EP2125503B1 - Device for cutting and opening/closing a hole in a wall on the seabed - Google Patents
Device for cutting and opening/closing a hole in a wall on the seabed Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP2125503B1 EP2125503B1 EP20080762184 EP08762184A EP2125503B1 EP 2125503 B1 EP2125503 B1 EP 2125503B1 EP 20080762184 EP20080762184 EP 20080762184 EP 08762184 A EP08762184 A EP 08762184A EP 2125503 B1 EP2125503 B1 EP 2125503B1
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- orifice
- wall
- base
- bottom wall
- tank
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Not-in-force
Links
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- 238000004873 anchoring Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 51
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Images
Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B63—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; RELATED EQUIPMENT
- B63C—LAUNCHING, HAULING-OUT, OR DRY-DOCKING OF VESSELS; LIFE-SAVING IN WATER; EQUIPMENT FOR DWELLING OR WORKING UNDER WATER; MEANS FOR SALVAGING OR SEARCHING FOR UNDERWATER OBJECTS
- B63C7/00—Salvaging of disabled, stranded, or sunken vessels; Salvaging of vessel parts or furnishings, e.g. of safes; Salvaging of other underwater objects
- B63C7/006—Emptying the contents of sunken, stranded, or disabled vessels, e.g. by engaging the vessel; Underwater collecting of buoyant contents, such as liquid, particulate or gaseous contents, escaping from sunken vessels, e.g. using funnels, or tents for recovery of escaping hydrocarbons
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E21—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; MINING
- E21B—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
- E21B41/00—Equipment or details not covered by groups E21B15/00 - E21B40/00
- E21B41/08—Underwater guide bases, e.g. drilling templates; Levelling thereof
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E21—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; MINING
- E21B—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
- E21B43/00—Methods or apparatus for obtaining oil, gas, water, soluble or meltable materials or a slurry of minerals from wells
- E21B43/01—Methods or apparatus for obtaining oil, gas, water, soluble or meltable materials or a slurry of minerals from wells specially adapted for obtaining from underwater installations
- E21B43/0122—Collecting oil or the like from a submerged leakage
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E21—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; MINING
- E21B—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
- E21B7/00—Special methods or apparatus for drilling
- E21B7/12—Underwater drilling
- E21B7/124—Underwater drilling with underwater tool drive prime mover, e.g. portable drilling rigs for use on underwater floors
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
- Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
- Y10T137/00—Fluid handling
- Y10T137/0318—Processes
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
- Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
- Y10T408/00—Cutting by use of rotating axially moving tool
- Y10T408/55—Cutting by use of rotating axially moving tool with work-engaging structure other than Tool or tool-support
- Y10T408/554—Magnetic or suction means
Definitions
- the present invention relates to a device for cutting a small orifice in a wall at the bottom of the sea and opening / closing said small orifice.
- It may be, in particular, a wall, a ship stranded or a tank of a ship stranded on which one wishes to intervene.
- the present invention also relates to a method for installing and anchoring a base on a wall at the bottom of the sea and then cutting said wall, in particular for passing and recovering a fluid through the orifice thus created. on said wall.
- This method is particularly useful when it is desired to implement a process and an installation for the recovery of effluents at sea and more particularly polluting effluents contained in a cast and damaged ship resting at the bottom of the sea.
- the ship During the sinking of cargo ships or tankers, the ship usually sinks after being deeply damaged and after losing part of its cargo.
- the depth of water is important, for example 100 or 200 meters, the recovery of the wreck or its bailout, is generally not considered, but the hull must be completely emptied and rinsed, so that the corrosion of the structure over time, creating localized or generalized holes, does not lead to the release of the contents of the ship, creating a pollution that can last for years, even decades.
- the shuttle tank To connect the shuttle tank to the wreck, it is possible to use existing orifices intended for example to take samples of cargo, or to use the manholes used for access to the tanks of the personnel of the ship. maintenance or inspection. But in fact, the wreck is usually broken and only exceptionally in horizontal position on the seabed. It often lies on the side or upside down and it is impossible to simply recover the cargo, and it is necessary to make penetrations of the hull which then allow to install and anchor a base on the wall to facilitate the sampling operations by ensuring optimal recovery of the highly polluting cargo or that allow to directly take the samples at the location of said holes.
- hot-taps Multiple techniques have been developed in the context of pressurized pipes to make load taps, called "hot-taps". In such operations, a pressure pipe is pierced in a confined pressure-resistant environment, so that the pressurized fluid is not likely to escape during the entire operation.
- Patents are known US 3,831,387 and EP 0 730 543 which describe the attachment of a module or base to a wreck by means of a drilling-tapping device. But in these systems, the anchored module on the wall is intended to evacuate the cargo of the wreckage to the surface by means of a pipe by pumping, so that the traction exerted on the module or base is relatively reduced.
- the means for piercing the wall and anchoring it on the wall, for fixing said second module consist of a similar system of drill / tap as described in US 3,831,387 giving a limited holding force, especially in the case of wreckage in poor condition.
- the diameter of the piercing of the shell to evacuate said cargo may be small diameter, for example from 100mm to 300mm, and the transfer lines to the surface of a similar diameter, coupled to pumping means, are then generally sufficient.
- the stitching device must have a very large diameter of passage and the piercing machine of the shell must be able to drill a hole corresponding to said diameter of passage, that is to say 700 to 800mm or more. It must therefore be extremely powerful and be firmly attached to the hull to stay in place without moving or vibrate during the entire drilling phase.
- the latter when filling the shuttle, the latter is positioned vertically from the opening of the shell, and is advantageously fixed by a cable to said stitching device, which represents a significant traction.
- the shuttle when the shuttle is full, because of the density difference between seawater and crude oil, it exerts a vertical thrust that can reach 20 to 30 tons for a 300m 3 shuttle; this vertical thrust generates an upward vertical pull in said cable connected to said stitching device, as well as in the fastening means of said stitching device on the hull of the wreck.
- the object of the present invention is therefore to provide device and method for drilling and fixing a base on a wall at the bottom of the sea that are as mechanically reliable as those proposed in EP 1,568,600 , but simpler to implement and implement in the case of drilling a wall at the bottom of the sea and the recovery of fuel flowing through an orifice pierced with said device in a wall at the bottom of the sea.
- Another object of the present invention is to provide a fluid recovery system from the seabed without using pumping means. More particularly, an object of the present invention is to provide a method and an installation for recovering the contents of the bunkers of a ship, for example a tanker, resting on the seabed, in significant water depths, especially higher at 3000 meters, or even up to 4000 to 5000 meters, and which do not have the disadvantages of the prior methods and devices and, in particular, which are more technically reliable, easier and easier to implement.
- the device of the present invention allows, when said base is anchored to the bottom wall, after drilling a said first orifice and when moving said plug and said cutting means in said closed position or opening closing or, respectively, opening said first orifice, to allow or not a transfer of fluid through said first orifice, as explained below.
- the device according to the invention is particularly advantageous because it can be assembled on the surface and down on site in a single descent operation with said base supporting said plugs and said wall cutting means, and said anchoring means integral with said base, and then anchored on said wall during and after the cutting operations of the wall.
- said anchoring means integral with said base, and then anchored on said wall during and after the cutting operations of the wall.
- the device according to the invention can be moved, if necessary, to drill another second said first orifice on the wall to continue the emptying of a partially emptied tank from a first said first orifice, without having to go up at the surface all or part of the device initially installed and anchored to the wall around a first said first orifice.
- the base is generally fixed by means of drilling and screwing in the thickness of the steel wall of the wreck. This then makes it possible to crush a seal located on the underside of said base, and in a sufficiently energetic manner that the assembly has a correct seal between the large orifice of the base and the bottom wall and thus avoids the unwanted leakage of pollutant. In case of leakage, it is then sufficient to tighten said screws to further compress said seal.
- the sealing functions of the large second orifice of the base and the anchoring of the base are dissociated. Thus, it is possible to use magnets as anchoring means.
- magnets require first putting said magnets in contact with the steel wall, because the magnets have significant effects only if the iron is almost zero, the resistance to pulling resistance collapsing as soon as the space between the magnet and the wall, that is to say the gap, exceeds a few tenths of a millimeter, even a few millimeters.
- a plug is provided deformable, in particular comprising a deformable seal, and cap deformation means independent of said anchoring means for creating a sealing chamber after the magnets have been activated in contact with the wall of the ship thus giving resistance to the maximum tearing off. Because the magnets do not have sufficient capacity to crush, remotely, by their own action before they are fixed on the wall, a seal on a height of 10-15 mm or more.
- said deformation means of said plug are able to create a seal by deformation of said plug between said large second orifice and said bottom wall after said base is anchored to a said non-uniformly flat bottom wall because of the localized deformation of the latter or the presence of a weld seam.
- Another advantage of the present invention is that a device according to the invention can be relatively compact, so that it is possible to install several devices according to the invention, side by side on the same wall of a tank on the run, as explained below.
- said base can be used to adapt any device extraction. More particularly, said base can itself be used for anchoring any device including a shuttle reservoir for collecting a fluid from a tank on the wall of which said base is anchored.
- said base comprises a large cylindrical second central orifice with an axis in said longitudinal direction ZZ ', in particular at least 200 mm, more 300 to 800 mm in diameter, to make a small first hole corresponding in the wall of 100 to 500 mm, in particular from 200 to 300 mm diameter, for discharging a fluid from a tank on the wall of which said base is anchored.
- the present invention is more particularly advantageous for producing said first circular orifices of 100 to 300 mm in diameter.
- said cylindrical wall is connected to said plate by fastening means constituted by means of controlled separation of said cylindrical wall with respect to said plate adapted to move said cylindrical wall of said plate to allow the sealing of said cylindrical wall against said wall at the bottom of the sea, so as to create a sealed cylindrical chamber between said large second orifice and said bottom wall when said base is anchored to said bottom wall and said lid is in the closed position, adjusting the force of crushing of the cylindrical wall against the bottom wall and the compression of said elastomeric seals.
- said spacing means comprise cylinders or bolts cooperating with screw threads of third orifices through said plate.
- said anchoring means comprise magnet blocks.
- said magnets make it possible to secure said plate with said bottom wall, said magnets then cooperating with said plate in three bearing points arranged triangularly around said large second orifice.
- said magnets are arranged around said cylindrical wall and keep said plate at a distance from said bottom wall.
- said magnets are secured to said bottom wall and when said cylindrical wall is integral with said plate in the underside thereof, said upper seal being compressed, then said lower elastomeric seal is somewhat apart or in contact with said wall bottom, and said spacing means controlled control the crushing force of the cylindrical wall against the bottom wall to create a sealed chamber between the bottom wall, the cylindrical wall and said tray surmounted said lid in the closed position.
- the distance between the plate and the bottom wall is therefore slightly greater than the height of the cylindrical wall when the magnets are activated to secure the plate and the cylindrical wall of said bottom wall.
- said first two magnets are directly integral with the plate in two different zones, while the two said second magnets are integral with said plate via the second end of said second linkage arm, that is to say one only one and same area of said plateau.
- This system of four magnets cooperating at three points with said plate forms an isostatic system for fixing said plate on said bottom wall.
- Buoyancy elements may be incorporated in the device for installing and anchoring a base according to the invention to control its buoyancy, especially during its descent to the seabed from the surface, to make it in equilibrium hydrostatic, but also at the time of approach and installation of the device according to the invention against the wall to be pierced.
- This approach and this pose can be carried out with the aid of an external operator and, in particular, via a ROV, in particular if it is necessary to incline the device according to the invention for its anchoring on a strongly inclined wall, or on a vertical wall.
- a base according to the invention can be placed directly without the aid of outside operator.
- said wall can be inclined as far as it is possible to lay said base sufficiently stable to allow its anchoring.
- all or part of said cutting means, said means for anchoring the base, said fixing means of said cylindrical wall on said plate and said tilting means of said cover are actuable by an ROV.
- step 2a a cannula extending to the vicinity of the bottom of the tank is introduced, said cannula being provided with a valve close to its upper end, as well as, preferably, a safety valve to prevent any overpressure in the tank, said hard-sliding cannula inside a connecting piece, the latter allowing a sealed connection of said cannula with the second said first orifice; .
- the figure 1 is a side view of a ship wreck containing pollutants, such as heavy fuel oil 8, stored in tanks 9 of said vessel, two devices 1 according to the invention allowed to drill the hull in 2 places. These devices comprise a tilting lid shown in the open position, but for closing the orifice.
- a shuttle tank 10 of 150 m3 is positioned vertically to a first said device 1 according to the invention and receives the pollutant 8 which escapes from said tank and moves vertically upwards at low speed, because of its density which remains lower than the density of the sea water.
- a valve 10e isolates a connecting pipe (not shown) for connecting, when the shuttle is near the surface of the water, a drain hose to transfer, preferably with the help pump, the contents of the shuttle to a storage vessel, such as a tanker.
- Said shuttle reservoir 10 comprises a flexible or rigid main envelope 10a with a cylindrical peripheral wall surmounted by a rigid dome 10b having a profile in the form of a shell in vertical section, said dome preferably containing buoyancy elements 10c such as foam syntactical control to control its empty descent and its rise to the surface under the simple action of buoyancy, preferably shifting the center of buoyancy of said shuttle tank filled with fluid upwards relative to its apparent center of gravity in the water.
- buoyancy elements 10c such as foam syntactical control to control its empty descent and its rise to the surface under the simple action of buoyancy, preferably shifting the center of buoyancy of said shuttle tank filled with fluid upwards relative to its apparent center of gravity in the water.
- FIGS. 2A and2B represent a cutting device according to the invention consisting of a main plate 3-3 having a substantially central orifice 2-1.
- the cover plate 3-2 supports circular cutting means 4 comprising a hole saw or trephine 4-1 mounted on the underside of said cover and a jack 4-3 and a motor 4-2 mounted on said lid.
- Said jack 4-3 makes it possible to actuate a rod which slides the hole saw 4-1 and the motor 4-2 in translation relative to the lid 3-2, through said large second orifice in the axial direction ZZ 'of said large second orifice.
- the motor 4-2 makes it possible to actuate the bell saw in rotation along the same axis of rotation ZZ '.
- the cover plate 3-2 and the cutting means 4 are pivotally driven together by tilting means 3-5 comprising a connecting element 3-5a whose one end is articulated in rotation along an axis parallel to said cover 3- 2 at the stirrups 3-5b resting on the tray 3-3 and whose other end is secured to said cover via an upper structure enclosing said motor 4-2 and to which said cylinder 4-3 d ' actuation in translation of the motor 4-2 is integral.
- the spacing means 3-4 and seals 3-1a and 3-1b make it possible to seal said cylindrical wall 3-1 against said wall at the bottom of the sea 6, so as to define a said cylindrical chamber sealed when said lid 3 is in the closed position even in case of deformation of the bottom wall at this level, or the presence of weld beads.
- the cylindrical wall 3-1 may consist of a portion of thick tube 3-1 actuated in translation by three hydraulic 3-4 hydraulic jacks or synchronized, so that the lower edge of the 3-1c tube comes to be pressed on the tank wall, by crushing the second flexible elastomer seal 3-1b, the latter then sealing the chamber even in the weld or irregularity areas of the wall, the maximum irregularity being of the order of 10-15mm.
- the tube 3-1c is in the low position, the first flexible elastomer seal 3-1a expands and continues to seal at the main tray 3-3.
- the plate 3-3 cooperates with anchoring means 5 comprising magnets 5-1, 5-2, integral with said plate 3-3, and able to anchor said base reversibly on said wall 6.
- magnets 5-1, 5-2 are arranged around said cylindrical wall 3-1 rectangularly, two first magnets 5-1 are mounted integral on the underside of said plate 3-3 and on the same side of said rectangle, and two seconds 5-2 magnets are disposed outside said tray 3-3, connected to each other by a connecting arm 5-3 articulated in rotation about a median transverse axis materialized by at least a first end 5 -4a of a second connecting arm 5-4 integral with said plate.
- These four magnets thus cooperate in three points of support with said plate arranged triangularly around said large second orifice 2-1 to form an isostatic system for fixing said plate on said advantageous bottom wall in case of deformation of the bottom wall.
- Said magnets are magnetically activatable by actuating a lever 5-6 with cylinders 5-5 and are permanently secured to said plate 3-3 and with the wall 6 in a reversible manner.
