EP1445014A2 - Fluid storage tank - Google Patents

Fluid storage tank Download PDF

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Publication number
EP1445014A2
EP1445014A2 EP04250481A EP04250481A EP1445014A2 EP 1445014 A2 EP1445014 A2 EP 1445014A2 EP 04250481 A EP04250481 A EP 04250481A EP 04250481 A EP04250481 A EP 04250481A EP 1445014 A2 EP1445014 A2 EP 1445014A2
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
fluid
nozzle
chamber
roof
flow
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Granted
Application number
EP04250481A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP1445014B1 (en
EP1445014A3 (en
Inventor
Paul Willacy
George Willacy
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Willacy Oil Services Ltd
Original Assignee
Willacy Oil Services Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Willacy Oil Services Ltd filed Critical Willacy Oil Services Ltd
Publication of EP1445014A2 publication Critical patent/EP1445014A2/en
Publication of EP1445014A3 publication Critical patent/EP1445014A3/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP1445014B1 publication Critical patent/EP1445014B1/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01F—MIXING, e.g. DISSOLVING, EMULSIFYING OR DISPERSING
    • B01F23/00—Mixing according to the phases to be mixed, e.g. dispersing or emulsifying
    • B01F23/40—Mixing liquids with liquids; Emulsifying
    • B01F23/45—Mixing liquids with liquids; Emulsifying using flow mixing
    • B01F23/452—Mixing liquids with liquids; Emulsifying using flow mixing by uniting flows taken from different parts of a receptacle or silo; Sandglass-type mixing
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01F—MIXING, e.g. DISSOLVING, EMULSIFYING OR DISPERSING
    • B01F25/00—Flow mixers; Mixers for falling materials, e.g. solid particles
    • B01F25/20—Jet mixers, i.e. mixers using high-speed fluid streams
    • B01F25/21—Jet mixers, i.e. mixers using high-speed fluid streams with submerged injectors, e.g. nozzles, for injecting high-pressure jets into a large volume or into mixing chambers
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01F—MIXING, e.g. DISSOLVING, EMULSIFYING OR DISPERSING
    • 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
    • B01F25/30—Injector mixers
    • B01F25/31—Injector mixers in conduits or tubes through which the main component flows
    • B01F25/312—Injector mixers in conduits or tubes through which the main component flows with Venturi elements; Details thereof
    • 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

