US20210239399A1 - Apparatus and method for conducting hot work - Google Patents
Apparatus and method for conducting hot work Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20210239399A1 US20210239399A1 US17/240,614 US202117240614A US2021239399A1 US 20210239399 A1 US20210239399 A1 US 20210239399A1 US 202117240614 A US202117240614 A US 202117240614A US 2021239399 A1 US2021239399 A1 US 2021239399A1
- Authority
- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- enclosure
- detector
- interior
- combustible gas
- housing
- 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.)
- Abandoned
Links
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 title abstract description 27
- 239000007789 gas Substances 0.000 claims description 136
- QVGXLLKOCUKJST-UHFFFAOYSA-N atomic oxygen Chemical compound [O] QVGXLLKOCUKJST-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 47
- 239000001301 oxygen Substances 0.000 claims description 47
- 229910052760 oxygen Inorganic materials 0.000 claims description 47
- 238000003466 welding Methods 0.000 claims description 18
- 239000012530 fluid Substances 0.000 claims description 14
- 238000005070 sampling Methods 0.000 claims description 10
- UGFAIRIUMAVXCW-UHFFFAOYSA-N Carbon monoxide Chemical compound [O+]#[C-] UGFAIRIUMAVXCW-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 23
- 229910002091 carbon monoxide Inorganic materials 0.000 description 23
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 description 12
- 238000001514 detection method Methods 0.000 description 10
- 239000002360 explosive Substances 0.000 description 10
- VNWKTOKETHGBQD-UHFFFAOYSA-N methane Chemical compound C VNWKTOKETHGBQD-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 10
- 229910052751 metal Inorganic materials 0.000 description 8
- 239000002184 metal Substances 0.000 description 8
- 238000005553 drilling Methods 0.000 description 7
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 description 7
- 229930195733 hydrocarbon Natural products 0.000 description 5
- 150000002430 hydrocarbons Chemical class 0.000 description 5
- RWSOTUBLDIXVET-UHFFFAOYSA-N Dihydrogen sulfide Chemical compound S RWSOTUBLDIXVET-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 4
- 229910000037 hydrogen sulfide Inorganic materials 0.000 description 4
- NNPPMTNAJDCUHE-UHFFFAOYSA-N isobutane Chemical compound CC(C)C NNPPMTNAJDCUHE-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 4
- ZWEHNKRNPOVVGH-UHFFFAOYSA-N 2-Butanone Chemical compound CCC(C)=O ZWEHNKRNPOVVGH-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 3
- UHOVQNZJYSORNB-UHFFFAOYSA-N Benzene Chemical compound C1=CC=CC=C1 UHOVQNZJYSORNB-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 3
- 239000004215 Carbon black (E152) Substances 0.000 description 3
- QGJOPFRUJISHPQ-UHFFFAOYSA-N Carbon disulfide Chemical compound S=C=S QGJOPFRUJISHPQ-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 3
- RTZKZFJDLAIYFH-UHFFFAOYSA-N Diethyl ether Chemical compound CCOCC RTZKZFJDLAIYFH-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 3
- KFZMGEQAYNKOFK-UHFFFAOYSA-N Isopropanol Chemical compound CC(C)O KFZMGEQAYNKOFK-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 3
- OKKJLVBELUTLKV-UHFFFAOYSA-N Methanol Chemical compound OC OKKJLVBELUTLKV-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 3
- IMNFDUFMRHMDMM-UHFFFAOYSA-N N-Heptane Chemical compound CCCCCCC IMNFDUFMRHMDMM-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 3
- YXFVVABEGXRONW-UHFFFAOYSA-N Toluene Chemical compound CC1=CC=CC=C1 YXFVVABEGXRONW-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 3
- 230000001105 regulatory effect Effects 0.000 description 3
- 230000001960 triggered effect Effects 0.000 description 3
- HNRMPXKDFBEGFZ-UHFFFAOYSA-N 2,2-dimethylbutane Chemical compound CCC(C)(C)C HNRMPXKDFBEGFZ-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- IKHGUXGNUITLKF-UHFFFAOYSA-N Acetaldehyde Chemical compound CC=O IKHGUXGNUITLKF-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- CSCPPACGZOOCGX-UHFFFAOYSA-N Acetone Chemical compound CC(C)=O CSCPPACGZOOCGX-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- QGZKDVFQNNGYKY-UHFFFAOYSA-N Ammonia Chemical compound N QGZKDVFQNNGYKY-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- LFQSCWFLJHTTHZ-UHFFFAOYSA-N Ethanol Chemical compound CCO LFQSCWFLJHTTHZ-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- VQTUBCCKSQIDNK-UHFFFAOYSA-N Isobutene Chemical compound CC(C)=C VQTUBCCKSQIDNK-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- UFWIBTONFRDIAS-UHFFFAOYSA-N Naphthalene Chemical compound C1=CC=CC2=CC=CC=C21 