EP0715542B1 - Anti-sedimentation process - Google Patents

Abstract

A process and device are disclosed for preventing sediments from precipitating from mixtures of for example crude oil (4), refinery products and petrochemicals, which otherwise settle mainly at the bottom of cistern installations (T). Sediments have a precursor in the form of a thickening precipitation zone (4, 2). The precipitation of sediments is prevented by disturbing the formation of the precipitation zone (4, 2). This disturbance takes the form of global disturbance patterns (S) with local disturbance spots (L) and is applied according to the disturbance pattern (S) in a disturbance zone by means of disturbance devices (V) with disturbing means. The disturbance is hydrodynamically or mechanically applied by nozzles arranged in the disturbance zones through which crude oil flows out or by strings that may be made to vibrate as disturbing means (8, 12) excited by exciting elements (5) through pulling and pushing units (6) in the disturbance devices. The strings vibrate with fundamental and partial waves and deflect the components of the mixtures depending on the amplitude of said sonic waves.

Description

The invention relates to a method for avoiding sedimentation Liquid phases or a thickening of liquid phases or liquid mixtures such as oils, crude oil, refinery products and petrochemical products, which successively predominantly on the floor especially of storage containers settle, settling in such storage containers before the start of sedimentation forms a precursor in the form of a condensing precipitation zone, from which a thickening is initialized and successively in sedimentation and / or thickening passes.

When storing liquid phases such as oils, crude oil, refinery products and petrochemical products often experience undesirable sedimentation and thickening, a problem that will be discussed in the following particularly crude oil-forming example is discussed.

The liquid phase of crude oil is mainly made up of hydrocarbons such as paraffins, aromatics and naphthenic mixture, which at their promotion but also of non-hydrocarbons or so-called Impurities such as mud, water, dissolved salts, sulfur compounds, Sand etc. is accompanied. This crude oil may be before Processing in refineries rough cleaning processes for the separation of Subject to contamination. Then it is generally common to process something as well as storing pre-cleaned crude oil in large tank systems. This with congestion times of different lengths; in the case of hoarding, under certain circumstances for a long time; Storage much less long.

The particularly long service life favors an undesirable sediment from crude oil in tank systems. This sediment is diverse, he can, for example, by emulsions of water with hydrocarbon fractions favored, or it consists of segregates of heavy hydrocarbon fractions (hard waxes) or from segregates of mud or of salts. It results in a kind of oil sludge that is too on the floor of the tank systems compresses and causes costs and losses.

Costs and losses are caused because this oil sludge on the one hand the capacity of the tank systems is reduced and on the other hand crude oil binds or even consists mainly of thickened crude oil. One has through storage alongside the costly loss of space in the tank a not inconsiderable loss of substance. On top of that, at least through disposal, the loss of space either cannot be offset can (storage of the sludge in closed systems, that is, in provided tanks) or a disposal that is totally environmentally harmful is (dumping the sludge into open basins). With large circles Tank systems of up to 100 meters in diameter, 20 meters in height and that corresponding sediment layers result in sediment layers from 1 to 2 Meter a capacity loss of 5 to 10%. In addition, the company can also the tank systems are disturbed, the oil sludge of the pumps is blocked, outflows of the tank systems have to be filtered, etc. Finally, the distance sludge associated with downtime. Will the oil sludge not removed, it accumulates and eventually leads to Abandonment of such muddy storage containers and requires new buildings from Filling stations. In addition to these storage costs, the unprepared Oil sludge itself, of course, is also a loss, because despite its contaminants it consists largely of recyclable hydrocarbons.

1) Ein erster Losungsansatz wird in den Patentschriften US-3436263 und FR-A 2211546 vorgeschlagen, wobei Reinigungssubstanzen benutzt werden, welche Ölschlamm lösen oder gebunden entfernen. Ein Nachteil dieser Verfahren ist, dass dieser gelöste Ölschlamm wegen der eingebrachten Reinigungssubstanzen nicht mehr verwertbar ist und auf Deponien oder irgendwie entsorgt wird. Solche Deponien sind beispielsweise alte Tankanlagen oder Brachland und stellen eine Umweltverschmutzung erster Güte dar. Die Wiederaufbereitung von Ölschlamm ist so nicht möglich, sodass dies keine prinzipielle Schadensbekämpfung, sondern nur eine Bekämpfung der Auswirkung darstellt. Jedoch, die Tankanlagen können so immerhin gereinigt und wieder bereitgestellt werden. Der wesentliche Grund, warum der gelöste Ölschlamm nicht aufbereitet wird, liegt also darin, dass die verwendeten Reinigungssubstanzen für eine Aufbereitung in Raffinerien Verunreinigungen darstellen, deren Abtrennung mit Standardreinigungsverfahren mühsam und kostspielig ist und in keinem Verhältnis zum Rück-Gewinn an Rohöl steht.

2) Ein anderer Lösungsansatz wird in der Patentschrift EP-160805 vorgeschlagen, wo hydrokinetische Energie benutzt wird, um in den Tankanlagen mittels Wirbelbildung sedimentierte Rückstände in die Flüssigphase zurück zu suspendieren oder zu lösen. Ölschlamm kann so, durch Rohöl als Lösungssubstanz gelöst, rückgeführt und nach Standardreinigungsverfahren in der Raffinerie aufbereitet werden Dieses Verfahren ist für die Verhinderung der Bildung von Oelschlamm zu aufwendig, es ist für dessen Beseitigung konzipiert. Hierfür werden gezielte Wirbelströmungen generiert, deren sukzessive Fernwirkung den Bodensatz auch ausserhalb der direkten Einspritzzone wirksam aufzulösen fähig ist. Dies ist jedoch mit beträchtlichem Aufwand an Material verbunden. Mechanisch bewegliche Komponenten im Innern der Tankanlagen, wie beispielsweise drehbare Verflüssigungslanzen, mit denen Ölschlamm hydrokinetisch aktiviert und in Rohöl gelöst wird, stellen einen nicht unerheblichen technischen Aufwand dar. Dieses Verfahren, obwohl es in hohem Grade Oelschlamm rekuperiert, ist also aufwendig. Gerade unter extremen Umweltbedingungen, beispielsweise in Sand- oder Eiswüsten-Regionen, ist dies eher unerwünscht.

Several solutions for removing sediment from crude oil in tank systems are now known. Here are two examples:

1) A first solution approach is proposed in the patents US-3436263 and FR-A 2211546, using cleaning substances which loosen or remove oil sludge bound. A disadvantage of these processes is that this dissolved oil sludge can no longer be used because of the cleaning substances introduced and is disposed of in landfills or in some way. Such landfills are, for example, old tank farms or fallow land and represent first-class environmental pollution. The reprocessing of oil sludge is not possible in this way, so that this does not represent a general damage control, but only a fight against the impact. However, the tank systems can still be cleaned and made available again. The main reason why the dissolved oil sludge is not processed is therefore that the cleaning substances used for processing in refineries represent impurities, the separation of which is tedious and costly with standard cleaning processes and has no relation to the recovery of crude oil.

2) Another approach is proposed in patent EP-160805, where hydrokinetic energy is used to suspend or dissolve residues sedimented in the liquid phase by means of vortex formation in the tank systems. Oil sludge can be dissolved in crude oil as a solution substance, recycled and processed in the refinery using standard cleaning methods. This method is too complex to prevent the formation of oil sludge and is designed to be removed. For this purpose, targeted eddy currents are generated, the successive remote effect of which is capable of effectively dissolving the sediment even outside the direct injection zone. However, this involves a considerable amount of material. Mechanically moving components inside the tank systems, such as rotatable liquefaction lances with which oil sludge is hydrokinetically activated and dissolved in crude oil, represent a not inconsiderable technical outlay. This process, although it recovers oil sludge to a high degree, is therefore complex. This is rather undesirable, especially under extreme environmental conditions, for example in sand or ice desert regions.