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a fluid storage tank and, more particularly to an oil tank comprising means for inhibiting or dispersing a build-up of sludge therein.
  • the chamber roof is typically provided with a plurality of legs, which support the roof above the floor of the chamber, when the chamber is emptied, to allow access to the interior of the base region of the tank for cleaning or maintenance.
  • solid or semi-solid materials it is common for solid or semi-solid materials to accumulate in the base of such a tank, when it is used to store certain fluids, e.g. oil, thereby preventing the legs of the chamber roof from landing securely upon the base of the chamber when the chamber is emptied, or at least impeding access to the interior of the base region of the tank, for removing the accumulated material therefrom.
  • certain fluids e.g. oil
  • a fluid storage tank comprising a chamber having a roof arranged to float upon a body of fluid contained in the chamber, a nozzle suspended from the roof and pumping means arranged to circulate a flow of fluid through the chamber via the nozzle, to inhibit or disperse a build-up of solid or semi-solid materials upon the floor of the chamber, the nozzle having a tapered outlet end through which said flow of fluid issues as a jet, said outlet end being provided with a tubular shroud which is formed with apertures for drawing additional fluid from said chamber and through said nozzle.
  • the nozzle Because of the arrangement of the nozzle, the nozzle has been found to be surprisingly effective in dispersing sludge and like material on the floor of the chamber.
  • the nozzle is arranged to direct the outflow of fluid therefrom in a plane extending parallel to the base of the chamber.
  • the nozzle is preferably arranged to rotate about a vertical axis in said parallel plane and/or may be vertically displaceable with respect to the roof.
  • a plurality of legs depend from the roof for supporting the roof above the floor of the chamber, the nozzle being vertically displaceable to direct the outflow of fluid therefrom in a plane extending below the distal ends of the legs.
  • the pumping means comprise means for heating the flow of fluid.
  • fluid circulation means for use with a fluid storage tank comprising a chamber having a roof arranged to float upon a body of fluid contained in the chamber, the circulation means comprising a nozzle, means for suspending the nozzle from the roof and pumping means arranged to circulate a flow of fluid through the chamber via the nozzle, to inhibit or disperse a build-up of solid or semi-solid materials upon the floor of the chamber, the nozzle having a tapered outlet end through which said flow of fluid issues as a jet, said outlet end being provided with a tubular shroud which is formed with apertures for drawing additional fluid from said chamber and through said nozzle.
  • the nozzle is preferably arranged to be fitted to the roof to direct the outflow of fluid therefrom in a plane extending parallel to the base of the chamber.
  • the circulation means preferably comprise means for rotating the nozzle about a vertical axis in said parallel plane and/or displacing the nozzle vertically with respect to the roof.
  • the pumping means preferably comprise means for heating the flow of fluid
  • a method for inhibiting or disbursing a build-up of solid or semi-solid materials upon the floor of a fluid filled chamber comprising circulating a flow of fluid through the chamber via a nozzle suspended from the roof of the chamber, the roof being arranged to float upon the body of fluid contained in the chamber, and the nozzle having a tapered outlet end through which said flow of fluid issues as a jet, said outlet end being provided with a tubular shroud which is formed with apertures for drawing additional fluid from said chamber and through said nozzle.
  • the nozzle directs the outflow of fluid therefrom in a plane extending parallel to the base of the chamber.
  • the nozzle preferably rotates about a vertical axis in said parallel plane.
  • a plurality of legs may depend from the roof for supporting the roof above the floor of the chamber, in which case, the nozzle is preferably retractably positioned to direct the outflow of fluid therefrom in a plane extending below the distal ends of the legs.
  • the flow of fluid is heated, externally of the chamber, as it is circulated.
  • an oil storage tank 2 comprising a chamber 4 having a roof 6 arranged to float upon a body of fluid contained in the chamber 4 and having a plurality of support legs 7 depending therefrom.
  • a nozzle 8 is suspended through a manway 10 at the centre of the chamber roof 6, from a gantry 12 provided with a pulley 14 for raising and lowering the nozzle 8, and a hydraulic actuator 16 for rotating the nozzle 8 about a vertical axis in a plane extending parallel to the floor of the chamber 4.
  • Pumping means 18 are arranged to draw a flow of oil from the chamber 4, to heat the flow and to re-introduce the flow into the chamber via the nozzle 8, whilst the nozzle 8 is rotated, to disperse the mounds of sludge 20 that will tend to accumulate upon the floor of the chamber 4.
  • the nozzle 8 is of venturi type, comprising a tapered outlet port 22 for releasing the flow of fluid therethrough as a concentrated jet, at the same time drawing additional fluid into the jet and through the nozzle 8, via inlet apertures formed in a shroud 24 thereof.
  • the floor of the chamber 4 may be cleared of sludge, thereby allowing the legs 7 of the chamber roof 6 to be landed securely on the floor of the chamber 4, as the chamber 4 is emptied.

Landscapes

  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Chemical Kinetics & Catalysis (AREA)
  • Buildings Adapted To Withstand Abnormal External Influences (AREA)
  • Cleaning In General (AREA)
  • Filling Or Discharging Of Gas Storage Vessels (AREA)
  • Other Liquid Machine Or Engine Such As Wave Power Use (AREA)
  • Catching Or Destruction (AREA)
  • Treatment Of Sludge (AREA)
  • Physical Or Chemical Processes And Apparatus (AREA)
  • Engine Equipment That Uses Special Cycles (AREA)
  • Supply Devices, Intensifiers, Converters, And Telemotors (AREA)

Abstract

A fluid storage tank (2) comprising a chamber (4) having a roof (6) arranged to float upon a body of fluid contained in the chamber (4). A nozzle is (8) is suspended from the roof (6) and pumping means (18) are arranged to circulate a flow of oil through the chamber (4) via the nozzle (8), to inhibit or disperse a build-up of solid or semi-solid materials upon the floor of the chamber (4).

