CA2315670A1 - Vacuum stinger device - Google Patents
Vacuum stinger device Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- CA2315670A1 CA2315670A1 CA002315670A CA2315670A CA2315670A1 CA 2315670 A1 CA2315670 A1 CA 2315670A1 CA 002315670 A CA002315670 A CA 002315670A CA 2315670 A CA2315670 A CA 2315670A CA 2315670 A1 CA2315670 A1 CA 2315670A1
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- tank
- primary tube
- sediment
- valve
- tube
- 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.)
- Abandoned
Links
Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B08—CLEANING
- B08B—CLEANING IN GENERAL; PREVENTION OF FOULING IN GENERAL
- B08B9/00—Cleaning hollow articles by methods or apparatus specially adapted thereto
- B08B9/08—Cleaning containers, e.g. tanks
- B08B9/093—Cleaning containers, e.g. tanks by the force of jets or sprays
- B08B9/0933—Removing sludge or the like from tank bottoms
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
- B01D—SEPARATION
- B01D21/00—Separation of suspended solid particles from liquids by sedimentation
- B01D21/24—Feed or discharge mechanisms for settling tanks
- B01D21/245—Discharge mechanisms for the sediments
- B01D21/2472—Means for fluidising the sediments, e.g. by jets or mechanical agitators
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
- B01F—MIXING, e.g. DISSOLVING, EMULSIFYING OR DISPERSING
- B01F23/00—Mixing according to the phases to be mixed, e.g. dispersing or emulsifying
- B01F23/30—Mixing gases with solids
- B01F23/34—Mixing gases with solids by introducing gases in solid materials, e.g. in masses of powder or particles
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
- B01F—MIXING, e.g. DISSOLVING, EMULSIFYING OR DISPERSING
- B01F23/00—Mixing according to the phases to be mixed, e.g. dispersing or emulsifying
- B01F23/50—Mixing liquids with solids
- B01F23/565—Mixing liquids with solids by introducing liquids in solid material, e.g. to obtain slurries
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
- B01F—MIXING, e.g. DISSOLVING, EMULSIFYING OR DISPERSING
- B01F25/00—Flow mixers; Mixers for falling materials, e.g. solid particles
- B01F25/20—Jet mixers, i.e. mixers using high-speed fluid streams
- B01F25/21—Jet mixers, i.e. mixers using high-speed fluid streams with submerged injectors, e.g. nozzles, for injecting high-pressure jets into a large volume or into mixing chambers
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
- B01F—MIXING, e.g. DISSOLVING, EMULSIFYING OR DISPERSING
- B01F33/00—Other mixers; Mixing plants; Combinations of mixers
- B01F33/50—Movable or transportable mixing devices or plants
- B01F33/502—Vehicle-mounted mixing devices
Landscapes
- Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
- Chemical Kinetics & Catalysis (AREA)
- Dispersion Chemistry (AREA)
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Cleaning In General (AREA)
Abstract
The invention consists of a system and method for removing sediments from a tank containing fluid.
The system consists of a primary tube that can be inserted through a valve in the tank below the top of the accumulated sediment. A second tube, fitted inside the primary tube, delivers water to the intake end of the primary tube, causing the sediment in the vicinity of the intake to liquefy and flow from the tank, through the primary tube and into a vehicle to transport the sediment to a disposal facility. Integral to the tool is a mechanical drive system to move the primary tube in and out of the tank in order to access the majority of the sediment accumulated in the tank.
This entire system is installed on the sand transport vehicle, thus eliminating the need for other equipment on the tank location.
The system consists of a primary tube that can be inserted through a valve in the tank below the top of the accumulated sediment. A second tube, fitted inside the primary tube, delivers water to the intake end of the primary tube, causing the sediment in the vicinity of the intake to liquefy and flow from the tank, through the primary tube and into a vehicle to transport the sediment to a disposal facility. Integral to the tool is a mechanical drive system to move the primary tube in and out of the tank in order to access the majority of the sediment accumulated in the tank.
This entire system is installed on the sand transport vehicle, thus eliminating the need for other equipment on the tank location.