UFWIBTONFRDIAS-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- URLKBWYHVLBVBO-UHFFFAOYSA-N Para-Xylene Chemical group CC1=CC=C(C)C=C1 URLKBWYHVLBVBO-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- OFBQJSOFQDEBGM-UHFFFAOYSA-N Pentane Chemical compound CCCCC OFBQJSOFQDEBGM-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- ATUOYWHBWRKTHZ-UHFFFAOYSA-N Propane Chemical compound CCC ATUOYWHBWRKTHZ-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- QQONPFPTGQHPMA-UHFFFAOYSA-N Propene Chemical group CC=C QQONPFPTGQHPMA-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- PPBRXRYQALVLMV-UHFFFAOYSA-N Styrene Chemical compound C=CC1=CC=CC=C1 PPBRXRYQALVLMV-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- 230000003213 activating effect Effects 0.000 description 2
- 239000011324 bead Substances 0.000 description 2
- 230000003197 catalytic effect Effects 0.000 description 2
- NEHMKBQYUWJMIP-UHFFFAOYSA-N chloromethane Chemical compound ClC NEHMKBQYUWJMIP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- 238000005520 cutting process Methods 0.000 description 2
- 230000005670 electromagnetic radiation Effects 0.000 description 2
- 239000011521 glass Substances 0.000 description 2
- 239000001282 iso-butane Substances 0.000 description 2
- 235000013847 iso-butane Nutrition 0.000 description 2
- QWTDNUCVQCZILF-UHFFFAOYSA-N isopentane Chemical compound CCC(C)C QWTDNUCVQCZILF-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- VLKZOEOYAKHREP-UHFFFAOYSA-N n-Hexane Chemical compound CCCCCC VLKZOEOYAKHREP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- CRSOQBOWXPBRES-UHFFFAOYSA-N neopentane Chemical compound CC(C)(C)C CRSOQBOWXPBRES-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- TVMXDCGIABBOFY-UHFFFAOYSA-N octane Chemical compound CCCCCCCC TVMXDCGIABBOFY-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- 239000011120 plywood Substances 0.000 description 2
- 239000000126 substance Substances 0.000 description 2
- ZISSAWUMDACLOM-UHFFFAOYSA-N triptane Chemical compound CC(C)C(C)(C)C ZISSAWUMDACLOM-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- 239000002023 wood Substances 0.000 description 2
- XDTMQSROBMDMFD-UHFFFAOYSA-N Cyclohexane Chemical compound C1CCCCC1 XDTMQSROBMDMFD-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 241000196324 Embryophyta Species 0.000 description 1
- OTMSDBZUPAUEDD-UHFFFAOYSA-N Ethane Chemical compound CC OTMSDBZUPAUEDD-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- VGGSQFUCUMXWEO-UHFFFAOYSA-N Ethene Chemical compound C=C VGGSQFUCUMXWEO-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 239000005977 Ethylene Substances 0.000 description 1
- 244000256297 Euphorbia tirucalli Species 0.000 description 1
- NHTMVDHEPJAVLT-UHFFFAOYSA-N Isooctane Chemical compound CC(C)CC(C)(C)C NHTMVDHEPJAVLT-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- BLRPTPMANUNPDV-UHFFFAOYSA-N Silane Chemical compound [SiH4] BLRPTPMANUNPDV-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 229910000831 Steel Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 238000000862 absorption spectrum Methods 0.000 description 1
- HSFWRNGVRCDJHI-UHFFFAOYSA-N alpha-acetylene Natural products C#C HSFWRNGVRCDJHI-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 229910052782 aluminium Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- XAGFODPZIPBFFR-UHFFFAOYSA-N aluminium Chemical compound [Al] XAGFODPZIPBFFR-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 229910021529 ammonia Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- RBFQJDQYXXHULB-UHFFFAOYSA-N arsane Chemical compound [AsH3] RBFQJDQYXXHULB-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 230000000903 blocking effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- HRYZWHHZPQKTII-UHFFFAOYSA-N chloroethane Chemical compound CCCl HRYZWHHZPQKTII-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 230000001276 controlling effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000003247 decreasing effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- AFABGHUZZDYHJO-UHFFFAOYSA-N dimethyl butane Natural products CCCC(C)C AFABGHUZZDYHJO-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- JVSWJIKNEAIKJW-UHFFFAOYSA-N dimethyl-hexane Natural products CCCCCC(C)C JVSWJIKNEAIKJW-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 230000000694 effects Effects 0.000 description 1
- 235000019441 ethanol Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 229960003750 ethyl chloride Drugs 0.000 description 1
- 125000002534 ethynyl group Chemical group [H]C#C* 0.000 description 1
