JP6168820B2 - Methane hydrate collector - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a methane hydrate collecting apparatus used for collecting methane gas from methane hydrate (ice-like solid substance composed of water molecules and methane gas molecules) that has been confirmed to exist mainly on the sea floor.

  In recent years, methane hydrate has attracted attention as one of energy resources. Methane hydrate has a methane hydrate layer in the shallow layer, such as being exposed on the seabed, and is often buried in the sea near Japan. Methane hydrate is important as a next-generation resource to replace oil and natural gas for Japan, which has limited energy resources. However, methane hydrate is stably present in a low-temperature and high-pressure environment, so it is transported from the sea floor to the ground. Requires considerable cost and equipment.

  Conventionally, as a method for collecting methane gas from a methane hydrate layer, for example, a heating method is known in which methane hydrate is heated in a methane hydrate layer on the sea floor and methane gas in the methane hydrate is collected. However, in the method of heating a heating medium such as air, hot water, hot water, steam, etc. at the sea top (ground part) and supplying the heating medium to the methane hydrate layer, the equipment required for heating and supply is enlarged, There was a problem that the cost burden increased.

  Therefore, drilling from the sea (including the ground) to the high-temperature geothermal layer further below the methane hydrate layer by boring, guiding the heat medium to the high-temperature geothermal layer through the work pipe, and heat-exchange heat and A method has been proposed in which the heated heat medium is further guided to the methane hydrate layer, the methane hydrate is decomposed by the heat of the heat medium, and the resulting methane gas is collected (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

JP 2009-215818 A

  The technique of Patent Document 1 requires drilling to a high-temperature geothermal layer further below the methane hydrate layer, which tends to increase the size of the facility, which is disadvantageous in terms of cost.

  By the way, the methane plume observed on the Sea of Japan side rises in the sea as methane gas-containing suspended matter that is methane gas bubbles covered with methane hydrate grains or hydrate solid film, and is released from the sea floor. After that, it rises at a rate of about 10 m / min up to a depth of about 500 m. Since then, it has been reported that the volume rapidly expands due to an increase in water temperature or a decrease in water pressure, and gradually dissolves in seawater and disappears at a depth of 500 m or less.

  Therefore, since it is considered necessary to collect methane gas before the suspended matter containing methane gas becomes methane gas and dissolves in seawater and disappears, it is necessary to collect the methane gas. It was conceived that methane gas could be collected efficiently by accumulating state-containing men-containing suspended matter, vaporizing it in a pressurized tube, and transporting it to the sea surface where there was no dissolution in the sea. is there.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a methane hydrate collecting apparatus that collects methane gas-containing suspended matter separated from a methane hydrate layer on the seabed and collects it as methane gas with a simple facility.

The invention of claim 1 is a methane hydrate collecting device used for collecting methane gas from a methane hydrate layer on the seabed loaded on a floating body, wherein the methane hydrate particles separated from the methane hydrate layer or A trapping and collecting unit that traps and collects methane gas-containing suspended solids that are methane gas bubbles covered with a solid film of hydrate, and the methane gas-containing floating that is connected to the trapping and collecting unit and is collected by the trapping and collecting unit As the object is raised while being guided toward the sea surface, it is changed to methane gas and collected in the upper part of the unit, and is collected in the upper part of the unit connected to the guide collection unit. A gas filling facility for collecting methane gas and filling a storage cylinder on the floating body; A funnel member that captures and collects the suspended matter containing methane gas, and a drilling pipe that penetrates the funnel member so as to be relatively movable, a drilling bit is provided at a lower end, and an interior communicates with the funnel member. And the inside of the excavation pipe communicates with the upper part in the unit, and the excavation bit has a hollow part communicating with the inside of the excavation pipe and a first opening that opens the hollow part to the outside. The excavation pipe has an upper part having a second opening that communicates the inside of the funnel member with the upper part of the unit, and a lower part provided with heating means, and the excavation pipe includes the excavation pipe An actuator for discharging seawater in the pipe through the first opening is provided.

