DE1244658B - Oil storage facility at sea - Google Patents

Description

Oil storage device at sea The invention relates to an oil storage device at sea with a hull body that is floating or firmly supported under water, which has at least one liquid-tight arranged container and oil and water pipelines having upper and lower chambers are connected, with the water pressure in the lower chamber taking the oil out of the container displaced into the tankers.

The liquids in question for storage in underwater containers represent mineral oils which change their volume considerably when heated or cooled. Since these liquids are specifically significantly lighter than water, they swim Containers completely filled with mineral oil on the surface of the water. It surrenders this eliminates the need for underwater tanks filled with mineral oil accordingly to weight down or to anchor to keep them below the surface of the water.

In known devices, these objects are achieved by that metal containers are poured into Betonrräntel, which additional holes with their Hold the container completely filled with mineral oil under water. Additional, Iettes anchored in the ground and connected to the container support the effect of the concrete shell.

In another known embodiment, the undesirable Buoyancy of a container filled with mineral oil is prevented by the fact that the bottom poured with concrete up to a certain height on the inside of a container and the lid closing the container carries a concrete hood. Furthermore these containers are buried on the ground under water and additionally against shifting Anchored in the subsurface by means of insert feet.

The well-known tanks made on land are flooded of the tank room, which will later receive the oil, with water at the desired location due to discontinued. If the container filled with water is to take up oil, then through an oil line protruding above the surface of the water pumps the mineral oil introduced, whereby the water is expressed through a riser and a valve. In these known devices that is arranged on the water riser pipe Valve just below the water surface, so that when the valve is opened a certain Static pressure depending on the height of the water column exerted on the mineral oil and, if necessary, after opening the valve on the oil line, the oil from the container presses and releases it above the surface of the water. The static pressure of the water column is sufficient does not fail to completely empty the container filled with oil, the Pressure in the water riser increased by connecting it to a compressed air line.

To lift the oil container to the surface of the water, the The oil in the container is ejected through the water and subsequently by compressed air the water in the oil tank via the water riser pipe expressed. The container, which is now filled with air, then receives sufficient buoyancy to rise to the surface of the water.

Also, a land based facility is known where from a underground storage facility for liquefied gas through a tank to the interior The water column acting in the storage chamber can be sent to a consumer station if necessary and the liquefied gas by pressure in the storage chamber against the water column pressure is initiated.

These well-known mineral oil containers, which are set off under water due to the ground are due to the concrete loads required to hold the filled with mineral oil Container due to expensive to manufacture and heavier to the destination to be transported as a simple container made of a metal structure.

A pump is required to fill the known containers with i2) 1, the static pressure of the Must overcome water column. Are there with each filling process a valve on the oil line and a valve on the water riser pipe to open and to close again when the filling process is complete. In addition, must Another arrangement can be provided which prevents that when completely filled Container further pumped-up oil escapes into the water via the water riser pipe. In addition, it is not in the known devices for an operator possible to determine when the container is full without measuring and display devices and the pump must be switched off.

When emptying this known device by means of water pressure and It is compressed air for an operator without measuring devices and only on the basis of visual Observation not possible to determine when the oil is removed from the container is. In addition, when emptying with water pressure and compressed air are known Devices shut-off devices required to prevent water from penetrating to avoid lines leading to the consumer.

Through the direct touch of the known for emptying the The water that is introduced into the container and the oil surface creates a broad emulsion layer of oil and water in the mixing zone at both interfaces that come out of the container Removable amount of oil is reduced.

It is the object of the invention to provide an underwater To create an oil storage device to be deposited that is completely filled with oil is kept under water without additional weight loads due to the Filling with oil without a pump is only due to gravity and when emptying without interposed valves only due to the static pressure of a water column releases the oil, with an operator without measuring devices only by purely visual Observation can determine the complete emptying of the storage device.

A further object of the invention is the filling and emptying lines to be placed in such a way that the interfaces between oil and water are not swirled up, which makes emulsification in the mixing zone impossible.

This is achieved according to the invention in that the lower water chamber by a protruding above the sea surface and carried by the hull body Column is held and an overflow communicating with the outside air having a maximum static when loading and unloading the oil storage device Pressure is ensured, with discharging by pumping water into the water chamber and the loading by means of the arranged high enough above the overflow to collect the oil serving upper chamber takes place, so that the oil pressure in the upper chamber through the overflow exceeds certain water pressure.

The oil removal line and the oil receptacle can preferably be connected to one another by a line provided with shut-off valves. Included two oil lines can be connected to the oil extraction line via shut-off valves The lines can optionally be used for oil intake and oil discharge. Furthermore, inlet ports for conveying the oil to the oil receptacle and one through that up to one certain levels in the receptacle have risen Oil actuatable and the oil flow from the inlet port controlling shut-off valve is provided be.