- 239000004744 fabric Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000011152 fibreglass Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000009970 fire resistant effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000003063 flame retardant Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000000446 fuel Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000002737 fuel gas Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000000295 fuel oil Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000003502 gasoline Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000001257 hydrogen Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229910052739 hydrogen Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 125000004435 hydrogen atom Chemical class [H]* 0.000 description 1
- 239000003350 kerosene Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000031700 light absorption Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000007257 malfunction Effects 0.000 description 1
- 229940050176 methyl chloride Drugs 0.000 description 1
- IJDNQMDRQITEOD-UHFFFAOYSA-N n-butane Chemical compound CCCC IJDNQMDRQITEOD-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 230000003287 optical effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- YWAKXRMUMFPDSH-UHFFFAOYSA-N pentene Chemical compound CCCC=C YWAKXRMUMFPDSH-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 239000004033 plastic Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000001294 propane Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229910000077 silane Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 239000010959 steel Substances 0.000 description 1
- 125000000383 tetramethylene group Chemical group [H]C([H])([*:1])C([H])([H])C([H])([H])C([H])([H])[*:2] 0.000 description 1
- 239000002341 toxic gas Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000000007 visual effect Effects 0.000 description 1
Images
Classifications
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F27—FURNACES; KILNS; OVENS; RETORTS
- F27D—DETAILS OR ACCESSORIES OF FURNACES, KILNS, OVENS, OR RETORTS, IN SO FAR AS THEY ARE OF KINDS OCCURRING IN MORE THAN ONE KIND OF FURNACE
- F27D21/00—Arrangements of monitoring devices; Arrangements of safety devices
- F27D21/04—Arrangements of indicators or alarms
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G01—MEASURING; TESTING
- G01N—INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
- G01N33/00—Investigating or analysing materials by specific methods not covered by groups G01N1/00 - G01N31/00
- G01N33/0004—Gaseous mixtures, e.g. polluted air
- G01N33/0009—General constructional details of gas analysers, e.g. portable test equipment
- G01N33/0027—General constructional details of gas analysers, e.g. portable test equipment concerning the detector
- G01N33/0036—Specially adapted to detect a particular component
- G01N33/0057—Specially adapted to detect a particular component for warfare agents or explosives
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G05—CONTROLLING; REGULATING
- G05B—CONTROL OR REGULATING SYSTEMS IN GENERAL; FUNCTIONAL ELEMENTS OF SUCH SYSTEMS; MONITORING OR TESTING ARRANGEMENTS FOR SUCH SYSTEMS OR ELEMENTS
- G05B9/00—Safety arrangements
- G05B9/05—Safety arrangements fluidic
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B23—MACHINE TOOLS; METAL-WORKING NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- B23K—SOLDERING OR UNSOLDERING; WELDING; CLADDING OR PLATING BY SOLDERING OR WELDING; CUTTING BY APPLYING HEAT LOCALLY, e.g. FLAME CUTTING; WORKING BY LASER BEAM
- B23K37/00—Auxiliary devices or processes, not specially adapted to a procedure covered by only one of the preceding main groups
- B23K37/006—Safety devices
Definitions
- An embodiment described herein is an apparatus and method for conducting hot work.
- An embodiment can be an apparatus for conducting hot work comprising: an enclosure; a hot work apparatus operable within the enclosure; and a detector located exterior of the enclosure, the detector being in detecting communication with the interior of the enclosure, such that the detector detects the presence of a condition within the enclosure.
- An embodiment can be an apparatus wherein the hot work apparatus is shut down in response to the detector detecting the presence of a predetermined condition within the enclosure.
- An embodiment can be an apparatus further comprising a housing located adjacent to the enclosure, the interior of the housing being fluidly connected to the interior of the enclosure, the detector being fluidly connected to the interior of the housing.
- An embodiment can be an apparatus further comprising a gap between the housing and the enclosure.