  In this way, suspended traps (methane hydrate containing methane hydrate) separated from the methane hydrate layer existing near the bottom of the ocean floor by lowering the trapped aeration unit near the ocean floor where the methane plume is generated. Methane gas bubbles covered with a solid film of particles or hydrate) are trapped by the funnel member and collected, and are raised toward the sea surface through the inside of the excavation pipe while being guided by the guide collecting unit. By this rise, it is changed to methane gas and collected in the upper part of the unit. The collected methane gas can be collected by a gas filling facility and filled in a storage cylinder on the floating body that can be easily transported.

When there are few methane gas-containing suspended solids to be separated from the methane hydrate layer, it is possible to lift the funnel member and perform excavation work while raising and lowering the excavation bit to actively expose the methane hydrate layer and promote separation. it can.
In addition, when the amount of methane gas-containing suspended matter separated from the methane hydrate layer is small, the seawater in the excavation pipe (lower part) is warmed by the heating means and discharged through the first opening by the actuator. Separation of methane gas-containing suspended solids from the methane hydrate layer can be facilitated. Thereby, the collection | recovery efficiency of methane gas can be improved. The actuator can also discharge seawater through the first opening without operating the heating means, and even in this case, the separation of the methane gas-containing suspended matter from the methane hydrate layer can be promoted to some extent.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, the funnel member communicates with the inside of the excavating pipe and collects the methane gas-containing suspended matter, and the funnel member is provided outside the collecting funnel. It is desirable to have a support frame to support, and a plurality of propulsion devices and a plurality of cameras that are attached to the support frame and disposed around the outside of the collection funnel.

  In this way, when a methane plume is observed by a camera on the seabed, for example, the propellant is operated to move the collection funnel to the methane plume generation site so that the suspended matter containing methane gas can be captured. Thus, the suspended matter containing methane gas can be collected. That is, since the methane gas-containing suspended matter rises toward the sea surface, the methane gas-containing suspended matter can be easily collected by bringing the collecting funnel above the generation site.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, the guide collecting unit includes a telescopic structure in which a plurality of cylindrical bodies arranged coaxially are coupled so as to be relatively displaceable in an axial direction of the cylindrical body, The excavation pipe is coupled to the lower end portion of the telescopic structure so as to be capable of relative displacement in the axial direction of the cylindrical body.

  If it does in this way, it can be set as the desired length according to the depth at the time of collection, and it can be set as the cylindrical path | route where a methane-gas containing floating material rises toward the sea surface. Further, at the time of non-collection or the like, a part or all of the plurality of cylindrical bodies can be stacked to be compact.

  5. The drill bit according to claim 4, wherein the drill bit includes a hollow portion communicating with the inside of the drill pipe and a first opening that opens the hollow portion to the outside. An upper portion having a second opening that communicates the inside of the funnel with the upper portion in the unit, and a lower portion provided with a heating means, and the seawater in the excavation pipe is passed through the first opening to the excavation pipe It is desirable to have a structure in which an actuator that discharges through is provided.

  In this way, when the amount of suspended matter containing methane gas from the methane hydrate layer is small, the seawater in the excavation pipe (lower part) is warmed by the heating means and discharged through the first opening by the actuator. By doing so, separation of the methane gas-containing suspended matter from the methane hydrate layer can be promoted. Thereby, the collection | recovery efficiency of methane gas can be improved. The actuator can also discharge seawater through the first opening without operating the heating means, and even in this case, the separation of the methane gas-containing suspended matter from the methane hydrate layer can be promoted to some extent.

