Classifications

• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B08—CLEANING
  • B08B—CLEANING IN GENERAL; PREVENTION OF FOULING IN GENERAL
  • B08B9/00—Cleaning hollow articles by methods or apparatus specially adapted thereto 
  • B08B9/08—Cleaning containers, e.g. tanks
  • B08B9/093—Cleaning containers, e.g. tanks by the force of jets or sprays
  • B08B9/0933—Removing sludge or the like from tank bottoms
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
  • B01F—MIXING, e.g. DISSOLVING, EMULSIFYING OR DISPERSING
  • B01F25/00—Flow mixers; Mixers for falling materials, e.g. solid particles
  • B01F25/20—Jet mixers, i.e. mixers using high-speed fluid streams
  • B01F25/21—Jet mixers, i.e. mixers using high-speed fluid streams with submerged injectors, e.g. nozzles, for injecting high-pressure jets into a large volume or into mixing chambers
  • B01F25/212—Jet mixers, i.e. mixers using high-speed fluid streams with submerged injectors, e.g. nozzles, for injecting high-pressure jets into a large volume or into mixing chambers the injectors being movable, e.g. rotating
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
  • B01F—MIXING, e.g. DISSOLVING, EMULSIFYING OR DISPERSING
  • B01F25/00—Flow mixers; Mixers for falling materials, e.g. solid particles
  • B01F25/20—Jet mixers, i.e. mixers using high-speed fluid streams
  • B01F25/21—Jet mixers, i.e. mixers using high-speed fluid streams with submerged injectors, e.g. nozzles, for injecting high-pressure jets into a large volume or into mixing chambers
  • B01F25/212—Jet mixers, i.e. mixers using high-speed fluid streams with submerged injectors, e.g. nozzles, for injecting high-pressure jets into a large volume or into mixing chambers the injectors being movable, e.g. rotating
  • B01F25/2122—Rotating during jetting
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
  • B01F—MIXING, e.g. DISSOLVING, EMULSIFYING OR DISPERSING
  • B01F25/00—Flow mixers; Mixers for falling materials, e.g. solid particles
  • B01F25/50—Circulation mixers, e.g. wherein at least part of the mixture is discharged from and reintroduced into a receptacle
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
  • B01F—MIXING, e.g. DISSOLVING, EMULSIFYING OR DISPERSING
  • B01F31/00—Mixers with shaking, oscillating, or vibrating mechanisms
  • B01F31/65—Mixers with shaking, oscillating, or vibrating mechanisms the materials to be mixed being directly submitted to a pulsating movement, e.g. by means of an oscillating piston or air column
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
  • B01F—MIXING, e.g. DISSOLVING, EMULSIFYING OR DISPERSING
  • B01F31/00—Mixers with shaking, oscillating, or vibrating mechanisms
  • B01F31/65—Mixers with shaking, oscillating, or vibrating mechanisms the materials to be mixed being directly submitted to a pulsating movement, e.g. by means of an oscillating piston or air column
  • B01F31/651—Mixing by successively aspirating a part of the mixture in a conduit, e.g. a piston, and reinjecting it through the same conduit into the receptacle

