GB2498735A - Distant offshore intake for a desalination plant - Google Patents
Distant offshore intake for a desalination plant Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- GB2498735A GB2498735A GB1201220.9A GB201201220A GB2498735A GB 2498735 A GB2498735 A GB 2498735A GB 201201220 A GB201201220 A GB 201201220A GB 2498735 A GB2498735 A GB 2498735A
- Authority
- GB
- United Kingdom
- Prior art keywords
- text
- stationary platform
- power
- pumping
- shore
- 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.)
- Withdrawn
Links
- 238000010612 desalination reaction Methods 0.000 title claims abstract description 24
- 238000005086 pumping Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 52
- 239000012267 brine Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 17
- 239000013535 sea water Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 17
- HPALAKNZSZLMCH-UHFFFAOYSA-M sodium;chloride;hydrate Chemical compound O.[Na+].[Cl-] HPALAKNZSZLMCH-UHFFFAOYSA-M 0.000 claims abstract description 17
- 238000012423 maintenance Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 16
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 claims description 20
- 238000010276 construction Methods 0.000 claims description 8
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 claims description 4
- 238000004873 anchoring Methods 0.000 claims description 2
- 206010012289 Dementia Diseases 0.000 claims 2
- MHAJPDPJQMAIIY-UHFFFAOYSA-N Hydrogen peroxide Chemical compound OO MHAJPDPJQMAIIY-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims 1
- SGPGESCZOCHFCL-UHFFFAOYSA-N Tilisolol hydrochloride Chemical compound [Cl-].C1=CC=C2C(=O)N(C)C=C(OCC(O)C[NH2+]C(C)(C)C)C2=C1 SGPGESCZOCHFCL-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims 1
- XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N water Substances O XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 7
- 230000002706 hydrostatic effect Effects 0.000 description 4
- 238000010586 diagram Methods 0.000 description 3
- 230000007423 decrease Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000000694 effects Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000009434 installation Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000012986 modification Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000004048 modification Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000005728 strengthening Methods 0.000 description 1
Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B63—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; RELATED EQUIPMENT
- B63J—AUXILIARIES ON VESSELS
- B63J1/00—Arrangements of installations for producing fresh water, e.g. by evaporation and condensation of sea water
-
- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- C02—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
- C02F—TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE
- C02F1/00—Treatment of water, waste water, or sewage
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E03—WATER SUPPLY; SEWERAGE
- E03B—INSTALLATIONS OR METHODS FOR OBTAINING, COLLECTING, OR DISTRIBUTING WATER
- E03B3/00—Methods or installations for obtaining or collecting drinking water or tap water
- E03B3/04—Methods or installations for obtaining or collecting drinking water or tap water from surface water
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
- Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- Hydrology & Water Resources (AREA)
- Environmental & Geological Engineering (AREA)
- Water Supply & Treatment (AREA)
- Organic Chemistry (AREA)
- Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Ocean & Marine Engineering (AREA)
- Other Liquid Machine Or Engine Such As Wave Power Use (AREA)
Abstract
An active pumping, distant offshore intake system 100 comprises a stationary platform 110 connected to an intake pipe 90 of a desalination plant and at least one pump 130 connectable to the stationary platform, arranged to receive and use power to pump seawater through the intake pipe to the desalination plant, and detachable from the stationary platform for conducting maintenance on shore. The stationary platform is positioned on sea between 1 and 10 km from shore at a sea level of 10-100 meters. The system may be operated continuously, including during maintenance of some of the pumps. Power may be provided by a cable 95 from the shore, or may be produced locally or may be attained by power exchange from pressurised brine delivered from the desalination plant. Preferably, the stationary platform is anchored. Alternatively, the stationary platform can be connected to a submersible structure (116, Fig. 4B).
Description
DISTANT OFFSHORE INTAKE
BACKGROUND
1. TECHNICAL FIELD
[00011 The present invention relates to seawater desalination and more particularly, to seawater intake into a desalination plant.
