Patent Grant
11708842
This is the U.S. National Stage of International Application No. PCT/IN2019/050382, filed May 13, 2019, which was published in English under PCT Article 21(2), which in turn claims the benefit of India Application No. 201821018583, filed May 17, 2018, and India Application No. 201922018627, filed May 9, 2019, all of which are hereby incorporated herein by reference.
The present invention relates to a submersible water lifting assembly and automatic fire fighting system for unmanned platforms having said system. Particularly, the present invention relates to a submersible water lifting system for automatic firefighting at unmanned platform having said system, that is efficient yet simple to install, energy saving, noise free, and economical.
Present application is a divisional patent application to the invention disclosed in the provisional patent application number 201821018583 filed on 17 day of May 2018, providing a High Pressure Recovery Turbine Pump as said submersible water lifting assembly for energy efficient and economical part of the system that guarantees its working without diesel or electric power supply.
Present application provides an alternative submersible water lifting assembly for automatic firefighting system for unmanned platforms having said system. Said alternative submersible water lifting assembly for the present specification is a High flow Ratio ejector Pump that is efficient yet simple to install, energy saving, noise free, and economical; to be used in said automatic firefighting system.
The present disclosure specifically relate to the unmanned offshore platforms where processing of oil retrieved from earth is done. Said offshore platforms are located in the sea have marine structures known as platforms with various deck levels (say it, floors of building) to accommodate process plant for oil and gas separation (These are unlike manned platforms which accommodates living quarters for human being as well as process plant for oil and gas separation).
It is pertinent to note that the oil rich area, under earth surface (called Reservoir) is spread over large area in square kilometers. So, numbers of wells are required to be drilled over this area and offshore platforms are built on groups of such wells to maximize production of oil. Amongst said offshore platforms, one of the platforms is usually a processing platform; where the contents from all wells can be collected and processed under the supervision of men. Rest of the platforms work on automated mode and generally do not require continuous supervision and hence remain unmanned. All unmanned platforms are inter connected with said manned platform through subsea pipe lines (Subsea, generally at Sea bed level), like, well fluid lines, water injection lines, gas injection lines, etc. Wherein, said Water injection line is high pressure water line to inject water into wells for recovery of oil. Said unmanned platforms are occasionally visited by men for operational/maintenance jobs. Generally, it is remotely operated from manned platform.
Water injection systems are used for oil recovery extraction from oil reservoir (underground in the earth) by injecting high pressure water in some wells and extracting oil from other wells. This is called secondary oil recovery. The wells, in which, pressurized water is injected, are called water injection wells, whereas the wells, from which, oil extracted, are called Oil producing wells. Wells at sea bed; wherein pressurized water is injected in to the water wells to pressurize oil in the reservoir and to recover oil from the nearby oil wells, drilled by the drilling department of the oil and gas industry. The water has such high pressure that it limits the application to the above mentioned purpose and its risk to use for any other purposes at such pressure. The pressure is so high that it can damage material and men if it is used directly for firefighting purpose; and is manually difficult to control or at times is uncontrollable in given situation and with given resources.
Since Oil and natural gas are highly flammable, there is a high risk of fire associated with such platforms; which results in huge destruction and losses of assets and manpower. So the firefighting system has vital role in productivity by safeguarding assets & human lives. Existing fire-fighting systems generally uses one or more of the below technologies depending upon complexity of plant, means, nature of fire, types of area like open area or enclosed area etc.:
But there are places in offshore platforms where compatible firefighting systems are either not available or if available then it is difficult to operate in automatic mode. Also, all existing systems are not compatible for unmanned platform at offshore, either by water flow quantity or by timely action to extinguish fire.
Moreover, while certain systems require maintenance at regular intervals; during which the platform is rendered disconnected with the firefighting system. Accidents leading to fire at this point may run the risk of complete destruction and human loss. Certain systems tend to chock and fail to operate when actually required; leading to the failure to serve the purpose. Additionally, manual operation or starting of firefighting system operation is not adequate at unmanned offshore platforms; as men do not reside there. Certain systems also fail to operate in open area while others fail to serve the purpose at closed areas. Their reliability for total, efficient and all types of fire extinction at Oil and Gas platforms is questionable.
