Offshore Barge Fluid Recovery System

This disclosure relates to fluid systems in offshore barges, and more particularly to fluid recapture systems in offshore barges.

Hydrocarbon production operations at an offshore drilling site requires the use of barges for both drilling operations and maintenance operations. Mobile offshore drilling units (MODUs) are self-contained floatable or floating drilling machines. MODUs can include jackups, semisubmersibles, and submersibles. Jackups are combination drilling rig and floating barge, fitted with long support legs that can be raised or lowered independently of each other. The jackup is towed onto location with its legs up and the barge section floating on the water. Upon arrival at the drilling location, the legs are jacked down onto the seafloor, preloaded to securely drive them into the seabottom, and then all legs are jacked further down. Since the legs have been preloaded and will not penetrate the seafloor further, this jacking down of the legs has the effect of raising the jacking mechanism and attached to the barge and drilling package. The entire barge and drilling structure are slowly raised above the water to a predetermined height above the water, so that wave, tidal and current loading acts only on the relatively small legs and not the bulky barge and drilling package.

The disclosure relates to a fluid recapture system arranged in a drilling or maintenance barge used in offshore drilling operations. The fluid recapture system includes a translation sub-system, a recirculation sub-system, and an energy conversion sub-system. The translation sub-system moves the recirculation and energy conversion sub-system into alignment with a discharged water stream exiting the barge from an elevated position. The energy conversion sub-system interacts with the discharged fluid to rotate a turbine and transfer the rotational energy generated by the turbine, a fluid pump of the recirculation sub-system. The recirculation sub-system captures at least a portion of the discharged fluid after the fluid interacts with the turbine and redirects the recaptured fluid into the barge for reuse. The fluid pump of the recirculation sub-system conveys the recaptured fluid from the exterior of the barge to the interior of the barge.

The fluid recapture system can decrease the overall load of a barge by reducing the amount of fresh sea water taken from a surrounding body of water. Fresh seawater is be used as a coolant during various operations performed by the barge or equipment carried by the barge. The fluid recapture system is self contained and at least partially self powered. As such, the fluid recapture system can reduce the overall fluid pump load of the barge during operations by providing a portion of the seawater coolant volume at little to no power costs

In certain aspects, a fluid recapture system includes a translation sub-system, a recirculation sub-system, and an energy conversion sub-system. The translation sub-system has a moveable platform on which the recirculation sub-system and energy conversion sub-system are mounted. The recirculation sub-system has a fluid line with a first end, a second end, and a fluid channel extending from the first end to the second end. A basin of the recirculation sub-system is attached to the second end of the fluid line and fluidly connects to the fluid channel of the fluid line. The recirculation sub-system also includes a fluid pump disposed on the fluid line. The fluid pump is operable to convey fluid from the basin to the first end of the fluid line. The energy conversion sub-system includes a turbine and a transmission. The turbine is aligned with the basin. The transmission is connected to the fluid pump and is connected to the turbine. The transmission is operable to power the pump.

Some fluid recapture systems also include a nozzle having an inlet configured to receive a discharged fluid and an outlet configured to expel the discharged fluid. A fluid channel can extend between the inlet and outlet. Some outlets of the nozzle define a nozzle axis. In some systems, the basin and the turbine are arranged on the nozzle axis. In some systems, the turbine is arranged between the nozzle and the basin.

Some fluid recapture systems also include a shield mounted on the turbine. The shield can have a diameter greater than a diameter of the turbine.

Some fluid recapture systems also include a flexible connector. The flexible connector can be mounted to the first end of the fluid line. In some systems, the flexible connector fluidly connects the fluid channel of the fluid line to a primary fluid circuit of a barge.

In certain aspects, a fluid recapture system includes a translation sub-system, a recirculation sub-system, an energy conversion sub-system, and a computer sub-system. The translation sub-system includes a moveable platform and a motor operable to move the moveable platform in a first direction and a second direction, opposite the first direction The recirculation sub-system is mounted to the moveable platform and includes a fluid line having a first end, a second end, and a fluid channel extending from the first end to the second end. The recirculation sub-system also includes a basin attached to the second end of the fluid line and fluidly connect to the fluid channel of the fluid line. The energy conversion sub-system is also mounted to the moveable platform and includes a turbine aligned with the basin. The computer sub-system is operable to control the translation sub-system, the recirculation sub-system, and the energy conversion sub-system. The computer sub-system includes a controller, one or more processors, and a non-transitory computer-readable medium storing instructions executable by the one or more processors to perform operations. The operations include determining an elevation of the fluid recapture system relative to a surface of a body of water and prompting the translation sub-system to move in the first or second direction.