A methane hydrate collecting device used for collecting methane gas from a methane hydrate layer on the seabed loaded on a floating body as claimed in claim 5, wherein the methane hydrate is separated from the methane hydrate layer. A trapping and collecting unit for trapping and collecting methane gas-containing suspended matter that is a methane gas bubble covered with a solid film of particles or hydrate; and the methane gas connected to the trapping and collecting unit and collected by the trapping and collecting unit The contained suspended matter is raised while being guided toward the sea surface, and is converted into methane gas, and the methane gas is collected in the upper part of the unit, and is collected in the upper part of the unit connected to the guide collection unit. A gas filling facility for collecting methane gas to be collected and filling a storage cylinder on the floating body, A funnel member that captures and collects the methane gas-containing suspended matter, a drilling pipe that penetrates the funnel member so as to be relatively movable, a drilling bit is provided at a lower end, and an interior communicates with the funnel member; And the inside of the excavating pipe communicates with the upper part in the unit, and the guide collecting unit is coupled so that a plurality of cylindrical bodies arranged coaxially can be relatively displaced in the axial direction of the cylindrical body. A telescopic structure, and the excavation pipe is coupled to a lower end portion of the telescopic structure so as to be relatively displaceable in an axial direction of the cylindrical body, and the telescopic structure closes the upper end portion. A member is provided, and the lower part of the closing member is an upper part in the unit that collects the methane gas, and the closing member has a high height for collecting the methane gas. Wherein the one end of the hose is connected.

In this way, when the amount of suspended matter containing methane gas from the methane hydrate layer is small, the seawater in the excavation pipe (lower part) is warmed by the heating means and discharged through the first opening by the actuator. By doing so, the separation of the methane gas-containing suspended matter from the methane hydrate layer can be promoted. Thereby, the collection | recovery efficiency of methane gas can be improved. In particular, since the pressure of methane gas collected in the upper part of the guide collection unit increases due to an increase in the amount of residence, it can be recovered to two or more storage cylinders through high-pressure hoses using the increased pressure. it can.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, the gas filling facility includes a pressure control tank that is connected to the other end of the high pressure hose and holds the methane gas at a first set pressure, and a methane gas that is higher than the first set pressure. A storage cylinder filled with two set pressures, and when the inside of the pressure adjustment tank exceeds the first set pressure, the methane gas in the pressure adjustment tank is filled into the storage cylinder with a second set pressure. And a pressure regulating valve that is provided between the pressure regulating tank and the storage cylinder and opens the methane gas in the storage cylinder to the pressure regulating tank when the pressure inside the pressure regulating tank becomes equal to or lower than a first set pressure. It is desirable to have a configuration.

  In this way, since the upper part in the unit is connected to the pressure-regulating tank whose internal pressure is the first set pressure, if the pressure of the methane gas in the upper part in the unit exceeds the first set pressure, excess methane gas Flows to the pressure adjustment tank side, so that the excess methane gas at the first set pressure is increased to the second set pressure by using a compressor so that the internal pressure of the pressure adjustment tank does not exceed the first set pressure. Filled. Since the methane gas at the first set pressure is further increased and stored in the storage cylinder as the second set pressure, the volume of the methane gas can be greatly reduced, which is advantageous for transportation.

  The floating body is a work ship having an opening, and the trapping and collecting unit and the guide collecting unit can be lifted and lowered with respect to the work ship through the opening by a suspension means. It can be set as the structure suspended by.

  In this way, when moving, the captured air collecting unit and the guide collecting unit can be lifted on the work boat, so that the sea movement can be easily performed. It is also possible to move in a suspended state during an emergency evacuation.

In the present invention, suspended solids containing methane gas separated from a methane hydrate layer existing near the surface of the sea bottom are trapped and collected by the funnel member of the trapping and collecting unit, and are guided toward the sea surface by the guide collecting unit. When it is raised, it changes to methane gas, and by collecting it, the methane gas-containing suspended matter separated from the methane hydrate layer can be recovered relatively easily as methane gas. In particular, since the methane gas-containing suspended matter (which is a methane plume) separated from the methane hydrate layer is collected, the facility for collecting is simplified.

