FI116614B - Method and apparatus for recovering spilled hydrocarbons - Google Patents

Description

116614

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR THE RECOVERY OF SPILLED HYDROCARBONS

The invention relates to a method for recovering spilled hydrocarbons, wherein the spilled hydrocarbons are sucked into a collection vessel 5 by means of a vacuum device, recovered and at least part of the hydrocarbons destroyed. The invention further relates to an apparatus for applying a method comprising a collecting vessel, a vacuum apparatus for forming a vacuum, one or more hoses or the like for sucking hydrocarbons from and / or from the soil by vacuum and a combustion device for destroying at least a portion of hydrocarbons.

10 Various oil-based fuels or similar combustible liquids consisting of hydrocarbons are generally carried by road in tankers and rail in tank wagons. When transporting these materials, there are occasional accidents in which the fuel in the tanks gets into the ground. When spilled, the fuels first form a pond and then are absorbed into the soil. The rate at which the liquids are absorbed depends on conditions such as temperature and soil material and the viscosity of the liquid. For example, in the case of tanker accidents, fuel (especially petrol) which enters the soil is a major threat to groundwater and its removal requires rapid action, especially on sandy soils, which are common on highways and railways.

: * · 20 In the event of an accident, the fire brigade will always arrive to clean the accident area and prevent the spread of hydrocarbons discharged into the environment. At present, in the case of oil spill accidents, fire fighting methods are mainly limited to pumping fuel contained in ponds or excavated pits, preventing the spread of the chemical (e.g., boom and bore) and eliminating the risk of ignition (defoaming). In some special cases, fuel in a pond has been ignited and burned in a controlled manner; use has many limitations and no effects: going deeper than the surface. For the recovery of fuel absorbed into the soil: There is currently no suitable method available to the fire service and; 30 vehicles. On the other hand, soil remediation is seen as a task for environmental organizations *, which arrive on the scene very long after the worst environmental damage has already occurred.

t »·. Various vacuum techniques have been utilized in soil remediation; under pressure pumping (Soil Vapor Extraction, SVE), Dual Phase 35 Extraction (DPE), or Bioslurpping (BS), which generally cleans up areas that have long been flooded for up to years. Vacuum pumping (SVE) removes hydrocarbon vapors from the soil, biphasic extraction (DPE) and bioslurpping (BS), in addition to the vapor, to suck up any oil spilled on the groundwater surface.

The fire brigade is currently missing a method for recovering the oil product 5 soaked in the soil immediately after the accident. On the other hand, vacuum pumping, two-phase extraction or '' sweeping '' used in soil remediation are very long-lasting and expensive, since the fuel is already very widespread (SVE) and e.g. then the groundwater is already polluted (DPE, BS).

It is an object of the invention to provide a method and apparatus for recovering leaked hydrocarbons which eliminate the drawbacks associated with the present methods and apparatus. In particular, it is an object of the present invention to provide a method and apparatus for recovering spilled hydrocarbons immediately after being discharged quickly, reliably, and for their controlled disposal. It is a further object of the invention to provide a method and apparatus for preventing groundwater contamination and soil contamination.

The object of the invention is achieved by a method and apparatus characterized by what is stated in the claims.

In the method of the invention, recovery begins immediately after landfall, with the arrival of a fire brigade or other organization leading to hydrocarbons; , 20 is placed in a collecting tank above and / or above the surface of the groundwater: / both in liquid and in vapor, and the hydrocarbon vapors are separated in a controlled manner by means of a feed pipe and a vacuum formed in the collecting tank. and continuously from liquids, is discharged to a separate • disposal facility and disposed of by incineration. The Power Slurping Response (PSR) method of the invention, based on a high-pressure submerged pressure suction (PSR), is used to remove fire and explosion from a fuel leaking to and from the ground; in hazardous conditions, freshly recovered in a short time, even most of the liquid. see that as vapors. Recovery can be initiated shortly after the arrival of the fire brigade (or other organization with the necessary equipment) and is safe and environmentally friendly as hydrocarbon vapors are 'controlled' from liquids and not discharged into the atmosphere or cause: -: earth explosion hazard. With the help of the method and the equipment according to it, this can be done. ·. age evaporates the fuel in a controlled manner under reduced pressure and controls hydrocarbon vapors in a controlled manner. This reduces the need for intermediate storage of fuel. The effectiveness of the method 35 is based on the fact that prevention can generally be initiated within less than an hour after the 3 116614 accidents are reported to the emergency center, thereby minimizing environmental impacts and achieving significant savings in reduced soil remediation needs and thus reduced remediation costs. The method of the invention as well as the control equipment is a unique unique invasion of fire and rescue operations 5 - even globally. The method is intended primarily for pesticides and not for final soil remediation, so it does not fully replace environmental organizations' remediation activities, but is mainly intended to facilitate them both in time and in financial terms.

