APPARATUS FOR COLLECTING AND TRANSPORTING FLUIDS IN A BODY OF WATER

Abstract

An apparatus for transporting fluids in a body of water, the apparatus including a surface structure, a plurality of flexible modular elements extending from the surface structure, and a plurality of connecting rings that connect the surface structure and the plurality of modular elements to each other, where at least one of the connecting rings is a two-piece structure that includes a top half and a bottom half.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/357,691, filed Jun. 23, 2010, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

Embodiments of the present invention relate generally to an apparatus for providing a column of water for collecting underwater fluids and contaminants. More particularly, embodiments of the present invention relate to a chimney-type apparatus that is used to collect fluids having a lower density than water, for example, oil from shipwrecks, sunken oil tankers, or underwater wells, or to collect large volumes of water, for example, cold seawater. Additionally, embodiments of the present invention relate to non vertical, large diameter underwater conduits that can be used to transport water and other fluids to the shore.

2. Description of the Related Art

Typically, the pumping and/or the recovery of a liquid product or viscous material, such as, for example, fuel or petroleum (oil), from the ocean floor at deep depths from a sunken oil tanker or from oil wells, is difficult if not impossible mainly because of depths ranging from 3000 to 4000 m and high hydrostatic pressures, for example, 400 bars. In addition, recovery efforts can be impeded by bad weather, which results in rough seas.

An example of a prior device for such recovery efforts includes International Application Publication No. WO 94/17251, which is directed to a device for collecting fluids from shipwrecks. The device described in this application, however, is limited by the depths at which it can be used.

Another example of a prior device includes French Patent No. 2 850 425, filed on Jan. 28, 2003 (the “French patent”), also published as International Application Publication No. WO 2004/070165 (the “International publication”), both of which are by the inventors named on the present application and which are directed to a device for recovering petroleum from a shipwreck. The entire contents of both the French patent and the International application are incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. The present application is directed to improvements on the French patent and the International application.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

For the reasons included above, it is therefore a principal object of embodiments of the present invention to provide an apparatus for the collection or sub sea oil and seawater.

It is a further object of embodiments of the present invention to provide an apparatus that can deliver the large volumes of cold seawater required for Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (“OTEC”), seawater-based air conditioning (“SWAC”), and other cooling processes such as, for example, natural gas liquefaction.

Yet another object of embodiments of the present invention is to provide an apparatus that can provide an isolated column of seawater from the depths of the oceans to the oceans' surface.

A further object of embodiments of the present invention is to provide a modular, tubular structure or chimney-type apparatus that can be constructed on-site to provide a column of seawater from the depths of the oceans to the oceans' surface.

A still further object of embodiments of the present invention is to provide a modular, fabric or textile, tubular apparatus that can be constructed on-site to provide a column of seawater in order to act as a passageway for oil, cold seawater, and nutrients or other products carried by air lifted water such as metallic nodules located at depth in the oceans to the oceans' surface.

A further object of embodiments of the present invention is to provide an apparatus that can be used to shelter piping, risers and other equipment used in offshore drilling operations and/or to insulate such equipment from the surrounding cold seawater.

Yet another object of embodiments of the present invention is to provide an apparatus that can be used to circulate warmer water from the ocean surface around piping, risers and other equipment used in offshore drilling operations in order to heat up oil that is recovered as a result of offshore drilling operations or that is recovered from sunken ships.

These and other objects and advantages are provided by the embodiments of the instant invention. In this regard, embodiments of the present invention are directed to a tubular apparatus having a large diameter. The apparatus provides a vertical column of water regardless of the depth in the ocean to the ocean's surface. Such an apparatus can be used in many applications, examples of which include:

• • to collect, control and recover oil (1) from subsea drilling operations, (2) from blow-outs or explosions that may occur at a sub sea oil well, and (3) from sunken oil tankers and ships;
  • to form a permanent containment structure that encloses all of the oil piping, structures, and equipment that extends from the oil rig to an oil well on the ocean floor thereby sheltering the oil piping, structures, and equipment from currents and rough sea conditions and avoiding the possibility of any leaking oil from escaping and polluting the oceans;
  • to insulate any oil piping, structures, and equipment located from cold seawater or to provide a means for circulating warmer water from the surface around the oil piping, structures, and equipment in order to heat the oil as it exits the well or other structures;
  • to provide a means for delivering nutrient rich seawater to fish farms near the ocean surface;
  • to provide a means for delivering minerals on the sea bed to the water surface;
  • to deliver offshore or on shore the large volumes of cold seawater required in OTEC, SWAC, and other cooling processes such as, for example, natural gas liquefaction; and
  • to transfer large volumes of soft water through a buoyant aqueduct within a body of water.

Accordingly, in one embodiment, the present invention includes a base structure that is anchored to the ocean floor above the area of interest where, for example, oil is to be recovered or cold seawater is to be taken from. Attached to the base structure is a plurality of modular elements that are connected together by a plurality of connecting rings. The depth of the base structure determines the number of modular elements that need to be connected such that a continuous column of seawater extends from the base structure to the ocean surface. Attached to the topmost modular element is either a collecting means for collecting, for example, recovered oil, or a means for attaching the topmost modular element to an oil rig or an OTEC or SWAC platform where an OTEC, SWAC or other renewable energy plant may be located. Extending from the base structure through anchoring means on the ocean floor, through the connecting rings and onto a platform on the ocean surface, is a plurality of ropes or cables that connect to winches, capstans or hydraulic jacks. These ropes or cables are used to anchor the chimney apparatus to the ocean floor and to provide vertical tensioning in order to vertically stabilize the structure. In order to prevent oil from adhering to the interior surface of the base structure and the modular elements, the interior surfaces are coated with an anti-adhesive coating. Further, in one embodiment, the modular elements and the base structure can be a double walled structure having an interior wall and an exterior wall that provides a layer of water between the two in order to insulate the interior of the structure from the surrounding seawater.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, instead of using an anchoring means to anchor the structure and provide tension, the structure may be directly hung from a floating body or platform with tension being provided by the structure's own weight and a ballast means at its bottom end. Thus, the bottom end of the tubular structure will be allowed to hang freely in the body of water.