2. DISCUSSION OF THE RELATED ART [0002] Seawater is commonly delivered to a desalination plant through a pipe that is laid on the sea bottom, by utilizing the hydrostatic pressure of the water column between sea level and the water level at the intake location. To enhance the hydrostatic pressure difference, an intake pit 91 is dug near the desalination plant, and the pipe opens into intake pit 91 as exemplified in Figure 1 (case 1).
[0003] The hydrostatic pressure difference ApI results from the height difference between sea level and the height of water in intake pit 91. A part of this hydrostatic pressure is lost as a pressure gradient along the pipe that results from the pipe's resistance to flow.
BRIEF SUMMARY
[0004] One aspect of the invention provides a distant offshore intake system comprising: a stationary platform connected to an intake pipe of a desalination plant, the stationary platform positioned on sea between I and 10 km from shore at a sea level of 10-100 meters, and at least one pumping element connectable to the stationary platform, arranged to receive and use power to pump seawater through the intake pipe to the desalination plant, and detachable from the stationary platform for conducting maintenance on shore.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0005] For a better understanding of embodiments of the invention and to show how the same may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, purely by way of example, to the accompanying drawings in which like numerals designate corresponding elements or sections throughout.
[0006] Tn the accompanying drawings: Figure 1 schematicafly iflustrates a prior art intake method and a hypothetical intake method that illustrates the problem solved by the current invention, Figure 2 is a high level schematic block diagram illustrating a system for distant offshore intake, according to some embodiments of the invention, Figures 3A and 3B illustrate a side view and a top view, respectively, of active pumping, distant offshore intake system, according to some embodiments of the invention, Figures 4A-4D illustrate various configurations of active pumping, distant offshore intake system, according to some embodiments of the invention, Figures SA and SB illustrate a version of the system with attachable pumps, according to some embodiments of the invention, and Figure 6 is a high level schematic flowchart illustrating a method of intaking seawater to a desalination plant, according to some embodiments of the invention.
[0007] The drawings together with the following detailed description make apparent to those skilled in the art how the invention may be embodied in practice.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0008] With specific reference now to the drawings in detail, it is stressed that the particulars shown are by way of example and for purposes of iflustrative discussion of the preferred embodiments of the present invention only, and are presented in the cause of providing what is believed to be the most useful and readily understood description of the principles and conceptual aspects of the invention. In this regard, no attempt is made to show structural details of the invention in more detail than is necessary for a fundamental understanding of the invention, the description taken with the drawings making apparent to those skilled in the art how the several forms of the invention may be embodied in practice.
[0009] Before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is applicable to other embodiments or of being practiced or carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as Umiting.
[0010] Figure 1 schematically illustrates a prior art intake method and a hypothetical intake method that illustrates the problem solved by the current invention.
[0011] The problem confronted by the current invention is the following. Seawater intake from a polluted sea must be intensively and expensively pre-treated. To avoid taking in polluted seawater, one may try to intake the seawater from a more distant offshore location (case 2 in Figure 1). However, as pipe lengths increase, so does also its flow resistance, resulting in a larger pressure loss along the pipe (Ap2), which necessitates digging a deeper intake pit to overcome the resistance. Moreover, as the pressure difference increases, the pipe tends to collapse as the inner pressure decreases toward the shore. Strengthening the pipe resulis in a sharp increase in construction costs.
[0012] Figure 2 is a high level schematic block diagram illustrating a system 100 for distant offshore intake, according to some embodiments of the invention. In order to avoid intaking polluted water, digging a deep intake pit and the risk of pipe collapse, active pumping of the intake water at a distant offshore intake location is proposed by the cmTent invention. The pumping pressure may be set to dismiss with intake pit 91 altogether and provide a residual operation pressure, or an intake pit may still be used for operational reasons. Intake pipe 90 may be stabilized and held in place by sinkers 109, e.g. concrete blocks.
[0013] Figures 34 and 3B illustrate a side view and a top view, respectively, of active pumping, distant offshore intake system 100, according to some embodiments of the invention. Figures 4A-4D illustrate various configurations of active pumping, distant offshore intake system 100. Figures 54 and SB illustrate a version of system with attachable pumps 130, according to some embodiments of the invention.