- An embodiment can be an apparatus wherein the housing is not in contact with the enclosure.
- An embodiment can be an apparatus wherein the housing is portable.
- An embodiment can be an apparatus further comprising a stand attached to the housing.
- An embodiment can be an apparatus wherein the detector comprises a first combustible gas detector.
- An embodiment can be an apparatus further comprising: an oxygen detector fluidly connected to the interior of the housing; and a pressure detector fluidly connected to the interior of the housing.
- An embodiment can be an apparatus wherein the hot work apparatus comprises a welding apparatus.
- An embodiment can be an apparatus further comprising an aperture extending from the interior of the enclosure to the exterior of the enclosure, the detector being fluidly connected to the interior of the enclosure through the aperture.
- An embodiment can be an apparatus further comprising a conduit between the aperture and the detector.
- An embodiment can be an apparatus further comprising a blower assembly in fluid communication with the interior of the enclosure.
- An embodiment can be an apparatus further comprising a positive pressure atmosphere within the enclosure.
- An embodiment can be an apparatus further comprising a second detector for detecting a condition exterior the enclosure.
- An embodiment can be an apparatus wherein the detector comprises a combustible gas detector.
- An embodiment can be an apparatus wherein the combustible gas detector is fluidly connected to the interior of the enclosure.
- An embodiment can be an apparatus wherein the combustible gas detector is in light communication with the interior of the enclosure.
- An embodiment can be an apparatus wherein the combustible gas detector is in infrared light communication with the interior of the enclosure.
- An embodiment can be an apparatus wherein the combustible gas detector is in light communication with air transferred from the interior of the enclosure to the exterior of the enclosure.
- An embodiment can be an apparatus wherein the combustible gas detector is in infrared light communication with air transferred from the interior of the enclosure to the exterior of the enclosure.
- An embodiment can be an apparatus for conducting hot work comprising: an enclosure; a blower assembly in fluid communication with the interior of the enclosure; and a means for detecting the presence of combustible gas that is within the enclosure by sampling air that is not within the enclosure.
- An embodiment can be an apparatus wherein the air that is not within the enclosure has been transferred from the interior of the enclosure.
- An embodiment can be an apparatus further comprising a welding apparatus operable within the enclosure.
- An embodiment can be an apparatus further comprising a positive pressure atmosphere within the enclosure.
- An embodiment can be an apparatus wherein the means for detecting the presence of combustible gas that is within the enclosure by sampling air that is not within the enclosure comprises a combustible gas detector located exterior of the enclosure.
- An embodiment can be an apparatus for conducting hot work comprising: an enclosure; a first combustible gas detector for detecting combustible gas within the enclosure; an oxygen detector for detecting oxygen within the enclosure; and a pressure detector for detecting pressure within the enclosure, at least one of the first combustible gas detector, the oxygen detector and the pressure detector being located exterior of the enclosure.
- An embodiment can be an apparatus further comprising: a blower assembly in fluid communication with the interior of the enclosure; a second combustible gas detector located so as to detect the presence of a combustible gas in or near to an air intake of the blower assembly; a welding apparatus operable with the enclosure, the operation of the welding apparatus being controllable in response to a signal generated by at least one of the first combustible gas detector, the second combustible gas detector, the oxygen detector and the pressure detector.
- An embodiment can be an apparatus for conducting hot work comprising: an enclosure; a welding apparatus operable at least partially within the enclosure; a blower assembly in fluid communication with the interior of the enclosure; a manual shutdown switch in communication with the welding apparatus; an oxygen detector fluidly connected to the interior of the enclosure and in communication with the welding apparatus; a pressure detector fluidly connected to the interior of the enclosure and in communication with the welding apparatus; and a combustible gas detector located exterior of the enclosure, the combustible gas detector being fluidly connected to the interior of the enclosure such that the combustible gas detector detects the presence of a combustible gas within the enclosure, the combustible gas detector being in communication with the welding apparatus.
- An embodiment can be an apparatus wherein the welding apparatus is shut down in response to a signal generated by at least one of the oxygen detector, the pressure detector and the combustible gas detector.
- An embodiment can be a method of terminating hot work within an enclosure comprising: conducting hot work within an enclosure; transferring air from the interior of the enclosure to the exterior of the enclosure; sampling the air transferred from the interior of the enclosure for the presence of combustible gas; and terminating the hot work within the enclosure in response to detection of a level of combustible gas in the air transferred from the interior of the enclosure to the exterior of the enclosure.
- An embodiment can be a method further comprising producing a positive pressure atmosphere within the enclosure.
