.jpg "Intel man claims he can stop BP oil spill -")
A man who makes a living selling chips for Intel has come up with a cunning plan which he thinks can stop the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico.
Steven Laughlin has devised a plan to "plug the hole" of the Deepwater Horizon oil rig. However he is a little surprised that BP seems uninterested in calling him.
Laughlin is a semiconductor field service engineer who does vendor work for Intel.
His plan involves dropping a locking collar that goes over the open pipe that has a steel insert that would be driven into the pipe by the use of a ratcheting system.
According to his local newspaper, the Rio Rancho, the steel insert, resembling a spike, starts out narrow at the end and reaches the diameter of the open pipe on the other, complete with series of brass seals that would seal off the leak.
Laughlin said that his plan works because the steel insert or "plug" starts narrow and then gradually increases in girth is critical to the plan.
If it was flat, he said it would blow up and his design of the insert takes advantage of the pressures found deep underwater. The steel spike would be guided into the pipe using jacking screws and mounted by a reduction gear system that would seal the spike into place inside the pipe.
Apparently he got the idea about how to save the planet two weeks ago and was up until 4 a.m. drawing designs.
However he said that he can't get anyone to take his designs seriously.
Laughlin admits the fact that he is not an civil engineer and selling chips for Intel might stand against him, but plans should be judged on their merit and not his background. Laughlin said using his plans, BP could shut the flow of oil off within two weeks.
It's less a technical issue than a legal one. Damned lawyers are ALWAYS getting in the way.
What this means is that back pressuring the BOP (say by putting a large steel and brass cork in it!) would blow out the sea floor and the oil would flow unobstructed from the ground, never to be stopped! This would be a 'bad thing'!
This is why the containment cap intentionally doesn't make a good seal and doesn't capture all the oil.
The only hope here is the two relief wells being drilled and those have huge risks as well.
Still, here's my lyrics:
''Small people'' got no reason
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/06/16/AR2010061605528_Comments.html
''Small people'' got no reason
''Small people'' got no reason
''Small people'' got no reason
To want big answers from Carl-Henree
Or even small answers from big Bee-Pee
They got small hands
Small eyes
They walk around
Tellin' small kinds of lies
They got small noses
And small small teeth
They wear oil-stained shoes
On their oil-soaked feet
Well, I don't want no ''Small people''
Don't want no ''Small people''
Don't want no ''Small people''
`Round here on my drillin' rig
''Small people'' got nobody
''Small people'' got nobody
''Small people'' got nobody
to hear their pleas at BP - (please!)
They got little small legs
That stand so low
On the oil-soaked beach
Oh what they don't know!
They got small minds
That go ''BP BP BP''
They got small voices
Goin' 'BP BP BP''
They got small oily fingers
And small oily minds
They're gonna get you every time
Well, I don't want no small people
Don't want no ''Small people''
Don't want no ''Small people''
'Round here on my drillin' rig....
6/17/2010 1:05:43 AM websposted at WASH POST DOT COM
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The idea is to use the btm (or first dome) with multiple oil outlet points around its perimeter equi.-spaced, say 20 outlets at 18 degrees, Each outlet can then be buoyed via pipeline to the surface to say a Tanker or holding bay for Oil collection.
A Professional Marine Engineer can thus decide and design such a dome system first in Pilot form - to test and simulate similar conditions that prevail at the sea-bed Oil
Leak point.
Thereafter a more realistic dome system could be proposed. I dont know the actual hole dia. of the leak point, but could imagine a dome of say 100 or even 200 metres in diameter. Dome height would depend on existing setup at seabed.
The current oil flow rate/volume/flow inertia cannot be stopped in its tracks. The numbers are just too big. One would have to somehow spread the flow and redirect it into Tankers, during which time one can then start to counter to existing pressure on the sealing dome(s) in step form. More double conical domes can be added as needed.
A further great idea would be to use a pipe system through the centre of one the dome(s) to create a hydraulic push-back system which would enable the pressure to act against itself mechanically and thus seal itself off, no matter what the actual oil pressure is. This unit could be duplicated to allow removal for repairs or refitment.
A pressure equalizer in other words. Oil pressure can be related into mechanical advantage.
The two above concepts could be made to operate in unison. As pressure is temporarily reduced at the leak point (via above surface flow collection), then mechanical pressure can incrementally increased below to slow the Oil Leak flow rate. Thus a loop can in theory be created to hopefully eventually seal the Oil Leak and lock it down.
I admit this simple way will work to solve the oil leaking from the sea floor, don't forget to credit me if this technique was used.
OK, the unit must be extremely heavy and shaped like a funnel with its edge just wider than the size of the oil leak entrance. Just flip the funnel shaped unit upside-down over the oil leak hold, the rest is easy connecting the smaller end to a pipe for pumping.
The oil will always flow upwards so it will not spill out to the bottom, i sat down and think out this very carefully and it will work.
By Rennie Peters
Trinidad and Tobago
small pipe connected to supply hydraulic pressure between flexible and steel pipe,tee piece with valves and flex. pipe to rig or shore, open valves to reduce resistance, push assembly into leaking pipe, apply pressure to lock assembly inside leaking pipe, all quick and low cost.
UK. mob.07973 786959 (John)
http://www.sunflowerpipes.com