débit moyen d'écoulement de la source,
  • ΔPS = surpression hydraulique limite tolérable par ladite source d'eau douce. Il s'agit d'une valeur connue ou déterminable pour chaque source, ΔPS étant de préférence inférieur ou égal à 104 Pa.
  • G = gain de la poussée d'Archimède lié au phénomène de remplacement du poids de la colonne d'eau de mer par le poids de la colonne d'eau douce dans ledit premier conduit.
As explained below, said first path t 1 is dimensioned and the value of H is determined such that: ρ 1 × boy Wut × H + BOY WUT + P 1 Aps
Figure imgb0001
  • Figure imgb0002
    = density of fresh water,
  • g = 9.81 m / s 2 ,
  • P 1 = pressure drop in said first duct when the fresh water flows at said given flow rate, in particular the average flow rate of the source,
  • ΔPS = hydraulic overpressure limit tolerable by said source of fresh water. This is a known or determinable value for each source, ΔPS being preferably less than or equal to 10 4 Pa.
  • G = gain of Archimedes' thrust linked to the phenomenon of replacement of the weight of the seawater column by the weight of the freshwater column in said first duct.

Ce gain G s'écrit : G = ( ϱ 1 × g × H 1 ) - ( ϱ 2 × g × H 1 ) ,

Figure imgb0003

  • H1 = hauteur du niveau de l'interface eau-air dans le réservoir par rapport au fond de la mer au niveau de la source.
  • Figure imgb0004
    = masse volumique de l'eau de mer.
This gain G is written: BOY WUT = ( ρ 1 × boy Wut × H 1 ) - ( ρ 2 × boy Wut × H 1 ) ,
Figure imgb0003
  • H 1 = height of the water-air interface level in the reservoir relative to the seabed at the source.
  • Figure imgb0004
    = density of seawater.

La hauteur H et les dimensions du premier conduit sont donc déterminées en fonction de ΔPS.The height H and the dimensions of the first duct are therefore determined as a function of ΔPS.

Selon une autre caractéristique préférée de réalisation du procédé, pour que le deuxième tuyau t2 reste toujours en contact avec l'eau circulant dans ledit premier conduit t1, ladite longueur 1 est supérieure ou égale à H.According to another preferred embodiment of the method, so that the second pipe t 2 always remains in contact with the water flowing in said first pipe t 1 , said length 1 is greater than or equal to H.

En général, la surpression hydraulique limite tolérée (ΔPS) au niveau de la source est inférieure ou égale à 0,1 bar (104 Pa).In general, the tolerated hydraulic overpressure (ΔPS) at the source is less than or equal to 0.1 bar (10 4 Pa).

Selon un autre aspect de l'invention, la présente invention fournit un dispositif de captage d'eau douce provenant d'une source d'eau douce sous-marine pour un procédé selon la revendication 5.According to another aspect of the invention, the present invention provides a freshwater capture device from an underwater freshwater source for a process according to claim 5.

Selon des modes de réalisation particuliers et avantageux du dispositif selon l'invention :

  • le dispositif comprend des premiers moyens d'amarrage dudit premier conduit t1 au fond de la mer et/ou à une embase reposant au fond de la mer, et desdits seconds moyens d'amarrage dudit deuxième conduit et/ou dudit réservoir ainsi amatté(s) au fond de la mer et/ou au dit premier conduit,
  • ledit réservoir est solidaire dudit deuxième conduit et entoure celui-ci de manière étanche,
  • ledit réservoir est constitué par une enveloppe, qui peut être notamment souple ou rigide, traversée de manière étanche par ledit deuxième conduit t2,
  • ladite enveloppe présente dans sa partie supérieure une forme de calotte sensiblement hémisphérique ou de cloche.
  • ladite enveloppe souple est apte à adopter une forme de calotte sensiblement hémisphérique ou de cloche au fond de la mer lorsqu'elle est amarrée et que l'on injecte de l'air comprimé dessous ladite enveloppe,
  • le dispositif comprend des moyens d'injection d'air comprimé à l'intérieur dudit réservoir,
  • le diamètre de la base ouverte dudit réservoir est tel que sa surface d'ouverture soit au moins égale à celle de la source.
  • la longueur dudit premier conduit t1 est supérieure ou égale à la hauteur des reliefs et/ou objets, naturels ou non, reposant au fond de la mer dans la proximité de ladite source sous-marine dans un rayon correspondant à celui de la base ouverte du réservoir,
  • la partie supérieure dudit premier conduit t1 entourant la partie inférieure dudit deuxième tuyau est évasée en forme d'entonnoir avec sa petite base inférieure,
  • Ce mode de réalisation favorise le bon déversement de l'excès de débit d'eau douce dans le réservoir en tant que de besoin,
  • Le diamètre D1 dudit premier conduit t1 au niveau de l'extrémité inférieure dudit deuxième conduit t2 est tel que la surface annulaire entre les deux dits premier et deuxième conduits à ce niveau est supérieure ou égale à la surface de la section dudit premier conduit (soit supérieur à πD1 2/4 pour une section circulaire).
  • ledit deuxième conduit remonte directement en surface, de préférence sensiblement verticalement depuis l'extrémité supérieure dudit deuxième conduit, et l'eau douce est récupérée en surface et transportée à terre de préférence par un navire.
  • ledit deuxième conduit peut redescendre et reposer au fond de la mer pour rejoindre la côte, et ainsi acheminer l'eau à la côte, de préférence en débouchant à terre à une hauteur inférieure au niveau de la mer.
According to particular and advantageous embodiments of the device according to the invention:
  • the device comprises first means for docking said first duct t 1 to the seabed and / or a base resting at the bottom of the sea, and said second means for docking said second duct and / or said tank thus amputated ( (s) at the bottom of the sea and / or the said first conduit,
  • said reservoir is secured to said second conduit and surrounds it in a sealed manner,
  • said reservoir is constituted by an envelope, which can be in particular flexible or rigid, penetrated in a sealed manner by said second conduit t 2 ,
  • said envelope has in its upper part a substantially hemispherical cap or bell shape.
  • said flexible envelope is adapted to adopt a substantially hemispherical cap or bell shape at the bottom of the sea when it is moored and that compressed air is injected under said envelope,
  • the device comprises means for injecting compressed air into said reservoir,
  • the diameter of the open base of said reservoir is such that its opening area is at least equal to that of the source.
  • the length of said first duct t 1 is greater than or equal to the height of the reliefs and / or objects, natural or not, resting at the bottom of the sea in the vicinity of said submarine source in a radius corresponding to that of the open base of the tank,
  • the upper part of said first duct t 1 surrounding the lower part of said second pipe is flared in the shape of a funnel with its small lower base,
  • This embodiment promotes the good discharge of the excess flow of fresh water into the tank as needed,
  • The diameter D 1 of said first duct t 1 at the lower end of said second duct t 2 is such that the annular surface between the two said first and second ducts at this level is greater than or equal to the area of the section of said first duct conduit (πD 1 is greater than 2/4 for a circular section).
  • said second duct rises directly to the surface, preferably substantially vertically from the upper end of said second duct, and the fresh water is recovered on the surface and preferably transported to shore by a vessel.
  • said second conduit can descend and rest at the bottom of the sea to reach the coast, and thus bring water to the coast, preferably by opening on land at a height below sea level.