Furthermore, EP-0'202'217 discloses a stirring device with which Sedimentation of oil sludge can be eliminated and also prevented. It is a "floating" agitator that rotates horizontally by means of rotors and generates vertical local currents and which is remotely controlled in one Storage container swims around and uses ultrasound to determine its position and signaled to the outside. One of the disadvantages of this solution is that it needs electrical means, which for safety reasons in tank systems is avoided and that it is too little for tanks with large dimensions Efficiency can develop because the effect is local and it is hardly possible seems quite a number of such devices in a common container to use. The constant use to prevent sedimentation should also be too complex and devices with such complexity, as suggested here, are hardly suitable for such an application.

It is therefore an object of the invention, a method and an apparatus specify with the help of the precipitation of sediments from liquid phases or thickening in liquids or liquid mixtures such as ex. Oils, crude oil, refinery products and petrochemical products, at least can be largely avoided. This method and the device for this purpose, it should be easy to implement and operate safely in operation, because As a rule, the storage units are monitored technically little or not at all. This object is achieved by the invention defined in the claims solved.

The idea for the present invention is based on observations. It looks like this from that sedimentation from liquid mixtures such as Crude oil in tank systems a "precursor", a leading event, in the form a precipitation or thickening zone compacting against the bottom of the tank system forms from which an oil sludge formation is initiated and gradually sedimented and that the formation of this precursor by a relatively little disturbance influences until can be prevented, with which sediment formation is also suppressed. This precursor to sedimentation crude oil, it looks like, consists of a precipitation zone condensing Crude oil, the material-specific something above a soil surface, For example, that of the tank system, as it were "floating". In this continuously compressing zone coagulate and polymerize components of the crude oil, are precipitated and collected in this form as sediments or sediment on the floor of the tank system as nota bene recyclable oil sludge and thus form a slowly rising floor area above which the precursor is effective.

According to the invention the sedimentation from mixtures such as. Crude oil, but also from other oils, practically by disturbing this precursor avoided. In contrast to crude oil recovery, which is sensible per se from the sediment, there is a "Prevention Technology" with which the Formation of "sludge" is reduced until it is prevented. This approach differs of the solutions to the problems described at the beginning by no disposal (removal of oil sludge) is operated, but by the possible occurrence of a disadvantage (the formation of oil sludge) not even allow.

The main part of the sludge formation is based on a kind of gelling of the crude oil, it thickens and can reappear during the thickening by stirring be dissolved, there is (still) no dilution with additional in this phase Crude oil needed. In large tank systems there is an effective stirring system however hardly feasible anymore, so another form of more targeted Fault that does justice to the enormous tank systems must be found.

According to the invention, this can be done by forming energy-transporting, running waves in the precipitation zone, the precursor of the crude oil, for example be solved by supplying and / or removing crude oil.

Simple and maintenance-free disruptive means are implemented, for example, hydrodynamically by means of perforated pipe networks, nozzles and the like, so that flowing Crude oil introduces the disturbance energy into the precursor of the precipitation layer. It So there are no moving mechanical components inside the tank used, the process is basically maintenance-free, robust, mechanical simple and easy to control.

Other simple and maintenance-free disruptive means, such as vibrators, implemented one advantageously with mechanical means such as "strings", "bell-shaped membrane" and the like, which you swing and so disturbance energy in the Introduces precursor of the precipitation layer. Crossed strings, for example, allow one good distribution of the high-energy antinodes at places of strings where the deflection decreases more and more (towards the clamping points). The same applies, for example, to bell-shaped membranes. Your vibrations form on its surface sound figures that represent the liquid phase in tank systems can stimulate. The strings and the membrane are excited with corresponding devices, which are simply by means of a reciprocal Drive (crank) are slowly moved back and forth. Strings become For example, via excitation elements at certain time intervals in which they swing out and transmit a disturbance, newly started. membrane are about striking elements at certain intervals in which they swing and transmit a disturbance, struck again. Such facilities are also practically maintenance-free, robust, mechanically simple and easy to control.

The implementation of this idea in the method according to the invention is elegant because the disturbance of the precursor and prevention of sedimentation with significant less effort in material and labor than recovery from existing sediment and it can be proven, functionally robust devices. A Another advantage of this method is that location and extent the precursor, ie its location, can be staked out and Fault devices are therefore specifically installed in its area can, usually a little above the bottom of the tank system.

Fig. 1

zeigt einen schematischen Längsschnitt durch einen Teil einer Tankanlage, mit Ausfällzone und Sedimentrelief.

Fig. 2

zeigt eine schematische Draufsicht auf einen Teil einer Tankanlage.

Fig. 3

zeigt eine Ausführungsform eines Störmusters in Form eines dreidimensional geordneten Musters von Störstellen.

Fig. 4a und 4b

zeigen eine weitere Ausführungsform eines Störungsmusters in Form eines zweidimensional geordneten Musters von Störstellen.

Fig. 5

zeigt die konzeptionelle Überlagerung der Tankanlage mit der Ausführungsform eines mechanisch bewirkten Störmusters gemäss den Figuren 2 und 3.

Fig. 6a und 6b

zeigen die konzeptionelle Überlagerung der Tankanlage mit der Ausführungsform eines mechanisch oder hydraulisch bewirkten Störmusters gemäss den Figuren 2 und 4.

Fig. 7

zeigt eine schematische Draufsicht auf einen Teil der Ausführungsform einer mechanisch wirkenden Störvorrichtung des erfindungsgemässen Verfahrens.

Fig. 8

zeigt eine schematische Seitenansicht auf einen Teil der Ausführungsform einer Störvorrichtung des erfindungsgemässen Verfahrens gemäss Figur 7.

Fig. 9a und 9b

zeigen eine schematische Draufsicht auf einen Teil einer Ausführungsform einer mechanisch und einer hydraulisch wirkenden Störvorrichtung des erfindungsgemässen Verfahrens.

Fig. 10

zeigt eine schematische Seitenansicht auf einen Teil der Ausführungsform einer Störvorrichtung des erfindungsgemässen Verfahrens gemäss Figur 9b.

Fig. 11a

zeigt eine schematische Draufsicht auf einen Teil einer Ausführungsform eines Antriebs für eine Anregungselemente antreibende Zug- und Schubeinheit in Form eines Kurbeltriebs.

Fig. 11b

zeigt eine schematische Seitenansicht auf einen Teil der Ausführungsform eines Antriebs gemäss Figur 11a.

Fig. 12a

zeigt eine schematische Ansicht eines Teils einer bevorzugten Ausführungsform eines Störmittels in Form eines schwingfähigen Saitensystems mit einer ersten Ausführungsform einer Spannvorrichtung.

Fig. 12b

zeigt eine schematische Ansicht wie der Teil des schwingfähigen Saitensystems und ihrer Spannvorrrichtung gemäss Figur 12a nach Kontakt mit einem Anregungselement gespannt werden.

Fig. 12c

zeigt eine schematische Ansicht wie der Teil des schwingfähigen Saitensystems und ihrer Spannvorrrichtung gemäss Figur 12a nach Anregung durch ein Anregungselement gemäss Figur 12b schwingen.

Fig. 13

zeigt eine schematische Ansicht einen Teil einer weiteren Ausführungsform eines Störmittels in Form einer schwingfähigen glockenförmigen Membrane.

Fig. 14

zeigt eine schematische Draufsicht eines Teils einer zweiten Ausführungsform einer Spannvorrichtung für schwingfähige Saitensysteme.

Fig. 15

zeigt eine schematische Draufsicht eines Teils einer dritten Ausführungsform einer Spannvorrichtung für schwingfähige Saitensysteme.

Fig. 16

zeigt eine schematische Draufsicht auf einen Teil einer Ausführungsform einer hydrodynamisch wirkenden Störvorrichtung des erfindungsgemässen Verfahrens.

Fig. 17

zeigt eine schematische Seitenansicht auf einen Teil der Ausführungsform einer Störvorrichtung des erfindungsgemässen Verfahrens gemäss Figur 16.

Fig. 18

zeigt eine schematische Draufsicht auf einen Teil einer weiteren Ausführungsform einer hydraulisch wirkenden Störvorrichtung des erfindungsgemässen Verfahrens.

Fig. 19

zeigt eine schematische Seitenansicht auf einen Teil der Ausführungsform einer Störvorrichtung des erfindungsgemässen Verfahrens gemäss Figur 18.