Definitions

• the present invention relates to a process and apparatus with multiple functions for the maintenance of metastable liquids, the action of these process and apparatus being able to be curative (elimination of the layers of sediments already formed), or preventive (prevent the formation of such layers) .
• metalstable denotes a characteristic property of certain liquid phases whose physicochemical stability is subject to modifications. Example: segregation or sedimentation due to gravity and / or temperature.
• the stored metastable liquids and their deposits have particular physico-chemical characteristics, with segregation effects that are difficult to avoid.
• the present invention proposes to remedy the problems of segregation or homogeneity posed, during their storage in reservoirs, by certain liquid phases comprising elements of different molecular weights or natures.
• Air emissions caused by operations to extract these sediments, carried out under forced ventilation (for the protection of men used for manual or semi-manual tasks in unsanitary or even dangerous environments) are certainly invisible for the most part, but this however, there are considerable volumes on a global scale which are thus issued without control or treatment, which have only recently been evaluated and taken into account.
• An object of the invention is to make available to industry a relatively simple means in its application and, ultimately, less costly from all points of view than an unnecessary squandering of raw materials becoming economically valuable, while preserving human health and their natural heritage.
• the invention proposes to use a multifunction apparatus having the following operating characteristics: • To be able to be used under the various types proposed as well for a curative action on layers of sediments already formed, as for a preventive implementation, eliminating both the cause and its effects, the same apparatus being able to be used, moreover to ensure the final decontamination of the treated capacities.
• the method of the invention is particularly remarkable in that the metastable product contained in a reservoir is sucked at a determined level of the volume of the liquid phase of said product, by means of a suction tube connected to the suction of a pump, and immediately reinjected under pressure into a layer of the product contained in said reservoir, by means of this same pump and injection nozzles connected to the discharge of the latter via an injection tube housed in said suction tube.
• the suction and injection tubes are introduced vertically into the metastable product to be treated.
• the apparatus according to the invention is remarkable in that it comprises at least one module comprising two concentric tubes, ie a first tube of larger section (outer tube) comprising in its lower portion, at least one and, preferably, a plurality of suction ports and the upper portion of which is connected to the suction port of a pump, and a second conduit (inner conduit) the upper portion of which is connected to the discharge port of said pump and the lower end of which is connected to injection nozzles, preferably rotary.
• each module is equipped with means allowing its vertical positioning in a tank or reservoir containing the metastable product to be treated.
• the suction light (s) with which the suction tube is provided is or are placed above and at a distance from the lower end of the module including the lower end of the injection tube.
• the invention proposes to meet these objectives by the use of autonomous modules whose particularity is to carry out in a single device, the functions of suction of the liquid contained in the tank and of its delivery under pressure in this, inside which flows will be oriented and distributed throughout the volume contained in the tank, these flows being adapted to the goals to be achieved depending on the nature of the operation: resuspension, fluxing, liquefaction - pumpability, homogenization, washing, decontamination.
• the "multifunctional" nature of the claimed apparatus makes it possible to have in the same apparatus, as well an attack power essential for the dispersion in the contained volume of the most compact and / or most sedimentations. agglutinative; and an essential complementary successive stirring, of the same volume, with a view to its homogenization, if this is the aim sought.
• the module according to the invention has multiple functions since it allows, by providing for it before installation, the specific adaptations to the operation, to distribute flows suitable either for specific corrective operations or for preventive implementation. This constitutes a considerable advantage, both for the service responsible for the works, inside an industrial installation, and for a contractor mandated by the industrialist.
• suction, pressurization, delivery, rotations can be provided either by a hydraulic group, or by a pneumatic group, or electrically. Without excluding the latter possibilities, a set of equipment driven by hydraulic pressure will be described below according to a preferred embodiment. This will avoid the standard problems and constraints associated with the use of electricity in certain installations or certain sensitive liquids as well as those possibly caused by the use of compressed air.
• Each module is autonomous in the sense that it can be mounted directly on the (or) orifice (s) available (s), in the roof or the side wall of the tanks, via a base or a cover adapted to the dimensions thereof.
• the number of modules and their dimensions are a function both of the liquid and of the deposit to be treated and of the geometry of the reservoir itself. No other assembly is necessary, only the hydraulic supply piping and its connection to the hydraulic groups or power stations located either on the ground, outside the tanks, or at any other location chosen according to the site, being then necessary.
• Figure 1 is a front view, in axial section and in schematic nature, of a suction and injection module according to the invention.
• Figure 2 is a view similar to Figure 1 showing an alternative embodiment of a suction and injection module according to the invention.
• Figure 3 is a schematic front view illustrating a second alternative embodiment of a suction and injection module according to the invention.
• Figure 4 is a perspective view and schematic showing an example of implementation of the method and apparatus according to the invention in a large floating roof tank.
• Figure 5 is a perspective view in schematic illustrating an example of implementation of this method and this apparatus in a fixed roof tank of reduced dimensions.
• Figure 6 is a vertical sectional view and schematic showing the implementation of the method and the apparatus claimed, in a pit (or basins, or lagoon).
• the aspiration of the liquid product contained in the reservoir, its pressurization and the injection of this flow within the volume contained in the reservoir are made from a single assembly, which can be placed directly on the (or) orifice (s) existing tank considered.
• the apparatus comprises at least one suction-injection module M and, preferably, a plurality of autonomous M modules whose number and dimensions are, for example, dependent on both the liquid and the deposit to be process and the capacity and geometry of the tank containing these liquid and deposit, as indicated above.
• Each module comprises two tubes 1 and 2, arranged coaxially.
• tank designates both a tank of variable dimensions and capacities (for example up to 130,000 tonnes or more) covered by a fixed or floating roof, as well as open air basins of different types (lagoons, lakes, etc.).
• the outer tube 1 or suction tube has a passage or conduit 3 of greater annular section than the circular section of the conduit 4 defined by the interior tube or delivery tube 2.
• the suction tube 1 comprises, in its lower portion, at least one and, preferably, a plurality of openings or stepped openings 5 distributed, preferably regularly, in its side wall. These openings can advantageously be provided with a strainer (not shown) opposing the entry of sediments detached by the impact of the pressurized flows, and which wander within the volume of the liquid product contained in the reservoir, before being brewed and made homogeneous.
• the suction port (s) 5 with which the suction tube 1 is provided is or are placed above and at a distance from the lower end of the module M, which includes the lower end of the delivery tube or injection tube 2.
• the assembly consisting of the two aforementioned tubes is intended to be positioned vertically in the tank containing the product to be treated, so that a more or less significant part of its length is immersed in said product.
• the length of the suction tube 1 is sufficient to ensure a regular and constant suction by its section or its orifice immersed in the liquid contained in the tank and / or through openings made up to the chosen liquid phase.
• the length of the delivery tube 2 depends on the nature of the operation to be performed, said tube being either interchangeable in its lower sections, or telescopic, or extendable.
• the length of the delivery tube will be determined by the level of the sedimentary layer to be treated already formed, its nature and its consistency, in order to penetrate and disintegrate this sedimentary phase.
