MXPA99011874A

MXPA99011874A - Infer nozzle repair apparatus

Info

Publication number: MXPA99011874A
Application number: MXPA/A/1999/011874A
Authority: MX
Inventors: A Quintana Keith
Original assignee: Pfaudler Inc
Priority date: 1998-12-23
Filing date: 1999-12-16
Publication date: 2000-10-01

Abstract

The present invention relates to a repair apparatus for a lower opening nozzle of a container, having a corrosion resistant coating, wherein the container has a corrosion resistant coating violated in the area of the nozzle, this apparatus comprising repair: an inner flange having an upper surface, a lower surface, an outer end surface, and an inner end surface, an insert tube having an outer diameter dimensioned to allow its insertion through the nozzle, and of a length sufficient to extend completely through the nozzle, and extend beyond a lower portion of the nozzle, this insert tube having an inner surface, and an outer surface having an upper end portion, the portion being of the upper end of the outer surface in contact with, and being integral with, the end surface int of the inner flange, the outer surface of the insert tube being threaded below the lowest portion of the nozzle, a tantalum coating covering the inner surface of the insert tube, the upper surface of the inner flange, the end surface external of the inner flange, and at least a portion of the lower surface of the inner flange; a thrust plate flange which can be threaded onto the outer surface of the insert tube below the lower portion of the nozzle, the latter being push plate flange provided with threaded screw holes, and screws for screwing into the screw holes, to force the push plate flange in a direction away from the lower portion of the nozzle, thus forcing the tube of insert and the inner flange attached, in a direction that causes the lower surface covered with tantalum of the inner flange, and the coating resist In the case of corrosion of the container, it is sealed against an inner flange gasket located between the lower surface of the inner flange and the corrosion-resistant coating of the container.

Description

LOWER NOZZLE REPAIR APPARATUS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Containers having corrosion resistant coatings are well known for the purpose of reacting, processing and storing liquids having corrosive properties. Similar containers are known for the purpose of preventing contamination of the contents of a container by the material leached from, or adhering to, materials susceptible to corrosion. Glass-lined containers are among the best of the containers resistant to corrosion and contamination. Glass coatings are inert to most materials, and can be fabricated with very smooth surfaces where contaminants do not adhere, or where contaminants are easily removed. These glass-lined containers, unfortunately, have drawbacks. In particular, the glass lining of the containers, for example, steel containers, must be done with particular care to avoid having stress cracks, and to obtain desirable adhesion. In addition, these glazing operations require high temperature furnaces. The glazing of containers, therefore, is relatively expensive. In addition, glass coatings are brittle and, therefore, may be subject to violation through both thermal shock and impact. This often occurs in the lower nozzle of a container, where there may be closed curves subject to thermal stress and expansion, and where the container is subject to more physical contact than other parts of the container. Once the siding is violated, the only options for maintaining corrosion resistance are temporary repairs to cover the area of the violation, or re-glazing, which requires returning the container to the glazing factory. Up to the time of the present invention, temporary repairs were not as good as desired for several reasons. An airtight seal must be obtained between the undamaged glass cladding and the repair. This was not always effective or possible. There are a limited number of materials that have sufficient resistance to corrosion and temperature to make a good repair. Among these are certain fluoropolymers, for example, polytetrafluoroethylene and certain exotic metals, for example, tantalum. An example of this repair is disclosed in Spectrum Products, Inc. Bulletin SP-1A 9/91. Unfortunately, the use of fluoropolymers, while relatively inexpensive, does not allow repairs to be made that are as good as the glazed surface. original. Fluoropolymers, although they have a reasonably good temperature resistance, do not have the same temperature resistance as glass. Also, fluoropolymers have no corrosion resistance as good as glass. In particular, these polymers are subject to degradation by nascent halogens, for example, chlorine, bromine and iodine. Therefore, it would seem that the best option for this "temporary" repair is an exotic metal, such as tantalum. It is true that tantalum has a higher temperature resistance than fluoropolymers, and has a better resistance to halogens than fluoropolymers. Unfortunately, these metals are excessively expensive and difficult to process, especially in temporary repairs that must be discarded when the repair is removed for the replacement of the sealing gaskets, or to allow re-glazing.