La présente invention fournit également un procédé de mise en place an fond de la mer d'un dispositif de captage d'eau douce selon la revendication 15.The present invention also provides a process for placing a freshwater catching device in the seabed according to claim 15.

Les procédés et le dispositif de captage d'eau douce selon l'invention sont avantageux à plusieurs titres.The methods and the device for capturing fresh water according to the invention are advantageous for several reasons.

En premier lieu, ils permettent de capter l'eau douce en empêchant tout contact, et donc tout mélange eau douce-eau salée, et donc de récolter une eau douce pure. En effet, l'air à l'intérieur du réservoir crée une interface infranchissable par l'eau salée qui ne peut contaminer l'eau douce récoltée à travers ledit deuxième conduit t2.First, they can capture fresh water by preventing any contact, and therefore any mixture fresh water-salt water, and therefore to harvest pure fresh water. Indeed, the air inside the tank creates an impassable interface by salt water that can contaminate the fresh water harvested through said second conduit t 2 .

En second lieu, les procédé et dispositif selon l'invention permettent de capter l'eau douce avec un débit de captage d'eau douce sensiblement constant, sans risque de surpression excessive et donc en évitant toute perturbation hydrogéologique de la source pouvant en résulter, et ce, en l'absence de moyen(s) mécanique(s) de régulation de débit à l'intérieur desdits premier et deuxième conduits tels que des clapets anti-retour d'évacuation, notamment au niveau de la jonction desdits premier et deuxième conduits ou au niveau du réservoir.Secondly, the method and device according to the invention make it possible to capture the fresh water with a flow rate of freshwater uptake that is substantially constant, without the risk of excessive overpressure and thus avoiding any hydrogeological disturbance of the source that may result therefrom, and this, in the absence of mechanical means (s) flow control inside said first and second conduits such as evacuation check valves, especially at the junction of said first and second ducts or at the tank level.

Au total, les procédé et dispositif selon l'invention permettent de réguler le débit prélevé de la source et la charge hydraulique de la source à sa sortie, indépendamment de son débit naturel, en évitant le risque d'intrusion d'eau salée dans la conduite d'acheminement à terre à travers ledit deuxième tuyau en cas de pompage excessif, et ce par des moyens de régulation fondés sur un principe hydraulique et non mécanique et donc en l'absence de la mise en oeuvre de moyens de régulation additionnels mécaniques.In total, the method and device according to the invention make it possible to regulate the flow taken from the source and the hydraulic load from the source to its output, regardless of its natural flow, avoiding the risk of intrusion of salt water into the delivery pipe ashore through said second pipe in case of excessive pumping, and this by means of regulation based on a principle hydraulic and non-mechanical and therefore in the absence of the implementation of additional mechanical control means.

