Underwater oil and gas leak containment systems and methods

摘要

A system and method are disclosed for containing an underwater gas or oil leak. The system and method may include a vortex device comprising a vortex chamber, a high pressure inlet tangentially engaging the vortex chamber, a low pressure inlet axially engaging the vortex chamber, and a low pressure outlet axially engaging the vortex chamber opposite the low pressure inlet. The vortex device may be positioned underwater proximate an underwater leak. A vortex may be generated within the vortex device. The vortex device may then collect a leak flow issuing from the underwater leak. The vortex device may collect the leak flow via the low pressure inlet, the high pressure inlet, or both.

主权项

1. A method comprising:
identifying an underwater leak issuing a leak flow; obtaining a vortex device comprising
a vortex chamber,a high pressure inlet tangentially engaging the vortex chamber,a low pressure inlet axially engaging the vortex chamber, anda low pressure outlet axially engaging the vortex chamber opposite the low pressure inlet; generating a vortex within the vortex chamber; ingesting at least a portion of the leak flow into the vortex chamber via the low pressure inlet; and conducting, by a conduit, the at least a portion of the leak flow from the low pressure outlet to a surface location.