It is a side view of the work ship carrying the methane hydrate sampling device concerning the present invention. It is the same top view. It is a front view in the state where the collection air collection unit and the guidance collection unit were pulled up on the work boat. It is the same side view. It is a front view which shows a collection air collection unit and a guidance collection unit. (A) is a detailed view of the upper part of the guide collecting unit, and (b) is an enlarged view of the vicinity of the trapping and collecting unit. A funnel member is shown, (a) is a front view, (b) is a top view. A drilling pipe is shown, (a) is a general view, (b) is an enlarged view of a lower part. It is explanatory drawing of gas filling equipment, such as a pressure regulation tank and a storage cylinder. It is operation | movement explanatory drawing of the whole methane hydrate sampling device. (A) and (b) are operation | movement explanatory drawings of an excavation pipe, respectively. It is the A section enlarged view of FIG. It is the B section enlarged view of FIG. It is the C section enlarged view of FIG. It is the D section enlarged view of FIG.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
(overall structure)
FIG. 1 is a side view of a work ship equipped with a methane hydrate sampling apparatus according to the present invention, and FIG.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, reference numeral 1 denotes a methane hydrate collecting device used for collecting methane hydrate as methane gas, which is used by being mounted on a work ship 2 (floating body). . For example, when a methane plume is detected by a fish detector, multi-beam sonar, etc., it is assumed that there is a methane hydrate layer in the vicinity, so the work ship 2 moves to the sea area and floats containing methane gas (Thus, methane gas) will be collected.

  The apparatus 1 is roughly divided into three elements: a trapping and collecting unit 3, a guide collecting unit 4, and a gas filling facility 5.

  The work boat 2 has an opening 2b under the central ridge 2a, and the trapping air collecting unit 3 and the guide collecting unit 4 are suspended from the tower 6 by four wires 7 through the opening 2b. . The wire winding winch 8 is actuated to wind or unwind the wire 7 to raise and lower the capture air collecting unit 3 and the guide collecting unit 4. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the guide collecting unit 4 (telescopic structure) is pulled up along the tower 6 and the trapped air collecting unit 3 can be stored under the tub 2a. In this state, the bottom of the work boat 2 is closed by a partition plate (not shown).

As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the trapping and collecting unit 3 is connected to the lower end of the guide and collecting unit 4, and the methane gas-containing suspended matter trapped and collected by the trapping and collecting unit 3 is guided by the guide and collecting unit 4. However, the inside of the guide collection unit 4 (telescopic structure) is raised toward the sea surface, and finally collected as methane gas.
(Capture air collection unit 3)
The trapping and collecting unit 3 traps and collects methane gas-containing suspended matter (methane gas bubbles covered with methane hydrate grains or hydrate solid film) separated from the methane hydrate layer.

  As shown in FIG. 6 (b), the trapping and collecting unit 3 includes a funnel member 11 that traps and collects the methane gas-containing suspended matter, and an excavation pipe 12 that penetrates the central portion of the funnel member 11 so as to be relatively movable. .

  As shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B, the funnel member 11 has an air collecting funnel 11 </ b> A that communicates with the inside of the excavating pipe 12 and collects the methane gas-containing suspended matter. The air collecting funnel 11A has a funnel shape having a conical portion 11Aa and a cylindrical portion 11Ab. A support frame 11B having a shape corresponding to the funnel shape is integrally provided outside the air collecting funnel 11A to support the air collecting funnel 11A. A plurality of cameras 13 and a plurality of propulsion devices 14 are alternately provided in the circumferential direction around the upper periphery of the support frame 11B.

  As shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B, the excavation pipe 12 is heated with an upper portion 12A having a second opening 12Aa that communicates the inside of the air collecting funnel 11A with the upper portion P in the unit of the guide collection unit 4. A cable heater 15 as a means has a lower portion 12B wound tightly. The second opening 12Aa has a long hole shape, and a number of second openings 12Aa are regularly provided along the longitudinal direction of the pipe in the upper half of the upper portion 12A. The cable heater 15 heats the seawater inside. And warm water (for example, 40 to 50 ° C.).