Comme montré sur la figure 1, si le débit de l'eau douce s'écoulant de la source, excède le débit limite donné, celle-ci peut suivre deux chemins à l'extrémité supérieure dudit premier tuyau, à savoir :

  • un premier chemin C2 par lequel elle remonte à la surface à travers ledit deuxième conduit t2 au débit donné, de préférence le débit moyen de la source, et
  • un deuxième chemin C1 par lequel elle passe dans l'espace annulaire à l'intérieur dudit premier conduit t1 et à l'extérieur dudit deuxième conduit t2 à un débit correspondant au différentiel entre le débit de la source et ledit débit donné.
As shown on the figure 1 if the flow rate of the fresh water flowing from the source exceeds the given flow rate, it may follow two paths at the upper end of said first pipe, namely:
  • a first path C 2 through which it rises to the surface through said second conduit t 2 at the given flow rate, preferably the average flow rate of the source, and
  • a second path C 1 through which it passes into the annular space inside said first duct t 1 and outside said second duct t 2 at a rate corresponding to the differential between the flow rate of the source and said given flow rate.

Il est possible de déterminer les dimensions des conduits t1 et t2 et la hauteur H, entre l'interface eau-air dans le réservoir et l'extrémité supérieure dudit premier tuyau, de telle sorte que, lorsque le débit de la source correspond au débit que l'on souhaite prélever, notamment au débit moyen d'écoulement de la source, toute l'eau douce suit le chemin C2 à travers ledit deuxième conduit et la surpression, au niveau de la source, reste inférieure ou égale à la surpression limite tolérée de la source.It is possible to determine the dimensions of the ducts t 1 and t 2 and the height H, between the water-air interface in the tank and the upper end of said first pipe, so that when the flow rate of the source corresponds at the flow rate that it is desired to take, especially at the average flow rate of the source, all the fresh water follows the path C 2 through said second conduit and the overpressure, at the source, remains less than or equal to the permissible overpressure of the source.

En effet, le réglage de la hauteur H de l'interface influe directement sur le débit passant dans ledit deuxième conduit t2, ainsi que sur la valeur de la surpression engendrée sur la source.Indeed, the adjustment of the height H of the interface has a direct influence on the flow passing through said second duct t 2 , as well as on the value of the overpressure generated on the source.

En pratique, on peut procéder de la manière suivante :

  1. 1) On mesure le débit moyen de la source, et
  2. 2) On détermine la hauteur H de telle sorte que l'expression
    Figure imgb0005
    x g x H + G + P1 ≤ ΔPS soit vérifiée.
In practice, we can proceed as follows:
  1. 1) We measure the average flow of the source, and
  2. 2) The height H is determined so that the expression
    Figure imgb0005
    xgx H + G + P 1 ≤ ΔPS be checked.

Les pertes de charge P1 dans ledit premier tuyau t1, sont liées à la géométrie et, bien sûr, à l'état de la surface du matériau constitutif de la paroi interne desdits conduits, ainsi qu'à la vitesse de l'eau circulant dans ledit premier tuyau.The pressure drops P 1 in said first pipe t 1 are related to the geometry and, of course, to the state of the surface of the constituent material of the inner wall of said ducts, as well as to the speed of the water flowing in said first pipe.

Ainsi, en cas de crue et d'augmentation du débit d'eau douce au niveau de la source, on observe que le débit s'écoulant à travers ledit deuxième conduit t2, est constant, quel que soit le débit d'écoulement au niveau de la source, et la hauteur H reste constante, l'excès de débit s'écoulant à travers ledit deuxième chemin C1. L'eau douce déborde de l'extrémité supérieure dudit premier conduit t1 dans l'air le long de la paroi extérieure dudit premier conduit t1 puis arrive dans l'eau salée, à la jonction interface air-eau, dans la partie basse dudit réservoir, ce qui a pour effet de chasser, par la partie basse dudit réservoir, une quantité équivalente d'eau, le volume d'air restant donc constant à l'intérieur dudit réservoir et la surpression hydraulique tolérée au niveau de la source n'étant jamais dépassée.Thus, in case of flood and increase of the fresh water flow at the source, it is observed that the flow flowing through said second duct t 2 is constant, regardless of the flow rate at the outlet. the level of the source, and the height H remains constant, the excess flow flowing through said second path C 1 . The fresh water overflows from the upper end of said first duct t 1 into the air along the outer wall of said first duct t 1 and then arrives in the salt water, at the air-water interface junction, in the lower part of said tank, which has the effect of driving, by the lower part of said tank, an equivalent amount of water, the volume of air thus remaining constant inside said tank and the hydraulic overpressure tolerated at the source n 'being never exceeded.

La valeur H reste constante. Toutefois, en cas de prélèvement accidentel supérieur au débit naturel de la source, le niveau d'eau douce dans la partie supérieure dudit premier conduit va baisser et passer sous l'extrémité inférieure dudit deuxième conduit t2, ce qui va avoir pour effet de faire rentrer de l'air dans ledit deuxième conduit t2 3 et non pas de l'eau salée car le système se désamorce momentanément.The H value remains constant. However, in the event of accidental removal greater than the natural flow rate of the source, the level of fresh water in the upper part of said first conduit will drop and pass under the lower end of said second conduit t 2 , which will have the effect of bring air into said second conduit t 2 3 and not salt water because the system is momentarily defused.

