ES2219178B2 - SYSTEM FOR THE RECOVERY OF HYDROCARBON FROM AN OIL INTRODUCED TO GREAT DEPTH. - Google Patents

Abstract

The hydrocarbon that comes out of the tank hatch (2), ascends through the pipe to the bag (5) because it has less density than seawater. The hydraulic pump (11) sends water to the bottom of the tank, to force the fuel out through the pipe (12) through the sampling hatch (13). When the bag (5) is full, the anchors (4) consisting of electromagnets are released and the bag floats. The end (10) is used to recover the bag.

Description

System for the recovery of hydrocarbon from a deep sunken tanker.

Second addition to patent application P20020299

The recent catastrophe of the PRESTIGE tanker, has given the alarm voice internationally for the effect negative that a polluting discharge produces in the marine environment, with negative consequences for the economy of the zones affected.

The experience accumulated throughout the recent years internationally, indicate that the fuel spilled by a ship (especially if it is a product asphalt) floats - sometimes between two waters - and at the end it ALWAYS arrives to the coast sometimes thousands of miles away. This class of accidents have been occurring in all the seas of the world, leading to true ecological catastrophes.

It is not worth thinking about taking measures proper wrecks will be avoided. These will continue to occur in the same way that happens with traffic accidents. What if it is possible to take measures to produce the smallest number possible, and when these occur, ensure that the impact negative about the environment and consequently about the economy of the riparian countries, be as low as possible.

As a consequence, it is necessary to have prepared internationally, procedures that allow us to fight Against pollution When a ship with products pollutants like an oil tanker with asphalt products, sinks to  great depths, the problem of extracting the hydrocarbon from its tanks are complicated by the inability to access the divers, due to the enormous existing pressures. The PRESTIGE is in an area where the hydrostatic pressure is of the order of 400 atmospheres

This forces to use systems that can managed remotely, either with the help of robots or submarines specials like the Nautilus bathyscaphe.

In patent application No. P200202999 presented on 12/16/2002, some systems are proposed that allow collect the hydrocarbon that still existed in the tanks of the Tanker after its sinking.

In the addition to patent No. 200300457, indicates a procedure to facilitate the extraction of fuel contained in the tanks of a sunken tanker, when the density and viscosity are high or have increased due to its cooling and loss of more fluid components. In synthesis, this procedure consists of the introduction by means of a rigid, salt water tube at the bottom of the tank, so that this push the fuel or asphalt residue towards the top of the same, forcing him out through the tank or hole hatch practiced in the hull of the ship for it.

As due to the elapsed time, it is assumed that the viscosity and density of the asphaltic residues contained in the tanks it has increased, especially in the part that is in contact with the walls of the aforementioned tanks, because their temperature dropped approaching that of seawater in these depths, it is necessary to use more effective means to to cross the hardened crust of fuel that will be in the areas in contact with the tank walls and especially next to the tank hatches and sampling hatches and temperatures

As the maneuver for the introduction of the tube must be done remotely, it is necessary to have a system suitable. To facilitate the explanation, figure (1) shows represents a sunken ship at great depth, on whose deck (1) the tank hatch mouth (2) and the hatch hatch sampling and temperatures (13).

On the tank hatch (2) by which The extraction of the fuel will proceed, a tent (3) is placed on the that the recovery bag is attached (5).

The hydraulic pump (11) sends through the tube (12) water at the bottom of the tank through the hatch samples (13). Figure (2) shows in more detail the tank hatch (2) and the tent (3) in which the flexible tubes (6) so the tool will be introduced suitable for opening the hatch cover (16).

Before opening the hatch cover, it is it is necessary to place the tent (3) and secure it to the ship's deck by electromagnets (4). This prevents the opening of the The tank lid will disperse the fuel, remaining inside the tent. Opening the valves (7) and (8) the fuel will go out to the bag of recovery (5). In the lower part of the bag there are some areas (N) that are impervious to fuel, but permeable to water.

When you want to carry the bag for sea surface, the valves (7) must be closed previously and (8) and then release the retentions (9) that keep it subject to the hull of the ship, for which the current of the electromagnets (4a).

The hatches are shown in figure (3) tank (2) and sampling (13), covered by the tent (3). The hatches (2) and (13) may be under the same tent or in individual tents as the circumstances advise. In this figure (3) is detailed as the pressurized water coming from the hydraulic pump (11) passes through the flexible pipe (12) and the rigid (17), through the sampling hatch (13), to the bottom of the tank. In this way, salt water, of greater density than the fuel, pushes it towards the top of the tank by exiting it through the mouth of the tank hatch (2).