Fig. 20

zeigt eine schematische Seitenansicht auf einen Teil der Ausführungsform einer Störvorrichtung des erfindungsgemässen Verfahrens gemäss Figur 19.

Details of the method according to the invention are described in detail below using exemplary embodiments and with reference to the figures listed below.

Fig. 1

shows a schematic longitudinal section through part of a tank system, with precipitation zone and sediment relief.

Fig. 2

shows a schematic plan view of a part of a tank system.

Fig. 3

shows an embodiment of an interference pattern in the form of a three-dimensionally ordered pattern of defects.

4a and 4b

show a further embodiment of a disturbance pattern in the form of a two-dimensionally ordered pattern of impurities.

Fig. 5

shows the conceptual superimposition of the tank system with the embodiment of a mechanically caused fault pattern according to FIGS. 2 and 3.

6a and 6b

show the conceptual superimposition of the tank system with the embodiment of a mechanically or hydraulically caused fault pattern according to FIGS. 2 and 4.

Fig. 7

shows a schematic plan view of part of the embodiment of a mechanically acting interference device of the inventive method.

Fig. 8

shows a schematic side view of part of the embodiment of an interference device of the inventive method according to FIG. 7.

9a and 9b

show a schematic plan view of part of an embodiment of a mechanically and hydraulically acting interference device of the inventive method.

Fig. 10

shows a schematic side view of part of the embodiment of an interference device of the inventive method according to Figure 9b.

Fig. 11a

shows a schematic plan view of part of an embodiment of a drive for a pulling and pushing unit driving excitation elements in the form of a crank drive.

Fig. 11b

shows a schematic side view of part of the embodiment of a drive according to Figure 11a.

Fig. 12a

shows a schematic view of part of a preferred embodiment of a disturbing means in the form of an oscillatable string system with a first embodiment of a tensioning device.

Fig. 12b

shows a schematic view of how the part of the vibratable string system and its tensioning device according to FIG. 12a are tensioned after contact with an excitation element.

Fig. 12c

shows a schematic view of how the part of the vibratable string system and its tensioning device according to FIG. 12a vibrate after being excited by an excitation element according to FIG. 12b.

Fig. 13

shows a schematic view of part of a further embodiment of a disruptive means in the form of an oscillatable bell-shaped membrane.

Fig. 14

shows a schematic plan view of part of a second embodiment of a tensioning device for vibratable string systems.

Fig. 15

shows a schematic plan view of part of a third embodiment of a tensioning device for vibratable string systems.

Fig. 16

shows a schematic plan view of part of an embodiment of a hydrodynamically acting interference device of the inventive method.

Fig. 17

16 shows a schematic side view of part of the embodiment of an interference device of the inventive method according to FIG. 16.

Fig. 18

shows a schematic plan view of part of a further embodiment of a hydraulically acting interference device of the inventive method.

Fig. 19

shows a schematic side view of part of the embodiment of an interference device of the inventive method according to FIG. 18.

Fig. 20

shows a schematic side view of part of the embodiment of an interference device of the inventive method according to FIG. 19.

FIG. 1 shows a schematic longitudinal section through a tank system, with a schematically illustrated failure zone 4.2, the precursor discussed above, over a sediment relief. This tank system T, for example, is of cylindrical symmetry with an approximately flat bottom 1, it has a wall 2 and a floating roof 3. The capacity of such tank systems T can be 100,000 m ³ . The floating roof 3 is used for safety reasons to enable the volatile and combustible fractions of the stored crude oil 4 to escape from the tank system T and thus to prevent the formation of explosive mixtures in the tank system T. When the tank system T is completely or partially filled, the cover floats directly on the crude oil 4. Of course, the method according to the invention can also be used for tank systems with a firm roof (firm roof).

In FIG. 1 there are sediments or sediments 4.1 and one compacting above them Failure zone 4.2 can be seen. The sediments 4.1 exist, for example from emulsions of water with hydrocarbon fractions, or them consist of segregates of heavy hydrocarbon fractions (hard waxes) or from thickened crude oil or from segregates of mud, sand, salts or from rust and form a solid sediment to viscous oil sludge, also called sludge, which is located on the floor 1 of the tank system T settles. These sediments 4.1 come from a against the bottom 1 of the Tank system T compressing failure zone 4.2, which is material-specific above the bottom surface of the tank system T "floats" and here a higher one Has density than the crude oil 4 originally let into the tank system T. According to observations, the thickness of the precipitation zone 4.2 can be in a such tank system T up to 1 m and depends on several difficult to determining parameters, such as the composition of the Crude 4, the ratio of hydrocarbon fractions, for example divided into paraffins, aromatics and naphthenes, and it also depends on The proportion and type of impurities, for example the amount of water or sludge off.

This compressing precipitation zone 4.2 is, as I said, a kind of precursor Sedimentation from crude oil 4. Thickening crude oil is a (thixotropic) mixture, which by mechanical activation from the viscous to the less viscous, liquid physical state can change. The condensing Failure zone 4.2 forms as soon as a certain minimum quantity or critical amount of crude oil in a tank system T, seen over time has found a certain metastable balance. The critical amount For example, crude oil would be the amount of crude oil needed to form a Allow failure zone 4.2. A metastable balance arises, depending according to the type of supply, the supply performance and also the duration the supply of crude oil 4 (whether with interruptions or without) to the tank system T on, this usually happens after a few weeks.

The crude oil 4 of the tank system T can be influenced by external forces. One of these external forces, which cannot be suppressed, is that Gravity. Certain components of crude oil 4, which are in a metastable Precipitation zone 4.2 compress, coagulate and polymerize there and their specific density increases over time in such a way that they are Gravity is drawn to the bottom surface of the dropout zone 4.2 Fail tank system T to form a sediment 4.1. The possibilities the coagulation, polymerization and precipitation of crude oil components 4 according to the wide range of variation of a mixture quite diverse and lead them to a stable equilibrium in the form of sediments or sediments 4.1, oil sludge or sludge over. Similar mechanisms of precipitation also apply to other substances that form liquid phases.

This interaction of gravity with the failure zone 4.2 is apparent finely developed. This is the extent and spatial position of the dropout zone 4.2 relative to the bottom surface of the tank system T. That means that the Failure zone 4.2 takes the form of any sediment relief. The statistically developing surface structure of sediment 4.1 also causes corresponding structures of the upper and lower surfaces of the precipitation zone 4.2. The growth of sediments 4.1 is one of more or accompanied less constant thickness of the precipitation zone 4.2 (see Figure 1).

According to the invention the sedimentation from mixtures such as from crude oil 4, from refinery products and from petrochemical products in Tank systems T avoided by the metastable failure zone 4.2 by external Forces is disturbed, so that coagulation and polymerization of Components of the mixtures is prevented. Because of the known position, through methodical direction finding sedimentation formation and studying this formation was discovered, and that limited by the container Extension of the precursor or precipitation zone 4.2, interference devices can thus be in the tank systems T, which act specifically on them. Two groups of embodiments of interference devices of the method include hydrodynamic on the one hand and mechanical on the other caused disturbances. The disturbance occurs hydrodynamically through the addition and Removal of crude oil as a disruptive agent in the failure zone 4.2 of the tank system T. The Components of the crude oil are thus in motion and the precipitation zone 4.2 is mixed due to the incompressibility of the particles. Mechanically the disturbance happens by generating energy transporting ongoing Waves due to vibrations or oscillations in the tank system T and Excitation of the components of the mixture in the precipitation zone 4.2 realized. These vibrating components are thus in motion and the dropout zone 4.2 is mixed due to the incompressibility of the particles.

According to FIG. 2 , the tank system T, as is usually the case, is cylindrical and has a circular diameter of up to 100 m and a height of up to 20 m. In such a container, an interference zone of approximately 1 m interference depth is now specified, which according to the concept of the global interference pattern S, that is to say an interference model, is composed of a large number of local interference points L. This interference zone is advantageously created at a constant interference height of half a meter with a +/- 50 cm interference effect above the bottom of the tank system T. The fault zone extends down to the bottom 1 of the tank system T and can have a volume of several 1000 m ³ (base area x spread of the disturbing effect). The failure of the precipitation zone 4.2 is realized according to the invention by hydrodynamic flow or by mechanical vibrations and the latter are advantageously generated by means of strings or bell-shaped membrane in the interior of the tank system T. The fault model is therefore first conceived in the process, it connects and optimizes the shape of the tank system T with the shape of the propagation of vibrations in mixtures. With increasing knowledge of the effect, specific fault models can be stored in the computer and modified and output depending on the container, content, shape and environmental influences. According to the optimized fault model, the fault devices are then selected and designed.