Description
FIELD OF INVENTION
The present invention relates to a method and system for removing sediment from fluid storage tanks that are in operation and contain fluid. In particular, the invention minimizes the equipment required to perform this task and minimizes tank disturbance.
BACKGROUND
The Alberta Energy Utilities Board reports that as much as 500,000 m' of formation sand is produced from Alberta's heavy oil operations each year. The majority of this sand is separated from the produced fluids in atmospheric tanks adjacent to the wellhead.
This sand must be removed from the tank periodically using one of several different techniques.
Most of these techniques involve liquefying the sand in the tank with either fixed or moveable jetting systems injecting water at up to 14 MPa (2000 psi). This high pressure jetting action has been shown in a recent C-FER Joint Industry Project Reducing the Cost of Tank Cleaning in Heavy Oil Operations (1999), to cause significant tank disturbance that contaminates the oil layer with suspended sand and water. In addition, every tank cleaning process that is currently being used requires two trucks (usually a pressure truck for jetting and a vacuum truck to transport the sand). In the C-FER Joint Industry Project, a concept for a single truck tank cleaning system that would minimize tank disturbance and reduce equipment requirements was presented and was subsequently developed through a second phase of the Joint Industry Program.
An economic analysis of tank cleaning operations demonstrated that a significant reduction in tank cleaning costs could be achieved with the utilization of a single truck tank cleaning system. This system would reduce the equipment requirements on the lease and eliminate waiting time associated with coordinating the arrival of both a vacuum and pressure truck. Further, laboratory tests and field observations suggest that the system would cause minimal tank disturbance, thus also reducing the volume of slop oil generated during tank cleaning operations.
C-FER
Vacuum Stinger Description July 26, 2000 Therefore, the objects of the present invention are to:
~ Minimize tank disturbance while removing sediments;
~ Maximize slurry density flowing from the tank; and ~ Provide a system and method for cleaning sediments from tanks using only one truck.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The tool will consist of a primary tube approximately 75 mm in diameter and 6 m long that would be inserted into a tank through a valve below the top of the sediment accumulation to conduct liquefied sediments from the tank into a transport vehicle. A small diameter pipe would be fixed inside the primary tube to supply water to a jet at the intake end of the primary tube.
The jetting action at the intake of the primary tube would liquefy the sediment in the tank and allow it to flow from the tank through the primary tube, driven by a combination of the fluid head in the tank and the "suction"
provided by either a vacuum truck or slurry pump connected to the discharge end of the primary tube. The system requires only small volumes of low-pressure water to liquefy the sand immediately in front of the primary tube intake. Water would be supplied by a pump fed from either a surge tank on the truck or taken directly from the tank being cleaned.
The method of tank cleaning will require only one truck compared to conventional systems that require two trucks. The tool is operated by gradually inserting the tool into the tank through a valve that is below the top of the sediment accumulation in the tank. While inserting, water is continuously fed to the area immediately in front of the tool intake, which liquefies the sediment allowing it to flow from the tank. This process minimizes tank disturbance by minimizing water injection pressure and required water volumes resulting in virtually no break through of the jetting water into the overlying fluid layers. The tool would be moved gradually across the tank so that the sand transport vehicle or vacuum truck would be close to filled by the time the tool intake reaches the opposite side of the tank. At this point, the tool can be quickly withdrawn from the tank and the tank valve closed to complete the tank cleaning operation.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Drawing 1 shows a storage tank with accumulated sand and tank valves ( 1 ) with the complete tool assembly including the primary tube (2), mechanical drive system (3), water supply line from tank (4), water injection pump (5), water injection line (6), jets and intake protector (7), slurry line (8), and vacuum truck (9).
C-FER
Vacuum Stinger Description July 26, 2000 Drawing 2 shows the details of the slurry intake with the jets ( 10>, protective cage ( 1 1 ), and set screw stops ( 12) and how the jetting action at the intake liquefies the sediment in the vicinity of the slurry intake ( l3) without disturbing the remainder of the sediment ( 14).
Drawing 3 shows how the sediment is removed from the tank as the stinger is inserted and kept buried in the sediment to minimize disturbance of the overlying fluid layers.
