404 



OCEAN-BOTTOM MINING TECHNOLOGY 



1/2 AM. STD. PIPE 

 COUPLING CUT 1/4' 

 It a 4" PIPE TO FIT, 



1-1/2" AM. STD. PIPE 

 COUPLING CUT IN HALF, 

 ONE EACH END 



1/4 AM STD. PIPE 

 COUPLING CUT 1/4" 

 t a 4" PIPE TO FIT. 



4" AM STD PIPE, 

 9" LONG 



1/4 



2.45" 1. 0., ONE 



EACH END 



SCALE: 1/2"= I" 



Fig. 166. Compressedair manifold on air lift re- 

 covery pipe 



The increased velocity of flow doubled the amount of solids recovered. Other factors 

 which caused some increase in the amount of solids recovery were the less compact nature of 

 the phosphorescent sand and disturbance of the bottom by the observing divers. 



It was then decided to increase the intake velocity further by removing the suction shoe. 

 This alteration reduced the weight of the assembly so that a diver could maneuver the intake 

 across the ocean floor. The observing divers were instructed to distribute phosphorescent 

 sand and 3/8- in., 1/8- ounce steel pellets, vary the height of the intake pipe above the ocean 

 floor from to 1 ft, and control air-inlet flow with the valve at the air manifold, 28 in. above 

 the inlet. 



The duration of the test was nine minutes, during which time two cubic feet of sediment 

 was recovered. Water discharge was black, indicating a heavy sediment concentration. The 

 steel pellets were picked up and discharged against the recovery-barrel deflector plate with 

 considerable force. 