In a disturbance introduced by mechanical disturbance means according to FIG. 3 , the disturbance pattern S has the shape of a three-dimensional pattern of disturbance points L and forms a two-layer symmetrical arrangement of equidistant "disturbance ellipsoids". The two layers cross each other at right angles. They are suitable for long strings to be attached and excited inside the tank system T, similar to two huge, crossed harps, whose antinodes are optimally superimposed in this way. They are designed as long strings that are excited by excitation elements, vibrate in fundamental and partial vibrations and thus deflect the components of the crude oil 4 depending on the size of the amplitude of the sound waves and thus produce an interference or mixing effect.

Another embodiment of a disturbance pattern S according to FIGS. 4a and 4b forms a two-dimensional pattern of disturbance points L, which are designed as more or less equidistant and equally large circular disturbance zones or as arbitrarily distributed disturbance zones. According to this pattern, T nozzles are attached to the inside of the tank system, or strings to be excited are clamped in or arranged in a bell-shaped membrane.

The fault points L are in an optimal, corresponding to the fault model Spaced from each other so that they are not too tight and neither stand too far apart and that is in the interference zone between them cannot form trouble-free areas of the failure zone 4.2. The Give sizes of the sturgeon ellipsoids in Figure 3 and the interference circles in Figure 4 therefore not the limits of the interference effect of local interference points L, but they only indicate that this fault point L is "active", that is, acting. Finally it should be borne in mind that the vibrations to be generated later Will spread medium and thus have a certain range, which is larger than the outer conceptual extent of these impurities L. and which is also greater than the physical extent of those later realized Disruptive means.

The disruption should occur as homogeneously as possible to fill the volume. she will but locally by means of the interference points L and overall by means of the interference pattern S. or designed globally, always with the aim of training the failure zone 4.2 to prevent such an interference zone. So there are many geometries of interference patterns S, for example three-dimensional structures, have the most tightly packed impurities L. The imperfections must also L itself is not the same size, one can well imagine stronger ones and use weaker defects L combined, in regular or even irregular distances from each other (long and short, thick and thin strings). So difficult geometrical relationships can be overcome in the tank system T, like round walls that so specifically "more" designed to be disturbed. The impurities L are not symmetrical, randomly arranged impurities with individual Interference power and interference geometries are used that are sufficient are long-range to form interfering disturbances as overlaps, so that these vibrations of the tank system T as a resonator on the stored crude oil 4 have a volume-filling and homogeneous design. And even symmetrical disturbances can vary widely. So the defects like flat disks far-reaching, but only uniform in one interference level (e.g., sine and circular) or non-uniform (e.g. elliptical) and only here in the the specified interference level. This is advantageous because the one to be prevented Failure zone 4.2 itself is also relatively flat. The Those skilled in the art are familiar with the invention in many ways Conception of local fault locations L and global fault patterns S are available.

The fault pattern S can be designed with standardized fault points L on the drawing board or on the computer as a disturbance model. As an advantage The electronic data processing tool is suitable for this, in which entire libraries of models are built and the field experience save and convert into parameter sets. The disturbance pattern S and the defects L are then standardized and proven from a set Embodiments are selected and are selected according to those to be fulfilled Parameters, with the respective geometry of the tank system T or the type of Adjusted crude oil 4. The following shows how this is implemented Figures 5 and 6.

Thus, according to FIGS. 5 and 6a / b, the interference pattern S according to FIGS. 3 and 4 is superimposed on the base area of the tank system T according to FIG. 2, so that most of the fault locations L located within the fault zone in the tank system T are subsequently realized by means of interference devices . The disturbance pattern S is projected onto the geometry of the tank system T, it is not necessary to proceed categorically, but the projection can take place depending on the type and extent of the fault locations L.

Thus, in Figure 5, the two layers of interferences L or interfering parabolas shortened in its elongated extent in such a way that it enters the tank system T "fit". In contrast, in FIGS. 6a / b, some are also located within the base of the tank system T located fault locations L or interference circles not realized later. Only such, by comparison with the geometry of the tank system T, which are found to be necessary, are subsequently in Interfering devices V also created. The fault zone consists of a volume which consists of the base area of the tank system T and an interference depth is formed and which advantageously includes the failure zone to be disrupted. For this, the fault points L are in the following in fault devices advantageously realized as strings or bell-shaped membrane. Each this string or bell-shaped membrane is a realized local fault L with a local disturbance volume.

FIGS. 7 and 8 schematically show part of an exemplary embodiment of a disturbance device V which works according to the method according to the invention. Figure 7 shows a top view and Figure 8 shows a side view. The geometries of the jamming device V with its jamming means 8 and the tank system T are matched to one another in order to achieve an optimal, ie volume-filling and homogeneous malfunction. The jamming device has jamming means 8 in the form of strings that can be excited as realized jamming points. In the example of a tank system T of cylindrical geometry and circular diameter, the interference means 8 are equidistant, strings of different lengths in two constant interference heights 9, 10 above the floor 1 of the tank system T, for example at a height of 40 cm (lower interference height 9) and a height of 60 cm (higher noise level 10) arranged. The fault zone covers the entire base area of the tank system T. With an interference effect of + / - 50 cm, it extends down to the bottom 1 of the tank system T and includes the failure zone 4.2 to be disrupted or prevented.

The tensioned strings of this embodiment of the jammer V. by means of stylized excitation elements 5 via two pull / push units 6 excitable. The strings are advantageously in the middle their length stimulated to vibrate. Such excitation elements 5 can Thorns or spring-back clubs that are attached to pulling and pushing units 6 are attached. The ones that are at rest or slightly vibrating Strings are excited by moving the excitation elements 5 back and forth. The excitation elements 5 are brought up to the strings to be excited, these are deflected, tensioned (by plucking), released, the Excitation element 5 moves away from the strings, whereupon the strings undisturbed can swing. The strings, their tensioners and the tension and Thrust units 6 for excitation elements 5 are advantageously in several Layers attached so that the swinging of the strings and the fore and aft Return movement of the pull and push units 6 with excitation elements 5 do not hinder each other.

The strings can be tensioned differently depending on their length and they can be worked in different thicknesses. They are made of stiff materials, For example, wires made of metals such as steel, copper, alloys, possibly plastic and metallized plastics. The prerequisite is that the Materials from crude oil 4 are not attacked and are capable of vibrating. Long strings should not sag so much despite tension and buoyancy, that they have strings arranged underneath or the bottom 1 of the tank system T touch. Large lengths may need to be in two or more strings be divided, which of course also means more devices must be provided to excite the strings. More details about strings, their excitation and tensioning device follow in the description according to Figures 12 and 14, 15th

The pull and push units 6 have rigid links (rod, piston) or movable links (push / pull chains), for example in slotted tubular guides run smoothly and excitation elements 5 attached to plucking or striking with which they excite the strings. In this first embodiment, the pull and push units 6 run perpendicular to each other and rectilinear in two levels and are outside the tank system T standing, for example crank-operated, fluid-operated or gear-driven drives movable. Details of an advantageous Embodiments of such a drive follow in the description according to Figure 11. The pulling and pushing units 6 are for example via with stands or the like connected to the slotted tubular guides Devices firmly mounted on the floor 1 of the tank system T and the rigid or movable links can be through bushings 11 on the Boiler wall 2, in the bottom 1 or on top of the tank system T, through the Guide the floating roof 3 outwards. For security reasons, this should Bushings 11 be worked tight, so that the pull and push units 6 can be operated without liquid components to be processed Mixtures such as crude oil 4 escape from the tank system T. The train and Thrust units 6 need to pluck or strike the strings, compared with its length resulting from the size of the tank system T, only Over relatively short distances of 10 cm to a maximum of 1 m forwards and backwards be moved. Also, the effort for driving the pull and Thrust units 6 relatively low, they are in the guides without essential Frictional losses lubricated by the crude oil 4 stored. The Parts of the pulling and pushing units 6, such as the starting or moving members, the tubular guides and the excitation elements 5 are advantageously made of metal such as steel, bronze etc., possibly plastic and metallized Made of plastic, so that it is not affected by the surrounding media can be attacked, causing this drive of the strings largely is maintenance free. The disruptive means are not mechanically stressed. she are planned by pairing materials so that the strings get in use remain during the excitation elements in case of wear exposed and can be easily replaced during revisions. she can be detachably attached to pull and push units 6, for example.