En pratique, ledit réservoir est descendu au fond de la mer, vide d'air et donc rempli d'eau de mer, et, lorsqu'il est position au-dessus de l'extrémité supérieure dudit premier conduit t1, on injecte de l'air à l'intérieur du réservoir et c'est la quantité d'air injectée dans ledit réservoir qui permet de régler la hauteur H.In practice, said tank is lowered to the bottom of the sea, empty of air and thus filled with seawater, and when it is positioned above the upper end of said first conduit t 1 , it injects the air inside the tank and it is the amount of air injected into said tank that adjusts the height H.

On comprend que la forme et la valeur du volume dudit réservoir n'ont pas d'incidence sur le principe de captage hydraulique de l'eau douce et seront le plus petit possible et le plus adapté à la facilité d'installation dudit réservoir au fond de la mer.It is understood that the shape and value of the volume of said reservoir do not affect the principle of hydraulic capture of fresh water and will be as small as possible and most suitable for the ease of installation of said tank at the bottom of the sea.

L'étanchéité à l'extrémité inférieure dudit premier conduit, est obtenue en faisant en sorte que le périmètre du conduit épouse le contour du relief du fond de la mer au niveau de la source. Ledit premier conduit peut être amarré au fond de la mer par des lests ou un boudin périphérique reposant au fond.The tightness at the lower end of said first conduit, is obtained by ensuring that the perimeter of the conduit matches the contour of the relief of the seabed at the source. Said first duct may be moored at the bottom of the sea by ballast or a peripheral ring at the bottom.

Pour minimiser les pertes de charges dans le premier conduit t1 et donc la surpression qu'elles induisent au niveau de la source, il est avantageux de mettre en oeuvre un tuyau t1 le plus court possible et de plus grand diamètre. En pratique, le premier tuyau t1 s'étend sur une hauteur d'eau de préférence supérieure à l'altitude du relief du fond sous-marin, dans la proximité immédiate de la source et/ou des obstacles et encombrements, naturels ou non, tels que principalement des rochers.To minimize the pressure losses in the first duct t 1 and therefore the pressure they induce at the source, it is advantageous to implement a t 1 pipe as short as possible and larger diameter. In practice, the first pipe t 1 extends over a height of water preferably greater than the altitude of the relief of the seabed, in the immediate vicinity of the source and / or obstacles and congestion, natural or not , such as mainly rocks.

La base ouverte du réservoir peut ainsi être amarrée au fond de la mer et/ou au dit premier tuyau, dégagée à une certaine distance au-dessus de la source et, notamment, au-dessus dudit relief et/ou objets, naturels ou non, dans la zone de la source.The open base of the tank can thus be moored to the bottom of the sea and / or said first pipe, cleared at a distance above the source and, in particular, above said relief and / or objects, natural or not , in the area of the source.

D'autres caractéristiques et avantages de la présente invention apparaîtront à la lumière détaillée d'un mode de réalisation qui va suivre, fait en référence aux figures 1 et 2 qui représentent respectivement un dispositif de captage installé au fond de la mer, au-dessus d'une source sous-marine d'eau douce (figure 1) et le réservoir 4 (figure 2).Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent in the detailed light of an embodiment which follows, with reference to figures 1 and 2 which respectively represent a collection device installed at the bottom of the sea, above a submarine source of fresh water ( figure 1 ) and the tank 4 ( figure 2 ).

On a réalisé un dispositif de captage d'eau douce adapté pour récolter l'eau douce de la source dite de "la Mortola" située en Italie entre Menton et Vintimille. Cette source présente un débit moyen d'eau douce de 100 1/s. Les hydrogéologues ont déterminé que la surpression hydraulique maximale tolérable pour cette source, est de 0,1 bar. Cette source est située à une profondeur de 36 m et son orifice sort au pied de blocs rocheux d'une hauteur de 5 m. Elle est située à 800 m de la côte.A freshwater catchment system was designed to harvest fresh water from the so-called "Mortola" spring in Italy between Menton and Ventimiglia. This source has an average fresh water flow of 100 1 / s. Hydrogeologists have determined that the maximum permissible hydraulic overpressure for this source is 0.1 bar. This source is located at a depth of 36 m and its orifice comes out at the foot of boulders from a height of 5 m. It is located 800 m from the coast.

Compte-tenu de la configuration de l'orifice de la source et des obstacles environnant ledit orifice au fond de la mer, on utilise un premier conduit t1 2 d'une hauteur totale de 7 m, présentant une partie courante tubulaire à section circulaire de diamètre de 0,4 m. Ledit premier conduit t1 2 est terminé à son extrémité inférieure 21 par un entonnoir évasé vers le bas et dont l'extrémité inférieure forme un cercle de diamètre 1,3 m, de manière à bien venir entourer ladite source compte-tenu de la géométrie de l'orifice de sortie de ladite source. Ce premier entonnoir inférieur 21 est constitué d'une tôle rigide, plastique ou métallique, entourant l'extrémité circulaire de la partie courante dudit premier conduit t1 2 à son extrémité inférieure. Ledit entonnoir inférieur 21 représente une hauteur de 4 m.Given the configuration of the orifice of the source and the obstacles surrounding said orifice at the bottom of the sea, using a first conduit t 1 2 with a total height of 7 m, having a tubular running portion with circular section with a diameter of 0.4 m. Said first conduit t 1 2 is terminated at its lower end 2 1 by a downwardly flared funnel and whose lower end forms a circle 1.3 m in diameter, so as to come to surround said source in view of the geometry of the outlet orifice of said source. This first lower funnel 2 1 consists of a rigid sheet, plastic or metal, surrounding the circular end of the running portion of said first conduit t 1 2 at its lower end. Said lower funnel 21 represents a height of 4 m.