  Since the lower portion 12B has a smaller diameter than the upper portion 12A, the upper portion of the lower portion 12B has a trumpet shape, and the lower end of the upper portion 12A is connected to the upper end of the trumpet shape.

  The second opening 12Aa communicates the inside of the collecting funnel 11A with the inside of the excavating pipe 12, so that the methane gas-containing suspended matter collected in the collecting funnel 11A enters the collecting and collecting unit 4 from the collecting funnel 11A. It is designed to function as an outflow port. Since the inside of the excavation pipe 12 communicates with the inside of the guide collection unit 4, it communicates with the upper part P in the unit.

  A drill bit 12C is provided at the lower end of the drill pipe 12. The excavation bit 12 </ b> C has a first opening 12 </ b> Ca that opens a hollow portion communicating with the inside of the excavation pipe 12 to the outside. The first openings 12Ca are formed at regular intervals in the circumferential direction near the lower end (tip) of the excavation bit 12C.

A submersible pump 16 as an actuator for discharging seawater in the excavation pipe 12 through the first opening 12Ca is provided in a lower end portion of the excavation pipe 12 (lower part 12B) where the excavation bit 12C is provided. Therefore, the first opening 12Ca functions as a hot water discharge port that can positively discharge hot water (seawater) heated by the heater 15. Therefore, by discharging hot water from the first opening 12Ca to the methane hydrate layer, the methane gas-containing suspended matter can be actively separated from the methane hydrate layer. Since the air funnel 11A is arranged around the outer periphery of the air funnel 11A at a predetermined angular interval, the propulsion device 14 is appropriately driven while monitoring the image taken by the camera 13 on the ship, and a predetermined direction (methane hydrate). In the direction in which the layer appears to be). In addition, the electric cable for supplying electric power to the camera 13 and the propulsion device 14 extends to the work ship 2 as two collective cables 9 together with the electric cable of the cable heater 15 and the submersible pump 16 (FIG. 12). To FIG. 15).

Four wires 7 are connected to the upper part of the funnel member 11 (support frame 11B) via a fixture 17, and when the trapping air collecting unit 3 and the guide collecting unit 4 are put into the sea, the seabed is caused by its own weight. Try to descend towards. Therefore, the depth of the funnel member 11 can be adjusted by adjusting the suspension length of the wire 7. And the excavation pipe 12 (excavation bit 12C) which penetrates the center of this member 11 can change the relative positional relationship with the funnel member 11 according to an excavation condition. Note that a locking ring 11Ba for locking a locked ring 12Ab provided on the upper portion of the excavation pipe 12 is provided on the upper portion of the support frame 11B, so that the excavation pipe 12 (excavation bit 12C) does not fall off. ing.
(Guidance collection unit 4)
The guide collecting unit 4 is connected to the trapping and collecting unit 3 and changes the methane gas-containing suspended matter collected by the trapping and collecting unit 3 into methane gas while ascending it while guiding it toward the sea surface. It is collected in the inner upper part P.

  The guide collecting unit 4 includes a telescopic structure 21 in which a plurality of cylindrical bodies 21A to 21E (for example, steel pipes) arranged coaxially are coupled so as to be relatively displaceable in the axial direction of the cylindrical bodies 21A to 21E. Have The telescopic structure 21 can sink to the seabed, and the minimum contraction length is about 110 m.

  In this telescopic structure 21, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, each cylindrical body 21A to 21E has locked rings 21Aa to 21Ea at the upper end and locking rings 21Ab to 21Eb at the lower end, respectively. By adjusting the suspension length of the wire 7, it is possible to obtain a certain length of extended state. The excavation pipe 12 is coupled to the lower end portion of the cylindrical body 21E disposed at the innermost side with the minimum diameter, which is the lower end portion of the telescopic structure 21, so as to be capable of relative displacement in the axial direction of the cylindrical bodies 21A to 21E. ing.

