Apparatus and method for transferring material to subaqueous levels

• US 5,237,946 A
• Filed: 09/24/1991
• Issued: 08/24/1993
• Est. Priority Date: 01/23/1989
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Doi Patent Holding Corporation
• Original Assignee: Doi Patent Holding Corporation
• Inventors: Copson, Alex G.
• Primary Examiner(s): Mitchell, David M.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Avila, Stephen P.
• Application Number:
  US07/765,919
• Time in Patent Office: 700 Days
• Field of Search: 114/26-38, 114/144 B, 114/264, 114/265, 114/270, 405/154, 137/236.1, 141/1, 414/138, 414/140, 414/137.7
• US Class Current: 114/27
• CPC Class Codes: B09B 1/002 Sea dumping

Abstract

A method of disposal of waste material on subaqueous ground is disclosed, and comprises transporting the material to a location above a selected site for disposal, conveying the material in a vessel to a level at, or close to, the subaqueous ground, and depositing the material onto the subaqueous ground. The vessel travels under free-fall conditions for part of its descent. Also provided is a vessel which comprises a generally cylindrical body comprising a containment area having an opening at its upper end for receiving material which is to be transported by the vessel, and having at its lower end means for permitting egress of the material. The vessel is provided, at a position intermediate its upper end and its center of mass, with at least two [wing-like] wing members at diametrally opposed positions; and is also provided with means for pivoting the [wing-like] wing members between a first position in which they lie substantially flat against the exterior of the vessel and a second position in which they extend outwardly from the body of the vessel. In the second position, they present an increased surface area to the surrounding water and provide thereby a decelerating effect on the motion of the vessel when the vessel is moving downwardly within the body of water. A marine system for subaqueous waste disposal is also disclosed, which comprises a ship and a vessel generally as described above.

Claims

1. A method of disposal of waste material on subaqueous ground substantially without said material coming into contact with surrounding water during descent, which comprises transporting said material to a location above a selected site for disposal, conveying said material in a vessel in a descending path to a level at, or close to, said subaqueous ground, and depositing said material out of said vessel onto said subaqueous ground, wherein said conveying step includes moving said vessel under free fall conditions for part of its descent to said level.

2. A method according to claim 1, wherein said vessel travels under free-fall conditions for a first period, and thereafter is decelerated during a second period as it approaches said level.

3. A method according to claim 2, wherein a depth of said subaqueous ground is calculated and wherein said first, free-fall period and said second, decelerating period are calculated as a function of said depth.

4. A method according to claim 3, wherein duration of said first and second periods are calculated before said vessel descends.

5. A method according to claim 3, wherein duration of said first and second periods are calculated while said vessel descends.

6. A method according to claim 1, wherein said vessel is held at said level at, or close to, said subaqueous ground by means of a rope, chain or similar attachment.

7. A method according to claim 1, wherein a hollow is formed in said subaqueous ground when said vessel is at said level and prior to depositing said material onto said subaqueous ground.

8. A method according to claim 1, wherein said waste material is subjected to processing prior to the descent of said material to said level.

9. A method according to claim 1, wherein said waste material is subjected to processing during the descent of said material to said level.

10. A method according to claim 1, wherein said waste material is subjected to processing after the deposition of said material onto said subaqueous ground.

11. A method according to claim 1, wherein vent apertures provided with non-return valves are accommodated in said vessel, which, is use, permit water to enter said vessel but prevent egress of said material therefrom.

12. A method according to claim 11, wherein said vent apertures are opened when said material is being deposited on said subaqueous ground.

13. A method according to claim 11, wherein after deposition of said material onto said subaqueous ground, the vessel is returned to a surface, and wherein said vent apertures remain open during its return to a surface.

14. A vessel for transporting material from a first location at a surface of a body of water to a second location at a predetermined subaqueous level, for example at a sea bed, which vessel comprises a generally cylindrical body comprising a containment area and having an opening at its upper end for receiving material which is to be transported by the vessel, and having at its lower end means for permitting egress of material held within the containment area once said vessel has reached its predetermined second location;

wherein the vessel is provided, at a position intermediate its upper end and its centre of mass, with at least two wing members located on the exterior surface of the vessel at diametrally opposed positions; and

is provided with means for pivoting said wing members between a first position in which they lie substantially flat against the vessel exterior and a second position in which they extend outwardly from the body of the vessel so as to present an increased surface area to surrounding water and to provide thereby a decelerating effect on the vessel motion when the vessel is moving downwardly within the body of water.

15. A vessel as claimed in claim 14, wherein said wing members are moved by means of hydraulic or pneumatic rams relative to the body of said vessel.

16. A vessel as claimed in claim 15, wherein the containment area of said vessel has its internal surface provided with a non-stick coating.

17. A vessel as claimed in claim 14, wherein baffles are provided on the outer surface of said vessel.

18. A vessel as claimed in claim 17, wherein said baffles are fixed.

19. A vessel as claimed in claim 17, wherein said vessel further includes means permitting active control of the orientation of the said baffles.