The strings generate enough high-energy vibrations (estimated 1 to 10 watts of power) and advantageously deep (inaudible) Frequencies. Those skilled in the art are familiar with the present invention diverse possibilities of realizing such jamming devices V to disposal.

FIGS. 9B and 10 schematically show part of a second embodiment of an interference device V of the method according to the invention. FIG. 9 shows a top view of this and FIG. 10 shows a side view along the section CC according to FIG. 9. The description of this second embodiment coincides in many ways with that of the first embodiment according to FIGS. 7 and 8. In the following, deviations from this are mainly explained .

In the example tank system T of cylindrical geometry and same volume as above, local impurities are considered to be approximately equidistant disruptive means 12 attached from one another in the form of bell-shaped membrane or short strings realized in a constant interference height 13 of for example, stand 50 cm above the floor 1 of the tank system T, so that of the entire base area of the tank system T and itself an interference effect of + / - 50 cm around the interference height 13 formed interference zone extends to the bottom 1 of the tank system T and thus the one to be prevented Failure zone 4.2 includes. The interference means 12 are by means of excitation elements 5 Excitable via a pull and push unit 6. The pull and push unit 6 is made up of movable links like a chain and is therefore spatially flexible. For example, it can consist of chain links that can be rotated relative to one another exist, which are guided in slotted tubular guides will. In this embodiment, it is spiral in one plane Relocated inside the tank system T. It is firmly on the floor 1 of the tank system T is mounted and is fed through bushings 11 on top of the tank system T, led to the outside in the floating roof 3. The excitation elements 5 can small thorns or flails attached to the pull and push units 6 are. The ones that are at rest or slightly vibrating bell-shaped membrane or strings are moved forward and backward the excitation elements 5 excited. Advantageous embodiments of such bell-shaped membrane or strings follow in the descriptions according to Figures 12 to 15. The interference means 12 are the second embodiment So in their outer dimensions smaller than those disruptive means 8 of the first Embodiment. The spatially flexible pull and push unit 6 used can roll in large lengths according to a given fault pattern S or model.

FIG. 9a schematically shows a part of the hydrodynamic embodiment of an interference device V of the method according to the invention, similar to FIG. 9b. This jamming device V also consists of pipes 7 which are permanently installed inside the tank system T and which carry the jamming means and which allow the supply and removal of crude oil 4 via jamming means 8 in the form of openings such as perforated pipe networks or nozzles into the tank system T and thus the Formation of a failure zone 4.2 prevented. Details of the hydrodynamic perturbation are discussed below.

FIGS. 11a and 11b show a schematic top view and side view of part of an embodiment of an exemplary drive for a pulling and pushing unit 6 driving an excitation element 5 in the form of a crank drive. This drive can be mounted next to the tank system T or on the floating roof 3 of the tank system T and consists, for example, of a hydraulic motor M with a power of a few kW. By means of a reduction U, a slowly rotating crank wheel 27 is driven at approximately 5 or 10 revolutions per minute. One end of a connecting rod E is rotatably mounted on a pin Z which is fixedly connected to the flywheel 27 and rotates thereon, the other end of the connecting rod E is rotatably mounted with a piston 28 and this is fixedly connected to the pulling and pushing unit 6 to be driven. When the crank wheel 27 rotates, the piston 27 is moved linearly back and forth and guided by a guide 29. The length of the forward and backward movement of the pulling and pushing unit 6 is equal to twice the circular radius of the pin Z mounted on the flywheel 27 and can therefore be varied relatively easily in the range of 10 cm and 1 m by changing this circular radius. The speed of the forward and backward movement of the pulling and pushing unit 6 can be adjusted simply and precisely by varying the speed of rotation of the motor M, for example by varying the reduction ratio U. This is important because the vibration behavior of interference devices V in tank systems T can be regulated and controlled externally. In addition, it is a very slow-running drive unit, which is suitable for continuous operation and requires hardly any maintenance.

FIGS. 12a, b, c show a schematic view of part of a preferred embodiment of a disturbing means 8, 12 in the form of an oscillatable multiple string 18 with a first embodiment of a tensioning device 16. FIGS. 12a, 12b and 12c show how these oscillate Tension multiple strings 18 and their tensioning device 16 after contact with an excitation element 5 and, like this, swing the two strings 15, 17 of the vibratable multiple string 18 after this excitation.

The vibratable multiple string 18 has two strings 15, 17. You can with their clamping device 16 as a whole according to the disturbance pattern S via supports B, B 'are fixedly mounted on the floor 1 of the tank system T. This embodiment has the advantage that the tensioning device 16 with two flexible Brackets H, H 'is worked and that the on the brackets H, H' clamped strings 15, 17 so "mutually" tension. The string tension is compensated by the strings 15, 17 and the brackets H, H 'as in the arrow bow. The supports B, B 'must have a disturbing means in this embodiment 8.12 withstand a relatively small string tension, this will make the Installation effort for accordingly strong supports and thus saving costs. Especially with thick steel strings, for example 10 mm diameter, which are clamped with great force, must be a clamping device endure considerable tensions, what this "mutual" Bypassing strings.

The clamping device 16 can also take on other functions, such as the transmission of voltage via flexible brackets H, H '. Strings 15.17 the multiple strings 18 can all be excited simultaneously or at different times only certain individual strings can be excited to vibrate. Becomes now, for example, only one string 15 to excite vibrations from it Equilibrium position deflected, according to Figure 12b, it is after contact with an excitation element 5 and due to movement of the pull and push unit 6 stretched transversely in the direction of the arrow in its longitudinal extent, so steer the brackets H, H 'inwards and bend at the clamping points of the String 15 somewhat through and are tensioned themselves, similar to springs, whereby the other string 17 is tensioned and in this way the whole System stores energy. The excitation energy is thus in the strings 15.17 and transferred into the brackets H, H ', so that when releasing the contact with the excitation element 5 the system relaxes and begins to oscillate. According to FIG. 12c, the strings 15, 17 vibrate through mutual excitation with different amplitudes. So it is enough to have a string 15 one To excite multiple strings 18 to vibrate via an excitation element 5, whereby other strings 17 also vibrate and of course vice versa.

The strings 15, 17 can thus vibrate in natural or partial vibrations are excited and emit sound waves. The exponentially with the Time-falling sound pressure levels, the decay of the amplitude of the vibrations, due to frictional forces with the medium surrounding them delayed by the excitation of several strings 15, 17. Such a consonant group as shown in Figure 12 produces coupled vibrations, which form a long aftertaste due to phase shifts.

FIG. 13 shows part of a third embodiment of a disruptive means 12 in the form of an oscillatable bell-shaped membrane. Such a bell-shaped membrane can be excited to one or two natural vibrations and accordingly more partial vibrations. It does not need any tensioning devices and can be fixed in the fault pattern S on the floor 1 of the tank system T using holding means, for example a support. It can be excited via an excitation element 5, which can be firmly connected to the bell-shaped membrane, for example via an elastic connection. Thus, an excitation element 5 "bobbin-free bell-shaped membrane" movable via the pulling and pushing unit 6 can strike directly by moving back and forth or, according to FIG. 13, a clapper K attached in or on bell-shaped membranes can be deflected via a contact arm A. The clapper K can be "prestressed" by the inherent rigidity of the contact arm A to the bell-shaped membrane in a relative equilibrium position, this prestress is stylized by the spring F. By moving the pulling and pushing unit 6 forward or backward in the direction of the arrow, an excitation element 5 is contacted in a force-transmitting manner with the clapper K via the contact arm A, for example the excitation element 5 and the contacting part of the contact arm A are worked according to FIG. 13 such that during this movement, a concave-shaped area of the excitation element 5 and a convex-shaped area of the contact arm A come into contact. By moving forward or backward in the same direction of the pulling and pushing unit 6, the clapper K is deflected and the contact arm A is further tensioned. When the contact arm A is deflected in a definable manner, the contact between the excitation element 5 and the contact arm A is released, for example it slips a definable deflection over the excitation element 5, the contact arm A relaxes and strikes the clapper K against the wall of the bell-shaped membrane. As soon as clapper K and contact arm A have again assumed a relative equilibrium position, the excitation element 5 is moved back in the opposite direction of the arrow. The excitation element 5 and the contacting part of the contact arm A are worked in such a way that there is no force-transmitting contact between the two during this restoring movement of the pulling and pushing unit 6, because two convex regions come into contact with one another and slide past one another laterally.