Brief Description of the Invention According to the invention, therefore, a repair assembly is provided for lower nozzles of glass-lined containers, which overcomes the drawbacks discussed above. The repair apparatus uses a corrosion resistant transition metal. The metal is preferably tantalum. The repair is carried out in a unique way, even in a more unique way, allows the repair apparatus to be reused, thereby making the use of corrosion resistant transition metal cost effective. The apparatus is for the repair of a lower opening nozzle of a container having a corrosion resistant coating, wherein the container has a corrosion resistant coating violated in the area of the nozzle. More particularly, the apparatus comprises an inner flange having an upper surface, a lower surface, an outer end surface, and an inner end surface. The apparatus further comprises an insert tube having an outer diameter dimensioned to allow insertion through the nozzle, and of a length sufficient to extend completely through the nozzle, and extend beyond a lower portion of the nozzle . The insert tube has an inner surface, and an outer surface having an upper end portion. The upper end portion of the outer surface of the insert tube is in contact with, and integral with, the inner end surface of the inner flange. The insert tube is usually welded to the inner flange at that location. The outer surface of the insert tube is threaded under the lower portion of the nozzle. The apparatus of the invention also includes a corrosion-resistant metal coating, for example, tantalum, which covers the inner surface of the insert tube, the upper surface of the inner flange, the outer end surface of the inner flange, and at least a portion of the lower surface of the inner flange. A thrust plate flange that can be threaded onto the outer surface of the insert tube below the lower portion of the nozzle is provided. The thrust plate flange is provided with threaded screw holes. Screws are provided for screwing into the screw holes, for forcing the push plate flange in a direction away from the lower portion of the nozzle, thereby forcing the insert tube and the inner flange attached in a direction that causes the lower surface coated with tantalum of the inner flange, and the corrosion resistant coating of the container, to seal against an inner flange packing located between the lower surface of the inner flange and the corrosion resistant coating of the container. The apparatus may also be provided with a flange nut to be threaded onto the outer surface of the insert tube below the pressure plate ring, to be attached to the apparatus to carry fluid from below the nozzle. The apparatus may further comprise a pressure plate ring for passing over the outer surface of the insert tube below the lower portion of the nozzle, before threading the push plate flange onto the outer surface of the insert tube. The screws can then apply pressure to the pressure plate ring, which in turn is forced in a direction toward the lower portion of the nozzle. The packing between the tantalum-coated lower surface of the inner flange and the corrosion-resistant coating of the container may comprise a reinforced elastic layer and a ring-0 wrapped in a protective fluorocarbon layer, for example, as described in the Patent. of the United States of America Number 5,556,113. This packing is very beneficial to obtain a hermetic seal resistant to the pressure. Desirably, a packing is also provided between the pressure plate ring and the lower portion of the nozzle. To prevent corrosive substances or other undesirable substances from attacking the flange nut or the inner surface of the insert tube behind the tantalum coating, a tantalum protector is desirably provided on a lower surface of the flange nut and between the internal surface of the insert tube and the tantalum coating, in a lower part of the insert tube. A corrosion-resistant packing is provided between the tantalum protector and the tantalum coating, to isolate any space between the coating and the inner surface of the insert tube. To retain the package, a packing follower package can be placed on the outer surface of the insert tube.

