JP5373786B2 - Apparatus for extracting material from the bottom of a body of water, and associated method - Google Patents

Description

The present invention
-A water surface device extending at least partially above the water surface of the body of water,
-A bottom unit, including means for removing material from the bottom of the body of water,
A material transport pipe connecting a first point located in the water surface device to a second point located in the bottom unit and defining at least one material flow passage; and
-The bottom unit is connected to a water surface device having at least one drum on which a functional line is wound, and has power or hydraulic power between the water surface device and the bottom unit. The invention relates to a device for extracting substances from the bottom of a body of water of the type comprising at least one functional line capable of transmitting information or fluid.

  Such an apparatus is applicable, for example, to seabed mining or underwater excavation work for installing a hydrocarbon extraction facility.

  An apparatus of the type described above is known from FR 2467283. This device comprises a water surface device and a bottom unit carried by a ship. The bottom unit includes a base and an extraction vehicle that moves through the sea floor and is connected to the base by a flexible link known as a “jumper”.

  The bottom unit is lowered into the water using a series of rigid tubes that connect the base to the water surface device. The series of tubes define a passage for the passage of the material removed from the bottom to convey the material to the water surface.

  In addition, a line for injecting gas into a series of tubes and a power transmission line forming a link called the term “umbilical” is lowered into the sea towards the relay point from the ship. An example of an umbilical is described in GB-A-2395539.

French Patent Application Publication No. 2467283 British Patent Application No. 2395539

  To deploy the device, while descending the bottom unit, attach each of a series of tubes from the surface vessel in succession, then attach the gas injection line and the umbilical including the power line to each tube It is necessary to lower the gas injection line and the umbilical simultaneously.

  Therefore, the ship requires a very large storage space for assembling and storing the rigid tube and the umbilical.

  The object of the present invention is to obtain an apparatus for extracting substances from the bottom of a body of water that is simple to use and compact.

  To this end, the present invention is an apparatus of the type described above, wherein the transport pipe is flexible over substantially its entire length, and the functional line is configured to form the flexible pipe. The conveying pipe and the functional line are arranged in a stationary form in which the conveying pipe and the functional line are wound around the drum, and a deployed form in which the conveying pipe and the functional line are developed toward the bottom of the water area. It is related with the apparatus which can be couple | bonded and deployed between.

The device according to the invention can have one or more of the following characteristics, alone or in any technically possible combination.
The flexible pipe includes an annular layer surrounding the conveying pipe, the layer defining a longitudinal passage containing the functional line, the functional line being inserted into the longitudinal passage;
The water surface device comprises a ship, the drum being rotatably mounted on the platform of the ship;
The vessel defines a side edge, and the flexible pipe is deployed laterally towards the outside of the vessel and opposite the side edge.
-The flexible pipe includes a plurality of parts, and the ends of the parts are assembled together.
Each part includes a tubular part, and further includes flanges at both ends of the tubular part for connecting to the adjacent part, the transverse dimension of the flange being transverse to the tubular part; Larger than the dimensions,
The drum is
-A support surface for said flexible pipe;
-Movable around the support surface and having at least one groove for receiving the flange of at least two adjacent parts, the flange being wound with the flexible pipe When in the form, it is inserted into the groove.
The bottom unit includes a base and an extraction vehicle connected to the base by a flexible link defining a substance transfer port, the port leading to the flow passage and facing the extraction means; doing.
The water surface device comprises a gas / liquid / solid separator, which defines a separation chamber connected to the flow passage.
-The separation chamber is
An outlet for discharging the solid separated in the separation chamber;
A valve for closing the outlet, the valve being controlled to maintain the separation chamber at a pressure greater than atmospheric pressure while discharging the material from the flow passage to the separation chamber. Is possible.
The flexible pipe includes at least one gas injection line for injecting a gas for transporting a substance, the gas injection line being away from the water surface device and leading to the flow passage, The water surface device includes a compressor having an inlet connected to the separator and an outlet connected to the gas injection line.
-In the deployed configuration, the flexible pipe includes at least one unit for injecting pressurized liquid into the flow passage and is directed toward the water surface device by the pressurized liquid. Material is transported.
The drum defines an internal space, and the separation chamber is at least partially arranged in the internal space.
The bottom unit includes an extraction vehicle with the take-out means;
The bottom unit includes a support connected to the flexible pipe for collecting material, the support being disposed on the bottom for collecting the material removed by the removal means, The extraction means can be deployed from the water surface device independently of the support.