- the high-capacity 5-1 and 5-2 magnet blocks each actuated by a hydraulic cylinder 5-5 acting on a lever 5-6, are known to those skilled in the art. . They generally include a lever operated by hand, which allows to position magnetic parts on machines for their machining. The best performing magnets have pulling capacities of 500 to 750 kg or more when applied to flat magnetic surfaces that are properly brushed and free of paint.
- the height of the magnet blocks 5-1 and 5-2 and therefore the distance between the plate and the bottom wall when the magnets are activated and secured to the wall 6, are slightly greater than the height of the cylindrical wall for allow to adjust the compression of the lower seal and thus the pressure of the cylindrical wall 3-1 against the wall as explained above. It is thus possible, by actuating said spacing means, to control the crushing force of the cylindrical wall against the bottom wall to be pierced, as a function of the regularities of the wall.
- An ROV 7 powered and driven from the surface 12 by a link 7-1 allows to actuate an articulated arm 7-2 and to control and actuate, if necessary, via a power supply link 7-3, the following elements: the motor 4-2 and cylinder 4-3 of said cutting means 4, the cylinders 5-5 of said anchoring means of the base 5, the cylinders 3-4 of said fixing means and spacing said cylindrical wall on said tray and said tilting means 3-5 of said lid.
- the arm 7-2 of the ROV cooperates with a ring 3-2b of the cover to tilt or rotate.
- the cutting tool 4 or core drill comprises a motor 4-2, preferably hydraulic, the power being then provided by the ROV, via a hydraulic hose 7-3 return, said motorization 4- 2 can move up and down along the vertical axis ZZ ', the descent being ensured, for example, by a hydraulic cylinder 4-3 also actuated by the ROV, thus driven from the surface by the operator.
- the bell saw 4-1 is installed on the motor shaft and comprises at its center a pilot drill 4-1a.
- said cover has on its underside a seal 3-2a, preferably elastomer, which, when said lid rests on the main tray 3-3, seals total of the room circular, thus preventing any leakage of the pollutant fluid at the plateau junction 3-3 / lid 3-2 around the large orifice 2-1.
- a seal 3-2a preferably elastomer
- the centering drill 4-1a passes through the sheet of the wall 6 of the tank 9 and the power supplied by the motor 4-2 remains low.
- the bit 4-1 attacks the sheet, the necessary power becomes considerable, and even in case of surface irregularity, created for example by a thick weld bead, the bit 4-1 remains centered.
- the unscrewing washer 1-2 either falls to the bottom 6-1 of the tank, or remains stuck between the center drill and the hole saw.
- the motorization and the hole saw are then raised in maximum translation as detailed on the figure 2E .
- the polluting fluid invests the entire sealed chamber and the device is ready to perform the loading of the shuttle, as described below.
- the motor, the drill bit and, optionally, the disconnection plate washer 1-2 remained stuck, remain integral with the cover 3-2.
- the shuttle 10 is then positioned vertically of the device as shown in FIG. figure 1 , and the lid is tilted by means of the hydraulic arm 7-2 of the ROV, as detailed on the Figure 2B .
- the cover is simply lowered and the assembly remains sealed under the simple weight of said cover.
- the shuttle 10 is then raised to the surface, as explained with regard to Figures 4-4B .
- the assembly is stabilized, then divers come to connect a hose on the top of the shuttle to transfer, preferably by means of a pump, the pollutant fluid to the bunkers of a tanker located in the immediate vicinity of the shuttle. After draining, the shuttle descended to the tank 9 for a new cycle of loading and rising to the surface, until the tank is completely empty.
- the trephine 4-1 is provided, at 3 cm from its lower end, with a protrusion acting as retaining means 4-1b of the bit. It may be for example an overmolding elastomer, or a rubber elastic tightly tightened on the outside of said bit.
- the motor 4-2 is retracted in translation upwards, but the bit 4-1 is previously disconnected by releasing a lock, no shown, which held it at the end of the spline shaft 4-1c of said engine, as shown in FIG. figure 3B .
- the lid can then be raised by pivoting as detailed on the figure 3E , and the bit then seals the orifice by the fact that the own weight of the bit is greater than the upward thrust exerted by the polluting fluid on the section of said bit, and that the elastic 4-1b the keep from falling into the tank 9.
- a cannula 14 is introduced extending to the vicinity of the bottom 6-1 of the tank 9, said cannula being provided with a valve 15 close to its upper end, as well as, preferably, a safety valve 16 to prevent overpressure in the tank, said hard-sliding cannula inside a connecting piece 17, the latter allowing a sealed connection of said cannula with the second said first orifice.
- Said connecting piece 17 is at least partly in the form of a funnel and said cannula 14 is forced into said funnel, said cutting means 4-1 blocking said first orifice by means of retaining means 4 -1b, until said connecting piece 17 is in leaktight connection with the second said second large orifice, then, by forcing said cannula and said funnel against said cutting means until said retaining means 4-1b of said cutting means drop said cutting means into the tank, said cannula is slidable with respect to said connecting piece 17 until the lower end of said cannula comes close to rest on the bottom of the tank, then opens said upper valve which was, until then, in the closed position.
- An injection cannula 14 has been prepared, shown on the figures 3D-3E , of greater length of about 1m to the total height of the tank 9 to empty.
- the cannula 14 consists of a bevelled tube 14-1 at its lower part and provided at its upper part with a valve 15 and a flange 14-2.
- On the side is advantageously installed a safety valve 16 so as to avoid overpressure in the tank.
- Said cannula slides with hard friction inside a connecting piece 17 comprising a funnel-shaped part, provided with on its conical portion of a 17-1 elastomer cone 10 mm thick, integral with the latter. The cannula is forced into said funnel without the lower bevel 14-1 of the cannula protruding from said funnel, as shown in FIG.
- FIG. 3E The injection cannula 14 provided with its funnel 17 is lowered from the surface 12 and the assembly is manipulated using the ROV, and the assembly above the bit 4-1 is presented in a vertical position. Finally, the entire cannula / funnel, which by its own weight drives said bit, which is then found at the bottom 6-1 of the tank, and the rubber strap 4-1b. Finally, the cannula is slid until its lower beveled end 14-1 rests on the bottom of the vessel of the wreck. Throughout this operation, the upper valve is in the closed position, but it will be opened by the ROV as soon as the shuttle loading operations start. Thus, the arrival of seawater will be at the bottom of the tank and will not interfere with the transfer of polluting fluid.
- the upper flange 14-2 at the top of the cannula advantageously makes it possible to connect a seawater injection pump, not shown, actuated by the ROV and intended to accelerate the process of transfer of polluting fluid, especially in the case of fluids with high viscosity.
- the relief valve 16 makes it possible to avoid any undesirable overpressure in the tank.
- the figure 4 illustrates a preferred version of the invention, in which the raising of the shuttle tank 10 is controlled by a stabilizing device 11 comprising a connecting cable 11-1, a portion of its lower part being weighed down, for example by metal blocks 11 -2 secured to said cable 11-1 by crimping 11-2a in strand like beads on a cable.
- a stabilizing device 11 comprising a connecting cable 11-1, a portion of its lower part being weighed down, for example by metal blocks 11 -2 secured to said cable 11-1 by crimping 11-2a in strand like beads on a cable.
- a stabilizing device 11 comprising at least one cable or link chain 11-1. extending from the surface, preferably from a surface vessel, to said shuttle tank 10, where appropriate, to which its end is connected, said cable or said link chain 11-1 comprising a lower portion weighted, preferably by blocks 11-2 arranged in a string along said second cable or by large links heavier of said chain, so that the weight of the length of said lower portion of said cable or chain hanging below its connection point 10d to said shuttle reservoir 10, can be adjusted from the surface, preferably to the using a winch located aboard a surface vessel and on which the upper end of said cable or chain is unrolled or wound up, so as to control the speed of descent or ascent of said shuttle tank 10 optionally.
- the lower portion is heavy, preferably by blocks 11-1 arranged in a string along said cable or by larger heavy links of said chain, so that the weight of the length of said lower portion of said (e) cable or chain hanging below its point of connection 10d to said shuttle tank 10, can be adjusted from the surface, preferably by means of a winch located on board a ship on the surface and on which the upper end of said cable or said chain is unwound or wound, so as to control the rate of descent or respectively upward of said upper structure 4 or said shuttle tank 10 if necessary.
- Said blocks 11-2 of said cable or large heavy links of said link chain, in said lower portion of said cable 11-1 or chain have a shape such that when said cable or said chain is bent, two adjacent blocks or two adjacent heavy links abut against each other thus limiting the local radius of curvature of said cable or said chain.
- the shuttle reservoir 10 is held close to the base 2 by means of anchoring means comprising at least one anchoring cable 13 in crow's feet connected to a first attachment point 10d fixed on the lower part of said reservoir and at least one second anchor point 13-1 on said wall 6.
- an automatic disconnection step is performed for said anchoring means, which is preferably performed automatically when the shuttle tank has reached a predetermined filling level, especially when the tank is full or almost full.
- At least one said anchoring cable 13 cooperates with a first automatic disconnection device on which is exerted a traction corresponding to the buoyancy force exerted on said shuttle tank and its cargo, traction transmitted by said anchoring cable, said disconnecting device having the effect of causing disconnection of said anchoring cable by detaching said anchoring cable 13 from said base 2 or by breaking said anchoring cable, and to authorize the ascent at least partially of said shuttle reservoir when this traction reaches a first determined threshold value, preferably when said shuttle tank is filled with effluents.
- the operator at the surface is thus informed, via a camera embedded in the ROV, of the end of the filling, and the ROV can release the cable 13, which allows the tank to be raised to the surface by perfectly controlling said ascent thanks to the chain system 11.
- These blocks 11-1 have a central cylindrical prismatic body or of revolution and frustoconical ends 11-2b such that, when the cable is bent, said frustoconical ends of the two adjacent blocks then abut one against the other , thus limiting the local radius of curvature to a value greater than R0.
- the connecting cable 11-1 being hooked to the shuttle reservoir 10 on said first attachment point 10d in the lower part of the tank 10, descends downwards and then departs in an arc of radius R0, to finally rise vertically or in chain configuration at a distance of at least about 2% from the side wall of said shuttle tank, thereby avoiding any mechanical contact during the ascent, which avoids damage by friction.
- the buoyancy of the hydrocarbon filled shuttle tank Fv which corresponds to the buoyancy force acting on the tank and its cargo, is compensated by the weight of the cable to the point of horizontal tangency corresponding to block 11-2i , added the weight of the blocks 11-2g between the reservoir and the block 11-2i the lowest, ie 8.5 blocks on the figure 4 the weight of the set Pe then corresponds to a system equilibrium.
- the shuttle tank 10 with a volume of 250 m3 of a petroleum having a density of 1011 kg / m3 in a seawater at 3 ° C of a density of 1045 kg / m3 has a buoyancy of 8.5 tons.
- Each of the blocks of the balancing device 11 then has a weight in the water of about 1 ton.
- the stabilizing device 11 has a stabilizing effect for the raising of the shuttle tank 10.
- the surface vessel moves excessively under the effect of the swell or deviates from the vertical position of the shuttle tank, the movements have instant effect only on the zone of the blocks surrounding the blocks 11-2g to 11-2k, the block 11-2i corresponding to the average value of the oscillations.
- the shuttle 10 is always in a safe situation, because there is no direct physical link, that is to say, in a tight line, such as a cable or a pipe, between the surface vessel and the wreck lying at the bottom of the sea.
- the sealed chamber between the cover 3-2 and the bottom wall 6 has been described as consisting inter alia with a cylindrical wall 3-1 equipped with seals 3-1a, 3-1b, but it remains in the spirit of the invention, if this seal is obtained by any other means, such as for example an inflatable rubber torus provided with an inflation orifice, said torus then taking the place of said wall and cylindrical joints and in the same way ensuring the tightness of the chamber.
- any other means such as for example an inflatable rubber torus provided with an inflation orifice
- the magnets 5-1 are actuated by hydraulic cylinders 5-5 powered and driven by the ROV 7, but they can equally well be actuated one by one, directly by the manipulator arm 7-2 of said ROV.
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Abstract
Description
La présente invention concerne un dispositif de découpe d'un petit orifice dans une paroi au fond de la mer et d'ouverture/fermeture dudit petit orifice.The present invention relates to a device for cutting a small orifice in a wall at the bottom of the sea and opening / closing said small orifice.
Il peut s'agir, plus particulièrement, d'une paroi, d'un navire échoué ou d'une cuve d'un navire échoué sur lequel on souhaite intervenir.It may be, in particular, a wall, a ship stranded or a tank of a ship stranded on which one wishes to intervene.
La présente invention a également pour objet un procédé d'installation et d'ancrage d'une embase sur une paroi au fond de la mer puis de découpe de ladite paroi, notamment pour laisser passer et récupérer un fluide à travers l'orifice ainsi créé sur ladite paroi.The present invention also relates to a method for installing and anchoring a base on a wall at the bottom of the sea and then cutting said wall, in particular for passing and recovering a fluid through the orifice thus created. on said wall.
Ce procédé est particulièrement utile lorsque l'on souhaite mettre en oeuvre un procédé et une installation de récupération d'effluents en mer et plus particulièrement d'effluents polluants contenus dans un navire coulé et endommagé reposant au fond de la mer.This method is particularly useful when it is desired to implement a process and an installation for the recovery of effluents at sea and more particularly polluting effluents contained in a cast and damaged ship resting at the bottom of the sea.
Lors du naufrage de cargos ou de pétroliers, le navire coule en général après avoir été profondément endommagé et après avoir perdu une partie de sa cargaison. Lorsque la profondeur d'eau est importante, par exemple 100 ou 200 mètres, la récupération de l'épave ou son renflouement, n'est en général pas envisagée, mais la coque doit être intégralement vidée et rincée, de manière à ce que la corrosion de la structure dans le temps, créant des trous localisés ou généralisés, ne conduise à la libération du contenu du navire, créant ainsi une pollution pouvant se prolonger sur des années, voire des décennies.During the sinking of cargo ships or tankers, the ship usually sinks after being deeply damaged and after losing part of its cargo. When the depth of water is important, for example 100 or 200 meters, the recovery of the wreck or its bailout, is generally not considered, but the hull must be completely emptied and rinsed, so that the corrosion of the structure over time, creating localized or generalized holes, does not lead to the release of the contents of the ship, creating a pollution that can last for years, even decades.
De nombreux procédés et dispositifs ont été étudiés et utilisés dans le passé pour essayer de récupérer des cargaisons hautement polluantes, soit en installant une liaison fond-surface pour transférer ladite cargaison vers un navire positionné en surface, soit encore en remplissant un réservoir navette, puis une fois fermé, en le remontant vers la surface où il est soit chargé à bord d'un navire de surface, soit remorqué vers un port où il pourra être vidé.Numerous methods and devices have been studied and used in the past to try to recover highly polluting cargoes, either by installing a bottom-surface link to transfer said cargo to a surface-positioned ship, or even filling a shuttle tank, then once closed, back to the surface where it is either loaded aboard a surface ship or towed to a port where it can be emptied.
Un mode de réalisation de procédé de récupération d'effluents polluants plus légers que l'eau et peu ou non miscibles à l'eau, contenus dans une cuve d'un navire coulé et/ou endommagé reposant au fond de la mer, impliquant la mise en oeuvre de réservoirs navette entre le fond et la surface de la mer a été décrit dans le brevet
Pour connecter le réservoir navette à l'épave, il est possible d'utiliser des orifices existant destinés par exemple à effectuer des prélèvements de cargaison, soit encore d'utiliser les trous d'homme utilisés pour l'accès aux cuves des personnels d'entretien ou d'inspection. Mais en fait, l'épave est en général brisée et ne repose qu'exceptionnellement en position horizontale sur le fond de la mer. Elle gît bien souvent sur le côté ou à l'envers et il est alors impossible de récupérer simplement la cargaison, et l'on est obligé de réaliser des percements de la coque qui permettent alors d'installer et d'ancrer une embase sur la paroi pour faciliter les opérations de prélèvements en garantissant une récupération optimale de la cargaison hautement polluante ou encore qui permettent d'effectuer directement les prélèvements à l'endroit desdits percements.To connect the shuttle tank to the wreck, it is possible to use existing orifices intended for example to take samples of cargo, or to use the manholes used for access to the tanks of the personnel of the ship. maintenance or inspection. But in fact, the wreck is usually broken and only exceptionally in horizontal position on the seabed. It often lies on the side or upside down and it is impossible to simply recover the cargo, and it is necessary to make penetrations of the hull which then allow to install and anchor a base on the wall to facilitate the sampling operations by ensuring optimal recovery of the highly polluting cargo or that allow to directly take the samples at the location of said holes.