Some fluid recapture systems also include a fluid pump disposed on the fluid line. The fluid pump can be operable to convey fluid from the basin to the first end of the fluid line. Some fluid recapture systems also include a transmission connected to the fluid pump and connected to the turbine. The transmission can be operable to power the pump. Fluid recapture systems can also include a nozzle defining a fluid channel and an outlet. The outlet can define a nozzle axis. The basin and the turbine can be arranged on the nozzle axis. The operations determining a position of the translation sub-system and prompting the moveable platform to move a predetermined distance in the first or second direction based on at least the position of the translation sub-system.

Some fluid recapture systems also include rails. The moveable platform can be mounted on the rails and/or can be moveable relative to the rails.

In certain aspects, a barge includes a barge housing with walls having a discharge wall defining an exit port, a cover, and a base. The walls extend between the cover and the base to define an interior volume of the barge housing. The barge also includes a primary fluid circuit arranged in the interior volume of the housing. The primary fluid circuit is fluidly connected to the exit port. The barge also includes a fluid recapture system with an exposed portion arranged outside the interior volume of the housing and a housed portion arranged in the interior volume of the housing. The exposed portion includes an impeller, a shield mounted on the impeller, and a basin aligned with the impeller. The housed portion includes a translation sub-system having a moveable platform, a transmission mechanically connected to the impeller by a shaft, and a flexible connection fluidly connecting the basin to the primary fluid circuit.

In some barges, the flexible connection and the basin are connected by a fluid line, A fluid pump can be disposed on the fluid line. In some barges, the impeller is operable to power the fluid pump. In some barges, the transmission is operable to power the fluid pump. The impeller can be operable to power the transmission. The impeller can have multiple blades that extend from an impeller hub and are arranged equidistant around the hub.

Some barges also include a nozzle mounted to an exterior face of the discharge wall. The nozzle can be aligned with the exit port.

In some barges, the discharge wall comprises an impeller recess sized to receive the impeller. The discharge wall can define a shaft opening in the impeller recess sized to receive the shaft.

In some barges, the discharge wall comprises a collector recess sized to receive the basin. In some barges, the collector recess comprises a recess wall and a ledge. The recess wall can define a fluid line opening sized to receive a fluid line connecting the flexible connection with the basin. In some barges, the fluid line rests on the ledge.

In certain aspects, a barge includes barge housing and a fluid recapture system. The fluid recapture system includes a turbine with an impeller. The impeller a hub, multiple blades extending from the hub, a shaft having a first end and a second end, and a shield mounted to the impeller. The impeller is mounted to second end of the shaft. The shaft and the impeller are rotationally coupled. The impeller is arranged between the shield and the shaft. The fluid recapture system also includes a generator and a fluid pump. The generator is connected to the first end of the shaft. The shaft is rotatable relative to the generator. The turbine powers the fluid pump through the generator The fluid recapture system is moveable relative to the barge housing.

The details of one or more embodiments are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features, objects, and advantages will be apparent from the description and drawings, and from the claims.

Like reference symbols in the various drawings indicate like elements.

Offshore barges transport drilling equipment and facilitate offshore hydrocarbon drilling operations in large bodies of water. The disclosed barge includes a primary fluid circuit contained within and mounted to a barge housing. The primary fluid circuit intakes, stores, and discharges fluid used in offshore drill operations. The primary fluid circuit can be a horizontal water (fluid) discharge system which discharges fluid from the housing of the barge, into the body of water. The barge also includes a fluid recapture system (fluid recapture arrangement) that redirects and recaptures at least a portion of the fluid discharged from the barge housing by the primary fluid circuit. The fluid recapture system can decrease the total energy consumption of the barge by rerouting discharged fluid into the primary fluid circuit and by converting hydrostatic energy of discharged fluid into mechanical (rotational) power sufficient to power a fluid pump. In this configuration, the fluid recapture system can be fully or partially self-powered by harnessing the energy of the existing high-pressure discharge fluid exiting from the barge to the sea, and simultaneously using that energy to convey a portion of the discharged water back to the main circulation tank of the barge.

is a perspective view of a bargein a floating (first) position. In the floating position, the bargecan be powered by a barge motor (not shown) to move within a body of water to an offshore well or drilling site. The bargeincludes a housinghaving multiple (side) walls. The side wallsinclude a discharge wall. The housingalso includes a ceiling (cover)and a base (barge floor). The side walls, ceiling, and baseat least partially define an interior volume. The wallsextend between the ceilingand the base. The baseis arranged between the ceilingand the body of water (e.g., closer to the body of water, or contacting the body of water). Drilling equipment (not shown) can be mounted to an exterior surfaceof the housing or arranged within the interior space of the housing.