The invention further relates to a method for extracting substances from the bottom of a body of water by means of the device as defined above,
-Positioning the water surface device opposite the area in the bottom where material is extracted and winding the flexible pipe around the drum in a stationary form of the drum;
-Unwinding the flexible pipe from the drum and unfolding the flexible pipe in order to couple and sink the flexible pipe with the bottom unit until the removal means reaches the region of the bottom; Transitioning to form, and
-Extracting the substance from the region at the bottom by the take-out means, and transporting the extracted substance to the water surface device through the flow passage of the transport pipe.

  The invention will be readily understood more clearly from the following description, given by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

It is a side view which shows partially the 1st extraction apparatus which concerns on this invention by which the flexible pipe was expand | deployed by a perspective view. It is a partial cutaway figure which shows the part shown by code | symbol II of FIG. It is a partial exploded perspective view showing the flexible pipe of the 1st extraction device concerning the present invention. FIG. 3 is a three-quarter perspective partial view showing a drum for a flexible pipe in which the flexible pipe of FIG. 1 is partially wound. FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 4 showing a drum around which no flexible pipe is wound. FIG. 6 is a view taken along arrow VI in FIG. 4. FIG. 7 is a partial sectional view taken along a vertical vertical plane VII in FIG. 4. It is a figure similar to FIG. 2 which shows the 2nd apparatus based on this invention provided with the injection | pouring unit which inject | pours water. It is a figure similar to FIG. 8 which shows the 3rd apparatus which concerns on this invention. FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XX in FIG. 9. It is a figure similar to FIG. 1 which shows the 4th apparatus based on this invention.

  An extraction device 10 according to the present invention is shown in FIGS. The extraction device 10 is a device for extracting a substance from the bottom of a water area 12 such as the sea, ocean or lake.

  The body of water 12 is above the bottom 14 constituted by solid material including rocks and / or sediments.

  The purpose of the extraction device 10 is, for example, to perform excavation work on the bottom 14 to install a hydrocarbon extraction facility, or to remove the mineral deposited on the bottom 14 for subsequent use on the water surface 16 of the water area 12. That is.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the extraction device 10 includes a water surface device 18 carried by the ship 20, a bottom unit 22 for removing material from the bottom 14 of the water area 12, and a connection of the bottom unit 22 to the water surface device 18. It is provided with a flexible pipe 24 according to the present invention of a bundle type produced in an integrated manner.

  The bottom unit 22 includes a base 26 fixed to the lower end of the flexible pipe 24, an excavation vehicle 28 that contacts the bottom 14 of the water area 12, and a flexible link 30 that connects the excavation vehicle 28 to the base 26.

  The base 26 is disposed in the vicinity of the bottom 14 while being separated from the bottom 14 during the extraction of the substance. Base 26 includes a device (not shown), such as a pump or filter, for pumping and processing the material to be removed, and means for controlling excavation vehicle 28.

  The excavating vehicle 28 contacts the bottom 14 to remove material from the bottom 14. The excavating vehicle 28 has means 32 for moving the bottom 14 and takeout means capable of conveying the material to the flexible link 30 by digging, shaving or drilling the material constituting the bottom 14 34 and including.

  At the bottom of the base 26 is provided a trap 26A (FIG. 1) that is rotated by suitable means (not shown). When the trap is in the open position, the trap 26A allows the material stored in the base 26 to be discharged. In that case, the excavating vehicle 28 is disposed below the base 26, the substance falls into the excavating vehicle 28, and the substance is crushed by the excavating vehicle 28.

  An example of an excavating vehicle is described in French Patent Application No. 2467283.

  The flexible link 30 may be referred to as a “jumper”. The flexible link is formed from a hollow flexible tube 36 having an upper end connected to the base 26 and a lower end connected to the excavating vehicle 28 for extracting material exiting the extraction means 34. . The flexible tube 36 has a port 37 for allowing a substance to flow therethrough, and the port 37 is opened facing the take-out means 34 and communicates with the base 26.

  The flexibility of the flexible link 30 is greater than the flexibility of the flexible pipe 24.

  The excavating vehicle 28 is movable relative to the base 26, and in particular, the bottom 14 is movable up to a maximum distance from the base 26 that is approximately equal to the length of the flexible tube 36. The maximum distance is from 10 m to 40 m, preferably less than 50 m.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the flexible pipe 24 has a first point 38 with an upper end positioned on the water surface device 18 and a second point 40 with the lower end positioned on the base 26. It extends in between.