De multiples techniques ont été développées dans le cadre des conduites sous pression pour réaliser des piquages en charge, appelés "hot-tap". Dans de telles opérations, on réalise le percement d'une conduite en pression dans un environnement confiné résistant à la pression, de manière à ce que le fluide sous pression ne risque pas de s'échapper pendant toute la durée de l'opération.Multiple techniques have been developed in the context of pressurized pipes to make load taps, called "hot-taps". In such operations, a pressure pipe is pierced in a confined pressure-resistant environment, so that the pressurized fluid is not likely to escape during the entire operation.
De multiples variantes ont été développées de manière à simplifier les opérations d'installation de l'appareil et en particulier pour éviter d'avoir à souder le corps du piquage sur l'ouvrage en pression. A cet effet, on fixe le corps du piquage à la conduite sous pression à l'aide de collage ou bridage mécanique ou encore de colliers de serrage entourant ladite conduite, l'étanchéité entre les deux étant assurée par un joint élastomère ou mieux, par un joint de type métal-métal. Mais les propriétés de résistance mécanique à la traction exercée sur ces dispositifs sont très inférieures par rapport à celles requises pour solidariser une embase avec une paroi au fond de la mer lorsque ladite embase est destinée à résister à la traction d'un réservoir navette rempli.Multiple variants have been developed in order to simplify the installation operations of the apparatus and in particular to avoid having to weld the body of the stitching on the presswork. For this purpose, the body of the stitching is fixed to the pipe under pressure by means of mechanical bonding or clamping or clamps surrounding said pipe, the seal between the two being provided by an elastomer seal or better, by a metal-metal type joint. But the tensile strength properties exerted on these devices are much lower than those required to secure a base with a wall at the bottom of the sea when said base is intended to withstand the traction of a filled shuttle tank.
Dans le cas de l'ancrage d'une embase sur une épave gisant au fond de la mer et perçage de ladite paroi, si la profondeur est faible, par exemple 50 à 100m, on utilise avantageusement des plongeurs pour effectuer la mise en place du piquage et l'on préfère alors solidariser ledit piquage à la coque de manière plus solide par lesdits plongeurs. Mais, à plus grande profondeur, ces interventions deviennent très complexes et sont réalisées de préférence par des systèmes robotisés, ce qui rend la tâche très délicate. On préfère alors fixer ledit piquage de manière mécanique, en réalisant des perçages-taraudages dans ladite coque ce qui permet de fixer simplement l'embase et le support du piquage muni d'une vanne d'isolation, un joint d'étanchéité élastomère étant comprimé entre ladite embase ou dit support de piquage et la coque de l'épave.In the case of the anchoring of a base on a wreck lying at the bottom of the sea and drilling of said wall, if the depth is low, for example 50 to 100m, advantageously used divers to perform the implementation of the stitching and it is then preferred to secure said stitching to the shell more solidly by said plungers. But, at greater depth, these interventions become very complex and are preferably performed by robotic systems, which makes the task very delicate. It is then preferred to fix said stitching mechanically, by making drill holes in said shell which allows to simply fix the base and the support of the stitching provided with an isolation valve, an elastomeric seal being compressed between said base or said stitching support and the hull of the wreck.
On connaît les brevets
Ainsi, dans
Dans
Dans
En effet, lorsque la cargaison à récupérer dans l'épave est relativement fluide, le diamètre du perçage de la coque permettant d'évacuer ladite cargaison peut être de petit diamètre, par exemple de 100mm à 300mm, et les conduites de transfert vers la surface d'un diamètre similaire, couplées à des moyens de pompage, sont alors en général suffisantes.Indeed, when the cargo to be recovered in the wreck is relatively fluid, the diameter of the piercing of the shell to evacuate said cargo may be small diameter, for example from 100mm to 300mm, and the transfer lines to the surface of a similar diameter, coupled to pumping means, are then generally sufficient.
En revanche, lorsque la cargaison est extrêmement visqueuse et que l'épave est située à très grande profondeur, par exemple au delà de 1 000m, voire à 3 000 ou 4 000m, la méthode consistant à installer une conduite entre le fond de la mer et la surface devient quasiment impossible en raison de la perte de charge très élevée, engendrée le long de la conduite. En effet, même avec un pompage extrêmement puissant au niveau de l'épave, les débits restent faibles et les risques de création de bouchons et de blocage de la conduite sont importants.On the other hand, when the cargo is extremely viscous and the wreck is very deep, for example beyond 1000m, or even 3000 or 4000m, the method of installing a pipe between the seabed and the surface becomes almost impossible due to the very high pressure drop generated along the pipe. Indeed, even with extremely powerful pumping at the wreckage, flow rates remain low and the risk of creating caps and blockage of the pipe are important.
C'est pourquoi l'on préfère alors utiliser une navette que l'on descend depuis la surface, que l'on remplit, puis une fois pleine, on la remonte vers la surface où elle est, soit remorquée jusqu'au port, soit vidée vers un navire de stockage, pour être ensuite redescendue au fond pour un nouveau cycle. Pour minimiser le nombre de voyages, on cherche à augmenter la capacité unitaire des navettes, lesquelles peuvent représenter un volume de 250 à 300m3, voire plus.This is why we prefer to use a shuttle that is descended from the surface, which is filled, then once full, it goes back to the surface where it is, is towed to the port, or emptied to a storage vessel, then down to the bottom for a new cycle. To minimize the number of trips, we try to increase the unit capacity of the shuttles, which can represent a volume of 250 to 300m 3 or more.
De plus, pour ces cargaisons d'une viscosité extrême, on cherche à éviter l'emploi de pompes, car leur opération à très grande profondeur est très délicate en raison de la puissance nécessaire et l'on préfère alors augmenter le diamètre de l'orifice percé dans la coque, de manière à ce que le pétrole brut puisse s'élever naturellement par la simple variation de densité entre ledit pétrole brut et l'eau de mer. Un tel orifice peut alors atteindre un diamètre de 700 à 800mm, voire plus, pour des pétroles à très forte viscosité, par exemple de 500 000 à 1 million de centistokes, voire plus.In addition, for these extremely viscous cargoes, it is sought to avoid the use of pumps, because their operation at very great depth is very delicate because of the power required and it is then preferred to increase the diameter of the pump. orifice pierced in the hull, so that the crude oil can rise naturally by the simple variation in density between said crude oil and seawater. Such an orifice can then reach a diameter of 700 to 800mm, or even more, for oils with very high viscosity, for example from 500,000 to 1 million centistokes, or more.
Ainsi, le dispositif de piquage doit avoir un diamètre de passage très important et la machine de perçage de la coque doit être capable de forer un trou correspondant audit diamètre de passage, c'est à dire 700 à 800mm, voire plus. Elle doit en conséquence être extrêmement puissante et être fixée de manière énergique sur la coque pour rester en place sans bouger ni vibrer pendant toute la phase de forage. De plus, lors du remplissage de la navette, cette dernière est positionnée à la verticale de l'ouverture de la coque, et est avantageusement fixée par un câble audit dispositif de piquage, ce qui représente une traction importante.Thus, the stitching device must have a very large diameter of passage and the piercing machine of the shell must be able to drill a hole corresponding to said diameter of passage, that is to say 700 to 800mm or more. It must therefore be extremely powerful and be firmly attached to the hull to stay in place without moving or vibrate during the entire drilling phase. In addition, when filling the shuttle, the latter is positioned vertically from the opening of the shell, and is advantageously fixed by a cable to said stitching device, which represents a significant traction.
Ainsi, lorsque la navette est remplie, en raison de la différence de densité entre l'eau de mer et le pétrole brut, elle exerce une poussée verticale qui peut atteindre 20 à 30 tonnes pour une navette de 300m3 ; cette poussée verticale engendre une traction verticale vers le haut dans ledit câble relié audit dispositif de piquage, ainsi que dans les moyens de fixation dudit dispositif de piquage sur la coque de l'épave.Thus, when the shuttle is full, because of the density difference between seawater and crude oil, it exerts a vertical thrust that can reach 20 to 30 tons for a 300m 3 shuttle; this vertical thrust generates an upward vertical pull in said cable connected to said stitching device, as well as in the fastening means of said stitching device on the hull of the wreck.
Pour ce faire, dans
- une structure support supérieure, dessous laquelle ladite embase est solidarisée de manière réversible par l'intermédiaire de moyens de liaison réversible, ladite embase comprenant des premiers orifices cylindriques,
- ladite supérieure structure supportant des boulons d'ancrage sur ladite embase, aptes à être entraînés en coulissement et en rotation à travers lesdits premiers orifices de l'embase,
- lesdits boulons comprenant à leurs extrémités :
- des premiers moyens de coupe aptes à percer des seconds orifices circulaires dans ladite paroi, et
- des premiers moyens de blocage automatique de l'embase aptes à ancrer ladite embase sur ladite paroi après percement.
- an upper support structure, below which said base is reversibly secured by means of reversible connection means, said base comprising first cylindrical orifices,
- said upper structure supporting anchor bolts on said base, adapted to be driven in sliding and rotation through said first holes of the base,
- said bolts comprising at their ends:
- first cutting means adapted to pierce second circular orifices in said wall, and
- first automatic locking means of the base adapted to anchor said base on said wall after drilling.
Pour réaliser le perçage d'un second grand orifice central dans ladite paroi, le dispositif de
- ladite structure supérieure supporte un second moyen de coupe circulaire, de préférence du type trépan ou scie cloche, apte à découper un second grand orifice central d'axe longitudinal ZZ' dans la paroi, notamment de plus grand diamètre que lesdits seconds orifices, et des moyens de type vérins et moteurs aptes à faire coulisser dans ladite direction longitudinale ZZ' et à actionner en rotation d'axe dans ladite direction longitudinale ZZ', ledit second moyen de coupe, et
- ledit premier grand orifice central de l'embase étant positionné en coïncidence avec ledit second moyen de coupe circulaire et étant apte à être traversé par ledit second moyen de coupe lorsque celui-ci est en coulissement longitudinal vers ladite paroi, et apte à être obturé par un moyen de fermeture, de préférence du type guillotine à translation horizontale. Ledit moyen de fermeture peut être actionnable de l'extérieur, de préférence par un robot commandé à distance du type ROV, ("Remotely Operated Vehicle"), véhicule sous-marin commandé à distance, notamment depuis la surface, ou actionnable automatiquement.
- said upper structure supports a second circular cutting means, preferably of the trephine or bell saw type, capable of cutting a second large central orifice of longitudinal axis ZZ 'in the wall, in particular of greater diameter than said second orifices, and means of the type of jacks and motors able to slide in said longitudinal direction ZZ 'and to rotate axially in said longitudinal direction ZZ', said second cutting means, and
- said first large central orifice of the base being positioned in coincidence with said second circular cutting means and being able to be traversed by said second cutting means when it is sliding longitudinally towards said wall, and able to be closed by a closing means, preferably of the guillotine type in horizontal translation. Said closing means may be operable from the outside, preferably by remote-controlled robot type ROV ("Remotely Operated Vehicle"), underwater vehicle controlled remotely, especially from the surface, or automatically operable.
Dans
- 1-on descend, depuis la surface, un dit dispositif, et
- 2-on pose ladite embase sur ladite paroi, et
- 3-on actionne, en coulissement longitudinal vers la paroi et en rotation, lesdits boulons et lesdits premiers moyens de coupe (9) pour percer des premiers orifices dans ladite paroi, et
- 4-on serre lesdits premiers moyens de blocage contre la face interne de la paroi, par rotation et coulissement longitudinal en sens inverse desdits boulons vers l'extérieur de la paroi de manière à créer une étanchéité entre le dit premier grand orifice de l'embase et la dite paroi, et
- 5-on réalise la découpe dudit second grand orifice central dans ladite paroi par rotation et coulissement longitudinal vers la paroi dudit second moyen de coupe, et
- 6-on dégage par coulissement longitudinal en sens inverse vers l'extérieur de la paroi ledit second moyen de découpe, de préférence en retenant ladite rondelle de paroi découpée, et
- 7-on obstrue ledit second orifice de l'embase à l'aide de dit moyen de fermeture, de préférence du type à guillotine, et
- 8-on désolidarise ladite structure supérieure par rapport à ladite embase et l'on remonte ladite structure supérieure en surface.
- 1-it descends from the surface, a said device, and
- Said base is placed on said wall, and
- 3, said bolts and said first cutting means (9) are actuated, in longitudinal sliding towards the wall and in rotation, to pierce first orifices in said wall, and
- 4-tightening said first locking means against the inner face of the wall, by rotation and longitudinal sliding in the opposite direction of said bolts to the outside of the wall so as to create a seal between said first large orifice of the base and said wall, and
- Cutting said second large central orifice in said wall by rotation and longitudinal sliding towards the wall of said second cutting means, and
- 6, the second said cutting means is disengaged longitudinally in the opposite direction towards the outside of the wall, preferably by retaining the cut-off wall washer, and
- Said second orifice of the base is obstructed by means of said closure means, preferably of the guillotine type, and
- Said upper structure is disengaged from said base and said upper structure is raised to the surface.
La structure complexe du dispositif selon
Le but de la présente invention est donc de fournir des dispositif et procédé de perçage et fixation d'une embase sur une paroi au fond de la mer qui soient aussi fiable mécaniquement que ceux proposés dans
Un autre but de la présente invention est de fournir un système de récupération de fluide depuis le fond de la mer sans mettre en oeuvre de moyens de pompage. Plus particulièrement, un but de la présente invention est de fournir un procédé et une installation permettant de récupérer le contenu des soutes d'un navire, par exemple un pétrolier, reposant sur le fond marin, dans des profondeurs d'eau importantes, notamment supérieures à 3 000 mètres, voire jusqu'à 4 000 à 5 000 mètres, et qui ne présentent pas les inconvénients des procédés et dispositifs antérieurs et, en particulier qui soient plus fiables techniquement, plus aisés et simples à mettre en oeuvre.Another object of the present invention is to provide a fluid recovery system from the seabed without using pumping means. More particularly, an object of the present invention is to provide a method and an installation for recovering the contents of the bunkers of a ship, for example a tanker, resting on the seabed, in significant water depths, especially higher at 3000 meters, or even up to 4000 to 5000 meters, and which do not have the disadvantages of the prior methods and devices and, in particular, which are more technically reliable, easier and easier to implement.
Pour ce faire la présente invention fournit un dispositif de découpe d'un petit premier orifice dans une paroi au fond de la mer et d'ouverture/fermeture dudit premier orifice, comprenant une embase comportant un grand deuxième orifice caractérisé en ce qu'il comprend:
- des moyens d'ancrage solidaires de ladite embase, aptes à ancrer ladite embase de manière réversible sur ladite paroi en maintenant ledit grand deuxième orifice à distance de ladite paroi de fond,
- un bouchon déformable solidaire de ladite embase et permettant d'ouvrir ou fermer ledit grand deuxième orifice selon la position d'ouverture ou respectivement de fermeture du bouchon sur l'embase,
- des moyens de déformation dudit bouchon solidaires de la dite embase, indépendants desdits moyens d'ancrage et aptes à créer une étanchéité par déformation dudit bouchon entre ledit grand deuxième orifice et ladite paroi de fond après que la dite embase soit ancrée sur ladite paroi de fond, et
- des moyens de coupe circulaire solidaires de ladite embase et aptes à
- se déplacer dans ledit grand deuxième orifice de l'embase pour découper un dit petit premier orifice circulaire dessous ledit grand deuxième orifice, lorsque ledit bouchon est en position de fermeture et que ladite embase est ancrée sur ladite paroi de fond, et
- se dégager dudit grand deuxième orifice pour permettre l'ouverture dudit premier orifice, lorsque ledit bouchon est en position d'ouverture.
- anchoring means secured to said base, able to anchor said base reversibly on said wall by keeping said large second orifice at a distance from said bottom wall,
- a deformable plug integral with said base and making it possible to open or close said large second orifice in the open or closed position of the cap on the base,
- deformation means of said plug integral with said base, independent of said anchoring means and adapted to create a seal by deformation of said plug between said large second orifice and said bottom wall after said base is anchored to said bottom wall; , and
- circular cutting means secured to said base and adapted to
- moving in said large second orifice of the base to cut a said first small circular hole below said large second orifice, when said plug is in the closed position and said base is anchored to said bottom wall, and
- to disengage from said large second orifice to allow the opening of said first orifice, when said plug is in the open position.
