CA2176158C - Gas sensing system - Google Patents
Gas sensing system Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- CA2176158C CA2176158C CA002176158A CA2176158A CA2176158C CA 2176158 C CA2176158 C CA 2176158C CA 002176158 A CA002176158 A CA 002176158A CA 2176158 A CA2176158 A CA 2176158A CA 2176158 C CA2176158 C CA 2176158C
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- section
- pump
- enclosure
- tubing
- detector
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired - Lifetime
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Classifications
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G01—MEASURING; TESTING
- G01M—TESTING STATIC OR DYNAMIC BALANCE OF MACHINES OR STRUCTURES; TESTING OF STRUCTURES OR APPARATUS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- G01M3/00—Investigating fluid-tightness of structures
- G01M3/02—Investigating fluid-tightness of structures by using fluid or vacuum
- G01M3/04—Investigating fluid-tightness of structures by using fluid or vacuum by detecting the presence of fluid at the leakage point
- G01M3/16—Investigating fluid-tightness of structures by using fluid or vacuum by detecting the presence of fluid at the leakage point using electric detection means
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G01—MEASURING; TESTING
- G01N—INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
- G01N1/00—Sampling; Preparing specimens for investigation
- G01N1/02—Devices for withdrawing samples
- G01N1/22—Devices for withdrawing samples in the gaseous state
- G01N1/24—Suction devices
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G01—MEASURING; TESTING
- G01N—INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
- G01N1/00—Sampling; Preparing specimens for investigation
- G01N1/02—Devices for withdrawing samples
- G01N1/22—Devices for withdrawing samples in the gaseous state
- G01N1/26—Devices for withdrawing samples in the gaseous state with provision for intake from several spaces
Landscapes
- Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
- Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Molecular Biology (AREA)
- Biomedical Technology (AREA)
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
- Analytical Chemistry (AREA)
- Biochemistry (AREA)
- General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
- Immunology (AREA)
- Pathology (AREA)
- Examining Or Testing Airtightness (AREA)
- Sampling And Sample Adjustment (AREA)
Abstract
The invention relates to apparatus used for the detection of hazardous vapours or gases and includes a length of tubing, a first portion of the tubing provided with a number of spaced apart orifices, that first part of the tubing being located adjacent to or associated with a source of, for example, H2S gas. The tubing is connected to a pump which is associated with gas detection apparatus.
Description
The invention relates in general to the detection of hazardous vapours or gases, and more particularly relates to apparatus to detect leakage of such vapours, for example, hydrogen sulfide gas (H2S) from tanks in a oil battery, or in buildings or enclosures which are associated with a sour gas well and related equipment.
As is known, oil battery tanks are normally pressurized to enable poisonous hydrogen sulfide gas to be removed and piped from each tank to a location where the gas is burned off, in, for example, a flare stack.
These tanks, are equipped with hatches, generally on the roof which have built-in pressure relief valves, the purpose of which is to relieve excess pressure within the tank under emergency conditions, or provide a means by which the contents of the tank may be sampled.
Should the seals or gaskets of these valves breakdown, leakage of poisonous H2S gas may occur, which, in the immediate vicinity of the tank can be extremely dangerous to workers, but also, excess quantities of such gases entering the atmosphere can be environmentally unacceptable.
These hatches must therefore be inspected on a regular basis and generally, to effect Such an inspection, an operator would have to don a self-contained breathing apparatus, ascend the tank and with a portable H2S detector manually check for leaks around each hatch cover. A second operative, is generally situation on the ground, and who will continuously monitor the operator on the tank, keeping a check on the operator's air supply and ensuring that no malfunctions in equipment can result in the operator being subject to be overcome by poisonous gases.
Also, it is common in the oil industry to enclosure a sour gas well or equipment for use on such well in a building or enclosure. In such situations it is important that the air in the building be monitored, since operators have to enter these buildings on a regular basis to do maintenance on equipment or take instrumental readings. Since such buildings may be isolated and in many cases have no permanent electrical supply, the conventional electronic H2S detectors are not usable. Operators therefore have to depend on their personal hand-held H2S detectors to let them know if it is safe to enter the building. Normally, while holding his or her breath, the operator opens the door, enters the monitor into the building and if it appears Safe to do so, enters his or herself. Obviously, the danger of the operator being overcome by gas while determining whether it is safe to enter the building, is a very real problem.