  According to the present invention, the flexible pipe 24 is flexible over the entire length between the first and second points 38,40. Thus, as will be seen below, the flexible pipe 24 can be wound on a rotating drum between a drawn out form and a helically wound form, and in the wound form it is possible. The flexible pipe 24 has a bending radius of 12m to 15m and preferably has a bending radius of less than 20m.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the flexible pipe 24 includes a central transport pipe 42 for transporting material removed from the bottom 14 from the base 26 to the water surface device 18.

  The flexible pipe 24 further includes an outer functional layer 43 around the transport pipe 42, which can transmit power or hydraulic power, or information and / or fluid from the water surface device 18 to the bottom unit 22. A possible functional line 44 is accommodated, which is arranged in the outer functional layer 43 around the conveying pipe 42.

  The flexible pipe 24 further includes a line 46 disposed in the outer functional layer 43 by injecting a gas for transporting a substance into the transport pipe 42, and an outer protective sheath disposed around the outer functional layer 43. Including 47.

  The transfer pipe 42 generally conforms to the standard API 17J. The conveying pipe 42 has flexibility over the entire length. The transfer pipe 42 is, for example, an inner tubular metal casing 47A for providing pressure resistance from the inside to the outside, a plastic sheath 47B for providing gas tightness, an outer casing 47C, and 2 for providing traction resistance. It has a layer of outer wire 47D.

  The transport pipe 42 defines a flow passage 48 for circulating the taken-out substance, and the flow passage 48 is opened at the first point 38 on the one hand and opened at the second point 40 on the other hand. The transport pipe 42 is continuously attached to the flexible tube 36 so that the inner port 37 communicates with the circulation passage 48.

  The outer functional layer 43 is generally annular. The outer functional layer 43 is disposed on the outer periphery of the transfer pipe 42 and defines a longitudinal passage 48A for receiving the lines 44 and 46 therein, and the lines 44 and 46 are inserted into the longitudinal passage 48A.

  The functional line 44 includes, for example, a power transmission line that electrically connects the water surface device 18 to the bottom unit 22 to supply power to the base 26 and excavating vehicle 28. The function line 44 further includes an information transmission line in the base 26 that connects the water surface device 18 to control means for controlling the excavating vehicle 28.

  The length of the flexible pipe 24 between the first point 38 and the second point 40 is variable depending on the depth at which the seabed is located, and preferably exceeds 1000 m2.

  In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the flexible pipe 24 is formed by assembling by connecting the ends of a plurality of flexible portions 50 preferably having a length of 300 to 400 m.

  Accordingly, each flexible portion 50 includes a central tubular portion 52 and includes flanges 54 at both ends for securing to adjacent flexible portions 50.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the flanges 54A and 54B of two adjacent flexible portions 50 are fixed to each other by, for example, screwing.

  The flanges 54A and 54B protrude outward in the radial direction with respect to the tubular portion 52. The flanges 54A and 54B have an average outer diameter that is greater than the average outer diameter of the tubular portion 52.

  Each flexible portion 50 defines a portion of the internal flow passage 48 and supports a portion of the lines 44, 46 connected to each other via flanges 54A, 54B.

  The marine vessel 20 includes a platform 60 for the water surface device 18 that extends between the two side edges 62 of the marine vessel 20.

  The vessel 20 further includes a workbench 63 that protrudes from the side edge 62 and includes a clamp 64 for selectively holding the flexible pipe 24. The flexible pipe 24 is vertically engaged via a clamp 64 above the side edge 62 and facing the side edge.

  As shown in FIGS. 1-7, a water surface device 18 is disposed on the drum 68 for winding the flexible pipe 24, means 70 for driving the drum 68 in rotation, and processing the removed material. And a compressor 74 for injecting gas into the internal flow passage 48 via the gas injection line 46.

  As a function of winding or feeding the flexible pipe 24 around the drum 68, the work table 63 moves on a rail 64A arranged on one side of the ship 20.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the water surface device 18 further includes control means 76 and power supply means 78.

  As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the drum 68 extends along a substantially horizontal longitudinal axis XX ′ of the ship 20.

  The drum 68 includes a hollow cylinder 80 having a horizontal collar 82 for fixing the flexible pipe 24 at both left and right ends.