On comprend que le dispositif de la présente invention permet, lorsque ladite embase est ancrée sur la paroi de fond, après perçage d'un dit premier orifice et lorsque l'on déplace ledit bouchon et lesdits moyens de coupe en dite position de fermeture ou ouverture, de fermer ou, respectivement, ouvrir ledit premier orifice, pour permettre ou non un transfert de fluide à travers ledit premier orifice, comme explicité ci-après.It is understood that the device of the present invention allows, when said base is anchored to the bottom wall, after drilling a said first orifice and when moving said plug and said cutting means in said closed position or opening closing or, respectively, opening said first orifice, to allow or not a transfer of fluid through said first orifice, as explained below.
Le dispositif selon l'invention est particulièrement avantageux car il peut être assemblé en surface et descendu sur site en une seule opération de descente avec ladite embase supportant lesdits bouchons et dits moyens de coupe de la paroi, ainsi que lesdits moyens d'ancrage solidaires de ladite embase, puis maintenu ancré sur ladite paroi pendant et après les opérations de découpe de la paroi. D'autre part, après les opérations de découpe de la paroi, il est possible d'effectuer l'ouverture ou la fermeture dudit grand deuxième orifice de l'embase à l'aide d'un dit bouchon, sans avoir à remonter en surface lesdits moyens permettant ainsi des aller et retour de ladite navette pour transférer le fuel comme explicité ci-après. Enfin, le dispositif selon l'invention peut être déplacé, si nécessaire, pour percer un autre deuxième dit premier orifice sur la paroi pour continuer le vidage d'une cuve partiellement vidée à partir d'un premier dit premier orifice, sans avoir à remonter en surface tout ou partie du dispositif initialement installé et ancré sur la paroi autour d'un premier dit premier orifice.The device according to the invention is particularly advantageous because it can be assembled on the surface and down on site in a single descent operation with said base supporting said plugs and said wall cutting means, and said anchoring means integral with said base, and then anchored on said wall during and after the cutting operations of the wall. On the other hand, after the cutting operations of the wall, it is possible to open or close said large second orifice of the base with the aid of a said plug, without having to go back to the surface said means thus allowing return of said shuttle to transfer the fuel as explained below. Finally, the device according to the invention can be moved, if necessary, to drill another second said first orifice on the wall to continue the emptying of a partially emptied tank from a first said first orifice, without having to go up at the surface all or part of the device initially installed and anchored to the wall around a first said first orifice.
Dans l'art antérieur, l'embase est en général fixée par des moyens de perçage puis de vissage dans l'épaisseur de la paroi en acier de l'épave. Ceci permet alors d'écraser un joint situé en sous-face de ladite embase, et ce de manière suffisamment énergique pour que l'ensemble présente une étanchéité correcte entre le grand orifice de l'embase et la paroi de fond et on évite ainsi les fuites indésirables de produit polluant. En cas de fuites, il suffit alors de resserrer lesdites vis pour comprimer davantage ledit joint. Dans le dispositif selon l'invention, les fonctions d'étanchéité du grand deuxième orifice de l'embase et l'ancrage de l'embase sont dissociées. Ainsi, il est possible d'utiliser des aimants comme moyens d'ancrage. L'utilisation d'aimants nécessite de mettre d'abord lesdits aimants en contact avec la paroi en acier, car les aimants n'ont d'effets significatifs que si l'entre fer est quasiment nul, la capacité de résistance à l'arrachement s'effondrant dès que l'espace entre l'aimant et la paroi, c'est-à-dire l'entrefer, dépasse quelques dixièmes de millimètre, voire quelques millimètres. C'est pourquoi selon l'invention, on fournit un bouchon déformable, notamment comprenant un joint déformable, et des moyens de déformation du bouchon indépendants desdits moyens d'ancrage permettant de créer une chambre d'étanchéité après que les aimants aient été activés au contact de la paroi du navire donnant ainsi une résistance à l'arrachement maximale. Car, les aimants ne présenteraient pas de capacité suffisante pour écraser, à distance, par leur propre action avant qu'ils ne soient fixés sur la paroi, un joint sur une hauteur de 10-15 millimètre voire plus.In the prior art, the base is generally fixed by means of drilling and screwing in the thickness of the steel wall of the wreck. This then makes it possible to crush a seal located on the underside of said base, and in a sufficiently energetic manner that the assembly has a correct seal between the large orifice of the base and the bottom wall and thus avoids the unwanted leakage of pollutant. In case of leakage, it is then sufficient to tighten said screws to further compress said seal. In the device according to the invention, the sealing functions of the large second orifice of the base and the anchoring of the base are dissociated. Thus, it is possible to use magnets as anchoring means. The use of magnets requires first putting said magnets in contact with the steel wall, because the magnets have significant effects only if the iron is almost zero, the resistance to pulling resistance collapsing as soon as the space between the magnet and the wall, that is to say the gap, exceeds a few tenths of a millimeter, even a few millimeters. This is why according to the invention, a plug is provided deformable, in particular comprising a deformable seal, and cap deformation means independent of said anchoring means for creating a sealing chamber after the magnets have been activated in contact with the wall of the ship thus giving resistance to the maximum tearing off. Because the magnets do not have sufficient capacity to crush, remotely, by their own action before they are fixed on the wall, a seal on a height of 10-15 mm or more.
On comprend que les dits moyens de déformation dudit bouchon sont aptes à créer une étanchéité par déformation dudit bouchon entre ledit grand deuxième orifice et ladite paroi de fond après que la dite embase soit ancrée sur une dite paroi de fond non uniformément plane du fait de la déformation localisée de celle-ci ou de la présence d'un cordon de soudure.It is understood that said deformation means of said plug are able to create a seal by deformation of said plug between said large second orifice and said bottom wall after said base is anchored to a said non-uniformly flat bottom wall because of the localized deformation of the latter or the presence of a weld seam.
Un autre avantage de la présente invention est qu'un dispositif selon l'invention peut être relativement peu encombrant, de sorte qu'il est possible d'installer plusieurs dispositifs selon l'invention, cote à cote sur la même paroi d'une cuve en fuite, comme explicité ci-après.Another advantage of the present invention is that a device according to the invention can be relatively compact, so that it is possible to install several devices according to the invention, side by side on the same wall of a tank on the run, as explained below.
Si la paroi sur laquelle on cherche à ancrer l'embase, est la paroi d'une cuve présentant un trou par lequel s'échappe un fluide polluant contenu dans la cuve au fond de la mer, ladite embase peut servir pour y adapter tout dispositif d'extraction. Plus particulièrement, ladite embase peut elle-même servir pour l'ancrage d'un dispositif quelconque notamment un réservoir navette pour recueillir un fluide d'une cuve sur la paroi de laquelle ladite embase est ancrée.If the wall on which one seeks to anchor the base, is the wall of a tank having a hole through which escapes a polluting fluid contained in the tank at the bottom of the sea, said base can be used to adapt any device extraction. More particularly, said base can itself be used for anchoring any device including a shuttle reservoir for collecting a fluid from a tank on the wall of which said base is anchored.
Dans un dispositif destiné à la récupération d'un fluide s'écoulant à travers une ouverture dans ladite paroi, ladite embase comprend un grand deuxième orifice central cylindrique d'axe dans ladite direction longitudinale ZZ', notamment d'au moins 200 mm, plus particulièrement de 300 à 800 mm de diamètre, de réaliser un petit premier orifice correspondant dans la paroi de 100 à 500 mm, notamment de 200 à 300 mm de diamètre, pour l'évacuation d'un fluide d'une cuve sur la paroi de laquelle ladite embase est ancrée.In a device intended for recovering a fluid flowing through an opening in said wall, said base comprises a large cylindrical second central orifice with an axis in said longitudinal direction ZZ ', in particular at least 200 mm, more 300 to 800 mm in diameter, to make a small first hole corresponding in the wall of 100 to 500 mm, in particular from 200 to 300 mm diameter, for discharging a fluid from a tank on the wall of which said base is anchored.
La présente invention est plus particulièrement avantageuse pour réaliser desdits premiers orifices circulaires de 100 à 300 mm de diamètre.The present invention is more particularly advantageous for producing said first circular orifices of 100 to 300 mm in diameter.
Plus particulièrement, dans un dispositif selon l'invention :
- ladite embase comprend un plateau comprenant un dit grand deuxième orifice, et
- ledit bouchon comprend
- une paroi cylindrique définissant une dite chambre cylindrique disposée axialement ZZ audit grand deuxième orifice en sous face dudit plateau, la dite paroi cylindrique comprenant un joint élastomère supérieur sur son bord supérieur apte à créer l'étanchéité entre ledit plateau et ladite paroi cylindrique et un joint élastomère inférieur sur son bord inférieur apte à créer l'étanchéité entre ladite paroi cylindrique et ladite paroi de fond, et
- une plaque formant couvercle, et des moyens de basculement dudit couvercle montés sur ledit plateau, le basculement dudit couvercle permettant de fermer de manière étanche ledit grand deuxième orifice, et
- lesdits moyens de coupe sont solidaires dudit couvercle et comprennent scie cloche ou trépans monté en sous face dudit couvercle et un moteur monté sur ledit couvercle permettant de faire coulisser, dans la direction axiale ZZ' dudit grand deuxième orifice, et de faire actionner en rotation selon le même axe ZZ' ladite scie cloche ou trépans.
- said base comprises a plate comprising a said large second orifice, and
- said plug comprises
- a cylindrical wall defining a said cylindrical chamber arranged axially ZZ to said large second orifice on the underside of said plate, said cylindrical wall comprising an upper elastomer seal on its upper edge capable of creating the seal between said plate and said cylindrical wall and a joint lower elastomer on its lower edge adapted to create the seal between said cylindrical wall and said bottom wall, and
- a cover plate, and means for tilting said lid mounted on said tray, tilting said lid for sealing said large second orifice, and
- said cutting means are integral with said cover and comprise a hole saw or drill bit mounted on the underside of said cover and a motor mounted on said cover for sliding, in the axial direction ZZ 'of said large second orifice, and to operate in rotation according to the same axis ZZ 'said hole saw or drill bits.
Plus particulièrement encore, ladite embase comprend :
- un plateau comprenant un dit grand deuxième orifice,
- une dite paroi cylindrique définissant une dite chambre cylindrique disposée axialement ZZ' audit grand deuxième orifice en sous face dudit plateau, et
- un dit couvercle et des moyens de basculement dudit couvercle montés sur ledit plateau.
- a plate comprising a said large second orifice,
- a said cylindrical wall defining a said cylindrical chamber arranged axially ZZ 'to the said large second orifice at the underside of the said plate, and
- a said cover and means for tilting said cover mounted on said plate.
Avantageusement, ladite paroi cylindrique est reliée au dit plateau par des moyens de fixation constitués par des moyens d'écartement contrôlé de ladite paroi cylindrique par rapport audit plateau aptes à écarter ladite paroi cylindrique dudit plateau pour permettre le placage étanche de ladite paroi cylindrique contre ladite paroi au fond de la mer, de manière à créer une chambre cylindrique étanche entre ledit grand deuxième orifice et ladite paroi de fond lorsque ladite embase est ancrée sur ladite paroi de fond et que ledit couvercle est en position de fermeture, en ajustant la force d'écrasement de la paroi cylindrique contre la paroi de fond et la compression des dits joints élastomères.Advantageously, said cylindrical wall is connected to said plate by fastening means constituted by means of controlled separation of said cylindrical wall with respect to said plate adapted to move said cylindrical wall of said plate to allow the sealing of said cylindrical wall against said wall at the bottom of the sea, so as to create a sealed cylindrical chamber between said large second orifice and said bottom wall when said base is anchored to said bottom wall and said lid is in the closed position, adjusting the force of crushing of the cylindrical wall against the bottom wall and the compression of said elastomeric seals.
Il est ainsi possible de créer une chambre cylindrique étanche à l'intérieur de la paroi cylindrique, même lorsque la paroi de fond est quelque peu déformée. La pression exercée par la paroi cylindrique contre la paroi de fond, à l'aide desdits moyens de fixation, permet de compenser ces déformations par écrasement du joint inférieur de ladite paroi cylindrique, comme explicité ci-après.It is thus possible to create a sealed cylindrical chamber inside the cylindrical wall, even when the bottom wall is somewhat deformed. The pressure exerted by the cylindrical wall against the bottom wall, by means of said fixing means, makes it possible to compensate for these deformations by crushing the lower seal of said cylindrical wall, as explained hereinafter.
Plus particulièrement, les moyens de fixation sont constitués par des moyens d'écartement contrôlé de ladite paroi cylindrique par rapport audit plateau, localisés et agissant sur 3 points disposés en triangle autour dudit grand deuxième orifice,
- lesdits moyens d'écartement étant aptes à coopérer avec lesdits joints élastomère, en ajustant la force d'écrasement de la paroi cylindrique contre la paroi de fond pour créer une chambre étanche entre la paroi de fond, la paroi cylindrique et ledit plateau surmonté dudit couvercle en position de fermeture, de sorte que :
- en position initiale rapprochée, ledit joint élastomère supérieur est comprimé, et
- en position finale d'écartement de ladite paroi cylindrique par rapport audit plateau, ledit joint élastomère supérieur est expansé tout en maintenant une liaison étanche de ladite paroi cylindrique avec ledit plateau, et ledit joint élastomère inférieur est comprimé, ladite paroi cylindrique étant en liaison étanche avec ladite paroi de fond.
- said spacing means being adapted to cooperate with said elastomeric seals, adjusting the crushing force of the cylindrical wall against the bottom wall to create a sealed chamber between the bottom wall, the cylindrical wall and said plate surmounted by said lid in the closed position, so that:
- in a close initial position, said upper elastomer seal is compressed, and
- in final position of separation of said cylindrical wall with respect to said plate, said upper elastomer gasket is expanded while maintaining a sealed connection of said cylindrical wall with said plate, and said lower elastomer gasket is compressed, said cylindrical wall being in leaktight connection with said bottom wall.
L'épaisseur des joints et la possibilité de la faire varier par compression de ceux-ci contre le plateau et contre la paroi de fond, à l'aide desdits moyens d'écartement, permettent de créer une étanchéité même en cas de non planéité de la paroi de fond.The thickness of the joints and the possibility of varying them by compression of the latter against the plate and against the bottom wall, with the aid of said spacing means, make it possible to create a tightness even in the event of non-flatness. the bottom wall.
Plus particulièrement encore, lesdits moyens d'écartement comprennent des vérins ou des boulons coopérant avec des pas de vis de troisièmes orifices à travers ledit plateau.More particularly, said spacing means comprise cylinders or bolts cooperating with screw threads of third orifices through said plate.
Dans un mode préféré de réalisation, lesdits moyens d'ancrage comprennent des blocs aimants.In a preferred embodiment, said anchoring means comprise magnet blocks.
De préférence encore, lesdits aimants permettent de solidariser ledit plateau avec ladite paroi de fond, lesdits aimants coopérant alors avec ledit plateau en trois points d'appui disposés de façon triangulaire autour dudit grand deuxième orifice.More preferably, said magnets make it possible to secure said plate with said bottom wall, said magnets then cooperating with said plate in three bearing points arranged triangularly around said large second orifice.
Plus particulièrement, lesdits aimants sont disposés autour de ladite paroi cylindrique et maintiennent ledit plateau à distance de ladite paroi de fond. Ainsi, lorsque lesdits aimants sont solidarisés à ladite paroi de fond et lorsque ladite paroi cylindrique est solidaire dudit plateau en sous face de celui-ci, ledit joint supérieur étant comprimé, alors ledit joint élastomère inférieur est quelque peu écarté ou en contact avec ladite paroi de fond, et lesdits moyens d'écartement contrôlé permettent de contrôler la force d'écrasement de la paroi cylindrique contre la paroi de fond pour créer une chambre étanche entre la paroi de fond, la paroi cylindrique et ledit plateau surmonté dudit couvercle en position de fermeture.More particularly, said magnets are arranged around said cylindrical wall and keep said plate at a distance from said bottom wall. Thus, when said magnets are secured to said bottom wall and when said cylindrical wall is integral with said plate in the underside thereof, said upper seal being compressed, then said lower elastomeric seal is somewhat apart or in contact with said wall bottom, and said spacing means controlled control the crushing force of the cylindrical wall against the bottom wall to create a sealed chamber between the bottom wall, the cylindrical wall and said tray surmounted said lid in the closed position.