Translatable legsare mounted to the exterior of the housing. In the floating position of the barge, the legsare raised relative to the baseand/or relative to the housing. The legsmay be mounted to rails on the exterior of the housing. In the floating a majority portion of the legs extend away from the base of the housing. In some floating position, the legs are at least partially submerged in a body of water. In some floating positions, the legs are arranged at a non-zero distance from the surface of the water). The legsslide in a first (vertical) direction to extend into or out of a body of water and to move relative to the barge housing.

The housingdefines a well or casing opening (inlet)in basethe housing. The openingis (fluidly) connectable to a wellbore drilled in the floor of the body of water (not shown). In some cases, the opening is defined in the walls or ceiling of the housing. Some barges have multiple openings or inlets fluidly connecting the interior space with a connected pipe of casing. The opening can be releasably sealed to isolate the interior space of the housing from the environment (e.g., from a body of water). The housingalso includes an exit portdefined in the discharge wall. The exit portguides, conveys, and/or expels discharge fluid from a primary fluid circuit().

A nozzleof the bargeis mounted to the exterior surfaceof the discharge wall. The nozzleis aligned with or arranged on the exit portsuch that the fluid exiting the exit portenters the nozzle. The nozzleis an L-shaped or curved nozzle. High pressure fluid exiting the exit portis guided by the nozzlefrom a horizontal direction (e.g., parallel to the body of water, perpendicular to the discharge wall) to a vertical direction (e.g., perpendicular to the body of water, parallel to the discharge wall). The nozzleis mounted to the housing. The nozzleis welded to the exterior surfaceof the discharge wall, however, some nozzles are integral with and/or part of the housing. Some nozzles extend through the housing exit port and a nozzle inlet is at least partially arranged in the interior volume of the housing. In some cases, the outlet discharges or expels fluid in a first direction and the nozzle redirects the discharged or expelled fluid into a second direction. The first direction can be different from the second direction.

The bargeincludes a computer sub-systemand fluid recapture systemfor recapturing at least a portion of fluid discharged from the nozzle. The fluid recapture systemis moveable relative to the housing, discharge wall, and/or the primary fluid circuit(). The fluid recapture system can include the nozzle. The fluid recapture systemincludes a housed (first) portion(e.g., a housed arrangement) and an exposed (second) portion(e.g., exposed arrangement). The housed portionis arranged and/or fixed in the interior volumeof the barge housingof the barge. The exposed portionis arranged or fixed outside the interior volumeof the barge housing.

In some cases, the fluid recapture system includes a transitional (third) portion (e.g., a transitional arrangement). The transitional portion is arranged in the interior volume of the barge housing in some positions of the moveable fluid recapture system and arranged exterior to the housing (e.g., outside the interior volume of the housing) in other position of the moveable fluid recapture system. For example, in a first (retracted) position of the fluid recapture system, the housed and transitional portions may be arranged in interior volume of the barge housing and the exposed position may be arranged outside the barge housing. In a second (extended) position of the fluid recapture system, the housed portion may be arranged in the interior volume and the transitional portion and exposed portion may be arranged outside the barge housing.

The computer sub-systemincludes a controller, one or more processors, and a non-transitory computer-readable medium storing instructions executable by the one or more processors to perform operations. The operations can include determining an elevation of the fluid recapture system relative to a surface of a body of water; and prompting the translation sub-system to move in the first or second direction. The computer sub-system can also determine the position of the translation sub-system and prompt the translation sub-system to move in a first or second direction by a predetermined distance. The fluid recapture systemis operably connected and controllable by the computer sub-system. The legsare also operably connected and controllable by the computer sub-system. The computer sub-system can also connect and/or control mounted drilling, transport, and/or other operational equipment on or in the barge.

is a perspective view of the bargein the lifted (second) position. In the second position, the legsslide along the wallsof the housingtowards and past the baseof the housing. In the lifted position, the legsof the barge extend into the body of water and contact the floor of the body of water. The legs, after contacting the floor, press the barge housing away from a surface of the body of water such that the baseof the housingis a non-zero and/or predefined distance d() from the surface of the body of water.