Ledit premier conduit t1 2 comporte, dans sa partie supérieure, un second entonnoir 22 de petite et grande bases à sections circulaires, réalisé également par enroulement d'une tôle métallique ou en plastique thermoformé, entourant la partie d'extrémité supérieure dudit premier conduit. Cette forme évasée vers le haut de la partie supérieure dudit premier conduit, vise à faciliter le déversement de l'excès de débit d'eau douce de la source à l'intérieur du réservoir 4.Said first conduit t 1 2 comprises, in its upper part, a second funnel 2 2 of small and large bases with circular sections, also made by winding a metal sheet or thermoformed plastic, surrounding the upper end portion of said first leads. This flared upward shape of the upper part of said first duct, aims to facilitate the discharge of the excess flow of fresh water from the source inside the tank 4.

La base inférieure ouverte du premier entonnoir 21 est solidaire d'une embase 8 reposant au fond de la mer et entourant la source. Elle peut aussi être entourée d'un boudin de sable ou béton ou autre lest périphérique assurant l'étanchéité avec le fond de la mer. La partie courante dudit premier conduit t1 2 peut être constituée d'un tuyau souple ou rigide. Il est disposé verticalement au-dessus de ladite source.The open bottom base of the first funnel 2 1 is integral with a base 8 resting at the bottom of the sea and surrounding the source. It may also be surrounded by a roll of sand or concrete or other circumferential ballast ensuring sealing with the seabed. The current portion of said first pipe t 1 2 may consist of a flexible or rigid pipe. It is arranged vertically above said source.

Ledit réservoir 4 est constitué d'une enveloppe supérieure 41 rigide traversée en son centre par un deuxième conduit t2 3, de préférence, rigide, de diamètre 0,4 m.Said tank 4 consists of a rigid upper envelope 4 1 traversed at its center by a second conduit t 2 3, preferably rigid, with a diameter of 0.4 m.

L'enveloppe rigide constitutive de la partie supérieure dudit réservoir 4 forme une calotte 41 hémisphérique de diamètre 1,8 m et prolongée à sa base d'une surface tronconique appelée ci-après cône 42 de 2 m de hauteur entourant ledit premier conduit. C'est la base ouverte dudit cône 42 qui laisse échapper le surplus d'eau douce en cas de crue de la source. Sur la figure 1, la base du cône 42 est amarrée par des moyens d'amarrage 71 audit premier conduit t1 2, de telle sorte que la base dudit cône soit située à une hauteur de 5 m par rapport au fond de la mer.The rigid casing constitutive of the upper portion of said container 4 forms a hemispherical cap 4 1 of diameter 1.8 m and extended at its base by a frustoconical surface hereinafter referred cone 4 2 2 m height surrounding said first conduit . It is the open base of said cone 4 2 which lets out the excess fresh water in case of flood of the source. On the figure 1 , the base of the cone 4 2 is moored by mooring means 7 1 to said first conduit t 1 2, so that the base of said cone is located at a height of 5 m from the seabed.

La présence du cône 42 est facultative. On peut amarrer la base de la calotte 41 directement audit premier conduit.The presence of the cone 4 2 is optional. It is possible to moor the base of the cap 4 1 directly to said first conduit.

La portion dudit deuxième conduit t2 3 située à l'intérieur dudit réservoir 4 a une longueur de 1 m.The portion of said second conduit t 2 3 located inside said reservoir 4 has a length of 1 m.

Lorsqu'on injecte 2 m3 d'air comprimé dessous ladite enveloppe constitutive du réservoir 4, après avoir amarré sa base ouverte 43 au fond de la mer ou sur le premier conduit, on introduit une longueur 1 de 0,3 m de la partie inférieure 31 dudit deuxième conduit t2 3 dans la partie supérieure dudit premier conduit t12.When injected 2 m 3 compressed air below said constitutive shell of the tank 4, after moored its open base 4 3 at the bottom of the sea or on the first conduit, introducing a length 1 of 0.3 m from the lower part 3 1 of said second conduit t 2 3 in the upper part of said first conduit t 1 2.

La hauteur H entre l'interface air-eau 6 à l'intérieur du réservoir 4 et l'interface air-eau à l'extrémité supérieure dudit entonnoir supérieur 22 dudit premier conduit t1 2 est de 0,2 m.The height H between the air-water interface 6 inside the reservoir 4 and the air-water interface at the upper end of said upper funnel 2 2 of said first conduit t 1 2 is 0.2 m.

L'extrémité inférieure 31 dudit deuxième conduit t2 3 comporte à sa périphérie des goussets ou voiles 9 qui servent de renforts et de centrage de ladite extrémité inférieure du deuxième conduit à l'intérieur dudit entonnoir 21 à l'extrémité supérieure dudit premier conduit.The lower end 3 1 of said second conduit t 2 3 comprises at its periphery gussets or webs 9 which serve as reinforcements and centering of said lower end of the second conduit inside said funnel 2 1 at the upper end of said first leads.