This inventive arrangement, it is possible that the container The static pressure of the oil alone is used to fill the oil until it is above the Oil storage system standing oil column similar to a communicating U-tube in equilibrium with the column of water standing above the storage device, which automatically makes it impossible for the oil to escape from the storage device. In this way is located in the oil storage device in a completely filled state a sufficiently large amount of water that is sufficient to cause the storage device to due to keep under water.

When the oil is withdrawn, the pressure applied by the storage device presses Water column, the oil through the static overpressure also corresponds to a communicating U-tube to the outside, with between the highest point of the water to be squeezed out and the oil extraction is a sufficiently large distance that the entry of the water in the oil lines leading to the consumer impossible.

In the device according to the invention, a shows from the water chamber the water jet escaping to the free atmosphere ensures complete emptying of the Oil storage device on. Through the visually perceptible water jet, a Operator can detect leaks in the pipe system without difficulty, if oil residues have escaped with the water jet.

The invention is in the following with reference to the drawings on a Embodiment explained in more detail. In the drawings, F i g. 1 is a side view an oil storage facility, which is deposited at a point remote from the coast, wherein the hull is resting on the seabed.

F i g. 2 shows a plan view of the device, FIG. 3 an enlarged Side view, partly schematic, showing the platform for operation and the tank battery, the hull and the oil and water lines can be seen, F i g. 4 shows a cross section along the line 4-4 of FIG. 3, FIG. 5 a graphical one Representation of the upper parts of the column and the oil lines, F i g. 6 an enlarged Section of a column along the line 6-6 in FIG. 3, in which the water chamber in one of the pillars can be seen, F i g. 7 is a longitudinal section along the line 7-7 in FIG F i g. 6, also showing a plurality of valves for lowering of the system are used, FIG. 8 shows an enlarged section through the operating platform and through the associated tank battery and FIG. 9 an enlarged horizontal section of the middle part of the operating platform and the associated tank battery.

The oil storage device has a body 1, which is liquid-tight by Bulkheads 2, 3, 4.5 and 6 in corner containers 7, 8, 9 and 10 as well as central container 11 and 12 is divided. Liquid-tight columns 13, 14, 15 and 16, which over the Corner containers 7, 8, 9 and 10 attached to the fuselage 1 are, extend from this upwards and are of sufficient length to pass over surface 17 of the water when the hull rests on the seabed 18.

The column 13 carries a tank battery 19, which is supported by an operating platform 2f, a bottom wall 21 and side walls 22 is limited and that with the column e3 is braced by supports 23. A circular bulkhead 24 extends between the platform 20 and the bottom wall 21; this bulkhead is not in connection with of column 13. Liquid-tight bulkheads 29 and 26 (Fig. 9) also extend between the platform 20 and the bottom wall 21 and from the side walls 22 to the annular bulkhead 24, whereby the tank battery 19 is divided into tank containers 27 and 28 provided with oil inlet connections 29 and 30. A housing 31 that is delimited by walls 32 and a ceiling 33, protrudes beyond the platform 20 and stands with the tank containers 27 and 28 and with an oil receptacle 34 in Connection which is limited by the annular bulkhead 24 and a half-ring bulkhead 35 is. The bulkheads 24 and 35 are in communication with each other, and their curved Areas are arranged in a line. The semi-cylindrical bulkhead 35 ends short in front of the ceiling 33, whereby an overflow weir 36 is formed for the oil that flows from the tank containers i7 and 28 through a passage 37 formed by the housing 31 the oil receptacle 34 flows.

Liquid-tight bulkheads 38 and 39, which are arranged horizontally and are vertically spaced from each other, act with a vertical liquid-tight Bulkheads and part of the wall of a conduit 41 together to form a salt water chamber 42 in column 13 (Fig. 6, 7).

Oil lines 43 and 44 in the oil receiver 34 with valves 45 and 46 are provided, run within the column 13 to the fuselage 1 and stand with the middle containers 11 and 12 in connection. Extensions 47 and 48 on valves 45 and 46 permit actuation of these valves from the operator platform 20 off.

Oil fill and drain lines 49 and 50 connect the oil line 44 with the upper parts of the columns 15 and 16 and the columns 13 and 14, wherein these lines are held by the catwalks 51 by conventional line hooks.

A discharge line 52 communicates with the oil line 44 via a valve 53 in connection and ends near the column 15. A line 54 with a valve 55 is provided, connects the oil line 43 and the discharge line 52 outside the Valve 53. The discharge line 52 is provided with valves 56 and 57, which when unloading work and to which the hoses 58 and 59 from the tankers are connected who have moored alongside. By adjusting the valves accordingly 56 and 57 can either or both charging stations on the pillars 1L3 and 15 work.