  The cylinder 80 is in contact with the wound flexible pipe 24 and defines a cylindrical outer surface 84 that houses the flexible pipe 24 and a cylindrical inner space 86 into which the separator 72 is inserted.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the drum 68 further includes two wedges 88 for supporting two adjacent portions 50 of the flexible pipe 24 on at least one circumference along the outer surface 84.

  The wedge 88 projects with respect to the outer surface 84 and defines a longitudinal groove 90 between the wedges 88 that accommodates the fixing flanges 54 of two adjacent portions 50.

  Thus, when the flange 54 is introduced into the groove 90, the two adjacent portions of the tubular portion 52 are placed on one of the wedges 88, which limits the bend radius close to the flange 54. Accordingly, the risk of damage to the flexible pipe 24 due to twisting is limited.

  The wedge 88 is coupled and movable about axis XX ′ on at least one circumference of the outer surface 84.

  More generally, the drum 68 may be used to wind any flexible pipe.

  In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 7, the diameter of the drum 68 is between 12 m and 15 m, in any case less than 20 m.

  The drum 68 further includes a roller 92 in the internal space 86. The roller 92 is disposed in the vicinity of the collar 82 at the end and is distributed about the axis XX ′. As will be seen below, the roller 92 is disposed in contact with the outer surface of the separator 72 so that the drum 68 can rotate around the axis XX ′ by rotating in contact with the separator 72.

  The means 70 for rotationally driving the drum 68 includes an external ring 94 and two electric drive wheels 96 meshing with the external ring 94 at both ends of the rotary cylinder 80.

  Each external tooth ring 94 extends from the outer surface 84 on a circumference around the axis XX ′. The external tooth ring 94 is integral with the cylinder 80.

  The drive wheels 96 are mounted on the platform 60 so as to be able to rotate and move on both sides of a vertical plane passing through a cylindrical rotation axis XX ′. The drive wheel 96 can rotate the drum 68 about the axis XX ′ in two different directions of rotation to wind and unwind the flexible pipe 24.

  As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the separator 72 includes a cylindrical container 100 disposed in the internal space 86, a tank 102 for holding the substance separated in the cylindrical container 100, and the container 100. Means 104 for discharging the separated substance towards the holding tank 102 and means 106 for pressurizing the container 100;

  More generally, the container 100 of the separator 72 may be placed in an interior space defined by any drum placed on the vessel 20.

  The container 100 is generally cylindrical and has a diameter slightly smaller than the diameter of the cylinder 80 in which the container 100 is disposed. The container 100 has a cylindrical peripheral wall 108 that is closed transversely to the axis XX ′ by first and second end walls 110, 112.

  The walls 108, 110, 112 define a cavity 114 therein for separating the material conveyed to the water surface device by the flexible pipe 24.

  The container 100 is fixedly attached to the platform 60 by a fixed arm 116. Fixed arms 116 are attached to end walls 110 and 112 and platform 60, respectively.

  The peripheral wall 108 has a cylindrical shape with XX ′ as an axis. The roller 92 of the drum 68 rotates on the outer surface of the peripheral wall 108 while the drum 68 rotates about the axis XX ′.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the left end wall 110 has three nozzles 118 for connection with the flexible pipe 24, and the nozzles 118 are distributed around an axis XX ′. Each nozzle 118 has a head 120 for connection with a flange 54 provided at the end of the flexible pipe 24.

  Each nozzle 118 further includes an injection member 122 for injecting material exiting the flexible pipe 24 into the separation chamber 114. The injection member 122 is helically bent toward the peripheral wall 108 to guide the material flow from the nozzle 118 tangentially to the peripheral wall 108 of the container 100. For this reason, damage to the device arranged in the separation chamber 114 is avoided.

  In the embodiment shown in FIG. 6, the left end wall 110 includes three nozzles 118 so that when the flexible pipe 24 is wound on the drum 68, the nozzle 118 is capable of the flexible pipe 24. Various positions of the flexible portion 50 can be adapted.

  The left end wall 110 further includes an upper gas outlet 123 connected to the compressor 74. As shown in FIG. 2, the compressor 74 is connected to the gas discharge port 123 at the inlet, and connected to a line for injecting gas into the internal flow passage 48 at the outlet.

  The right end wall 112 includes an inlet 124 for injecting pressurized fluid in the upper part, and the substance separated in the separator 72 connected to the holding tank 102 via the intermediate pipe 128 in the lower part. Including an outlet 126 for discharging.

