WO2017038148A1 - 揚鉱システム及び揚鉱方法 - Google Patents
揚鉱システム及び揚鉱方法 Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- WO2017038148A1 WO2017038148A1 PCT/JP2016/061280 JP2016061280W WO2017038148A1 WO 2017038148 A1 WO2017038148 A1 WO 2017038148A1 JP 2016061280 W JP2016061280 W JP 2016061280W WO 2017038148 A1 WO2017038148 A1 WO 2017038148A1
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- WIPO (PCT)
- Prior art keywords
- pipe
- pumping
- float
- pump
- uplift
- Prior art date
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- 238000005086 pumping Methods 0.000 claims description 118
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Images
Classifications
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E02—HYDRAULIC ENGINEERING; FOUNDATIONS; SOIL SHIFTING
- E02F—DREDGING; SOIL-SHIFTING
- E02F3/00—Dredgers; Soil-shifting machines
- E02F3/04—Dredgers; Soil-shifting machines mechanically-driven
- E02F3/88—Dredgers; Soil-shifting machines mechanically-driven with arrangements acting by a sucking or forcing effect, e.g. suction dredgers
- E02F3/90—Component parts, e.g. arrangement or adaptation of pumps
- E02F3/905—Manipulating or supporting suction pipes or ladders; Mechanical supports or floaters therefor; pipe joints for suction pipes
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E02—HYDRAULIC ENGINEERING; FOUNDATIONS; SOIL SHIFTING
- E02F—DREDGING; SOIL-SHIFTING
- E02F3/00—Dredgers; Soil-shifting machines
- E02F3/04—Dredgers; Soil-shifting machines mechanically-driven
- E02F3/88—Dredgers; Soil-shifting machines mechanically-driven with arrangements acting by a sucking or forcing effect, e.g. suction dredgers
- E02F3/8858—Submerged units
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E02—HYDRAULIC ENGINEERING; FOUNDATIONS; SOIL SHIFTING
- E02F—DREDGING; SOIL-SHIFTING
- E02F5/00—Dredgers or soil-shifting machines for special purposes
- E02F5/006—Dredgers or soil-shifting machines for special purposes adapted for working ground under water not otherwise provided for
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E21—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; MINING
- E21B—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
- E21B17/00—Drilling rods or pipes; Flexible drill strings; Kellies; Drill collars; Sucker rods; Cables; Casings; Tubings
- E21B17/01—Risers
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E21—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; MINING
- E21B—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
- E21B17/00—Drilling rods or pipes; Flexible drill strings; Kellies; Drill collars; Sucker rods; Cables; Casings; Tubings
- E21B17/01—Risers
- E21B17/012—Risers with buoyancy elements
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E21—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; MINING
- E21C—MINING OR QUARRYING
- E21C50/00—Obtaining minerals from underwater, not otherwise provided for
Definitions
- the present invention relates to a pumping system and a pumping method for mining and mining mineral resources such as valuable metals on the seabed.
- a U-shaped pipe one of which is a downcomer and the other is a riser (corresponding to a pumping pipe), is vertically held from the deep sea floor to the sea surface.
- Seawater is transported to the upper end opening so that the seawater circulates and flows in the U-shaped pipe, and the mineral block mined in the deep sea bottom is sent to the bottom of the rising pipe so that the liquid level is maintained at the same opening at both ends.
- the mineral block floats on the sea surface by placing the riser on the rising seawater.
- the conventional pumping equipment has the following problems. That is, when a steel uplift pipe is lowered from an ore processing vessel to the seabed at a depth of 1600 to 5000 m, for example, even if a certain degree of buoyancy acts on the uplift pipe itself, its substantial weight is: 50-150 tons. In order to support this heavy lifting pipe, a large ore processing ship that can sufficiently withstand its weight and has sufficient buoyancy is required.
- the next problem after the pumping pipe is the development of a pump system that can transport seawater containing crushed ore from the deep sea floor to the ore processing ship on the sea.
- a pump system that can transport seawater containing crushed ore from the deep sea floor to the ore processing ship on the sea.
- the above-described transport from the deep sea of 1600 to 6000 m inevitably deviates from the ability of one pump, and thus a pump system using a combination of a plurality of or many pumps is necessary. No measures have been taken.
- the present invention was devised in view of the above points, and includes a pump system that can transport seawater containing crushed ore from the deep sea floor to an ore processing ship on the sea, Make sure that it does not drop off from the connection part of the pipe by its own weight, and that the ore processing ship that supports it does not need to be enlarged more than necessary to secure buoyancy.
- a pump system that can transport seawater containing crushed ore from the deep sea floor to an ore processing ship on the sea, Make sure that it does not drop off from the connection part of the pipe by its own weight, and that the ore processing ship that supports it does not need to be enlarged more than necessary to secure buoyancy.
- the ore processing vessel etc. will not be damaged due to the waves shaking, and the lifting pipe will not be abandoned and it will not be necessary to evacuate
- An object is to provide a pumping system and a pumping method.
- the pumping system of the present invention sucks a solid-liquid mixture including a drilling unit for drilling minerals at the bottom of the sea or the bottom of the sea, and the mineral and seawater obtained by the drilling.
- a submarine work machine capable of moving operation having a pump for pumping, a power supply unit having a power cable for supplying electric power as a power source to the submarine work machine, having a required buoyancy,
- a main float floated in the sea, the main float and the pump of the submarine working machine are connected, and a solid-liquid mixture containing mineral and seawater sucked by the pump is transported to the main float side and has a required length.
- a pipe an auxiliary float that is arranged at a required interval in the longitudinal direction of the uplift pipe, and imparts a required buoyancy to the uplift pipe, and a solid-liquid mixture conveyed to the main float side by the uplift pipe
- Sorting minerals from A Ageko system comprising a Mel mineral sorting unit.
- the operation of the pumping system of the present invention will be described by taking as an example the case of performing a work of lifting valuable minerals to the sea in the deep sea.
- the submarine working machine is located on a predetermined deep sea floor where the deposit is located, and the main float is floating on the sea.
- the mineral sorting unit or the power supply unit can be installed in a work ship such as a mother ship, for example, and the power cable constituting the power supply unit is connected to the power receiving unit of the submarine work machine.