Certain incidences have been recorded, when such platforms caught fire; due to gas leakage and the installed fire-fighting system did not work or support at that moment; leading to huge losses and emergency; calling for requirement of external help. At said platforms, which are far away from land; and between water on all the sides limited external help could be provided; when such incidences take place. With the available technology for this purpose; said external help includes firefighting ships that uses high power diesel based pumps to lift water to be poured on the fire caught areas or Army/Navy helicopters for transfer of manpower and strategic planning. Thus, existing systems were proven insufficient or inefficient to safeguard the offshore platforms when fire took place. This was specifically worst when the offshore platforms were unmanned platforms.
Major letdowns were due to failure of water-lifting system to start lifting water for fire-fighting system to work; wherein said water lifting systems were heavy and bulky fire engine and pump. This lifting system needs regular maintenance which is difficult at unmanned platform as man is not residing there. Alternative water lifting systems face problems of chocking with marine growth and failure of operations when in need. Thus, there is an unmet need to provide a water lifting system for automatic firefighting, in oil and gas industry to be used at said platforms; especially such systems that are feasible and useful at offshore platforms. Particularly, there is a need to provide such system that is efficient yet simple to install and economical.
The main object of the present invention is to provide a submersible water lifting assembly and automatic fire fighting system for unmanned platforms having said system that is efficient yet simple to install, energy saving, noise free, and economical.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a submersible water lifting assembly and automatic fire-fighting system for unmanned platforms having said system wherein installation is possible by simple modification in existing offshore platform arrangement. This eliminates installation of additional multi-part arrangements thereby reduces the complexity in construction and operation.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a submersible water lifting assembly and automatic fire fighting system for unmanned platforms having said system that is self-cleaning and hence auto-maintenance.
Yet another objective of the present invention is to provide a submersible water lifting assembly and automatic fire fighting system for unmanned platforms having said system that eliminate risk of fire, on main body of water lifting system itself, by locating it into water body.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a submersible water lifting assembly and automatic fire fighting system for unmanned platforms having said system that requires minimum space for installation.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a submersible water lifting assembly and automatic fire-fighting system for unmanned platforms having said system that eliminates bulky and uneconomical installations; thereby making present invention simple and easy to install and economical.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a submersible water lifting assembly and automatic fire-fighting system for unmanned platforms having said system that ensures safeguard from fire; particularly to the unmanned platform and reduces the premium of insurance.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a submersible water lifting assembly and automatic fire-fighting system for unmanned platforms having said system that requires almost nil maintenance.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a submersible water lifting assembly and automatic fire fighting system for unmanned platforms having said system that is simple and safe to operate. It assures for valuable function of fire-fighting system.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a submersible water lifting assembly and automatic fire-fighting system for unmanned platforms having said system that utilizes internal energy available in the flow of water injection line and eliminates the requirement of external energy sources like Fuel; thereby saving said energy sources.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a submersible water lifting assembly and automatic fire fighting system for unmanned platforms having said system that also ensures to facilitate the utility requirements such as wash down pump.
Water injection systems described herein above is used by the applicant for the purpose of the present invention; in such a manner that overcomes the risks associated with high pressure. The applicant of the present invention has utilized the available high pressure water flow, in system, for its use in emergency situation of major fire. The system is developed such that the emergency as well as the purpose of fire extinguishing is served using the available water supply arrangement.
Said water injection system has main water supply line known as water injection header (22) from which, water can be distributed to different wells through sub-lines; a water inlet line (3) is directed from said water injection header (22) at a platform to the present invented system (1) to act as a water inlet for the present invented system (1).
The applicant has developed the present invention to utilize the pressurized water for present invented system (1) such that the system controls the pressure; making it utilizable for the purpose as well as it provides a mechanism of utilizing water from the water body (20) (sea) along with it; so as to get maximum benefit of the available water while eliminating wastage of pressurized water placed there for oil extraction.
The present invention relates to a submersible water lifting assembly and automatic fire fighting system for unmanned platforms having said present invented system (1) that is efficient yet simple to install, energy saving, noise free and economical.
More particularly, the present submersible water lifting assembly and automatic fire fighting system for unmanned platforms having said system for automatic fire-fighting (shown diagrammatically in
Present submersible water lifting assembly; for the purpose of present invention; is a High Flow Ratio Ejector Pump (30 or 30A) (referred herein after as HFREP) that utilizes under water arrangements of unmanned platform and enables the fire-fighting system to efficiently lift water from the sea water; using the force of existing water injection system; eliminating the requirement of diesel engine driven pump, for the lifting of water. Thus, said High Flow Ratio Ejector Pump (30 or 30A) enables fire safety without use of bulky engine driven fire water pump; unlike that of the prior art.