  The holding tank 102 is disposed on the platform 60. The holding tank 102 is maintained at atmospheric pressure to recover the solid material exiting the separator 72.

  The discharge means 104 includes a worm screw 130 disposed in the separation chamber 114 and a controllable pressure valve 132 disposed in an intermediate pipe 128 between the separation chamber 114 and the holding tank 102.

  The worm screw 130 is arranged in the lower part of the separation chamber 114 and in the vicinity of the bottom of the separation chamber 114. The worm screw 130 extends parallel to the axis XX ′ and has one end facing the discharge port 126.

  A motor is provided on the worm screw 130 to allow solid and / or liquid material to be transported towards the intermediate pipe 128 when the valve 132 is open.

  A plate 130A forming a guide is disposed above the worm screw 130 to guide deposits toward the intermediate pipe 128.

  The valve 132 is open while discharging the material from the separation chamber 114, as shown below, to maintain the separation chamber 114 at a predetermined pressure while separating the material exiting the transfer pipe 42. It can be controlled to be closed.

  Pressurizing means 106 includes a pressurized water source 134 connected to an inlet 124.

  The operation of the extraction apparatus 10 according to the present invention will be described.

  First, the flexible pipe 24 is attached by assembling the flanges by connecting the end portions of the respective flexible portions 50 to each other by the flange 54.

  The assembly can be done on land or directly on the ship 20. During assembly, the lines 44, 46 are assembled by abutting and connecting the ends of the line portions of the respective flexible portion 50. Similarly, the internal distribution passage 48 is continuous between the first point 38 and the second point 40.

  When the flexible pipe 24 is assembled, or while the flexible pipe 24 is being assembled, the flexible pipe 24 is wound on the drum 68. For this purpose, the electric drive wheel 96 is actuated to spirally wind the flexible pipe 24 around the outer surface 84 over substantially the entire length of the outer surface 84.

  During positioning of each assembled pair of flanges 54 to the drum 68, the flanges 54 are introduced into the grooves 90 and the two flexible portions 50 adjacent to the fixing flanges 54 are disposed on the wedge 88. Opposing pairs of wedges 88 are moved around the circumference of the cylinder 80.

  Therefore, the flexible pipe 24 is stored on the ship 20 in a simple and compact manner. In addition, the flexible pipe 24 is ready to be deployed quickly and at low cost when the operation of mining material is performed.

  For this purpose, the water surface device 18 on the ship 20 is positioned opposite the bottom region from which the material is removed. The bottom unit 22 is lowered from the wedge 88 of the ship 20, and the lower end portion of the flexible pipe 24 is connected to the base 26.

  The flexible pipe 24 is engaged at a side edge 62 of the ship 20 via a selectively held clamp 64.

  Thereafter, the bottom unit 22 is submerged at the lower end 40 of the flexible pipe 24 while being held by the auxiliary hoist 140 mounted on the platform 60. The bottom unit 22 is lowered to the bottom 14 by loosening the clamp 64 and gradually feeding the flexible pipe 24 from the drum 68 and the winder 140. If necessary, the feeding of the flexible pipe 24 is stopped, and the flexible pipe 24 is held in place by tightening the holding clamp 64.

  When the excavating vehicle 28 contacts the bottom 14, the base 26 is maintained away from the bottom 14. Thereafter, the flexible pipe 24 is stretched substantially linearly between the holding clamp 64 and the base 26.

  When the flexible pipe 24 is deployed in this manner, the upper end portion of the flexible pipe 24 is fixed to the nozzle 118. A port 37 in the flexible tube 36 is connected to the internal flow passage 48 leading to the separation chamber 114 of the separator 72.

  The flexible pipe 24 overlaps with the side edge portion 62 of the ship 20 to be deployed outward above the side edge portion 62. Therefore, it is not necessary to provide the ship 20 having a central well for deploying the extraction device 10.

  Similarly, the function line 44 is connected to the control means 76 and the power supply means 78 on the water surface device 18, the base 26 and the vehicle 28.

  Accordingly, electric power is supplied from the water surface device 18 to the vehicle 28 and the base 26 via the function line 44 in order to drive the vehicle 28 and operate the take-out means 34. Similarly, the movement of the vehicle 28 by the control means 76 and the movement of the take-out means 34 are controlled from the water surface device 18 via the function line 44.

