RU2463405C1 - Method to reduce dynamic exposure of volcano at environment during its eruption - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: ecology.

SUBSTANCE: loosening area is developed, as well as a channel of magma discharge by the method of pin-point explosion. Inside the volcano crater an aerodynamic pipe is erected from a polymer film with hoops in the form of stiffening ribs. Inside the aerodynamic pipe a filtration plant is installed, comprising electrified grids and lattices from coal plastic. In the aerodynamic pipe collar a windwheel is installed perpendicularly to an air flow formed by atmospheric pressure difference due to height difference at pipe ends. The aerodynamic pipe by polymer ropes laid along its walls is raised to the proper height by means of air balloons or aerostats.

EFFECT: lower effect from stones and ash discharge in process of volcano eruption to environment, confinement or elimination of pyroclassical flows.

2 dwg

Description

The invention relates to the field of environmental protection, in particular to environmental safety, and can be used in the construction of cities and engineering facilities, as well as in the development of minerals near active volcanoes.

The relevance of the invention

Last year, a volcano exploded in Iceland. A cloud of ash for a week interrupted all flights of aircraft, which caused a loss of 4 billion dollars. and a lot of trouble for people. With all the fantastic equipment of the 21st century, no effects on the ash cloud were made to clean the airspace of Europe.

Scientists accurately predicted the time of the eruption and notified the population. But no recommendations were made to eliminate the ash cloud. We have many active volcanoes in Kamchatka and airspace pollution occurs more often than in Iceland.

Typically, a volcanic eruption is accompanied by an earthquake, a spread of stones and boulders, the outflow of magma and the release of dust and gas to a height of 2-3 km with the formation of a dust cloud. It is the dispersed particles of this dust cloud that stay in the atmosphere for a long time, clog and stop the engines of the aircraft.

But sometimes the eruption is accompanied by a more terrible phenomenon. A hot (more than 100 degrees) hurricane of ash and dust with an admixture of hydrogen sulfide is spreading on the ground - the so-called pyroclastic flow. It spreads over long distances in several waves. It is from the suffocation of this stream that masses of people die, in particular, the population of Pompeii and its environs died - there is nothing to breathe.

Thus, the creation of a method of reducing the dynamic effects of the volcano on the environment and, in particular, for cleaning the air from ash clouds and pyroclastic flows is an urgent task.

There is a method of reducing the dynamic effects of a volcano on the environment during its eruption, which includes a full range of studies, according to which the possible hypocenter of the earthquake and the probable period of volcanic eruption, the depth and intensity of the block system of the reference belt, the depth of the zone of accumulation of magma and the zone of its possible melting , based on the data obtained, a loosened zone is created in the slope of the volcano under the crater plug, while depending on the terrain and the depth of the accumulation zone magmas, as well as the depths of the reference belt, drill wells from the surface or from the adit conducted for this purpose to the center of the volcano, moreover, boreholes are used to pre-weaken the rock mass at the first stage by hydraulic fracturing, and leaching is used in the second stage to weaken the rock, after creating the loosened zone creates a channel for magma removal by the method of directional explosion [1].

This method will to some extent reduce the shocking effect of the eruption on the earth's surface, which, together with the increase in the earthquake resistance of buildings, will preserve nearby cities. The outpouring of magma is also brought into a controlled channel. However, the volcanic eruption is also accompanied by a spread of stones and ash over large areas, as well as pyroclastic flows. But the question of reducing the influence of these factors is neither considered in this method, nor in others [2, 3].

A known method of reducing the dynamic effects of a volcano on the environment during its eruption [4], including the creation of a loosened zone in the slope of the volcano under the crater plug and the magma removal channel by the directional explosion method, characterized in that a filtration unit consisting of a powerful grating with shock absorbers mounted on reinforced concrete risers with the possibility of vertical compliance with a strong impact. The second difference is that polymer chambers filled with water or a heat-absorbing liquid are placed on the grate. And the third difference is that a reinforced concrete arch with a hatch in the center is mounted on the risers from above, from which a pipeline with a pump for pumping a mixture of gas and ash from under the dome into the water pool is laid.

With a weak eruption, the proposed design will fulfill its purpose, and with a powerful eruption followed by an earthquake, it is unlikely that this relatively rigid structure, built near the volcano, will not collapse.

The aim of the invention is to provide a method for reducing the impact of stones and ash during the volcanic eruption on the environment, especially dispersed particles of ash, which are spread over considerable distances and, when in the atmosphere, impede aeroflot communications, as well as the localization or elimination of such phenomena as pyroclastic flows . This goal is achieved by creating an AERODYNAMIC TUBE around a volcano crater from a polymer film with filter elements inside it, which rises to the proper height using balloons or stratostats. With a pipe length of several hundred meters, a strong air stream will be created inside the pipe due to the pressure drop, which should capture the pyroclastic flows creeping on the ground and blow them high into the atmosphere, while passing through a system of electrostatic precipitators, they will be cleaned of harmful components.

