Velocity and concentration adjustable coupling pipe apparatus equipped between lifting pipe and collector

A velocity and concentration adjustable coupling pipe apparatus equipped between a lifting pipe and a collector of a mining system having a collector, a lifting pipe, a lifting pump, and an onboard processor to mine manganese nodule from a floor of a deep sea, the coupling pipe apparatus comprising:

• a coupling pipe having a lower inlet and an upper outlet which are different in diameter from each other;
• a seawater inlet pipe passing through a side surface of the coupling pipe to permit inflow of seawater;
• a slurry flow control valve provided in the coupling pipe, and opening or closing to control an inflow of slurry;
• a seawater flow control valve provided in the seawater inlet pipe, and opening or closing to control an inflow of the seawater;
• a first sensor measuring a concentration of slurry discharged through the upper outlet;
• a second sensor measuring a velocity of slurry discharged through the upper outlet;
• a third sensor measuring a velocity of slurry introduced into the lower inlet;
• and
• a control panel connected to the first sensor, the second sensor and the third sensor via a circuit, thus controlling an opening ratio of each of the slurry flow control valve and the seawater flow control valve based on the measured velocity and concentration.