The aim is to prevent pollution, in particular of groundwater, which is very expensive and difficult to purify. In the event of a fuel leak, the extent of the environmental impact can be significantly influenced by the action taken during the first two hours. Vacuum suction applied to a fresh leak is significantly more effective than pore air technology, whereby fuel can be recovered from the soil as both vapor and liquid. Using this method, the yield of fresh 15 hydrocarbons from the soil is many times higher than starting the vacuum suction later (conventional soil remediation). It also has the advantage that controlled and rapid fuel recovery in potentially explosive atmospheres minimizes environmental impact (soil contamination) and even prevents contamination of groundwater (a value that cannot be measured in money).

20 As a fire brigade is usually the first at the scene of an accident, it can minimize the environmental impact of an oil spill by initiating effective recovery. Tor-: · Junting equipment easily pays for itself in one major leak, · · Reduced contaminated soil remediation. It is estimated that the immediate effect of '':: the introduction of a reduction will reduce soil remediation costs by at least ten to 25% of the longer the cost of remediating contaminated soil. Further, the method is applicable not only to the fire brigade but also to other first responders.

: By disposing of hydrocarbon vapors in a controlled manner according to this method, the risk of ignition of hydrocarbon vapors and release of toxic emissions to air is eliminated. If desired, the method is used for the controlled evaporation and disposal of the liquid collected in the temporary basin, which is well suited, at least for gasoline; then there is no need to transfer the fuel for disposal e.g.

'. ': Hazardous waste disposal plant; this is a big savings.

In a further embodiment of the method according to the invention, suction pipes 35 are immersed in the ground to remove hydrocarbons soaked into the ground, suction hydrocarbons are sucked under vacuum and at least two suction pipes are immersed at different depths and a single shutoff valve is selected for pumping. When the rate at which hydrocarbons are absorbed into the soil is uncertain, at least two suction pipes shall be immersed in the soil and the resulting inlet shall be monitored and a suction pipe or siphons shall be provided to extract more hydrocarbons.

In a further embodiment of the method according to the invention, the vacuum is modified / raised at certain intervals to provide a strong vacuum peak in the suction pipes. In this case, the vacuum peak cleans the suction tube from blockages and increases the yield.

In a further embodiment of the method according to the invention, one or more replacement air ducts are submerged in the soil. By introducing replacement air into the soil, more hydrocarbons can be collected than without the use of replacement air.

In a further embodiment of the method according to the invention, hydrocarbons leaked in a controlled manner are sucked from the surface of the earth by means of a vacuum device by means of suction pipes. 15 The method also provides for the controlled capture of hydrocarbons from groundwater from ponds.

The apparatus according to the invention is characterized in that the apparatus has a vacuum pump connected to a collecting tank and a vacuum collecting tank having a feed pipe which serves as a separator for liquids and hydrocarbon vapors for the controlled separation of hydrocarbon vapors. In addition, a vacuum pump is arranged to supply carbon / hydrogen vapors from the collection tank to the combustion device. The feed pipe allows efficient and safe separation of hydrocarbon vapors from liquids. The depressurized container can be automatically emptied in the middle of the vacuum without loss of vacuum.

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In the following, the apparatus according to the invention will be explained in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 shows an embodiment of the apparatus according to the invention in perspective view, Fig. 2 shows a collector tank according to the invention 3 and a side view of a hydrocarbon burner.

The apparatus of Fig. 1 includes a collecting tank 1, a vacuum device 2 connected thereto for forming a vacuum, one or more hoses 3 or 5 connected to the collecting tank 11,614 respectively for sucking hydrocarbons from and / or from the ground by vacuum, a separator 5 in a vacuum pressurized collection tank for the controlled separation of hydrocarbon vapors from liquids. In the embodiment of Fig. 2, the separator is a spiral feed tube 5 provided with a hole in the collection tank 1. The holes are on the upper surface of the feed pipe. The collection tank has an upper liquid level sensor 7 and a lower surface sensor 8 arranged to control the operation of the vacuum pump and the drain pump. Further, the apparatus includes a collection tank drain pump 9, associated piping and covered temporary pools 10 for liquids and solids. The vacuum apparatus is a vacuum pump 2, which is connected via pipes to a collection vessel 1 and a disposal device 4, and the vacuum pump is arranged to conduct hydrocarbon vapors from the collection vessel to the disposal device.