- the traveling unit, excavation unit, and pump of the submarine work machine are driven by supplied electric power.
- a signal cable for exchanging signals for excavation part control, traveling part control, pump control, etc. of the submarine work machine can be provided. .
- the pump and the main float of the submarine work machine are connected by a long uplift pipe suspended vertically from the main float, and the solid-liquid mixture transported by the uplift pipe is further equipped in a work ship etc. Sent to the mineral sorting department.
- auxiliary floats are attached to the uplift pipe at required intervals, and a predetermined buoyancy is imparted to the uplift pipe.
- the mine pipe is floating so that it does not fall to the seabed.
- the bottom end of the pumping pipe near the seabed and the pump of the submarine work machine will not interfere with the movement of the submarine work machine or even if the position of the pumping pipe floating in the sea fluctuates. It is preferable to connect with a flexible tube so that there is no problem.
- buoyancy is given to the long pumping pipe by the main float and each auxiliary float so that the pumping pipe does not fall to the seabed. Since the auxiliary floats are arranged at a required interval in the longitudinal direction of the uplift pipe, the weight of the uplift pipe is shared and supported by these auxiliary floats.
- each auxiliary float when a large number of auxiliary floats are attached at a required interval in the longitudinal direction of the pumping pipe, each auxiliary float imparts buoyancy by the weight of the pumping pipe of the length between the auxiliary floats. By doing so, theoretically, it is possible to prevent the load of a long uplift pipe from acting on the top of the uplift pipe.
- auxiliary float in the longitudinal direction of the pumping pipe, a large load in the gravitational direction is not partially applied in the longitudinal direction of the pumping pipe. It is also effective in the sense that an average load is applied at a required interval. In addition, this makes it possible to prevent the mine pipe from breaking halfway due to its own heavy load, or if the mine pipe is connected to a number of pipes, the pipe joints being destroyed. The pumping pipe will not fall to the seabed.
- the total buoyancy of the main float and each auxiliary float that floats the uplift pipe is set as appropriate, but it does not necessarily require the buoyancy to float the uppermost main float on the sea surface. It is preferable that the buoyancy is such that the lower end of the slab can be floated while maintaining a state where it does not fall to the seabed (a state where it floats in the sea without sinking).
- the buoyancy can maintain a state where at least the upper side is vertical and floating in the sea.
- buoyancy is given to heavy lifting pipes by the main float and each auxiliary float, and a work ship such as a mother ship that controls the pumping system or a processing ship does not necessarily need to support the lifting pipe. There is no need to increase the size of the ship.
- the substantial weight of the pumping pipe becomes heavier than when it is empty because the weight of the solid-liquid mixture conveyed through the inside is added during the operation of the system. Therefore, when setting the buoyancy by each of the floats, it is needless to say that this need not be set based on the weight of the empty pumping pipe.
- submarine work machines are not only valuable minerals such as precious metals and rare metals (rare metals) existing at the bottom of the sea or below the sea, for example, several thousand meters deep, but also methane hydrate (for example, surface type methane hydrate) that is a fossil fuel. It is used by placing it on the seabed in an area that contains a lot of useful resources such as rate.
- the pumping system can also be used as a system for lifting useful resources other than minerals from the deep sea floor to the sea.
- the present invention can be configured such that the pump of the submarine working machine is a slurry pump.
- the solid-liquid mixture containing mineral and seawater can be transported (pressure fed) without damaging the movable part of the pump.
- the slurry pump even a solid-liquid mixture containing a relatively large amount of sand and mineral particles can be sent. According to this, even if the ratio of solids such as sand and mineral particles and seawater fluctuates during operation, it can be handled flexibly without difficulty and the operation can be continued.
- the slurry pump is structurally excellent in suction capability, and can transport the solid-liquid mixture efficiently.
- the type and structure of the slurry pump are not particularly limited as long as the solid-liquid mixture can be conveyed without damaging the movable part.
- a gravel pump, a sand pump, or a hose pump can be used.
- the present invention may have a structure including an auxiliary pump that injects a liquid flow having a required pressure for assisting the conveyance of the solid-liquid mixture into a required portion of the uplift pipe.
- an auxiliary pump that injects a liquid flow having a required pressure for assisting the conveyance of the solid-liquid mixture into a required portion of the uplift pipe.
- the auxiliary pump does not need to inject the solid-liquid mixture into the pumping pipe, and only needs to inject surrounding seawater. Therefore, the auxiliary pump has a multistage swirl having a pump other than the slurry pump, for example, an impeller. Pumps such as pumps and diaphragm pumps can be employed.
- the present invention corrects the position so as to maintain the set position by comparing the GPS receiver, the position information received by the GPS receiver, and the set position of the predetermined pumping system. It can be set as the structure provided with a position correction apparatus. In this case, it is possible to maintain a preset position of the pumping system using GPS (Global Positioning System). That is, position information indicating the position of the pumping system is acquired by a GPS receiver installed at a required location (for example, the main float) of the pumping system.
- GPS Global Positioning System
- the reference position information set in advance and the position information acquired by the GPS receiver are compared by the position correction device. Based on the difference, the position of the pumping system (in this case, the position of the main float) is maintained by the position correction device so as to maintain the reference position (set position) or approach the reference position. Move (toward) to correct.
- This position correction may be performed constantly during the operation of the system, or may be performed at regular intervals.
- the position correction device is located at the required position of the pumping system floating in the sea as a whole and can move part or all of the system.
- the configuration of the position correction device is not particularly limited as long as the position information obtained by the GPS receiver and the reference position information determined in advance can be compared and the position can be corrected based on the difference.
- a motor For example, a motor, a plurality of screws driven by the motor in different propulsion directions, a battery as a motor drive source, a comparison of the above positional information, and a control unit that selects and drives the motor and screw according to the result It is. Further, a plurality of position correction devices can be arranged in the system.
- the position correction apparatus is provided in a position where a GPS receiver is installed, but this is not necessarily required and can be set as appropriate.
- both the GPS receiver and the position correction device may be provided in the main float, or the GPS receiver is provided in the float when the power cable is supported by the float, and the position correction device is provided in the main float. Also good. Even in the latter case, as long as the distance between the float, which is the supporting portion of the power cable, and the main float is maintained constant or substantially constant, the position can be corrected substantially the same as the former.
