Gas hydrate material recovery apparatus

Abstract

A gas hydrate material recovery apparatus utilizing a vessel which is positioned beneath a body of water and above the bed of the body of water. The vessel includes a holding tank with an entrance to capture solid natural gas hydrate crystals. An agitator located below the entrance to the vessel frees methyl hydrate crystals located below the floor of the body of water.

1 . A gas hydrate material recovery apparatus useable below the surface of a body of water in combination with a source of natural gas, 
 comprising:    a. a vessel, said vessel including walls forming an inner chamber, said vessel including an inlet and an outlet, said inlet receiving natural gas for said source and said outlet conducting natural gas from said vessel;    b. a cooler for removing heat from said chamber of said vessel to form solid gas hydrate material;    c. an anchor for removably holding said vessel below the surface of the body of water; and    d. a passageway for permitting the entrance and egress of water relative to said vessel chamber.    
   
   
       2 . The apparatus of  claim 1  in which said cooler comprises a plurality of conduits passing through said chamber of said vessel, said plurality of conduits carrying cooling fluid therethrough.  
   
   
       3 . The apparatus of  claim 1  which additionally comprises a vibrator imparting a force on said walls of said vessel.  
   
   
       4 . The apparatus of  claim 1  which further comprises a level indicator determining the position of gas hydrate material within the chamber of said vessel.  
   
   
       5 . The apparatus of  claim 1  in which said vessel is a flexible body.  
   
   
       6 . The apparatus of  claim 1  which additionally comprises a recirculation conduit for transporting natural gas between portions of said vessel chamber.  
   
   
       7 . A gas hydrate material recovery apparatus useable below the surface of a body of water in combination with a flow of solid gas hydrate particles from below the solid floor of the body of water; 
 comprising:    a. a vessel, said vessel including walls forming an inner chamber, said vessel including and inlet and an outlet, said inlet further comprising a mouth receiving the solid gas hydrate particles;    b. a door for controlling access to said vessel and said vessel inlet;    c. an anchor for removably holding said vessel below the surface of the body of water; and    d. a passageway for permitting the entrance and egress of water relative to said vessel chamber.    
   
   
       8 . The apparatus of  claim 1  which additionally comprises a vibrator imparting a force on said walls of said vessel.  
   
   
       9 . The apparatus of  claim 1  which further comprises a level indicator determining the position of gas hydrate material within the chamber of said vessel.  
   
   
       10 . The apparatus of  claim 1  in which said vessel is a flexible body.  
   
   
       11 . The apparatus of  claim 7  which additionally comprises an agitator for freeing solid gas hydrate particles from below the solid floor of the body of water;  
   
   
       12 . the apparatus of  claim 11  which further comprises a support structure for holding said agitator to said vessel.