CA2430427A1 - Tank cleaning apparatus - Google Patents

Tank cleaning apparatus Download PDF

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Publication number
CA2430427A1
CA2430427A1 CA 2430427 CA2430427A CA2430427A1 CA 2430427 A1 CA2430427 A1 CA 2430427A1 CA 2430427 CA2430427 CA 2430427 CA 2430427 A CA2430427 A CA 2430427A CA 2430427 A1 CA2430427 A1 CA 2430427A1
Authority
CA
Canada
Prior art keywords
tank
stuffing box
nozzle
cleaning apparatus
fluid
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
Application number
CA 2430427
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Donald D. Savard
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Individual
Original Assignee
Individual
Priority date (The priority date 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 date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Individual filed Critical Individual
Priority to CA 2430427 priority Critical patent/CA2430427A1/en
Publication of CA2430427A1 publication Critical patent/CA2430427A1/en
Abandoned legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B08CLEANING
    • B08BCLEANING IN GENERAL; PREVENTION OF FOULING IN GENERAL
    • B08B9/00Cleaning hollow articles by methods or apparatus specially adapted thereto 
    • B08B9/08Cleaning containers, e.g. tanks
    • B08B9/093Cleaning containers, e.g. tanks by the force of jets or sprays
    • B08B9/0933Removing sludge or the like from tank bottoms

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Cleaning In General (AREA)

Abstract

This invention relates to a tank cleaning apparatus comprising a stuffing box mountable to the outside of a tank over an opening in the tank, and a rotational assembly rotatable inside the stuffing box about a stuffing box axis. The rotational assembly includes a flexible fluid conduit having a proximal end attachable to a fluid source and a distal nozzle end extending through the tank opening and into the tank when the stuffing box is mounted to the tank, and nozzle positioning means coupled to the fluid conduit and controllable outside of the tank to position the nozzle to direct an unimpeded fluid flow to a selected area inside the tank.

Description

File: V80195CA
Filename: 104946 v1 Tank Cleaning Apparatus Field of the Invention This invention relates generally to an apparatus for cleaning tanks. The apparatus is especially useful to clean the interior of tanks where access to the tank to interior is limited.
Background of the Invention In most storage tanks sediment normally collects on the bottom of the tank.
To ensure that tank volume is not lost to this sediment, or if the tank needs to be cleaned for other reasons such as required inspections or change or storage service, the sediment must be removed. It can be removed manually or by remote re-suspension. A number of re-suspension systems have been developed but have failed for three basic reasons. The first is that material used for re-suspending the 2 o material in the tank is pumped through mechanisms that do not allow for unimpeded flows and as a result the efficiency of the apparatuses is degraded.
The second is that existing apparatuses require a large opening to be installed in the tank, which in many cases such large openings are not available on the tank.
The third is that the apparatus is not able to effectively reach all areas of the tank, as 2s access to the interior of the tank is often limited.
Summary of the Invention !t is an object of the invention to provide a tank cleaning apparatus that is 3 o able to effectively clean the inside of a storage tank. Specific objects of the invention include providing a tank cleaning apparatus that provides an unimpeded flow into the storage tank, and that can be installed through a small aperture in the tank to be cleaned.

According to one aspect of the invention, there is provided a tank cleaning apparatus comprising a stuffing box mountable to the outside of a tank over an opening in the tank, and a rotational assembly rotatable inside the stuffing box about a stuffing box axis. The rotational assembly includes a flexible fluid conduit having a proximal end attachable to a fluid source and a distal nozzle end extending through the tank opening and into the tank when the stuffing box is mounted to the tank, and nozzle positioning means coupled to the fluid conduit and controllable outside of the tank to position the nozzle to direct an unimpeded fluid flow to a selected area inside the tank.
The conduit can be a flexible hose, or a straight pipe and flexible hose combination. The hose and nozzle are designed to supply an unimpeded flow of fluid into the tank. The positioning means can be a movable rod attached at one end to the nozzle, and having an opposite end extending out of the apparatus.
The tank cleaning apparatus provides an unimpeded flow when required but can reach other areas like the walls and roof with sufficient flow to re-suspend material adhered to these surfaces. The unit is especially efficient when used in crude oil storage tanks where sediment from the production of crude oil is deposited in the bottom of the storage tanks used for crude oil production. The use of controlled 2 o high velocity fluid is a proven technology to re-suspend the sediment that has settled. The design of the apparatus ensures that re-suspension fluid velocity is controlled and not compromised during the operation of the unit. The design of the unit allows for the installation in a very small opening, which the devices in the prior art cannot achieve. The apparatus can also be installed in large openings if required. The unit can be left on the tank as a permanent device to facilitate cleaning at a later date or on those tanks that need regular cleaning.
Brief Description of the Drawings 3 o FIG. 1 is a sectioned side view showing individual parts of one embodiment of a tank cleaning apparatus.
FIG. 2 is a sectioned side view showing individual parts of another embodiment of the tank cleaning apparatus.
FIG. 3 is a schematic perspective view of the tank cleaning apparatus attached to a storage tank.
Detailed Description of the Embodiments Directional references such as "left", "right", "up" and "down" in this specification are used merely for reference and are not to be construed to limit the s o orientation of the apparatus in use or in cooperation with other components or the environment.
According to one embodiment of the invention, and referring to FIG. 3, a tank fluid recircuation loop is provided that includes, in downstream order, a recirculation pipe 19 attached at its upstream end to a first tank opening 23, a pump 20 fluidly coupled to the pipe 19, and a tank cleaning apparatus 100 attached at one end to the downstream end of the pipe 19 and at its other end to a second tank opening 24. In operation, fluid 21 is extracted from the tank 22, and reintroduced under pressure to clean the inside of the tank or to re-suspend material adhered to the 2 o inside surfaces of the tank 22. The tank cleaning apparatus 100 is operable to control the direction of the pressurized fluid 21 into tank 22.
The tank cleaning apparatus 100 can be configured to temporarily attach to the tank 22 for periodic tank cleaning or be permanently installed on the tank 22.
Referring to FIG. 1, the tank cleaning apparatus 100 can be installed through the opening 24 in the tank 22 using a stuffing box 1 so that the tank 22 does not have to be taken out of service; or, once the tank 22 is out of service, the tank cleaning apparatus 100 can be installed in an existing opening. Storage tanks 22 typically have multiple openings, varying from 6" to 36" in diameter; larger openings are 3 o typically 24" in diameters and smaller openings are typically 6-10fl in diameter.
The tank cleaning apparatus 100 includes the stuffing box 1, which is an elongated pipe open at its proximal end (left end as shown in FIG. 1 ) and distal end (right end as shown in FIG. 1 ). At the distal end of the stuffing box 1 is an annular tank bolting flange 10 configured to bolt over an 8" diameter tank opening 24 and establish a fluid seal; however, such bolting flange 10 can be readily modified to bolt over a larger or smaller opening 24. An annular bearing flange 15 is welded to the proximal end of the stuffing box 1.
The tank cleaning apparatus 100 also includes a rotational assembly 26, which is mounted inside the stuffing box 1 such that the rotational assembly 26 can rotate freely around the stuffing box axis. The rotational assembly 26 includes a guide pipe 12 sized to fit within the stuffing box pipe, and has a nozzle slot in the 1o pipe wall near its distal end (right end as shown in FIG. 2). A first disc-shaped stopper flange 18 is attached to the proximal end of the guide pipe 12 (left end as shown in FIG. 1 ); the stopper flange 18 prevents the hose assembly 26 from being forced into the tank 22. A second annular stopper flange 16 slides axially over the stuffing box 1 and is bolted to the first stopper flange 18 such that the two stopper flanges 16, 18 sandwich the bearing flange 15 to constrain the guide pipe 12 from moving axially relative to the stuffing box 1. An annular bearing 14 slides axially over the stuffing box 1 and is located in between the bearing flange 15 and second stopper flange 16 to facilitate the guide pipe 12 to rotate about the stuffing box 1.
Seals 11 are located between the stuffing box 1 and the guide 12 to prevent fluid 2 o from leaking out of the tank 22.
The apparatus 100 also includes an elongated flow pipe 3 sized to fit within the guide pipe 12. An annular flow inlet flange 2 is provided for coupling to a fluid dispensing source (not shown); the flow inlet flange 2 is mounted to the proximal 2 5 end of the flow pipe 3 and is bolted to the first stopper flange 18. A
conical reducer 9 is welded at its larger end to the distal end of the flow pipe 3. A flexible hose 4 is attached at its proximal end to the narrower end of the reducer 9. A nozzle 5 is mounted to the distal end of the hose 4.
3 o The flow inlet flange 2 and first stopper flange 18 have a large opening sized to receive the end of the flow pipe 3, and a small opening sized to receive a control rod 6. The control rod 6 extends through the small openings of the flanges 2, and in between the flow pipe 3 and the guide pipe 12. The distal end of the control rod is connected to the proximal end of a connector rod 7 which in turn is connected at its distal end to the nozzle 5. Manipulating the control rod 6 at its proximal end manipulates the position of the nozzle 5 through the slot in the guide pipe 12. In particular, by pushing or pulling the control rod 6, the nozzle can be moved from a straight position (shown in FIG. 2), into an arc (shown in FIG. 1 ).
The flow pipe 3, reducer 9, hose 4 and nozzle 5 are constructed to ensure that fluid is discharged in laminar flow. Guide bars 19 are attached to the guide pipe 12 and are used to guide the nozzle in and out of pipe 12.
As assembled, the rotational assembly 26 is free to rotate 360 degrees inside the stuffing box 1, thereby allowing the fluid flow from the nozzle 5 to reach all areas inside the tank 22. An expandable plug (not shown) can be installed in the flow pipe 3 when the apparatus 100 is not in use and can be removed using a tool.
A cover (not shown) can be placed over the apparatus 100 when the apparatus is not in use, to ensure that the tank 22 is fully secured.
Referring to FIG 2, and according to another embodiment of the invention, the apparatus 100 is adapted to permanently mount to a large opening in the tank 22. In particular, bolting flange 10A is provided in place of the bolting flange 10 shown in FIG. 1 to permanently mount over a large opening in the tank 22.
In operation, fluid is pumped from the tank 22 by the pump 20, through the piping 19, though the apparatus 100, and back into the tank 22 under pressure to clean all areas of the tank 22 such as the floors, walls and roaf. The direction of the nozzle can be controlled from outside the tank 22, thereby allowing an operator to clean the inside of the tank 22 from the exterior of the tank 22, and to direct and monitor the direction of the flow of the pumped fluid inside the tank.
Furthermore, the apparatus 100 allows the operator to utilise the full pressure and flow capacity of the pumping equipment by ensuring laminar flow when the nozzle 5 is in the straight position, as well as minimises flow turbulence when the nozzle 5 is in a rotated position.
While the present invention has been described herein by the preferred embodiments, it will be understood to those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and added to the invention. The changes and alternatives are considered within the spirit and scope of the present invention.