For a better understanding of the embodiments of the present invention, its operating advantages and specific objects attained by its uses, reference is made to the accompanying descriptive matter in which preferred embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Preferred features of the embodiments of the present invention are disclosed in the accompanying drawings, wherein similar reference characters denote similar elements throughout the several views, and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a schematic drawing of a tubular apparatus in operation, according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a depiction of a tubular apparatus in operation, according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2A is a schematic drawing of a tubular apparatus in operation, according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a depiction of a collecting means, according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is another depiction of a collecting means, according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a connecting ring attached to the fabric membrane of adjacent modular elements, according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a connecting ring, according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a side view of the connecting ring depicted in FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a plan view of a connecting ring attached to the fabric membrane of adjacent modular elements, according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view along section line A-A in FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a schematic drawing of a modular element of the apparatus depicted in FIGS. 1 and 2, according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 11 is a depiction of the modular element of FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 is a schematic drawing of a plurality of panels that are used to construct the modular element of FIGS. 5 and 6;

FIG. 13 is a schematic drawing of a tubular apparatus in operation, according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view of a modular element, according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 15 is a schematic drawing depicting a tubular apparatus in operation, according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 16 is a schematic drawing of a tubular apparatus in operation, according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 17 is a schematic drawing of a tubular apparatus in operation, according to an embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 18 is a schematic drawing of a special modular element that can be used to tension horizontal or inclined tubular structures.

DESCRIPTION

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which preferred embodiments of the invention are shown. This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the illustrated embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these illustrated embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art.

In the following description, like reference characters designate like or corresponding parts throughout the FIGS. Additionally, in the following description, it is understood that terms such as “top,” “bottom,” “upper,” “lower,” and the like, are words of convenience and are not to be construed as limiting terms.

Typically, oil or petroleum exploration by way of offshore oil rigs is performed using metal piping. The metal pipes are connected to each other using fittings such that a plurality of pipes can be connected together to form a continuous passageway from the well on the ocean floor to an oil rig at the surface for the extraction of the oil. However, because the joined metal pipes form a rigid structure, the pipes undergo numerous vibrations as a result of high currents or rough seas acting on the pipes. These high vibrations result in the pipes undergoing significant mechanical stresses, which may result in damage to the pipes, thereby allowing oil to leak from the pipes. In addition, at depths beneath the thermocline, the temperature of seawater is low. Lower temperatures result in the viscosity of oil at these depth being higher, which makes extraction and recovery of oil more difficult and problematic. Because of these issues associated with deep water drilling and extraction, oil exploration and recovery typically does not exceed a depth of 3,000 m, however, with embodiments of the present invention, deeper oil exploration and recovery is possible. For example, embodiments of the present invention (1) can be used to deliver warmer water from the surface down to the oil wells on the ocean floor or (2) can be used to provide an insulated structure to protect against the colder seawater.

Further, with offshore drilling, there is always the possibility of a blow-out or explosion at the well located on the ocean floor. Currently, there is no one standard device that can be used to recover leaking oil as a result of a blow-out or an explosion because the circumstances surrounding a blow-out or explosion are unique, i.e., the depth of the blow-out or explosion, the position and condition of the pipes extending from the well, etc. Moreover, with a blow out, a gas such as methane usually leaks from the well with the leaking oil. This is problematic because the high pressures and low temperatures that are present on the ocean floor, results in the methane gas crystallizing, which typically causes an obstruction or blockage in any apparatus that is used to recover the leaking oil.

In addition, oil recovery from sunken oil tankers is also difficult and problematic because the circumstances surrounding a sunken ship are also unique, i.e., the depth of the sunken ship, the position of the sunken ship, the number of leaks and the location of the leaking oil, the ocean conditions in the area of the sunken ship, etc.

Moreover, Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (“OTEC”), which uses the temperature differences between the ocean's colder deep water and the warmer surface water as a renewable energy source to produce commercial power, and seawater-based air conditioning (“SWAC”), which uses cold seawater located near coastlines as an air conditioner coolant, both require large volumes of seawater. For OTEC, the volume of cold water that must be supplied from the oceans' depths is very large, on the order of 150 m³/s (for a 50 MW power plant) or 3 m³/s per MW (megawatt). Such a volume of seawater requires a pipe having a cross-sectional area of 150 m², which equates to a pipe having a diameter of over 14 m (approximately 45 ft.). With current technology, it is difficult, if not impossible, to design and construct a metal pipe having such a diameter.

Thus, a need exists for an apparatus that can be used for (1) deep water oil recovery either as a result normal drilling operations or from a blow-out or explosion, (2) oil recovery from sunken oil tankers, and/or (3) that can be used to deliver the large volumes of cold water necessary for OTEC and SWAC. Additional applications for the embodiments of the present invention include, and are not limited to, bringing minerals located on the ocean floor or sea bed to the surface and use in fish farms or the like. Fish farms require nutrient-rich water. Thus, the present apparatus can be used to bring the deeper, nutrient-rich water, to the surface where the fish farms are located. Embodiments of the present invention are directed to addressing these needs and can be used in various bodies of water such as, for example, oceans, lakes, etc.

Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a modular flexible tubular apparatus/structure that can be deployed anywhere in the world's oceans or other bodies of water in order to recover oil or other fluids or to provide the large volumes of cold water necessary for OTEC and SWAC operations or any process that utilizes the temperature difference between a body of water's warmer surface water and its colder water at depth as a renewable energy source. The modular flexible tubular apparatus/structure can be constructed from, for example, fabric or textile membranes. Essentially, embodiments of the present invention provide a vertical column of water from a body of water's floor to its surface. This vertical column of water is shielded from the surrounding currents and water conditions and therefore, provides a column of calm water. This column of calm water can be used to provide shelter for other structures such as oil piping risers. Advantageously, because the tubular apparatus can be used to provide a vertical column of seawater, recovery of oil from deep within the oceans, can be performed without the need for pumping equipment. This is possible because oil is less dense than seawater and, as a result, is more buoyant than seawater. Consequently, oil that enters the tubular apparatus rises up the column of seawater to the surface as a result of its natural buoyancy. Further, because the tubular apparatus is made of modular elements, the tubular apparatus is very versatile and can be used for various applications at various depths. Thus, a single tubular apparatus can be used multiple times for multiple applications. Moreover, the tubular apparatus's modular construction allows the separate components that comprise the chimney apparatus to be manufactured simultaneously by multiple suppliers, which reduces the manufacturing time and costs.

As depicted in FIGS. 1 and 2, in one embodiment, the tubular apparatus 1 includes a base 2 at the ocean floor 4 that is used as an inlet for oil, 10a, 10b, leaking from a sunken oil tanker or well 9 or for seawater, a means 6 for collecting or storing the oil or other recovered fluids near the ocean surface, and a plurality of cylindrical modular elements, 5a, 5b, 5c, 5d, 5e, that extend between and connect the base 2 to the collecting means 6 thereby forming a continuous vertical columnar passageway 5 from the base 2 to the collecting means 6 for the recovered oil or other fluids to flow. As discussed above, because oil is less dense than the seawater contained within the tubular apparatus 1, oil collected in the passageway or column of water formed by the base 2, collecting means 6 and the plurality of modular elements 5a, 5b, 5c, 5d, 5e, rises to the surface due to its natural buoyancy in seawater and does not require any pumping means. As depicted in FIG. 2A, in another embodiment of the present invention, the tubular apparatus can be constructed without a base 2.

The base 2 can be any shape necessary to achieve its desired function but as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the base is typically conically- or funnel-shaped. Because of its shape and size, the base 2 can be used to recover leaking oil from a sunken ship over an area ranging from 4,000 to 6,000 m². The diameter of the base can range from 40 to 120 m and is attached to the ocean floor 4 by way of vertical lines, 11a, 11b, 11c, 11d, 11e, 11f, 11g, which may be cables or synthetic ropes and which extend from and attach to the base 2 by way of attaching rings, 14a, 14b, 14c, 14d, 14e, 14f, 14g, and which attach to anchoring blocks, 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d, 3e, 3f, 3g, that are positioned on the ocean floor 4 around the area where the collection of oil and other fluids is to be performed.

As can be seen in FIG. 1, anchoring blocks 3a and 3g include sheaves or similar structures 26a and 26b. As will be apparent to those skilled in the art, additional anchoring blocks and sheaves may be used if necessary. As can also be seen in FIG. 1, cables 11h and 11i pass through the sheaves 26a and 26b, pass through structures such as donuts or shackles on the connecting rings, 12a, 12b, 12c, 12d (discussed below), and attach to winches, capstans or hydraulic jacks included on floating barges or platforms 25h and 25i, which can also be anchored to anchoring blocks on the ocean floor 4 by anchoring lines 8a and 8b. In order to provide vertical tension on the chimney apparatus 1, cables 11h and 11i are pulled in or tightened using the winches, capstans or hydraulic jacks on barges 25 h and 25i, thereby vertically tensioning the chimney apparatus 1. In addition or alternatively, vertical tensioning may be performed or aided by a ballasting 13 and/or by a floating means 7 included at the water surface. When lowered into position, the bottom of the base 2 can be located, for example, approximately 40 to 60 m above the ocean floor.

As will be apparent to those skilled in the art, additional anchoring means may be used to anchor the base 2. For example, metal baskets can be lowered from the surface to the ocean floor in a similar manner to the anchoring blocks. The baskets can also include sheaves similar to the anchoring blocks in order to receive the cables (see cables 11h and 11i). Once in position, ordinary anchor chain can be lowered into these metal baskets, thus forming the anchoring means. Accordingly, this type of anchoring means can be constructed quickly and easily transported to the deployment site and the weight can be tailored based on the desired application by the amount of anchor chain that is lowered into the metal baskets. Further, for more permanent operations, instead of anchoring blocks or baskets, moorings can be constructed into the ocean floor

At or near the water surface is included a surface structure or a means 6 for collecting or storing the recovered oil or other fluids. As depicted in FIG. 1, the collecting means 6 can just be an area on the water surface surrounded by the floating means 7, which contains the recovered oil or fluid 10c within its boundaries. Periodically, the recovered oil or fluid 10c can be pumped into storage vessels or recovery tankers.

As depicted in FIGS. 3 and 4, the means 6 for collecting the oil or other fluids can also be, for example, a surface storage vessel including, for example, a toroidal-shaped float 6a with a central watertight steel chamber of approximately 20 to 30 m in diameter and a fabric skirt 6b of approximately 80 m in height that is tensioned by ballasts 6c hung around its lower edge. The diameter and height of the means 6 for collecting the oil or other fluid is optimized to provide a holding capacity of approximately 150,000 barrels to accommodate sudden outbursts of oil and to provide a buffer during pumping of the recovered oil from the collecting means 6. The collecting means 6 can also include tensioning devices such as winches, capstans and/or hydraulic jacks that attach to cables 6d, which attach to additional anchoring blocks on the ocean floor 4. These tensioning devices, can be used to adjust the vertical position or depth of the collecting means 6 with respect to the water surface. Thus, the collecting means 6 can be submerged below the water surface (FIG. 3) to avoid damage and unnecessary stresses and strains on the modular elements as a result of waves, swells or bad weather. The collecting means 6 can also be positioned on the surface (FIG. 4) in order to allow removal of the recovered oil or fluid. Moreover, the collecting means 6 can include an extraction pipe or hose 50 that can be extended when submerged so that extraction of recovered oil or fluids can be performed while submerged. As will be apparent to those skilled in the art, the collecting means 6 can have any shape and can be designed to either satisfy differing functions or to perform in different sea conditions.