The method and equipment can be used to recover hydrocarbons from the ground and / or soil. In the following, the recovery of hydrocarbons is described in more detail with the aid of applied examples. The devices or parts of equipment used and their number in other embodiments of the invention may differ from those shown in the embodiments and may differ in their detailed construction and / or function.

If there is a pond on the ground, proceed as in A (pumping from the pond), otherwise go directly to B (suction from the soil).

20 When a fire brigade or other fire fighting organization arrives, fire fighting equipment * is connected. Thu initially ready for operation by taking care of eg. grounding and positioning the hydrocarbon combustion system approx. 10 - 15 m from the point of leakage above the wind / · t (confirmation by ignition indicator).

* · '/ ·: A) Pumping out of the pond (Figure 1; Winged suction pipes are fitted with blades: _: 25 Age suction pipe).

. The control of fuel that leaks into the soil (eg gasoline) is started by eliminating the risk of ignition of the pond (usually protective foaming). Thereafter, recovery from the pond is initiated by activating a vacuum pump to collect a vacuum in the collection tank ήπιοί, which removes all liquid that can be sucked from the ground: using a suitable suction strainer (depending on soil and fuel this amount may be significant). At the same time, a pilot flame in a hydrocarbon vapor incineration plant, e.g. a bunsen bulb, is ignited. The liquid accumulates in the collection tank, which automatically starts the drain pump at the top level and stops at the bottom level, thus maintaining the vacuum in the tank. The fuels evaporate efficiently, especially in a pressurized tank, so the hydrocarbon vapors continue to be sucked up by the vacuum pump towards the hydrocarbon burner, where they are ignited by the LPG and only a small pilot flame can be maintained in bulb 5). When all the liquid has been pumped from the ground, the vacuum pumping is stopped and switched from suction to suction.

B) Suction from the soil (see Figure 1)

Prior to immersing the suction pipes in the fuel contaminated soil, the spill area is covered with an extinguishing powder to eliminate the risk of ignition (this procedure is required even if the pond has been initially foamed, since the protective foam has either been decomposed or sucked off). As the depth of fuel absorption cannot be accurately determined, initially 2 suction tubes are immersed as close as possible to the center of the leak site; one suction pipe, for example, to a depth of 0.7 m and another, for example, to a depth of 1.2 m. For example, a hydraulic hammer or 15 other devices can be used to immerse the suction pipes. To maximize vacuum suction and yield for pumping, select only one pipe at a time with shut-off valves (flammability probe can be used to detect from the combustion plant sampling tap whichever hydrocarbon is better). The main idea behind the fight is to extract as much fresh hydrocarbons as possible and soon where they can best be obtained; as a result, multiple suction tubes may need to be used. To improve the suction power, the leakage point may be further covered with e.g. * eg land to improve compaction. The vacuum pump generates an aliphatic pressure in the collection tank, which causes the hydrocarbons in the soil to be transported to the tank by means of sheared suction pipes, both in liquid and vapor form. The openings of the suction pipe holes are secured in a so-called. with vacuum peaks to raise the vacuum in the collection tank ·. from time to time, by closing the suction valve on the suction pipe to the collection tank close to the pump's own negative pressure. When the shut-off valve is re-opened, a powerful under-pressure, ·, is obtained which cleans any blockages in the suction pipe and improves yields due to increased vacuum. When the yields start to decrease significantly, submersible drainage pipes can be embedded in the • soil to enhance yields (replacement pipes have been found to increase yields).

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The hydrocarbons are fed to the collection tank by a tear-up spine extending to the bottom of the tank; with a feeding tube. The hydrocarbon vapors are directly discharged under reduced pressure through the holes in the spiral tube to the hydrocarbon vapor outlet and then through a vacuum pump to the hydrocarbon combustion plant where they are disposed of in a controlled manner. The hydrocarbon combustion system initially has a filter / rear flame guard with a 7,116,614 dual function; on the one hand, it filters any moisture from the hydrocarbon vapors, since the hydrocarbon vapors do not burn wet, and on the other hand, it acts as a rear flame guard to prevent the bulb flame from passing into the vacuum tank. Any water that may be separated can be removed from the drainage tap 5 at the bottom of the cylindrical filter section. If and when the filter gets too wet, it is easily replaced due to its quick-opening design. The incinerator is equipped with a burner made of a tube narrowing downstream of the filter, with a flame diffuser made of non-combustible fabric at the end, which also acts as a rear flame guard. The flame of the burner is protected from the wind by an expanding conical cylinder. direct the outside oxygen to the flame, prevent the wind from extinguishing the flame, and keep the open flame hidden (this is important even when operating above the wind or especially if the wind is calm; A liquid-gas-powered bunsen burner is required inside the cone shield of the bulb, which is only needed to ignite hydrocarbon vapors (high hydrocarbon contents) or to burn them (low concentrations).