Referring to
Wherein said HFREP (30) is provided to receive high pressure primary flow of water from the water inlet line (3), through its primary water inlet (31) to utilize the energy of the flow of water and create the suction within the HFREP (30) generating secondary flow; to suck additional water from the water body (20) through its secondary water inlet (32). Welded nozzle (39) attached to primary inlet (31) facilitates primary water to enter the HFREP (30) from said primary inlet (31). Alternatively, a threaded nozzle (40) is used where height of the threaded nozzle (40) is adjustable with use of threads provided therein or actuated nozzle (40′) is used for automatic height adjustment as per fluctuation in supply pressure (pressure of primary water flow). The high flow of water induces low pressure zone in the area surrounding the tip of said welded nozzle (39) or threaded nozzle (40) or actuated nozzle (40′). This in turn results in flow of water from water body (20) to the HFREP (30). Said flow is the secondary flow of water into the HFREP (30) and the area surrounding the nozzle (39 or 40 or 40′) from where the secondary flow enters, forms the secondary inlet (32).
A suction strainer (34) is provided to allow only strained water to enter from the secondary inlet (32) thereby preventing entry of marine substances and in turn chocking of the HFREP (30). A funnel (37) is placed at a pre-fixed distance above the nozzle (39 or 40 or 40′) by attaching the flange of the funnel (37) with the flange of the nozzle (39 or 40 or 40′) using plurality of first studs (36) by plurality of bolts & nuts (41). Said funnel (37) is provided to collect the secondary flow from water body (20) as well as primary flow from primary water inlet line (31) and direct it towards the mixing chamber (38). Said plurality of first studs (36) maintains said pre-fixed distance and provides support to said strainer (34) and attached as well as fixed with flange of funnel (37), by plurality of bolts & nuts (41). Said pre-fixed distance is manually adjustable to achieve maximum flow ratio (secondary flow to primary flow) according to available supply pressure (In general practice of designing ejector, the space between nozzle and mixing chamber is generally kept same as that of the diameter of mixing chamber. This is called prefixed distance.) wherein; if the provided pressure of primary flow (supply flow) is high, then the distance between the tip of nozzle (39 or 40 or 40′) and funnel (37) should be more which can be adjusted by manual replacement of other welded nozzle (39) or by rotating the threaded nozzle (40) or by automatic adjustment of actuated nozzle (40′) and if the provided primary pressure is low then the distance between the tip of nozzle (39 or 40 or 40′) and funnel (37) should be less which can be adjusted by manual replacement of other welded nozzle (39) or by rotating the threaded nozzle (40) or by automatic adjustment of actuated nozzle (40′). A mixing chamber (38) follows the funnel (37); wherein primary and secondary flow of water enters and where energy transformation takes place between said two flows, for maximum recovery of pressure energy, from the primary flow. A diffuser (35) following said mixing chamber (38) receives the water flow, which is a mixture of two flows (primary flow and secondary flow) from mixing chamber (38) to achieve maximum pressure in it. A discharge outlet (33) receives the water from said diffuser (35) and passes to discharge water line (8).
Specifically, an actuated nozzle (40′) is provided to adjust the tip of nozzle as per pressure fluctuation in primary flow. Said actuated nozzle (40′) comprises first tension spring (43), communicating hole (49), nozzle mounted hydraulic drum (50), cylindrical pedestal (51), first movable slip ring (47) and first stationary slip ring (48). Wherein, said hydraulic drum (50) received pressure of primary flow of water from primary water inlet (31) and cylindrical pedestal (51). Said cylindrical pedestal (51) provides passage for primary flow and facilitate sealing & slipping arrangement for slip rings, to guide or limit movement arrangement of nozzle mounted hydraulic drum (50) and to support first tension spring (43). Said first tension spring (43) is supported by nozzle mounted hydraulic drum (50) and cylindrical pedestal (51). Said communicating hole (49) provides the entry of water into the enclosed space between said hydraulic drum (50) and cylindrical pedestal (51) and exert more pressure inside this enclosed space, thus volume of this enclosure expands. Said first movable slip ring (47) and first stationary slip ring (48) provides movement of the nozzle mounted hydraulic drum downwards through sliding down as shown in
The submersible water lifting assembly [HFREP (30)] of present automatic fire-fighting system, is placed below water surface level (19) (see
Referring to
Wherein said HFREP (30A) is provided to receive high pressure primary flow of water from the water inlet line (3), through its primary water inlet (31) to utilize the energy of the flow of water and create the suction within the HFREP (30A) generating secondary flow; to suck additional water from the water body (20) through its secondary water inlet (32). Welded nozzle (39) is attached to primary inlet (31) facilitates primary water to enter the HFREP (30A) from said primary inlet (31). Alternatively, a threaded nozzle (40) is used where adjusting height of the nozzle (40) is required. The high flow of water induces low pressure zone in the area surrounding the tip of said welded nozzle (39) or threaded nozzle (40). This in turn results in flow of water from water body (20) to the HFREP (30A). Said flow is the secondary flow of water into the HFREP (30A) and the area surrounding the nozzle (39 or 40) from where the flow enters, forms the secondary inlet (32).