are a perspective views of the fluid recapture systemin a (first) retracted position and a (second) extended position, respectively. In the retracted position, the exposed portionof the fluid recapture systemmates with the exterior faceof the discharge wall. The releasable engagement or mating of the discharge wallwith the exposed portionof the fluid recapture systemprotects the fluid recapture system from the environment during transportation and other operations. In the extended position, the exposed portionof the fluid recapture systemis at least partially aligned with the nozzle(). In the extended position, the exposed portionof the fluid recapture systemat least partially aligns with the nozzle() so that fluid discharged from the nozzlecontacts at least a part of the exposed portionof the fluid recapture system. The discharged fluid is pressurized and exits the nozzleat an elevated location relative to the fluid recapture system. The fluid recapture systemis operable to capture at least a portion of the energy of the discharge fluid and convert the hydrostatic energy into mechanical power. The fluid recapture systemalso recirculates the captured fluid into the primary fluid circuitof the bargeusing the converted mechanical power. The recapture and recirculation of the discharged fluid can reduce the energy load operating the primary fluid circuit, for example, by reducing the energy load of fluid pumps in the primary fluid circuit when drawing and conveying fresh fluid from the surrounding body of water.

Some recapture systems interact with about 5% to about 100% of the discharged fluid for generating power. In some cases, for example, about 25% to about 50%, about 10% to about 90%, about 20% to about 75%, about 20% to about 90%, about 40% to about 80%, about 30% to about 75%, about 40% to about 90%, about 50% to about 90%, about 50% to about 75%, about 50% to about 80%, or about 25% to about 90% of the discharge fluid interacts with the fluid recapture system generate (recapture) energy of the discharged fluid. In some cases, the fluid recapture system is operable interact with at least about 5%, at least about 10%, at least about 20%, at least about 25% at least, about 30%, at least about 40%, at least about 50%, at least about 60%, at least about 70% at least about 75%, at least about 80%, or at least about 90% of the discharged fluid from the nozzle.

Some recapture systems recollect (recapture) about 1% to about 100% of the discharge fluid expelled from the nozzle (e.g., about 25% to about 50% of the discharge fluid). For example, the fluid recapture system can collect about 10% to about 80%, about 15% to about 75%, about 20% to about 10% to about 90%, about 20% to about 75%, about 20% to about 90%, about 40% to about 80%, about 30% to about 75%, about 40% to about 90%, about 50% to about 90%, about 50% to about 75%, about 50% to about 80%, or about 25% to about 90% of the discharge fluid for recirculation and reuse in barge operations. In some cases, the fluid recapture system is operable to recapture at least about 5%, at least about 10%, at least about 20%, at least about 25% at least, about 30%, at least about 40%, at least about 50%, at least about 60%, at least about 70% at least about 75%, at least about 80%, or at least about 90% of the fluid discharged from the nozzle.

Some recapture systems recollect (recapture) an amount of discharge fluid proportional to the total amount of fluid used in the barge. For example, the recapture system may provide about 25% to about 50% of the total fluid used in the primary fluid circuit of the barge. In some cases, the fluid recapture system is operable to recapture about 1% to about 100% of the total volume of fluid used in barge operations. The fluid recapture system can collect and/or provide about 10% to about 80%, about 15% to about 75%, about 20% to about 10% to about 90%, about 20% to about 75%, about 20% to about 90%, about 40% to about 80%, about 30% to about 75%, about 40% to about 90%, about 50% to about 90%, about 50% to about 75%, about 50% to about 80%, or about 25% to about 90% of the total fluid volume used in barge operations or used by be primary fluid circuit in barge operations.

The fluid recapture systemincludes a translation sub-system, an energy conversion sub-system, and a recirculation sub-system. The energy conversion sub-systemand the recirculation sub-systemare mounted to or arranged on the translation sub-system. The translation sub-systemis operably connected and controlled by the computer sub-system. The translation sub-systemis moveable relative to the discharge wallto move the fluid recapture systembetween the extended and retracted positions.