  And although it falls by its own weight in the suspended state, the locked rings 21Aa to 21Ea positioned on the upper side are locked to the locking rings 21Ab to 21Eb of the cylindrical bodies 21A to 21E positioned on the outside, and coupled. The state is not released.

  Moreover, wire guide 21Ac-21Ec which has the through-hole which suspends the funnel member 11 and the wire-7 penetrates is provided in each cylindrical body 21A-21E above locking ring 21Ab-21Eb, and each cylindrical shape. The bodies 21A to 21E are prevented from falling down in the extended state.

  The upper end portion of the telescopic structure 21, that is, the upper end portion of the cylindrical body 21 </ b> A arranged on the outermost side with the maximum diameter is closed by the closing member 22, and the lower portion of this closing member 22 (the upper portion of the cylindrical body) ) Is the upper part P in the unit for collecting methane gas. That is, methane gas rises in the cylindrical bodies 21A to 21E of the telescopic structure 21 in the extended state, but cannot rise upward from the closing member 22 and is collected in this portion, and gradually increases in pressure. Will increase. The closing member 22 is also provided with a wire guide 22A having a through hole through which the wire-7 passes.

  One end of a high-pressure hose 23 that collects methane gas is connected to the closing member 22, and the methane gas collected in the upper part P in the unit is collected through the high-pressure hose 23.

  Furthermore, the middle of the cylindrical body arranged on the outermost side is closed by a closing member 22, and a high-pressure hose 23 for collecting methane gas is connected to the center of the closing member 22 via a connector. Methane gas having a constant pressure (for example, 5 Mpa) is supplied from the high-pressure hose 23, and seawater does not enter below a certain depth.

Then, the methane gas-containing suspended matter S separated from the methane hydrate layer and collected in the collection funnel 11A rises through the telescopic structure 21 and gathers around 500 m to form methane gas in the upper part P of the unit. When the pressure exceeds the predetermined pressure, methane gas flows to the pressure regulating tank 31 side of the gas filling facility 5 and is collected.
(Gas filling equipment 5)
The gas filling facility 5 is placed on the work boat 2 (floating body), collects methane gas collected in the upper part P in the unit through the high-pressure hose 23, and fills the storage cylinder 32 with high pressure so that transportation is easy. Is.

As shown in FIG. 9, the gas filling equipment 5 includes a pressure adjusting tank 31 that holds the methane gas at a first set pressure (for example, 5 Mpa), and a second set pressure (for example, higher than the first set pressure). And a plurality of storage cylinders 32 filled with 20 Mpa). The other end of the high-pressure hose 23 is connected to the pressure regulating tank 31 and is controlled so as to pressurize the methane gas in the upper part P in the unit with the first set pressure. Further, when the pressure inside the pressure adjusting tank 31 exceeds the first set pressure, the compressor 33 transfers the methane gas in the pressure adjusted tank 31 via the pressure adjusting valve 34 with the second set pressure. 32 is controlled to be filled. A pressure regulating valve 35 that holds the first set pressure in the pressure regulating tank 31 is provided between the pressure regulating tank 31 and the storage cylinder 32. The storage cylinder 32 is sized to be able to be transported by land, and can be transported not only by sea but also by truck on land.
(Other)
Further, on the work ship 2, a unit lifting winch 42, a collecting cable winch 43, a high pressure hose winch 44, a rod lifting winch, a pressure control unit (not shown), etc. are provided for the trapping and collecting unit 3 and the guide collecting unit 4. It has been.

  According to the above apparatus, as shown in FIG. 10 and FIG. 11 (a), first, the telescopic structure 21 is extended by its own weight by capturing the trapping air collecting unit 3 and the guide collecting unit 4 into the sea. The air collecting unit 3 is lowered to the vicinity of the seabed where the methane plume is generated (the seabed where the methane hydrate layer is considered to exist).

  When the methane gas-containing suspended matter S separated from the methane hydrate layer is small, excavation work is performed while lifting the funnel member 11 and moving the excavation bit 12C up and down as shown in FIG. At this time, by discharging seawater or warm water from the second opening 12Aa, the surface soil on the bottom of the sea can be blown away to actively expose the methane hydrate layer and promote separation.