Description

The present invention relates to a fluid storage tank and, more particularly to an oil tank comprising means for inhibiting or dispersing a build-up of sludge therein.
It is known to provide bulk storage means for a liquid material, in the form of a tank comprising a chamber having a roof arranged to float upon a body of liquid contained therein.
The chamber roof is typically provided with a plurality of legs, which support the roof above the floor of the chamber, when the chamber is emptied, to allow access to the interior of the base region of the tank for cleaning or maintenance.
However, it is common for solid or semi-solid materials to accumulate in the base of such a tank, when it is used to store certain fluids, e.g. oil, thereby preventing the legs of the chamber roof from landing securely upon the base of the chamber when the chamber is emptied, or at least impeding access to the interior of the base region of the tank, for removing the accumulated material therefrom.
We have now devised an arrangement which overcomes the limitations of existing fluid storage tanks.
In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a fluid storage tank comprising a chamber having a roof arranged to float upon a body of fluid contained in the chamber, a nozzle suspended from the roof and pumping means arranged to circulate a flow of fluid through the chamber via the nozzle, to inhibit or disperse a build-up of solid or semi-solid materials upon the floor of the chamber, the nozzle having a tapered outlet end through which said flow of fluid issues as a jet, said outlet end being provided with a tubular shroud which is formed with apertures for drawing additional fluid from said chamber and through said nozzle.
Because of the arrangement of the nozzle, the nozzle has been found to be surprisingly effective in dispersing sludge and like material on the floor of the chamber.
Preferably the nozzle is arranged to direct the outflow of fluid therefrom in a plane extending parallel to the base of the chamber.
The nozzle is preferably arranged to rotate about a vertical axis in said parallel plane and/or may be vertically displaceable with respect to the roof.
Preferably a plurality of legs depend from the roof for supporting the roof above the floor of the chamber, the nozzle being vertically displaceable to direct the outflow of fluid therefrom in a plane extending below the distal ends of the legs.
Preferably the pumping means comprise means for heating the flow of fluid.
Also in accordance with the present invention, there is provided fluid circulation means for use with a fluid storage tank comprising a chamber having a roof arranged to float upon a body of fluid contained in the chamber, the circulation means comprising a nozzle, means for suspending the nozzle from the roof and pumping means arranged to circulate a flow of fluid through the chamber via the nozzle, to inhibit or disperse a build-up of solid or semi-solid materials upon the floor of the chamber, the nozzle having a tapered outlet end through which said flow of fluid issues as a jet, said outlet end being provided with a tubular shroud which is formed with apertures for drawing additional fluid from said chamber and through said nozzle.
The nozzle is preferably arranged to be fitted to the roof to direct the outflow of fluid therefrom in a plane extending parallel to the base of the chamber.
The circulation means preferably comprise means for rotating the nozzle about a vertical axis in said parallel plane and/or displacing the nozzle vertically with respect to the roof.
The pumping means preferably comprise means for heating the flow of fluid
Further in accordance with the present invention, there is provided a method for inhibiting or disbursing a build-up of solid or semi-solid materials upon the floor of a fluid filled chamber, comprising circulating a flow of fluid through the chamber via a nozzle suspended from the roof of the chamber, the roof being arranged to float upon the body of fluid contained in the chamber, and the nozzle having a tapered outlet end through which said flow of fluid issues as a jet, said outlet end being provided with a tubular shroud which is formed with apertures for drawing additional fluid from said chamber and through said nozzle.
Preferably the nozzle directs the outflow of fluid therefrom in a plane extending parallel to the base of the chamber.
The nozzle preferably rotates about a vertical axis in said parallel plane.
A plurality of legs may depend from the roof for supporting the roof above the floor of the chamber, in which case, the nozzle is preferably retractably positioned to direct the outflow of fluid therefrom in a plane extending below the distal ends of the legs.
Preferably the flow of fluid is heated, externally of the chamber, as it is circulated.
An embodiment of the present invention will now be described by way of an example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
  • Figure 1 is a vertical section through an oil tank in accordance with the present invention; and
  • Figure 2 is an enlarged view of the region A of Figure 1.
    • Referring to the drawings, an oil storage tank 2 is shown comprising a chamber 4 having a roof 6 arranged to float upon a body of fluid contained in the chamber 4 and having a plurality of support legs 7 depending therefrom.
    A nozzle 8 is suspended through a manway 10 at the centre of the chamber roof 6, from a gantry 12 provided with a pulley 14 for raising and lowering the nozzle 8, and a hydraulic actuator 16 for rotating the nozzle 8 about a vertical axis in a plane extending parallel to the floor of the chamber 4.
    Pumping means 18 are arranged to draw a flow of oil from the chamber 4, to heat the flow and to re-introduce the flow into the chamber via the nozzle 8, whilst the nozzle 8 is rotated, to disperse the mounds of sludge 20 that will tend to accumulate upon the floor of the chamber 4.
    As shown in detail in Figure 2, the nozzle 8 is of venturi type, comprising a tapered outlet port 22 for releasing the flow of fluid therethrough as a concentrated jet, at the same time drawing additional fluid into the jet and through the nozzle 8, via inlet apertures formed in a shroud 24 thereof.
    It will be appreciated that, by pumping fluid through the nozzle 8 with the nozzle 8 lowered and rotating below the level of the distal ends of the support legs 7 of the chamber roof 6, the floor of the chamber 4 may be cleared of sludge, thereby allowing the legs 7 of the chamber roof 6 to be landed securely on the floor of the chamber 4, as the chamber 4 is emptied.
    The arrangement thus described obviates the requirement for manual disbursement of sludge deposits which might accumulate at the bottom of an oil filled chamber.