  Further, the inlet of the compressor 74 is connected to the gas discharge port of the container 100, and the outlet of the compressor 74 is connected to the gas injection line 46.

  To begin mining material from the bottom 14, the control means 76 supplies power to the take-out means 34 and sends an activation signal to the base 26 and the vehicle 28 to control the movement of the vehicle 28 on the bottom 14.

  The take-out means 34 takes out the substance from the bottom and conveys the taken-out substance to the inlet of the port 37.

  Pump means provided in the base 26 begins to pump a material composed of a liquid / solid mixture towards the device 18.

  In order to facilitate the pumping of material towards the water surface device 18, the compressor 74 is started. Thereafter, the compressor 74 injects gas, for example about 100 bar of compressed air, into the flow passage 48 at an injection point 142 located between the first point 38 and the second point 40.

  The injection point 142 makes the columnar material flowing in the flow passage 48 above the injection point 142 lighter and allows the lightened material to be transported towards the water surface device 18. For example, it is positioned at a depth of about 1000m.

  Thereafter, the taken-out substance is continuously flowed between the take-out means 34 and the separation chamber 114 through the port 37, the flow passage 48 and the nozzle 118 in order. The mixture collected in the area of the nozzle 118 is composed of liquid, solid and gas and flows at an appropriate speed, preferably from 15 m / second to 20 m / second.

  In such a configuration, the valve 132 on the outlet side of the separator 72 is kept closed so that the pressure in the separation chamber 114 becomes greater than atmospheric pressure. The pressure is, for example, 15 to 30 bar.

  Thereafter, the liquid / solid / gas mixture enters the separation chamber 114, where separation by gravity is performed.

  The gas collected in the upper portion of the separation chamber 114 is reinjected into the compressor 74 through an outlet 123 that limits the energy loss and size of the compressor 74.

  Solid material accumulates around the worm screw 130 at the bottom of the separation chamber 114. When the separation chamber 114 needs to be emptied, the valve 132 is opened and the worm screw 130 is activated to discharge solid material and some liquid to the holding tank 102 via the intermediate pipe 128. Pressurized water is injected through the inlet 124 to maintain the pressure in the separation chamber 114 at 15-30 bar.

  When the extraction operation is completed, the bottom unit 22 is returned to the water surface by winding the flexible pipe 24 around the drum 68 as described above.

  In a variant, the flexible pipe 24 does not have a power transmission line. The umbilical including the power line is lowered simultaneously with the flexible pipe 24 to supply power to the excavating vehicle 28.

  In a variant not shown, the application of pressure in the separation chamber is not maintained while the substance is being discharged from the separation chamber. In this case, the size of the compressor 74 becomes larger and the injection point is positioned lower than the injection point of the first device 10 according to the present invention.

  In another variant, the bottom unit does not have a base 26. The flexible link 30 is directly connected to the flexible pipe 24 by a regulator or the like.

  A portion of a second device 210 according to the present invention is shown in FIG. Unlike the first device 10, the second device 210 injects pressurized liquid into the flow passage 48 to transport the material towards the water surface device 18 in the form of the flexible pipe 24 deployed. A plurality of injection units 212 are provided.

  Each injection unit 212 is mounted between two flanges 54A, 54B of two adjacent portions 50, for example, while deploying the flexible pipe 24 from the drum 68. The injection unit 212 is attached by, for example, an operator existing on the work table 63, and the injection unit 212 is held by the flanges 54A and 54B by fixing the ring 213.

  Accordingly, each injection unit 212 includes a sleeve 214 defining a part of the circulation passage 48 therein, a nozzle 216 for taking out water from the water area 12 and injecting the taken-out water into the circulation passage 48, and the injected water. And a hydro turbine 218 for pumping and pressurizing.

  The nozzle 216 has a general lateral port 230, which communicates with the outer water body 12 through the filter 222 and is inclined upward in the axial direction toward the circulation passage 48. Yes.

  The hydro turbine 218 is fixed to the sleeve 214. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 8, the hydro turbine 218 is supplied with hydraulic power via a connecting portion 224 of the functional line 44A exiting the device 18. The connecting portion 224 is not connected to the lower portion of the functional line 44A located in the portion 50 below the sleeve 214, and the connecting portion 224 passes through the hydro turbine 218 and then passes through the outlet 226 to the water body 12. .

  The sleeve 214 further defines at least one portion 228 of another functional line 44B for feeding to another infusion unit disposed below the infusion unit 212.