On comprend que la distance entre le plateau et la paroi de fond est donc légèrement supérieure à la hauteur de la paroi cylindrique lorsque les aimants sont activés pour solidariser le plateau et la paroi cylindrique de ladite paroi de fond.It is understood that the distance between the plate and the bottom wall is therefore slightly greater than the height of the cylindrical wall when the magnets are activated to secure the plate and the cylindrical wall of said bottom wall.
On peut ainsi, par activation desdits moyens d'écartement, contrôler la force d'écrasement de la paroi cylindrique contre la paroi de fond à percer, en fonction de la régularité de la paroi. Ceci permet, en particulier, d'exercer un appui maximal si la tôle de la paroi à percer est déformée.It is thus possible, by activating said spacing means, to control the crushing force of the cylindrical wall against the bottom wall to be pierced, depending on the regularity of the wall. This allows, in particular, to exert maximum support if the sheet of the wall to be pierced is deformed.
Avantageusement, le dispositif selon l'invention comprend quatre aimants disposés rectangulairement et coopérant avec ledit plateau en trois zones :
- deux premiers aimants étant montés solidaires en sous face dudit plateau et d'un même coté dudit rectangle, et
- deux seconds aimants étant disposés à l'extérieur dudit plateau, reliés l'un à l'autre par un bras de liaison articulé en rotation autour d'un axe transversal médian matérialisé par au moins une première extrémité d'un deuxième bras de liaison solidaire dudit plateau,
- lesdits aimants étant activables par actionnement d'un levier.
- first two magnets being mounted integral on the underside of said plate and on the same side of said rectangle, and
- two second magnets being disposed outside said plate, connected to each other by a connecting arm articulated in rotation about a median transverse axis materialized by at least a first end of a second solidarity link arm said plateau,
- said magnets being activatable by actuating a lever.
On comprend que lesdits deux premiers aimants sont directement solidaires du plateau en deux zones différentes, tandis que les deux dits seconds aimants sont solidaires dudit plateau par l'intermédiaire de la deuxième extrémité dudit deuxième bras de liaison, c'est-à-dire une seule et même zone dudit plateau.It is understood that said first two magnets are directly integral with the plate in two different zones, while the two said second magnets are integral with said plate via the second end of said second linkage arm, that is to say one only one and same area of said plateau.
Ce système de quatre aimants coopérant en trois points avec ledit plateau forme un système isostatique de fixation dudit plateau sur ladite paroi de fond.This system of four magnets cooperating at three points with said plate forms an isostatic system for fixing said plate on said bottom wall.
Des éléments de flottabilité peuvent être incorporés au dispositif d'installation et d'ancrage d'une embase selon l'invention pour contrôler sa flottabilité, notamment lors de sa descente au fond de la mer depuis la surface, pour effectuer celle-ci en équilibre hydrostatique, mais aussi au moment de l'approche et de la pose du dispositif selon l'invention contre la paroi à percer. Cette approche et cette pose peuvent être effectuées à l'aide d'un opérateur extérieur et, notamment, par l'intermédiaire d'un ROV, notamment s'il y a lieu d'incliner le dispositif selon l'invention pour son ancrage sur une paroi fortement inclinée, ou sur une paroi verticale.Buoyancy elements may be incorporated in the device for installing and anchoring a base according to the invention to control its buoyancy, especially during its descent to the seabed from the surface, to make it in equilibrium hydrostatic, but also at the time of approach and installation of the device according to the invention against the wall to be pierced. This approach and this pose can be carried out with the aid of an external operator and, in particular, via a ROV, in particular if it is necessary to incline the device according to the invention for its anchoring on a strongly inclined wall, or on a vertical wall.
Toutefois, si le dispositif est à installer sur une paroi supérieure d'un objet sous-marin, notamment sur une cuve ou sur un navire au fond de la mer, ladite paroi supérieure étant sensiblement horizontale, le dispositif d'installation et d'ancrage, d'une embase selon l'invention, peut être posé directement sans l'aide d'opérateur extérieur.However, if the device is to be installed on a top wall of an underwater object, in particular on a tank or on a ship at the bottom of the sea, said upper wall being substantially horizontal, the installation and anchoring device , a base according to the invention can be placed directly without the aid of outside operator.
On entend ici par sensiblement horizontale que ladite paroi peut être inclinée pour autant qu'il soit possible d'y poser ladite embase de façon suffisamment stable pour permettre son ancrage.Here it is understood by substantially horizontal that said wall can be inclined as far as it is possible to lay said base sufficiently stable to allow its anchoring.
Avantageusement, tout ou partie desdits moyens de coupe, dits moyens d'ancrage de l'embase, dits moyens de fixation de ladite paroi cylindrique sur ledit plateau et dits moyens de basculement dudit couvercle sont actionnables par un ROV.Advantageously, all or part of said cutting means, said means for anchoring the base, said fixing means of said cylindrical wall on said plate and said tilting means of said cover are actuable by an ROV.
La présente invention fournit également un procédé de pose et d'ancrage d'une embase sur une paroi au fond de la mer sensiblement horizontale et découpe d'une dite paroi de fond, à l'aide d'un dispositif selon l'invention, caractérisé en ce que on réalise les étapes successives suivantes, dans lesquelles :
- 1- on descend, depuis la surface, un dit dispositif selon l'invention, ledit bouchon étant en position de fermeture dudit grand deuxième orifice, et
- 2- on ancre ladite embase sur ladite paroi de fond, et
- 3- on déforme ledit bouchon de manière à créer une étanchéité par déformation dudit bouchon entre ledit grand deuxième orifice et ladite paroi de fond après que la dite embase soit ancrée sur ladite paroi de fond (6), notamment on plaque ladite paroi cylindrique contre ladite paroi de fond, et
- 4- on actionne, en coulissement longitudinal ZZ' vers ladite paroi de fond et en rotation, lesdits moyens de coupe pour découper un dit premier orifice dans ladite paroi, ledit bouchon étant en dite position de fermeture.
Plus particulièrement, après ladite découpe de l'étape 4-, on réalise l'étape ultérieure suivante, dans laquelle : - 5- on actionne en coulissement longitudinal ZZ' en sens inverse lesdits moyens de coupe en maintenant le cas échéant ladite paroi cylindrique plaquée contre ladite paroi de fond en liaison étanche, ledit bouchon étant toujours en dite position de fermeture dudit grand deuxième orifice.
- One descends, from the surface, a said device according to the invention, said stopper being in the closed position of said large second orifice, and
- 2- anchor said base on said bottom wall, and
- 3-deforming said plug so as to create a seal by deformation of said plug between said large second orifice and said bottom wall after said base is anchored to said bottom wall (6), in particular said cylindrical wall plate against said bottom wall, and
- 4 is actuated, in longitudinal sliding ZZ 'to said bottom wall and in rotation, said cutting means for cutting a said first hole in said wall, said plug being in said closed position.
More particularly, after said cutting of step 4, the following subsequent step is carried out, in which: - 5 is actuated longitudinally in sliding ZZ 'said cutting means by maintaining if appropriate said cylindrical wall pressed against said bottom wall in leaktight connection, said plug always being in said closed position of said large second orifice.
La présente invention fournit également un procédé de récupération d'un fluide visqueux tel qu'un effluent polluant, plus léger que l'eau, contenu dans une cuve d'un navire coulé et/ou endommagé reposant au fond de la mer, dans lequel:
- 1- on réalise un procédé de pose et ancrage d'une embase et perçage de la paroi de ladite cuve selon un procédé de pose et d'ancrage d'une embase sur une paroi de fond et découpe de ladite paroi de fond selon l'invention, et
- 2- on descend un dit réservoir navette depuis la surface jusqu'au dessus de ladite embase, et
- 3- on ancre ledit réservoir navette sur ladite paroi de fond ou sur ladite embase, de manière à ce que l'ouverture inférieure dudit réservoir navette soit positionnée à proximité et au-dessus dudit grand deuxième orifice de ladite embase, et
- 4- on ouvre ledit grand deuxième orifice de ladite embase avec ledit bouchon en dite position d'ouverture, et on laisse s'écouler naturellement ledit fluide contenu dans la cuve dans ledit réservoir navette par l'orifice inférieur dudit réservoir navette, et
- 5- lorsque ledit réservoir navette est rempli de fluide, on remonte ledit réservoir navette en surface après avoir refermé ledit premier petit orifice et ledit grand deuxième orifice de ladite embase à l'aide dudit bouchon en dite position de fermeture, et
- 6- on stocke ledit réservoir navette rempli de fluide dans un navire en surface et/ou on vide ledit réservoir navette dans ledit navire et/ou on le transporte dans un site pour y être vidé, et
- 7- le cas échéant, on répète les étapes 1. à 6. avec un même réservoir navette ou un autre réservoir navette jusqu'à ce que la quantité voulue soit récupérée, lesdits moyens de coupe et dit bouchon restant toujours solidaires de ladite embase ancrée sur ladite paroi de fond.
- 1- a method of laying and anchoring a base and piercing the wall of said vessel according to a method of laying and anchoring a base on a bottom wall and cutting said bottom wall according to the invention, and
- 2- we descend a said shuttle tank from the surface to the top of said base, and
- 3- anchoring said shuttle reservoir on said bottom wall or said base, so that the lower opening of said shuttle reservoir is positioned near and above said large second orifice of said base, and
- Said large second orifice of said base is opened with said stopper in said open position, and said fluid contained in the tank is allowed to flow naturally into said shuttle reservoir through the lower orifice of said shuttle reservoir, and
- When said shuttle tank is filled with fluid, said surface shuttle tank is raised after closing said first small orifice and said large second orifice of said base with said plug in said closed position, and
- 6- storing said shuttle tank filled with fluid in a surface vessel and / or emptying said shuttle tank in said vessel and / or is transported to a site to be emptied, and
- 7- where appropriate, steps 1 to 6 are repeated with the same shuttle tank or another shuttle tank until the desired quantity is recovered, said cutting means and said cap remaining always integral with said anchored base on said bottom wall.
Plus particulièrement, on réalise les étapes supplémentaires dans lesquelles :
- 1a- on réalise un procédé de pose et ancrage d'une embase et découpe de la paroi de fond d'une même cuve à l'aide d'un deuxième dispositif d'ancrage et découpe selon l'invention, et on découpe un deuxième dit premier orifice, de préférence sur la même paroi que le premier dit premier orifice selon un procédé de l'invention, puis
- 2a- on ouvre ledit grand deuxième orifice de l'embase dudit deuxième dispositif, et on introduit dans le deuxième dit premier orifice de ladite paroi de fond percé des moyens permettant d'introduire de l'eau de mer au fond de ladite cuve, au fur et à mesure de l'écoulement dudit fluide visqueux depuis la cuve vers ledit réservoir navette, à travers le premier dit premier orifice.
- 1a is carried out a method of laying and anchoring a base and cutting the bottom wall of the same vessel with a second anchoring device and cutting according to the invention, and cutting a second said first orifice, preferably on the same wall as the first said first orifice according to a method of the invention, then
- 2a-opens said large second port of the base of said second device, and is introduced into the second said first hole of said perforated bottom wall means for introducing sea water at the bottom of said vessel, at as the flow of said viscous fluid from the vessel to said shuttle reservoir through the first said first port.
Avantageusement, dans le procédé ci-dessus, à l'étape 2a-, on introduit une canule s'étendant jusqu'à proximité du fond de la cuve, ladite canule étant munie d'une vanne proche de son extrémité supérieure, ainsi que, de préférence, une soupape de sécurité permettant d'éviter toute surpression dans la cuve, ladite canule coulissant à frottement dur à l'intérieur d'une pièce de raccordement, celle-ci permettant un raccordement étanche de ladite canule avec le deuxième dit premier orifice.Advantageously, in the above process, in step 2a, a cannula extending to the vicinity of the bottom of the tank is introduced, said cannula being provided with a valve close to its upper end, as well as, preferably, a safety valve to prevent any overpressure in the tank, said hard-sliding cannula inside a connecting piece, the latter allowing a sealed connection of said cannula with the second said first orifice; .
Plus particulièrement, dans le procédé selon l'invention, on réalise les étapes dans lesquelles :
- après l'étape 1a- de découpe d'un deuxième dit premier orifice dans ladite paroi de fond, on laisse en place les moyens de coupe du deuxième dit dispositif sur la paroi de fond, de manière à maintenir fermé le deuxième dit premier orifice par lesdits moyens de coupe bouchant ledit premier orifice à l'aide de moyens de retenue, puis
- à l'étape 2a-, ladite pièce de raccordement est au moins en partie en forme d'entonnoir et on introduit en force ladite canule à l'intérieur dudit entonnoir, jusqu'à ce que ladite pièce de raccordement soit en liaison étanche avec le deuxième dit grand deuxième orifice, puis on fait coulisser ladite canule par rapport à ladite pièce de raccordement en appuyant en force ladite canule contre lesdits moyens de coupe jusqu'à ce que lesdits moyens de retenue cèdent et laissent tomber lesdits moyens de coupe dans la cuve, puis on continue de faire coulisser ladite canule jusqu'à ce que l'extrémité inférieure de ladite canule arrive à proximité ou repose sur le fond de la cuve, puis on ouvre ladite vanne supérieure qui était, jusque là, en position fermée.
- after the step 1a of cutting a second said first orifice in said bottom wall, the cutting means of the second said device are left in place on the bottom wall, so as to keep the second said first orifice closed by said cutting means plugging said first orifice with retaining means, and then
- in step 2a, said connecting piece is at least partly funnel-shaped and said cannula is forced into said funnel, until said connecting piece is in leaktight connection with the second said large second orifice, then said cannula is slid with respect to said connecting piece by pressing said cannula force against said cutting means until said retaining means yield and drop said cutting means into the tank , and then continue to slide said cannula until the lower end of said cannula arrives near or rests on the bottom of the tank, then opens said upper valve which was, until then, in the closed position.
D'autres caractéristiques et avantages de la présente invention ressortiront mieux à la lecture de la description qui va suivre, faite de manière illustrative et non limitative, en référence aux dessins annexés sur lesquels :
- la
figure 1 est une coupe en vue de côté d'une cuve ou d'une épave sur laquelle est installé un réservoir navette stabilisé à la verticale d'un percement de coque réalisé à l'aide du dispositif de découpe selon l'invention, ladite navette étant en cours de remplissage, - la
figure 2A est une vue en plan partielle d'un dispositif de découpe selon l'invention, la partie supérieure comportant le couvercle pivotant et l'outil de coupe n'étant pas représentée, - la
figure 2B est une vue de côté en coupe partielle relative à lafigure 3a , dans laquelle figure la partie supérieure comportant le couvercle pivotant et l'outil de coupe, la paroi cylindrique délimitant chambre d'étanchéité étant représentée en position rétractée, - la
figure 2C correspond à lafigure 2B , ladite paroi cylindrique de la chambre d'étanchéité étant représentée en position déployée, - la
figure 2D représente en en vue de côté et en coupe partielle, le forage de la coque de l'épave, l'outil venant de déboucher dans le réservoir et la pastille d'acier de débouchure tombant au fond dudit réservoir, - la
figure 2E correspond à lafigure 2D , l'outil de découpe étant en position rétractée, libérant ainsi le passage au fluide polluant, lequel investit alors complètement la chambre étanche, - les
figures 3A-3F représentent en vue de côté les différentes séquences de la découpe ou carottage de la paroi en vue d'installer un dispositif d'injection d'eau de mer au fond du réservoir de l'épave, - la
figure 4 est une vue de côté d'un réservoir navette stabilisé dans sa remontée par un câble de liaison alourdi par des blocs solidaires de ce dernier et jouant aussi le rôle de limiteur de courbure, - les
figures 4A et 4B représentent des états similaires à celui de lafigure 4 , le réservoir navette étant en phase de remontée sur lafigure 4A et en descente sur lafigure 4B , - la
figure 4C représente le détail de deux blocs en contact, lorsque ledit câble est courbé, - la
figure 4D représente le chapelet de blocs simplement suspendu en position verticale.