Sur la figure 1, on a représenté, à peu près à mi-hauteur dudit premier conduit, un débitmètre 10. Ce sont les caractéristiques de ce débitmètre 10 qui ont justifié de mettre en oeuvre une portion de dit premier conduit t1 2 plus étroite à ce niveau pour l'adapter audit débitmètre 10 dont on disposait.On the figure 1 a flowmeter 10 has been represented at approximately halfway up the said first duct. It is the characteristics of this flowmeter 10 which have justified the use of a portion of said first duct t 1 2 which is narrower at this level for adapt it to the flowmeter 10 that was available.

A la base dudit premier conduit t1 2, on a également adapté des éléments de renfort 71 qui servent également d'amarrage par boulonnage sur une embase 8 entourant de manière étanche l'orifice de la source 1.At the base of said first conduit t 1 2, reinforcement elements 7 1 have also been fitted, which also serve as bolting anchors on a base 8 sealingly surrounding the orifice of the source 1.

La détermination de la valeur H et le dimensionnement desdits premier et second tuyaux 2 et 3 ainsi que du volume d'air comprimé injecté dans ledit réservoir 4 ont été déterminés de la manière suivante :The determination of the value H and the dimensioning of said first and second pipes 2 and 3 as well as the volume of compressed air injected into said tank 4 have been determined as follows:

Lorsque la source est en crue et que son débit excède les 100 l/s, notamment atteint sa valeur maximale de 500 l/s, le débit passant à travers ledit tuyau t2 par le chemin C2, reste environ le débit moyen de 100 l/s, tandis que le débit de l'eau douce, passant par le chemin C1 dans l'espace annulaire entre l'extrémité inférieure dudit deuxième tuyau t2 et l'extrémité supérieure dudit premier tuyau t1, est de 400 l/s au maximum en général. L'eau de la source, remontant à travers ledit premier conduit t1 2, rencontre à la base dudit deuxième conduit t2 3, deux chemins possibles C1 et C2.When the source is in flood and its flow exceeds 100 l / s, in particular reaches its maximum value of 500 l / s, the flow rate passing through said pipe t 2 by the path C 2 , remains about the average flow of 100 1 / s, while the flow rate of the fresh water passing through the path C 1 in the annular space between the lower end of said second pipe t 2 and the upper end of said first pipe t 1 , is 400 l / s maximum in general. The water from the source, rising through said first conduit t 1 2, meets at the base of said second conduit t 2 3, two possible paths C 1 and C 2 .

Par le chemin C1, l'eau douce déborde de l'extrémité supérieure dudit premier conduit t1 2 et coule dans l'air le long de la paroi extérieure dudit premier entonnoir supérieur 21 puis arrive dans l'eau salée, ce qui a pour effet de chasser, par la partie basse du réservoir, une quantité d'eau douce de telle sorte que le volume d'air comprimé 5 contenu dans le réservoir 4 reste constant ainsi que la hauteur H.By the path C 1 , the fresh water overflows from the upper end of said first conduit t 1 2 and flows into the air along the outer wall of said first upper funnel 2 1 and then arrives in the salt water, which has the effect of hunting, by the lower part of the tank, a quantity of fresh water so that the volume of compressed air 5 contained in the tank 4 remains constant and the height H.

Par le chemin C2, l'eau douce passe dans ledit deuxième conduit t2 3 en s'écoulant au débit moyen de la source de 100 l/s compte-tenu du dimensionnement dudit premier tuyau et de la détermination de la valeur H d'une part, et du fait que la surpression hydraulique maximum tolérée par la source est de 0,1 bar.By the path C 2 , the fresh water passes into said second conduit t 2 3 flowing at the average flow rate of the source of 100 l / s in view of the dimensioning of said first pipe and the determination of the value H d on the one hand, and the fact that the maximum hydraulic overpressure tolerated by the source is 0.1 bar.

L'eau douce emprunte toujours le chemin lui offrant le moins de "résistance". Pour le chemin C1, cette "résistance", à partir de l'interface air-eau, est essentiellement déterminée par l'énergie

Figure imgb0006
gH, avec
Figure imgb0007
=masse volumique de l'eau douce, g=9,81 m/s2. On voit ainsi que lorsque H augmente, on favorise le passage par C2.Freshwater always follows the path of least resistance. For the path C 1 , this "resistance", from the air-water interface, is essentially determined by the energy
Figure imgb0006
gH, with
Figure imgb0007
= mass volume of fresh water, g = 9.81 m / s 2 . We see that when H increases, we favor the passage through C 2 .

Pour le chemin C2, la "résistance" que rencontre l'eau douce pour s'écouler à travers le tuyau t2 est égale aux pertes de charge engendrées par son écoulement dans ledit tuyau t2 mais se calcule de manière conventionnelle en fonction du diamètre, de la longueur dudit tuyau t2 et du débit d'écoulement.For the path C 2 , the "resistance" encountered by the fresh water to flow through the pipe t 2 is equal to the pressure losses generated by its flow in said pipe t 2, but is calculated in a conventional manner as a function of diameter, the length of said pipe t 2 and the flow rate.