    Claims (16)

    1. A fluid storage tank comprising a chamber having a roof arranged to float upon a body of fluid contained in said chamber, a nozzle suspended from said roof and pumping means arranged to circulate a flow of fluid through said chamber via said nozzle, to inhibit or disperse a build-up of solid or semi-solid materials upon the floor of said chamber, the nozzle having a tapered outlet end through which said flow of fluid issues as a jet, said outlet end being provided with a tubular shroud which is formed with apertures for drawing additional fluid from said chamber and through said nozzle.
    2. A fluid storage tank as claimed in Claim 1, wherein said nozzle is arranged to direct the outflow of fluid therefrom in a plane extending parallel to the base of said chamber.
    3. A fluid storage tank as claimed in Claim 2, wherein said nozzle is arranged to rotate about a vertical axis in said parallel plane.
    4. A fluid storage tank as claimed in any preceding claims, wherein said nozzle is vertically displaceable with respect to said roof.
    5. A fluid storage tank as claimed in any Claim 4 appended to Claim 2 or Claim 3, wherein a plurality of legs depend from said roof for supporting said roof above the floor of said chamber, said nozzle being vertically displaceable to direct the outflow of fluid therefrom in a plane extending below the distal ends of said legs.
    6. A fluid storage tank as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein said pumping means comprise means for heating said flow of fluid.
    7. Fluid circulation means for use with a fluid storage tank comprising a chamber having a roof arranged to float upon a body of fluid contained in said chamber, said circulation means comprising a nozzle, means for suspending said nozzle from said roof and pumping means arranged to circulate a flow of fluid through said chamber via said nozzle, to inhibit or disperse any build-up of solid or semi-solid materials upon the floor of said chamber, the nozzle having a tapered outlet end through which said flow of fluid issues as a jet, said outlet end being provided with a tubular shroud which is formed with apertures for drawing additional fluid from said chamber and through said nozzle.
    8. Fluid circulation means as claimed in Claim 7, wherein said nozzle is arranged to be fitted to said roof to direct the outflow of fluid therefrom in a plane extending parallel to the base of said chamber.
    9. Fluid circulation means as claimed in Claim 8, comprising means for rotating said nozzle about a vertical axis in said parallel plane.
    10. Fluid circulation means as claimed in any of Claims 7 to 9, comprising means for displacing said nozzle vertically with respect to said roof.
    11. Fluid circulation means as claimed in any of Claims 7 to 10, wherein said pumping means comprise means for heating said flow of fluid.
    12. A method for inhibiting or disbursing a build-up of solid or semi-solid materials upon the floor of a fluid filled chamber, comprising circulating a flow of fluid through said chamber via a nozzle suspended from the roof of the chamber, said roof being arranged to float upon the body of fluid contained in said chamber, and the nozzle having a tapered outlet end through which said flow of fluid issues as a jet, said outlet end being provided with a tubular shroud which is formed with apertures for drawing additional fluid from said chamber and through said nozzle.
    13. A method as claimed in Claim 12, wherein the nozzle directs the outflow of fluid therefrom in a plane extending parallel to the base of said chamber.
    14. A method as claimed in Claim 13, wherein said nozzle rotates about a vertical axis in said parallel plane.
    15. A method as claimed in Claim 13 or Claim 14, wherein a plurality of legs depend from said roof for supporting said roof above the floor of said chamber, said nozzle being retractably positioned to direct the outflow of fluid therefrom in a plane extending below the distal ends of said legs.
    16. A method as claimed in any of Claims 12 to 15, wherein said flow of fluid is heated, externally of said chamber, as it is circulated.
    EP04250481A 2003-02-07 2004-01-29 Fluid storage tank, fluid circulation means and method Expired - Lifetime EP1445014B1 (en)