Drawing 4 shows details of the mechanical drive system (3) including the primary tube (2) forward guide tube with integral seal assembly ( I5), rear guide tube ( 16), gripping shoes ( 17), shoe adjustment screw ( 18), sliding rod and spring to reverse drive direction ( l9), drive arm (20), and support frame (21). The automatic disengagement mechanism includes a self-winding cable (22) and activation lever (23) that releases the sliding rod ( 19) when the primary tube (2) is fully extracted from the tank. The drive is shown configured for inserting the tool in the tank as well as with the drive direction reversed, to extract the tool from the tank. The support wheels are not shown on these drawings.
Drawing 5 shows details of the system plumbing including the primary tube (2) and mechanical drive system (3), tank nipple (24) that threads into the tank valve and joins to the forward guide tube ( 15) with a cam lock connection (25). The tank nipple includes a flushing port (26) that can be attached to the water injection line (6) if debris has to be cleared from the tank valve. The primary tube (2) includes, near the discharge end, injection port (27) to which water injection line (6) is connected with water injection pump (5), optional surge tank (28), water supply line from the storage tank (4). The discharge end of the primary tube includes a cam lock connector (29), knife valve (30), 90° elbow (3l) and cam lock connector (32) to the slurry line (8).
The present invention relates to a method and system for removing sediment from fluid storage tanks that are in operation and contain fluid. In particular, the invention minimizes the equipment required to perform this task and minimizes tank disturbance.
BACKGROUND
The Alberta Energy Utilities Board reports that as much as 500,000 m' of formation sand is produced from Alberta's heavy oil operations each year. The majority of this sand is separated from the produced fluids in atmospheric tanks adjacent to the wellhead.
This sand must be removed from the tank periodically using one of several different techniques.
Most of these techniques involve liquefying the sand in the tank with either fixed or moveable jetting systems injecting water at up to 14 MPa (2000 psi). This high pressure jetting action has been shown in a recent C-FER Joint Industry Project Reducing the Cost of Tank Cleaning in Heavy Oil Operations (1999), to cause significant tank disturbance that contaminates the oil layer with suspended sand and water. In addition, every tank cleaning process that is currently being used requires two trucks (usually a pressure truck for jetting and a vacuum truck to transport the sand). In the C-FER Joint Industry Project, a concept for a single truck tank cleaning system that would minimize tank disturbance and reduce equipment requirements was presented and was subsequently developed through a second phase of the Joint Industry Program.
An economic analysis of tank cleaning operations demonstrated that a significant reduction in tank cleaning costs could be achieved with the utilization of a single truck tank cleaning system. This system would reduce the equipment requirements on the lease and eliminate waiting time associated with coordinating the arrival of both a vacuum and pressure truck. Further, laboratory tests and field observations suggest that the system would cause minimal tank disturbance, thus also reducing the volume of slop oil generated during tank cleaning operations.
C-FER
Vacuum Stinger Description July 26, 2000 Therefore, the objects of the present invention are to:
~ Minimize tank disturbance while removing sediments;
~ Maximize slurry density flowing from the tank; and ~ Provide a system and method for cleaning sediments from tanks using only one truck.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The tool will consist of a primary tube approximately 75 mm in diameter and 6 m long that would be inserted into a tank through a valve below the top of the sediment accumulation to conduct liquefied sediments from the tank into a transport vehicle. A small diameter pipe would be fixed inside the primary tube to supply water to a jet at the intake end of the primary tube.
The jetting action at the intake of the primary tube would liquefy the sediment in the tank and allow it to flow from the tank through the primary tube, driven by a combination of the fluid head in the tank and the "suction"
provided by either a vacuum truck or slurry pump connected to the discharge end of the primary tube. The system requires only small volumes of low-pressure water to liquefy the sand immediately in front of the primary tube intake. Water would be supplied by a pump fed from either a surge tank on the truck or taken directly from the tank being cleaned.