FIGS. 14 and 15 are schematic top views of part of a second and third embodiment of tensioning devices for vibratable multiple strings 18. These tensioning devices enable simple assembly of strings 15, 17 that are to be tensioned in the jamming devices according to the invention and they enable the string tensions to be corrected at any time, even after the jamming device has been installed, when the tank system T is filled with crude oil 4. So there are adjustable clamping devices in the clamping force. In the embodiment according to FIG. 14, the string tension is set in a single-acting manner via one of the two brackets H, H ', in the embodiment in accordance with FIG. 15 the string tension is adjusted in a double-acting manner via both brackets H, H'.

A handlebar 24 is rotatably mounted on a holding mandrel B which is in turn firmly anchored in the container; also the bracket H '. To the Handlebar is rotatably attached to the second bracket H. In between are Strings 15 and 17 tensioned. When tightening the clamping unit 21 moves the handlebar and pulls the bracket H with it, the strings tensioned what is shown with the position shown in dashed lines.

For the adjustment of the string tension, exciting are inevitably Pulling or pushing units 21 are used, which are of similar or the same construction like the pulling and pushing unit 6 described above for generating vibrations can be or are simple steel cables. This exciting Pulling and pushing units 21 drive clamping elements firmly connected to them 22 on. You can similar to the pull and push units 6 to Vibration generation in the tank system T according to a fault pattern S and the resulting local position of the interference means 8, 12 and on Mount the bottom 1 of the tank system T firmly (see Figures 6 to 10). The Those skilled in the art are familiar with a wide range of possibilities if the present invention is known the realization of such tensioning mechanisms.

According to FIG. 14, there is a tensioning element 22 for multiple strings 18 a mobile part 22.1 and a static part 22.2. According to Figure 15 there is a tensioning element 22 for multiple strings 18 of two, for example identical mobile parts 22.1. The static part 22.2 is a holder H with clamping points of the ends of the multi-string 18, which over a support B is freely rotatable and firmly mounted on the bottom 1 of the tank system T. The mobile Part 22.1 has a similar bracket H 'with clamping points for the Multiple strings 18, for this purpose it is freely rotatably connected to a link 24, which in turn is freely rotatable with a support B 'and rigid with the exciting one Pull and push unit 21 is connected. In the view according to the figures 14 and 15, the supports B, B 'by the brackets H, H' largely covered.

Conveniently, changes in the string tension take place in such a way that a movement of the exciting means 21 in the direction shown elongated arrows causes the handlebars 24 to rotate about the supports B '(shown by the curved arrows), what the brackets H, H 'relative pulls apart to its original position and strings 15.17. Handlebars 24, brackets H, H 'and strings 15, 17 in new, tensioned positions are shown in dashed lines. The bracket H, H 'of the ends of the multiple strings 18 are freely rotatable, which means that they are mutually corresponding Align the tension of the strings 15, 17.

In the embodiment according to FIG. 14, the mobile part has a rotation 22.1 and holding the static part 22.2 of the tensioning element 22 a - Change in position of the multiple strings 18 results in a certain Angle "oblique" to the original position, which according to the embodiment Figure 15 is not the case, here both mobile parts 22.1 rotate and get the position of the multiple strings 18.

The asymmetrical design of the link 24 causes a leverage, i.e. a long and relatively small force movement of the pull and Thrust units 21 cause a small deflection but greater force on the brackets H, H '. Compared to the single-acting clamping device 14 can be used with the double-acting clamping device according to Figure 15 with greater force or it can be with tension a larger number of multiple strings 18 with the same force. These two Clamping devices adjustable in the clamping force enable simple and quick assembly or replacement of strings 15.17. By relaxing the Tensioning device (backward movement of the exciting pull and push unit 21 against the direction of the drawn arrows) tensioned strings 15, 17 all relaxed, tensioned strings at the same time 15, 17 can then be loose, ie relaxed, with brackets H, H 'of the multiple strings 18 can be connected (for example via quick fasteners, carabiners, etc.) and by tensioning the tensioning device, the jamming device ready for use.

FIGS. 16, 17 and 18, 19 schematically show parts of a first and second embodiment of a disturbance device V which works according to the method according to the invention. FIG. 16 shows a plan view and FIG. 17 shows a side view along the sectional plane CC of a first embodiment according to FIG. 16. FIG. 18 shows a plan view and FIG. 19 shows a side view along the sectional plane DD of another embodiment according to FIG. 18. The geometries of the interfering device V with their interfering means 17 and the tank system T are matched to one another in order to achieve an optimal, ie volume-filling and homogeneous disturbance. The interfering device has interfering means 8 in the form of nozzles, through which crude oil 4 can flow into and out of the tank system T as the realized interfering points. In the example of a tank system T with a cylindrical geometry and a circular diameter of up to 100 m and a height of up to 20 m, the disruptive means 8 are arranged in a checkerboard geometry and at a constant fault height 9 above the floor 1 of the tank system T, for example in a 50 cm fault height 9. The fault zone covers the entire base area of the tank system T. With an interference effect of + / - 50 cm, it extends down to the bottom 1 of the tank system T and includes the failure zone 4.2 to be disrupted or prevented.

The interference devices V are for those in the process according to FIGS 4 designed fault points L via pipe networks 7 at an adequate fault level 9 Realized and connected to one another above the floor 1 of a tank system T. Crude oil 4, for example, is fed into the precipitation zone 4.2 via these pipe networks 7 Via feedthroughs 11 of the pipe networks 7 through the tank system T, or dissipated. The supply and discharge takes place via pumps P, which on certain Places the pipe networks are connected. In the embodiment according to Figure 16, the interference means 8 are linear, in a non-branched Pipe network 7 connected to one another, in the embodiment according to FIG. 18 become the disruptive means 8 in a branched pipe network 7 with each other connected. Of course, several can be operated independently of one another Pipe networks 7 are attached. These can be about each other have independent bushings 11 for the supply or removal of crude oil 4, but they can also be operated dependent, such that Pipe networks 7, for example, can only be supplied via a supply or discharge line. Pipe networks 7 can be in the same interference level 9 or in different interference levels 9 stand above the floor 1 of the tank system T, they can be in the same S / N ratio 14 or in different S / N intervals from each other and from the Wall of the tank system T stand.

The geometry of the interference devices V is advantageously adapted Geometry of the tank system T in order to achieve an optimal, i.e. filling the volume as possible and homogeneous supply and removal of crude oil 4 to the level of education to reach a failure zone 4.2. The depth of this interference zone around the interference level 9 is referred to as the interference depth, it covers the base area of the tank system T. In the first and second embodiment in a tank system T of cylindrical geometry and circular diameter of up to 100 m and up to 20 m high, there are a variety of local interference 8 in Form openings like perforated pipe networks or nozzles in a constant S / N ratio. They are at a constant disturbance 9 of, for example, 50 cm attached above the bottom of the tank system T. The fault zone covers the whole Base area of the tank system T. With a typical interference effect of It extends +/- 50 cm to the bottom 1 of the tank system T and includes failure zone 4.2 to be disturbed or prevented.