Because a constantly acting strong air stream is created in the wind tunnel, then another task naturally arises - to use the energy of this stream for peaceful purposes to convert its mechanical energy into electrical energy. For this purpose, a wind wheel with an electric generator (or a cascade of wind wheels) is installed at the mouth of the wind tunnel perpendicular to the air flow. As the wind wheel, any wind turbines that are appropriate to the technical and economic calculations and environmental ecology may be acceptable.

Currently, there are many different types of wind power plants (wind turbines). Wind turbines with winged wind wheels and a horizontal axis of rotation are widespread [7].

Among them, two- and three-bladed wind wheels received the greatest development. Google Energy has concluded an agreement to use the electricity generated by three-bladed wind turbines in a wind farm in Iowa (USA) [8]. The power of such wind wheels or turbines, for example Enercon El26, reaches 6-7 megawatts [9].

Another type of wind wheel is the Savonius rotor [7]. Torque occurs when air flows around the rotor due to different resistance of the convex and concave parts of the rotor, the wheel is simple, but has a very low coefficient of wind energy utilization of 0.30-0.35 [10].

In recent years, began to develop a wind turbine with a Daria rotor. This rotor has a vertical axis of rotation and consists of two to four curved blades. In the Daria rotor, the coefficient of utilization of wind energy reaches 0.30-0.35.

The advantages of using a wind wheel in a wind tunnel compared to other windmills are obvious:

- low costs for the acquisition, assembly and operation of a wind power installation;

- low rental costs of land;

- the wind power installation does not need to be rotated, which means that there is no need for the rotary mechanism of the weathervane and vidroz;

- there are no expensive electric batteries, the generated energy will be supplied to the national energy system;

- there will be no adjustments for wind operations;

- there will be no downtime due to lack of wind;

- it becomes possible to use a cascade of wind wheels in a wind tunnel.

Of the variety of polymers under extreme conditions of volcanic eruption, CARBON PLASTICS are the most acceptable. The filler in these polymer composites are carbon fibers, which are obtained from synthetic and natural fibers based on cellulose, copolymers of acrylonitrile oil and coal tar pitch, etc.

On the basis of carbon fibers and a carbon matrix, composite carbon-graphite materials are created that can withstand temperatures up to 3000 degrees in inert or reducing environments for a long time. CFRPs are very lightweight and at the same time durable materials [5]. For example, a polymer of this class, called “Hypol”, has the following parameters: operating temperature up to 2000 degrees, chemical inertness to oxidizing media, does not burn, 1.5 times lighter than aluminum [11]. Of interest is the latest development of Russian scientists - the graphite polymer, which has special and exotic properties [9]. For this development, Russian scientists received the Nobel Prize in 2010.

Carbon thin films obtained from these polymers can be used as walls of a wind tunnel. The stiffening ribs of the pipe in the form of hoops, as well as the gratings and mesh of the filtration unit, can be made of the same materials.

Because Since all carbon plastics conduct current well, electrified filtration elements can coagulate and absorb suspended dust particles well. In this case, powerful gratings will prevent the spread of stones over long distances, and many grids will filter small and dispersive particles of pyroclastic flows.

The material for balloons is usually elastomers, i.e. natural or synthetic rubbers. Rubber has the ability to stretch reversibly up to 900%. Cables laid along the walls of the wind tunnel, with which the structure is attached to balloons, can also be made from the same materials. At different levels of the wind tunnel, scientific equipment, sensors, video cameras, transmitters of video and telemetric information, a source of electrification of the grid and power of scientific equipment (wind turbine) are fixed. The electricity supply must be duplicated from the ground via wires attached to the tension cables.

The carrying capacity of the balls is practically unlimited.

Figure 1 presents a vertical section of the rock mass, as well as a view of the wind tunnel from the side. Figure 2 presents a top view of the structure (section along the wind wheel).

Where: 1 - crater, 2 - vent, 3 - cork, 4 - accumulation of magma and gas, 5 - outlet channel of magma, 6 - reference belt, 7 - city, 8 - zone of possible melting, 9 - zone of loose rocks, 10 - filtration unit, 11 - polymer pipe with stiffeners in the form of hoops 15, a wind wheel 26.

