Offshore Barge Fluid Recovery System

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2025304221-A1
Application number	US-202418618873-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Mar 27, 2024
Priority date	Mar 27, 2024
Publication date	Oct 2, 2025
Grant date	—

Abstract

A fluid recapture system includes a translation sub-system, a recirculation sub-system, and an energy conversion sub-system. The translation sub-system a moveable platform on which the recirculation sub-system and energy conversion sub-system are mounted. The recirculation sub-system includes a fluid line having a first end, a second end, and a fluid channel extending from the first end to the second end. The translation sub-system also includes a basin attached to the second end of the fluid line and a fluid pump disposed on the fluid line. The basin is fluidly connected to the fluid channel of the fluid line. The fluid pump is operable to convey fluid from the basin to the first end of the fluid line. The energy conversion sub-system includes a turbine aligned with the basin and a transmission connected to the fluid pump and connected to the turbine. The transmission is operable to power the pump.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1 . A fluid recapture system comprising:
a translation sub-system comprising:
a moveable platform;
a recirculation sub-system mounted to the moveable platform, the recirculation sub-system comprising:
a fluid line having a first end, a second end, and a fluid channel extending from the first end to the second end;
a basin attached to the second end of the fluid line and fluidly connect to the fluid channel of the fluid line; and
a fluid pump disposed on the fluid line, wherein the fluid pump is operable to convey fluid from the basin to the first end of the fluid line; and
an energy conversion sub-system mounted to the moveable platform, the energy conversion sub-system comprising:
a turbine aligned with the basin; and
a transmission connected to the fluid pump and connected to the turbine, wherein the transmission is operable to power the pump.

2 . The fluid recapture system according to claim 1 , further comprising a nozzle having an inlet configured to receive a discharged fluid and an outlet configured to expel the discharged fluid, wherein a fluid channel extends between the inlet and outlet.

3 . The fluid recapture system according to claim 2 , wherein the outlet of the nozzle defines a nozzle axis.

4 . The fluid recapture system according to claim 3 , wherein the basin and the turbine are arranged on the nozzle axis.

5 . The fluid recapture system according to claim 4 , wherein the turbine is arranged between the nozzle and the basin.

6 . The fluid recapture system according to claim 1 , further comprising a shield mounted on the turbine, wherein the shield has a diameter greater than a diameter of the turbine.

7 . The fluid recapture system according to claim 1 , further comprising a flexible connector, wherein the flexible connector is mounted to the first end of the fluid line.

8 . The fluid recapture system according to claim 7 , wherein the flexible connector fluidly connects the fluid channel of the fluid line to a primary fluid circuit of a barge.

9 . A fluid recapture system comprising:
a translation sub-system comprising:
a moveable platform; and
a motor operable to move the moveable platform in a first direction and a second direction, opposite the first direction;
a recirculation sub-system mounted to the moveable platform, the recirculation sub-system comprising:
a fluid line having a first end, a second end, and a fluid channel extending from the first end to the second end;
a basin attached to the second end of the fluid line and fluidly connect to the fluid channel of the fluid line; and
an energy conversion sub-system mounted to the moveable platform, the energy conversion sub-system comprising:
a turbine aligned with the basin; and
a computer sub-system operable to control the translation sub-system, the recirculation sub-system, and the energy conversion sub-system, wherein the computer sub-system comprising:
a controller; and
one or more processors, a non-transitory computer-readable medium storing instructions executable by the one or more processors to perform operations, the operations comprising:
determining an elevation of the fluid recapture system relative to a surface of a body of water; and
prompting the translation sub-system to move in the first or second direction.

10 . The fluid recapture system according to claim 9 , further comprising a fluid pump disposed on the fluid line, wherein the fluid pump is operable to convey fluid from the basin to the first end of the fluid line.

11 . The fluid recapture system according to claim 10 , further comprising a transmission connected to the fluid pump and connected to the turbine, wherein the transmission is operable to power the pump.