The interfering means 8 of the interfering devices V are used to supply or remove Crude oil 4 and openings such as perforated pipe components or nozzles the crude oil 4 can flow in or out. In the present embodiment there are nozzles through which crude oil is admitted into the fault zone. in the In the simplest case, a volume-filling homogeneous disturbance due to identical Disturbances of these nozzles can be realized. The specialist then offers himself several known and proven techniques to get crude oil 4 throughout Let the interference zone flow out evenly from all nozzles. In the Störhöhe 9 there is an overpressure of depending on the height of the crude oil column in the tank system 10, 20 or even 30 atm. In the pipe networks 7, accordingly, that which is to be poured out Crude oil 4 by pumping P with a sufficiently high pressure to all 76 Nozzles pumped in order also at the end of the pipe networks 7, at the last one, in series lying nozzle can still develop a full disruptive effect. Such Adequate crude oil supply can be achieved by using standardized and mutually exclusive Implement coordinated nozzles (nozzle cross-section) easily and in a controlled manner. The nozzles advantageously have large opening angles, see above that they, for example, directed against the bottom 1 of the tank system T, this Irradiate all over with crude oil 4.

As a rule, the locally excreted quantity of crude oil is caused by the pressure in the Pipe networks 7 and the throughput determined by the nozzles. For example is the ratio of the amount of crude oil flowing out of the individual nozzles to the amount of crude oil in the pipe networks 7 so low that in Pipe networks 7 due to the outflow of crude oil 4 from the nozzles is not worth mentioning Pressure drop occurs. Thus, with similar nozzles equal amounts of crude oil 4 are poured.

If this is not quite the case, if there is a drop in pressure, then so this can be done by using nozzles with different throughputs be corrected so that the ratio of local pressure at the nozzles in pipe networks 7 for the throughput of the nozzles is kept constant. At the Inlet of the pipe networks 7, near the bushings 11, where the crude oil 4 is has the highest pressure, so nozzles with a correspondingly small Oil throughput mounted, while the nozzles at the end of the pipe network 7 have a relatively large oil throughput.

The hydrokinetic disturbance in the formation of the precipitation zone 4.2 can also through a combined removal and supply of crude oil 4 from the fault zone can be prevented via a plurality of pipe networks 7 as interfering devices V. In in this case, crude oil 4 would be fed in via pipe networks 7 (for example via nozzles) and at the same time through other pipe networks 7 (For example, be sucked off through openings in these pipe networks 7).

The pipe networks 7 of this first and second embodiment can be standardized and common pipe components in the crude oil processing industry such as rigid steel components such as linear extensions, there are elbows, tees, etc. made at certain angles weldable to one another and, for example, at the bottom of the tank system T are permanently fixable. Such pipe components can be typically circular Have diameters of 5 to 20 cm at the positions of the to be realized Impurities L they have openings or connecting means for the Assembly of nozzles on. Such connecting means can be welded sockets or standard flanges. These pipe networks 7 can be, for example, fork-shaped Stand mounted at fault level 9 and on floor 1 of the tank system T be fixed firmly.

FIG. 9a schematically shows part of a further embodiment of an interference device V of the method according to the invention. This jamming device V also consists of at least one pipe system 7 permanently installed inside the tank system T, which enables the supply and removal of crude oil 4 via jamming means 8 in the form of openings such as perforated pipe networks or nozzles into the tank system T and thus the formation of a Failure zone 4.2 prevented.

The description of this embodiment of a jamming device V coincides largely according to those of the first and second embodiment 16 to 19. However, the pipe system 7 is now made uniform flexible pipe components or armored pressure-resistant hoses spiral laid, for example, from metal such as steel or steel alloys are made. Such hoses can have typical circular diameters from 10 to 20 cm and they can be in longer lengths, similar to the cable laying, from a roll according to a specified fault pattern S to be relocated.

These armored pressure-resistant hoses have the advantage of being flexible Laying. Such, consisting of one or more coupled hoses, flexible pipe network 7, which in an exemplary Tank system T with a diameter of 100 m again at a fixed disturbance 9 of 50 or 60 cm laid according to a fault pattern S in the form of a spiral is required for the implementation of the individual defects as Interference means 8 and their connection no special manufacture of pipe components like extensions and elbows. This relocation causes So that pipe components no longer necessarily have flanges need to be connected, which saves time and material. Only the openings or nozzles have to be attached. This can be done during or after installation by drilling openings Cutting threads and attaching standard fasteners such as Flanges happen so that the nozzles are connected to the pipe network 7 can.

Another advantage of the flexible pipe network 7 is the simplification of conception and calculation of the fault pattern S and the implementation an effective, highly effective fault zone. Because of the spatial flexibility conditionally of the flexible pipe network 8, can now namely Shape of the disturbance pattern S and the shape of the pipe network 8 matched will. Unlike the first and second embodiments, where the via rigidly routable pipe networks 7 only the defects L of the checkerboard Disturbance pattern S can be realized and connected, now takes place in the third embodiment an interaction between the conception of the fault pattern S and the laying of a pipe network 7 instead.

Thus, knowing the length of the pipe network 7 can be spiral and provisional the hose, as it were, on site, the number required for one effective perturbation in a spiral pattern S required nozzles be calculated. At this stage of the process, rough specifications are made created, a hose is laid but not fixed and a specific one Fault pattern S is calculated for the tank system T. The latter happens advantageously via table or computer-based expert systems, for example by means of electronic data processing.

With these specifications, both, the flexible pipe network 7 and the interference pattern S matched. the local positions of the Hose can now be easily changed, the local position, type and The size of the nozzles can be varied. For example, the hose can now no longer have a perfect spiral, but is local in adapted to small fine structures such as waves etc. These adjustments can happen due to any external circumstances, because otherwise local Faults according to fault pattern S were not optimally developed. Such Obstacles that are considered in this fine-tuning can for example, eddies and currents on the walls of the tank system T. It is important that this provides the greatest possible freedom in the design of the Disturbance pattern S itself is created. The disturbance pattern S does not need a predefined one Shape more like the chess board in the first and second embodiments according to Figures 16 to 19, but it optimizes the specifications itself. Of course, these requirements can be freely selected, so it is not necessary to lay the pipe network 7 in the form of a spiral, but this is practical and beneficial.

After this stage of optimization, the flexible hose can be installed For example, permanently fixed to the bottom 1 of the tank system T, on the calculated ones and optimized positions of the nozzles are openings in the hose attached and the nozzles can through such openings and via connecting means such as cut threads or standardized flanges are so that the nozzles are connected pressure-tight to the pipe network 7. The same remarks apply as for the selection of the nozzles of the first and second embodiments. The pressure in the pipe network 7 and the The throughput of the nozzles to be attached must be coordinated that the crude oil 4 to be poured with sufficient pressure to all nozzles can be transported and so at the end of the pipe network 7 the last nozzle to develop a full disruptive effect.

FIG. 20 schematically shows part of a further embodiment of an interference device V of the method according to the invention.

If the placement of stationary impurities in the precursor volume by design with jamming devices carried from the bottom of the storage container appears simple, can also lead to the disruption of above, that is, from the cover of the storage container. For this the "floating roof" is suitable, the cover of which is a large number anyway of supports. Lances can be placed in these supports during storage introduce or incorporate through which the spurious flow into the precursor can be introduced.

Figure 20 shows a side view of this in section. This jammer V consists of a plurality fixed in the floating roof 3 of the tank system T. installed lances 12, which the supply and removal of crude oil 4 Interference means 8 in the form of openings such as nozzles on the lancets 12 in the Enable tank system T and thus prevent the formation of a failure zone 4.2. The feed network with the pumps is not shown here.

In contrast to the first three embodiments according to FIGS. 16 to 19, are now on bushings 11 in the floating roof 3 of the tank system T lances 12 attached, which go down to a disturbance 9 to get there To flow and / or suck up crude oil 4 via interfering means 8 such as nozzles and to form fault zones. The lances 12 can be standardized and common pipe components in the crude oil processing industry such as for example, rigid steel components such as linear extensions, etc. exist.

