Reply #83: So many ideas that aren't being harnessed by BP [View All]

[flamingdem]

* 200 scientists (and James Cameron?!) are meeting with Steven Chu for problems solving soon according to MSNBC

Examples about on the internets:


http://www.theoildrum.com/node/6551


Woods27 and Eggtimer1

My thoughts have been moving in a similar direction to yours regarding the potential use of the Big Flange as an anchor point. My concept centered around a design similiar to a Prop Puller, which as you may know is 3 arms that swing in to seize the base of a boat propeller as it is tightened against the shaft. Seemed to me that up to eight adustable arms could be attached to a cap with feet that would swing in and extend under the big flange and tighten the cap against the top of the existing flange. It is this ability to easily and instantly anchor the cap and then to tighten at will as required to seal that is so important, and with the proper adjust able arms could be made to instantly release if required.

This idea seemed to address the concerns regarding the uncontrolled release of pressure if the existing riser is cut and would only need to contain the existing release pressure and regarding the holding down of the drill pipe if the riser is cut since the riser could be sheared or crimped beyond its existing leaks and contained within the cap. It also offered a larger mateing surface to spread the internal pressure and the ability to fit the cap over the existing structure and contain it rather than cutting off the existing structure in order to fit (thread the needle) within the pipe.

Your similar ideas and drawings have given this concept life and I have submitted this thread on an Alternative Technology Response form as referenced above. Hopefully it will rceive a reasoned response.