EP4565795B1 - Druckaustauschkammer - Google Patents

Druckaustauschkammer

Info

Publication number
EP4565795B1
EP4565795B1 EP23783529.3A EP23783529A EP4565795B1 EP 4565795 B1 EP4565795 B1 EP 4565795B1 EP 23783529 A EP23783529 A EP 23783529A EP 4565795 B1 EP4565795 B1 EP 4565795B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
exchange chamber
pressure exchange
pipe
slurry
driving fluid
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.)
Active
Application number
EP23783529.3A
Other languages
English (en)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP4565795A1 (de
EP4565795C0 (de
Inventor
Johannes STROEKEN
Frank UMMENTHUN
Philippus SIEBERS
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Weir Minerals Netherlands BV
Original Assignee
Weir Minerals Netherlands BV
Priority date (The priority date 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 date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Weir Minerals Netherlands BV filed Critical Weir Minerals Netherlands BV
Publication of EP4565795A1 publication Critical patent/EP4565795A1/de
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP4565795B1 publication Critical patent/EP4565795B1/de
Publication of EP4565795C0 publication Critical patent/EP4565795C0/de
Active legal-status Critical Current
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical

Links

Classifications

    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F04—POSITIVE - DISPLACEMENT MACHINES FOR LIQUIDS; PUMPS FOR LIQUIDS OR ELASTIC FLUIDS
    • F04F—PUMPING OF FLUID BY DIRECT CONTACT OF ANOTHER FLUID OR BY USING INERTIA OF FLUID TO BE PUMPED; SIPHONS
    • F04F13/00—Pressure exchangers
    • 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
    • E21B43/12—Methods or apparatus for controlling the flow of the obtained fluid to or in wells
    • E21B43/121—Lifting well fluids
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E21—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; MINING
    • E21C—MINING OR QUARRYING
    • E21C50/00—Obtaining minerals from underwater, not otherwise provided for
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F04—POSITIVE - DISPLACEMENT MACHINES FOR LIQUIDS; PUMPS FOR LIQUIDS OR ELASTIC FLUIDS
    • F04B—POSITIVE-DISPLACEMENT MACHINES FOR LIQUIDS; PUMPS
    • F04B15/00—Pumps adapted to handle specific fluids, e.g. by selection of specific materials for pumps or pump parts
    • F04B15/02—Pumps adapted to handle specific fluids, e.g. by selection of specific materials for pumps or pump parts the fluids being viscous or non-homogeneous
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F04—POSITIVE - DISPLACEMENT MACHINES FOR LIQUIDS; PUMPS FOR LIQUIDS OR ELASTIC FLUIDS
    • F04B—POSITIVE-DISPLACEMENT MACHINES FOR LIQUIDS; PUMPS
    • F04B9/00—Piston machines or pumps characterised by the driving or driven means to or from their working members
    • F04B9/08—Piston machines or pumps characterised by the driving or driven means to or from their working members the means being fluid
    • F04B9/10—Piston machines or pumps characterised by the driving or driven means to or from their working members the means being fluid the fluid being liquid
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F04—POSITIVE - DISPLACEMENT MACHINES FOR LIQUIDS; PUMPS FOR LIQUIDS OR ELASTIC FLUIDS
    • F04F—PUMPING OF FLUID BY DIRECT CONTACT OF ANOTHER FLUID OR BY USING INERTIA OF FLUID TO BE PUMPED; SIPHONS
    • F04F1/00—Pumps using positively or negatively pressurised fluid medium acting directly on the liquid to be pumped
    • F04F1/06—Pumps using positively or negatively pressurised fluid medium acting directly on the liquid to be pumped the fluid medium acting on the surface of the liquid to be pumped
    • F04F1/08—Pumps using positively or negatively pressurised fluid medium acting directly on the liquid to be pumped the fluid medium acting on the surface of the liquid to be pumped specially adapted for raising liquids from great depths, e.g. in wells

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a pressure exchange chamber.
  • the present invention relates to a pressure exchange chamber for use in the mining and minerals processing industry, and particularly for use in a hydraulic ore hoisting system (HOHS) for locating on or near a sea or lake bed.