Figure SA is a top view and Figure SB is a cross section view of system 100.
[0014] System 100, in an embodiment illustrates in Figures 3A and 3B, comprises a stationary platform 110 connected to an intake pipe 90 of a desalination plant (not shown). Stationary platform 100 is positioned on sea between I and 10 km from shore at a sea level of 10-100 meters. System 100 further comprises at least one pumping element (120) connectable to stationary platform 110, alTanged to receive and use power to pump seawater through intake pipe 90 to the desalination plant, and is detachable from stationary platform 110 for conducting maintenance on shore.
[0015] Power may be supplied by a cable 95 associated with intake pipe 90 from shore and over an electric connector 121 on stationary platform 110 to pumping elements 120. Each of pumping elements 120 may comprise a pump 130 and a motor 107 arranged to operate pump 130 with the supplied power. Pump 130 may pump sea water via an intake opening 131 and through filter 114 (e.g. a crude network) from its surroundings. Water may be delivered from pump 130 to intake pipe 90 over a water connector 122 on stationary platform 110.
[0016] Consistent with some embodiments of the invention exemplified in Figure 4D, stationary platform 110 may be an anchored (115) square main pontoon having four pairs 130 of power connectors and pipe connector, one on each side of square main pontoon 110, enabling connection to four pumping elements 120 being smaller pontoons. Distant offshore intake system 100 may be arranged to operate continuously with at least one of four smaller pontoons 120 connected to main pontoon 110 and operable, while other smaller pontoons 120 may be tugged to shore for maintenance.
[0017] Stationary platform 110 may be anchored (Figures 4A, 4D) or connected to a submersible construction 116 (Figure 4B). Submersible construction 116 may for example comprise a hollow concrete construction such as an Ocean Brick System.
[0018] Consistent with some embodiments of the invention exemplified in Figure 4k stationary platform 110 maybe a buoy 106, and pumping element 120 may be an anchored barge 105 comprising pump 130 and motor 107. Pumping element 120 may be alTanged to operate pump 130 with the supplied power. Barge 105 may be anchored (115) during operation. and detachable from buoy 106 for conducting maintenance on shore. Power may be generated on barge 105 by a generator (not shown), or be supplied from shore by cable 95. Alternatively or additionally. power may be supplied to motor 107 on barge 106 by an associated offshore wind turbine 108 (illustrated in Figure 3A) or an associated wave energy converter (not shown).
[0019] Consistent with some embodiments of the invention exemplified in Figure 4C, stationary platform 110 is a submerged power exchanger 85 connected to a brine pipe 80 delivering pressurized brine from the desalination plant. and arranged to operate pumping element 120, which may comprise a submerged or an anchored pump 130, with power recovered from the pressurized brine. Brine pipe 80 further comprises an extension 87 for disposing brine leaving power exchanger 85 at a distance from an intake opening of pumping element 120.
[0020] Consistent with some embodiments of the invention exemplified in Figures SA and SB. stationary p'atform 110 may comprise platform legs 117 supporting a crane 118 and maintenance and service rooms 119. Stationary platform 110 may resemble shallow sea platforms, and intake opening 131 is situated at a specified depth below the lowest tide in the installation region. In the illustrated example pumping element 120 is pumps 130 (operated by motors 107 and pumping seawater from intake opening 131 through pipe 90) which may be removed from platform 110 for maintenance on shore, or be maintained on platform 110 itself. Both pumps 130 and motors 107 are mounted on stationary platform 110 and are detachable therefrom for conducting maintenance on shore when necessary.
[0021] Figure 6 is a schematic flowchart illustrating a method 200 of intaking seawater to a desalination plant, according to some embodiments of the invention.
Method 200 comprises actively pumping seawater by at least one pumping element over a stationary platform through a pipe to the desalination plant (stage 210) and positioning the stationary platform on sea between I and 10 1cm from shore at a sea level of 10-100 meters (stage 215).
[0022] Method 200 may comprise anchonng the stationary platform (stage 216) or connecting the stationary platform to a submersible construction (stage 217) and may further comprise anchoring the pumping elements (stage 218), at least temporarily.