The method of tank cleaning will require only one truck compared to conventional systems that require two trucks. The tool is operated by gradually inserting the tool into the tank through a valve that is below the top of the sediment accumulation in the tank. While inserting, water is continuously fed to the area immediately in front of the tool intake, which liquefies the sediment allowing it to flow from the tank. This process minimizes tank disturbance by minimizing water injection pressure and required water volumes resulting in virtually no break through of the jetting water into the overlying fluid layers. The tool would be moved gradually across the tank so that the sand transport vehicle or vacuum truck would be close to filled by the time the tool intake reaches the opposite side of the tank. At this point, the tool can be quickly withdrawn from the tank and the tank valve closed to complete the tank cleaning operation.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Drawing 1 shows a storage tank with accumulated sand and tank valves ( 1 ) with the complete tool assembly including the primary tube (2), mechanical drive system (3), water supply line from tank (4), water injection pump (5), water injection line (6), jets and intake protector (7), slurry line (8), and vacuum truck (9).
C-FER
Vacuum Stinger Description July 26, 2000 Drawing 2 shows the details of the slurry intake with the jets ( 10>, protective cage ( 1 1 ), and set screw stops ( 12) and how the jetting action at the intake liquefies the sediment in the vicinity of the slurry intake ( l3) without disturbing the remainder of the sediment ( 14).
Drawing 3 shows how the sediment is removed from the tank as the stinger is inserted and kept buried in the sediment to minimize disturbance of the overlying fluid layers.
Drawing 4 shows details of the mechanical drive system (3) including the primary tube (2) forward guide tube with integral seal assembly ( I5), rear guide tube ( 16), gripping shoes ( 17), shoe adjustment screw ( 18), sliding rod and spring to reverse drive direction ( l9), drive arm (20), and support frame (21). The automatic disengagement mechanism includes a self-winding cable (22) and activation lever (23) that releases the sliding rod ( 19) when the primary tube (2) is fully extracted from the tank. The drive is shown configured for inserting the tool in the tank as well as with the drive direction reversed, to extract the tool from the tank. The support wheels are not shown on these drawings.
Drawing 5 shows details of the system plumbing including the primary tube (2) and mechanical drive system (3), tank nipple (24) that threads into the tank valve and joins to the forward guide tube ( 15) with a cam lock connection (25). The tank nipple includes a flushing port (26) that can be attached to the water injection line (6) if debris has to be cleared from the tank valve. The primary tube (2) includes, near the discharge end, injection port (27) to which water injection line (6) is connected with water injection pump (5), optional surge tank (28), water supply line from the storage tank (4). The discharge end of the primary tube includes a cam lock connector (29), knife valve (30), 90° elbow (3l) and cam lock connector (32) to the slurry line (8).
Claims (19)
1. A system and method for removing settled sediment from an operating, solid/liquid separation tank comprising of:
A primary tube that can be inserted through a tank valve situated below the top of the accumulated sediment in the tank while maintaining fluid pressure inside the tank, through which the sediment can be removed from the tank by either a vacuum truck or pumping system. Fixed within the primary tube is a second tube that can deliver jetting fluid or gas to the intake end of the primary tube, thereby allowing the sediment to be liquefied in the vicinity of the intake end of the primary tube.
A mechanical system for inserting and extracting the primary tube through the tank valve consisting of mechanical grips activated by a lever system that can be manually or mechanically driven.
A collection of valves, hoses and pumps that allow water to be injected in several locations in the system to clear obstructions and facilitate slurry transport from the tank.
This same system is capable of using water directly from the tank being cleaned or from a surge tank mounted on the sand transport vehicle.
A method of removing sediment from a tank using small volumes of low pressure fluid to mobilize the sediment, thus minimizing tank disturbance and water use while maximizing flowing slurry density.
A primary tube that can be inserted through a tank valve situated below the top of the accumulated sediment in the tank while maintaining fluid pressure inside the tank, through which the sediment can be removed from the tank by either a vacuum truck or pumping system. Fixed within the primary tube is a second tube that can deliver jetting fluid or gas to the intake end of the primary tube, thereby allowing the sediment to be liquefied in the vicinity of the intake end of the primary tube.
A mechanical system for inserting and extracting the primary tube through the tank valve consisting of mechanical grips activated by a lever system that can be manually or mechanically driven.