  • HOHS hydraulic ore hoisting system
  • the HOHS described in PCT/IB2019/055957 requires a pressure exchange chamber system as illustrated in Fig. 1 .
  • the pressure exchange chamber system 1 comprises a plurality of pressure exchange chambers 2,3,4 extending for a significant distance, for example many tens of metres, between a driving fluid (or water) input end 5 and a slurry output end 6.
  • Each pressure exchange chamber includes a set of water valves 7 at the driving fluid input end 5 and a set of slurry valves 8 at the slurry output end 6.
  • the pressure exchange chambers 2,3,4 are illustrated in Fig. 1 in a linear arrangement.
  • the pressure exchange chamber system 1 (and therefore the pressure exchange chambers 2,3,4) are expected to be dropped through a moonpool (an aperture in the hull of a ship) and lifted from the sea bed back through the moonpool.
  • the size of the moonpool dictates the maximum dimensions of the pressure exchange chamber system 1. It is therefore difficult to design a pressure exchange system that can be deployed through a moonpool and yet has a sufficiently long chamber length (typically over 60m long, sometimes over 100m or 150m long) for the HOHS to work effectively.
  • the pressure exchange chambers are ideally linear pump chambers disposed in a horizontal plane with no height difference between the water input end and the slurry output end. Pressure exchange chambers having multiple bends increase the degradation of polymetallic nodules being transported in the slurry. Any gradient, or height difference, along a pressure exchange chamber increases the risk of a blockages in that chamber.
  • WO 2020/016716 A2 discloses a pumping system comprising at least one pressure exchange chamber.
  • a pressure exchange chamber as set forth in claim 1.
  • the pressure exchange chamber pipe may extend completely around a perimeter so that it fully encloses the driving fluid and slurry valves; alternatively, the pressure exchange chamber pipe may extend around a substantial portion of a perimeter so that it substantially encloses those valves (leaving only a relatively small gap).
  • the driving fluid valves and the slurry valves may be generally centrally located within the pressure exchange chamber pipe.
  • the slurry input valve may be located centrally and the driving fluid valves may be located on opposing sides of the slurry input valve.
  • the slurry valves may be located between a first set of driving fluid valves and a second set of driving fluid valves.
  • the pressure exchange chamber pipe may be substantially uniformly disposed around the driving fluid valves and/or the slurry valves; thereby providing a generally central centre of gravity for the pressure exchange system.
  • a generally central centre of gravity facilitates deployment of the pressure exchange chamber through a moonpool of the surface vessel or from another type of floating system.
  • a hook-up attachment which is coupled to a riser extending from the pressure exchange chamber, minimises tilting of the pressure exchange chamber during operation and deployment. This ensures that there is a balanced operating state for the pressure exchange chamber.
  • the pressure exchange chamber may further comprise a driving fluid riser coupling and a slurry input pipe, both pipes being enclosed by the pressure exchange chamber pipe.
  • the pressure exchange chamber may further comprise a driving fluid output pipe and a slurry output pipe, both pipes being enclosed by the pressure exchange chamber pipe and optionally coupled to a portion of the valves.
  • a pressure exchange chamber system comprising: a central frame; and a plurality of pressure exchange chambers according to the first aspect, wherein the pressure exchange chamber pipes are arranged in stacked planes around the central frame, and each of the plurality of sets of driving fluid input and output valves and slurry input and output valves are associated with a respective pressure exchange chamber pipe; and the sets of driving fluid and slurry valves are supported by the central frame.
  • the pressure exchange chamber pipes are preferably arranged in generally horizontal planes that are vertically stacked in registration with each other.
  • the bends in that pipe are in a horizontal plane and preferably have the same diameter, which should reduce the risk of blockage.
  • the pressure exchange chamber system optionally comprises a driving fluid input pipe and a slurry input pipe.
  • the driving fluid input pipe may comprise, or couple to, a marine pipe (or riser) extending from a surface of the sea to the pressure exchange chamber system.
  • the slurry input pipe may couple to a slurry feed pump.
  • the pressure exchange chamber system optionally comprises a driving fluid output pipe and a slurry output pipe.
  • the slurry output pipe may comprise, or couple to, a marine riser extending from the pressure exchange chamber system to the surface of the sea.