    Applications Claiming Priority (2)

    Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
    GB0302794A GB2397996B (en) 2003-02-07 2003-02-07 Sludge dispersal/inhibition in floating roof storage tanks
    GB0302794 2003-02-07

    Publications (3)

    Publication Number Publication Date
    EP1445014A2 true EP1445014A2 (en) 2004-08-11
    EP1445014A3 EP1445014A3 (en) 2005-01-05
    EP1445014B1 EP1445014B1 (en) 2007-07-25

    Family

    ID=9952599

    Family Applications (1)

    Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
    EP04250481A Expired - Lifetime EP1445014B1 (en) 2003-02-07 2004-01-29 Fluid storage tank, fluid circulation means and method

    Country Status (4)

    Country Link
    EP (1) EP1445014B1 (en)
    AT (1) ATE367856T1 (en)
    DE (1) DE602004007698D1 (en)
    GB (1) GB2397996B (en)

    Cited By (2)

    * Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
    Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
    NL1032428C2 (en) * 2006-09-05 2008-03-06 Verstegen Holding B V Mixing device for mixing a liquid product with at least one ingredient.
    EP2447698A1 (en) 2010-11-02 2012-05-02 Kimman Process Solutions B.V. A method and system for at least temporarily homogenizing a fluid flow in a pipeline

    Family Cites Families (8)

    * Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
    Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
    US2577797A (en) * 1950-05-23 1951-12-11 Chicago Bridge & Iron Co Mixing apparatus for tanks
    JPS58114783A (en) * 1981-12-28 1983-07-08 タイホ−工業株式会社 liquid injection device
    EP0160805B1 (en) * 1984-03-13 1991-12-04 FIPROSA Holding Method and apparatus for the recovery of crude oil or refining products from their sludge
    US4828625A (en) * 1987-03-09 1989-05-09 Nalco Chemical Company Apparatus and method for removal of sludge from tanks
    DE4101184C2 (en) * 1991-01-17 1994-07-14 Sobinger Dietrich Process and installation for cleaning floating roof tanks for storing crude oil
    US5087294A (en) * 1991-04-02 1992-02-11 Allen Rechtzigel Method and apparatus for cleaning a petroleum products storage tank
    US5445173A (en) * 1994-07-18 1995-08-29 Matrix Service, Inc. System for stirring and thereby reducing build up of bottom sediments in a storage tank
    LU90183B1 (en) * 1997-12-15 1998-04-06 Petrojet Limited Process for cleaning an oil tank and device for carrying out said process

    Cited By (3)

    * Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
    Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
    NL1032428C2 (en) * 2006-09-05 2008-03-06 Verstegen Holding B V Mixing device for mixing a liquid product with at least one ingredient.
    EP1897608A1 (en) 2006-09-05 2008-03-12 Verstegen Holding B.V. Mixing device for mixing a liquid product with at least one ingredient
    EP2447698A1 (en) 2010-11-02 2012-05-02 Kimman Process Solutions B.V. A method and system for at least temporarily homogenizing a fluid flow in a pipeline

    Also Published As

    Publication number Publication date
    DE602004007698D1 (en) 2007-09-06
    ATE367856T1 (en) 2007-08-15
    GB0302794D0 (en) 2003-03-12
    EP1445014B1 (en) 2007-07-25
    GB2397996B (en) 2005-01-19
    EP1445014A3 (en) 2005-01-05
    GB2397996A (en) 2004-08-11

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