12 . The fluid recapture system according to claim 11 , further comprising a nozzle defining a fluid channel and an outlet; wherein the outlet defines a nozzle axis, wherein the basin and the turbine are arranged on the nozzle axis.

13 . The fluid recapture system according to claim 11 , wherein the operations further comprise:
determining a position of the translation sub-system; and prompting the moveable platform to move a predetermined distance in the first or second direction based on at least the position of the translation sub-system.

14 . The fluid recapture system according to claim 9 , further comprising rails; wherein the moveable platform is mounted on the rails, wherein the platform is moveable relative to the rails.

15 . The fluid recapture system according to claim 9 , further comprising a generator operable to transfer mechanical energy from the turbine to the pump.

16 . A barge comprising:
a barge housing comprising:
walls comprising a discharge wall defining an exit port;
a cover; and
a base, wherein the walls extend between the cover and the base to define an interior volume of the barge housing;
a primary fluid circuit arranged in the interior volume of the housing, wherein the primary fluid circuit is fluidly connected to the exit port; and a fluid recapture system comprising:
an exposed portion arranged outside the interior volume of the housing, the exposed portion comprising:
an impeller;
a shield mounted on the impeller; and
a basin aligned with the impeller; and

a housed portion arranged in the interior volume of the housing, the housed portion comprising:
a translation sub-system having a moveable platform,
a transmission mechanically connected to the impeller by a shaft, and
a flexible connection fluidly connecting the basin to the primary fluid circuit.

17 . The barge according to claim 16 , wherein the flexible connection and the basin are connected by a fluid line, wherein a fluid pump is disposed on the fluid line.

18 . The barge according to claim 17 , wherein the impeller is operable to power the fluid pump.

19 . The barge according to claim 17 , wherein the transmission is operable to power the fluid pump.

20 . The barge according to claim 19 , wherein the impeller is operable to power the transmission.

21 . The barge according to claim 17 , wherein the impeller comprises multiple blades extending from an impeller hub, wherein the blades are arranged equidistant around the hub.

22 . The barge according to claim 16 , further comprising a nozzle mounted to an exterior face 208 of the discharge wall, wherein the nozzle is aligned with the exit port.

23 . The barge according to claim 16 , wherein the discharge wall comprises an impeller recess sized to receive the impeller, wherein the discharge wall defines a shaft opening in the impeller recess sized to receive the shaft.

24 . The barge according to claim 16 , wherein the discharge wall comprises a collector recess sized to receive the basin.

25 . The barge according to claim 24 , wherein the collector recess comprises a recess wall and a ledge, wherein the recess wall defines a fluid line opening sized to receive a fluid line connecting the flexible connection with the basin.

26 . The barge according to claim 25 , wherein the fluid line rests on the ledge.

27 . A barge comprising:
a barge housing; and a fluid recapture system comprising:
a turbine comprising:
an impeller comprising:
a hub,
multiple blades extending from the hub;

a shaft having a first end and a second end, wherein the impeller is mounted to second end of the shaft,

Assignees

• Saudi Arabian Oil Co

Inventors

• Alabdulaaly Mubarak I
• Aljomyl Saud
• Aldossary Mohammed
• Alobaidan Mohammed
• Almutairi Salem
• Balaji Tejavath

Classifications

• B63B13/00

  Conduits for emptying or ballasting; Self-bailing equipment; Scuppers (draining means for hatches B63B19/26; centrifugal bilge-water separators B04; {arrangements of installations for treating ballast water B63J4/002; } pipes in general F16L) · CPC title

• B63B2035/448

  Floating hydrocarbon production vessels, e.g. Floating Production Storage and Offloading vessels [FPSO] · CPC title

• B63B35/44 Primary

  Floating buildings, stores, drilling platforms, or workshops, e.g. carrying water-oil separating devices {(construction methods for floating offshore platforms B63B75/00)} · CPC title