  • the driving fluid and slurry input and output pipes may be located within the central frame near to a centre of gravity of the pressure exchange chamber system; thereby facilitating deployment of the pressure exchange chamber system through a moonpool of a surface vessel, such as a ship. It also aids recovery of the system through the same size of moonpool.
  • Each driving fluid input and output valve (of the same PEC) may have an associated compression and decompression valve, and these compression and decompression valves may be located in line with, and at generally the same height as, the associated driving fluid input and output valves.
  • Each driving fluid input and output valve may be located at a similar vertical position (height) to the corresponding slurry output valve, and a similar vertical position (height) to the corresponding slurry input valve.
  • each driving fluid input and output valve may be vertically offset from the corresponding slurry output valve, and the corresponding slurry input valve.
  • One set of driving fluid valves may be located at a similar vertical position to another set of driving fluid valves (for another PEC).
  • One set of driving fluid valves may be vertically offset from another set of driving fluid valves (for another PEC).
  • one set of slurry valves may be vertically offset from another set of slurry valves.
  • the pressure exchange chamber system optionally comprises a driving fluid input manifold, a driving fluid output manifold, a slurry input manifold and a slurry output manifold.
  • the driving fluid input manifold may comprise a vertically extending pipe and a plurality of pipe segments extending downwardly therefrom, each downwardly extending pipe segment being coupled at the lower end to a respective driving fluid input valve.
  • the slurry input valves may be located centrally and the driving fluid valves may be located on opposing sides of the slurry input valves, thereby minimising the length of the common slurry input manifold.
  • the driving fluid output manifold may comprise a vertically extending pipe and a plurality of pipe segments extending upwardly therefrom, each upwardly extending pipe segment being coupled at the upper end to a respective driving fluid output valve.
  • the slurry input manifold may comprise a vertically extending pipe and a plurality of pipe segments extending upwardly therefrom, each upwardly extending pipe segment being coupled at the upper end to a respective slurry input valve.
  • the slurry output manifold may comprise a vertically extending pipe and a plurality of pipe segments extending downwardly therefrom, each downwardly extending pipe segment being coupled at the lower end to a respective slurry output valve.
  • Each pressure exchange chamber pipe may define a generally rectangular (in some embodiments a generally square) shape, having bends at the corners to reduce particle size degradation, wear of the pipe, and blockages.
  • Each pressure exchange chamber pipe may comprise a thermoplastic composite pipe (TCP).
  • TCP thermoplastic composite pipe
  • each pressure exchange chamber pipe may comprise a metal (such as steel) pipe.
  • Advantages of a TCP include lighter weight than steel, corrosion resistance, and improved flexibility for fabricating bends therein, compared with metals.
  • each TCP comprises a circular cross-section.
  • Each pressure exchange chamber pipe may be coated on an inner surface with a wear resistant coating.
  • Each pressure exchange chamber pipe may be relatively long, for example, 40m, 50m, 60m, 70m, 80m, 90m or 100m, 125m or 160m in length.
  • the pressure exchange chamber system may have a footprint of approximately 10m x 20m (length by width) for its outer dimensions.
  • the pressure exchange chamber system may further comprise one or more hydraulic power units and slurry feed pumps (a plurality of one or both may be provided for redundancy purposes), a control cabinet, pressure relief systems, flow sensors, buoyancy, thrust positioning equipment to move the pressure exchange chamber system, and the like.
  • the power unit and pump may be marinised to enable them to be operated on or near a sea bed.
  • the central frame may include a perimeter framework surrounding a core of the central frame.
  • the core may be used to mount the valves.
  • the perimeter framework may be disposed primarily in a horizontal plane.
  • the perimeter framework may include a plurality of upright lattices spaced around the perimeter framework, each lattice defining a plurality of spaces. Each lattice space may be used to support one or more pressure exchange chamber pipe.
  • the perimeter framework may be cantilevered from the core.
  • a hydraulic ore hoisting system including the pressure exchange chambers according to the second aspect.
  • a pressure exchange system can be provided that can easily be deployed through a moonpool on a surface vessel on the sea or a lake, with improved balance and geometry.