[0023] Method 200 further comprises supplying power to the at least one pumping element (stage 220), e.g. by a cable from the shore over the stationary platform (stage 222), or by loca' power production (stage 224), e.g. by a generator on the stationary platform, by a generator on the at least one pumping element, by an associated offshore wind turbine or by an associated wave energy converter.
[0024] Method 200 further comprises calTying out the maintenance of the at least one pumping element on shore (stage 240) by disconnecting the pumping elements from the stationary platform and transfelTing the pumping element (stage 245, e.g. by tugging) to the shore for maintenance. Method 200 may comprise maintaining continuous pumping (stage 247) by utilizing a p'urality of pumping elements and maintaining at least one of the pumping elements connected to the stationary platform and operating during maintenance of other pumping elements.
[0025] Consistent with some embodiments of the invention supplying of power (stage 220) is carried out by local power production by power exchange from pressurized brine from the desalination plant (stage 230). Method 200 further comprises delivering the pressurized brine from the desalination plant to the stationary platform (stage 234) and disposing dc-pressurized brine at a distance from an intake opening of the pumping element (stage 236). Method 200 may further comprise submerging the pumping elements to be operable with the power exchanger (stage 232).
[0026] In the above description, an embodiment is an example or implementation of the invention. The various appearances of" one embodiment", "an embodiment" or "some embodiments" do not necessarily all refer to the same embodiments.
[0027] Although various features of the invention may be described in the context of a single embodiment, the features may also be provided separately or in any suitable combination. Conversely, although the invention may be described herein in the context of separate embodiments for clarity, the invention may also be imp'emented in a single embodiment.
[0028] Furthermore, it is to be understood that the invention can be carried out or practiced in various ways and that the invention can be implemented in embodiments other than the ones outlined in the description above.
[0029] The invention is not limited to those diagrams or to the corresponding descriptions. For example, flow need not move through each illustrated box or state, or in exactly the same order as illustrated and described.
[0030] Meanings of technical and scientific terms used herein are to be commonly understood as by one of ordinary skill in the art to which the invention belongs, unless otherwise defined.
[0031] While the invention has been described with respect to a limited number of embodiments, these should not be construed as limitations on the scope of the invention, but rather as exemplifications of some of the preferred embodiments. Other possible variations, modifications, and applications are also within the scope of the invention.
Claims (1)
- <claim-text>CLAIMSWhat is claimed is: 1. A distant offshore intake system comprising: a stationary platform connected to an intake pipe of a desalination plant, the stationary platform positioned on sea between 1 and 10 km from shore at a sea level of 10-100 meters, and at least one pumping element connectable to the stationary platform, arranged to receive and use power to pump seawater through the intake pipe to the desalination plant, and detachable from the stationary platform for conducting maintenance on shore.</claim-text> <claim-text>2. The distant offshore intake system of claim 1, wherein the stationary platform is anchored.</claim-text> <claim-text>3. The distant offshore intake system of claim I. wherein the stationary platform is connected to a submersible construction.</claim-text> <claim-text>4. The distant offshore intake system of daim I, wherein the power is supplied by a cable associated with the intake pipe from shore and though a connector on the stationary platform to the at least one pumping element, and each at least one pumping element comprises a pump and a motor alTanged to operate the pump with the supplied power.</claim-text> <claim-text>5. The distant offshore intake system of claim 4, wherein the stationaly platform is an anchored square main pontoon having four pairs of power connectors and pipe connector, one on each side of the square main pontoon, enabling connection to four pumping elements being smaller pontoons, and the distant offshore intake system is arranged to operate continuously with at least one of four pumping elements connected to the main pontoon and operable.</claim-text> <claim-text>6. The distant offshore intake system of claim I, wherein the stationary platform is a buoy. and the at least one pumping element is an anchored barge comprising a pump and a motor and arranged to operate the pump with the supplied power, the barge being detachable from the buoy for conducting maintenance on shore.