- the present invention may be configured to include a water injection / drainage device that performs water injection to the inside of the main float and water discharge to the outside and adjusts the buoyancy of the float.
- the buoyancy of the main float itself can be appropriately adjusted by taking seawater into the main float or discharging the internal seawater to the outside by the pouring / draining device.
- the buoyancy of the main float it is possible to make a part of the main float come out of the sea surface or to sink all below the sea surface.
- the height of the main float below the sea level when it sinks can be adjusted.
- the main float When the main float is submerged below the sea level, the main float becomes less susceptible to waves (up and down movement of the sea surface). For example, if the main float floats on the sea surface during a typhoon or stormy weather when the typhoon approaches, it will repeatedly move up and down and roll under the influence of severe waves, and connected to the main float. There is a high possibility that the installation part of the existing ore pipe or its peripheral part will be deformed or damaged. In many cases, waves are generated on the sea surface from several meters to 10 meters below the sea level, and if the main float can be kept floating at a deeper depth, it should be hardly affected by waves in the typhoon. Can do.
- the structure of the drainage device is not particularly limited.
- the main float has a structure including a waterproof lithium storage battery, a pump driven by the electric power, a water intake valve, and a drain valve.
- the amount of seawater can be adjusted by draining seawater in the space or by absorbing water from the outside.
- the present invention includes a work ship, and the work ship includes the power supply unit and the mineral sorting unit, and also constitutes a power cable and the mineral sorting unit that constitute the power supply unit,
- the feed pipe that receives the solid-liquid mixture from the pipe can be configured to be able to be disconnected while the system can be restored to operation.
- the power cable and the supply pipe are connected and each functions. And when the work ship has to leave the sea area, for example, during stormy weather due to the approach of a typhoon, or for any other reason, the power cable or the supply pipe must be Can be separated.
- the disconnected side was fixed or connected to some support part such as a float so that the power cable or the supply pipe would not sink into the sea or fall to the seabed even if it was disconnected. It is in a state.
- the present invention has a suspension device for supporting the uplift pipe at a portion where the uplift pipe is connected to the main float, and the uplift pipe in the vicinity of the suspension device includes the uplift pipe. It can be set as the structure which can be vibrated in the range of a required deflection within the space
- the mine pipe in the main float through which the mine pipe is passed or connected, the mine pipe is supported by a suspension system, and the mine pipe in the vicinity of the suspension system has the required runout in the gap. Therefore, the portion of the ore pipe has a high degree of freedom of movement and is not fixed.
- the pumping pipe will not be deformed in the vicinity of the suspension system. Since it can move freely to some extent, such as moving back and forth in the longitudinal direction and vibrating or swinging in the diametrical direction, it is unlikely to be damaged or broken due to, for example, metal fatigue.
- the structure of the suspension device is not particularly limited.
- the suspension device is configured by a coil spring that can support a pumping pipe or a link mechanism combined with an urging member.
- the suspension system can support the substantial weight of the uplift pipe to which buoyancy is imparted by the auxiliary float at the sea side, and has a structure having a buffering action when the uplift pipe moves back and forth in its longitudinal direction. ing.
- This invention can be set as the structure by which the required buoyancy is provided to the power cable by arrange
- the required buoyancy is imparted to the power cable by the buoyancy of the auxiliary float, as in the case of the above-described pumping pipe. Thereby, it can prevent that it breaks in the middle of the length direction by the weight of electric power cable itself.
- the mineral sorting unit may include a wastewater treatment device.
- the mineral sorting unit can sort and collect the minerals, and the waste water treatment device disposes the clear water after the waste liquid has been subjected to the necessary treatment by ocean input (also called ocean dumping). be able to.
- the present invention may be configured such that the mineral sorting unit includes a magnetic deposition apparatus that magnetically deposits and sorts minerals.
- the metal or mineral contained in the pumping is collected by a magnetic deposition device such as an electric magnet installed on the ore processing ship, Thereafter, the seabed mud can be removed by the same method as that used in general sewage treatment such as a sedimentation method. In other words, this can be dealt with by making the work ship an ore treatment ship equipped with a wastewater treatment device.
- examples of magnetic minerals include iron, chromium, nickel and cobalt. All of these minerals are valuable metals, and can be collected by efficiently selecting from the pumped water from the sea floor to the sea.
- the present invention can be configured such that the uplift pipe has a double pipe structure made of steel and light alloy, a structure in which the steel pipe is reinforced with carbon fiber, or a structure in which the peripheral wall is hollow.
- the uplift pipe has a double pipe structure made of steel and light alloy, a structure in which the steel pipe is reinforced with carbon fiber, or a structure in which the peripheral wall is hollow.
- the biggest challenge in the pumping system is how to reduce the weight of pumping pipes with a total length of several thousand meters.
- the weight of the uplift pipe in addition to the method for reducing the substantial weight by giving buoyancy to the uplift pipe as described above, the weight of the uplift pipe itself as in the invention of this section. There are ways to alleviate this.
- a method of reducing the weight of the ore pipe itself there is a method of making a double pipe structure made of, for example, a light alloy or steel, and making an uplift pipe having an airtight space between an inner pipe and an outer pipe.
- an airtight space can be provided on the peripheral wall, and the buoyancy can partially offset the weight of the uplift pipe, reducing the burden on other places due to the weight of the uplift pipe.
- the outer pipe of the inner pipe made of steel and making the outer surface of the resin pipe reinforced with carbon fiber.
- the resin-made reinforcing tube contributes to the protection of the metal inner tube.
- the present invention is a pumping method in which a required buoyancy is provided by a float to a pumping pipe that sends a solid-liquid mixture containing minerals and seawater excavated and crushed on the seabed or under the seabed to the sea.
- a required buoyancy is provided by a float to a pumping pipe that sends a solid-liquid mixture containing minerals and seawater excavated and crushed on the seabed or under the seabed to the sea.
- the pumping pipe and the communication / power cable are supported by a float to reduce the gravity of the pumping pipe.