Ventilation openings 61 are provided on the pillars 13, 141, 15 and 16, on the oil lines 43 and 44 below the valves 45 and 46 and below the bottom wall 21 of the tank battery 19 and on the top of the housing 31.

A salt water supply line 62 (Fig. 3, 7) connects the operator platform 20 with the water chamber 42.Salt water pipes 63, 64, 65, 66, 67 and 68 connect the bottom of the water chamber 42 with the bags 7, 8, 9 and 10 and the middle Containers 11 and 12. The water chamber 42 is with an overflow 69, a loading and Ventilation 70 and an access opening usually closed off by a cover 72 71 provided.

The mode of operation of the arrangement according to the invention is as follows: If the fuselage 1 and the columns 13, 14, 15 and 16 are sufficiently empty that the system swims, it is dragged to its point of view. There the system is up to Lowered contact with the sea floor 18. This is preferably done on the following Type: A pump 41 a on the operating platform 20 conveys sea water through a Sea chest 73 and the line 41 in the column 13 and floods the water chamber 42 through the salt water supply line 62. The salt water can then from the water chamber 42 through the salt water pipes 63, 64, 65, 66, 67 and 68 to the corner tanks 7, 8, 9 and 10 and the middle containers 11 and 12 pass, the displaced air from the corner containers 7, 8, 9 and 10 through the columns 13, 14, 15 and 16 and through the aeration and ventilation 61 flows out. The displaced air from the middle containers 11 and 12 flows through the oil lines 43 and 44 in the column 13 to the outside the openings 61. When the system is filled with water, it lowers. At the The middle containers 11 and 12 are preferably lowered first and then the Corner tanks 7, 8, 9 and 10 with their columns 13, 14, 15 and 16 are flooded. Have to the salt water lines 63, 64, 65 and 66 initially closed and the salt water lines 67 and 68 should be open. Lines 63, 64, 65 and 66 are then opened after the middle containers 11 and 12 are filled. This can be done by means of the in FIG. 7th valve station 75 shown. This valve station 75 includes a vertical one Line 76, one horizontal line 77, and six individually valved Lines 78. The valve station 75 is via the vertical line 76 to the salt water supply line 62 connected, and the lines 78 are connected to the salt water lines 63, 64, 65, 66, 67 and 68 connected. After the plant has settled on the seabed 18 is, the valve station 75 is dismantled and removed from the water chamber 42.

The lid 72 is attached to the access opening 71.

The system is now ready to accept oil. Through connecting lines the oil flows from the source through inlet connections 29 and 30 into the tank containers 27 and 28 of the tank battery 19. When these tank containers 27 and 28 are filled, rises the oil in the passage 37 and flows through the weir 36 into the oil receptacle 34. The oil receptacle 34 is arranged much higher than the overflow 69 in the water chamber 42, and the ratio of the height of the oil receptacle 34 above the sea floor 18 to the height of the overflow 69 above the sea floor 18 is greater as the ratio of salt water density to oil density. This flows as a result of the known displacement principles the oil when the valves 45 and 46 are open, from the oil receiver 34 through the oil lines 43, 44, 49 and 50 into the columns 13, 14, 15 and 16, in the corner bins 7, 8, 9 and 10 and the middle bins 11 and t2. The salt water displaced thereby flows through the salt water pipes 63, 64, 65, 66, 67 and 68 into the water chamber 42 and then out through the overflow 69. In the event that the oil level in the oil receptacle 34 increases rises high, a high level float barrier 79 is in the top of the oil receptacle 34, preferably slightly below the weir 36, is provided, which is not shown by means of Lines and controls regulate the flow of oil into the inlet connections 29 and 30 shut off.

If oil is to be withdrawn from the storage tank in the system, a tanker moored along the pillars 13 or 15, and one of the hoses 58, 59 (Fig. 5) is connected to one of the charging stations. This can be done using the tube loading booms 58 a and 59 a (FIG. 2) take place, with both loading stations can load two tankers at the same time. The valves 56 and 57 are opened or closed, depending on whether both charging stations or only one are in operation. The valves 45, 46, 53 and 55 are then opened. The oil in the oil receptacle 34 then flows to the tanker due to gravity. When the level of the oil has fallen so far in the oil receptacle 34 that the oil no longer means Gravity flows, then the pump 41 a on the operating platform 20 takes sea water from the sea box 73 via the pipeline 41 and pushes this water through the Salt water supply line 62 into water chamber 42. The ratio of the height of the valves 53 and 55 and the discharge line 52 above the seabed 18 to the level of the Overflow 69 above the sea floor 18 is less than the ratio of the salt water density to the oil density. Accordingly, the flow is based on the known displacement principles the salt water through the salt water pipes 63, 64, 65, 66, 67 and 68 into the columns 13, 14, 15 and 16 and the corner containers 7, 8, 9 and 10 and in the central container 11 and 12. The displaced oil flows into oil lines 43, 44, 49 and 50 and then into the tanker. In the event that the pump 41 a supplies more salt water than that Tanker receives oil, the excess volume of water through the overflow 69 discharged.