One embodiment of the collecting means 6, operates as follows. Oil that enters the base 2 of the chimney apparatus 1 rises to the surface as a result of its natural buoyancy in seawater. At the surface, the collecting means 6 contains the oil within its boundaries. Because the oil is less dense than the seawater, the oil forms a layer on top of the sweater at the surface. The more oil, the deeper the layer of oil. The layer of oil can then be siphoned off the water surface and pumped into a recovery tanker or vessel.

As can be seen in FIGS. 1 and 2 and as discussed above, connecting the base 2 to the collecting means 6 are a plurality of cylindrical modular elements, 5a, 5b, 5c, 5d, 5e. Typically, each modular element, 5a, 5b, 5c, 5d, 5e, is approximately 10 to 50 m in height and can range from 3 to 15 m in diameter. The membrane that forms each modular element, 5a, 5b, 5c, 5d, 5e, is made from several vertical panels that are joined together along their edges or along their vertical or sloped edges to form the cylindrical structure of the modular element (discussed below). Included at the top and bottom of each modular element, 5a, 5b, 5c, 5d, 5e, are connection rings, 12a, 12b, 12c, 12d, which are used to connect adjacent modular elements together or to connect a modular element 5a to the base 2 or a modular element 5e to the collecting means 6. In addition to being used to connect the components of the chimney apparatus 1 to each other, the connection rings provide radial tensioning of the modular elements in order to maintain the cylindrical shape of the modular elements and the chimney apparatus 1. Attaching the base 2 to the connection ring 12a of modular element 5a, stabilizes the bottom of the vertical column 5.

The connecting rings, 12a, 12b, 12c, 12d, are designed to withstand radial tension or compression and can be made from different materials depending on the intended use of the chimney apparatus 1 and/or the duration of submersion. Examples of these materials include metals such as steel, aluminum and/or other metals and alloys, laminated woods that can advantageously be used for their natural buoyancy, reinforced composite materials that include preforms woven from glass, ceramics, carbon, aramid, polyethylene, etc. and embedded in a matrix material such as an epoxy resin.

As previously disclosed, the modular elements, 5a, 5b, 5c, 5d, 5e, that form the tubular apparatus 1, are joined together using a plurality of connecting rings, 12a, 12b, 12c, 12d. As depicted in FIG. 5, the fabric membrane 100 that forms the modular elements, 5a, 5b, 5c, 5d, 5e, attaches to the connecting rings, 12a, 12b, 12c, 12d, by, for example, bolting, clamping, or lashing the fabric membrane 100 to the connecting rings, 12a, 12b, 12c, 12d. As will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, additional means for attaching the fabric membrane 100 to the connecting rings, 12a, 12b, 12c, 12d, may be used. As also depicted in FIG. 5, in one embodiment, the connecting rings, 12a, 12b, 12c, 12d, can be a one-piece structure where the bottom end 102 of one modular element attaches to a top portion 104 of a connecting ring, 12a, 12b, 12c, 12d, and the top end 106 of an adjacent modular element attaches to a bottom portion 108 of the same connecting ring, 12a, 12b, 12c, 12d.

Depicted in FIGS. 6 and 7 is another embodiment of a one-piece connecting ring that can be used to join the modular elements together. As shown in the FIGS., the cross-section of the connection ring can be in the shape of an equilateral triangle. Forming the triangular-shaped connection ring are three circular bars, 18, 20, 21. Joining the circular bars, 18, 20, 21, to each other are an additional three bars, 16, 17, 18, that, as can be seen in FIG. 7, are in the form of a sinusoid, thereby forming a truss-like structure. Thus, sinusoidal bar 16 connects bars 18 and 20 to each other, sinusoidal bar 17 connects bars 18 and 21 to each other, and sinusoidal bar 19 connects bars 20 and 21 to each other. Moreover, the cross-sectional profile of the one-piece connection ring can be H-shaped or U-shaped.

In another embodiment, as depicted in FIGS. 8 and 9, the connecting rings, 12a, 12b, 12c, 12d, can be a two-piece structure having a top half 150 and a bottom half 152 where the bottom end 102 of one modular element attaches to the top half 150 of the connecting ring, 12a, 12b, 12c, 12d, and the top end 106 of an adjacent modular element attaches to the bottom half 152 of the connecting ring, 12a, 12b, 12c, 12d. As can be seen in FIG. 9, each half of the two-piece connection ring can be u-shaped such that each half has an inner portion 154 (a portion located on the interior of the fabric membrane 100) and an outer portion 156 (a portion located on the exterior of the fabric membrane 100). Each half of the connecting ring may also include (i) a plurality of openings or slots 158 in its horizontal surface to receive a connection plate 160 having a plurality of holes 162 therein, and (ii) a plurality of holes 164 on the vertical surfaces of the inner and outer portions, 154, 156, which correspond to the plurality of holes 162 in the connection plate 160. Thus, as depicted in FIGS. 8 and 9, in order to connect adjacent modular elements together, the top half 150 and the bottom half 152 of the connecting ring are brought into contact with each other such that the plurality of openings or slots 158 line up with each other. Once the top and bottom halves, 150, 152, of the connection ring are aligned, a plurality of connection plates 160, each including at least one top hole 166 and one bottom hole 168, which correspond to the holes 164 in the top and bottom halves, 150, 152, of the connecting ring, are inserted into the openings or slots 158. Lastly, bolts, pins, or similar structures 170 are inserted into the holes 164 in the top and bottom halves, 150, 152, of the connecting ring and through the holes, 166, 168, in the connection plate 160. If bolts are used, the holes on the inner portions 154 of the connecting rings may be threaded to receive the threaded bolt.

