Device and method for crushing rock by means of pulsed electric energy

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for processing submerged material at the bottom of a body of water, like the bottom of the sea, by application of electric energy, comprising providing electrodes in a process zone proximate the material for providing an electric current through the material for crushing the material, and displacing of fluid of the body of water away from the process zone to outside the process zone before application of the electric energy.

Claims

1. Method for processing submerged material at the bottom of a body of water, like the bottom of the sea, by application of electric energy, wherein the method comprises providing electrodes for application of the electric energy in a process zone proximate the material for crushing the material, and displacing of fluid of the body of water away from the process zone to outside the process zone before application of the electric energy.

2. Method according to claim 1, wherein the displacing of fluid of the body of water away from the process zone comprises introducing an electrically insulating body in the process zone.

3. Method according to claim 1, wherein the displacing of fluid of the body of water away from the process zone comprises introducing an electrically insulating fluid (7) under pressure in the process zone.

4. Method according to claim 3, wherein the electrically insulating fluid under pressure has a low electrical conductivity.

5. Method according to claim 3, comprising on site producing the electrically insulating fluid.

6. Method according to claim 1, wherein the submerged material comprises rock.

7. Method according to claim 2, wherein fluid of the body of water is partly displaced away from the process zone to outside the process zone such that a layer of fluid of the body of water remains on top of the submerged material before application of the electric energy.

8. Method according to claim 2, wherein substantially all fluid of the body of water is displaced away from the process zone to outside the process zone such that the application of the electric energy causes providing an electric current through the material.

9. Device for processing submerged material at the bottom of a body of water, like the bottom of the sea, by application of electric energy, wherein the device comprises electrodes configured to be arranged in a process zone proximate the material for providing an electric current through the material, and means for displacing fluid of the body of water away from the process zone to outside the process zone before application of the electric energy.

10. Device according to claim 9, wherein the means for displacing fluid of the body of water comprises an electrically insulating body arranged proximate the electrodes.

11. Device according to claim 9, where the means for displacing fluid of the body of water comprise a discharge opening arranged proximate the electrodes for introducing an electrically insulating fluid under pressure in the process zone.

12. Device according to claim 11, comprising a container filled with the electrically insulating fluid, which container is in fluid connection with the discharge opening.

13. Device according to claim 11, wherein the electrically insulating fluid has a low electrical conductivity.

14. Device according to a claim 9, comprising a shielding member arranged around the process zone for holding the electrically insulating fluid in the process zone.

15. Device according to claim 9, comprising measuring means arranged in the process zone for measuring electrical conductivity in the process zone.

16. Device according to claim 9, wherein the electrodes comprise a pair of concentric electrodes.

17. Method according to claim 4, wherein the electrically insulating fluid under pressure has an electrical conductivity below 500 mS/m.

18. Method according to claim 17, wherein the electrically insulating fluid under pressure has an electrical conductivity below 50 mS/m.

Description

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0030] The invention will be further elucidated referring to embodiments shown in the schematic drawings wherein shown in:

[0031] FIG. 1 in side view electrodes in a process zone while executing a prior art method;

[0032] FIG. 2 in side view electrodes in a process zone while executing a method according to the invention;

[0033] FIG. 3 in side view a device according to the invention for processing submerged material at the bottom of the sea by application of electric energy; and

[0034] FIG. 4 in side view a further embodiment of a device according to the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0035] FIG. 1 shows in side view electrodes 1 in a process zone while executing a prior art method. The process zone is filled with sea water 4. Because of the electrical conductivity of seawater, a discharge 12 between the electrodes 1 will take a path through the seawater and will therefore not have a desired effect of crushing the submerged material 6.

[0036] FIG. 2 shows in side view electrodes 1 in a process zone 2 while executing a method according to the invention. The electrodes 1 are arranged proximate the material 6 at the bottom of the body of water 4. Here, the electrodes 1 do not contact the material 6. The submerged material 6 at the bottom of the sea, is processed by application of electric energy, shown as a spark 12. Seawater 3 is displaced (see FIGS. 3 and 4), that is removed, from the process zone 2 away from the process zone 2 to outside the process zone 2 before application of the electric energy. As a result, the electric energy is more effective in terms of crushed material at the bottom of the sea. Usually, the material 6 at the bottom of the sea comprises rock.

[0037] FIG. 3 shows in side view a device according to the invention for processing submerged material 6 at the bottom of the sea by application of electric energy. The fluid of the body of water 4 is displaced away from the process zone 2 through introducing an electrically insulating body 5 in the process zone 2. The electrically insulating body is an example of a means for displacing fluid of the body of water 4 away from the process zone 2 to outside the process zone before application of the electric energy. The electrically insulating body 5 is arranged proximate the electrodes 1. Here, the electrically insulating body 5 extends between the electrodes 1. In this case, the electrically insulating body 5 contacts the material 6 at the bottom of the sea.

[0038] In dashed line, the electrically insulating body 5 is shown in a position wherein the fluid of the body of water is partly displaced away from the process zone to outside the process zone. In this position of the electrically insulating body 5, a layer of fluid of the body of water remains on top of the submerged material before application of the electric energy. This way, it is possible to create a shockwave in the layer of fluid of the body of water on top of the submerged material. This shockwave then has its effect on the submerged material. In this embodiment the electric energy is applied to the submerged material indirectly through the layer of fluid.

[0039] FIG. 4 shows in side view a further embodiment of a device according to the invention. The device is provided with a nozzle 8 as a means for displacing fluid of the body of water 4 away from the process zone 2 to outside the process zone 2 before application of the electric energy. The nozzle 8 is arranged proximate the electrodes 1. The nozzle introduces an electrically insulating fluid 7 under pressure in the process zone 2. The electrically insulating fluid 7 displaces fluid of the body of water 4 away from the process zone 2 to outside the process zone 2. The electrically insulating fluid under pressure has a low electrical conductivity, in particular below 500 mS/m, more particular below 50 mS/m.

[0040] In this case, the electrically insulating fluid is produced on site. To store the insulating fluid 7, the device comprises a container 9 filled with the electrically insulating fluid 7. The container 9 is in fluid connection with the nozzle 8. The insulating fluid 7 is pressurized by any suitable means.

[0041] As an option, the device has a shielding member 10 for holding the electrically insulating fluid 7 in the process zone 2. The shielding member 10 is arranged around the process zone 2 for holding the electrically insulating fluid 7 in the process zone 2.

[0042] As a further option, the device comprises a measuring means 11 for measuring electrical conductivity in the process zone 2. The measuring means 11 is arranged in the process zone 2.

[0043] In dashed line, the possibility is shown that the fluid of the body of water is partly displaced away from the process zone to outside the process zone such that a layer of fluid of the body of water remains on top of the submerged material before application of the electric energy. This way, it is possible to create a shockwave in the layer of fluid of the body of water on top of the submerged material. This shockwave then has its effect on the submerged material 6. In this embodiment the electric energy is applied to the submerged material 6 indirectly through the layer of fluid.

[0044] It will also be obvious after the above description and drawings are included to illustrate some embodiments of the invention, and not to limit the scope of protection. Starting from this disclosure, many more embodiments will be evident to a skilled person which are within the scope of protection and the essence of this invention and which are obvious combinations of prior art techniques and the disclosure of this patent.