The low pressure collector tank acts as an efficient separator for fuel and hydrocarbon vapors. On the other hand, the vacuum tank also promotes evaporation of the already collected fuel and thus reduces the need for intermediate storage of fuel (the truth is that when pumping gasoline from the soil, not much liquid is produced, but mainly steam-20 rye). The collected liquid fuel and any solids are automatically removed from the bulk tank to a temporary basin by a drain pump controlled by the level transmitters.

• 'The method and equipment may also be used for the controlled disposal of spent fuel collected in a temporary pool. In this case, the equipment can also dispose of, in a controlled manner, · 25 volatile hydrocarbons (eg gasoline) collected in a temporary pool. This is done in accordance with point A, whereby the pond is a temporary sump from which fuel is pumped to the vacuum tank. Shut off the drain pump and close the shut-off valve on the suction line, then start the vacuum pump.

'V The vacuum increases to a very high level, which results in a gasoline-like effect:' 30 the liquid evaporates efficiently. The hydrocarbon vapors leaving the collection tank are disposed of in a controlled manner as described under A) and B).

If the recovered fuel is not to be disposed of by flaring, it can be removed, for example, in a car from a temporary pool and transported to a hazardous waste disposal plant for disposal (very expensive). Another option is to dispose of it by burning if-35 in a convenient place.

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The method can also be used to clean old hydrocarbon-contaminated soils, in particular to remove volatile compounds such as diesel and fuel oils. The energy from the hydrocarbon combustion plant is then utilized to produce a superheated steam boiler which is fed into the soil. The apparatus can also generally be used for the controlled disposal of volatile flammable liquids by incineration.

The invention is not limited to the preferred embodiments shown, but may vary within the scope of the inventive idea of the claims.

Claims (7)

1. A method for depositing hydrocarbons leaked onto the soil, according to which the process hydrocarbon leaked on the soil is sucked with a vacuum device (2) into a collection vessel (1), is deposited and at least part of the hydrocarbon is destroyed, characterized in that the deposition begins after leakage. immediately into the soil when a fire vessel or other organization has arrived, hydrocarbons are led into the collection tank (1) from the soil surface and / or from the soil over the surface of the groundwater both as the liquid and as meadows, and that 10 hydrocarbon vapors are separated in the collection container (1). the operation by means of a feeder tube (5), which is placed in the collection container, and suppresses form in the collection container, controlled and continuously from liquids, is led to a separate combustion apparatus (4) and destroyed during burning. 2. A method according to claim 1, in which the method of siphon (6) is lowered into the soil to remove hydrocarbons which are absorbed into the soil and hydrocarbon is sucked from the soil by vacuum using the siphons, characterized in that at least two siphons ( 6) is lowered into the soil at different depths, and that for pumping it is selected with stop valves one or more siphons one eat the thread. 20 Method according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the vacuum is changed / lifted after certain intervals in order to achieve a strong suppressor tag to the siphons, where the suppressor tag is clogged in seals. the siphon and increase the diet J Method according to one of claims 1-3, characterized in that one or more; 25 replacement trachea is lowered into the soil. *> 5. A method according to claim 4, characterized in that from the soil surface, the hydrocarbon leaked to the soil is sucked with the suppressor apparatus by means of the siphons or controlled. Apparatus for depositing hydrocarbon leaked to the ground, to which the apparatus includes a collection container (1), a suppressor apparatus (2) for forming the vacuum, one or more hoses (3) or the equivalent for suction of hydrocarbon from the soil and / or from the earthquake by means of the vacuum, and a combustion apparatus (4) for destroying at least a portion of hydrocarbon, characterized in that at the apparatus a vacuum pump (2) is connected to the collection vessel and into the suppressed collection vessel which is the feeding apparatus (5) for separating hydrocarbon vapors from liquids is controlled by the liquid and hydrocarbon vapor separator, and the negative pressure pump is arranged to conduct hydrocarbon vapors from the collection vessel to the combustion apparatus. Apparatus according to claim 6, characterized in that a helical feeding tube (5) equipped with heels is placed in the collection container (1). '· »I» »