If the plant is to be removed from its location, it will by emptying the columns 13, 14, 15 and 16, the corner containers 7, 8, 9 and 10 and the middle container and 12 floated again.

Preferably, the columns 13, 14, 15 and 16 and the corner bins are first 7, 8, 9 and 10 and only then the middle containers and 12 are emptied. For this are the salt water lines 67 and 68 initially closed and the salt water lines 63, 64, 65 and 66 open. Lines 67 and 68 are opened after the Columns 13, 14, 15 and 16 and the corner containers 7, 8, 9 and 10 have been freed from water.

The water chamber 42, the salt water up to the level of the overflow 69 contains is emptied by means of a valve 80. The water chamber 42 is like already mentioned, always above the water surface 17. The cover 72 is then removed and valve station 75 reconnected as described above. An operator climbs into the water chamber 42 through the access opening 71 and closes the valves on lines 78 leading to salt water lines 67 and 68 lead. The other valves in lines 78 remain open. The valves 45, 46, 53 and 55 will be closed. Those connected to the oil lines 43 and 44 Loading and unloading Ventilations 61 are made by means of cover flanges that attach to the flanges are attached to the ends of the return manifold. The openings 61 can also be provided with valves that are closed for this purpose. Well will Compressed air is introduced into the columns 13, 14, 15 and 16 through the openings 61.

Under the pressure of the air, the salt water is transported through the pipes 63, 64, 65 and 66 displaced to the water chamber 42 and via the line 62 and one not shown, connected to this line below the pump 41 a connecting line, which is opened for the purpose of this emptying, expelled. This gives the plant a lift and rises high.

The degree of rise and the stability of the plant, i.e. H. holding the same at the same level, which is very important, can be done by the pressure and the distribution of the compressed air to the four columns can be regulated.

The operator can then the valves of the lines 78, the lead to the salt water lines 67 and 68, open and the valves of the lines 78, which lead to the salt water pipes 63, 64, 65 and 66, close. The valves 45, 46, 53 and 55 are kept closed. The openings 61 with the upper Parts of the columns 13, 14, 15 and 16 are connected, as described above, by means of cover flanges, by means of valves or by means of other adapters. Now compressed air is introduced into the openings 61 with the oil lines 43 and 44 are connected. The salt water displaced in the middle tanks 11 and 12 flows through the salt water lines 67 and 68 into the water chamber 42 and out over line 62.

Instead of emptying the middle containers 11 and 12 using compressed air, the salt water it contains can also simply be pumped out by pumping. In this case the containers are ventilated, e.g. B. in that the openings 61, which are connected to the oil lines 43 and 44 are left open.

The system can then be towed to another location and lowered there in the manner described.

Claims (4)

Claims: 1. Oil storage device at sea with a floating one or hull body firmly supported under water, which has at least one liquid-tight has arranged container and includes oil and water pipelines with an upper and a lower chamber are connected, the water pressure in the lower chamber the oil is displaced from the container into the tankers, i.e. it is indicated that the lower water chamber (42) is from a protruding above the sea surface and carried by the hull body (1) Column (13) is held and an overflow communicating with the outside air (69) has a maximum when loading and unloading the oil storage device Static pressure ensured, with discharging by pumping water into the water chamber (42) and the loading by means of the sufficiently high above the overflow (69) arranged, serving for oil intake upper chamber (34) takes place, so that the Oil pressure in the upper chamber water pressure determined by the overflow exceeds. 2. Oil storage device according to claim 1, characterized in that that the oil extraction line (52) and the oil receptacle (34) through one with shut-off valves (53, 55) are connected to each other. 3. Oil storage device according to claim 2, characterized in that that two oil lines (43, 44) with the oil extraction line (52) via shut-off valves (53, 55) can be connected, the lines (43, 44) optionally for oil intake and oil dispensing can be used. 4. Oil storage device according to one of the preceding claims, marked by Inlet connection (29, 30) for conveying the oil to the oil receptacle (34) and through a through that up to a certain mirror in the receptacle (34) increased oil can be actuated and the oil flow from the inlet port (29, 30) controlling shut-off valve (79). Considered publications: German Patent Specifications No. 51765, 177,436; Swiss Patent No. 217 103; U.S. Patent No. 1 176 526, 1 681 533, 2687 017, 2747774, 2748 739, 2879 646; »Technical Review« February 11, 1955, p. 29; "The Oil and Gas Journal" of March 10, 1958, p. 101.