ES2238005B1 - HYDROCARBON EXTRACTION SYSTEM CONTAINED IN SUNKED VESSELS. - Google Patents

Abstract

System of extraction of hydrocarbons contained in sunken ships. The system includes a tank (2) that is submerged with a water ballast and counterweight (7) to an area close to the respective sunken ship (1) from which the hydrocarbon is intended to be extracted, with a transfer of said hydrocarbon through a conduit (8) linked to a robot (9), so that as the hydrocarbon tank (2) is loaded it is discharged from water, with the interposition of an internal filter (14) to avoid mixing both products . Once the hydrocarbon tank (2) is loaded, it is released from the ballast that constitutes the counterweight (7) and emerges by buoyancy to the surface, allowing it to be unloaded onto a surface vessel (13) or others provided for that purpose. The tank (2) is related to the boat (13) by means of a cable (10) linked to a razor (10``).

Description

Hydrocarbon extraction system contained on sunken ships.

Object of the invention

The present invention, as expressed in the set forth in this specification, refers to a system of extraction of hydrocarbons contained in sunken ships, based on a large tank that dives to a nearby area to the bottom by means of a ballast to receive the transfer of the hydrocarbon contained in the sunken ship, and raise the tank to the surface by buoyancy of this one, previous liberation of the ballast.

The object of the invention is to provide a system that allows oil-derived waste to be extracted stored in transport vessels of said type of product, which have suffered an accident and have sunk to great depths, thereby avoiding the release of the hydrocarbon and its rise to the surface with the serious consequences that this would entail, on all in the event that it takes place in areas near the coasts

Background of the invention

The problems are well known and huge economic losses resulting from the spill or discharge of hydrocarbons or residues derived from oil "chapapote" over the sea, since it implies a contamination of marine fauna as well  as of the coasts, beaches, etc., with serious consequences that they affect both the ecosystem in the short and long term of the fauna itself as to all those who live from the fishing and, therefore, related to it, and therefore to consumers and society in general.

The problems that the collection of oil spills in areas near the coasts, since when the spills are considerable the collection of all or most of the discharge results impossible.

On the other hand, when a transport vessel of hydrocarbons sinks in areas not far from the coast, in addition to the aforementioned problems, since in a collapse spills always occur, we must add the fact of the problem what is the hydrocarbon contained in the tanks of that ship sunk, since in more or less term the tanks will deteriorate and the hydrocarbon will go outside, reaching the surface of the water for being of lower density than this one.

Currently a system is used that allows to extract the hydrocarbon from a sunken ship, based on a robot that submerges until it reaches the ship and attaches to the hull of this one so that, through an appropriate mouth, subtract the hydrocarbon, pumping it through a conduit to a vessel located on the surface, all in combination with a power cable from the surface vessel to the robot to allow control of it, as well as a conduit for pumping water from the surface in order to get push the hydrocarbon up and then allow the pumping of The mixture outside.

This system, although it has been used with efficiency in the extraction of hydrocarbons contained in ships sunk, it is no less true that the extraction has been done to depths below 1000 meters, since from these depths the pressures are gradually increasing and making the systems used so far unfeasible.

The referred problem is solved by means of extraction system described in the invention patent P-200301289, of the same applicant as the present invention, since the system described in that patent allows extract hydrocarbons or similar waste at depths that they can exceed 3500 meters, based on placing between the surface of the sea and the sunken ship from which it is intended to extract the hydrocarbon, one or more submersible floats with a chamber intended to be filled with water to fulfill the function of ballast and a sealed chamber as a machine or pump room, being controlled and governed from the surface, specifically from a vessel located on the surface and intended to receive the hydrocarbon that is being extracted, this vessel that is intended to hold, by appropriate cables, the float or submersible floats, being able to have two boats of surface to achieve greater stabilization.

The float or submersible floats are also related to the sunken ship through a duct in which two or three ducts may be established concentric, one for the introduction of cold air intended for refrigerate the chambers or pumping rooms, another for air outlet hot, and another for hydrocarbon extraction.