  In particular, since the seawater to be ejected can be ejected as warm water from the first opening 12Ca by heating with the cable heater 15, even when the surface of the methane hydrate is frozen, Since dissolution is easy, the collection efficiency can be increased.

  When the methane plume ejected from the bottom of the sea is captured by the trapping and collecting unit 3 and collected, the collected methane-containing suspended matter has a specific gravity smaller than that of seawater and passes through the inside of the excavation pipe 12 as shown in FIG. Then, it is raised while being guided by the guide collecting unit 4 (the respective cylindrical bodies 21A to 21E of the telescopic structure 21). As shown in FIG. 13, the methane gas-containing suspended matter S is gradually aggregated, and as shown in FIG. 14, the methane gas-containing suspended matter S becomes a compressed methane gas, and is a unit composed of cylindrical bodies 21 </ b> A to 21 </ b> E. Collected in the inner upper part P. At this time, since the methane gas-containing suspended matter S is raised toward the sea surface through the cylindrical bodies 21A to 21E, the methane gas is reliably collected without the methane gas-containing suspended matter S being decomposed and diffused into seawater.

  Further, the outermost cylindrical body 21A communicates with the pressure adjusting tank 31 via the high-pressure hose 23, and the first set pressure is applied to the upper part P in the unit. It is collected and accumulated gradually until it reaches 1 set pressure. The seawater surface depth in the cylindrical bodies 21A to 21E is adjusted, and the methane gas-containing suspended matter S in the methane plume is gasified in the cylindrical bodies 21A to 21E, so that it can be collected as methane gas.

  Note that the terms and expressions used in this specification are merely for explanation, and do not limit the present invention at all. Various modifications can be made within the scope of the technical idea of the present invention. Needless to say, it is. For example, in the above embodiment, it is mounted on a work boat and can be moved to an arbitrary position in order to widen the excavable range. However, when the existence of the methane hydrate phase is clear, a fixed position such as a floating island It is also possible to provide a fixed floating body.

S Methane gas-containing suspended matter P Upper part in unit 1 Methane hydrate sampling device 2 Work ship 2a 櫓 2b Opening 3 Capture air collection unit 4 Guidance collection unit 5 Gas filling equipment 6 Tower 7 Wire 8 Wire hoisting winch 11 Funnel member 11A Air funnel 11Aa Conical part 11Ab Tubular part 11B Support frame 11Ba Locking ring 12 Drilling pipe 12A Upper part 12Aa Second opening 12Ab Locked ring 12B Lower part 12C Drilling bit 12Ca First opening 13 Camera 14 Propeller 15 Cable Heater 17 Mounting tool 21 Telescopic structure 21A-21E Tubular body 21Aa-21Ea Locked ring 21Ab-21Eb Locking ring 21Ac-21Ec Wire guide 22 Closure member 22A Wire guide 23 High-pressure hose 3 Regulating pressure tank 32 storing container 33 compressor 34 pressure regulating valve 42 unit elevating inch 43 collective cable winch 44 high pressure hose winch

Claims (7)