- the
figure 1 is a sectional view of a side of a tank or wreck on which is installed a shuttle tank stabilized vertically a piercing shell made using the cutting device according to the invention, said shuttle being during filling, - the
Figure 2A is a partial plan view of a cutting device according to the invention, the upper part comprising the pivoting lid and the cutting tool not being shown, - the
Figure 2B is a side view in partial section relative to thefigure 3a , in which is shown the upper part comprising the pivoting lid and the cutting tool, the cylindrical wall delimiting the sealing chamber being represented in the retracted position, - the
Figure 2C corresponds to theFigure 2B , said cylindrical wall of the sealing chamber being shown in the deployed position, - the
2D figure represents, in a side view and in partial section, the drilling of the hull of the wreck, the tool having just debouched in the tank and the wafer of knockout steel falling at the bottom of said tank, - the
figure 2E corresponds to the2D figure , the cutting tool being in the retracted position, thus releasing the passage to the polluting fluid, which then completely invests the sealed chamber, - the
Figures 3A-3F represent in side view the different sequences of the cutting or coring of the wall in order to install a device for injecting seawater at the bottom of the tank of the wreck, - the
figure 4 is a side view of a shuttle tank stabilized in its ascent by a connecting cable weighed by integral blocks of the latter and also acting as curvature limiter, - the
Figures 4A and 4B represent states similar to that of thefigure 4 , the shuttle tank being in recovery phase on theFigure 4A and downhill on theFigure 4B , - the
figure 4C represents the detail of two blocks in contact, when said cable is bent, - the
figure 4D represents the string of blocks simply suspended in a vertical position.
La
Ledit réservoir navette 10 comprend une enveloppe principale souple ou rigide 10a à paroi périphérique cylindrique surmontée d'un dôme rigide 10b présentant un profil en forme d'obus en section verticale, ledit dôme renfermant de préférence des éléments de flottabilité 10c tels que de la mousse syntactique permettant de contrôler sa descente à vide et sa remontée en surface sous la simple action de la poussée d'Archimède, en décalant de préférence le centre de flottabilité dudit réservoir navette rempli de fluide vers le haut par rapport à son centre de gravité apparent dans l'eau.Said
Le dispositif 1 de découpe d'un petit premier orifice 1-1 dans une paroi 6 au fond de la mer et d'ouverture/fermeture dudit premier orifice des
- une paroi cylindrique 3-1 autour et dessous ledit grand deuxième orifice 2-1, ladite paroi cylindrique définissant une chambre cylindrique, et
- une plaque formant couvercle basculant 3-2 par-dessus ledit plateau 3-3. Le couvercle 3-2 comporte un joint périphérique circulaire en sous face 3-2a faisant le tour du grand deuxième orifice 2-1 lorsque la couvercle repose sur le plateau à plat par-dessus ledit grand deuxième orifice. Le basculement dudit couvercle permet ainsi de fermer de manière étanche ledit grand deuxième orifice.
- a cylindrical wall 3-1 around and below said large second orifice 2-1, said cylindrical wall defining a cylindrical chamber, and
- a tilting lid plate 3-2 over said tray 3-3. Cover 3-2 has a circumferential circumferential peripheral seal 3-2a around the large second port 2-1 when the cover rests on the flatbed over said large second port. The tilting of said lid thus makes it possible to seal said large second orifice.
Les
La plaque formant couvercle 3-2 supporte des moyens de coupe circulaire 4 comprenant une scie cloche ou trépans 4-1 montée en sous face dudit couvercle et un vérin 4-3 et un moteur 4-2 montés sur ledit couvercle. Ledit vérin 4-3 permet d'actionner une tige qui fait coulisser la scie cloche 4-1 et le moteur 4-2 en translation par rapport au couvercle 3-2, à travers ledit grand deuxième orifice dans la direction axiale ZZ' dudit grand deuxième orifice. Le moteur 4-2 permet d'actionner la scie cloche en rotation selon le même axe de rotation ZZ'.The cover plate 3-2 supports circular cutting means 4 comprising a hole saw or trephine 4-1 mounted on the underside of said cover and a jack 4-3 and a motor 4-2 mounted on said lid. Said jack 4-3 makes it possible to actuate a rod which slides the hole saw 4-1 and the motor 4-2 in translation relative to the lid 3-2, through said large second orifice in the axial direction ZZ 'of said large second orifice. The motor 4-2 makes it possible to actuate the bell saw in rotation along the same axis of rotation ZZ '.
La plaque formant couvercle 3-2 et les moyens de coupe 4 sont entraînés en basculement solidairement par des moyens de basculement 3-5 comprenant un élément de liaison 3-5a dont une extrémité est articulée en rotation selon un axe parallèle au dit couvercle 3-2 au niveau des étriers 3-5b reposant sur le plateau 3-3 et dont l'autre extrémité est solidaire dudit couvercle par l'intermédiaire d'une structure supérieure renfermant ledit moteur 4-2 et à laquelle ledit vérin 4-3 d'actionnement en translation du moteur 4-2 est solidaire.The cover plate 3-2 and the cutting means 4 are pivotally driven together by tilting means 3-5 comprising a connecting element 3-5a whose one end is articulated in rotation along an axis parallel to said cover 3- 2 at the stirrups 3-5b resting on the tray 3-3 and whose other end is secured to said cover via an upper structure enclosing said motor 4-2 and to which said cylinder 4-3 d ' actuation in translation of the motor 4-2 is integral.
La scie cloche 4-1 est apte à
- se déplacer en translation dans ledit grand deuxième orifice 2-1 pour découper un dit petit premier orifice 1-1 circulaire de la paroi 6 dessous ledit grand deuxième orifice, lorsque ledit bouchon 3-2 est en position de fermeture et que ladite embase est ancrée sur ladite paroi 6 de fond, et
- se dégager dudit grand deuxième orifice pour permettre l'ouverture dudit premier orifice, lorsque ledit bouchon est en position d'ouverture.
- translational movement in said large second orifice 2-1 for cutting a said small first circular hole 1-1 of the
wall 6 below said large second orifice, when said plug 3-2 is in the closed position and said base is anchored on saidbottom wall 6, and - to disengage from said large second orifice to allow the opening of said first orifice, when said plug is in the open position.
Ladite paroi cylindrique 3-1 est reliée audit plateau 3-3 par des moyens de fixation comprenant 3 vérins 3-4 reposant sur ledit plateau 3-3 à l'extérieur du couvercle 3-2 et disposés en triangle autour dudit grand deuxième orifice. Les tiges 3-4a de ces vérins 3-4 traversent des troisièmes orifices 2-2 du plateau 3-3 et sont solidaires du bord supérieur de la paroi cylindrique 3-1. Ces moyens de fixation constituent aussi des moyens permettant de faire varier l'écartement entre la paroi cylindrique 3-1.et le plateau 3-3. Ces moyens d'écartement combinées à des joints élastomères sur les bords supérieur 3-1d et inférieur 3-1c de la paroi cylindrique 3-1 permettent d'ajuster la pression exercée par la paroi cylindrique 3-1 contre la paroi de fonds 6 en fonction de ses irrégularité de forme de la paroi de fonds 6. Lesdits joints élastomères souples comprennent :
- un joint élastomère supérieur 3-1a entre ledit plateau 3-3 et ladite paroi cylindrique 3-1 et
- un joint élastomère inférieur 3-1b entre ladite paroi cylindrique 3-1 et ladite paroi de fond 6.
- an upper elastomer seal 3-1a between said plate 3-3 and said cylindrical wall 3-1 and
- a lower elastomer seal 3-1b between said cylindrical wall 3-1 and said
bottom wall 6.
Lesdits moyens d'écartement 3-4 coopèrent avec lesdits joints élastomère, de sorte que :
- en position initiale rapprochée, ledit joint élastomère supérieur 3-1a est comprimé, ledit joint inférieur étant expansé, ledit joint inférieur pouvant être en contact étanche avec ladite paroi de fond 6, et
- en position finale d'écartement de ladite paroi cylindrique par rapport audit plateau, ledit joint élastomère supérieur 3-1a est expansé tout en maintenant une liaison étanche de ladite paroi cylindrique avec ledit plateau, et ledit joint élastomère inférieur 3-1b est comprimé, ladite paroi cylindrique étant en liaison étanche avec ladite paroi de fond 6.
- in the initial close-up position, said upper elastomer seal 3-1a is compressed, said lower seal being expanded, said lower seal being in sealing contact with said
bottom wall 6, and - in the final position of separation of said cylindrical wall with respect to said plate, said upper elastomer seal 3-1a is expanded while maintaining a tight connection of said cylindrical wall with said plate, and said lower elastomer seal 3-1b is compressed, said cylindrical wall being in sealing connection with said
bottom wall 6.
Les moyens d'écartement 3-4 et joints 3-1a et 3-1b permettent de réaliser un placage étanche de ladite paroi cylindrique 3-1 contre ladite paroi au fond de la mer 6, de manière à définir une dite chambre cylindrique étanche lorsque ledit couvercle 3 est en position de fermeture même en cas de déformation de la paroi de fonds à ce niveau, ou de la présence de cordons de soudure.The spacing means 3-4 and seals 3-1a and 3-1b make it possible to seal said cylindrical wall 3-1 against said wall at the bottom of the
La paroi cylindrique 3-1 peut être constituée d'une portion de tube épais 3-1 actionnée en translation par trois vérins 3-4 hydrauliques ou mécaniques synchronisés, de manière à ce que le bord inférieur du tube 3-1c vienne se plaquer sur la paroi du réservoir, en écrasant le second joint élastomère souple 3-1b, ce dernier assurant alors l'étanchéité de la chambre même dans les zones de soudures ou d'irrégularité de la paroi, l'irrégularité maximale étant de l'ordre de 10-15mm. Lorsque le tube 3-1c est en position basse, le premier joint élastomère souple 3-1a se détend et continue à assurer l'étanchéité au niveau du plateau principal 3-3.The cylindrical wall 3-1 may consist of a portion of thick tube 3-1 actuated in translation by three hydraulic 3-4 hydraulic jacks or synchronized, so that the lower edge of the 3-1c tube comes to be pressed on the tank wall, by crushing the second flexible elastomer seal 3-1b, the latter then sealing the chamber even in the weld or irregularity areas of the wall, the maximum irregularity being of the order of 10-15mm. When the tube 3-1c is in the low position, the first flexible elastomer seal 3-1a expands and continues to seal at the main tray 3-3.
Le plateau 3-3 coopère avec des moyens d'ancrage 5 comprenant des aimants 5-1, 5-2, solidaires dudit plateau 3-3, et aptes à ancrer ladite embase de manière réversible sur ladite paroi 6.The plate 3-3 cooperates with anchoring means 5 comprising magnets 5-1, 5-2, integral with said plate 3-3, and able to anchor said base reversibly on said
Quatre aimants 5-1, 5-2 sont disposés autour de ladite paroi cylindrique 3-1 rectangulairement, deux premiers aimants 5-1 sont montés solidaires en sous face dudit plateau 3-3 et d'un même coté dudit rectangle, et deux seconds aimants 5-2 sont disposés à l'extérieur dudit plateau 3-3, reliés l'un à l'autre par un bras de liaison 5-3 articulé en rotation autour d'un axe transversal médian matérialisé par au moins une première extrémité 5-4a d'un deuxième bras de liaison 5-4 solidaire dudit plateau. Ces quatre aimants coopèrent ainsi en trois points d'appui avec ledit plateau disposés de façon triangulaire autour dudit grand deuxième orifice 2-1 pour former un système isostatique de fixation dudit plateau sur ladite paroi de fond avantageux en cas de déformation de la paroi de fonds 6.Four magnets 5-1, 5-2 are arranged around said cylindrical wall 3-1 rectangularly, two first magnets 5-1 are mounted integral on the underside of said plate 3-3 and on the same side of said rectangle, and two seconds 5-2 magnets are disposed outside said tray 3-3, connected to each other by a connecting arm 5-3 articulated in rotation about a median transverse axis materialized by at least a first end 5 -4a of a second connecting arm 5-4 integral with said plate. These four magnets thus cooperate in three points of support with said plate arranged triangularly around said large second orifice 2-1 to form an isostatic system for fixing said plate on said advantageous bottom wall in case of deformation of the bottom wall. 6.
Lesdits aimants sont activables magnétiquement par actionnement d'un levier 5-6 à l'aide de vérins 5-5 et sont solidarisés avec ledit plateau 3-3 de manière définitive et avec la paroi 6 de manière réversible.Said magnets are magnetically activatable by actuating a lever 5-6 with cylinders 5-5 and are permanently secured to said plate 3-3 and with the
Les blocs aimants 5-1 et 5-2 de préhension à forte capacité, dont la mise en action est assurée pour chacun par un vérin hydraulique 5-5 agissant sur un levier 5-6, sont connus de l'homme de l'art. Ils comportent en général un levier actionné à la main, ce qui permet de positionner des pièces magnétiques sur des machines en vue de leur usinage. Les aimants les plus performants ont des capacités de traction de 500 à 750 kg, voire plus, lorsqu'ils sont appliqués sur des surfaces magnétiques planes correctement brossées et dépourvues de peinture.The high-capacity 5-1 and 5-2 magnet blocks, each actuated by a hydraulic cylinder 5-5 acting on a lever 5-6, are known to those skilled in the art. . They generally include a lever operated by hand, which allows to position magnetic parts on machines for their machining. The best performing magnets have pulling capacities of 500 to 750 kg or more when applied to flat magnetic surfaces that are properly brushed and free of paint.
On comprend que la hauteur des blocs aimants 5-1 et 5-2 et donc la distance entre le plateau et la paroi de fond lorsque les aimants sont activés et solidarisés à la paroi 6, sont légèrement supérieures à la hauteur de la paroi cylindrique pour permettre d'ajuster la compression du joint inférieur et donc la pression de la paroi cylindrique 3-1 contre la paroi comme expliqué ci-dessus. On peut ainsi, par actionnement desdits moyens d'écartement, contrôler la force d'écrasement de la paroi cylindrique contre la paroi de fond à percer, en fonction des régularités de la paroi. Ceci permet, en particulier, d'exercer un appui maximal si la tôle de la paroi à percer est déformée, de manière à comprimer correctement le joint 3-1b et créer une étanchéité entre la paroi cylindrique 3-1 et la paroi de fond 6, tout en conservant l'étanchéité entre la paroi cylindrique 3-1 et le plateau 3-3 au niveau du bord supérieur 3-1d.It is understood that the height of the magnet blocks 5-1 and 5-2 and therefore the distance between the plate and the bottom wall when the magnets are activated and secured to the
Un ROV 7 alimenté et piloté depuis la surface 12 par un lien 7-1, permet d'actionner un bras articulé 7-2 et de commander et actionner, le cas échéant, par l'intermédiaire d'une liaison d'alimentation en énergie 7-3, les différents éléments suivants : les moteur 4-2 et vérin 4-3 desdits moyens de coupe 4, les vérins 5-5 desdits moyens d'ancrage de l'embase 5, les vérins 3-4 desdits moyens de fixation et d'écartement de ladite paroi cylindrique sur ledit plateau et lesdits moyens de basculement 3-5 dudit couvercle. Sur la
Le procédé de pose et d'ancrage d'une embase sur une paroi au fond de la mer sensiblement horizontale et perçage d'une dite paroi de fond, à l'aide d'un dispositif selon l'invention comprend les étapes successives suivantes, dans lesquelles :
- 1- on descend, depuis la surface, un dit dispositif de découpe 1 selon l'invention, ledit couvercle 3-2 étant en position de fermeture dudit grand deuxième orifice, et
- 2- on ancre ladite embase 2 sur ladite paroi de fond 6, et
- 3- on plaque ladite paroi cylindrique 3-1 contre ladite paroi de fond de manière à créer une chambre cylindrique étanche entre ledit couvercle fermée, la dite paroi cylindrique et ladite paroi de fond 6 en ajustant la compression desdits joints 3-1a et 3-1b et
- 4- on actionne, en coulissement longitudinal ZZ' vers ladite paroi de fond 6 et en rotation, lesdits moyens de coupe 4 pour percer un dit premier orifice 1-1 dans ladite paroi, ledit bouchon 3 étant en dite position de fermeture, et.
- 5- on actionne en coulissement longitudinal ZZ' en sens inverse lesdits moyens de coupe en maintenant le cas échéant ladite paroi cylindrique 3-1 plaquée contre ladite paroi de fond en liaison étanche, ledit bouchon étant toujours en dite position de fermeture dudit grand deuxième orifice.
