FR3044380A1 - WATER PUMPING DRIVE, IN PARTICULAR FOR AN ENERGY-GENERATING PLANT BASED ON THE THERMAL ENERGY OF THE SEAS - Google Patents

Abstract

This pipe for pumping water, in particular for a plant for producing energy from the thermal energy of the seas, made by assembling flexible pipe sections (2, 3) using rigid connecting flanges ( 5), is characterized in that the opposite ends of the pipe sections (2, 3) comprise ropes (11) adapted to be engaged in corresponding receiving grooves flanges and in that these flanges comprise passages (19). ) access to these grooves for a tool (18) hook-shaped assembly / disassembly of the ropes.

Description

Water pumping pipe in particular for an energy production plant from the thermal energy of the seas

The present invention relates to a water pumping pipe, in particular for an installation for producing energy, for example electric power, from the thermal energy of the seas.

Studies have been conducted for many years now, to take advantage of the thermal energy of the seas in order to produce energy, for example electricity.

These power generation facilities use the temperature difference between deep water and surface water, for example an ocean, to produce electricity.

For example, a temperature difference of more than 20 ° can, in certain cases and certain geographical areas, be observed between surface water and water at depth, for example several hundred meters deep. .

However it is then appropriate in this case, that the facilities pump and recover water at low temperature at these great depths, to ensure the production of electricity.

To do this we use water pumping pipes in depth, with lengths of several hundred meters.

It is known that very many embodiments of these conduits have already been proposed.

But these pipes of the state of the art pose problems of resistance in time, mechanical strength, etc ...

Furthermore, the assembly and disassembly of these pipes are relatively complex.

The object of the invention is therefore to solve these problems. To this end, the subject of the invention is a water pumping pipe, in particular for an installation for producing energy from the thermal energy of the seas, made by assembling flexible pipe sections using flanges. rigid connection, characterized in that the ends facing the pipe sections comprise ropes adapted to be engaged in corresponding receiving grooves flanges and in that these flanges have access passages to these grooves for a tool in Hook shape of mounting / dismounting of the slings.

According to other characteristics of the pipe according to the invention, taken alone or in combination: the flanges comprise upper and lower flange portions associated with two successive sections of the pipe and associated with counter flanges; - The or each passage of each flange comprises a corresponding recess for passage of the hook-shaped member behind the headline; it comprises motorized means for relative rotation of the pipe and the assembly / disassembly tool; - The assembly / disassembly tool is carried by a movable carriage rotatably mounted on guide means around the pipe. The invention will be better understood on reading the description which follows, given solely by way of example and with reference to the appended drawings, in which: FIG. 1 represents a schematic side view of a part of a pumping line for an electrical energy production installation according to the invention; - Figure 2 shows a detailed sectional view of a portion of such a pipe; and FIG. 3 represents a perspective view illustrating a detail of such a pipe and the operation of means for mounting / dismounting a rope forming part of a pipe according to the invention.

As described above, the invention relates to a water pumping pipe, in particular for a plant for producing energy from the thermal energy of the sea.

Such a pipe is for example illustrated in Figure 1 and is designated by the general reference 1.

In fact, such a pipe for pumping water may have several hundred meters long to allow water to be drawn at great depth and low temperature for example in an ocean.

This pumping line is therefore made for example by assembling elementary pipe sections, for example flexible, using rigid connecting flanges.

In the exemplary embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, three elementary pipe sections, 2, 3 and 4 respectively, are assembled to one another by means of flanges 5 and 6, respectively.

These flanges 5 and 6 are for example formed by flanges for example metal.

The elementary pipe sections are made of a flexible and deformable material, for example.

The flanges thus make it possible to maintain the pipe sections in position in the water and to form a pipe for pumping water at great depth in order to supply the production facility.

This can for example be installed on the surface.

For example this installation can be placed on a barge or other.

FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a flange for connecting two pipe sections, for example.