A suction strainer (34) is provided to allow only strained water to enter from the secondary inlet (32) thereby preventing entry of marine substances and in turn chocking of the HFREP (30A). A funnel (37) is placed at a pre-fixed distance as per provided primary flow, above the nozzle (39 or 40) by attaching the flange of the funnel (37) with the flange of the nozzle (39 or 40) using plurality of second studs (36′) by plurality of bolts & nuts (41). Said pre-fixed distance is manually adjustable to achieve desired distance between the tip of nozzle (39 or 40) and funnel (37) for maximum discharge flow as per provided primary flow; wherein if the provided primary flow is high then the distance between the tip of nozzle (39 or 40) and funnel (37) should be more, which can be adjusted manually by replacing welded nozzle (39) or by rotating the threaded nozzle (40); further if the provided primary flow is low then the distance between the tip of nozzle (39 or 40) and funnel (37) should be less which can be adjusted manually by replacing welded nozzle (39) or by rotating the threaded nozzle (40). Said funnel (37) is provided to collect the secondary flow from water body (20) as well as primary flow from primary inlet line (31) and direct it towards the mixing chamber (38). Said plurality of second studs (36′) maintains said fixed distance and provides support to said strainer (34) and top ends of the studs (36′) are fixed with cylinder mounted circular plate (42); wherein the bottom ends of the studs (36′) are fixed with nozzle (39 or 40). Whereas, the flange of funnel (37) is not fixed with the plurality of second stud (36′) but allows to slip through holes in the flange. Hence said funnel (37) is free to move. The holes, in the flange of funnel (37), guides the plurality of studs (36′) for linear motion. A mixing chamber (38) follows the funnel (37); wherein primary and secondary flow of water enters and where energy transformation takes place between said two flows, for maximum recovery of pressure energy, from the primary flow. A diffuser (35) following said mixing chamber (38) receives the water flow, which is a mixture of two flows (primary flow and secondary flow) from mixing chamber (38) to achieve maximum pressure in it. A discharge outlet (33) receive the water from said diffuser (35) and passes to discharge water line (8). Said plurality of bolts & nuts (41) are provided for fixing of suction strainer (34) with flange of nozzle [welded nozzle (39) or threaded nozzle (40)]. The special mechanism is provided by actuator (46) to adjust space between nozzle [welded nozzle (39) or threaded nozzle (40)] and mixing chamber (38).