  • a rectangular shaped PEC system is that the contour or shape is substantially the same as that of a typical shape of the moonpool of a mining vessel. This means that handling and transporting the PEC system onto and around a deck of a mining vessel and into the moonpool can typically be performed using known subsea equipment handling systems e.g. transporters, guidance systems, carriers, and the like.
  • FIG. 2 is a simplified, partially cut-away, pictorial perspective view of a pressure exchange chamber (“PEC") system 10 according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
  • the PEC system 10 comprises a plurality of pressure exchange chambers (“PECs”) 12a, b, c, d.
  • PECs pressure exchange chambers
  • four PECs 12a, b, c, d are provided.
  • the PECs are designed for use in a deep sea environment and may be coupled to a lower part of a riser, an umbilical or cable, or similar.
  • Each PEC 12a, b, c, d comprises a PEC pipe 14a, b, c, d extending around a perimeter in a generally rectangular-spiral shape (a spiral having substantially straight-sides and bends at the end of the straight sides).
  • the rectangular-spiral shape may comprise a square-spiral shape in some embodiments.
  • the PEC pipes 14a, b, c, d are arranged in vertically spaced stacked planes (each plane being generally horizontal) around a central frame 16.
  • the central frame 16 comprises welded steel beams, but different materials and couplings may be used in other embodiments.
  • the central frame 16 includes a cuboid central core 18 having lateral support wings 20 (only one is shown) extending therefrom, and frame extensions (also referred to as a perimeter framework) 22 cantilevered from the lateral support wings 20.
  • the frame extensions 22 support a plurality of upright lattices 24 spaced around the perimeter framework 22, each lattice 24 defining an array of spaces. Corresponding spaces in the upright lattices 24 are aligned so that a PEC pipe (e.g. 14a) can be routed through the aligned spaces in the upright lattices 24.
  • Each lattice space supports one or more PEC pipe 14; typically, two PEC pipes (e.g. 14a and 14b) are routed through each lattice space.
  • Each PEC pipe 14 comprises a thermoplastic composite pipe (TCP) and extends for approximately 160m and has a footprint of approximately 30m x 20m (length by width) for its outer dimensions.
  • TCP thermoplastic composite pipe
  • the PEC system 10 further comprises a hydraulic power unit 26 and a slurry feed pump 28 (for feeding slurry into the PEC pipes 14). Both the hydraulic power unit 26 and the feed pump 28 are coupled to the central frame 16 and are designed for operating in deep sea water environments (i.e. they are marinised). In this embodiment, two hydraulic power units 26 and slurry feed pumps 28 are provided in case of failure of either during use, but these additional units are not illustrated in the drawings.
  • Each PEC 12a, b, c, d also comprises associated valves, which will now be described in detail with reference to Figs. 3 to 6 .
  • the valves are arranged in a block valve arrangement 30, a central portion 32 of which contains slurry valves (four slurry input valves 34a, b, c, d and four slurry output valves 36a, b, c, d; one for each PEC) located within the cuboid central core 18.
  • the block valve arrangement 30 includes two side portions 40, 42. These side portions 40, 42 are mounted on opposing lateral support wings 20.
  • the first side portion 40 includes: two driving fluid (or water) input valves 44a, b; two driving fluid (or water) output valves 46a, b; two compression valves 48a, b; and two decompression valves 50a, b.
  • the second side portion 42 includes: two driving fluid (or water) input valves 44c, d; two driving fluid (or water) output valves 46c, d; two compression valves 48c, d; and two decompression valves 50c, d.
  • the valves in the second side portion 42 are generally located at a higher level (i.e. above) the valves in the first side portion 40 (best seen in Fig. 5 ) and are arranged in a mirror image manner to the valves in the first side portion 40.
  • the block valve arrangement 30 is used for controlling pressure and fluid flow through the PEC pipes 14 (i.e. initially allowing the slurry feed pump 28 to fill a PEC pipe 14, then allowing a PD pump to drive out the slurry from the PEC pipe).
  • each PEC 12a, b, c, d is arranged in a quadrant of the block valve arrangement 30.
  • the input and output of the first PEC 12a are in the upper left quadrant; the input and output of the second PEC 12b are in the lower left quadrant; the input and output of the third PEC 12c are in the lower right quadrant; the input and output of the fourth PEC 12d are in the upper right quadrant.