A collection of valves, hoses and pumps that allow water to be injected in several locations in the system to clear obstructions and facilitate slurry transport from the tank.
This same system is capable of using water directly from the tank being cleaned or from a surge tank mounted on the sand transport vehicle.
A method of removing sediment from a tank using small volumes of low pressure fluid to mobilize the sediment, thus minimizing tank disturbance and water use while maximizing flowing slurry density.
2. Adjustment bolts are installed on the gripping system to compensate for different friction factors between the primary tube and grips so that the required drive force can be supplied to the primary tube.
3. The discharge end of the primary tube is supported by either wheels that travel along the ground with height adjustments or a supporting track that is aligned with the tank valve along which the primary tube travels, supported by wheels.
4. A system consisting of either mechanical stops or a spring loaded cable system that disengages the mechanical drive system to prevent the stinger from being pulled completely out of the valve seal assembly.
5. Positive stop set screws on the stinger tip to prevent the stinger from being pulled completely out of the valve seal assembly.
6. Dual sealing elements on the exterior of the primary tube.
7. Alignment tubes with longitudinal rods to support the primary tube.
8. A sliding rod for reversing the direction of the mechanical drive.
9. Height adjustable, wheeled supports at the mechanical drive to allow alignment to the tank valve.
10. Removable protective cage on the end of the primary tube to prevent large debris from plugging the primary tube.
11. Jetting array at the end of the primary tube to distribute fluid both ahead and to the sides of the primary tube intake.
12. A knife valve at the discharge of the primary tube to allow the primary tube to be sealed so that the slurry hose can be removed while the primary tube is still inside the tank.
13. A valued port located downstream of the primary tube knife valve to allow fluid to be drawn directly into the slurry hose without passing through the primary tube.
14. A valued port located upstream of the primary tube seal to allow fluid to flush debris from the annulus between the primary tube and the tank valve.
15. A method of extracting sediment from a tank by injecting water at less than 700 kPa and liquefying the sediment in the immediate vicinity of the slurry intake.
16. A method of maximizing slurry flowing density by advancing the primary tube into the sediment layer so that it remains buried in the sediment for the majority of the tank cleaning operation.
17. A method of minimizing tank disturbance by using only small volumes of low pressure water that does not re-suspend fine solids into the water or oil layers in the tank.
18. A method of using water directly from the tank being cleaned to liquefy the sediment in the tank.
19. A method of mounting all of the equipment required for removing sediment from a tank and transporting the sediment to a disposal facility on one truck.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002315670A CA2315670A1 (en) | 2000-08-11 | 2000-08-11 | Vacuum stinger device |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002315670A CA2315670A1 (en) | 2000-08-11 | 2000-08-11 | Vacuum stinger device |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2315670A1 true CA2315670A1 (en) | 2002-02-11 |
Family
ID=4166881
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002315670A Abandoned CA2315670A1 (en) | 2000-08-11 | 2000-08-11 | Vacuum stinger device |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA2315670A1 (en) |
Cited By (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WO2004041690A2 (en) * | 2002-11-05 | 2004-05-21 | Kcc Group Limited | Apparatus and method for transferring settled or suspended solids from an open vessel into a closed vessel |
| EP4056289A1 (en) | 2021-03-11 | 2022-09-14 | Nr. Nebel Entreprenørforretning A/S | Method and system for removing sand from biological slurry tanks, and use thereof in biogas production plants |
-
2000
- 2000-08-11 CA CA002315670A patent/CA2315670A1/en not_active Abandoned
Cited By (3)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WO2004041690A2 (en) * | 2002-11-05 | 2004-05-21 | Kcc Group Limited | Apparatus and method for transferring settled or suspended solids from an open vessel into a closed vessel |
| WO2004041690A3 (en) * | 2002-11-05 | 2004-08-19 | Dynamic Proc Solutions Plc | Apparatus and method for transferring settled or suspended solids from an open vessel into a closed vessel |
| EP4056289A1 (en) | 2021-03-11 | 2022-09-14 | Nr. Nebel Entreprenørforretning A/S | Method and system for removing sand from biological slurry tanks, and use thereof in biogas production plants |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| FZDE | Discontinued |