Having a two-piece connecting ring makes joining the modular elements together during the deployment process (discussed below) easier and quicker, thus reducing deployment time. Deployment time is reduced because each half of the connection ring can be attached to a modular element on shore prior to deployment. Then, during deployment, each half of the connecting ring can be joined together, for example, in the manner described above, which is quicker and easier than joining the ends of adjacent modular elements to a single connection ring through clamping, which may require the use of hundreds of screws for each end of the modular elements.

In another embodiment, the connecting rings, 12a, 12b, 12c, 12d, can be a torus-shaped fabric structure that is filled and inflated with water and super pressurized by one or two pairs of bladders filled with oil where at least one bladder is included in the torus-shaped structure and at least another bladder is located 20 to 40 m deeper. These bladders are connected to each other with a hose, pipe or other similar structure. The difference in densities between oil and sea water at this depth generates 400 to 800 millibars of suppression in the torus, regardless of depth. That is, water pressure on the lower bladder is transmitted to the upper bladder in the torus through the hose or pipe that connects the two bladders. This occurs because, as previously discussed, oil is less dense than water and thus, for every 20 meters of depth, 2 bars of water pressure is created. Thus, a 20 m difference in depth between the oil in the 2 bladders produces 1.6 bars of pressure (density=0.8 kg/dm³). Therefore, the pressure in the upper bladder is 0.4 bars (or 400 millibars) more than that of the water surrounding the torus, which provides the surpression or stiffness.

As shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, when the tubular apparatus 1 is vertically or axially tensioned, each modular element, 5a, 5b, 5c, 5d, 5e, contracts in the radial direction, thereby reducing the middle diameter by approximately 15% and forming a paraboloid hyperbolic structure. The top end and bottom end of each modular element maintains its original diameter as a result of the attached connecting rings, 12a, 12b, 12c, 12d. Thus, because of the paraboloid hyperbolic shape of the tensioned modular elements, the fabric panels that are used to construct each modular element cannot be simple rectangles. Instead, as depicted in FIG. 12, separate panels, 22, 23, 24, each having the paraboloid hyperbolic shape shown in FIG. 12, are joined together along their vertical or sloped edges such that when all of the panels, 22, 23, 24, are joined, the paraboloid hyperbolic cylindrical structure depicted in FIGS. 10 and 11 is formed. The panels, 22, 23, 24, can be joined or bonded to each other by high frequency welding. As will be apparent to those skilled in the art, other methods may also be used to join the panels to each other. As depicted in FIG. 12, face E is the exterior face of the modular element.

To help reinforce each individual modular element, 5a, 5b, 5c, 5d, 5e, as depicted in FIG. 11, the fabric membrane 100 that forms the modular elements can be reinforced by synthetic ropes, cables, or similar structures 172 that are crossed with each other and straight tensioned between the connection rings. These reinforcing structures 172 act as hyperbolic surface generators and withstand the axial tension, which is transmitted to the connection rings from the adjacent modular elements. In addition, connecting these reinforcing structures 172 in this manner, helps aid against torsional stresses. As can be seen in FIG. 8, in one embodiment, the reinforcing structures 172 can be attached to the elements 170 that are used to fasten the top and bottom halves, 150, 152, of the two-piece connecting rings together.

Depicted in FIG. 13 is another embodiment of a tubular apparatus 1′. In FIG. 13, the same reference numbers are used for components similar to those shown in FIG. 1. As can be seen in FIG. 13, the base 2′ is attached to the ocean floor using cables or ropes 11′ and 11″ that attach to anchoring blocks 3′ and 3″ positioned on the ocean floor and the floating means 7 on the ocean surface is anchored in position using ropes or cables 8c and 8d that are also attached to anchoring blocks on the ocean floor. As can further be seen in FIG. 13, zone ZF is the zone that includes the base 2′ and the anchoring blocks 3′ and 3″ and zone ZC is the zone that includes the modular elements that form the vertical column or passageway. In ideal conditions in calm seas without any currents, the modular elements in zone ZC assume a vertical position depicted by line Z-Z′. However, in high currents, because both the floating means 7 and the base 2′ are anchored in position, the modular elements in zone ZC assume the shape depicted by dotted line L in FIG. 13. The modular elements in zone ZC can assume shape L without fear of damage because the fabric materials used to construct the modular elements are flexible. Thus, the chimney apparatuses according to embodiments of the present invention, avoid the problems of damage associated with using rigid piping in high current conditions. As with the tubular apparatus 1 of FIG. 1, a barge or tanker 15 can be used to harvest the recovered oil or fluid.

The materials used to construct the modular elements, 5a, 5b, 5c, 5d, 5e, and the base 2, can be textile fabrics made of synthetic yarns and are such that the fabrics are impermeable to fluids, i.e., seawater and oil. Accordingly, the column of water created by the tubular apparatus, is isolated from the surrounding water and, as a result, prevents the surrounding water from becoming contaminated with any oil or other contaminants that enter and rise up the tubular apparatus. Thus, the tubular apparatus can be used to form an impermeable barrier between the column of water contained on its interior and the water on its exterior.