</claim-text> <claim-text>7. The distant offshore intake system of claim 6, wherein power is generated on the barge by a generator.</claim-text> <claim-text>8. The distant offshore intake system of claim 6, wherein power is supplied to the motor on the barge by an associated offshore wind turbine or an associated wave energy converter.</claim-text> <claim-text>9. The distant offshore intake system of claim 1, wherein the stationary platfoim is a submerged power exchanger connected to a brine pipe delivering pressurized brine from the desalination plant, and arranged to operate the at least one pumping element with power recovered from the pressurized brine, the brine pipe comprises an extension for disposing brine leaving the power exchanger at a distance from an intake opening of the at least one pumping element, and the at least one pumping dement is submerged or anchored.</claim-text> <claim-text>10. The distant offshore intake system of claim 1. wherein the at east one pumping element comprises at least one pump and at least one motor mounted on the stationary platform and detachable therefrom for conducting maintenance on shore.</claim-text> <claim-text>11. A method of intaking seawater to a desalination plant comprising: actively pumping seawater by at least one pumping dement over a stationary platform positioned on sea between I and 10 km from shore at a sea level of 10-100 meters through a pipe to the desalination plant, supplying power to the at least one pumping element, and maintaining the at least one pumping element by disconnection from the stationary platform and transfer to shore.</claim-text> <claim-text>12. The method of claim 11, further comprising maintaining continuous pumping by utilizing a plurality of pumping elements and maintaining at least one of the pumping elements connected to the stationary platform and operating during maintenance of other pumping elements.</claim-text> <claim-text>13. The method of claim 11, wherein the supplying of power is carried out by a cable from the shore over the stationary platfonm 14. The method of claim 11, wherein the supplying of power is carried out by local power production through at least one of: a generator on the stationary platform, a generator on the at kast one pumping element, an associated offshore wind turbine, and an associated wave energy converter.15. The method of claim II, wherein the supplying of power is calTied out by local power production by power exchange from pressunzed brine from the desalination plant, and further comprises delivering the pressurized brine and disposing dc-pressurized brine 16. The method of claim 15. further comprising anchoring or submerging the at least one pumping element.17. The method of claim 11, further comprising anchonng the stationary platform or connecting the stationary platform to a submersible construction.</claim-text>
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB1201220.9A GB2498735A (en) | 2012-01-25 | 2012-01-25 | Distant offshore intake for a desalination plant |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB1201220.9A GB2498735A (en) | 2012-01-25 | 2012-01-25 | Distant offshore intake for a desalination plant |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| GB201201220D0 GB201201220D0 (en) | 2012-03-07 |
| GB2498735A true GB2498735A (en) | 2013-07-31 |
Family
ID=45840913
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB1201220.9A Withdrawn GB2498735A (en) | 2012-01-25 | 2012-01-25 | Distant offshore intake for a desalination plant |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| GB (1) | GB2498735A (en) |
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CN110185089A (en) * | 2019-06-05 | 2019-08-30 | 中交第三航务工程局有限公司南京分公司 | Large-scale water intake caisson placing and location control technique |
Citations (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WO2006085123A1 (en) * | 2005-02-11 | 2006-08-17 | Amepos Limited | Apparatus and device for sea water desalination |
| WO2008074810A2 (en) * | 2006-12-18 | 2008-06-26 | Ecocean Renewables Limited | System for generating electrical power and potable water from sea waves |
-
2012
- 2012-01-25 GB GB1201220.9A patent/GB2498735A/en not_active Withdrawn
Patent Citations (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WO2006085123A1 (en) * | 2005-02-11 | 2006-08-17 | Amepos Limited | Apparatus and device for sea water desalination |
| WO2008074810A2 (en) * | 2006-12-18 | 2008-06-26 | Ecocean Renewables Limited | System for generating electrical power and potable water from sea waves |
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CN110185089A (en) * | 2019-06-05 | 2019-08-30 | 中交第三航务工程局有限公司南京分公司 | Large-scale water intake caisson placing and location control technique |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| GB201201220D0 (en) | 2012-03-07 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| WAP | Application withdrawn, taken to be withdrawn or refused ** after publication under section 16(1) |