- One descends, from the surface, a said cutting device 1 according to the invention, said lid 3-2 being in the closed position of said large second orifice, and
- 2- anchor said
base 2 on saidbottom wall 6, and - 3-plate said cylindrical wall 3-1 against said bottom wall so as to create a sealed cylindrical chamber between said closed cover, said cylindrical wall and said
bottom wall 6 by adjusting the compression of said seals 3-1a and 3- 1b and - 4, ZZ 'is actuated, in longitudinal sliding ZZ' towards said
bottom wall 6 and in rotation, said cutting means 4 for piercing a said first orifice 1-1 in said wall, said cap 3 being in said closed position, and. - 5 is actuated longitudinally ZZ 'in reverse said cutting means holding optionally said cylindrical wall 3-1 pressed against said bottom wall in leaktight connection, said cap being always in said closed position of said large second orifice .
L'outil de coupe 4 ou carotteuse comprend d'une motorisation 4-2, de préférence hydraulique, la puissance étant alors fournie par le ROV, par l'intermédiaire d'un flexible hydraulique aller-retour 7-3, ladite motorisation 4-2 pouvant se déplacer de haut en bas selon l'axe vertical ZZ', la descente étant assurée, par exemple, par un vérin hydraulique 4-3 actionné lui aussi par le ROV, donc piloté depuis la surface par l'opérateur. A l'extrémité inférieure de ladite motorisation, la scie cloche 4-1 est installée sur l'arbre moteur et comporte en son centre un foret pilote 4-1a.The cutting tool 4 or core drill comprises a motor 4-2, preferably hydraulic, the power being then provided by the ROV, via a hydraulic hose 7-3 return, said motorization 4- 2 can move up and down along the vertical axis ZZ ', the descent being ensured, for example, by a hydraulic cylinder 4-3 also actuated by the ROV, thus driven from the surface by the operator. At the lower end of said engine, the bell saw 4-1 is installed on the motor shaft and comprises at its center a pilot drill 4-1a.
Comme représenté sur la
Ainsi, au début du carottage, représenté sur la
Le procédé de récupération d'un fluide visqueux tel qu'un effluent polluant, plus léger que l'eau, contenu dans une cuve d'un navire coulé et/ou endommagé reposant au fond de la mer, comprend les étapes dans lesquelles:
- 1- on réalise un procédé de pose et ancrage d'une embase et perçage de la paroi de ladite cuve selon un procédé ci-dessus, et
- 2- on descend un dit réservoir navette 10 depuis la
surface 14 jusqu'au dessus de ladite embase 2, et - 3- on
ancre 15 ledit réservoir navette sur ladite paroi de fond 6 ou sur ladite embase, de manière à ce que l'ouverture inférieure 16 dudit réservoir navette soit positionnée à proximité et au-dessus dudit grand deuxième orifice 2-1 de ladite embase, et - 4- on ouvre ledit grand deuxième orifice 2-1 de ladite embase avec ledit bouchon en dite position d'ouverture, et on laisse s'écouler naturellement ledit fluide contenu dans la cuve dans ledit réservoir navette par l'orifice inférieur 16 dudit réservoir navette, et
- 5- lorsque ledit réservoir navette est rempli de fluide, on remonte ledit réservoir navette en surface après avoir refermé ledit premier petit orifice la et ledit grand deuxième orifice 2-1 de ladite embase à l'aide dudit bouchon 3 en dite position de fermeture, et
- 6- on stocke ledit réservoir navette rempli de fluide dans un navire en surface et/ou on vide ledit réservoir navette dans ledit navire et/ou on le transporte dans un site pour y être vidé, et
- 7- le cas échéant, on répète les étapes 1- à 6- avec un même réservoir navette ou un autre réservoir navette jusqu'à ce que la quantité voulue soit récupérée, lesdits moyens de coupe et dit bouchon restant toujours solidaires de ladite embase ancrée sur ladite paroi de fond.
- 1- a method of laying and anchoring a base and piercing the wall of said vessel according to a method above, and
- 2- we descend a said
shuttle reservoir 10 from thesurface 14 to the top of saidbase 2, and - 3-anchor said shuttle tank on said
bottom wall 6 or on said base, so that thelower opening 16 of said shuttle tank is positioned near and above said large second port 2-1 of said base , and - 4-opening said large second orifice 2-1 of said base with said plug in said open position, and naturally flowing said fluid contained in the tank in said shuttle tank through the
lower orifice 16 of said shuttle tank , and - When said shuttle reservoir is filled with fluid, said shuttle reservoir is raised to the surface after having closed said first small orifice 1a and said large second orifice 2-1 of said base with said plug 3 in said closed position, and
- 6- storing said shuttle tank filled with fluid in a surface vessel and / or emptying said shuttle tank in said vessel and / or is transported to a site to be emptied, and
- 7- where appropriate, steps 1- to 6- are repeated with the same shuttle reservoir or another shuttle reservoir until the desired quantity is recovered, said cutting means and said stopper remaining always integral with said anchored base on said bottom wall.
Pendant toute la phase de vidange d'un réservoir, la motorisation, le trépan et, éventuellement, la rondelle de tôle de débouchage 1-2 restée coincée, restent solidaire du couvercle 3-2. La navette 10 est alors positionnée à la verticale du dispositif comme représenté sur la
Pour éviter que la coque de l'épave ne se déforme au cours du transfert du fluide polluant vers la navette, on perce avantageusement la paroi du réservoir avec un deuxième dispositif selon l'invention 1 de manière à créer un deuxième petit premier orifice pour permettre un passage libre pour l'eau de mer. Cependant, pour éviter que le fluide polluant 8 ne s'échappe pendant le carottage proprement dit ou durant tous les cycles de transfert par la navette, on procède avantageusement comme explicité sur les
On réalise donc les étapes supplémentaires dans lesquelles :
- 1a- on réalise un procédé de pose et ancrage d'une embase et perçage de la paroi de fond 6 d'une même cuve 9 à l'aide d'un deuxième dispositif 1 selon l'invention, et on perce un deuxième dit premier orifice, de préférence sur la même paroi que le premier dit premier orifice selon un procédé décrit ci-dessus mais, et après le perçage d'un deuxième dit premier orifice dans ladite paroi de fond, on laisse en place les moyens de coupe 4 du deuxième dit dispositif sur la paroi de fond, de manière à maintenir fermé le deuxième dit premier orifice 2-1, puis
- 2a- on ouvre ledit grand deuxième orifice de l'embase dudit deuxième dispositif, et on introduit dans le deuxième dit premier orifice de ladite paroi de fond percé, des moyens 14-17 permettant d'introduire de l'eau de mer au fond de ladite cuve, au fur et à mesure de l'écoulement dudit fluide visqueux depuis la cuve vers ledit réservoir navette, à travers le premier dit premier orifice 1-1.
- 1a is carried out a method of laying and anchoring a base and piercing the
bottom wall 6 of the same tank 9 with the aid of a second device 1 according to the invention, and piercing a second said first orifice, preferably on the same wall as the first said first orifice according to a method described above but, and after drilling a second said first hole in said bottom wall, is left in place the cutting means 4 of the second said device on the bottom wall, so as to keep closed the second said first port 2-1, then - 2a-opens said large second orifice of the base of said second device, and is introduced into the second said first hole of said pierced bottom wall, means 14-17 for introducing sea water to the bottom of said tank, as and when said viscous fluid flows from the tank to said shuttle tank, through the first said first port 1-1.
A l'étape 1a-, le trépan 4-1 est muni, à 3 cm de son extrémité basse, d'une excroissance faisant fonction de moyen de retenue 4-1b du trépan. Il peut s'agir par exemple d'un surmoulage en élastomère, ou un élastique en caoutchouc fortement serré sur l'extérieur dudit trépan. En fin de carottage, lorsque la débouchure 1-2 est libérée et tombe au fond du réservoir, la motorisation 4-2 est rétractée en translation vers le haut, mais le trépan 4-1 est préalablement désolidarisé par libération d'un verrou, non représenté, qui le maintenait à l'extrémité de l'arbre cannelé 4-1c de ladite motorisation, comme représenté sur la
A l'étape 2a, on introduit une canule 14 s'étendant jusqu'à proximité du fond 6-1 de la cuve 9, ladite canule étant munie d'une vanne 15 proche de son extrémité supérieure, ainsi que, de préférence, une soupape de sécurité 16 permettant d'éviter toute surpression dans la cuve, ladite canule coulissant à frottement dur à l'intérieur d'une pièce de raccordement 17, celle-ci permettant un raccordement étanche de ladite canule avec le deuxième dit premier orifice. Ladite pièce de raccordement 17 est au moins en partie en forme d'entonnoir et on introduit en force ladite canule 14 à l'intérieur dudit entonnoir, lesdits moyens de coupe 4-1 bouchant ledit premier orifice à l'aide de moyens de retenue 4-1b, jusqu'à ce que ladite pièce de raccordement 17 soit en liaison étanche avec le deuxième dit grand deuxième orifice, puis, en appuyant en force ladite canule et ledit entonnoir contre lesdits moyens de coupe jusqu'à ce que lesdits moyens de retenue 4-1b desdits moyens de coupe laissent tomber lesdits moyens de coupe dans la cuve, on fait coulisser ladite canule par rapport à ladite pièce de raccordement 17 jusqu'à ce que l'extrémité inférieure de ladite canule arrive à proximité au repos sur le fond de la cuve, puis on ouvre ladite vanne supérieure qui était, jusque là, en position fermée.In step 2a, a
On a préparé une canule d'injection 14, représentée sur les
La
On contrôle la vitesse de descente d'un dit réservoir navette 10, le cas échéant, ou de remontée dudit réservoir navette 10, le cas échéant, avec un dispositif de stabilisation 11 comprenant au moins un câble ou chaîne de liaison 11-1 s'étendant depuis la surface, de préférence depuis un navire en surface, jusqu' audit réservoir navette 10, le cas échéant, à laquelle son extrémité est reliée, ledit câble ou dite chaîne de liaison 11-1 comportant une portion inférieure alourdie, de préférence par des blocs 11-2 disposés en chapelet le long dudit deuxième câble ou par des gros maillons plus lourds de ladite chaîne, de telle sorte que le poids de la longueur de ladite portion inférieure de dit(e) câble ou chaîne pendante dessous son point de liaison 10d audit réservoir navette 10, peut être réglé depuis la surface, de préférence à l'aide d'un treuil situé à bord d'un navire en surface et sur lequel l'extrémité supérieure dudit câble ou de ladite chaîne est déroulée ou enroulée, de façon à contrôler la vitesse de descente ou respectivement de remontée dudit réservoir navette 10 le cas échéant.The speed of descent of a said
La portion inférieure est alourdie, de préférence par des blocs 11-1 disposés en chapelet le long dudit câble ou par des gros maillons plus lourds de ladite chaîne, de telle sorte que le poids de la longueur de ladite portion inférieure de dit(e) câble ou chaîne pendante dessous son point de liaison 10d audit réservoir navette 10, peut être réglée depuis la surface, de préférence à l'aide d'un treuil situé à bord d'un navire en surface et sur lequel l'extrémité supérieure dudit câble ou de ladite chaîne est déroulée ou enroulée, de façon à contrôler la vitesse de descente ou respectivement de remontée de ladite structure supérieure 4 ou dudit réservoir navette 10 le cas échéant.The lower portion is heavy, preferably by blocks 11-1 arranged in a string along said cable or by larger heavy links of said chain, so that the weight of the length of said lower portion of said (e) cable or chain hanging below its point of
Lesdits blocs 11-2 dudit câble ou gros maillons lourds de ladite chaîne de liaison, dans ladite portion inférieure de dit(e) câble11-1 ou chaîne présentent une forme telle que lorsque l'on courbe ledit câble ou ladite chaîne, deux blocs adjacents ou deux maillons lourds adjacents viennent en butée l'un contre l'autre limitant ainsi le rayon de courbure locale dudit câble ou de ladite chaîne.Said blocks 11-2 of said cable or large heavy links of said link chain, in said lower portion of said cable 11-1 or chain have a shape such that when said cable or said chain is bent, two adjacent blocks or two adjacent heavy links abut against each other thus limiting the local radius of curvature of said cable or said chain.
Le réservoir navette 10 est maintenu à proximité de l'embase 2 à l'aide de moyens d'ancrage comprenant au moins un câble d'ancrage 13 en patte d'oie relié à un premier point d'attache 10d fixé sur la partie basse dudit réservoir et au moins un second point d'ancrage 13-1 sur ladite paroi 6.The
Avantageusement, lorsque ledit réservoir navette est plein, on réalise une étape de déconnexion automatique desdits moyens d'ancrage qui se réalise de préférence automatiquement lorsque le réservoir navette a atteint un taux de remplissage prédéterminé, notamment lorsque le réservoir est plein ou quasiment plein.Advantageously, when said shuttle tank is full, an automatic disconnection step is performed for said anchoring means, which is preferably performed automatically when the shuttle tank has reached a predetermined filling level, especially when the tank is full or almost full.
Plus particulièrement, au moins un dit câble d'ancrage 13 coopère avec un premier dispositif de déconnexion automatique sur lequel s'exerce une traction correspondant à la poussée d'Archimède qui s'exerce sur ledit réservoir navette et sa cargaison, traction transmise par ledit câble d'ancrage, ledit dispositif de déconnexion ayant pour effet de provoquer une déconnexion dudit câble d'ancrage par désolidarisation dudit câble d'ancrage 13 d'avec ladite embase 2 ou par rupture dudit câble d'ancrage, et d'autoriser la remontée au moins partielle dudit réservoir navette lorsque cette traction atteint une première valeur seuil déterminée, de préférence lorsque ledit réservoir navette est rempli d'effluents.More particularly, at least one said anchoring
Plus particulièrement, l'opérateur en surface est ainsi averti, via une caméra embarquée dans le ROV, de la fin du remplissage, et le ROV peut libérer le câble 13, ce qui permet de remonter le réservoir vers la surface en contrôlant parfaitement ladite remontée grâce au système de chaîne 11.More particularly, the operator at the surface is thus informed, via a camera embedded in the ROV, of the end of the filling, and the ROV can release the
Ces blocs 11-1 ont un corps central cylindrique prismatique ou de révolution et des extrémités tronconiques 11-2b telles que, lorsque l'on courbe le câble, lesdites extrémités tronconiques des deux blocs adjacents viennent alors en butée l'un contre l'autre, limitant ainsi le rayon de courbure local à une valeur supérieure à R0. Ainsi, le câble de liaison 11-1, étant accroché au réservoir navette 10 sur ledit premier point d'attache 10d en partie basse du réservoir 10, descend vers le bas puis s'écarte en arc de cercle de rayon R0, pour remonter enfin verticalement ou en configuration de chaînette à une distance d'environ au moins 2R0 de la paroi latérale dudit réservoir navette, évitant ainsi tout contact mécanique lors de la remontée, ce qui permet d'éviter de l'endommager par frottement.These blocks 11-1 have a central cylindrical prismatic body or of revolution and frustoconical ends 11-2b such that, when the cable is bent, said frustoconical ends of the two adjacent blocks then abut one against the other , thus limiting the local radius of curvature to a value greater than R0. Thus, the connecting cable 11-1, being hooked to the
Sur la
A titre d'exemple pour illustrer les
Chacun des blocs du dispositif d'équilibrage 11 a alors un poids dans l'eau d'environ 1 tonne.Each of the blocks of the
Sur la
De même, dans la
Ainsi, le dispositif de stabilisation 11 selon l'invention présente un effet stabilisateur pour la remontée du réservoir navette 10. Lorsque le navire de surface bouge de manière excessive sous l'effet de la houle ou s'écarte de la verticale de la position du réservoir navette, les mouvements n'ont d'effet instantané que sur la zone des blocs entourant les blocs 11-2g à 11-2k, le bloc 11-2i correspondant à la valeur moyenne des oscillations.Thus, the stabilizing
Ainsi, pour contrôler la remontée du réservoir navette 10, il suffit d'enrouler le câble de liaison 11-1 sur le treuil situé à bord du navire de surface 12 à une vitesse compatible avec la remontée naturelle de ladite navette, ladite navette cherchant toujours naturellement à reprendre sa position d'équilibre illustrée sur la
En procédant ainsi, la navette 10 se trouve toujours en situation de sécurité, car il n'y a aucun lien physique direct, c'est-à-dire en ligne tendue, tel un câble ou une conduite, entre le navire de surface et l'épave gisant au fond de la mer.By doing so, the
Dans la description de l'invention, on a décrit la chambre étanche entre le couvercle 3-2 et la paroi de fond 6 comme étant constituée entre autres avec une paroi cylindrique 3-1 équipée de joints 3-1a, 3-1b, mais on reste dans l'esprit de l'invention, si cette étanchéité est obtenue par tout autre moyen, tel par exemple un tore en caoutchouc gonflable muni d'un orifice de gonflage, ledit tore prenant alors la place de ladite paroi et des joints cylindrique et assurant de la même manière l'étanchéité de la chambre.In the description of the invention, the sealed chamber between the cover 3-2 and the
De même, on a décrit que les aimants 5-1 sont actionnés par des vérins hydrauliques 5-5 alimentés et pilotés par le ROV 7, mais ils peuvent tout aussi bien être actionnés un par un, directement par le bras manipulateur 7-2 dudit ROV.Similarly, it has been described that the magnets 5-1 are actuated by hydraulic cylinders 5-5 powered and driven by the
Claims (19)
- A device (1) for cutting a small first orifice (1-1) in a wall (6) at the bottom of the sea and for opening/closing said first orifice, the device comprising a base (2) that has a large second orifice (2-1), and being characterized in that it comprises:• anchor means (5) secured to said base and suitable for anchoring said base reversibly on said wall (6), maintaining said large second orifice at a distance from said bottom wall;• a deformable stopper (3) secured to said base and enabling said large second orifice to be opened or closed depending on whether the stopper is respectively in its open or closed position on the base;• deformer means for deforming said stopper, the deformer means being secured to said base, being independent of said anchor means, and being suitable for deforming said stopper to create sealing between said second orifice and said bottom wall after said base has been anchored on said bottom wall (6); and• circular cutter means (4) secured to said base and suitable:• for moving through said large second orifice (2-1) in the base to cut a said small first orifice that is circular beneath said large second orifice when said stopper is in the closed position and said base is anchored on said bottom wall (6); and• for disengaging from said large second orifice to allow said first orifice to be opened when said stopper is in the open position.