The fabric can be a pre-stressed fabric, for example, Préconstraint® 1502 from the Ferrari® Textiles Corp. The internal side of the fabric, i.e., the side of the fabric on the interior of the modular elements or base, can be coated with an anti-adhesive coating or laminated with an oil repellant in order to prevent the oil or other fluids from adhering or sticking to the interior surfaces of the tubular apparatus 1 as the oil or fluids ascend within the tubular apparatus 1. Examples of this coating include, and are not limited to Tedlar® and Teflon® from DuPont™, PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene), silicone, and any other coating that has anti-adhesion properties. The anti-adhesive coatings as well as additional coatings, can be used to help render the modular elements and the base of the chimney apparatus impermeable to water and other fluids.

Although embodiments of the present invention have been described as having fabric or textile components, as will be apparent to those skilled in the art, additional materials may be used.

Some applications may require that the tubular apparatus 1 have thermal insulative properties either (1) to protect against the colder water at the deeper portions of the tubular apparatus 1 and thereby prevent any gas associated with leaking oil from crystallizing or (2) to keep the deeper water cold as it rises to the surface so it can be used in an OTEC or SWAC process. As depicted in FIG. 14, the required thermal insulation can be achieved by constructing the modular elements, 5a, 5b, 5c, 5d, 5e, and the base 2 as a double-walled structure so that the modular elements and base would be structures comprised of an inner wall 200 and an outer wall 202 with a gap 204 therebetween. That is, the tubular apparatus 1 would comprise a pair of concentric structures. Thus, a layer of water, which would act as an insulator, would be maintained in the gap 204 between the inner and outer walls, 202, 204, of the tubular apparatus, thereby inhibiting convection and only allowing thermal conduction to take place on a small scale. Moreover, in order to help prevent gas crystallization or to bring warm water down to the base of the chimney apparatus, a pipe can be inserted within the vertical column formed by the modular elements down to the base. This pipe can be used to bring warm water down to the base in order to heat the oil or any crystals that form. Naturally warmer water from the surface can be used or colder water can be heated. Warm water can be delivered down to the base simply by maintaining a column of water at a certain height above the water surface thereby creating a head pressure that naturally forces the warm water down the pipe towards the base.

A non-limiting example of a structure constructed in accordance with embodiments of the present invention will now be discussed with reference to FIG. 1. A prestressed fabric (i.e. a fabric coated with warp yarns and weft yarns under tension) having polyester warp and weft yarns coated with PVC (polyvinyl chloride) is used. As previously discussed, the fabric can be Ferrari® Textiles Corp.'s Précontraint® 1502 fabric. For a chimney apparatus 1 to be used at a depth of 3,800 m, approximately 74 modular elements each having a height of 50 m are needed. For each of these modular elements, the top and bottom diameter (the diameter of the connection ring) will be 12 m and the constrained middle diameter will be 9 m. As discussed above with reference to FIG. 12, each modular element is constructed from a plurality of fabric panels, 22, 23, 24, that are joined together along their lengths. However, to produce the instant 12 m diameter modular elements, twelve 2.50 m wide panels are joined together.

The base 2 is made from the same fabric as the modular elements and has a bottom diameter of 120 m and a top diameter of 12 m corresponding to the diameter of the first connection ring 5a, which is connected to the top of the base 2. A base 2 of this size has an approximate weight of 25 to 30 metric tons. In order to connect the modular elements to each other and to the base 2, 75 connection rings will be used, each having a diameter of 12 m. In one embodiment, the connection rings will be aluminum and will have a height of approximately 55 cm. As depicted in FIGS. 6 and 7, bars 20 and 21 have a diameter of approximately 40 mm, bar 18 has a diameter of approximately 50 mm, bars 16, 17 and 19, which connect to or brace bars 19, 20 and 21, approximately every 50 cm, have a diameter of 20 mm. It is not unreasonable for a chimney apparatus 1 of this size to recover oil, for example, on the magnitude of 100,000 to 200,000 barrels per day.

Deployment of the tubular apparatus 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 13. All of the elements that make up the tubular apparatus 1 can be stored on land and then loaded onto specially adapted barges or platforms. Such barges or platforms would be adapted to have some type of central opening or can be horseshoe-shaped to allow the tubular apparatus 1 to be lowered into place. These barges or platforms would include all of the equipment and controls to deploy the chimney apparatus 1. All of the winches, capstans, hydraulic jacks, cables, ropes, cranes, generators, etc., would also be included on these barges or platforms such that the deployment operation would be self contained.

Because the modular elements are made from a fabric material, each modular element can be folded onto itself within its connection rings thereby forming a folded structure that is very compact and does not take up much space (when folded, the volume of each modular element is reduced by approximately 90%). The base 2 can also be folded and stored in a similar manner. Because the elements of the chimney apparatus 1 can be folded and thus, reduced in volume, storage costs are reduced. When needed, all of the chimney apparatus 1 components are loaded onto the specially adapted barges or platforms and brought out to the recovery site. Again, because the components can be folded and their volumes reduced, more components can be included on fewer barges or platforms reducing deployment costs and deployment times as less trips to the deployment site will be necessary.