As is known, oil battery tanks are normally pressurized to enable poisonous hydrogen sulfide gas to be removed and piped from each tank to a location where the gas is burned off, in, for example, a flare stack.
These tanks, are equipped with hatches, generally on the roof which have built-in pressure relief valves, the purpose of which is to relieve excess pressure within the tank under emergency conditions, or provide a means by which the contents of the tank may be sampled.
Should the seals or gaskets of these valves breakdown, leakage of poisonous H2S gas may occur, which, in the immediate vicinity of the tank can be extremely dangerous to workers, but also, excess quantities of such gases entering the atmosphere can be environmentally unacceptable.
These hatches must therefore be inspected on a regular basis and generally, to effect Such an inspection, an operator would have to don a self-contained breathing apparatus, ascend the tank and with a portable H2S detector manually check for leaks around each hatch cover. A second operative, is generally situation on the ground, and who will continuously monitor the operator on the tank, keeping a check on the operator's air supply and ensuring that no malfunctions in equipment can result in the operator being subject to be overcome by poisonous gases.
Also, it is common in the oil industry to enclosure a sour gas well or equipment for use on such well in a building or enclosure. In such situations it is important that the air in the building be monitored, since operators have to enter these buildings on a regular basis to do maintenance on equipment or take instrumental readings. Since such buildings may be isolated and in many cases have no permanent electrical supply, the conventional electronic H2S detectors are not usable. Operators therefore have to depend on their personal hand-held H2S detectors to let them know if it is safe to enter the building. Normally, while holding his or her breath, the operator opens the door, enters the monitor into the building and if it appears Safe to do so, enters his or herself. Obviously, the danger of the operator being overcome by gas while determining whether it is safe to enter the building, is a very real problem.
C.:
Notwithstanding the fact that this problem of H2S
detection has been around for many years, no satisfactory solution has been forthcoming, to ensure the safety of operators.
It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a simple apparatus for detecting the presence of hazardous or noxious vapours such as H2S, from a location remote from the source of potential leakage, without placing the operator in a dangerous situation.
Accordingly the invention comprises in a length of tubing, a first section of which tubing is adapted to be located adjacent an area of potential leakage, this section is provided with plurality of spaced apart orifices. A second section of tubing attached to said first section by connection means, extends to a position remote from said first section wherein it is connected to a pump. The pump is associated with and/or used in conjunction with a conventional H2S detector.
The invention will now be described by way of example only, reference being had to the accompanying drawings in which:
Figure 1 is a side view of an oil tank provided with a hatch, an apparatus of the present invention installed in proximity thereto;
Figure 2 is a perspective view of the apparatus according to the invention of Figure 1;
Figure 3 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the present invention, as to be used within an enclosed space.
Referring specifically to the drawings, Figure 1 shows schematically a conventional tank 10 which contains sour gas (H2S), and/or oil. These type of tanks are well known in the oil industry and therefore no detailed description is provided herewith.
On the roof of the tank is shown a hatch 11, again these hatches are conventional, a particular type of hatch may be referred to as a "thief hatch" manufactured by Enardo Manufacturing Company of Tulsa, Oklahoma U.S.A. under model number 660.
These hatches are used on both low pressure steel and fibreglass tanks, and include a pressure relief valve arranged such that it can be actuated in emergency situations to relieve pressure, and also these valves are designed to enable operators to sample or gauge the contents of the tank.
Bearing in mind that the fact that no mechanical device is foolproof, these hatches and their attendant valves are susceptible to leakage, and it is a regulatory requirement that inspections be carried out in view of the obvious danger should toxic gases be 217b158 related to atmosphere.
The general procedure carried out to inspect these hatches has been described above, and, the basis of the present invention is to provide apparatus that can be used by an operator, from the ground, safely, which apparatus can also be used in connection with enclosures or buildings, as again previously mentioned, within which a sour gas well and related equipment is positioned, and could possibly be subjected to leakage.
The apparatus as used in the arrangement according to Figure 1 is shown more specifically in Figure 2, and comprises a tube 12, which may be looped around the hatch base 13 adjacent to the cover 14. The looped tubing 12 is connected to a T-connection 15 (conventional) from which it extends to the ground where it is attached to an air pump 16, in this case being a rubber aspirator bulb 17. The outlet 18 of the bulb is attached to or held close to a conventional hand held H2S detector 19.