In this figure, there is shown the connecting flange 5 of the pipe sections 2 and 3.

In fact and in general, this flange 5 may for example comprise two associated flange portions, one upper 7 and the other lower 8.

These flange portions 7 and 8 are then adapted to cooperate with the pipe sections 2 and 3 respectively, to connect them.

Upper and lower counter-flanges respectively 9 and 10, are used to ensure the blocking in position of these pipe sections on the corresponding flange portion.

In fact and as illustrated, each end of the pipe sections has a rope.

Two lines of this type are illustrated in this figure and are designated for example by the general references 11 and 12 respectively, for the pipe sections 2 and 3.

As illustrated, these rulers are then engaged in respective receiving grooves 13 and 14 respectively of the upper and lower flange portions 7 and 8.

This makes it possible to maintain the position of these pipe sections on the corresponding flange portions and thus to form the pipe.

As illustrated, the counter-flanges 9 and 10 may also comprise corresponding grooves 15 and 16, facing the ropes.

This then makes it possible to obtain a very good hold in position of the pipe sections with respect to the flange portions and an excellent assembly of the sections relative to one another.

Moreover, such a structure also makes it easier to assemble and dismantle the pipe.

In particular, the installation and the removal of the headline in the corresponding groove can be done, as is illustrated in FIG. 3, with the aid of an automated or motorized set-up or removal tool, and designated by the general reference 17 in this figure.

This generally comprises in general a hook-shaped member designated by the general reference 18, adapted, as illustrated to be engaged behind the headline 11, to allow the introduction or withdrawal thereof of the groove of the corresponding flange portion. For this purpose the corresponding flange portion then comprises at least one corresponding passage, designated for example by the general reference 19 in this figure, allowing the introduction or withdrawal of the hook-shaped member 18.

This passage 19 may for example be formed by a recess or other of the corresponding flange portion.

This then makes it possible to introduce the hook-shaped tool 18, for example in the groove and behind the headline, and, in the manner of a mounting or dismounting system for a tire on a wheel rim, put the rope in the throat or remove it from the throat.

These operations are then done safely by eliminating in particular any risk of degradation of the pipe sections.

It should be noted in this regard that the pipe and the hook-shaped tool can be driven by a relative rotational movement, printed by motorization means for example.

Thus, for example, the hook-shaped tool 18 can be carried by a mobile support 20 in the form of a carriage mounted rotatably on guide means 21 around the pipe.

The operations of assembly and disassembly of the pipe can then be automated.

It goes without saying of course that other embodiments can be envisaged.

Claims (5)

1. - Pumping water in particular for a plant for producing energy from the thermal energy of the seas, made by assembling flexible pipe sections (2, 3, 4), using flanges rigid connection piece (5, 6), characterized in that the facing ends of the pipe sections (2, 3) comprise ropes (11, 12) adapted to be engaged in corresponding receiving grooves (13, 14) of flanges and in that these flanges comprise passages (19) for access to these grooves for a tool (18) hook-shaped mounting / disassembly of the ropes. 2. - Water pumping pipe especially for a plant for generating energy from the thermal energy of the seas according to claim 1, characterized in that the flanges (5) comprise upper and lower flange portions ( 7,8) associated with two successive sections of the pipe and associated with counter-flanges (9, 10). 3. - Water pumping pipe, in particular for a plant for producing energy from the thermal energy of the seas according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the or each passage of each flange comprises a corresponding recess ( 19) passage of the hook-shaped member (18) behind the headline (11). 4. - Pumping line for water for a plant for producing energy from the thermal energy of the seas according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises motorized means (17, 20). 21) of relative rotation of the pipe and the mounting / dismounting tool. 5. - Pumping line for water for a plant for producing energy from the thermal energy of the seas according to claim 4, characterized in that the assembly / disassembly tool (19) is carried by a mobile carriage (20) rotatably mounted on guide means (21) around the pipe.