- the present invention includes a large metal float having a hollow inside floating on the sea surface, a pumping pipe supported by the float, a communication cable, and a power cable, in order to cope with the weight of the pumping pipe.
- Large floats with seawater discharge and seawater intake valves for buoyancy adjustment can also be included.
- the large float can have a diving function by driving the waterproof storage battery and the pump mounted (equipped) on the large float and supplying and draining seawater to the cavity below the large float.
- a small float group equipped in the middle of the uplift pipe in the sea can be provided. It is also possible to provide a resin-made uplift pipe reinforced with carbon fibers to reduce weight and maintain strength.
- An ore transporting pump can be mounted (equipped) on a submarine ore mining machine to provide a system in which the suction pipe is shortened.
- a pump system for injecting pressure water may be provided to supply fluid energy to the intermediate part of the pumping pipe.
- an electric type or permanent magnet type magnet device may be provided to extract ore from seawater containing crushed ore (fine pulverized ore) sent to a marine ore processing ship by a lifting pipe.
- collection on an ore processing ship can also be provided.
- the present invention is equipped with a pump system capable of transporting seawater containing crushed ore from the deep sea floor to an ore processing ship on the sea, and the pumped ore pipe lowered to the deep sea floor is its own weight from the connection part of the pipe body, etc. Make sure that the ore processing boats that support it do not fall out and do not need to be larger than necessary to secure buoyancy, and when the sea is rough due to typhoons, etc.
- a pumping system and a pumping method in which a pumping pipe is prevented from being damaged due to the fact that it is swayed by a wave, and the pumping pipe is abandoned so that it is not necessary to evacuate. it can.
- the pumping system S sorts valuable minerals from a mining unit 1 for mining minerals on the seabed, a pumping unit 2 for pumping mined minerals and seawater to the sea, and a solid-liquid mixture pumped by the pumping unit 2. It is comprised by the selection unit 3 which is a mineral selection part.
- the mining unit 1 has a submarine work machine 13 that can be moved from outside.
- the submarine working machine 13 includes a crawler traveling machine 130, an excavator 131 mounted on the crawler traveling machine 130, and a slurry pump 132 that sucks and pumps a solid-liquid mixture containing mineral and seawater obtained by excavation.
- the seabed working machine 13 has a structure capable of working under high pressure on the deep seabed, such as making each part highly watertight.
- the slurry pump 132 constitutes a pump system together with each pressure injection pump 24 described later.
- the excavator 131 is capable of crushing and excavating minerals in the deposit by rotation or vibration of the drill at the tip.
- another structure can also be employ
- the slurry pump 132 can pump a mixture (solid-liquid mixture) of mineral and seawater that has been excavated and crushed, and can adopt, for example, a mixed flow type or a mixed flow type.
- the pumping capacity of the slurry pump 132 is not particularly limited, but at least the solid-liquid mixture of seawater and pulverized mineral is pumped to the sea in cooperation with the pressure injection pump 24 that is an auxiliary pump described later. It only has to have the ability to do so.
- the transfer energy from the slurry pump 132 to the lower part of the uplift pipe 21 described later is supplied by the slurry pump 132, and the transfer energy in the uplift pipe 21 above it is provided in the middle of the uplift pipe 21. Further, it can be supplied by a pressure injection pump 24 which is a plurality of auxiliary pumps described later.
- the submarine working machine 13 is connected to a power receiving unit (not shown) with a power cable 12 for supplying power as a power source to the crawler traveling machine 130, the excavator 131, and the slurry pump 132.
- the end of the power cable 12 on the sea side is once connected to a float 11 that floats on the sea surface, whereby the weight of the power cable 12 is supported by the float 11.
- assistant float for providing a buoyancy similarly to the uplift pipe 21 mentioned later can also be attached.
- the power cable 12 connected to the float 11 is supplied with power through a power cable 120 from a generator (not shown) as a power supply unit mounted on the work ship 10 as a mother ship.
- the power cables 12 and 120 are attached to them to exchange signals for controlling the excavator 131 of the submarine work machine 13, the crawler traveling machine 130, the slurry pump 132, and the like.
- the pumping unit 2 has a pumping pipe 21.
- the pumping pipe 21 is connected to a large number of pipes 210 having a required length, and has a length of 5000 m, for example, corresponding to the depth of the sea area to be pumped.
- the structure of the tube body 210 will be described in detail later.
- the long uplift pipe 21 is substantially connected so that the upper end side is hung on the main float 20 floating on the sea surface. Further, the uplift pipe 21 is substantially connected so as to hang on the auxiliary float 22 at every required interval in the longitudinal direction on the underwater side (for each tubular body 210 in the present embodiment).
- the main float 20 has a watertight and hollow sealed case 200.
- the outer shape of the sealing case 200 is a so-called donut shape, and a space portion 201 is formed in the inside so as to draw a circle in plan view. Further, a circular through hole 202 that is separated from the space portion 201 by a wall portion is provided through the central portion of the sealing case 200.
- the space part 201 in the sealed case 200 is divided in a liquid-tight state vertically by a separating member 203 fixed over the entire circumference at a substantially intermediate position in the vertical direction.
- a pouring / draining pump 204 which is fixed to the separating member 203 and constitutes a pouring / draining device is disposed in the upper space 201a.
- a battery 205 is fixedly disposed on the isolation member 203, and a waterproof lithium storage battery is adopted for the battery 205 in this embodiment, and power is supplied to the pouring / draining pump 204.
- the battery 205 is connected to the control panel 206, and the power cable 26 is connected to the control panel 206 from the outside.
- the power cable 26 is connected to a generator (not shown) which is a power supply unit mounted on the mineral processing ship 30 described later, and the battery 205 stores power supplied from the generator.
- the lower space portion 201b divided by the isolation member 203 in the sealed case 200 is a water storage tank, and the water amount (and the air amount if necessary) inside the lower space portion 201b can be adjusted by the pouring / drainage pump 204. It is. By adjusting the amount of water, the buoyancy of the main float 20 itself can be increased and floated on the sea surface, or the buoyancy can be reduced, as required, so that the water can be submerged. The diving may be performed only on the main float 20 or may be performed as a whole including the uplift pipe 21 and can be appropriately selected.
