Transportation and discharge of waste to abyssal depths
US5381751A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 17, 1993 |
| Grant date | Jan 17, 1995 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 17, 2013 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB63G8/001
- WIPO fieldEnvironmental technology
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
A deep-ocean relocation system includes a transport vehicle (glider) and a quad riser assembly for transporting waste for disposal at abyssal depths. The transport vehicle is either self-powered or towed by a host vehicle, and travels at the water surface or underwater to the disposal site. At the disposal site, the transport vehicle, which is primarily constructed of a space-frame matrix that is positively buoyant in sea water, descends to abyssal depths along a helical glide path, discharges its waste cargo, and thereafter ascends. The quad riser assembly includes a floating platform and at least two riser lines extending from the platform down to abyssal depths. Waste is discharged through at least one of the riser lines to the abyssal depths, while at least one other riser line is used to draw water from the abyssal depths to generate a slurry with the waste material. The waste is thus thermally habituated prior to disposal. Both of these approaches provide cost effective and environmentally safe means for the depositing/relocation of large tonnages of waste, totally isolating the waste from the intervening water column, while generating low plume, and precisely emplacing the w…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.