The translation sub-systemincludes a moveable platformmounted on a guiding structure. The guiding structures can be part of the translation sub-system, part of the barge housing, or separate from both translation sub-system and barge housing. The guiding structure in the bargeare railsmounted to the baseof the barge housing. The moveable platformincludes a first wheeland a second wheel. The railsinclude a first railand second raileach rail,defining a groove. The grooveon the first railis sized to receive the first wheel. The grooveon the second railis sized to receive the second wheel. The railsare fixed to (e.g., attached to or integral with (the baseof the barge housing (). The rails can be bolted to the barge housing or welded to the barge housing. The wheels,move within the groovesof the railsto move the platformin a forward (first) direction and backwards (second) direction. The second direction is opposite the first direction. In this configuration, the moveable platformtranslates in the forward direction towards the discharge wall() of the barge housing(). The moveable platformtranslates in the backwards direction, away from the discharge wall().

The translation sub-systemincludes a driver for moving recapture sub-systembetween positions (e.g., between the first, retracted position and the second, extended position). In the translation sub-system, the driver is a motorconnected to the first and second wheels,. The motoris operably connected to and controlled by the computer sub-system. In use, the computer sub-systemprompts the motorto move or terminate movement of the wheels,.

The energy conversion sub-systemand recirculation sub-systemare translationally fixed to the moveable platform. In this configuration, movement of the platformalong the railsalso translates the energy conversion sub-systemand the recirculation sub-systemin the same direction relative to the barge housingand/or the discharge wall. The rails can include wheel stops and/or speed bumps arranged at a location on the rails that correspond with the extended and retracted positions.

In some systems, the energy conversion sub-system and the fluid recirculation sub-system are moveable relative to each other. For example, the translation sub-system can include a first moveable platform and a second moveable platform translatable relative to each other and relative to the discharge wall. The energy conversion sub-system can be arranged on or mounted to the first moveable platform. The fluid recirculation sub-system can be arranged on or mounted to the second moveable platform. In some cases, the translation sub-system is an expandable or slidable connection (e.g., hydraulically powered movement or pistons) rather than a moveable platform. In some cases, the moveable platform includes continuous track (caterpillar tread, tank treads) rather than wheels to move the moveable platform. While the translation sub-system has been described as guided by rails, some translation sub-systems can be steerable or fixed to a different guiding structure.

The rails can include triggers and/or sensors indicating the platform location relative to the rails. The triggers and/or sensors are operable to connect to the computer sub-system and to transmit platform position data generated by the triggers and/or sensors. Position sensors of the translation sub-system can transmit (platform) translation data to the computer sub-system. The computer sub-system can determine and/or identify the position of the fluid recapture system at least partially based on the translation data. The translation sensors can include contact sensors, pressure sensors, acoustic sensors, magnetic sensors, and/or conductive sensors that measure or sense the position of the wheels relative to the rails. In some cases, the wheels include rotational sensors for measuring a rotation rate or revolution count. The rotation sensors can transmit rotational data generated by the rotation sensors to the computer sub-system and the computer sub-system can determine a velocity, distance, and/or acceleration of the translation sub-system based at least in part, on the received rotational data. In some cases, the guiding structure (rails) of the translation sub-system include wheel stops at a first location on the guidingtructuree and a second location of the guiding structure. The first location can correspond to one of the retracted or extended position of the fluid recapture system and the second location can correspond to the other one of the retracted or extended position of the fluid recapture system.

The energy conversion sub-systemis mounted on the moveable platform. The energy conversion sub-system is translationally fixed to the moveable platformsuch that movement of the moveable platformalso moves the energy sub-system.

The energy conversion sub-systemincludes an energy capture unit and an energy converter unit. The energy capture unit in the energy conversion sub-system is a turbine. The energy converter unit is a transmission. Some energy capture units are water wheels, impellers, propellers, fans, heat plates, or thermal batteries. Some energy converter units are mechanical energy converter units for receiving mechanical energy and outputting mechanical energy (e.g., translational or rotational energy).

The turbineincludes a shaftand an impeller The impelleris mounted, fixed to, or integral with the shaftby a keyway (e.g., a keyway connection). The impellerand shaftare rotationally coupled by the keyway. In this configuration, rotation of the impelleralso rotates the shaftvia the keyway connection. Keyway connections can include a key seat (e.g., a groove embedded in the shaft or impeller), a key, and a keyway (e.g., a groove embedded in the impeller or shaft). Some shafts and impellers are rotationally connected by another connector or connection (e.g., a clutch connection, weld connection, or other mechanical connection). In some sub-systems, the shaft and impeller are connected by linkages that transfer the rotational force of the impeller to the shaft. In this configuration, the rotational speed of the impeller can be different from the rotational speed of the shaft (e.g., faster, or slower).