- a GPS receiver 207 that receives a signal from the GPS satellite 27 is installed.
- the GPS receiver 207 is also supplied with power via the power cable 26.
- a plurality of propulsion devices 208 constituting a position correction device are attached to the lower surface of the sealing case 200.
- the propulsion device 208 has a structure that obtains thrust by rotating a screw with a motor.
- the configuration of the position correction device compares the position information obtained by the GPS receiver with the predetermined reference position information, and corrects the position by operating each propulsion unit 208 based on the difference.
- the control panel 206 which is a control unit that can be used, is included. Electric power is supplied to each propulsion device 208 from the battery 205, and the main float 20 is moved in a required direction at sea by driving the propulsion devices 208 in appropriate combination by automatic control by GPS. Can be made.
- the tube body 210 at the upper end of the ore pipe 21 is passed through the through hole 202 of the sealing case 200.
- a large number of pipes 210 constituting the pumping pipe 21 have the structure shown in FIG.
- the tube body 210 has connection flanges 211 and 212 at both ends in the longitudinal direction, and the tube portion has a double tube structure including an inner tube 213 and an outer tube 214. Between the inner tube 213 and the outer tube 214, a so-called circular tube-shaped space portion 215 that creates buoyancy for weight reduction is formed.
- the outer diameter of the outer tube 214 of the tube body 210 is formed smaller than the inner diameter of the through hole 202 of the sealing case 200, and a gap 209 is provided between the tube body 210 and the through hole 202. . Further, the flange 211 of the uppermost tube body 210 (which is attached later after being inserted into the through hole 202) is on the upper side of the sealing case 200, and the upper side gradually increases between the upper surface of the sealing case 200 and the flange 211. A compression coil spring 28 having a small diameter is disposed.
- the pipe body 210 and many other pipe bodies 210 connected to the lower side of the pipe body 210 are buffered by the urging force of the compression coil spring 28 even if the pipe body 210 moves up and down, so that an impact and a large load applied to the main float 20 are applied. Can be reduced. Further, the tube 210 can be moved or swung within a certain range within the through hole 202 by the action of the gap 209.
- a flexible supply pipe 25 is connected to the upper end of the tube body 210 at the upper end, and the distal end side of the supply pipe 25 is introduced into the sorting unit 3 described later.
- the pumping pipe 21 is a watertight connection of a large number of pipes 210, and one end of a flexible relay pipe 23 having a required length is connected to the lower end of the lowermost pipe 210. Has been.
- the other end of the relay pipe 23 is connected to the discharge port (reference numeral omitted) of the slurry pump 132.
- the suction port (reference numeral omitted) of the slurry pump 132 is arranged in the vicinity of the drill of the excavator 131 so that the excavated and crushed mineral can be sucked together with seawater.
- the long uplift pipe 21 is substantially connected so that the upper flange 211 is hung on the auxiliary float 22 for each tubular body 210 in the longitudinal direction on the sea side.
- the auxiliary float 22 has a watertight and hollow sealing case 220.
- the outer shape of the sealing case 220 is a so-called donut shape, and a space portion 221 is formed in the inside so as to draw a circle in plan view. Further, a circular through hole 222 that is separated from the space portion 221 by a wall portion is provided through the central portion of the sealing case 220.
- the outer diameter of the outer tube 214 of the tube body 210 is smaller than the inner diameter of the through hole 222 of the sealing case 220, and a gap 229 is provided between the tube body 210 and the through hole 222.
- assistant float 22 is a structure (known structure) which can be mounted
- auxiliary floats 22 can slide relative to each tube 210 even when each tube 210 moves up and down, and the auxiliary float 22 can be connected to a flange 211 of the tube 210 or to be described later.
- the pressure injection pump 24 hits the injection pipe 241
- the mutual slide stops Since the auxiliary float 22 and each tubular body 210 are easy to escape from each other, it is difficult for an impact or a large load to act on them. Further, the tube body 210 can move or swing within a certain range within the through hole 202 by the action of the gap 229.
- each auxiliary float 22 can give a required buoyancy to the uplift pipe 21.
- the buoyancy may be set so as to be the same as the weight of the uplift pipe 21 so that the main float 20 does not bear the weight of the uplift pipe 21.
- the buoyancy is set to be slightly smaller than the weight of the uplift pipe 21 so that the main float 20 is moderately loaded with the uplift pipe 21, and the uplift pipe 21 is made more stable in the sea. May be.
- the auxiliary float 22 in the deep sea may be provided with a rib structure for reinforcement in the same manner as the auxiliary float 22a described later so as to withstand high water pressure.
- each pressure injection pump 24 sucks the surrounding seawater and injects the seawater into the pumping pipe 21, and assists in the conveyance (pumping) of the pumped water (solid-liquid mixture) passing through the pumping pipe 21.
- each pressure injection pump 24 receives the buoyancy of the float 242 connected with the suspension wire 243, and maintains a required depth. Moreover, electric power is supplied to each pressure injection pump 24 via the power cable 240 connected to the generator of the mineral processing ship 30 which is a work ship. Further, a float may be attached to the power cable 240 in order to impart buoyancy.
- the power cable 120 connecting the work boat 10 and the float 11 has a structure that can be disconnected from the float 11.
- the mineral processing ship 30 has a structure capable of separating the supply pipe 25 and the power cable 26 from the main float 20. According to this, for example, when the work ship 10 or the mineral processing ship 30 is called, it is possible to leave the work area in a state where it can be restored later.
- the sorting unit 3 is mounted on the mineral processing ship 30.
- the mineral processing ship 30 is equipped with a generator (not shown), which supplies power to the main float 20 and the pressure injection pumps 24.
- the sorting unit 3 sorts valuable minerals from the solid-liquid mixture of seawater and ground minerals pumped by the pumping unit 2.
- the sorting unit 3 includes a sorting tank 31, a sedimentation tank 32, a water storage tank 33, and an accumulation tank 34 in the order of processing.
- the sedimentation tank 32, the water storage tank 33, and the accumulation tank 34 comprise a waste water treatment apparatus.
- the solid-liquid mixture containing the crushed mineral 50 is sent to the sorting tank 31 from the supply pipe 25.