  • a single slurry output pipe coupling 60 is located in the central portion 32 and extends upwards to meet and couple to a riser (not shown) that raises the slurry pumped out of the PEC system 10 to a dewatering system, for example, on deck of a ship on the sea surface.
  • a single driving fluid riser coupling 62 is located in the central portion 32 and extends upwards to meet and couple to a driving fluid riser (not shown) that couples to a pump (not shown) on a surface of the sea.
  • the single driving fluid riser coupling 62 may coupled to a riser type of pipe that extends to the surface of the sea.
  • a first driving fluid output pipe 64 is provided for the first and second PEC valves (i.e. at the first and second quadrants) and extends downwards therefrom.
  • a second driving fluid output pipe 66 is provided for the third and fourth PEC valves (i.e. at the third and fourth quadrants) and extends downwards therefrom.
  • These driving fluid output pipes 64, 66 are best seen in Fig. 5 . In other embodiments, they could be combined as a single driving fluid output pipe.
  • a single slurry input pipe 68 (best seen in Fig. 5 ) is located in the central portion 32 and couples to the four slurry input valves 34a, b, c, d via a slurry input manifold 70 (best seen in Fig. 6 ).
  • the single slurry input pipe 68 is coupled to the slurry feed pump 28, which fills the PEC pipes 14 with slurry.
  • the slurry input manifold 70 includes a slurry input connecting pipe 72 (that couples to the slurry input pipe 68), and a plurality of angled pipe segments 74a, b, c, d extending upwardly and outwardly therefrom. Each upwardly angled pipe segment 74a, b, c, d is coupled at an upper end thereof to a respective slurry input valve 34a, b, c, d.
  • any slurry in the pipe segment 74 flows downwards (as a result of gravity) and away from the associated slurry input valve 34. This reduces the risk of blocking the slurry input valves 34a, b, c, d or damaging them when they are closed.
  • the operation (e.g. opening and closing) of the various valves in the block valve arrangement 30 are controlled by the subsea hydraulic power unit 26.
  • Pulsation dampeners 80 are also provided on the single driving fluid input pipe 62 (best seen in Figs. 4 and 5 ). This may be implemented using a common driving fluid manifold that feeds the four PECs 12.
  • Figs. 7 and 8 show two views of one of the PEC pipes 14a.
  • One end of the PEC pipe 14a is the slurry end 82 that is coupled to a slurry pipe 84a.
  • the slurry pipe 84a is coupled to both the slurry input valve 34a (which is opened when the PEC pipe 14a is being filled with slurry) and the slurry output valve 36a (which is opened when slurry is being discharged from the PEC pipe 14a and up the slurry output pipe coupling 60 to the riser).
  • the other end of the PEC pipe 14a is the driving fluid end 86 that is coupled to a driving fluid pipe 88a.
  • the driving fluid pipe 88a is coupled to both the driving fluid input valve 44a (which is opened when slurry is being discharged from the PEC pipe 14a and up the slurry output pipe coupling 60 to the riser) and the driving fluid output valve 46a (which is opened when the PEC pipe 14a is being filled with slurry).
  • Arrows 90 indicate the direction of slurry flowing into the PEC pipe 14a; whereas, arrows 92 indicate the direction of slurry flowing out of the PEC pipe 14a and towards the slurry output pipe 60.
  • the PEC pipe 14a rises (is inclined) at the driving fluid end 86 and then extends in a rectangular-spiral in a horizontal plane. By having the inclined portion at the driving fluid end 86 there is reduced risk of blockage because it is primarily driving fluid (which does not contain nodules or large particles) that passes through this part rather than slurry.
  • Fig. 9 is a pictorial perspective view showing the four PEC pipes 14a, b, c, d of Fig. 2 vertically stacked and surrounding the block valve arrangement 30.
  • the PEC pipe 14 is substantially uniformly disposed around the block valve arrangement 30, thereby ensuring that the PEC system 10 has a centre of gravity close to its geometric centre. This facilitates deployment of the PEC system 10 through a moonpool of a surface ship (not shown). This also ensures that the PEC system 10 is maintained in a generally level position (minimising any tilt) during operation.
