GB776675A - Apparatus for cleansing liquid containing tanks or vessels - Google Patents

Abstract

776,675. Cleaning tanks. BRITISH MILLER HYDRO CO., Ltd. and HANDYSIDE, J. B. Aug. 16, 1955 [Aug. 18, 1954], No. 24070/54. Class 21. [Also in Group XXIX] An apparatus for cleaning tanks or other vessels comprises a recirculating tank 1 for cleansing fluid, the tank being hermetically sealed at its upper end, a flow connection 7, a return connection 11 lying normally below the level of the cleaning fluid in the recirculating tank and including a non-return valve 12 which is normally closed, and a pump 13 for delivering cleansing fluid under pressure via pipes 7 and 18 to the tank or vessel 9 to be cleansed, the return of the cleansing fluid being automatic via pipes 17 and 11 when the non-return valve 12 opens on the pressure in the recirculating tank becoming sub-atmospheric as the level of the cleansing fluid in the tank 1 falls. A three-way cock 15 is arranged as shown such that the following functions are possible : (a) the tank 9 can be sprayed with mains water by the pump 13 when coupled to a connection 6, the pipe 17 being uncoupled so that the used water may flow to waste ; (b) the tank 9 can be sprayed with cleansing fluid, the pipe 17 being recoupled so that the used cleansing fluid returns to the sealed tank 1 ; (c) the tank 1 can be coupled to the mains via pipe 6 to fill it. A straining device 20 is included in the return pipe 11. The spraying device rotates about axes 33 and 36 and is covered in rubber or polyvinyl chloride to protect the inside of the tank 9 from damage. The spray may be permanently fixed in the tank 9 or may be removable. In operation, the tank 9 is preferably first washed with mains water, then it is coupled to the supply and return pipes of the recirculating tank 1 and washed with detergent, and finally it is rinsed with water from the mains supply. The cleansing fluid may be heated.