Referring back to the looped portion of tube 12, that portion is provided with a number or orifices 20 located in spaced-apart relation around the loop. The size and number of orifices 20 is not critical except that the combined diameters of orifices 20 must not exceed the internal diameter of the tube 12.
Notwithstanding the fact that this problem of H2S
detection has been around for many years, no satisfactory solution has been forthcoming, to ensure the safety of operators.
It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a simple apparatus for detecting the presence of hazardous or noxious vapours such as H2S, from a location remote from the source of potential leakage, without placing the operator in a dangerous situation.
Accordingly the invention comprises in a length of tubing, a first section of which tubing is adapted to be located adjacent an area of potential leakage, this section is provided with plurality of spaced apart orifices. A second section of tubing attached to said first section by connection means, extends to a position remote from said first section wherein it is connected to a pump. The pump is associated with and/or used in conjunction with a conventional H2S detector.
The invention will now be described by way of example only, reference being had to the accompanying drawings in which:
Figure 1 is a side view of an oil tank provided with a hatch, an apparatus of the present invention installed in proximity thereto;
Figure 2 is a perspective view of the apparatus according to the invention of Figure 1;
Figure 3 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the present invention, as to be used within an enclosed space.
Referring specifically to the drawings, Figure 1 shows schematically a conventional tank 10 which contains sour gas (H2S), and/or oil. These type of tanks are well known in the oil industry and therefore no detailed description is provided herewith.
On the roof of the tank is shown a hatch 11, again these hatches are conventional, a particular type of hatch may be referred to as a "thief hatch" manufactured by Enardo Manufacturing Company of Tulsa, Oklahoma U.S.A. under model number 660.
These hatches are used on both low pressure steel and fibreglass tanks, and include a pressure relief valve arranged such that it can be actuated in emergency situations to relieve pressure, and also these valves are designed to enable operators to sample or gauge the contents of the tank.
Bearing in mind that the fact that no mechanical device is foolproof, these hatches and their attendant valves are susceptible to leakage, and it is a regulatory requirement that inspections be carried out in view of the obvious danger should toxic gases be 217b158 related to atmosphere.
The general procedure carried out to inspect these hatches has been described above, and, the basis of the present invention is to provide apparatus that can be used by an operator, from the ground, safely, which apparatus can also be used in connection with enclosures or buildings, as again previously mentioned, within which a sour gas well and related equipment is positioned, and could possibly be subjected to leakage.
The apparatus as used in the arrangement according to Figure 1 is shown more specifically in Figure 2, and comprises a tube 12, which may be looped around the hatch base 13 adjacent to the cover 14. The looped tubing 12 is connected to a T-connection 15 (conventional) from which it extends to the ground where it is attached to an air pump 16, in this case being a rubber aspirator bulb 17. The outlet 18 of the bulb is attached to or held close to a conventional hand held H2S detector 19.
Referring back to the looped portion of tube 12, that portion is provided with a number or orifices 20 located in spaced-apart relation around the loop. The size and number of orifices 20 is not critical except that the combined diameters of orifices 20 must not exceed the internal diameter of the tube 12.
(:
In operation, the aspirator bulb 17 is squeezed by the operator to cause the air to be drawn around the hatch 11, through the orifices 20 to the ground where it (the air> is sensed by the detector 19. If H2S gas is present the monitor will send an alarm and the operator will be able to don the necessary protective equipment and clothing to proceed to effect such repair as is necessary to the hatch and related valve assembly.
Since only one operator is necessary not only time is saved but considerable expense. Also, as will be appreciated the safety factor is also much increased.
A second embodiment of the invention is shown in Figure 3. The basic apparatus is the same as described above, the difference being that this arrangement is for use in sensing the presence of toxic vapours within an enclosed space or building.
Operators or workers, must enter these buildings on a daily basis to check equipment or take instrumental readings. They obviously cannot be certain that it is safe to do so.
The structure according to Figure 3 therefore comprises a length of tubing 12 which is located within the building, for example, on the floor or attached to an internal wall. That section indicated at 21 is provided as per the first embodiment with orifices 20.
The tube 12, is then passed through the external wall (not shown) of the enclosure and is as previously described, attached to an aspirator bulb 17.
The operation of this arrangement is as previously described, if no toxic gas is detected, the operator can safely enter the building or enclosure.
If gas is detected, then the operator as before can don such protective equipment as is necessary to effect repair.