  During operation, the hydraulic turbine 218 is supplied with working fluid from the water surface device 18 via the functional line 44A and the connecting portion 224. By supplying the working fluid to the hydro turbine 118, water is sucked into the port 230 through the filter 222, and then the water sucked into the port 230 is pressurized. The pressurized water obtained in this way is injected into the flow passage 48 in order to transport the substance flowing through the flow passage 48 toward the water surface device 18.

  The injection unit 212 distributed along the flexible pipe 24 allows the pump to be omitted from the base 26 and the carrier gas injection into the flow passage 48 to be omitted. For this reason, in particular, the water surface device 18 does not have a compressor and is simplified.

  In a variant, the hydro turbine 218 is powered by a functional line located in the flexible pipe or by an external umbilical.

  The third device 250 shown in FIGS. 9 and 10 differs from the second device 210 in that the injection unit 212 does not have a hydro turbine. The pressurized liquid injected into the circulation passage 48 is stored in a pressurized storage chamber disposed on the ship 20 of the water surface device 18.

  Each injection unit 212 is disposed around a sleeve 214 and includes an annular distributor 252 for pressurized liquid. The annular distributor 252 defines a hollow annular cavity 254 around the axis of the flexible pipe 24.

  Cavity 254 is connected by a functional line 44A to the pressurized liquid reservoir of the water surface device. The cavity 254 is connected to the flow passage 48 by four radial inlets 256 distributed at an angle around the axis of the flexible pipe 24, as shown in FIG.

  Each inlet 256 opens in the flow passage 48 in the axially upward direction.

  During operation, pressurized water is conveyed from the reservoir of the water surface device 18 to the cavity 254 of the distributor 252 via the function line 44A. The pressurized water is evenly distributed into the cavities 254 for injection through each inlet 256.

  More generally, such an injection unit may be used on a flexible pipe in any facility.

  A fourth device 310 according to the present invention is shown in FIG. Unlike the first device 10, the extraction means 34 includes a mining crane 312 that can be deployed and operated from the surface device 18 independently of the flexible pipe 24.

  The bottom unit 22 further comprises receiving means 314 for receiving and processing the substance, which receiving means 314 is arranged at the bottom 14 of the water body 12 and is connected to the flexible pipe 24.

  The mining crane 312 includes a gripping member 316 for removing material from the bottom 14 and a cable 318 for deploying the gripping member 316 to lower the gripping member 316 toward the bottom 14 from the vessel 20.

  The receiving means 314 includes an adjustable support 320 disposed on the bottom 14 and a crusher / pulverizer 322 attached to the support 320.

  The support 320 has a funnel 324 for receiving the material removed by the gripping member 316, which opens upwardly facing the crusher / crusher 322. The support 320 can be deployed from the water surface device 18 toward the bottom 14 by deployment means (not shown) independent of the crane 312.

  The support 320 has adjustable legs to keep the support 320 substantially horizontal and secure to the bottom 14.

  Support 320 and crusher / crusher 322 are connected to the free end of flexible link 30 to connect flexible tube 36 to crusher / crusher 322.

  To perform the material removal operation, the receiving means 314 and the flexible pipe 24 are lowered toward the bottom 14 until the support 320 is positioned on the bottom 14 and secured to the bottom 14.

  Thereafter, the crane 312 is operated to bring the gripping member 316 into contact with the bottom 14. Thereafter, the gripping member 316 is actuated to remove the material from the bottom 14 and then moved to a position opposite the funnel 324 to deposit the material removed by the gripping member 316 on the crusher / pulverizer 322. The

  Thereafter, as described above, the material processed in the crusher / crusher 322 is conveyed to the water surface device 18 through the flexible tube 36 and the flexible pipe 24.

Claims (13)

