Systems and methods for mechanical hydrocarbon dispersion

Abstract

System and method provide a rapid mobilization and deployment technique for effectively mechanically dispersing marine oil spills that either eliminates or reduces the use of chemical dispersants. The disclosed systems and methods work by mechanically generating finely dispersed oil and gas droplets which may improve the dispersion of the hydrocarbons into the water column which can increase the rate of natural degradation of hydrocarbons in the water column.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for dispersing hydrocarbons subsea, the method comprising:
 positioning a mechanical device proximate a subsea structure, the subsea structure emitting a volume of hydrocarbons; and   mechanically agitating the hydrocarbons with the mechanical device to form a dispersion or an emulsion.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the mechanical device comprises an impeller. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , the method further comprising rotating the impeller at a rotational speed ranging from about 1000 rpm to about 4000 rpm. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the mechanical device comprises a jet pump. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the mechanical device is a carburetor. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein positioning the mechanical device comprises:
 positioning the mechanical device adjacent the subsea structure;   moving the mechanical device laterally over the subsea structure; and   guiding the mechanical device into engagement with the subsea structure.   
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , the method further comprising activating the mechanical device to begin dispersion of the hydrocarbons after guiding the mechanical device into engagement with the subsea structure. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the subsea structure comprises at least one of a lower marine riser package, a blowout preventer, a flex joint connection, a riser segment, a subsea connection, a pipeline, a wellhead, and a portion of a seafloor. 
     
     
         9 . A system for dispersing hydrocarbons subsea comprising:
 a body comprising a chamber, one or more inlets, one or more outlets, and an opening configured to fit over a subsea structure;   an impeller rotatably disposed within the chamber, the impeller comprising a plurality of radial members; and   a motor coupled to the impeller for rotating the impeller.   
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the impeller comprises a shaft and wherein the plurality of radial members coupled to the shaft. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the impeller comprises one or more sets of radial members disposed axially along a shaft. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the body comprises one or more static members extending radially into the chamber. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the radial members comprise blades, vanes, helical members, propellers, or combinations thereof. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the body is cylindrical. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the subsea structure comprises at least one of a lower marine riser package, a blowout preventer, a flex joint connection, a riser segment, a subsea connection, a pipeline, a wellhead, and a portion of a seafloor. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 9 , further comprising:
 a riser coupled to the motor; and   a power source coupled to the motor.   
     
     
         17 . A system for dispersing hydrocarbons subsea, comprising:
 a housing comprising a hydrocarbon inlet, a water inlet, and an outlet, the hydrocarbon inlet configured to engage with a subsea structure;   a water injection nozzle disposed within the housing;   a throat portion comprising a convergent throat inlet and a divergent throat outlet, the throat portion disposed within the housing; and   a mixing chamber disposed within the housing and in between the water injection nozzle and the throat portion, the mixing chamber in direct fluid communication with the hydrocarbon inlet.   
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 17 , further comprising one or more dispersion structures disposed within the housing and adjacent to the outlet. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 18  wherein the dispersion structures comprise screens, filters, grates, impeller-like devices, or combinations thereof. 
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 17 , wherein the subsea structure comprises at least one of a lower marine riser package, a blowout preventer, a flex joint connection, a riser segment, a subsea connection, a pipeline, a wellhead, and a portion of a seafloor. 
     
     
         21 . The system of  claim 17 , wherein the outlet is divergent. 
     
     
         22 . The system of  claim 17 , further comprising a pump coupled to the housing for injecting water into the housing. 
     
     
         23 . A system for dispersing hydrocarbons subsea comprising:
 a body comprising a chamber, one or more inlets, one or more outlets, and an opening configured to fit over a subsea structure;   a rotor rotatably disposed within the chamber; and   a motor coupled to the rotor for rotating the rotor.   
     
     
         24 . The system of  claim 23 , wherein the body is cylindrical and the rotor is cylindrical. 
     
     
         25 . A system for dispersing hydrocarbons subsea comprising:
 a body comprising a chamber, one or more intake hoses, and one or more output hoses;   an impeller rotatably disposed within the chamber, the impeller comprising a plurality of radial members; and   a motor coupled to the impeller for rotating the impeller.   
     
     
         26 . The system of  claim 25 , wherein the impeller comprises a shaft and wherein the plurality of radial members coupled to the shaft. 
     
     
         27 . The system of  claim 25 , wherein the impeller comprises one or more sets of radial members disposed axially along the shaft. 
     
     
         28 . The system of  claim 25 , wherein the body comprises one or more static members extending radially into the chamber. 
     
     
         29 . The system of  claim 25 , wherein the radial members comprise blades, vanes, helical members, propellers, or combinations thereof. 
     
     
         30 . The system of  claim 25 , further comprising:
 one or more valves disposed between the one or more intake hoses and the chamber; and   one or more valves disposed between the one or more output hoses and the chamber.   
     
     
         31 . The system of  claim 25 , wherein the subsea structure comprises at least one of a lower marine riser package, a blowout preventer, a flex joint connection, a riser segment, a subsea connection, a pipeline, a wellhead, and a portion of the seafloor. 
     
     
         32 . The system of  claim 25 , further comprising:
 a riser coupled to the motor; and   a power source coupled to the motor.