Once at the deployment site, the anchoring blocks, 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d, 3e, 3f, 3g, are positioned on the ocean floor 4 around the recovery area. Connected to the anchoring blocks, 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d, 3e, 3f, 3g, by way of sheaves or other similar device, 26a and 26b, are a plurality of cables or ropes, 11a, 11b, 11c, 11d, 11e, 11f, 11g. One end of these cables or ropes, 11a, 11b, 11c, 11d, 11e, 11f, 11g, fixedly attach to the bottom of the base 2 by way of connecting rings, 14a, 14b, 14c, 14d, 14e, 14f, 14g, and the other end of the cables or ropes attach to winches, capstans or hydraulic jacks included on the barges or platforms. The length of cables or rope required for the ocean depth at the recovery site is also stored on these winches, capstans or drums included on the barges or vessels. Connecting the cables or ropes to the anchoring blocks, the base 2, and the winches, capstans, or hydraulic jacks, allows the anchoring blocks with the ropes or cables connected through the sheaves first to be lowered into position on the ocean floor and then permits the base and modular elements to be lowered to the ocean floor only after all of the anchoring blocks are positioned. In other words, connecting the ropes or cables to the anchoring blocks is not a two step process. Because sheaves are used, the anchoring blocks can be lowered in position with the ropes or cables attached, without dragging the base along with them. Thus, because the ropes or cables are already attached to the anchoring blocks through the sheaves, after the anchoring blocks are positioned, a separate procedure is not required to attach the cables to the already positioned anchoring blocks.

Once the anchoring blocks are positioned, the base 2 and connected modular elements can then be winched down into position on the ocean floor. During the winching process, the cables or ropes, one end of which is attached to the winches, capstans or hydraulic jacks, and the other end of which is attached to the base 2, travel through the sheaves on the anchoring blocks and are taken in by the winches, capstans, or hydraulic jacks, thereby causing the base 2 to be pulled down towards the anchoring blocks into position. When modular units are added to the tubular apparatus 1, the shackles 210 on the connecting rings (see FIG. 11) are attached to the ropes or cables. Thus, when the cables are tensioned, the base 2 assumes its desired conical or funnel shape and the modular elements that form the vertical portion in zone ZC, are vertically stabilized. Deployment in this manner, allows the tubular apparatus 1 to be lowered into position on the ocean floor without the need for human interaction on the ocean floor. Instead, the deployment process can be monitored on the ocean floor by way of a remotely operated vehicle (ROV). Further, anchoring the base 2 to the ocean floor 4 in this manner, allows the position of the base 2 to be adjusted by loosening certain ropes or cables while tightening certain other ropes or cables.

During the deployment process, as the base 2 is winched down into position on the ocean floor, each modular unit is attached to the preceding modular unit by way of the connecting rings. Thus, the tubular apparatus 1 is essentially constructed on site as it is being lowered into position.

As previously discussed, embodiments of the present invention avoid the gas crystallization problems of prior devices. Additional reasons as to why crystallization of gas is not an issue with the present chimney apparatus include (1) the large diameter of the vertical column formed by the base and the modular elements, minimizes if not eliminates any possibility of any crystals that form from obstructing the chimney apparatus and (2) as any crystals that form rise to the surface within the vertical column, the seawater in the column, which naturally warms up closer to the surface, also warms the crystals causing the crystals to regenerate as a gas. Any crystals that do make it to the surface can be collected and burned off. Essentially, the large diameter of the chimney apparatus permits the leaking oil and any gas crystals that form, to behave as they normally would in the open ocean.

In order to avoid any possibility of leaking oil from escaping and polluting the oceans during offshore drilling operations as a result of damage to the subsurface well or piping, the present chimney apparatus could be used as a permanent containment vessel that encloses all of the oil piping, structures and equipment that extend from the oil rig to the well on the ocean floor. Thus, any leaking oil would rise within the column of water formed by the chimney apparatus and would be collected or contained at the surface by a collecting means 6. Any oil collected by the collecting means 6, would then be pumped or siphoned off into the regular components on the oil rig that are used to retrieve and collect oil from the well. In addition to providing a containment vessel for leaking oil, the chimney apparatus would, as discussed above, provide a column of calm water around the oil piping, thereby sheltering the piping from rough sea conditions and possible damage. The oil piping can be stabilized and/or centered within the chimney apparatus by structures that attach to the piping and the connecting rings of the modular elements.

If the tubular apparatus disclosed herein is used for OTEC or SWAC, the collecting means 6 at the top of the tubular apparatus 1 may not be necessary. Instead, the last or topmost modular element may form a surface structure that can be connected to the OTEC or SWAC platform or plant for delivery of the cold seawater.

Not only can the present tubular apparatus 1 be used to collect and transport fluids vertically as depicted in FIGS. 1 and 13, it may also be used to collect and transport fluids horizontally or along an incline. Such configurations may be used to cross underwater canyons.

In one embodiment, as depicted in FIG. 15, when the tubular structure 1 is naturally buoyant (based on certain conditions of use), the tubular structure 1 can be anchored at multiple points along its length on the body of water's bottom 300. Ballasts or any other anchoring means 302 previously disclosed herein, may be used to anchor the tubular structure 1. In one embodiment, the anchoring means 302 is a deadweight created by a special connecting box that can resist the tension and lift created by the buoyant tubular structure 1. The connecting box can be lowered with the tubular structure 1 attached using cables or similar structures 304, which can be attached to floats or similar structures 306, which can be used to tension the cables 304. Because of the tubular structure's 1 buoyancy, it forms a parabolic arc between the anchor points as depicted in FIG. 15. Essentially, in this embodiment, the tubular structure 1 forms its own catenary, which is tensioned axially.

In another embodiment where the tubular structure 1 is naturally buoyant, as depicted in FIG. 16, a catenary cable 400 may be used to hold the tubular structure 1 in a horizontal configuration. In this embodiment, the catenary cable 400 is anchored to the body of water's bottom 402 at multiple locations using any of the previously disclosed anchoring means 404. The buoyant tubular structure 1 is then be attached to the catenary cable 400 at numerous locations along its length using a plurality of tether means 406, which may be cables or the like. These tether means 406 may, for example, attach to the tubular structure's connecting rings. In addition, floats or similar structures 408 attached to the tubular structure 1 by way of tethers 410. Using floats 408 eases the deployment of the tubular structure 1 within the body of water and can be used to raise the tubular structure for maintenance. Thus, in this configuration, the buoyant tubular structure 1 is tethered in place within the body of water in the configuration depicted in FIG. 16.