- and the water surface equipment extending upwardly Ri by water surface at least partially water area,
- a bottom unit comprising a take-out hand stage taking out the bottom or et substances water area,
- the first point disposed on the surface of the water equipment, the bottom unit is connected to a second point disposed on the bets, material transport pipes defining at least one of the flow passage path for circulating material And
- flexible over substantially the entire length, said bottom unit is connected to said water surface equipment, transmits power or hydraulic or information or fluid between said bottom unit and the water surface equipment comprises at least one a functional line capable, the water equipment extracts From there substance water zone of the type the function line contains at least one drum is wound Oite the equipment for,
The material conveying pipes are flexible over substantially the entire length, the function line is disposed around the material conveying pipes to form a flexible pipes, said material conveying pipes及 beauty function line has a rest configuration in which the material conveying pipes及 beauty function line is wound around the drum, the material transport pipes及 beauty function line is towards the bottom of the water area development Rukoto deployed coupled between the deployed configuration that is is possible,
The water surface device includes a gas / liquid / solid separator, the separator having a separation chamber connected to the flow passage,
The flexible pipe includes at least one gas injection line for injecting a gas for transporting a substance,
The gas injection line leads to the flow passage away from the water surface device;
The water surface device includes a compressor having an inlet connected to the separator and an outlet connected to the gas injection line . The separation chamber is
-An outlet for discharging the solid separated in the separation chamber;
-A valve for closing the outlet;
Contains
The valve according to claim 1, wherein the valve is controllable to maintain the separation chamber at a pressure greater than atmospheric pressure while discharging the substance from the circulation passage to the separation chamber. apparatus. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the drum defines an internal space, and the separation chamber is at least partially disposed in the internal space. -A water surface device extending at least partially above the water surface of the body of water;
-A bottom unit including means for taking out the substance from the bottom of the body of water;
A substance transport pipe connecting a first point arranged in the water surface device to a second point arranged in the bottom unit and defining at least one flow passage for flowing the substance;
-At least capable of transmitting power, hydraulic power, information or fluid between the water surface device and the bottom unit, having flexibility over substantially the entire length, connecting the bottom unit to the water surface device; One functional line and
The apparatus for extracting material from the bottom of a water body of the type comprising at least one drum on which the functional line is wound,
The material transport pipe has flexibility over substantially the entire length, and the functional line is disposed around the material transport pipe to form a flexible pipe, and the material transport pipe and function The line is unfolded between a stationary form in which the material carrying pipe and the functional line are wound on the drum and a developed form in which the substance carrying pipe and the functional line are developed toward the bottom of the water area. Is possible,
In the expanded configuration, the flexible pipe includes at least one unit for injecting a pressurized liquid into the flow passage, and the pressurized liquid supplies a substance toward the water surface device. Is transported. Said flexible pipes comprises a layer of annular surrounding the material conveying pipes, the layer defines a longitudinal through passage for housing the functional line, the function line is inserted into the longitudinal through passage equipment according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that there. The water equipment includes a ship, the drum is equipment according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that rotatably mounted on the platform of the ship 舶 . The ship 舶is defining a side edge portion, the flexible pipes are claims characterized in that it is deployed in opposition to and the side edges in the transverse direction toward the outside of the ship 舶 equipment as claimed in claim 6. It said flexible pipes comprise a plurality of parts fraction, equipment according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that it is assembled by abutting the ends of the moiety. Wherein each of the pieces includes a tubular portion minute, further, the ends of the tubular portion component includes a flange for connection with adjacent said portion,
The furan transverse dimension of di is greater than the transverse dimension of the tubular portion minutes,
The drum is,
- a support surface for the flexible pipes,
- being movable about said support surface, has at least one groove for receiving the flange of the at least two adjacent parts min,
The flange when in the said flexible pipes is wound form, equipment according to claim 8, characterized in that it is inserted into the groove. It said bottom unit comprises a base, an extraction wheel tanks that are connected to a flexible link that defines a port for material conveyance Thus with the base,
The port is in communication with said flow communication path, equipment according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that facing the takeout hand stage. Said bottom unit has equipment according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that it contains extracts vehicle tanks with the takeout hand stage. It said bottom unit includes a support to collect the connected material to the flexible pipes,
The support is, in order to collect the thus retrieved material to the take-out hand stage, disposed in said bottom,
The take-out hand stage, equipment according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the the support may be deployed et regardless the water surface instrumentation placed. A method for extracting a more From there substance water zone in the equipment according to any one of claims 1 to 12,
- opposite the area where material definitive on the bottom is extracted brought position the water surface equipment, winding the flexible pipes, around the drum in the rest configuration of the drum step,
- to said takeout hand stage reaches the region of the bottom, the flexible pipes to sink attached to the bottom unit, said flexible the flexible pipe feeding the drum or al step migrating sex pipes to said deployed configuration, and
- said extraction hand stage thus extracted material from definitive the region to the bottom, is the extracted material of the type comprising the step of conveying the water surface equipment via a flow communication path of the material transport pipes Feature method.

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