L'enveloppe rigide 41 ainsi que le cône 42 constitutifs dudit réservoir 4, peuvent être constitués d'un matériau plastique, un matériau composite ou en acier.The rigid envelope 4 1 and the cone 4 2 constituting said reservoir 4 may be made of a plastic material, a composite material or steel.

Ce système de recueillement de l'eau douce peut fonctionner, comme mentionné précédemment, sans pompe puisque l'eau douce, de par sa densité plus faible que l'eau de mer, remonte naturellement en surface.This freshwater collection system can operate, as mentioned above, without a pump since the fresh water, due to its lower density than seawater, naturally rises to the surface.

Toutefois, si le deuxième conduit t2 3 redescend au fond de la mer pour rejoindre la côte, le niveau d'altitude auquel débouche ledit deuxième conduit t2 3, doit être suffisamment en dessous du niveau de la mer pour, au moins, compenser les pertes de charge dans la conduite t2.However, if the second conduit t 2 3 descends to the seabed to reach the coast, the altitude level at which said second conduit t 2 3 emerges must be sufficiently below sea level to at least compensate the pressure drops in the pipe t 2 .

Claims (15)

  1. A method of collecting fresh water coming from an undersea fresh water spring (1) at the bottom of the sea, in which the fresh water is collected in a first duct (2) whose bottom end (21) is placed facing said spring and surrounds in leaktight manner at least part and preferably all of the orifice of said spring, the fresh water is collected at a flow rate that is less than or equal to a given rate and in a second duct (3) of diameter smaller than the diameter of said first duct, the second duct having its top end (32) opening out at the surface, and when the flow rate from the spring exceeds said given rate, the excess flow from the spring overflows from the top end (22) of said first duct into an open-bottomed tank (4) containing air, said tank holding air captive above a water/air interface (6) situated inside said tank, characterized in that the bottom end (31) of the second duct (3) extends inside the top portion of said first duct, and the top end (22) of said first duct is situated beneath the level of said air/water interface (6) inside said tank.
  2. A method according to claim 1, characterized in that the fresh water is collected at the end of said second duct at a rate corresponding to the mean flow rate of said fresh water spring (1).
  3. A method according to claim 1 or claim 2, characterized in that said second duct extends inside said first duct over a length (ℓ) that is greater than or equal to the height (H) of the top end (22) of said first duct above the level of said air/water interface (6) inside said tank.
  4. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the height (H) and said first duct (2) are such that: ρ 1 × g × H + G + P 1 ΔPS
    Figure imgb0010

    where:
    • ρ1 = the density of the fresh water;
    • g = 9.81 m/s2;
    • P1 = the head loss in said first duct to the bottom end of said second duct when the fresh water flows at said given rate, in particular the mean flow rate of the spring;
    • ΔPS = the limiting hydraulic back pressure that can be tolerated by said fresh water spring; this value is known or can be determined for any spring, with ΔPS preferably being less than or equal to 104 Pa; and
    • G = the gain of the Archimedes' thrust associated with the phenomenon of replacing the weight of a column of sea water by the weight of the column of fresh water in said first duct.
  5. A catchment device for collecting fresh water coming from an undersea fresh water spring (1) for a method according to any of claims 1 to 4 and comprising:
    • a first duct (2) being positioned facing said spring (1), with its bottom end (21) surrounding said spring in leaktight manner in full or in part, and of diameter at its bottom end (21) enabling it to cover said spring in full or in part, and
    • a second duct (3) of diameter at its bottom portion (31) less than the diameter of the top portion (22) of said first duct (2), and
    • an open-bottomed tank (4) suitable for cooperating with said second duct (3), the top end (22) of said first duct (2) is covered by said tank (4) and opens out to the inside thereof via said open bottom, the solid wall of said tank being leaktight so as to be capable of holding air captive between said tank wall and the level of water inside said tank, and in such a manner as to obtain a water/air interface (6), characterized in that the bottom end (31) of said second duct (3) is immersed inside the top portion of said first duct (2) and the top end (22) of the first duct (2) is situated beneath the level of the water/air interface (6) inside the tank (4).
  6. A device according to claim 5, characterized in that it includes first mooring means (71) for mooring said first duct to the sea bottom and/or to a baseblock (8) resting on the sea bottom, and second mooring means (72) for mooring said second duct and/or said tank as moored in this way to the sea bottom and/or to said first duct.
  7. A device according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that said tank (4) is secured to said second duct and surrounds it in leaktight manner.
  8. A device according to claim 7, characterized in that said tank (4) comprises a canopy (41) having said second duct (3) passing through it in leaktight manner.
  9. A device according got claim 8, characterized in that said canopy (41) has a top portion in the form of a substantially hemispherical cap or bell.
  10. A device according to any of claims 5 to 9, characterized in that it includes means for injecting compressed air into the inside of said tank.
  11. A device according to any of claims 5 to 10, characterized in that the top portion of said first duct (2) surrounding the bottom portion of said second pipe (3) is flared to form a funnel (21) having its smaller base at its bottom end.
  12. A device according to any of claims 5 to 11, characterized in that the diameter of said first duct at the bottom end of said second duct is such that the annular area between said first and second ducts at said level is greater than or equal to the sectional area of said first duct.
  13. A device according to any of claims 5 to 12, characterized in that said second duct rises directly to the surface, preferably substantially vertically, and the fresh water is recovered at the surface and transported to land, preferably by ship.
  14. A device according to any of claims 5 to 12, characterized in that said second duct (3) can be lowered and rests on the sea bottom in order to reach the coast, thereby conveying the water to the coast, preferably opening out on land at an altitude that is lower than sea level.
  15. A method of installing a fresh water catchment device according to any of claims 5 to 14 on the sea bottom, the method being characterized in that the following steps are performed:
    1) positioning said first duct (2) above said undersea fresh water spring (1) and mooring (51) said first duct to the sea bottom in such a manner that the bottom end of said first duct surrounds said fresh water spring in leaktight manner in full or in part,
    2) lowering said second duct and said tank (4) to the sea bottom and mooring (52) them to the sea bottom and/or to said first duct (2) in such a manner that the bottom end of said second duct (3) is contained inside the top portion (22) of said first duct (2), and
    3) injecting air into the inside of said tank (4) in such a manner as to obtain a water/air interface (6) below the top end of said first duct in such a manner that the top end of the first duct is situated at a height (H) of the water/air interface (6) inside said tank.
EP04767334A 2003-07-08 2004-06-11 Method and device for collecting fresh water Expired - Lifetime EP1644589B9 (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
CY20091100155T CY1108760T1 (en) 2003-07-08 2009-02-11 WATER WATER COLLECTION METHOD AND ORDER