An actuator (46) is provided for resolving the pressure fluctuations in primary flow while adjusting the distance between the tip of nozzle (39 or 40) and funnel (37) as per pressure fluctuations in primary flow; in order to achieve maximum discharge flow. Said actuator (46) is connected to flange of nozzle (39 or 40) through plurality of second studs (36′) such that cylinder mounted circular plate (42) of the actuator is attached to the mixing chamber (38) by second movable slip ring (47′) and Second stationary slip ring (48′) as shown in
Said actuator (46) comprises of cylinder mounted circular plate (42), Second tension spring (43′), hydraulic drum (45), drum inlet connection (44), second stationary slip ring (48′) and second moveable slip ring (47′). Wherein said actuator (46) receives pressurised water from water inlet line (3) in its hydraulic drum (45) from pre-feed pressure tube (24) through drum inlet connection (44). Said drum inlet connection (44) facilitates the pressure tubing connection between water inlet line (3) and hydraulic drum (45); the received pressure of primary flow of water from water inlet line (3) exerts pressure on cylinder mounted circular plate (42). Said hydraulic drum (45) provides mounting of Second tension spring (43′) and facilitates holding of the hydraulic pressure received from primary flow through drum inlet connection (44). Said second moveable slip ring (47′) provides slipping between mixing chamber (38) and cylinder mounted circular plate (42); and second stationary slip ring (48′) provides slipping between hydraulic drum (45) and cylinder mounted circular plate (42). Said second tension spring (43′) is provided to restore the position of funnel (37) and nozzle (39 or 40) tip when supply pressure (primary pressure) is at set pressure value, to achieve maximum ratio of flow and eliminate possibility of cavity formation; resulting by creation of low pressure that is less than vapour pressure of water in mixing chamber (38) due to very high velocity of primary flow, which can be avoided by reduction of pressure of primary flow or increase of secondary pressure, or reduction in flow ratio or increasing area ratio [ratio of cross sectional area of nozzle tip (39) to cross sectional area of mixing chamber (38)] and change in pressure ratio [ratio of secondary flow pressure rise to primary flow pressure drop]; which is not desirable for fire-fighting system. (As firefighting must not be stop to make these changes in between firefighting operation)
When the increased pressure is received by said hydraulic drum (45), it pushes the cylinder mounted circular plate (42) and thereby the attached funnel (37) moves downward by slipping over each other through second stationary slip ring (48′) and second moveable slip ring (47′), which increases the space between nozzle [39 or 40] and funnel (37) as per increased pressure of primary flow. And if the pressure of primary flow is decreased, the second tension spring (43′) takes action to reduce the space between nozzle (39 or 40) and funnel (37).
The submersible water lifting assembly HFREP (30) or (30A) of present automatic fire-fighting system, is placed below water surface level (19) (see
Referring to
Fire detection system (2); is part of oil & gas operation, at platforms it is utilized for obtaining fire signal, through first line for fire signal transmission (2a) to activate the present invented system (1) for firefighting.
Said fire signal is further transmitted to plurality of deluge valve (16) through second line for fire signal transmission (11) from control panel (4); to open First deluge valve (16A) or second deluge valve (16B) or both or more. The control panel (4) is preferably powered by water pressure taken from water inlet line (3) through supply pressure line (21); or otherwise it can also be powered by pneumatic/electric power as per location where system is used. Similarly, pre-feed pressure tube (24) is also tapped from water inlet line (3) for controlled operation of HFREP (30A).
The water inlet line (3) is connected with water injection header (22); wherein said water inlet line (3) tapped from water injection header (22) to provide pressurized water to the present invented system (1). The plurality of water injection wells (23) is also connected with said water injection header (22); for operation of present invented system (1) where water injection header (22) is part of platform. The inflow of water from the water inlet line (3) is controlled by pressure regulating valve (6); wherein said pressure regulating valve (6) regulates pressure of the water flow. The inflow of water from the water inlet line (3) is controlled by pressure regulating valve (6) provided in water inlet line (3), with the help of feedback pressure from pressure tapping (12), provided in discharge water line (8); Said water has a high pressure and cannot be used directly for the purpose of extinguishing the fire. Thus, a mechanism of pressure control is provided in the present invented system (1) to best utilize the available source of water for fire extinguishing. Said control panel receives fire signal through first line for fire signal transmission (2a); form fire detection system (2) which activates blow down valve (5) through instrument control line (5a), and permits pressurised water to enter the present invented system (1) through water inlet line (3) and primary water inlet (31). At the same time, said control panel (4) direct the fire signal to open plurality of deluge valve (16) [First deluge valve (16A) or second deluge valve (16B) or both or more] through second line for fire signal transmission (11).
The submersible water lifting system (30 or 30A) receive high pressure water from the water inlet line (3) through its primary water inlet (31) to utilize the energy of the same and create the suction within the HFREP (30 or 30A) to suck more water from the water body (20) (sea) through its secondary water inlet (32), within which the present invented system (1) is used, and thereby reduce the pressure of the primary water flow and increase the amount of the water to be flowing within the system; without use of any external source of energy. The primary water flow with reduced pressure and increased amount of water flow discharges from the HFREP (30 or 30A) to the discharge water line (8) through discharge outlet (33).
A suction strainer (34) is provided on the secondary water inlet (32) to avoid the entry of marine substances. It is pertinent to note that the water suction from the water body (20) is as high as enabling suction of multiple times of water flow as compared to the originally received pressurised water flow; resulting into utilization of maximum water from the abundant and free water source and eliminating wastage of energy stored in the pressurized water. It also minimise the use of high pressure water which is required for other important purposes.