  • the PEC system 10 comprises a plurality (four in this embodiment) of PECs 12a, b, c, d, arranged in stacked planes, vertically offset from each other. This is best seen in Figs. 10A through 10D , which are pictorial perspective views similar to that of Fig. 9 , but each only shows one of the PEC pipes 14a, b, c, d on its own, for further clarity.
  • Each PEC pipe 14a, b, c, d is disposed in a generally horizontal plane.
  • the planes are generally, but not exactly, horizontal, because each chamber pipe 14a, b, c, d rises slightly from the respective driving fluid end 86a, b, c, d to the height of the respective slurry end 82a, b, c, d to provide space for the pipe 14 to continue to enclose the block valve arrangement 30 in a generally rectangular-spiral shape (a spiral having substantially straight-sides and bends at the end of the straight sides).
  • each PEC pipe 14a, b, c, d rises to the level of the respective driving fluid end 86a, b, c, d before the first bend in the PEC pipe 14a, b, c, d.
  • this PEC system 10 has the following advantages: (i) a centre of gravity near the centre of the PEC system 10, (ii) a relatively small footprint while enabling the PEC pipes 14 to be very long, and (iii) a relatively small number of bends in each PEC pipe 14.
  • FIG. 11 shows another arrangement (simplified by removing the compression and decompression valves for clarity) of PECs 112 in which the block valve arrangement 130 is different, but the PEC pipes 14a, b, c, d are identical or very similar to those of PEC system 10.
  • Fig. 12 shows a third PEC system 212 in which the block valve arrangement 230 is different, and the PEC pipes 214a, b, c, d are also different to those of PEC system 10.
  • the block valve arrangement 230 is split, with slurry input 234 and output 236 valves being located as a block 230a within, and enclosed by, two PEC pipes 214a, b; and driving fluid input 244 and output 246 valves being located as a block 230b within, and enclosed by, another two PEC pipes 214c, d.
  • the PEC system 212 has the advantage that each pipe 214a, b, c, d can extend in the same plane without any variations in height (i.e. there is no height difference along the PEC pipe 214).
  • Fig. 13 shows a fourth PEC system 312 in which the block valve arrangement 330 is centrally located, and located between two sets of PEC pipes.
  • the first set comprises two PEC pipes 314a, b; and the second set also comprises two PEC pipes 314c, d.
  • the PEC system 10 is located near a sea or lake bed (for example, several tens of metres above the sea or lake bed), which is significantly lower in altitude than a final delivery point (e.g. at the surface of the sea) at which slurry is to be delivered.
  • the PEC system 10 may hang freely (via the risers) from a ship (or other vessel) on the sea surface.
  • the slurry comprises ore particles (also referred to as polymetallic nodules) ranging in size from 10 to 200 mm located in a liquid carrier to produce a slurry of entrained and suspended ore particles.
  • each PEC pipe 14 comprises a thermoplastic composite pipe (TCP); although in other embodiments the pipes may be made from a different material or composite, and the inner surface of the PEC pipe 14 may include a wear resistant or low friction coating.
  • TCP thermoplastic composite pipe
  • Advantages of using TCP for the PEC pipe 14 include lighter weight than steel or another metal, corrosion and wear resistance, improved flexibility for fabricating bends therein, compared with metals.
  • each PEC pipe 14 is approximately 160m long, but a different pipe length may be used in other embodiments.
  • a PEC system can be provided that can easily be deployed through a moonpool on a surface vessel on the sea or a lake, with improved balance and geometry.
  • PEC system 10 Another advantage of the PEC system 10 is its compactness and symmetry, which facilitates ease of handling and transport to and around a mining vessel (e.g. an ocean going ship) and through the vessel's moonpool.
  • a mining vessel e.g. an ocean going ship
  • Another advantage of the PEC system 10 is that all of the valves for one PEC pipe (e.g. 14a) are located in one quadrant of the block valve arrangement 30, which minimises the total height of the PEC system 10.
  • the common slurry input manifold enables a reduction in the height of the PECs 12, which reduces the volume of settled solids from the slurry.
  • Another advantage of the vertical in-line stacked PEC pipes 14 is that it minimises hydrodynamic drag (which is an object's motion resistance in water) when deploying and retrieving the PEC system 10 into and out of the sea.