In the figure (4) the tube is indicated in detail rigid (17) that is introduced into the sampling hatch (13). This tube is closed at its lower end, where it has of a series of side holes (D) for the water outlet. This is intended to prevent the pressure of the water jet at get out, push the tube up.

In separate detail (Fig. 5) it is indicated indicated the heating system (C), if necessary to facilitate the introduction of the tube into the fuel mass, since it is cooled It tends to increase its viscosity. This heating system is Powered by electricity.

In figure (6) one of the systems that can be used to facilitate the introduction of rigid tube (17) inside the tank. By an engine electrical (20), of the squirrel cage type, the wires are operated or ropes (18) that drag, by means of the clamp (19), to the tube rigid (17) towards the bottom of the tank. The attachment to the hull of ship of the different gadgets, is done by electromagnets, permanent magnets or other system that is estimated convenient.

The electrical energy necessary for the excitation of electromagnets, of the heating system, of operation of the motors that drive the hydraulic pump and the  winches, can be supplied from a surface vessel, from a robot, from the Nautilus bathyscaphe, or simply from A battery of accumulators. In the case of using a battery of accumulators, it will be necessary to have the appropriate system so that battery current can drive a cage motor chipmunk.

In figure (7), another system is represented to introduce water to the bottom of the tank The tube (12) is flexible and conducts water from the hydraulic pump (11) to the rigid tube (17). The rigid tube is threaded by the outer surface (19). The tube is inserted by rotating the nut (18) by means of an electric motor coupled to her.

A section is represented in figure (8) section of an oil tanker in which the tanks of port (B), central (C) and starboard (E), having in each of by way of example, a different system of extracting the hydrocarbon.

In starboard (E), it is considered to be of a low viscous and low density hydrocarbon. On tank hatch (22), an inverted hopper (21) is available, that communicates with a hopper (23) located on the surface of the sea by middle of the flexible tube (24).

In the port tank (B), it is a heavy hydrocarbon or an asphalt residue, so the hopper inverted (25) covers the hatch of tank (2) and the one of taking of samples (13b). Water is sent from the surface vessel (14) to pressure through the pipe (12) towards the bottom of the tank, forcing the hydrocarbon to rise towards the mouth of the hatch of tank (2). A flexible pipe (26) drives the fuel into the hopper (27) located at sea level.

In the central tank (C), the system that I consider more suitable for great depths. A hydraulic pump (29) driven by a squirrel cage motor located on the wreck deck, introduces water to the bottom of the tank by means of the rigid pipe (30). The fuel that comes out of the Hatch mouth (31) is collected in the bag (32). When is fills, closes, releases its anchors (35) and goes up to the sea surface by the difference in density between the average of the bag-fuel assembly and the water sea. It also has a recovery end (33).

The material used for hoses, bags, etc. They are commonly used in industry and commerce. The most important properties that they should have are, that are impervious to hydrocarbons (FUEL, ASPHALT WASTE, etc.) and that the fuel does not "stick" to the parts of the hoses, bags and pipes with which it comes into contact.

Within the essentiality of the invention, they fit variants of details also protected and so can be any the shape and material used for tents, hoppers and pipes, any way to supply electric power, any any kind of liquid of higher density than fuel at introduce into the tanks and how to do it, whatever the system to introduce the pipe into the tanks, even being operated by a spring, whatever the place, shape and system of  clamping and anchoring.

Description of the figures Figure 1

one.-

Part of the hull of the oil tanker sunken

2.-

Tank hatch

3.-

Tent (inverted hopper).

4.-

Anchoring system

5.-

Recovery Bag fuel

10.-

Cape for recovery and towing the bag

eleven.-

Hydraulic bomb.

12.-

Pipeline to send water from the pump (11) at the bottom of the tank.

13.-

Hatch samples.

Figure 2

2.-

1-meter tank hatch diameter approximately

3.-

Tent to prevent the fuel from leave the tank disperse

4.-

Magnets to hold the tent

4th.-

Magnets to hold the braces (9) of holding the recovery bag.

5.-

Recovery bag

6.-

Flexible "sleeves" to be able to introduce the tools to open the hatch covers (2) without the fuel dispersing.

7.-

Carp valve

8.-

Bag valve Recovery

9.-

Straps holding the bag recovery (5).

N.-

Part of the recovery bag permeable to sea water

16.-

Hatch cover tank.