20. A vessel as claimed in claim 14, wherein baffles are provided on the outer surface of the wing-like members.

21. A vessel as claimed in claim 14, which further comprises a sonar transponder.

22. A vessel as claimed in claim 14, which further comprises means for calculating when said wing members are to be moved from their first position to their second position during descent of the vessel.

23. A vessel as claimed in claim 14, which further comprises a velocity detector.

24. A vessel as claimed in claim 14, which further comprises water jets affixed to said vessel.

25. A vessel as claimed in claim 14, which further comprises stored energy accumulators.

26. A vessel as claimed in claim 14, wherein the generally cylindrical body of said vessel is disposed within an open frame.

27. A vessel as claimed in claim 14, wherein said egress of material from within the said containment area is accomplished by means of a hinged door at the lower end of said vessel.

28. A vessel as claimed in claim 27, wherein said door is opened and closed by hydraulic or pneumatic rams.

29. A marine system for disposal of material on subaqueous ground substantially without said material coming into contact with surrounding water, which comprises a ship;

a vessel carried by said ship adapted to transport said material to the subaqueous ground, said vessel being provided with a compartment to hold said material, means for releasing said material onto said subaqueous ground, and at least two wing members located on the exterior surface of the vessel at diametrally opposed positions;

said wing members being provided with means for pivoting between a first position in which they lie substantially flat against the exterior of the vessel and a second position in which they extend outwardly from the body of the vessel so as to present an increased surface area to surrounding water and to provide thereby a decelerating effect on the motion of the vessel when the vessel is moving downwardly within the body of water.

30. A marine system as claimed in claim 29, wherein said vessel includes vent apertures provided with non-return valves which, in use, permit water to enter the vessel but prevent egress of said material therefrom.

31. A method of transferring material from a first location at the surface of a body of water to a second location at a predetermined subaqueous level, which method comprises:

(a) placing the material into a vessel which comprises a containment area and having an opening at its upper end for receiving the material, and having at its lower end means for permitting egress of material held within the containment area once said vessel has reached a predetermined location, said vessel having at least two wing members;

(b) allowing the vessel to fall freely from its first location through the body of water for a predetermined distance;

(c) thereupon moving the wing members of said vessel from their first position towards their second position so as to decelerate the descent of the vessel;

(d) controlling the rate of descent of said vessel to permit it to arrive gently at said second location; and

(3) discharging the contents of the vessel.

32. A method of disposal of waste material on subaqueous ground substantially without said material coming into contact with surrounding water, which comprises transporting said material to a location above a selected site for disposal, conveying said material in a vessel in a descending path to a level at, or close to, said subaqueous ground, forming a hollow in said subaqueous ground by water jets carried by said vessel when said vessel is at said level, and after forming said hollow, depositing said material from said vessel onto said subaqueous ground, wherein said conveying step includes moving said vessel under free fall conditions for part of its descent to said level.

33. A method of disposal of waste material on subaqueous ground substantially without said material coming into contact with surrounding water, which comprises transporting said material to a location above a selected site for disposal, conveying said material in a vessel in a descending path to a level at, or close to, said subaqueous ground, and depositing said material from said vessel onto said subaqueous ground, wherein said conveying step includes moving said vessel under free fall conditions for part of its descent to said level, and wherein said waste material is subjected to chemical treatment prior to descent of said material to said level.

34. A method of disposal of waste material on subaqueous ground substantially without said material coming into contact with surrounding water, which comprises transporting said material to a location above a selected site for disposal, conveying said material in a vessel in a descending path to a level at, or close to, said subaqueous ground, and depositing said material from said vessel onto said subaqueous ground, wherein said conveying step includes moving said vessel under free fall conditions for part of its descent to said level, and wherein said waste material is subjected to chemical treatment comprising flocculation and/or coagulation prior to descent of said material to said level.

35. A method of disposal of waste material on subaqueous ground substantially without said material coming into contact with surrounding water, which comprises transporting said material to a location above a selected site for disposal, conveying said material in a vessel in a descending path to a level at, or close to, said subaqueous ground, and depositing said material from said vessel onto said subaqueous ground, wherein said conveying step includes moving said vessel under free fall conditions for part of its descent to said level, and wherein chemical reagents or additives are injected into said material through one or more nozzles either prior to or during descent of said material to said level.

36. A method of disposal of waste material on subaqueous ground substantially without said material coming into contact with surrounding water, which comprises transporting said material to a location above a selected site for disposal, conveying said material in a vessel in a descending path to a level at, or close to, said subaqueous ground, and depositing said material from said vessel onto said subaqueous ground, wherein said conveying step includes moving said vessel under free fall conditions for part of its descent to said level, and wherein said waste material is subjected to chemical treatment after deposition of said material onto said subaqueous ground by release of chemical reagents over said deposited material.