- the pulverized mineral 50 that is a magnetic material is collected by being magnetized by an electromagnet (not shown) attached to the arm tip of the rotating body 311.
- minerals other than magnetic materials and other valuable minerals are collected by various known means such as using a sieve.
- the seawater containing the sludge that has passed through the sorting tank 31 is sent to the precipitation tank 32 through the screen 320, and the sludge is precipitated and separated on the tank bottom. Then, the seawater from which the sludge has been removed is sent to the water storage tank 33 through the screen 331, and is sent to the next accumulation tank 34 by the pump 330. In the accumulation tank 34, finer sludge is precipitated and removed by chemical treatment or the like, and the clear seawater after the treatment passes through the drain pipe 35 by the water wheel 340 and is discharged to the outside (the sea).
- the operation of the pumping system S of the present invention will be described by taking as an example the case of performing a work of lifting valuable minerals to the sea in the deep sea.
- the seabed working machine 13 is disposed on a predetermined deep seabed 4 where the deposit 5 is located, and the main float 20 is floating on the sea.
- the submarine work machine 13 is operated using electric power supplied via the power cable 120 according to a signal from the control unit of the work ship 10, and excavation is performed by the excavator 131 while moving on the traveling machine 130.
- the mixture of the crushed mineral 50 (shown in FIG. 4) and seawater (solid-liquid mixture) is sucked by the slurry pump 132 in parallel with the excavation, and is pumped upward from the relay pipe 23 through the uplift pipe 21. .
- energy from the water flow is injected by a number of pressure injection pumps 24 in the vertical path of the ore pipe 21, and the solid-liquid mixture is pumped to the sorting unit 3 of the upper mineral processing ship 30 for processing and clarification. Only the treated water is dumped into the sea.
- auxiliary floats 22 are connected to the uplift pipe 21, and a predetermined buoyancy is imparted to the uplift pipe 21.
- the main float 20 and the auxiliary floats 22 give buoyancy to the extent that the pumping pipe 21 does not fall on the seabed 4 with respect to the long pumping pipe 21 of several thousand meters. . Since the required number (many) of the auxiliary floats 22 is arranged in the longitudinal direction of the pumping pipe 21, the weight of the pumping pipe 21 is shared and supported by the pipes 210 by these auxiliary floats 22.
- each auxiliary float 22 is a part of the weight of the uplift pipe 21 having a length between the auxiliary floats 22. If only buoyancy is applied, it is theoretically possible to prevent the load of the long pumping pipe 21 from acting on the upper part of the pumping pipe 21.
- the above configuration is also effective in the sense that an average load is applied at a required interval in the longitudinal direction of the uplift pipe 21.
- the total buoyancy of the main float 20 and the auxiliary floats 22 that float the uplift pipe 21 is set as appropriate, but it does not necessarily require buoyancy to float the uppermost main float 20 on the sea surface. It is preferable that the buoyancy is such that at least the lower end portion of the uplift pipe 21 does not fall to the seabed, that is, the state where it floats in the sea without sinking and can float. Moreover, even if the lower end side of the uplift pipe 21 touches the seabed, it is preferable that the buoyancy can maintain a state where at least the upper side is vertical and floating in the sea.
- the lifting pipe which is heavy, is given buoyancy by the main float and each auxiliary float, and the work ship 10 or the ore processing ship 30 that controls the lifting system does not necessarily need to support the lifting pipe. There is no need to increase the size of the ship.
- the main float 20 can adjust the buoyancy by adjusting the amount of water inside by the pouring / draining pump 204.
- a part of the main float 20 can be made to come out from the sea surface like a submarine, or the whole can be made to sink below the sea surface.
- the height (depth) of the main float 20 below the sea level when it sinks can be adjusted.
- the main float 20 When the main float 20 is submerged below the sea level, the main float 20 becomes less susceptible to waves. For example, if the main float 20 floats on the surface of the sea during a typhoon or when the typhoon approaches, the main float 20 will repeatedly move and roll under the influence of severe waves. There is a high possibility that the connecting portion of the connected ore pipe 21 or its peripheral portion is deformed or damaged.
- waves are generated on the sea surface from several meters to about 10 m below the sea surface, and the main float 20 is maintained so as to float together with the upper part of the ore pipe 21 by remote control, and thereafter If the main float 20 can be lifted, it can be hardly affected by waves in a typhoon.
- the main float 20 includes a GPS receiver 207 and a propulsion device 208, and can maintain a preset position of the ore system S using GPS. That is, the GPS receiver 207 installed in the main float 20 acquires position information indicating the position of the pumping system, and the position information that is set in advance and the position information acquired by the GPS receiver 207 Are compared by a position correction device.
- each propulsion unit maintains the position (set position) serving as the reference by the position correction device, or approaches (becomes) the reference position by the position correction device. 208 is operated to correct the position.
- This position correction may be performed constantly during the operation of the ore system S, or may be performed at regular intervals (intermittently).
- the submarine working machine 13 is not only a valuable mineral such as a precious metal or a rare metal (rare metal) existing at the sea bottom 4 or under the sea bottom, for example, having a depth of several thousand meters, but also methane hydrate (for example, a surface layer type) that is a fossil fuel. It can be used by being placed on the seabed in an area that contains a lot of useful resources such as methane hydrate.
- the pumping system S can also be used as a system for lifting useful resources other than such minerals from the deep sea floor to the sea.
- the tube body 210a has a double tube structure in which the outer tube 214a of the steel inner tube 213a is integrally formed with an acrylic resin reinforced with carbon fiber. This reduces the weight of the tube body 210a and increases the tensile strength. Further, flanges 211a and 212a are provided at both ends of the tube body 210a. By combining the steel inner tube 213a having sufficient strength and the light and tough outer tube 214a, it is possible to keep the weight equal to that of the tube body 210 while maintaining a predetermined strength.
- the auxiliary float 22a shown in FIG. 7 includes a sealing case 220a having a cylindrical outer shape formed in a watertight manner.
- a sealing case 220a having a cylindrical outer shape formed in a watertight manner.
- reinforcing ribs 225 in which ribs are assembled vertically and horizontally are fixed to the inner surface of the sealing case 220a.