Said discharge water line (8) receive water flow form the HFREP (30 or 30A) through discharge outlet (33) and passes water flow to fire water header (9) as well as non-return valve (9a); wherein non-Return Valve (9a) are provided to facilitate single side flow of water for fire-fighting. Said plurality of water sprinkler header (10) receive said water and is provided to spray water on fire area; amongst which, a first water sprinkler header (10a) is provided to sprinkle water in upper deck area and a second water sprinkler header (10b) is provided to sprinkle water in lower deck area, and also provided to spray water, over fire caught area through plurality of Sprinklers (18). The plurality of deluge valve (16) is provided to allow passing of water to said first water sprinkler header (10a) or second water sprinkler header (10b) or both or more headers; depending upon the area in which fire has taken place. This directs the water to the fire affected area only; and avoids wastage of water by blocking passage of water in other areas. Further, depending on the plurality of water sprinkler header (10) arranged in different regions of the platform; plurality of deluge valve (16) is provided to facilitate in directing the water flow in area where fire is existing.
The submersible water lifting assembly of present automatic fire-fighting system is placed below water surface level (19), facilitating utilization of water from water body (20) (sea) for fire-fighting as well as safe guarding said assembly itself from fire risk.
Said present invented system (1) also has provisions to allow the water to be used for other purposes including cleaning. The Fire water header isolation valve (13) is thus provided; which can be closed and utility water header isolation valve (14) can be opened so as to allow said resultant water to pass through Utility water header (15) for said purposes. Also, said fire water header isolation valve (13) and utility water header isolation valve (14); both can be closed to ensure water discharge from secondary water inlet (32) into the water body (20) (sea), for cleaning of the suction strainer (34). This ensures there is no blockage by marine substances and allows ready infusion of water through secondary water inlet (32). This makes the maintenance simple and efficient. Also, there is no requirement of rendering the platform at risk of fire, during maintenance of fire-fighting system unlike the prior arts.
Wherein, modifications in the present invented system (1) for accommodating present water lifting assembly i.e. HFREP (30 and 30A) involves the modifications in terms elimination of complex arrangements of air or gas start up vessel, diesel storage vessel, diesel tank, diesel engine, gear box, multi stage centrifugal pump, vertical column casing, 40 meter length heavy duty shaft and related arrangements of its supply and usage during operation of said prior art system. The elimination of said parts results in simplified rearrangement of remaining parts to provide a simple yet efficient said system (1) as shown in
Further, herein before disclosed are the preferred embodiments of the present invented systems (1) with reference to accompanying drawings. Here, it is to be noted that the present invention is not limited thereto and can be used for varied applications including firefighting systems for onshore and water transport systems for transporting water from lower level to higher levels. The components like flow meters drain lines tappings with drain valves, pressure gauges, blinds, plugs, isolation valve etc. are not shown in the FIG. & not described as it is understood & still in the scope of the intervention. Furthermore, the component parts described are not meant there to limit its operating, and any rearrangement of the component parts for achieving the same functionality is still within the spirit and scope of the present invention. It is to be understood that the drawings are not drawn to scale and are only for illustration purposes.
Referring to
Referring to
Referring to
When fire take place in any area of platform, the fire detection system (2) transmit the fire signal, through first line for fire signal transmission line (2a); which is received by control panel (4). Said fire signal is further transmitted to plurality of deluge valve (16) through second line for fire signal transmission (11). Simultaneously control Panel (4) send signal to open blow down valve (5) through instrument control line (5a) and allows water flow from water injection header (22), attached with plurality of water injection well (23).
Said pressure regulating valve (6) regulate the pressure of water flow and allows water flow to enter into nozzle (39 or 40 or 40′) of HFREP (30 or 30A), which is placed below water surface level (19), into water body (20), through primary water inlet (31). Said primary water flow with reduced pressure and increased water flow discharges from the HFREP (30 or 30A) to fire water header (9) through non-return valve (9a), through discharge outlet (33) and discharge water line (8); and passes through pressure tapping (12) which gives the pressure feedback to pressure regulating valve (6). As the fire water header isolation valve (13) normally remains opened and utility water header isolation valve (14) normally remains closed; the pressure controlled flow in discharge water line (8) passes to fire water header (9), through non-return valve (9a). Hence fire water header (9) gets filled by this water flow. The water in said fire water header (9), passes to plurality of water sprinkler header (10), through plurality of deluge valve (16). Said plurality of deluge valve (16) passes water flow to plurality of sprinklers (18); starts sprinkling of water, over fire caught area, detected by fire detection system (2).