• the suction tube 1 can be made up of several sections 1a, 1b assembled by means of threaded connections
• the upper end of the outer tube 1 is connected to the suction orifice 01 of a pump 6, the casing or body of which can be rigidly attached to the upper part of the assembly constituted by the tubes 1 and 2, said pump can be placed axially or laterally with respect to said assembly.
• a filter 20 is placed in front of the suction port 01 of the pump 6.
• the upper end of the inner tube is connected to the discharge orifice 02 of the pump 6.
• This pump thus ensures suction, pressurization (for example under a pressure of the order of 5 to 25 bars) and injection of a flow which will be put into permanent circulation throughout the duration of the operation, until the goals set: liquefaction, fluxing and / or homogeneous resuspension of the sediment elements, have been achieved.
• the pump 6 is driven by hydraulic energy, the generator and the supply of hydraulic energy being installed on the ground or on any other location chosen according to the industrial site, outside the tank containing the product. treat.
• the power of this hydraulic energy depends on the number of modules used for the treatment considered and it is adapted to the volume and to the nature of the liquid or of the sediment to be treated.
• any other type of energy chosen by the operator for reasons of local operation could be used for the operation of the pump 6.
• the lower end of the delivery tube is connected to hydro-dynamic injection nozzles 7, preferably rotary.
• the motor 8 drives a shaft 9 housed in the discharge tube 2, which it crosses from one end to the other.
• the shaft 9 opens into a rotating casing 10 to which it is rigidly connected, this casing 10 being, for example, arranged in the extension of the lower end of the suction tube to which it is advantageously connected by means of a connector turning 11.
• the rotary nozzles 7 are arranged laterally on the casing 10, so that the rotational drive of the latter causes a circular movement of said nozzles around the vertical axis of the module (arrow F1).
• the rotation of the nozzles 7 around the longitudinal axis of the module takes place at a slow speed (for example of the order of 0.5 to 10 rpm), depending on the nature of the product treated and the operational phase in progress), the motor or turbine 8 being connected to the shaft 9 via a reduction gear (not shown).
• the lower end of the discharge tube 2 is provided with a fixed bevel gear 12 engaged with a bevel gear 13 integral in rotation with an adjustable satellite gear 14 itself meshing with a gear 15.
• This pinion 15 is wedged on the end of a small conduit 16 oriented perpendicular to the axis of the injection tube 2.
• This conduit 16 is mounted rotating in a bearing 17 which is provided, laterally, the casing 10 and the nozzles 7 are mounted on the distal end of this conduit which is outside said casing.
• the nozzles 7 are also mounted rotating in planes parallel to the injection tube (arrow F2), at a speed which is also a function of the nature of the product treated and of the operational phase in progress, for example at a speed between 0.5 and 10 rpm.
• the nozzles 7 are mounted at the lower end of the module, with an aptitude for rotation in two perpendicular planes.
• the number and the flow rate of the nozzles 7 as well as the level at which they are placed in the tank, are determined as a function of the nature, the volume and the viscosity of the product to be treated, as well as the technical lessons obtained by sampling and analyzes indicating, prior to the implementation of the process and the system, the areas planned for the intervention.
• the minimum length of the range of hydrodynamic jets spouting from nozzles must obey the following rules: - all the areas to be treated must be flowed by the impact of the jet; no zone must remain excluded from mixing;
• the nozzles are advantageously mounted on the nozzle threads arranged at the outlet of the duct 16, these threads being able to receive nozzles of given section, geometry and orientation. If the number of available nozzles is not fully used, unused nozzles can be sealed with threaded plugs.
• the positioning structures of the modules for their implementation can be very different depending on the configuration of the tanks containing the products to be treated.
• the module or modules M can pass through openings generally provided in the original in said roof and be supported by the latter; in this case, the length of the modules is adapted to the height of the tanks; they can possibly rest on the bottom of the tanks, so as to ensure their rigidity, by resting either on rotating bases, or on small fixed bases 18 (FIG. 2) equipped with sealed bearings allowing the rotation of the rotary nozzle holder 10 ;
• the modules M (FIG. 4), can be mounted in a similar way, by taking support in the bottom of said tanks; in this case, the dimensions and specifications of the tube 2 and, above all, of the outer tube 1, are determined so to ensure the same resistance to stresses as the crutches fitted to the original floating roofs; these tubes are therefore capable of supporting these floating roofs, when the tank has been emptied of its contents;
• the modules M can be installed fixedly on walkways or on carriages moving on the latter.
• the upper part of the external element (tube 1) of the module can be arranged to allow the position of the latter to be adjusted in the axial direction, that is to say, therefore, the position to be adjusted, in height, suction lights (5) and the rotary nozzle holder 10.
• the vertical external element 1 of the module can be provided, laterally, in its upper part, with a rack 19 called upon to cooperate with a locking device (not shown) fitted to the entry of the passage P formed in the roof T of the tank for the engagement of said module.
• the module can have an adjustable length; in this case, its longitudinal components (suction tube 1, injection tube 2, shaft 9) can be made up of sections assembled by means of suitable screw connections.
• the module according to the invention can also be used in a horizontal position. In this case, it is engaged horizontally in one of the manholes provided at the base of the side wall of the tanks.
• the duration of treatment operations is determined by surveys and analyzes carried out at specified intervals (or continuously), indicating the progress of treatment.
• the implementation during preventive interventions preferably includes the permanent installation of the modules on the reservoirs provided.
• the modules are then protected by a rigid cover, sheltering them from the weather, from installation and removal requiring no special handling.
• one of these may be only the first phase of an intervention plan, intended first of all to eliminate and / or recover the sediments already formed, then, in a second phase, using the same system, after having possibly adjusted it to the specific needs of a preventive intervention: level and number of nozzles, their section and geometry, number of modules, flow rates, pressures, etc. ..., in particular for large oil tanks.
• the flow put into circulation by the module represents the main parameter, more important than the pressure under which it is dispersed in the volume in which the formation of sedimentation must be prevented, these factors are almost reversed when it is a corrective intervention, on a formed, adherent and compact deposit.
• the only hydrodynamic energy organized by the nozzles with which the delivery tubes are provided is sufficient to disturb and keep in motion the volume contained in the tank.
• this hydrodynamic energy remains the "engine” of the system but, in addition to the flows injected by the nozzles into the volume contained in the reservoir, the delivery tube can, and sometimes, must be provided at its part. lower, more aggressive elements in the form of arms 21 (FIG. 3) mounted with a tilting ability in vertical planes, these arms extending the range of these submerged jets increasing both their range of action and the impact caused by the extension of submerged turbulence.
• the arms 21, the free end of which is provided with an injection nozzle, are mounted with an aptitude for rotation about the axis of the delivery tube 2 at the lower end of which they are connected.
• the injection tube in its lower part, will dislocate the sediment by means of its arms 21; then (in its middle and upper part) will brew it by through the nozzles. Its rotational movement will ensure that the entire volume contained in the tank is set in motion.
• a rinsing liquid is chosen according to the nature of the deposit from which the tank must be rid.
• the suction port will be opened at the lowest level so as to save the amount of rinse aid.
• washing of the internal surfaces is then carried out in accordance with the operation described in the preceding titles.
• the washing liquid is pumped out of the tank to be either recovered, treated or eliminated by any method suited to its nature (purification station, neutralization, centrifugation, filtering, etc.).
• Such a washing can be renewed, if necessary, and the rinsing liquid modified according to the results observed until obtaining the desired cleanliness and the elimination of any dangerous, harmful or explosive internal atmosphere.
• the washing method will be forced to submerged stirring, ie a level of liquid appreciably higher than the rotary jets.