- the auxiliary float 22a is attached to the ore pumping pipe 21 via the connecting member 226. Thereby, predetermined buoyancy is given to the uplift pipe 21.
- the auxiliary float 22a can maintain a predetermined buoyancy by providing a reinforcing rib 225 inside and securing a space without being crushed even under a high pressure in the deep sea.
- S pumping system 1 mining unit 10 work boat, 11 float, 12 power cable, 120 power cable, 13 submarine working machine, 130 crawler traveling machine, 131 excavator, 132 slurry pump, 2 pumping units, 20 main floats, 200 sealed cases, 201 space part, 201a upper space part, 201b lower space part, 202 through-hole, 203 isolation member, 204 drainage pump, 205 battery, 206 control panel, 207 GPS receiver, 208 propulsion device, 209 gap, 21 pumping pipe, 210 pipe, 211, 212 flange, 213 inner tube, 214 outer tube, 215 space, 210a tube, 211a, 212a flange, 213a inner tube, 214a outer tube, 22 auxiliary float, 220 sealing case, 221 space, 222 through holes, 22a auxiliary float, 220a sealing case, 221a space, 225 reinforcing ribs, 226 connecting members, 229 gaps, 23 relay pipe, 24 pressure injection pump, 240 power cable, 24
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Abstract
Description
すなわち、鉱石処理船から、例えば水深1600~5000mの海底まで鋼鉄製の揚鉱管を降ろして装備する場合、揚鉱管自体にある程度の浮力が作用するとしても、その実質的な重さは、50~150トンにもなる。この重量物である揚鉱管を支持するために、その重量に充分に耐えうる頑丈で浮力に余裕がある大型の鉱石処理船などが必要となる。
揚鉱システムは、海底作業機が鉱床がある所定の深海底に配置され、主フロートは海上に浮かんでいる。また、鉱物選別部、あるいは電力供給部などは、例えば母船などの作業船に装備することができ、電力供給部を構成する電力ケーブルは、海底作業機の受電部に接続されている。海底作業機の走行部、掘削部及びポンプは、供給される電力により駆動される。
なお、重量物である揚鉱管は、主フロート及び各補助フロートにより浮力が付与され、揚鉱システムの管制を行う母船などの作業船、あるいは処理船は、必ずしも揚鉱管を支持する必要はないので、船を大型化する必要がない。
この場合は、鉱物と海水を含む固液混合物をポンプの可動部分に損傷を与えることなく、搬送(圧送)することができる。また、スラリーポンプによれば、比較的多量の砂や鉱物粒を含む固液混合物でも送ることができる。これによれば、運転中に砂や鉱物粒などの固形物と海水との比率が変動しても、無理なく柔軟に対応することができ、運転を継続することができる。更には、スラリーポンプは、構造的に吸い込み能力に優れており、固液混合物の搬送を効率的に行うことができる。
この場合は、例えば数千mの深海底から固液混合物を海上まで、一台で搬送することができるポンプが仮になくても、揚鉱管の途中に補助ポンプによって所要圧力の液流を注入し、搬送を補助することにより、例えば深海底から海上までの数千mの長い距離を搬送することが可能になる。
この場合では、GPS(全地球測位システム:Global Positioning System)を利用して、あらかじめ設定されている揚鉱システムの位置を維持することができる。すなわち、揚鉱システムの所要の箇所(例えば主フロートなど)に設置してあるGPS受信機で、揚鉱システムの位置を示す位置情報を取得する。
この場合は、注排水装置によって主フロートの内部に海水を取り入れたり、内部の海水を外部に排出したりすることで、主フロート自体の浮力を適宜調節することができる。このように主フロートの浮力を調節することにより、主フロートの一部が海面から出るようにしたり、全部が海面下に沈むようにしたりすることができる。また、沈むようにした際の主フロートの海面下における高さも調節が可能である。
この場合は、揚鉱管が通されているか、あるいはつながれている主フロートにおいて、揚鉱管は懸架装置によって支持されており、しかも懸架装置近傍の同揚鉱管は、空隙内において所要の振れの範囲で振動、あるいは揺動が可能であるので、揚鉱管の当該部分の動きの自由度が高く、固定された状態とはならない。
揚鉱システムSは、海底において鉱物の採掘を行う採掘ユニット1と、採掘した鉱物と海水を海上に揚げる揚鉱ユニット2と、揚鉱ユニット2で揚げられた固液混合物から有価鉱物を選別する鉱物選別部である選別ユニット3により構成されている。
採掘ユニット1は、外部より移動操作が可能な海底作業機13を有している。海底作業機13は、クローラ走行機130と、その上部に搭載されている掘削機131及び掘削して得られた鉱物と海水を含む固液混合物を吸引し圧送するスラリーポンプ132を有している。海底作業機13は、各部を高水密につくるなど深海底における高圧下での作業が可能な構造としてある。スラリーポンプ132は、後述する各圧力注入ポンプ24と共にポンプシステムを構成する。
揚鉱ユニット2は、揚鉱管21を有している。揚鉱管21は、所要長さの管体210を多数接続し、揚鉱作業の対象となる海域の深さに対応して、例えば5000mの長さに形成されている。なお、管体210の構造は、後で詳述する。そして、この長尺な揚鉱管21は、上端側が海面に浮かぶ主フロート20に掛けるようにして実質的に接続されている。また、揚鉱管21は、海中側において長手方向の所要間隔毎に(本実施の形態では各管体210毎に)、補助フロート22に掛けるようにして実質的に接続されている。
主フロート20は、水密かつ中空構造の密封ケース200を有している。密封ケース200の外形は、いわゆるドーナツ形であり、内部には平面視で円を描くように空間部201が形成されている。また、密封ケース200の中心部には、空間部201とは壁部で隔離された円孔形状の通し孔202が貫通して設けられている。