- A device according to claim 1, characterized in that said deformer means for deforming said stopper are suitable for creating sealing by deforming said stopper between said large second orifice and said bottom wall after said base has been anchored on a said bottom wall (6) that is not uniformly plane as a result of local deformation or of the presence of a bead of welding.
- A device according to claim 1 or claim 2, characterized in that:• said base includes a platform (3-3) including a said large second orifice (2-1); and• said stopper comprises:• a cylindrical wall (3-1) defining a said cylindrical chamber disposed axially (ZZ') relative to said large second orifice on the underside of said platform, said cylindrical wall including a top elastomer gasket (3-1a) on its top edge (3-1d) suitable for establishing sealing between said platform (3-3) and said cylindrical wall (3-1), and a bottom elastomer gasket (3-1b) on its bottom edge (3-1c) suitable for establishing sealing between said cylindrical wall (3-1) and said bottom wall (6); and• a cover-forming plate (3-2) and tilt means (3-5) for tilting said cover mounted on said platform (3-3), titling said cover enabling said large second orifice (2-1) to be closed in sealed manner; and• said cutter means (4) are secured to said cover (3-2) and comprise a crown saw or bit (4-1) mounted under said cover and a motor (4-3) mounted on said cover enabling said crown saw or bit (4-1) to be caused to slide (4-2) in the axial direction (ZZ') of said large second orifice and to be actuated in rotation (4-3) about said axis (ZZ').
- A device according to claim 3, characterized in that said cylindrical wall (3-1) is connected to said platform (3-3) by fastener means (3-4) constituted by controlled spacer means (3-4) for spacing said cylindrical wall apart from said platform and suitable for spacing said cylindrical wall (3-1) away from said platform (3-3) to enable said cylindrical wall (3-1) to be pressed in sealed manner against said wall (6) at the bottom of the sea so as to create a sealed cylindrical chamber between said large second orifice and said bottom wall when said base is anchored on said bottom wall and said cover (3) is in the closed position, by adjusting the force with which the cylindrical wall (3-1) is pressed against the bottom wall (6) and said elastomer gaskets are compressed.
- A device according to claim 4, characterized in that:• the fastener means (3-4) are constituted by controlled spacer means (3-4) for spacing said cylindrical wall relative to said platform, which fastener means are localized and act on three points disposed in a triangle around said large second orifice; and• said spacer means (3-4) are suitable for co-operating with said elastomer gaskets by adjusting the force with which the cylindrical wall (3-1) is pressed against the bottom wall (6) to create a sealed chamber between the bottom wall (6), the cylindrical wall (3-1) and said platform (3-3) surmounted by said cover (3-2) in the closed position, whereby:• in an initial close-together position, said top elastomer gasket (3-1a) is compressed; and• in a final position of said cylindrical wall spaced apart from said platform, said top elastomer gasket (3-1a) has expanded while maintaining a sealed connection between said cylindrical wall and said platform, and said bottom elastomer gasket (3-1b) is compressed, said cylindrical wall being in sealed connection with said bottom wall (6).
- A device according to claim 5, characterized in that said spacer means (3-4) comprise actuators or bolts co-operating with screw threads of third orifices (2-2) through said platform (3-3).
- A device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that said anchor means comprise block magnets (5-1, 5-2).
- A device according to any one of claims 3 to 7, characterized in that said block magnets enable said platform (3-3) to be secured to said bottom wall (6), said magnets then co-operating with said platform via three bearing points disposed in a triangle around said large second orifice (2-1).
- A device according to claim 5 or claim 6 together with claim 7 or claim 8, characterized in that said magnets are disposed around said cylindrical wall (3-1).
- A device according to claim 8 or claim 9, characterized in that it has four magnets (5-1, 5-2) disposed in a rectangle and co-operating with said platform (3-3) via three zones:• two first magnets (5-1) being mounted securely to the underface of said platform (3-2) and on one side of said rectangle; and• two second magnets (5-2) being disposed outside said platform (3-2) being connected to each other by a connection arm (5-3) hinged to pivot about a middle transverse axis embodied by at least a first end (5-4a) of a second connection arm (5-4) secured to said platform;• said magnets being activatable by actuating (5-5) respective levers (5-6).
- A device according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that all or some of said cutter means (4), said anchor means of the base (5), said fastener means (3-4) for fastening said cylindrical wall to said platform, and said tilt means (3-5) for tilting said cover are suitable for being actuated by an ROV (7).
- A method of placing and anchoring a base on a substantially horizontal wall at the bottom of the sea and of cutting a said bottom wall (6) with the help of a device according to any one of claims 1 to 11, the method being characterized in that the following successive steps are performed:1) lowering a said device according to any one of claims 1 to 11 from the surface, said stopper (3) being in its position for closing said large second orifice; and2) anchoring said base (2) on said bottom wall (6); and3) deforming said stopper in such a manner as to establish sealing by deformation of said stopper between said large second orifice and said bottom wall after said base has been anchored on said bottom wall (6); and4) actuating said cutter means (4) in longitudinal sliding (ZZ') towards said bottom wall (6) and in rotation to cut a said first orifice (1-1) in said wall, said stopper (3) being in said closed position.
- A method according to claim 12, characterized in that, after said cutting operation, the following subsequent step is performed:5) actuating said cutter means to slide longitudinally (ZZ') in the opposite direction while maintaining said cylindrical wall (3-1), where appropriate, pressed against said bottom wall in sealed manner, said stopper continuing to be in said position closing said large second orifice.
- A method of recovering a viscous fluid that is lighter than water, such as a polluting effluent, the fluid being contained in a tank of a sunken and/or damaged ship lying on the sea bottom, the method comprising the following steps:1) performing the method of placing and anchoring a base and drilling the wall of said tank by a method of placing and anchoring a base on a bottom wall and cutting said bottom wall in accordance with claim 13; and2) lowering a said shuttle reservoir (10) from the surface (14) to above said base (2); and3) anchoring (13) said shuttle reservoir on said bottom wall (6) or said base so that the bottom opening (10-1) of said shuttle reservoir is positioned close to and above said large second orifice (2-1) of said base; and4) opening said large second orifice (2-1) of said base with said stopper in said open position, and allowing said fluid contained in the tank to flow naturally into said shuttle reservoir through the bottom opening (10-1) of said shuttle reservoir; and5) when said shuttle reservoir is full of fluid, raising said shuttle reservoir to the surface after closing said small first orifice (1-1) and said large second orifice (2-1) in said base with the help of said stopper (3) in said closed position; and6) storing said shuttle reservoir full of fluid in a surface ship and/or emptying said shuttle reservoir into said ship, and/or transporting it to a site for emptying; and7) where appropriate, repeating steps 1) to 6) with the same shuttle reservoir or with another shuttle reservoir until the desired quantity has been recovered, said cutter means and said stopper continuing to remain secured to said base anchored on said bottom wall.
- A method according to claim 14, characterized in that the following additional steps are performed:1a) a method of placing and anchoring a base and of cutting the bottom wall (6) of the same tank (9) is performed with the help of a second device (1) for anchoring a base and cutting a wall in accordance with any one of claims 1 to 11, and cutting a second said first orifice, preferably in the same wall as the first said first orifice using a method of claim 12; then2a) opening said large second orifice in the base of said second device and introducing means into the second said first orifice in said drilled bottom wall, said means (14-17) enabling sea water to be introduced into the bottom of said tank as said viscous fluid flows from the tank towards said shuttle reservoir through the first said first orifice (1-1).
- A method according to claim 15, characterized in that in step 2a), a cannula (14) is inserted that extends to the proximity of the bottom (6-1) of the tank (9), said cannula being provided with a valve (15) close to its top end, and preferably also a safety valve (16) enabling any excess pressure in the tank to be avoided, said cannula sliding as a tight fit through a coupling piece (17), which coupling piece provides a sealed coupling between said cannula and the second said first orifice.
- A method according to claim 16, characterized in that:• after step 1a), of cutting a second said first orifice in said bottom wall, the cutter means (4) of the second said device are left in place on the bottom wall so as to keep the second said first orifice (2-1) closed by said cutter means plugging said first orifice with the help of retaining means (4-1b), then• in step 2a), said coupling piece (17) is at least partially funnel-shaped and said cannula (14) is introduced by force into said funnel until said coupling piece (17) is in sealed connection with the second said large second orifice, and then said cannula is caused to slide relative to said coupling piece (17) by forcing said cannula against said cutter means until said retaining means (4-1b) give way and allow said cutter means to drop into the tank, and then continuing to cause said cannula to slide until the bottom end of said cannula comes into the proximity of or rests against the bottom of the tank, and then opening said top valve, which, until then, has been in a closed position.
- A method according to any one of claims 14 to 17, characterized in that said shuttle reservoir (10) comprises:• a flexible or rigid main envelope (10a) having a cylindrical peripheral wall surmounted by a rigid dome (10b) presenting a bullet-shaped profile in vertical section, said dome preferably containing buoyancy elements (10c) such as syntactic foam enabling the return of the shuttle to the surface merely under buoyancy to be controlled, preferably by offsetting the buoyancy center of said fluid-filled shuttle reservoir upwards relative to its apparent center of gravity in water.
- A method according to any one of claims 14 to 18, characterized in that the downward speed of a said shuttle reservoir (10), or the upward speed of said shuttle reservoir (10), as appropriate, is controlled with a stabilizer device (11) comprising at least one connection cable or chain (11-1) extending from the surface, preferably from a ship on the surface, down to said shuttle reservoir (10), where appropriate, to which the end of the stabilizer device is connected, said connection cable or chain (11-1) including a bottom portion that is weighted, preferably by blocks (11-2) forming a string along said second cable or by large heavy links in said chain, in such a manner that the weight of the length of said bottom portion of said cable or chain hanging under its point of connection (10d) to said shuttle reservoir (10) can be adjusted from the surface, preferably with the help of a winch situated on board a surface ship and on which the top end of said cable or said chain is wound or on or off, so as to control the upward or downward speed respectively of said shuttle reservoir (10), as appropriate.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
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FR0701540A FR2913228B1 (en) | 2007-03-02 | 2007-03-02 | DEVICE FOR CUTTING AND OPENING / CLOSING AN ORIFICE IN A WALL AT THE BOTTOM OF THE SEA |
PCT/FR2008/050356 WO2008116997A1 (en) | 2007-03-02 | 2008-03-03 | Device for cutting and opening/closing a hole in a wall on the seabed |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
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EP2125503A1 EP2125503A1 (en) | 2009-12-02 |
EP2125503B1 true EP2125503B1 (en) | 2011-06-29 |
Family
ID=38556341
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
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EP20080762184 Not-in-force EP2125503B1 (en) | 2007-03-02 | 2008-03-03 | Device for cutting and opening/closing a hole in a wall on the seabed |
Country Status (5)
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US (1) | US8186294B2 (en) |
EP (1) | EP2125503B1 (en) |
AT (1) | ATE514624T1 (en) |
FR (1) | FR2913228B1 (en) |
WO (1) | WO2008116997A1 (en) |
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US20150159455A1 (en) * | 2013-12-06 | 2015-06-11 | Julius C. Trawick | System and method to stop underwater oil well leaks |
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CA2996894A1 (en) * | 2015-08-31 | 2017-03-09 | Ihc Marine And Mineral Projects (Proprietary) Limited | Vibration generator for a drilling installation, underwater drilling installation and underwater drilling system |
CN108139496B (en) * | 2015-09-08 | 2020-10-30 | 应用物理技术公司 | Method of packaging and deploying marine vibrator |
CA3094321A1 (en) * | 2018-03-19 | 2019-09-26 | Resolve Marine Group, Inc. | Marine salvage drill assemblies and systems |
CN114750901B (en) * | 2022-04-26 | 2023-04-11 | 烟台杰瑞石油装备技术有限公司 | Hole opening device, hole opening system, sunken ship oil pumping equipment and sunken ship oil pumping method |
Family Cites Families (9)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
GB1405175A (en) | 1972-03-24 | 1975-09-03 | Salvage Oil Systems Ltd | Apparatus for use in salvaging fluid and fluidisable substances from sunken ships |
US4284110A (en) * | 1977-06-15 | 1981-08-18 | Frances K. Divelbiss | Apparatus for transfer of fluent materials from one container to another |
US4447952A (en) * | 1982-12-27 | 1984-05-15 | The United States Of America As Represented By The Secretary Of The Navy | Device for underwater cryogenic cutting |
US5301958A (en) * | 1992-08-07 | 1994-04-12 | Dana Corporation | Seal for spin-on filter having circumferential retaining groove |
GB9324560D0 (en) | 1993-11-30 | 1994-01-19 | Framo Dev Uk Ltd | An apparatus for extraction of a fluent material from a container |
EP1449762B1 (en) * | 2003-02-21 | 2005-10-05 | Saipem SA | Method and installation of effluent recovery at sea by using a shuttle reservoir |
EP1606160B1 (en) * | 2003-03-26 | 2007-01-17 | Saipem S.A. | Device and method for stabilising and controlling the lowering or raising of a heavy structure between the surface and the bed of the sea |
KR100442973B1 (en) * | 2004-02-25 | 2004-08-05 | 한국해양연구원 | Remotely operated recovery apparatus and recovery method for removing liquid contained in a sunken ship |
DE602004030314D1 (en) * | 2004-02-26 | 2011-01-13 | Saipem Sa | Apparatus and method for fixing a base structure on a wall surface at the seabed |
-
2007
- 2007-03-02 FR FR0701540A patent/FR2913228B1/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
-
2008
- 2008-03-03 US US12/529,681 patent/US8186294B2/en active Active
- 2008-03-03 AT AT08762184T patent/ATE514624T1/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 2008-03-03 EP EP20080762184 patent/EP2125503B1/en not_active Not-in-force
- 2008-03-03 WO PCT/FR2008/050356 patent/WO2008116997A1/en active Application Filing
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
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FR2913228A1 (en) | 2008-09-05 |
EP2125503A1 (en) | 2009-12-02 |
US20100058967A1 (en) | 2010-03-11 |
WO2008116997A1 (en) | 2008-10-02 |
FR2913228B1 (en) | 2009-05-29 |
ATE514624T1 (en) | 2011-07-15 |
US8186294B2 (en) | 2012-05-29 |
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