Landscapes

• Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
• Chemical Kinetics & Catalysis (AREA)
• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
• Physical Or Chemical Processes And Apparatus (AREA)
• Cleaning In General (AREA)
• Investigating Or Analysing Biological Materials (AREA)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Publications (2)

Family

ID=9514125

Family Applications (1)

Country Status (8)

Families Citing this family (7)

Family Cites Families (10)

• 1997
  • 1997-11-28 FR FR9715252A patent/FR2771654B1/fr not_active Expired - Fee Related
• 1998
  • 1998-11-27 EP EP98956968A patent/EP0956165B1/de not_active Expired - Lifetime
  • 1998-11-27 AT AT98956968T patent/ATE260717T1/de not_active IP Right Cessation
  • 1998-11-27 WO PCT/FR1998/002549 patent/WO1999028058A1/fr active IP Right Grant
  • 1998-11-27 DE DE69822131T patent/DE69822131T2/de not_active Expired - Fee Related
  • 1998-11-27 ES ES98956968T patent/ES2217602T3/es not_active Expired - Lifetime
  • 1998-11-27 PT PT98956968T patent/PT956165E/pt unknown
• 1999
  • 1999-07-28 OA OA9900166A patent/OA11080A/fr unknown

Non-Patent Citations (1)

Also Published As

Similar Documents

Legal Events