Detailed Description of the Invention "Repair", as used, means covering an area covered with glass, where there is a violation in the coating, in such a way that the container can be returned to service. "Assembly" means a series of separate parts that are assembled for the purpose of making a repair. "Bottom nozzle" means a lower exit portion of a glass-lined container. The lower outlet portion is usually provided with a flange coated with glass. As can be seen in the drawing, which shows a preferred embodiment of the invention, the repair apparatus 10 uses a transition metal resistant to corrosion, for example, vanadium, niobium, palladium, hafnium, tantalum, iridium or platinum, as the coating 12, in an effective repair of the lower nozzle 14 of a glass-lined container 16. The metal is preferably tantalum. The repair is carried out in a unique way, and in a more and more unique way, allows the repair apparatus 10 to be reused, thus making the use of the corrosion resistant transition metal effective at the cost . An inner flange 18 fits inside the container 16 to form a seal 20 with the inner surface 22 of the container 16 in conjunction with an inner flange gasket 24. The inner flange 18 has an upper surface 26, a lower surface 28, a surface of external end 30, and an inner end surface 32. The apparatus 10 further comprises an insert tube 34 having an external diameter 36 dimensioned to allow its insertion through the nozzle, and of a length sufficient to fully extend through of the nozzle, and extend beyond a lower portion 38 of the nozzle 14. The insert tube 34 has an inner surface 40, and an outer surface 42 having an upper end portion 44. The upper end portion 44 of the outer surface 42 of the insert tube is in contact with, and is integral with, the inner end surface 32 of the internal flange 18. The insert tube 34 nor badly weld to the internal tab 18 in that place. The outer surface 42 of the insert tube 34 is threaded below the lower portion 38 of the nozzle 14. The apparatus of the invention also includes a corrosion-resistant metal liner 12, eg, tantalum, which covers the inner surface 40 of the insert tube 34, the upper surface 26 of the inner flange 18, the outer end surface 30 of the internal flange, and at least a portion of the lower surface 28 of the internal flange. A thrust plate flange 46 is provided which can be threaded onto the external surface 42 of the insert tube 34, below the lower portion 38 of the nozzle 14. The thrust plate flange 46 is provided with threaded screw holes. 48. Screws 50 are provided for screwing into the screw holes 48, to force the push plate flange 46 in a direction away from the lower part 38 of the nozzle 14, thereby forcing the insert 34 and the joined inner flange 18, in a direction that causes the lower surface coated with tantalum 28 of the inner flange 18, and the corrosion resistant coating of the container 16, to seal against an inner flange gasket 24 located between the bottom surface 28 of the inner flange 18 and the corrosion-resistant coating of the container 16. The apparatus 10 can also be provided with a flange nut 52 for screwing on the super outer surface 42 of the insert tube 34, below the push plate flange 46, for joining the apparatus for carrying fluid from below the nozzle 14. The apparatus 10 may further comprise a pressure plate ring 54 for passing over the external surface 42 of the insert tube 34 below the lower portion 38 of the lower nozzle 14, before screwing the plate flange of the bushing 46 onto the outer surface 42. Then the screws 50 can apply pressure to the pressure plate ring 54, which in turn is forced in a direction towards the lower portion of the nozzle. The gasket 24 between the tantalum-coated lower surface 28 of the inner flange 18 and the corrosion-resistant coating of the container 16, may comprise a reinforced elastic layer and a ring-0 wrapped in a protective layer of fluorocarbon, for example, as it is described in U.S. Patent Number 5,556,113. This packing 24 is very beneficial to obtain a hermetic seal resistant to pressure. Desirably a packing 56 is also provided between the pressure plate ring 54 and the lower portion 38 of the lower nozzle 14. To prevent corrosive substances or other undesirable substances from attacking the flange nut 52, the flange plate of thrust 46, to the pressure plate ring 54, or to the inner surface 40 of the insert tube 34 behind the tantalum liner 12, a tantalum shield 58 desirably is provided on a lower surface of the flange nut 52, and between the internal surface 40 of the insert 34 and the tantalum coating 12, in a lower part of the insert tube 34. A corrosion-resistant packing 62 is provided between the tantalum protector 58 and the tantalum coating 12, to isolate any space between the liner 12 and the inner surface 40 of the insert tube 34. To retain the packing 62, a packing wrapper 64 can be placed on the surface and external 42 of the insert tube 34. From the above description, it can be readily seen that the apparatus 10 is easily installed by placing the insert tube 34 with the attached inner flange 18 and the liner 12 through the packing 24 and the lower nozzle 14, from inside the container 16 outwards. The gasket 56 is then placed on the protruding end of the insert tube, followed by the pressure plate ring 54 and the thrust plate flange 46. The screws 50 are then screwed through the screw holes 48 to apply pressure. against the pressure plate ring 54, thereby causing the lower surface of the inner flange 28 to press against the gasket 24, which in turn presses on the liner of the container 16 to form a seal. The flange nut 52 is screwed onto the external surface 42 of the insert tube 34. The tantalum protector 58 is then placed over the flange nut 52 and inside the insert tube 34 behind the liner 12. The packing is then forced 62 between the liner 12 and the protector 58. The follower gasket 64 is then applied to hold the gasket 62. The follower gasket 64 is stopped by a continuation flange, not shown, attached to the flange nut 52 by means of screws through of the holes 66 in the flange nut 52. It can be seen that the apparatus can be easily disassembled by reversing the previous steps.