  • hydrodynamic drag which is an object's motion resistance in water
  • the shape of the subsea PEC system 10 behaves substantially like a disc, having low resistance (hydrodynamic drag) as it "cuts" through the sea water.
  • the relatively open structure (perforation) of the PEC system 10 design also minimises drag and provides space for assembly, maintenance, and general accessibility. This includes allowing remote operating vehicles (ROVs) to access many of the key maintenance areas of the PEC system 10.
  • ROVs remote operating vehicles

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mining & Mineral Resources (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Geology (AREA)
  • Geochemistry & Mineralogy (AREA)
  • General Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Fluid Mechanics (AREA)
  • Environmental & Geological Engineering (AREA)
  • Reciprocating Pumps (AREA)
  • Jet Pumps And Other Pumps (AREA)
  • Drilling And Exploitation, And Mining Machines And Methods (AREA)
  • Devices And Processes Conducted In The Presence Of Fluids And Solid Particles (AREA)

Claims (15)

  1. Druckaustauschkammer (12, 112, 212), umfassend:
    (i) ein Druckaustauschkammerrohr (14, 214);
    (ii) ein Antriebsfluid-Eingangsventil (44) und ein Antriebsfluid-Ausgangsventil (46); und
    (iii) ein Schlamm-Eingangsventil (34) und ein Schlamm-Ausgangsventil (36),
    dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass
    (a) das Druckaustauschkammerrohr (14, 214) sich um einen Umfang herum erstreckt, (b) das Antriebsfluid-Eingangsventil (44) und das Antriebsfluid-Ausgangsventil (46) beide von dem Druckaustauschkammerrohr (14, 214) umschlossen sind, und (c) das Schlamm-Eingangsventil (34) und das Schlamm-Ausgangsventil (36) beide von dem Druckaustauschkammerrohr (14, 214) umschlossen sind.
  2. Druckaustauschkammer nach Anspruch 1, wobei die Antriebsfluidventile (44, 46) und die Schlammventile (34, 36) allgemein mittig angeordnet und von dem Druckaustauschkammerrohr (14, 214) umgeben sind.
  3. Druckaustauschkammer nach Anspruch 1 oder 2, wobei das Druckaustauschkammerrohr (14, 214) im Wesentlichen gleichmäßig um die Antriebsfluidventile (44, 46) und/oder die Schlammventile (34, 36) angeordnet ist.
  4. Druckaustauschkammer nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, wobei die Druckaustauschkammer ferner ein Antriebsfluid-Eingangsrohr (62) und ein Schlamm-Eingangsrohr (68) umfasst, wobei beide Rohre (62, 68) von dem Druckaustauschkammerrohr (14, 214) umschlossen sind.
  5. Druckaustauschkammer nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, wobei das Druckaustauschkammerrohr (14, 214) in einer allgemein horizontalen Ebene angeordnet ist.
  6. Druckaustauschkammer nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, wobei die Druckaustauschkammer ferner ein Antriebsfluid-Ausgangsrohr (88) und ein Schlamm-Ausgangsrohr (84) umfasst, wobei beide Rohre (84, 88) von dem Druckaustauschkammerrohr (14, 214) umschlossen sind.
  7. Druckaustauschkammer nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, wobei das Druckaustauschkammerrohr (14, 214) ein thermoplastisches Verbundrohr umfasst.
  8. Druckaustauschkammersystem umfassend: einen zentralen Rahmen (16); und eine Vielzahl von Druckaustauschkammern (12, 112, 212) nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, wobei die Druckaustauschkammerrohre (14, 214) in gestapelten Ebenen um den zentralen Rahmen (16) angeordnet sind, und jeder der Vielzahl von Sätzen von Antriebsfluid-Eingangsventilen (44) und - Ausgangsventilen (46) und Schlamm-Eingangsventilen (34) und - Ausgangsventilen (36) mit einem jeweiligen Druckaustauschkammerrohr (14, 214) verbunden ist; und die Sätze von Antriebsfluidventilen (44, 46) und Schlammventilen (34, 36) von dem zentralen Rahmen (16) getragen werden.