The, for example, according to the interference pattern S according to Figures 4 and 6 in the Tank system T designed fault points L are now as lances 12 and Interference means 8 realized, which are not on the floor 1 of the tank system T, but are permanently installed in the floating roof 3 of the tank system T. These lances 12 can via a common, laid outside the tank system T. Pipe or hose network for the removal and supply of crude oil 4, they are connected but can also all individually with other oil reservoirs for the off and Supply of crude oil 4 will be connected. The fault zone covers the whole Base area of the tank system T. With a typical disturbance of + / - 50 cm it reaches down to the bottom 1 of the tank system T and closes it failure zone 4.2 to be disrupted or prevented. As soon as the floating Lid lowers (when removing) or lifts (when refilling), the Lancets set to "disturbance level" again. That way you have that Possibility of immediately without a conversion, new construction, etc. of a storage container to get the benefits of prevention, if a little more cumbersome, but quite practical for longer storage periods. After emptying the Storage container can then be placed on a preventive device of the embodiments discussed above and the exempted ones Use lancets in other containers.

Claims (28)

1. A method for preventing sedimentation from liquid phases or thickening of liquid phases or liquid compositions such as oils, crude oil, refinery products and petrochemical products which settle gradually on the floor of storage vessels or tanks (T), whereby, before the sedimentation starts in such storage vessels, a precursor in the form of a condensing precipitation zone develops from which precursor condensation is initialized turning gradually to sedimentation and/or thickening, characterized in that by means of a plurality of local disturbance centers a global three-dimensional disturbance pattern is formed which disturbance pattern includes the precipitation zone and therewith suppresses to prevents sedimentation and/or thickening.
2. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that disturbing the formation of the precipitation zone (4.2) by means of a global disturbance pattern (S) with a plurality of local disturbance centers (L) is realized such that the disturbance pattern (S) being the totality of disturbance centers (L) is transposed in a volume filling manner into disturbance zones into which the disturbances are brought with the aid of disturbance devices (V) with disturbing means (8, 12).
3. Method according to claim 2, characterized in that the disturbance zones are realized in predetermined disturbance heights (9, 10, 13) above the floor of a tank (T) such that a plurality of said disturbance zones with their specific disturbance depth form a mutual volume above the floor of the tank (T) which volume includes the precipitation zone (4.2).
4. Method according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the disturbance in the region of the precipitation zone is created with mechanical means.
5. Method according to claim 4, characterized in that disturbing the development of the precipitation zone (4.2) is realized with a plurality of disturbance centers in the form of disturbing means (8, 12) incitable by oscillation.
6. Method according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that disturbance in the region of the precipitation zone is realized with hydrodynamic means.
7. Method according to claim 6, characterized in that disturbing the development of the precipitation zone (4.2) is realized by means of feeding crude oil (4) to disturbance centers in the disturbance zone through pipe systems (7) and in that in disturbance zones flowable media are used as disturbing means (V).
8. Device for carrying out the method according to one of claims 1 to 5 with a plurality of oscillatable means (8) to be arranged or being arranged in a predetermined disturbance pattern in a storage vessel or a tank and with oscillation inciting means (5,6) for inciting the oscillatable means (8) individually or together.
9. Device according to claim 8, characterized in that the oscillatable means are tensioned lengthy string-like means incitable as disturbance devices (V) by inciting elements (5) via push-and-pull units (6) and in that the incited strings oscillate in fundamental and partial oscillations and move the stored fluid according to the size of the amplitude.
10. Device according to claim 9, characterized in that the strings are arranged tensioned and with a constant disturbance distance from each other and in that inciting elements (5) on the push-and-pull units (6) are arranged in the middle of the length of the strings and incite the oscillation of the strings, whereby the inciting elements (5) in the form of pins or beaters are attached to the push-and-pull elements and in that the strings being in a resting or slightly oscillating state are incited by running back and forth the plucking and/or beating elements (5).
11. Device according to one of claims 9 or 10, characterized in that more than one string (15, 17) is tensioned between pivoting supports (H, H') thus forming a mutually supporting unit (18) with multiple strings and in that a plurality of units (18) with multiple strings is arranged such that they reach across one or more disturbance zones.
12. Device according to claim 11, characterized in that the unit (18) with multiple strings is fastened at least on one side to a guide bar (24) exerting a leverage which guide bar for tensioning or slackening the strings is arranged pivoting around a fixed support (B).
13. Device according to claim 12, characterized in that the units (18) with multiple strings are fastened to guide bars (24) on both sides and in that for tensioning or slackening the strings the guide bars (24) are movable via traction cables (21).
14. Device according to claim 8, characterized in that for disturbing the development of the precipitation zone (4.2), bell-shaped membranes incitable to oscillate are arranged as disturbing means (12) in disturbance zones which membranes are incited by inciting elements (5) via push-and-pull units (6) in disturbance devices (V) which inciting elements cause the bell-shaped membranes to oscillate in fundamental and partial oscillations and to move the stored fluid according to the size of the amplitude.
15. Device according to claim 14, characterized in that the bell-shaped membrane is incited to oscillate by hammer elements (14) of the push-and-pull units (6) which hammer elements (14) in form of small hammers are fastened rigidly to the push-and-pull units (6) such that by driving the push-and-pull units back and forth the hammer elements (14) are moved to incite the bell-shaped membrane being in a resting position or oscillating slightly.
16. Device according to claim 15, characterized in that the hammer elements (14) comprise an elastic connection in or on clappers attached to the bell-shaped membranes to the push-and-pull units (6) such that the bell-shaped membranes being in a resting position or slightly oscillating are incitable to oscillate by driving the hammer elements (14) back and forth and by hammering on the bell-shaped membranes with the hammer elements (14).
17. Device according to one of claims 8 to 16, characterized in that the push-and-pull units (6) with rigid or movable members are arranged relative to each other in several planes, in that they are mounted rigidly to the floor (1) of the tank (T) and in that for being drivable by hydraulic or pneumatic drives standing outside of the tank, the rigid or movable members are guided outside via ducts (11) in the wall (2) or in the floating cover (3).
18. Device according to claim 17, characterized in that spatially movable push-and-pull means with movable members consisting of metal such as steel, steel alloys, bronze or of plastic or metallized plastic serve as push-and-pull unit (7) and are laid out in greater lengths from a coil according to a predetermined disturbance pattern (S).
19. Device for carrying out the method according to one of claims 1 to 3 and 6 to 7, characterized by a plurality of liquid emitting means (8) which are arranged in a predetermined pattern of disturbance zones and are mutually connected by liquid conducting means (7).
20. Device according to claim 19, characterized in that for preventing the development of a precipitation zone (4.2), a plurality of liquid emitting means is connected to a pipe system and in that liquid is suppliable to said liquid emitting means functioning as disturbance devices (V) through means for feeding or removing crude oil (4) into or out of the disturbance zone via the pipe systems (7).
21. Device according to claim 19, characterized in that for preventing the development of a precipitation zone (4.2) hydrokineticly, in disturbance devices (V) nozzles and pipe systems (7) are provided for a combination of removing and feeding crude oil (4) out of and into the disturbance zone.
22. Device according to one of claims 19 to 21, characterized in that the pipe systems (7) consist of standard rigid pipe components, in that the rigid pipe components are connected to each other via connection means such as flanges and that orifices or nozzles are connected to the rigid pipe components by connection means.
23. Device according to one of claims 19 to 21, characterized in that the pipe systems (7) consist of standard flexible pipe components, in that the flexible pipe components are connected to each other by connection means such as flanges and in that orifices or nozzles as disturbance centers (8) are connected to the flexible pipe components by connection means.
24. Device according to claim 23, characterized in that the flexible pipe components being armored pipes are laid out flexibly from a coil, in that nozzles are attached to them as disturbance centers (8) and in that the pipes are fixed fast to the floor (1) of the tank (T).
25. Device according to claim 20 or 21, characterized in that for feeding or removing crude oil (4) into and out of the disturbance zone, nozzles with different standard flow rates are attached to disturbing means such that an unwanted pressure drop in disturbing means of the pipe systems is prevented.
26. Device according to claim 25, characterized in that by providing nozzles with different flow rates the ratio of the local pressure in the nozzles in pipe systems (7) to the flow rate of the nozzles is held constant.
27. Device according to one of claims 19 to 21 and 25 to 26, characterized in that means for causing disturbance are guided from the cover of the storage vessel into the precipitation zone.
28. Device according to claim 27, characterized in that the disturbing means are liquid conducting lances arranged in supports in a floating cover or arranged guidably through a fixed cover.

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