上記選別ユニット3は、鉱物処理船30に搭載されている。鉱物処理船30には、発電機(図示省略)が搭載されており、この発電機は、上記主フロート20及び各圧力注入ポンプ24に対し電力を供給する。選別ユニット3は、揚鉱ユニット2で揚げられた海水と粉砕された鉱物の固液混合物から有価鉱物を選別するものである。
選別ユニット3は、処理の順に選別槽31、沈殿槽32、貯水槽33及び集積槽34を備えている。なお、沈殿槽32、貯水槽33及び集積槽34は、廃水処理装置を構成する。
本発明の揚鉱システムSの作用を深海において有価鉱物を海上まで揚げる作業を行う場合を例にとり説明する。
揚鉱システムSは、図1に示すように海底作業機13が鉱床5がある所定の深海底4に配置され、主フロート20は海上に浮かんでいる。
管体210aは、鋼製の内管213aの外管214aは、炭素繊維で補強されたアクリル樹脂で一体化して形成されている二重管構造である。これにより、管体210aの重量を軽量化すると共に、引っ張り強度を増加させている。また、管体210aの両端部には、フランジ211a、212aが設けられている。充分な強度を有する鋼製の内管213aと軽量かつ強靱な外管214aを組み合わせることにより、所定の強度を維持しながら上記管体210と同等の重量に抑えることができる。
1 採掘ユニット、10 作業船、11 フロート、
12 電力ケーブル、120 電力ケーブル、
13 海底作業機、130 クローラ走行機、
131 掘削機、132 スラリーポンプ、
2 揚鉱ユニット、20 主フロート、200 密封ケース、
201 空間部、201a 上部空間部、201b 下部空間部、
202 通し孔、203 隔離部材、204 注排水ポンプ、
205 バッテリー、206 制御盤、
207 GPS受信機、208 推進機、209 空隙、
21 揚鉱管、210 管体、211、212 フランジ、
213 内管、214 外管、215 空間部、
210a 管体、211a、212a フランジ、213a 内管、
214a 外管、
22 補助フロート、220 密封ケース、221 空間部、
222 通し孔、
22a 補助フロート、220a 密封ケース、221a 空間部、
225 補強リブ、 226 連結部材、 229 空隙、
23 中継管、24 圧力注入ポンプ、240 電力ケーブル、
241 注入管、242 フロート、243 吊りワイヤ、
25 供給管、26 電力ケーブル、27 GPS衛星、
28 圧縮コイルバネ、
3 選別ユニット、30 鉱物処理船、31 選別槽、
311 回転体、
32 沈殿槽、320 スクリーン、33 貯水槽、
330 ポンプ、331 スクリーン、34 集積槽、340 水車、
35 排水管
5 鉱床、50 粉砕鉱物
Claims (12)
- 海底面または海底下において鉱物を掘削する掘削部と、掘削して得られた鉱物と海水を含む固液混合物を吸引し圧送するポンプとを有する移動操作が可能な海底作業機と、
該海底作業機に対し、動力源となる電力を供給する電力ケーブルを有する電力供給部と、
所要の浮力を有し、海上または海中に浮かせられる主フロートと、
該主フロートと前記海底作業機のポンプをつなぎ、前記ポンプで吸引した鉱物と海水を含む固液混合物を前記主フロート側へ搬送する、所要長さを有する揚鉱管と、
該揚鉱管の長手方向に所要間隔で配置されており、前記揚鉱管に所要の浮力を付与する補助フロートと、
前記揚鉱管により前記主フロート側に搬送された固液混合物から鉱物を選別して集める鉱物選別部とを備える
揚鉱システム。 - 前記海底作業機が有するポンプがスラリーポンプである
請求項1の揚鉱システム。 - 前記揚鉱管の所要箇所に前記固液混合物の搬送を補助するための所要圧力の液流を注入する補助ポンプを備える
請求項1の揚鉱システム。 - GPS受信機と、該GPS受信機で受信した位置情報とあらかじめ決められている揚鉱システムの設定位置とを比較して設定位置を維持するように位置の補正を行う位置補正装置とを備える
請求項1の揚鉱システム。 - 前記主フロートの内部への注水と外部への排水を行い、同主フロートの浮力を調節する注排水装置を備える
請求項1の揚鉱システム。 - 作業船を備えており、該作業船は前記電力供給部と前記鉱物選別部を有すると共に、前記電力供給部を構成する電力ケーブル及び前記鉱物選別部を構成し揚鉱管から固液混合物を受け取る送給管が、システムの運転の復旧が可能な状態で切り離しが可能である
請求項1の揚鉱システム。 - 前記主フロートにおける前記揚鉱管がつながれた部分に同揚鉱管を支える懸架装置を有しており、該懸架装置近傍の同揚鉱管は、同揚鉱管を通す空隙内において所要の振れの範囲で振動が可能である
請求項1の揚鉱システム。 - 前記電力ケーブルの長手方向に、補助フロートが所要間隔で配置されることにより、電力ケーブルに所要の浮力が付与されている
請求項1の揚鉱システム。 - 鉱物選別部が、廃水処理装置を備える
請求項1の揚鉱システム。 - 前記廃水処理装置が、鉱物を磁着して選別する磁着装置を備えている
請求項1の揚鉱システム。 - 揚鉱管が、鋼と軽合金製の二重管構造、鋼管を炭素繊維で補強した構造または周壁を中空とした構造である
請求項1の揚鉱システム。 - 海底面または海底下において掘削し粉砕した鉱物と海水を含む固液混合物を海上まで送る揚鉱管にフロートで所要の浮力を付与する揚鉱方法。
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US15/523,026 US20180187395A1 (en) | 2015-08-28 | 2016-04-06 | Mineral lifting system and mineral lifting method |
CN201680003371.2A CN107075946A (zh) | 2015-08-28 | 2016-04-06 | 扬矿系统及扬矿方法 |
KR1020187006199A KR102019197B1 (ko) | 2015-08-28 | 2016-04-06 | 양광 시스템 |
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AU2016314824A AU2016314824A1 (en) | 2015-08-28 | 2016-04-06 | Mineral lifting system and mineral lifting method |
CA2964213A CA2964213A1 (en) | 2015-08-28 | 2016-04-06 | Mineral lifting system and mineral lifting method |
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AU2016314824A1 (en) | 2018-03-08 |
KR20180035891A (ko) | 2018-04-06 |
CA2964213A1 (en) | 2017-03-09 |
JPWO2017038148A1 (ja) | 2017-08-31 |
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US20180187395A1 (en) | 2018-07-05 |
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