MODULAR FLOTATION PUMP BARGE Date of Invention November 1st 2021 Inventorship Jason Westrup (on behalf of Wood Canada Limited) 801 6 Ave SW, Calgary, AB T2P, Canada Abstract Of The Disclosure This equipment removes liquid with fine solids from a certain depth of a tailings pond utilizing a modular floatation system. Utilizing a modular flotation system integral to a pumping barge that historically is fabricated as one system giving flexibility for assembly, disassembly and relocation in components. A consulting firm has been exposed to the design by viewing the 3D model Aug. 15, 2022. The name of the firm is Capilano Maritime Design Ltd. An NDA has been signed with the company and all individuals involved. Background Of The Invention Problem: Pumping barges are large equipment weighing as much as 100 ton with a one piece fabricated floatation pontoon that makes the barge very difficult to manufacture, transport, deploy or move from location to location. The fabricated flotation pontoon is very difficult to manipulate to facilitate sand blast and coat during manufacture due to its size and weight. This size of pumping barge is very difficult to move to a new operating location due to size and weight. Objective: Develop a design that can be broken down into smaller modules while ensuring safe handling, reliable assembly and still function as needed. Reduced manufacturing costs and allow lower cost, safer and faster disassembly/reassembly and movement from one service location to another. The design of the pit structure that houses the pumping equipment must accommodate the Date Recue/Date Received 2022-12-07 - 2 -attachment of the floatation cells while allowing crane assembly of the superstructure module while dry docked. The attachment system must also allow quick assembly/disassembly. Maintaining required center of gravity, floatation forces, marine stability and equipment integration. Spacing is constrained so the system housing the electrical equipment has to rest on the floatation cells but be part of the main enclosure while still allowing assembly/disassembly and lifting of modular components. Operation must allow lowering and raising of the suction system while accommodating the modular floatation system and floatation must be balanced with center of gravity. Summary Of The Invention A central structure which houses the operating equipment is configured in a cavity shape and water proof and allows for both the mounting of the major equipment and the attachment of floatation modules to the outside and the superstructure module on top. This allows the pump to be installed below the water line while giving access for operation and accepts the attachment of floatation modules and the superstructure which houses the electrical equipment and other ancillary equipment. This design attains the objectives in a. above by allowing for the flexibility of the modular design approach while still allowing for full operation and maintenance of the major equipment. Description Of Prior Art No existing Patents filed in Canada or the United States of America. Detailed Description Of The Invention The central element in the design is the structural pit. This partially submerged structural pit holds the large pump and motor and allows for the operation of the pump near water level and allows for the suction line to be lower and raised. This structural pit does not have adequate buoyancy but allows for the attachment of modular floatation cells that provide the buoyancy needed. The pit structure also allows for the attachment of the superstructure module which contains the ancillary equipment such as gland water pumps, filters, electrical equipment and others. The structural pit must accommodate high forces from the rotating equipment as well as dynamic forces. It must also transmit the buoyancy forces to the steel structure which supports the superstructure. This is accomplished by Date Recue/Date Received 2022-12-07 - 3 -utilizing a structural floor which can withstand the forces inherent with the rotating equipment and transmitting them to the walls of the structure. The walls of the pit must in turn withstand the buoyancy forces acting in the opposite direction and provide adequate stiffness to prevent undo vibration of the entire system. The structural pit can be fabricated in sections for final marriage of the components and coated due to its size being reasonable to handle and manipulate in a fabrication shop and coating shop. The structural pit provides the central attachment point for the major rotating equipment, the flotation modules and the superstructure and ties them all together in a way that allows for quick assembly on the shore of the water body and disassembly for movement to another service locati on. The Embodiments Of The Invention In Which An Exclusive Property Or Privilege Is Claimed Are Defined As Follows: 1. Modular design pumping barge with multiple components 2. Central recessed structural pit/flotation attachment module 3. Oversized superstructure which rests on flotation modules and attaches to pit structure Brief Description Of The Drawings Figure One: Drawing SPB-001-0001, Main Deck Plan This dwg shows a plan view of the overall barge. The "PUMP PIT" area illustrates the submerged structural section of the barge that contains the main pump and drive motor as well as other ancillary pumps such as bilge and gland water pumps. This structural section allows the main pump to be situated below water level and is configured to facilitate the attachment of a modular flotation system. The "PUMP PIT" is designed to accommodate several different main pump/drive motor configurations and sizes. It must be analyzed for strength to accommodate the stress of the buoyancy force of the "FLOTATION MODULES" attached to the outside perimeter. The "PUMP PIT" structure must also prevent excessive vibration during operation of the "MAIN PUMP" which is supported by the bottom structural elements or "PUMP PIT FLOOR" which is simply supported by attachment along the perimeter of the floor to the "PUMP PIT WALLS". The "PUMP PIT" module also facilities the centre line of the suction line to the main pump to be below water level to accommodate the NPSH Date Recue/Date Received 2022-12-07 - 4 -requirement of the pump. The outside perimeter of the "PUMP PIT" has the male half of attachment points that allow the attachment of the modular flotation modules. These attachment points match the design of the attachment system utilized between flotation modules. The design of the flotation module attachment system is not part of this patent application, only the portion of the design that utilizes the male half of the attachment system to allow the flotation modules to be affixed to the pump pit is part of the patent as well as the novel idea of utilizing flotation modules to support a partially submerged pump pit with other modules attached. The top of the pump pit has the "PUMP HOUSE" attached which provides weather protection to the systems inside. The "MOON POOL" area is an area of open water which allows the suction line complete with suction strainer to be lowered to the desired depth in the water. The configuration of the flotation modules facilitates the "MOON POOL" area and allows for servicing the suction line when raised out of the water. The "22" DISCHARGE LINE" transmits water from the main pump to the side of the barge for connection to lines running to additional floating equipment and/or shore. The discharge line is supported off of the flotation modules. The four "WINCH" are shown attached to the top of the flotation modules and are used to guide the barge to the designed location with cable attachments to shore or to dock the barge. The cable running from the winches is guided by the four "FAIRLEAD" components shown. The "(30) DE-ICING UNITS" are utilized to prevent ice forming around the perimeter of the barge in cold ambient conditions. These simply pump water to create turbulence to prevent ice formation. The "LV TRANSFORMER" provides power to the electrical systems on the barge as well as the medium voltage main drive motor. An access platform is attached to the rear flotation modules to allow for personnel access to the LV Transformer. Date Recue/Date Received 2022-12-07 - 5 -The "MCC", "DISTRIBUTION MODULE", "UPS", "RIO PANEL" and "MV TERMINATION BOX" are various electrical elements housed in the "ELECTRICAL ROOM" needed to power and control the electrical needs of the barge. Figure Two: Drawing SPB-001-0002, SECTION AT PUMP INTAKE: This drawing gives a side view of the barge in section with alternate views of the equipment including "MAIN PUMP", "WINCH', "DISCHARGE PIPE", "FLOTATION MODULE" AND "INTAKE PIPE". The main pump is shown mounted at the bottom of the pump pit partially below water level. The pump pit is water sealed and is maintained dry with bilge pumps. The flotation modules which are attached to the side of the pump pit provide the buoyancy to the system to allow desired draft in the water. The flotation modules replace a traditional large one-piece fabricated flotation pontoon. Date Recue/Date Received 2022-12-07
MODULAR FLOATATION PUMP BARGE
BARGE DE POMPAGE POUR FLOTTATION MODULAIRE
2024-06-07
Patent
Elektronische Ressource
Englisch
IPC: | B63B Schiffe oder sonstige Wasserfahrzeuge , SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS |