Device and methods for capturing, separating, and transferring petroleum fluids from underwater leak sites

Abstract

A chamber device that collects, contains, and transfers undersea leaking hydrocarbon fluids from various possible leak sources, comprises a remote controller cooperating with valves and sensors to automatically modulate the transfer flow rates of one or more fluids from the device to cooperating industry equipment. The device remote controller further comprises procedural data with simulation derived process control data, and cooperates with other sensors, valves, and external data inputs to enable updated interactive procedural data, with updated process control data to reduce the probability of error while enabling automated control functions during deployment, descent, and operation. Sea surface methods of loading ballast and low density fluids combine to deliver the very large negative buoyant force to the leak site where a method to release the ballast enables device recovery.

What is claimed: 
     
         1 . A chamber device for temporarily containing leaking hydrocarbon fluids from an undersea leak site that is operably connected by fluid transfer pipes to cooperating industry equipment that extract or receive the contained fluids where the device further comprises: a. a means of communicating with industry equipment; b. a of power source; c. operably connected remote controlled flow valves installed between the contained fluids and the transfer pipes; d. an operably connected remote controller with logic circuits that modulate the flow control valves wherein:
 the chamber device further comprises sensors operably connected to the remote controller that provide data enabling the controller logic circuits to calculate the volumes of each fluid and the rate of change, in these volumes, thereby enabling automated control of fluid levels, and transfer flow rates.   
     
     
         2 . The chamber device of  claim 1  further comprising an external ballast container containing a sufficient mass of ballast essential to retain the chamber in position over the leak site. 
     
     
         3 . The chamber device of  claim 2  further comprising a sufficient mass of buoyant liquid added into the chamber while on the sea surface to enable a typical cable and hoist to control the descent of the chamber device. 
     
     
         4 . The chamber device of  claim 2  further comprising one or more mechanisms for releasing the ballast enabling a typical cable and hoist to retrieve the device. 
     
     
         5 . The chamber device of  claim 3  where the one or more remote controllers further comprises additional data enabling said controller to: communicate procedural instructions, and utilize operably connected input data and communicated input data to update said instructions to reduce human error. 
     
     
         6 . The chamber device of  claim 5  wherein the remote controller further comprises executable routines and data derived from computer simulations to provide optimized executable routines and data. 
     
     
         7 . The chamber device of  claim 2  further comprising adjustable extendable supports to stabilize the device, and to accommodate different seabed surface or near surface conditions. 
     
     
         8 . The chamber device of  claim 7  further comprising hydraulic driven extendable supports operably connected to a hydraulic power source, and operably connected to logic circuits in the remote controller enabling remote control manipulation of said adjustable supports. 
     
     
         9 . A method to add essential mass to the device on the sea surface and temporarily mitigate the negative buoyancy of the mass during descent to the seabed wherein: a. closing all the device chamber valves before positioning the device on the sea surface traps air inside the device to support an excessively large volume of ballast; b. adding the mass of ballast into a device ballast container while on the sea surface; c. adding buoyant liquid of sufficient mass to said device on the sea surface, while air is controllably released from the device; d. controlling the descent of the device to a targeted position using a vessel cable and hoist; e. controllably releasing the buoyant liquid. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9  where the method of adding ballast comprises 2 ballast transfer chutes cooperating with 2 distribution mechanisms wherein: a. closing all the device chamber valves before positioning the device on the sea surface; b. positioning well known bulk material distribution mechanisms on the inner and outer rails of the ballast container opening, and constraining each chute within each mechanism; c. activating the distribution mechanisms to complete their setup procedure, which positions them 180 degrees apart; d. activating the distribution mechanisms to travel in an oscillating half circle pattern, modulating speed, and remaining opposite one another; e. initiating the transfer of the ballast to both chutes. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 9  where the controlled release of buoyant liquid by the remote controller is manipulated to accommodate the sudden increasing containment of leaked buoyant fluids. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 9 , further comprising a method to rapidly stabilize the device to the seabed wherein: a. confirming the device position in relation to the seabed target utilizing sensors or cameras; b. the remote controller activates the hydraulic power source and manipulates valves to extend the device supports until adequate resistance is met, providing immediate lateral stability; c. the remote controller monitors the creep in each support extension in addition to changes in net negative buoyancy and may limit load transfer to supports and communicate status if instability persists; d. if leg stability is achieved, the remote controller activates intermittent stability monitoring.