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
FR0308308A FR2857389B1 (en) 2003-07-08 2003-07-08 METHOD AND DEVICE FOR COLLECTING FRESHWATER
PCT/FR2004/001471 WO2005014941A1 (en) 2003-07-08 2004-06-11 Method and device for collecting fresh water

Publications (3)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP1644589A1 EP1644589A1 (en) 2006-04-12
EP1644589B1 EP1644589B1 (en) 2008-11-12
EP1644589B9 true EP1644589B9 (en) 2008-12-31

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EP04767334A Expired - Lifetime EP1644589B9 (en) 2003-07-08 2004-06-11 Method and device for collecting fresh water

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EP (1) EP1644589B9 (en)
AT (1) ATE414200T1 (en)
CY (1) CY1108760T1 (en)
DE (1) DE602004017734D1 (en)
ES (1) ES2315693T3 (en)
FR (1) FR2857389B1 (en)
PT (1) PT1644589E (en)
WO (1) WO2005014941A1 (en)

Families Citing this family (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP1911893A1 (en) 2006-10-13 2008-04-16 Joel Fontaine System for collecting subsea water springs
WO2009115657A2 (en) * 2008-01-23 2009-09-24 Michel Peril Method and device for tapping undersea freshwater
FR2926570B1 (en) * 2008-01-23 2010-04-02 Michel Peril METHOD AND DEVICE FOR CAPTURING UNDERWATER FRESHWATER
FR2926569A1 (en) * 2008-01-23 2009-07-24 Michel Peril Fresh water collecting device, has control unit controlling flow rate of pump based on depth, and sensor measuring average level difference between water surfaces inside and outside envelope, respectively
GR1006748B (en) * 2009-01-02 2010-04-08 Αναργυρος Δημητριου Μανος Lifting system for fresh water gushed from undersea fresh water springs - synchronical energy production therewith
FR2995932B1 (en) 2012-09-21 2014-10-31 Nymphea Environnement METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR COLLECTING A LIGHT SUBMARINE FLUID SUCH AS FRESHWATER OR HYDROCARBONS
FR3100807B1 (en) 2019-09-13 2021-10-08 Ifp Energies Now Desalination process and system with a delayed osmosis step and a reverse osmosis step
FR3136795A1 (en) 2022-06-16 2023-12-22 IFP Energies Nouvelles System and method for capturing water from underwater and/or coastal sources with overflow basin

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* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2701974A1 (en) 1993-02-26 1994-09-02 Therond Patrick Method and device for collecting submarine resurgences of soft water
FR2785001B3 (en) * 1998-10-21 2001-01-12 Hydro Logic DEVICE FOR CAPTURING UNDERWATER FRESHWATER RESURGENCES
FR2792664A1 (en) * 1999-04-26 2000-10-27 Eric Gilli Freshwater collection assembly from a karstic well, spring or outlet, utilizes a wide bore pipe inserted into the well bore in a sealed manner
FR2795109B1 (en) 1999-06-18 2001-09-07 Geocean Solmarine METHOD AND DEVICE FOR DETECTION, LOCATION AND COLLECTION OF FRESHWATER SOURCE AT SEA

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WO2005014941A1 (en) 2005-02-17
FR2857389B1 (en) 2005-10-14
EP1644589A1 (en) 2006-04-12
FR2857389A1 (en) 2005-01-14
CY1108760T1 (en) 2014-04-09
ATE414200T1 (en) 2008-11-15
DE602004017734D1 (en) 2008-12-24
PT1644589E (en) 2009-02-16
EP1644589B1 (en) 2008-11-12
ES2315693T3 (en) 2009-04-01

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