- An embodiment can be a method wherein producing a positive pressure atmosphere within the enclosure further comprises transferring air from the exterior of the enclosure to the interior of the enclosure.
- An embodiment can be a method wherein terminating hot work within the enclosure in response to detection of a level of combustible gas in the air transferred from the interior of the enclosure further comprises terminating hot work within the enclosure in response to detection of a level of combustible gas above a predefined level.
- An embodiment can be a method wherein the predefined level is at most 25% of the lower explosive limit of the combustible gas.
- An embodiment can be a method further comprising forming the enclosure at a location where hot work is to be conducted on a production platform that drills for flammable materials.
- An embodiment can be a method further comprising: conducting drilling operations for flammable materials on the production platform; and terminating drilling operations in response to detection of a level of combustible gas in the air transferred from the interior of the enclosure.
- An embodiment can be a method further comprising sampling the air transferred from the interior of the enclosure for the presence of a level of oxygen.
- An embodiment can be a method wherein the conducting hot work within an enclosure further comprises conducting welding within the enclosure.
- An embodiment can be a method of detecting a combustible gas entering an enclosure by detecting a pressure drop in the atmosphere within the enclosure comprising: transferring air from the exterior of the enclosure to the interior of the enclosure; detecting a level of combustible gas in or near to a source of the air transferred from the exterior of the enclosure to the interior of the enclosure; stopping the transferring of air from the exterior of the enclosure to the interior of the enclosure in response to the detecting a level of combustible gas; and detecting a pressure drop in the atmosphere within the enclosure so as to detect a combustible gas entering the enclosure.
- An embodiment can be a method further comprising conducting hot work in the enclosure.
- An embodiment can be a method further comprising terminating the hot work in the enclosure in response to the detecting a pressure drop in the atmosphere within the enclosure.
- An embodiment can be a method further comprising transmitting a signal to a controller in response to the detecting a pressure drop in the atmosphere within the enclosure.
- An embodiment can be a method further comprising transmitting a signal from a controller to a power source of the hot work.
- An embodiment can be a method wherein terminating the hot work further comprises terminating the hot work in response to a signal from the controller.
- An embodiment can be an apparatus for conducting hot work comprising: an enclosure; a hot work apparatus operable within the enclosure; a blower assembly in fluid communication with the interior of the enclosure; and a detector located so as to detect the presence of a condition in or near to an air intake of the blower assembly, the detector being in communication with the blower assembly, the detector being isolated from the hot work apparatus.
- An embodiment can be an apparatus further comprising a first controller, the first controller being in communication with the hot work apparatus, the first controller being isolated from the blower assembly.
- An embodiment can be an apparatus further comprising a pressure detector fluidly connected to the interior of the enclosure, the pressure detector being in communication with the hot work apparatus.
- An embodiment can be an apparatus wherein the pressure detector is isolated from the blower assembly.
- An embodiment can be an apparatus further comprising a second controller, the second controller being in communication with the blower assembly, the second controller being in communication with the detector.
- An embodiment can be an apparatus further comprising: a first controller, the first controller being in communication with the hot work apparatus, the first controller being isolated from the blower assembly; and a pressure detector fluidly connected to the interior of the enclosure, the pressure detector being in communication with the first controller.
- An embodiment can be an apparatus wherein the detector comprises a combustible gas detector located so as to detect the presence of a level of combustible gas in or near to an air intake of the blower assembly.
- An embodiment can be an apparatus further comprising: an oxygen detector located so as to detect the presence of a level of oxygen in or near to an air intake of the blower assembly, the oxygen detector being in communication with the blower assembly, the oxygen detector being isolated from the hot work apparatus; and a carbon monoxide detector located so as to detect the presence of a level of carbon monoxide in or near to an air intake of the blower assembly, the carbon monoxide detector being in communication with the blower assembly, the carbon monoxide detector being isolated from the hot work apparatus.
- FIG. 2 is a side section view of an embodiment described herein.
- FIG. 3 is a side section view of an embodiment described herein.
- FIG. 4 is a schematic view of an embodiment described herein.
- FIG. 5 is a schematic view of an embodiment described herein.
- FIG. 6 is a schematic view of an embodiment described herein.
- an embodiment is an apparatus and method for conducting hot work.
- an embodiment can have an enclosure 10 .
- the enclosure 10 can have a plurality of sides that define the interior 14 of the enclosure 10 and surround a hot work apparatus 12 that is operable within the interior 14 of the enclosure 10 .