The filtration unit consists of a safety grill 12, a system of filtration nets 13. A polymer apron 14 with stiffening ribs 15 in the form of hoops is attached to it below. Along the walls of the entire structure, ropes 16 are laid, fixed at one end on the ground by automatic tensioners 17, and the other end on balloons 18. From below, the hardware compartment 19 is suspended from the balls with an air surveillance camera 23 and a power source (a wind turbine to launch a wind wheel in a wind tunnel ) 24, which records and processes information from the scientific and instrumental belt with sensors 20.

A ground electrical substation 27 with the necessary equipment (controller, inverter, uninterruptible power supply, transformer, etc.), a monitoring station with a satellite retrosulator 21. A filtration unit has a safety valve 25 (in case of complete filling of the grids) is installed at the proper distance on the ground.

From the moment the volcano awakens, they begin preparations for the implementation of a pre-designed environmental protection project, part of which is the implementation of the objectives of this invention: they determine the possible hypocenter of the earthquake and the probable period of volcanic eruption, the depth and intensity of the block system of the reference belt, the depth of the accumulation zone of magma and the zone possible melting of magma. Based on scientific data, measures are being taken to create a loosened zone in order to facilitate the exit of magma to the surface in the right direction, a bypass channel is being built, and measures are being taken at other points of the project.

In parallel, a windmill gathers in a flat meadow near the volcano, the design of the filtration unit and the wind tunnel “welds” from the rolls of a polymer film. Ropes are laid along the walls of the pipe, which are fixed at one end on machines or tractors, and at the other on balloons. A windmill and a filtration unit are fixed on the ropes. When filling the balls with gas, the structure rises from the ground and is transported to the vent of the volcano. There, the ropes are secured using automatic tensioning devices.

Along the slope and around the mouth of the volcano, a pipeline with nozzles for foaming or heat-absorbing liquid is laid.

At a safe distance in the shelters around the crater, video cameras are installed.

Data from sensors, video cameras and equipment are automatically sent to a ground-based observation point and transmitted by a satellite antenna to the control center and to all interested scientific centers around the world. As the volcano awakens, the influx of gas and steam increases. Depending on their pressure and temperature, balloons with a tent-like construction can automatically or at the command of the operator rise or fall (be pulled by tensioning devices).

By means of video cameras, the rise of the balls will be monitored, and remotely controlled tensioners will center the wind tunnel relative to the vent of the volcano.

Filtration nets can be electrified from a windmill mounted on the equipment compartment. Electricity from the electric generator of the wind wheel via a cable laid along the tension ropes is supplied to the electrical substation 27.

When ejecting stones and ash from the mouth of a volcano, a robust polymer structure will protect the terrain from scattering. The more rapid the ejection of stones and ash, the higher the balls with the structure will rise, while the rise height is algorithmically associated with pressure and temperature sensors.

The powerful air flow created in the wind tunnel from the pressure difference between the earth and at its end at high altitude will entrain pyroclastic dust flows into it. These flows, in addition to harm, will bring benefits, spinning the wind wheels installed at the mouth of the wind tunnel and generating electricity. No matter the stage of the eruption or hibernation of the volcano, the air flow in the wind tunnel will be constant, which means that electricity will be generated continuously.

Creating a loosened zone in the rock mass is a high-cost event with a probabilistic positive outcome. The creation of the proposed design from a polymer wind tunnel with filtration elements is simpler, more realistic and less expensive. This method will significantly reduce the losses of airline companies from ash clouds, save lives by protecting them from pyroclastic dust flows with hydrogen sulfide.

The eruption of only one volcano can bring a lot of trouble and costs. And there are many of them on Earth, and there are in Russia. The proposed invention allows some benefit from natural disaster.

Information sources

1. RU 2351964 C2, G01V 9/00, 2006.

2. RU 2231092 C2, G01V 9/00, 2003.

3. RU 2098850 C1, 1997.

4. RU 2408906 C1, 2011.

5. Konkin A.A. Carbon and other heat-resistant fibrous materials. M .: Higher school, 2004.

6. RU 2343508 C1, 2009.

7.http: //www.bellona.ru/Energy

8.http: //www.mexico.spaceweb.ru

9.http: //www.newchemistry.ru

10. RU 2392489.ru

11. http://highpol.com

Claims (1)

A method of reducing the dynamic environmental impact of a volcano during its eruption, including the creation of a loosening zone, a filtration unit and a magma removal channel using a directed explosion method, characterized in that a vertical wind tunnel is created from a polymer film with hoops as stiffeners around the crater, which are polymer ropes , laid along its walls, rises to the proper height using balloons or balloons, and inside the wind tunnel there is a filtration This installation, consisting of electrified gratings and carbon fiber grids, and a wind wheel is located at the mouth of the wind tunnel perpendicular to the air flow formed by the difference in atmospheric pressure due to the difference in altitude at the ends of the pipe.

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