Inlet water flow from water inlet line (3) to the HFREP (30 or 30A), is known as primary flow and inlet water flow from water body (20) to HFREP (30 or 30A), is known as secondary flow. Whereas these both the flows mix together and travel towards fire water header (9) is known as generated flow or discharged flow. These generated flow is depends upon parameters, inlet flow rate Qp, pressure of inlet flow Pp, flow ratio M (flow ratio of secondary flow rate to primary flow rate), secondary pressure Ps, discharge pressure (needed pressure) Pd, nozzle diameter An, efficiency η and Pressure ratio (N)=(P5−P2)/(P1−P5).
Where, P1 is pressure of primary flow (also known as supply pressure), P2 is pressure of secondary flow (also known as suction pressure), P5 is pressure of mixed flow (also known as discharged pressure).
The efficiency and flow ratio of High Flow Ratio Ejector Pump (HFREP) are depending upon parameters applied in the invented system. For example, 16 mm diameter of welded nozzle (39) or threaded nozzle (40), Or actuated nozzle (40′) area ratio R is 0.1, primary water supply flow pressure 100 kg/cm2, secondary water inlet suction pressure 2 kg/cm2 and required desired pressure 11 kg/cm2, N will be 0.1, the flow ratio M will be 2.5, the efficiency observed is 0.25, with the resultant discharged flow rate 350 m3/hr.
This is better illustrated by graph shown in
Illustration: the graph is plotted for area ratio R=0.1 (cross section area of nozzle (39 or 40 or 40′) outlet at tip divided by cross sectional area of mixing chamber (38) it is clearly observed from the graph in
The efficiency and flow ratio of High Flow Ratio Ejector Pump (HFREP) are depending upon parameters applied in the invented system. For example, 16 mm diameter of welded nozzle (39) or threaded nozzle (40), or actuated nozzle (40′), area ratio R is 0.06, primary water supply flow rate 100 m3/hr. at pressure 100 kg/cm2, secondary water inlet suction pressure 2 kg/cm2 and required desired pressure 8 kg/cm2, N will be 0.06, the flow ratio M will be 3.5, the efficiency observed is 0.25, with the resultant discharged flow rate 450 m3/hr.
This is better illustrated by graph shown in
Illustration: the graph is plotted for area ratio R=0.06 (cross section area of nozzle (39 or 40 or 40′) outlet at tip/cross sectional area of mixing chamber (38)) it is clearly observed from the graph in
The typical prior art and the present invention are hereby compared in the below table to clearly bring out the technical differences between the prior art and the present invention.
A comparison is done between the prior art (traditional) ejector pumps and the submersible water lifting assembly of the present invention through the values of various parameters and its impact. This clearly depicts the disadvantages of the traditional systems; thereby establishing the need for the present invention.
A further comparison is done between traditional fire-fighting system and the present automatic fire-fighting system having a submersible water lifting assembly. Table-2, Here in below shows a component wise distinction between the prior art (traditional) and the present invention.
The Submersible water lifting system and the automatic Fire-Fighting System having the same assembly, has its main applicability in Oil and Gas Industry at offshore platforms particularly at unmanned platforms where electricity, fire engines and regular human presence are not available but high pressure water flow is available.
It can also be used at onshore to lift water for fire-fighting, from low level ponds provided that high pressure water flow is available by any means like water injection lines, tanker having high pressure pump.
Though present invented system (1) is mainly designed for emergency fire-fighting operations, it can also use as a utility or service water pump in all onshore and offshore installations where high pressure water flow is available. It can also be used in marine applications like stripping of blast tanks and sewage treatment plants etc. in ships.
There are varies applications of the present invented system (1); which includes, but not limited to the applications listed herein below. The system as a whole or part of system can also be used in below mentioned industries.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 201821018583 | May 2018 | IN | national |
| 201922018627 | May 2019 | IN | national |
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/IN2019/050382 | 5/13/2019 | WO |
| Publishing Document | Publishing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| WO2019/220456 | 11/21/2019 | WO | A |
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