Claims

What is claimed is:
1. A tank cleaning apparatus comprising:
(a) a stuffing box mountable to the outside of a tank, over an opening in the tank; and, (b) a rotational assembly rotatable inside the stuffing box about a stuffing box axis, and including a flexible fluid conduit having a proximal end attachable to a fluid source and a distal nozzle end extending through the tank opening and into the tank when the stuffing box is mounted to the tank, and nozzle positioning means coupled to the fluid conduit and controllable outside of the tank to position the nozzle to direct an unimpeded fluid flow to a selected area inside the tank.
CA 2430427 2003-05-29 2003-05-29 Tank cleaning apparatus Abandoned CA2430427A1 (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
CA 2430427 CA2430427A1 (en) 2003-05-29 2003-05-29 Tank cleaning apparatus

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
CA 2430427 CA2430427A1 (en) 2003-05-29 2003-05-29 Tank cleaning apparatus

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
CA2430427A1 true CA2430427A1 (en) 2004-11-29

Family

ID=33557520

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
CA 2430427 Abandoned CA2430427A1 (en) 2003-05-29 2003-05-29 Tank cleaning apparatus

Country Status (1)

Country Link
CA (1) CA2430427A1 (en)

Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP2420327A1 (en) * 2010-08-16 2012-02-22 Merpro Products Limited Solids removal apparatus
CN114178270A (en) * 2021-11-30 2022-03-15 青岛崂山矿泉水有限公司 Bottle body water stain cleaning device
CN116944171A (en) * 2023-09-20 2023-10-27 山东科锐医疗用品有限公司 Cleaning device for medical supplies production facility

Cited By (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP2420327A1 (en) * 2010-08-16 2012-02-22 Merpro Products Limited Solids removal apparatus
WO2012022708A1 (en) * 2010-08-16 2012-02-23 Merpro Products Limited Solids removal apparatus
RU2540654C2 (en) * 2010-08-16 2015-02-10 Мерпро Продактс Лимитед Remover of solid particles
CN114178270A (en) * 2021-11-30 2022-03-15 青岛崂山矿泉水有限公司 Bottle body water stain cleaning device
CN114178270B (en) * 2021-11-30 2023-06-27 青岛崂山矿泉水有限公司 Bottle body water stain cleaning device
CN116944171A (en) * 2023-09-20 2023-10-27 山东科锐医疗用品有限公司 Cleaning device for medical supplies production facility
CN116944171B (en) * 2023-09-20 2023-12-05 山东科锐医疗用品有限公司 Cleaning device for medical supplies production facility

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