Sucking is done with the collaboration of a robot applied to the sunken ship's hull so that, to through the respective mouths, the suction of the hydrocarbon. Said robot, of course, will be connected to the conduit for the transfer of the hydrocarbon to the vessel of surface.

Also included in this invention patent some injectors on the inside of the duct, with a inclined arrangement, which allow the entry of seawater, that being of great pressure at these depths produces a upward drive that helps in the extraction of hydrocarbon to the surface, also producing an effect neutralizer of the pressure exerted by the sea on the walls of the tube, in addition to that that entrance to pressure of the water collaborates in keep the duct without the hydrocarbon adhering to the internal surface of the duct.

In a variant of the embodiment, the system includes a special submersible float capable of reaching the bottom and be located next to the sunken ship, so that through a robot and the appropriate connection means the transfer will be made, practically horizontal, of the hydrocarbon from the tank of the ship sunk to that special submersible, counting this one with a water loading chamber as ballast, which is exchanged for the hydrocarbon using an insulator, creating a straining effect internal and expelling the ballast (water) to the surface by hoses

Description of the invention

The system of the invention is based on the second of the embodiments described in the patent of previous invention 200301289, of the same applicant, specifically in that in which a tank is submerged to the bottom to make a first transfer of the sunken ship to that tank, exchanging ballast for hydrocarbon, through the conduit that Bring the ballast to the surface.

The novelty of the invention is characterized mainly by the expulsion of the ballast directly in the seabed and not on the surface as it was done in the previous system. That is to say, in the new system the circuit of air and surface ejection hose, since it is not necessary: the ballast is evacuated down, as it is exchanged by the hydrocarbon (fuel) in the tank, through the effect strainer that incorporates inside.

In this way the tank hangs on a cable suspension and fixing.

The descending and ascending displacement is will carry out with the collaboration of said suspension cable conveniently guided, which on the one hand will be linked to the surface boat and on the other to the submersible tank.

The repeated tank will include a water ballast to get a dive to the bottom, in combination with a counterweight suspended from the bottom.

The transfer from the ship to the tank is made to through a conduit associated with a robot, so that as that is discharged from water is being loaded with hydrocarbon with the collaboration of an ejector pump; having planned in the inside the tank a hydrocarbon and water separator filter, preventing hydrocarbon from leaving the sea. Once exchanged the water from the tank through the hydrocarbon, the counterweight that is released is released keeps close to the bottom and he just comes to the surface, where It may be transferred to the mothership or towed to a refinery.

In summary, the previous system or procedure it is substantially simplified gaining greater security and efficiency, as well as simplicity and economy, without assembly risks No possible breakdowns.

Brief description of the drawings

To complete the description that follows will perform and in order to reach a better understanding of the characteristics of the invention, is accompanied herein descriptive a single sheet of plans based on which more easily understand the innovations and advantages of the system of hydrocarbon extraction carried out in accordance with the object of the invention.

The figure shows a schematic representation of the extraction system itself.

Description of the preferred embodiment

In view of the commented figure, you can be observed as the system planned to extract hydrocarbon contained in a ship 1 sunk at the bottom of the sea, it comprises a tank 2 constituted in a resistant but high material buoyancy, or failing that, a vacuum capsule with the same purpose, collaborating in this a light filling 3 provided in the upper area of tank 2, which also has some elements as lugs or rings 4 and 5 for hooking a cable 10 provided between the tank 2 itself and a vessel of surface 13 floatingly located above water level 6. Cable 10 is connected to that surface vessel 13 using a razor or lathe 10 '. A part of said tank 2 is it will fill with water destined to constitute a ballast that collaborates, together with a counterweight 7 held at the bottom, in the immersion of tank 2 itself to the bottom or area near the ship 1, to carry out the transfer of the hydrocarbon contained in this through a conduit 8 associated with a robot 9.

Tank 2 is linked to cable 10 arranged between the surface vessel 13 and the tank 2 itself, specifically to the upper part or ring 4, while over the lower ring 5 is linked a second cable 11 for the suspension the counterweight 7 which, in the immersion of the tank 2 to the height of vessel 1 from which the hydrocarbon is intended to be extracted, is supported on the bottom 12 of the sea.

