EP-4735696-A1 - DEVICE, APPARATUS, SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR SEDIMENT PLUME SUPPRESSION

Abstract

A device (10) for use in the suppression of a sediment plume (P), comprises an inlet arrangement (12) for receiving therethrough a fluid flow (F) and an outlet arrangement (14) for directing said fluid flow (F) out from the device (10). The outlet arrangement (14) is configured to redirect at least a portion of the fluid flow (F) received through the inlet arrangement (12) in a lateral direction, thereby forming a fluid barrier inhibiting the formation and/or movement of the sediment plume (P).

Inventors

• STEWART, DONALD

Assignees

• Rotech Group Limited

Dates

Publication Date

20260506

Application Date

20240627

Claims (20)

1. 1 . A device for use in the suppression of a sediment plume, the device comprising: an inlet arrangement for receiving therethrough a fluid flow; and an outlet arrangement comprising one or more outlets for directing said fluid flow out from the device, wherein the device is configured to redirect at least a portion of the fluid flow received through the inlet arrangement so as to form a fluid barrier inhibiting the formation and/or movement of the sediment plume.
2. 2. The device of claim 1 , wherein the device is configured to redirect at least a portion of the fluid flow: in a lateral or substantially lateral direction; in a forward or substantially forward direction; and/or in a rearward or substantially rearward direction.
3. 3. The device of claim 1 or 2, wherein the outlet arrangement comprises a single outlet.
4. 4. The device of claim 3, wherein the outlet is annular or substantially annular.
5. 5. The device of claim 1 or 2, wherein the outlet arrangement comprises a plurality of outlets.
6. 6. The device of claim 5, wherein the outlets are circumferentially arranged and/or spaced.
7. 7. The device of any preceding claim, wherein at least one of: at least one of the one or more outlets of the outlet arrangement are oriented radially; and at least one of the one or more outlets of the outlet arrangement are angled with respect to the horizontal.
8. 8. The device of any preceding claim, wherein at least one of the one or more outlets of the outlet arrangement comprises or takes the form of a nozzle.
9. 9. The device of any preceding claim, wherein the device is oriented so that the inlet arrangement is disposed at a non-zero angle with respect to vertical.
10. 10. The device of any preceding claim, wherein the device is configured and/or operable to redirect all of the fluid flow so as to form the fluid barrier.
11. 11. The device of any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the device is configured and/or operable to direct a portion of the fluid flow so as to form the fluid barrier and another portion, e.g. a remaining portion, of the fluid flow in an axial direction.
12. 12. The device of any preceding claim, comprising a rotor.
13. 13. The device of any preceding claim, comprising a stator.
14. 14. The device of any preceding claim, comprising a rotary drive arrangement.
15. 15. The device of claim 14, wherein the rotary drive arrangement comprises a rotary drive which comprises or takes the form of: an electric rotary drive, e.g. an electric motor; a fluid-powered rotary drive, e.g. a hydraulic motor or pneumatic motor.
16. 16. The device of any preceding claim, comprising a housing.
17. 17. The device of claim 16, wherein at least one of the inlet arrangement and the outlet arrangement are integrally formed with the housing.
18. 18. The device of claim 16, wherein at least one of the inlet arrangement and the outlet arrangement are coupled to the housing.
19. 19. An underwater apparatus comprising the device of any one of claims 1 to 18.
20. 20. The underwater apparatus of claim 19, wherein the underwater apparatus comprises or takes the form of an underwater excavation apparatus.

Description

DEVICE, APPARATUS, SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR SEDIMENT PLUME SUPPRESSION FIELD This relates to a device for use in the suppression of a sediment plume; to an underwater apparatus’, e.g. underwater excavation apparatus’, comprising said device; to a system comprising said device and said underwater apparatus; and to associated methods of sediment plume suppression. BACKGROUND Subsea systems, such as pipeline systems, conduits, cables and the like, form a critical part of the World’s industrial infrastructure. In order to protect subsea infrastructure, e.g. from the harsh marine environment and/or from damage from passing marine vessels, subsea excavation equipment is used to form a trench system in the seabed into which the pipeline systems, conduits, cables and the like may be laid and which is then covered over. In the energy industry, for example, excavation of the seabed is used extensively in order to lay the pipelines, conduits and/or cables required to support offshore installations, including offshore oil and/or gas installations and more recently the offshore renewable energy infrastructure seen as critical in the move towards low carbon energy production. All methods of subsea seabed excavation liberate solid particles from the seabed surface which are lifted into suspension in the water column and create diffuse sediment plumes. Large particles within the plume, such as gravel and heavy sands, fall relatively close to the excavation site. Smaller particles have the potential to travel much further, particularly where there are significant currents. The higher the plume is lifted into the water column, the further it may travel from the excavation site. Although sediment plumes occur naturally, for example at the mouth of rivers or with the interaction of waves and tides on the seabed, from an environmental impact perspective it is generally considered desirable to minimise the spread of sediment plumes caused by excavation beyond the area of excavation in order to limit any adverse ecological impact. This is particularly the case in locations where there may be pre-existing contamination of the seabed from industrial or other pollutants. In non-polluted areas, sediment plumes can still be environmentally damaging due to seabed fauna or flora being buried. SUMMARY Aspects of the present disclosure relate to a device for use in the suppression of a sediment plume; to an underwater apparatus’, e.g. underwater excavation apparatus’, comprising said device; to a system comprising said device and said underwater apparatus; and to associated methods of sediment plume suppression. According to a first aspect, there is provided a device for use in the suppression of a sediment plume, the device comprising: an inlet arrangement for receiving therethrough a fluid flow; and an outlet arrangement comprising one or more outlets for directing said fluid flow out from the device, wherein the device is configured to redirect at least a portion of the fluid flow received through the inlet arrangement so as to form a fluid barrier inhibiting the formation and/or movement of the sediment plume. In use, the device is located above an underwater worksite to be excavated and/or other area of seabed subject to disturbance from mechanical and/or jetting means with the outlet arrangement oriented towards the seabed. The device may be configured and/or operable to receive, via the inlet arrangement, the fluid flow which is then directed out of the device via the outlet arrangement. The device may be configured to redirect at least a portion of the fluid flow so as to form a fluid barrier inhibiting the formation and/or movement of the sediment plume. The fluid flow exiting the device may take the form of a jet of water above the plume generation area that presents a barrier to the upward movement of the suspended solids forming the sediment plume. Beneficially, the device suppresses the formation and/or movement of the sediment plume, amongst other things obviating and/or mitigating adverse ecological impacts that may otherwise occur from the spread of the sediment plume. For example, by suppressing the sediment plume the device may limit the spread of industrial or other pollutants contained in the seabed. Moreover, by suppressing the sediment plume the device may reduce the impact of underwater excavation processes on seabed fauna and/or flora in the area surrounding the worksite, e.g. by preventing and/or mitigating the disturbance of their habitat and/or by preventing the seabed fauna and/or flora from being buried. As described above, the device is configured to redirect at least a portion of the fluid flow received through the inlet arrangement so as to form a fluid barrier inhibiting the formation and/or movement of the sediment plume. The device may be configured to redirect the fluid flow in a lateral or substantially lateral direction, i.e. to one or more sides of the device. Alternatively or additionally, the de