The shaftextends from a first (exposed) endto a second (housed) end. The impelleris mounted to the first endof the shaft. The first endof the shaftand the impellerare arranged outside or external to the interior volumeof the barge housing. In this configuration, the impellerand first endare arranged adjacent to the external faceof the discharge wall. The second endis arranged in the interior volumeof the barge housing. The shaftis slidable relative to the barge housing(-C) through a shaft aperture () defined in the housing().

The impellerincludes a hubattached to the second endof the shaft. In some cases, the impeller is a water wheel or a propeller. Multiple bladesextend radially from the huband terminate in tips. Some blades are angled. The bladesare arranged equidistant around the hub. A first rimand a second rimeach slidably connect to the tipsof the bladessuch that the bladesare rotationally constrained to the rims. The blades can be connected to the rims by a cam and track (e.g., protrusion and groove) connection. The first and second rim can be arranged on or adjacent to the tips. The first endand the second endof the shaftdefine a shafted axis. The hubfirst rim, and second rimare centered on the shaft axis. The hubis arranged concentrically relative to the first and second rims,. The first rimis arranged between the exterior faceof the discharge walland the second rim. The first rimis fixed a distance dfrom the second rim. The distance dcan be about equal to a width of the blades. The first rim and second rims,define a slotthrough which discharged fluid can pass. The slotcan be about equal to a width of the blades or less than the width of the blades.

The turbinealso includes a shieldmounted to the impellerat the second rim. The shield is domed and connects to the second rimof the impeller. An edgeof the shieldincludes a mating surface for releasably engaging the shield with the exterior faceof the discharge wall. In the shieldthe mating surface is a seal ring (not shown). The seal engages with the exterior faceof the discharge walland isolates the impeller and shaft from the environment when the fluid recapture system is in the retracted position. The shieldalso includes a surfaceoriented away from the impellerand barge housing. The surfaceis a rubber surface that protects the impellerfrom the environment, for example, during transportation. In some cases, the shield is made of or includes rubber. In some recapture systems, the shield is separate from the turbine. In some cases, the shield is mounted to the hub.

The transmission(gearbox) includes a set of gears (gear set) for adjusting the speed and/or direction of the rotational energy of the turbine. The transmissionconnects to the pumpand transfers mechanical energy from the transmissionto the pump. For example, the transmissionrotates the pump.

Some energy converters, for example, electric generators, can convert rotational motion of the turbine into electrical energy. Electric generators receive rotational motion from the turbine and produce electric power which can be used to charge batteries or power other electrical equipment. Some energy converters are operable to convert the rotational motion of the turbine into other mechanical motion and/or electrical power (e.g., to power a motor, battery, or other electrical power source).

The turbine size and operational parameters (e.g., rotational speed capacity), can be proportional to the barge size and desired fluid volumes in the primary fluid circuit. Water pressure and velocity can also determine the nozzle size, impeller size, and shaft size.

Energy converters of the energy conversion sub-system can be connected (directly or indirectly) to at least one pump of the recirculation sub-system for conveying recollected discharge fluid into the interior volume of the barge housing. In direct connection, the power output by the energy converter transfers directly to the fluid pump. In indirect connection, the power output by the energy converter charges a battery and the battery is operable to power a motor of the fluid pump. In direction connection, the power output by the energy converter is equal to the power received by the pump. In indirect connection, the power output by the energy converter may or may not be equal to the power received by the fluid pump.

In the energy conversion sub-system, the energy converter is the transmissionwhich is directly connected to a recirculation pumpof the recirculation sub-system. In direct connection, the output power of the transmissionis equal to the input power received by the pump.

In a direct connection configuration of the fluid recapture system, increases and decreases in output power generation by the transmission generate proportional changes in input power received by the recirculation pump. As such, increased flow rates or increased fluid volumes of the expelled fluid can increase the rotational energy captured by the turbine and increase the volume of fluid captured by the basin. The turbine transfers the increased (rotational) energy to the transmission. The transmission, due to the direct connection configuration, proportionally transfers the increased energy to the pump. The pump, due to the increased fluid rate or fluid volume of the expelled fluid also has a higher load requirement to transfer an increased volume of recovered fluid form the basin to the main tank of the primary fluid circuit. The increased load requirement is offset by the proportional increase in power the pump receives from the transmission. In this configuration, the recapture sub-system increases or decreases power generation proportionally as the load required to move the recovered fluid increases or decreases, respectively. The fluid recapture system can convey variable amounts of discharge fluid without increasing the overall energy load of the barge.