Also, it is planned that the referred tank 2 incorporate a filter 14 inside (strainer effect), preventing hydrocarbon out to sea, the latter operation that is carried out at through an outlet duct 16 by an ejector pump 15 ', all this in such a way that once its ascent is finished, it releases the counterweight 7 that keeps it close to the bottom, ascending he alone to the surface, where he can be transferred to the ship nurse or towed to land.

It is also planned that the sunken ship can be complemented with non-return injectors 15 in the compartments to empty for water inlet as a substitute and enter high pressure to push the hydrocarbon, which at the same time neutralizes the internal pressure of the duct and tank with the outside.

The system can be complemented with a cable 17, as a clamping and electric force cable in case needs current from surface vessel 13 to tank float 2. That cable 17 is finished off in a robot-drill 18 to make holes in the sunken ship 1.

A second counterweight is also planned. (19) suspended from the surface vessel by a guide wire 20, which allows the down operation from tank 2 to the seabed.

Tank 2 includes an airtight gate 21 for emptying and cleaning on land.

Finally, say that the extraction operation under the sea will be supervised by a bathyscaphe that will be responsible for the links and surveillance.

Claims (8)

1. Hydrocarbon extraction system contained in sunken ships, which is intended to allow extraction at great depths, by submerging it in the water until it reaches the sunken ship, based on the use of a robot attached to the sunken ship, to extract By suctioning the hydrocarbon contained therein, it is characterized in that it comprises a floating tank (2) that is submerged by ballast to an area near the sunken vessel (1) hydrocarbon container, communicating ship and tank through a conduit (8) that by one end incorporates the corresponding robot (9) coupled, while its other end flows into the interior of the tank (2), allowing the transfer of the hydrocarbon from the vessel (1) to the tank (2); with the particularity that the latter is related by an appropriate cable (10) to a surface vessel (13); having provided that a part of the ballast is constituted by a volume of water that is loaded on the tank (2) before submerging it to the bottom, while another part of the ballast is constituted by a counterweight (7) held on the lower and external part of the tank (2) through a cable (11), the water being discharged from said tank (2) with the collaboration of a pump as hydrocarbon is loaded from the sunken ship (1), being released the counterweight (7) once the hydrocarbon is loaded to achieve the ascent and buoyancy of said tank (2) with the hydrocarbon to the surface (6), in which the vessel (13) or vessels destined to receive the hydrocarbon is located extracted. 2. Hydrocarbon extraction system contained in sunken ships, according to claim 1, characterized in that the tank (2) has an appropriate configuration, preferably rounded, with an upper part provided with a light filling (3) to enhance the buoyancy of the tank itself (2). 3. Hydrocarbon extraction system contained in sunken ships, according to previous claims, characterized in that the tank (2) internally includes a filter (14) constituting a separator between the hydrocarbon entering from the vessel (1) and the water contained in said tank (2), and which is driven by the pump to the outside as it is being loaded with hydrocarbon. 4. System for extracting hydrocarbons contained in sunken ships, according to previous claims, characterized in that the tank (2) has at its upper and lower ends two rings or lugs (4) and (5) for hitching for the corresponding cable (10) for linking the tank (2) to the surface vessel (13) and for hooking the weight support cable (11) (7), respectively. 5. Hydrocarbon extraction system contained in sunken ships, according to previous claims, characterized in that the cable (10) is linked to the surface vessel (13), through a clipper (10 ') provided therein. 6. System for extracting hydrocarbons contained in sunken ships, according to previous claims, characterized in that optionally a cable (17) is included as a means of clamping and electric force to allow the use of electric energy from the surface vessel (13), over the tank (2); with the particularity that said power cable (17) is finished off in a robot-drill (18) for drilling operations on the sunken tank (1). 7. Hydrocarbon extraction system contained in sunken ships, according to previous claims, characterized in that it includes a second counterweight (19) suspended from a guide wire (20) that serves as a guide in the descent of the tank (2). 8. Hydrocarbon extraction system contained in sunken ships, according to previous claims, characterized in that the tank (2) is provided with a hermetic gate (21) for emptying and cleaning it on land.