In another embodiment depicted in FIG. 17 where the tubular structure 1 is not buoyant, the tubular structure 1 can be suspended, for example, by its connecting rings, from a catenary cable 500 within the body of water using a plurality of suspension cables 502. In this embodiment, the catenary cable 500 is attached to multiple vertical tethers 504, which can be cables or the like. One end of the vertical tethers 504 connects to a float or similar structure 506 and the other end of the tethers 504 are anchored to the body of water's bottom 508 using any of the previously disclosed anchoring means 510. Thus, in this configuration, the tethers 504 are vertically suspended within the body of water, thereby causing the catenary cable 500 and the tubular structure 1 to also be suspended in the body of water in the geometry depicted in FIG. 16 (similar to a suspension bridge).

Because horizontal or inclined tubular structures cannot be tensioned by gravity like vertical tubular structures, axial tensioners must be employed. These tensioners are used to adjust the length of the tubular structure and are in the form of specially constructed modular elements. FIG. 18 depicts an embodiment of such a tensioner. As can be seen in FIG. 18, the connecting rings 600 at each end of the tensioning modular element 610 are surrounded by a structure comprising a plurality of pulleys 620, for example, 8 pulleys on each structure. Running between the pulleys 620 is a cable. If 8 pulleys 620 on each structure are used, 16 reeving lines 630 are formed. The cable and hence the reeving lines 630, are tensioned by a counterweight 640 of, for example, 10 tons, that is attached to the two cable ends. This configuration creates a tension of 80 tons between the connecting rings 600. These tensioning modular elements 610 can be installed between standard modular elements and can be spaced a few hundred meters apart. Lastly, because the length of these tensioning modular elements 610 can be lengthened or shortened, the fabric or membrane that makes up these modular elements is accordion-shaped.

Although a preferred embodiment of the present invention and modifications thereof have been described in detail herein, it is to be understood that this invention is not limited to these precise embodiments and modifications, and that other modifications and variations may be effected by one skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the above-discussed embodiments of the invention. For example, the embodiments of the present invention could also be used to recover oil and/or to provide an isolated column of water in lakes.

Claims

1. An apparatus for transporting fluids in a body of water, the apparatus comprising:

a surface structure;

a base structure made of a flexible material;

a plurality of modular elements disposed between and connecting the base structure and the surface structure and made of a flexible material;

a plurality of connecting rings that connect the surface structure, the base structure and the plurality of modular elements to each other;

a plurality of means for anchoring the base structure; and

a plurality of vertical lines extending between the surface structure, the plurality of modular elements, the base structure, and the means for anchoring the base structure,

wherein a plurality of reinforcing elements extend between connecting rings located on each end of the modular elements.

2. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least one of the connecting rings is a two-piece structure comprising a top half and a bottom half.

3. The apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein the top half of the two-piece connecting ring attaches to a bottom end of a first modular element and the bottom half of the two-piece connecting ring attaches to a top end of a second modular element.

4. The apparatus as claimed in claim 3, wherein the first and second modular elements are attached to one another by connecting the top half of the two-piece connecting ring to the bottom half of the two-piece connecting ring.

5. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the connecting rings are torus-shaped fabric structures that are filled with water and super pressurized by bladders filled with oil.

6. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the flexible material is a fabric membrane.

7. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least the plurality of modular elements are constructed as double walled structures having an interior wall, an exterior wall, and a gap therebetween.

8. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the surface structure is a means for collecting fluids.

9. The apparatus as claimed in claim 8, wherein a vertical position of the means for collecting fluids can be adjusted from a location at a water surface to a depth below the water surfaced.

10. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the apparatus is used to transport oil.

11. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the apparatus is used in an OTEC process.

12. The apparatus as claimed in claim 11, wherein the surface structure attaches to an OTEC platform.

13. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein an interior surface of the plurality of modular elements includes an anti-adhesive coating.

14. An apparatus for transporting fluids in a body of water, the apparatus comprising:

a surface structure;

a plurality of flexible modular elements extending from the surface structure; and

a plurality of connecting rings that connect the surface structure and the plurality of modular elements to each other,

wherein at least one of the connecting rings is a two-piece structure comprising a top half and a bottom half.

15. The apparatus as claimed in claim 14, wherein the top half of the two-piece connecting ring attaches to a bottom end of a first modular element and the bottom half of the two-piece connecting ring attaches to a top end of a second modular element

16. The apparatus as claimed in claim 15, wherein the first and second modular elements are attached to one another by connecting the top half of the two-piece connecting ring to the bottom half of the two-piece connecting ring.

17. The apparatus as claimed in claim 14, wherein the flexible modular elements comprise a fabric material.

18. The apparatus as claimed in claim 14, wherein the apparatus is used in an OTEC process.

19. The apparatus as claimed in claim 14, wherein prior to deployment, the plurality of modular elements are folded such that their pre deployed volume is less than their deployed volume.

20. A method of transporting cold water for use in an OTEC process, the method comprising the steps of:

constructing the apparatus as claimed in claim 14 at a location in a body of water; and

transporting cold water within the apparatus from a depth in the body of water to a location where the OTEC process is in operation.

21. A system for generating renewable energy, the system comprising:

a plant for processing large volumes of water transported from a body of water, wherein the plant includes a platform; and

a tubular structure for transporting the large volumes of water, the tubular structure comprising: a surface structure for attaching to the platform; a plurality of flexible modular elements extending from the surface structure; and a plurality of connecting rings that connect the surface structure and the plurality of modular elements to each other.

22. The apparatus as claimed in claim 21, wherein at least one of the connecting rings is a two-piece structure comprising a top half and a bottom half.