A methane hydrate collector that is loaded on a floating body and used to collect methane gas from the methane hydrate layer on the sea floor,
A trapping and collecting unit for trapping and collecting methane gas-containing suspended solids, which are methane gas bubbles covered with a methane hydrate particle or a hydrate solid film, separated from the methane hydrate layer;
The methane gas-containing suspended matter connected to the trapping and collecting unit and collected by the trapping and collecting unit is changed to methane gas while being raised while guiding it toward the sea surface, and is collected in the upper part of the unit. A guidance collection unit;
A gas filling facility connected to the guide collecting unit for recovering methane gas collected in the upper part of the unit and filling a storage cylinder on the floating body;
The trapping and collecting unit has a funnel member that traps and collects the methane gas-containing suspended matter, and penetrates the funnel member so as to be relatively movable, a drilling bit is provided at the lower end, and the inside communicates with the funnel member A drill pipe, and the inside of the drill pipe communicates with the upper part in the unit,
The excavation bit has a hollow portion communicating with the inside of the excavation pipe, and a first opening that opens the hollow portion to the outside,
The excavation pipe has an upper part having a second opening that communicates the inside of the funnel member with the upper part of the unit, and a lower part provided with heating means,
2. The methane hydrate sampling apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the excavation pipe is provided with an actuator for discharging seawater in the excavation pipe through the first opening.   The funnel member communicates with the inside of the excavation pipe and collects the methane gas-containing suspended matter, a support frame that is provided outside the collection funnel and supports the collection funnel, and the support frame The methane hydrate sampling apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a plurality of propulsion devices and a plurality of cameras that are attached to the outer periphery of the air collecting funnel and are disposed on the outer periphery of the collection funnel. The guide collection unit includes a telescopic structure in which a plurality of cylindrical bodies arranged coaxially are coupled so as to be relatively displaceable in an axial direction of the cylindrical body,
The methane hydrate sampling apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the excavation pipe is coupled to the lower end portion of the telescopic structure so as to be relatively displaceable in the axial direction of the cylindrical body. The telescopic structure is provided with a closing member that closes the upper end, and the lower part of the closing member is the upper part in the unit that collects the methane gas,
The methane hydrate sampling apparatus according to claim 3, wherein one end of a high-pressure hose for collecting the methane gas is connected to the closing member. A methane hydrate collector that is loaded on a floating body and used to collect methane gas from the methane hydrate layer on the sea floor,
A trapping and collecting unit for trapping and collecting methane gas-containing suspended solids, which are methane gas bubbles covered with a methane hydrate particle or a hydrate solid film, separated from the methane hydrate layer;
The methane gas-containing suspended matter connected to the trapping and collecting unit and collected by the trapping and collecting unit is changed to methane gas while being raised while guiding it toward the sea surface, and is collected in the upper part of the unit. A guidance collection unit;
A gas filling facility connected to the guide collecting unit for recovering methane gas collected in the upper part of the unit and filling a storage cylinder on the floating body;
The trapping and collecting unit has a funnel member that traps and collects the methane gas-containing suspended matter, and penetrates the funnel member so as to be relatively movable, a drilling bit is provided at the lower end, and the inside communicates with the funnel member A drill pipe, and the inside of the drill pipe communicates with the upper part in the unit,
The guide collection unit includes a telescopic structure in which a plurality of cylindrical bodies arranged coaxially are coupled so as to be relatively displaceable in an axial direction of the cylindrical body,
Furthermore, the excavation pipe is coupled to the lower end portion of the telescopic structure so as to be relatively displaceable in the axial direction of the cylindrical body,
The telescopic structure is provided with a closing member that closes the upper end, and the lower part of the closing member is the upper part in the unit that collects the methane gas,
One end of a high-pressure hose that collects the methane gas is connected to the closing member.   The gas filling facility includes a pressure adjusting tank to which the other end of the high-pressure hose is connected to hold the methane gas at a first set pressure, and a storage cylinder in which the methane gas is filled at a second set pressure higher than the first set pressure. A compressor that is connected to the pressure regulating tank and that fills the storage cylinder with methane gas in the pressure regulating tank at a second set pressure when the pressure regulating tank exceeds a first set pressure; and the pressure regulating tank; 6. The methane according to claim 4, further comprising a pressure regulating valve provided between the pressure storage tank and the pressure regulating tank that opens the methane gas of the storage cylinder to the pressure regulating tank when the pressure inside the pressure regulating tank becomes equal to or lower than a first set pressure. Hydrate sampling device. The floating body is a work ship having an opening,
The methane according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the trapping air collecting unit and the guide collecting unit are suspended by a suspension means so as to be lifted and lowered with respect to the work ship through the opening. Hydrate sampling device.

Images