3. 4.-

Lid closure e hatch

Figure 3

2.-

Tank hatch

3.-

Tent

4.-

Magnets

5.-

Recovery bag

eleven.-

Hydraulic bomb

12.-

Flexible pipe

13.-

Sample hatch of about 30 to 40 cm diameter

16.-

Hatch cover tank

17.-

Rigid pipe to facilitate its introduction in tank.

3. 4.-

Close-up lid popcorn tank hatch

Figure 4

eleven.-

Hydraulic bomb

12.-

Flexible pipe

13.-

Hatch samples

17.-

Rigid pipe

C.-

Electric heating system for facilitate the penetration of the tube (17) through the mass of fuel

D.-

Holes for water to enter the tank perpendicular to the tube, without displacing it towards above.

Figure 5

C.-

Heating system electric

D.-

Holes for the exit of the Water

Figure 6

12.-

Flexible tube

13.-

Hatch samples

17.-

Rigid tube to introduce water into the bottom of the tank

18.-

Engine-driven braces electric 20, which drag down the clamp (19) that drag to the rigid tube (17) to introduce it through the hatch of in the tank

19.-

Clamp.

twenty.-

Electric motor.

Figure 7

eleven.-

Hydraulic pump to introduce water in the tank

12.-

Flexible pipe

13.-

Hatch samples

17.-

Rigid tube.

18.-

Motor driven nut electric

19.-

Threaded part of the tube holes water outlet

Figure 8

B.-

Port tank

C.-

Central tank

AND.-

Starboard tank

2.-

Tank hatch port

12.-

pipe to introduce water into the tank bottom B

13a.-

Sample hatch starboard tank.

13b.-

Sample hatch port

13c.-

sample hatch central

14.-

Auxiliary vessel

17.-

Rigid pipe to introduce water in tank B

twenty-one.-

Tent to cover the hatch of E tank

22.-

E tank hatch

2. 3.-

Inverted carp (funnel species) to collect fuel from tank E

24.-

Pipeline carrying tank fuel E to inverted tent 23

25.-

Tank tent B to cover the two tank B hatches

26.-

Pipeline carrying tank fuel B to the inverted tent 27.

27.-

Inverted carp (funnel species) to collect the fuel from tank B

28.-

Tent that covers the hatches of the tank C

29.-

Hydraulic pump to introduce water under pressure in tank C.

30.-

Rigid pipe

31.-

C tank hatch

32.-

Recovery bag

33.-

Recovery cable bag.

35.-

Anchor cables

Claims (3)

1. System for the recovery of the hydrocarbon of a tanker deeply sunk, avoiding a black tide, which has a tent connected to the hull of the ship by electromagnets, recovery bags anchored by braces that are attached to the hull of the ship by electromagnets and a hydraulic pump for introducing pressurized water at the bottom of the tanks, characterized in that the recovery bag (5) has areas permeable to sea water and impervious to hydrocarbons, conveniently located in places near the bottom of the bag, whose mission is to regulate its internal pressure, keeping it equal to that of the surrounding sea. 2. System for the recovery of the hydrocarbon of a sunken oil tanker at great depth, according to claim 1, characterized in that the tent contains flexible tubes or sleeves, which allow operations with tools, such as operating the mechanisms necessary to perform the opening or closing of the cover (16) of the hatch (2), or insert a rigid or semi-rigid tube (17) into the tank, and / or plug the crack or hole through which the fluid flows. 3. System for the recovery of the hydrocarbon of a tanker deeply sunk, according to the preceding claims, characterized in that, with the hatch cover of the tank (2) and the valves (7) and (8) open, the hydrocarbon existing in the tank, it passes through its own flotation from the tank to the tent (3) and from there to the recovery bag (5). A hydraulic pump (11) sends pressurized water to the bottom of the tank by means of a rigid or semi-rigid tube (17) to facilitate the exit of the hydrocarbon. As the hydrocarbon enters the bag of recovery, water leaks from the permeable bottom, of so that the pressure inside the bag and that of the sea that the surrounds, they remain matched. Once the bag has enough content, it close the valves (7) and (8). The anchor is then released of the braces (9) for securing the recovery bag and this ascends towards the surface of the sea, because the density average of the bag and its content, is lower than the water of the sea. As the bag rises to the sea surface, the external pressure decreases, so the inside the bag is larger than that of the surrounding sea. The water-permeable areas of the bag allow the exit of the water inside the bag, keeping the internal and external pressures, thus avoiding breakage and the consequent dispersion of the hydrocarbon. One end (10) facilitates recovery for emptying in a tanker or trailer to Earth.