It will be appreciated that various modifications may be made to the invention as heretofore described, without departing from the scope of the claims as appended hereto.For example, in connection with the first embodiment, the tube 12 shown looped around the hatch base 13 could be incorporated within the confines of the hatch as a permanent structure.
Furthermore, while the in the first embodiment has been described in connection with a single tank, it will be appreciated that in a battery of tanks, air from the vicinity of each hatch could be piped to a single monitor thorugh an automatic switching manifold and a continuously running air pump, thus providing continuous readouts.
_ g _
In operation, the aspirator bulb 17 is squeezed by the operator to cause the air to be drawn around the hatch 11, through the orifices 20 to the ground where it (the air> is sensed by the detector 19. If H2S gas is present the monitor will send an alarm and the operator will be able to don the necessary protective equipment and clothing to proceed to effect such repair as is necessary to the hatch and related valve assembly.
Since only one operator is necessary not only time is saved but considerable expense. Also, as will be appreciated the safety factor is also much increased.
A second embodiment of the invention is shown in Figure 3. The basic apparatus is the same as described above, the difference being that this arrangement is for use in sensing the presence of toxic vapours within an enclosed space or building.
Operators or workers, must enter these buildings on a daily basis to check equipment or take instrumental readings. They obviously cannot be certain that it is safe to do so.
The structure according to Figure 3 therefore comprises a length of tubing 12 which is located within the building, for example, on the floor or attached to an internal wall. That section indicated at 21 is provided as per the first embodiment with orifices 20.
The tube 12, is then passed through the external wall (not shown) of the enclosure and is as previously described, attached to an aspirator bulb 17.
The operation of this arrangement is as previously described, if no toxic gas is detected, the operator can safely enter the building or enclosure.
If gas is detected, then the operator as before can don such protective equipment as is necessary to effect repair.
It will be appreciated that various modifications may be made to the invention as heretofore described, without departing from the scope of the claims as appended hereto.For example, in connection with the first embodiment, the tube 12 shown looped around the hatch base 13 could be incorporated within the confines of the hatch as a permanent structure.
Furthermore, while the in the first embodiment has been described in connection with a single tank, it will be appreciated that in a battery of tanks, air from the vicinity of each hatch could be piped to a single monitor thorugh an automatic switching manifold and a continuously running air pump, thus providing continuous readouts.
_ g _
Claims (11)
1. Leak detection apparatus comprising a length of tubing, having a first section, a second section and an internal diameter, each section being attached one to the other by connector means, said first section being provided with a number of spaced apart orifices having a combined diameter; said second section being provided, at its end remote from said first section with pump means, and wherein said pump means is associated with detector means and the combined diameter of said orifices do not exceeding said internal diameter.
2. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said first section is arranged in a circular configuration and is adapted to be held adjacent to and to surround a hatch on an oil tank from which toxic gas may leak.
3. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said pump means is an aspirator bulb-type pump.
4. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said detector means is a hand held H2S detector.
5. The apparatus according to claim 4 wherein said detector means is attached to said pump means.
6. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said detector is held in close proximity to an outlet of said pump and not connected thereto.
7. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said first section of said tubing is substantially straight, and adapted to be utilized within an enclosure and to be attached to a structural component of said enclosure.
8. The apparatus according to claim 7 wherein said structural component is the floor of said enclosure.
9. The apparatus according to claim 7 wherein said second section of said tubing extends through a wall of said enclosure and said pump is attached to said second section externally of said enclosure.
10. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said first section is structurally incorporated within a hatch on an oil tank from which toxic gas may leak.
11. The apparatus according to claims 3 wherein said aspirator bulb-type pump further comprises an outlet and wherein said outlet is associated with the detector means.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002176158A CA2176158C (en) | 1996-05-09 | 1996-05-09 | Gas sensing system |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002176158A CA2176158C (en) | 1996-05-09 | 1996-05-09 | Gas sensing system |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2176158A1 CA2176158A1 (en) | 1997-11-10 |
| CA2176158C true CA2176158C (en) | 2005-10-11 |
Family
ID=4158171
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002176158A Expired - Lifetime CA2176158C (en) | 1996-05-09 | 1996-05-09 | Gas sensing system |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA2176158C (en) |
-
1996
- 1996-05-09 CA CA002176158A patent/CA2176158C/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| CA2176158A1 (en) | 1997-11-10 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| EEER | Examination request | ||
| MKEX | Expiry |
Effective date: 20160509 |