  9. Druckaustauschkammersystem nach Anspruch 8, wobei die Druckaustauschkammerrohre (14, 214) in allgemein horizontalen Ebenen, die vertikal in Ausrichtung zueinander gestapelt sind, angeordnet sind.
  10. Druckaustauschkammersystem nach Anspruch 8, wobei die Antriebsfluid- und Schlamm-Eingangs- und -Ausgangsrohre innerhalb des zentralen Rahmens (16) in der Nähe eines Schwerpunktes des Druckaustauschkammersystems angeordnet sind.
  11. Druckaustauschkammersystem nach Anspruch 10, wobei jedes Antriebsfluid-Eingangs- und -Ausgangsventil (44, 46) ein zugehöriges Kompressions- und Dekompressionsventil (48, 50) aufweist und die Kompressions- und Dekompressionsventile (48, 50) in einer Linie mit und allgemein auf der gleichen Höhe wie die zugehörigen Antriebsfluid-Eingangs- und -Ausgangsventile (44, 46) angeordnet sind.
  12. Druckaustauschkammersystem nach einem der Ansprüche 8 bis 11, ferner umfassend einen Schlamm-Eingangsverteiler (70), der ein sich nach oben erstreckendes Rohr (72) und eine Vielzahl von Rohrsegmenten (74) umfasst, die sich davon nach oben und nach außen erstrecken, wobei jedes Rohrsegment (74) an einem oberen Ende mit einem jeweiligen Schlamm-Eingangsventil (34) verbunden ist.
  13. Druckaustauschkammersystem nach einem der Ansprüche 8 bis 12, wobei jedes Druckaustauschkammerrohr eine allgemein rechteckige Form mit Biegungen an jeder der vier Ecken definiert.
  14. Druckaustauschkammersystem nach Anspruch 7, wobei jedes thermoplastische Verbundrohr einen kreisförmigen Querschnitt aufweist.
  15. Hydraulisches Erzfördersystem umfassend das Druckaustauschkammersystem der Ansprüche 8 bis 14.
EP23783529.3A 2022-10-07 2023-09-22 Druckaustauschkammer Active EP4565795B1 (de)

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GB2214809.2A GB2623129B (en) 2022-10-07 2022-10-07 Pressure exchange chamber
PCT/IB2023/059398 WO2024074928A1 (en) 2022-10-07 2023-09-22 Pressure exchange chamber

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FR482036A (fr) * 1916-06-14 1917-02-13 Adolf Klein Perfectionnements dans les pompes
JPS5683656A (en) * 1979-12-10 1981-07-08 Atsushi Tatsumi Pressure vessel
FR2580188B1 (fr) * 1985-04-12 1987-05-15 Comp Generale Electricite Procede et dispositif pour filtrer une suspension de particules dans un liquide
GB9400565D0 (en) * 1994-01-13 1994-03-09 Fmc Corp Subsea manifold system
US6260501B1 (en) * 2000-03-17 2001-07-17 Arthur Patrick Agnew Submersible apparatus for transporting compressed gas
US20050133202A1 (en) * 2001-11-09 2005-06-23 Aalborg Industries A/S Heat exchanger, combination with heat exchanger and method of manufacturing the heat exchanger
KR101328504B1 (ko) * 2012-02-20 2013-11-13 한국지질자원연구원 양광 시스템의 해저 배열 및 채광 방법
US9353440B2 (en) * 2013-12-20 2016-05-31 Applied Materials, Inc. Dual-direction chemical delivery system for ALD/CVD chambers
CN105691098A (zh) * 2016-03-16 2016-06-22 魏逸安 同心环活塞充液式轮胎重量可调装置
GB2575638A (en) * 2018-07-16 2020-01-22 Weir Minerals Netherlands Bv Pumping system
WO2020097527A1 (en) * 2018-11-09 2020-05-14 Flowserve Management Company Fluid exchange devices and related controls, systems, and methods

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CN119923527B (zh) 2025-12-30
AU2023357857B2 (en) 2025-12-18
JP2025532242A (ja) 2025-09-29
EP4565795A1 (de) 2025-06-11
GB202214809D0 (en) 2022-11-23
GB2623129B (en) 2024-10-16
EP4565795C0 (de) 2025-11-05

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