Claims

of the internal tab; a thrust plate flange that can be threaded onto the outer surface of the insert tube below the lower portion of the nozzle, this thrust plate flange being provided with threaded screw holes; and screws for screwing into the screw holes, for forcing the push plate flange in a direction away from the lower portion of the nozzle, thus forcing the insert tube and the attached inner flange, in a direction that causes the tantalum-coated lower surface of the inner flange, and the corrosion-resistant coating of the container, to seal against an inner flange packing located between the bottom surface of the inner flange and the corrosion-resistant coating of the container . The apparatus of claim 1, wherein a flange nut is provided for screwing on the outer surface of the insert tube under the pressure plate ring, to be attached to the apparatus, to bring fluid from below the nozzle. The apparatus of claim 1, which further comprises a pressure plate ring for passing over the outer surface of the insert tube below the lower portion of the nozzle, before threading the push plate flange onto the outer surface of the insert tube, applying these pressure screws to the pressure plate ring, which in turn is forced in a direction towards the lower portion of the nozzle. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the packing between the tantalum-coated lower surface of the inner flange and the corrosion-resistant coating of the container comprises a reinforced elastic layer and a 0-ring wrapped in a protective layer of fluorocarbon. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein a lower nozzle gasket is provided between the pressure plate ring and the lower portion of the nozzle. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein a tantalum protector is provided on a lower surface of the flange nut, and between the inner surface of the insert tube and the tantalum coating, in a lower part of the insert tube , and a corrosion resistant packing is provided between the tantalum protector and the tantalum coating. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein a packing follower package is placed on the outer surface of the insert tube. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the tantalum coating on the lower surface of the inner flange is provided with sealing protrusions to seal against the inner flange gasket. SUMMARY An apparatus for repairing a violation in a lower nozzle of a glass-lined container, including an internal flange having an upper surface, a lower surface, an external end surface, and an inner end surface. The apparatus further includes an insert tube having a di-injected outer diameter to allow its insertion through the nozzle, and of a length sufficient to extend completely through the nozzle, and extend beyond a lower portion of the nozzle. nozzle. The insert tube has an inner surface, and an outer surface having an upper end portion. The upper end portion of the outer surface of the insert tube is in contact with, and integral with, the inner end surface of the inner flange. The insert tube is usually welded to the inner flange at that location. The outer surface of the insert tube is threaded under the lower portion of the nozzle. The apparatus of the invention also includes a corrosion resistant metal coating, for example, tantalum, which covers the inner surface of the insert tube, the upper surface of the inner flange, the outer end surface of the inner flange, and at least a portion of the lower surface of the inner flange. A thrust plate flange that can be threaded onto the outer surface of the insert tube below the lower portion of the nozzle is provided. The thrust plate flange is provided with threaded screw holes. Screws are provided for screwing into the screw holes, to force the push plate flange in a direction away from the lower portion of the nozzle, thereby forcing the insert tube and inner flange attached, in one direction which causes the tantalum-coated lower surface of the inner flange and the corrosion-resistant coating of the container to seal against an inner flange packing located between the lower surface of the inner flange and the corrosion-resistant coating of the container. * * * * *