Propulsion apparatus
AssigneeRotech Holding Limited
InventorHector Filippus Alexander Van-Drentham Susman
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The present invention provides a self-contained propulsion apparatus 1 suitable for a sub-sea ROV. The apparatus comprises: a reactor vessel 2 having at least one inlet 3, 4 and an exhaust 7; reservoirs 10, 11 for holding fuel and an oxidant material therefor, wherein the reaction products of said fuel and oxidant comprise steam; a remotely operable fuel and oxidant supply control device 12, 13; and a steam turbine 9 connected to the exhaust 7 so as to be driven by steam from the reactor vessel 2. The turbine 9 is drivingly connected 39 to a propulsion device 42 for propelling the ROV in use thereof. A degassing apparatus 17 is provided for substantially removing steam and any other gas phase reaction products, from the gas phase into the liquid and/or solid phase, downstream of the turbine 9.
Claims21
A self-contained propulsion apparatus suitable for a sub-sea ROV wherein said propulsion apparatus comprises:
- a reactor vessel for reaction of hydrogen peroxide oxidant having a strength of from 20 to 70%, with a fuel, and having at least one inlet and at least one exhaust, said reactor vessel being provided with a spark ignition element;
- a decomposition chamber for disproportionation of said hydrogen peroxide oxidant upstream of said reactor vessel, said decomposition chamber being provided with a catalyst for disproportionation of said hydrogen peroxide oxidant;
- at least one reservoir for holding, in use of the apparatus, supplies of each of said fuel and hydrogen peroxide oxidant, said reservoirs being in fluid communication with said at least one inlet of said reactor vessel via said decomposition chamber;
- at least one remotely operable fuel and oxidant supply control device formed and arranged for controlling supply of said fuel and oxidant from said reservoirs to the reactor vessel;
- a steam driven drive device in fluid communication with said reactor vessel exhaust so as to be driven by steam from said reactor vessel in use of the propulsion apparatus, said drive device being connected via a reduction gear means to a propulsion device for propelling said ROV in use thereof;
- and
- degassing apparatus formed and arranged for substantially removing steam and any other gas phase reaction products, from the gas phase into the liquid and/or solid phase, downstream of said drive device.
A method of propulsion of a subsea ROV of the type comprising:
- a reactor vessel for reaction of hydrogen peroxide oxidant having a strength of from 20 to 70%, with a fuel, and having at least one inlet and at least one exhaust, said reactor vessel being provided with a spark ignition element;
- a decomposition chamber for disproportionation of said hydrogen peroxide oxidant upstream of said reactor vessel, said decomposition chamber being provided with a catalyst for disproportionation of said hydrogen peroxide oxidant;
- at least one reservoir for holding, in use of the apparatus, supplies of each of said fuel and hydrogen peroxide oxidant, said reservoirs being in fluid communication with said at least one inlet of said reactor vessel via said decomposition chamber;
- at least one remotely operable fuel and oxidant supply control device formed and arranged for controlling supply of said fuel and oxidant from said reservoirs to the reactor vessel;
- a steam driven drive device in fluid communication with said reactor vessel exhaust so as to be driven by steam from said reactor vessel in use of the propulsion apparatus, said drive device being connected via a reduction gear means to a propulsion device for propelling said ROV in use thereof;
- and
- degassing apparatus formed and arranged for substantially removing steam and any other gas phase reaction products, from the gas phase into the liquid and/or solid phase, downstream of said drive device;
- said method comprising the steps of:
- a) charging each said at least one reservoir with supplies of said fuel and said hydrogen peroxide oxidant, respectively;
- b) disproportionating said hydrogen peroxide oxidant in said decomposition chamber;
- c) supplying said fuel and disproportionated hydrogen peroxide oxidant to the reactor vessel via said fuel and oxidant supply control device, and reacting them therein;
- d) driving said steam driven device by steam from said reactor vessel so as to propel said ROV;
- and
- e) substantially removing steam and any other gas phase reaction products, from the gas phase into the liquid and/or solid phase, in said degassing apparatus.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.