- the sides of the enclosure 10 can include ceiling 16 , floor 18 , left wall 20 , right wall 22 , rear wall 24 and a front wall (not shown).
- the sides of the enclosure 10 can be made of materials such as wood, flame resistant plywood, fabric, metal, fiberglass, and/or any other suitable materials.
- sides, such as the floor and/or walls can be flame resistant plywood that is lined on the interior side with sheet metal, such as aluminum or steel sheet metal.
- the enclosure 10 can also be formed at other locations, such as any location where it could be desirable to permanently or temporarily isolate hot work within the enclosure 10 .
- a scaffolding framework can be formed around the enclosure 10 such that the scaffolding framework provides support for the enclosure 10 and secures the position of the enclosure 10 .
- the scaffolding framework can be made of materials such as wood, metal, plastic or any other suitable materials.
- the scaffolding framework can be made of fire retardant wooden two-by-fours and/or conventional metal scaffolding.
- the enclosure 10 can be formed adjacent to flammable materials, such as hydrocarbons contained in tanks, pipes or other structures.
- Hot work can be conducted within the enclosure so that the hot work is isolated from the flammable materials.
- Hot work is work that produces a source of ignition, such as arcs, sparks or flames.
- the hot work can be conducted within the enclosure 10 by apparatus such as an arc welder, mig welder, tig welder, cutting torch, grinder, analyzing equipment, spectrometer and/or other apparatuses which can produce a source of ignition.
- the sides of the enclosure 10 can have openings that allow objects, such as pipes, decking, cables or other objects to pass through the sides of the enclosure 10 .
- the openings can be formed by cutting the opening into a side of the enclosure 10 when the enclosure 10 is being formed, or by forming the sides of the enclosure around such objects. Any remaining gaps between the sides of the enclosure 10 and the object can be sealed with a material such as fire resistant caulk or metal tape.
- a positive pressure atmosphere is within the enclosure 10 .
- the positive pressure atmosphere can be produced within the enclosure 10 by transferring air from the exterior of the enclosure 10 to the interior 14 of the enclosure 10 .
- air is transferred from the exterior of the enclosure 10 to the interior 14 of the enclosure 10 by a blower assembly 25 (shown in schematic in FIGS. 4, 5 and 6 ), which can include blower 26 .
- the blower 26 can be any device that is capable of producing a flow of air, such as a fan, a ducted fan, a compressed air source, such as an air compressor and/or a compressed air tank, an air pump and/or any other suitable device.
- the blower 26 can be an electric, hydraulic or pneumatic blower.
- An example of a blower is an Air MAX-12, produced by COPPUS.
- the blower 26 is in fluid communication with the interior of the enclosure 10 by way of duct 28 .
- An air intake 30 of the blower 26 can be located at an area believed to be free of combustible gases, such as unclassified area of a drilling platform. In operation, air is transferred from the exterior of the enclosure 10 to the interior 14 of the enclosure 10 by passing through air intake 30 traveling through duct 28 and into the enclosure 10 at inlet aperture 32 .
- a positive pressure atmosphere within the enclosure 10 can cause air to be transferred from the interior 14 of the enclosure 10 to the exterior of the enclosure 10 by passing through an aperture, such as outlet aperture 34 , which extends from the interior 14 of the enclosure 10 to the exterior of the enclosure 10 .
- the outlet aperture 34 can be approximately the same size as inlet aperture 32 .
- the outlet aperture 34 can be larger or smaller than the inlet aperture 32 .
- a grill 36 such as a spark arresting filter, can be placed across outlet aperture 34 .
- a housing 38 can be located adjacent to the enclosure 10 .
- the housing 38 can have a plurality of housing sides that define the interior 42 of the housing 38 .
- the housing sides of the housing 38 can include housing ceiling 44 , housing floor 46 , housing left wall 48 , housing right wall 50 , housing rear wall 52 and a housing front wall (not shown).
- a housing side of housing 38 can have an aperture, such as a housing inlet aperture 40 , located adjacent to outlet aperture 34 so as to allow a fluid connection between the interior 14 of the enclosure 10 and the interior 42 of the housing 38 .
- the housing inlet aperture 40 can be approximately the same size as the outlet aperture 34 of the enclosure.
- the housing inlet aperture 40 can also be larger (see FIG.
- Housing 38 can also have a damper 54 attached to the housing 38 .
- the damper 54 can provide an aperture that allows air to be transferred from the interior 42 of the housing 38 to the exterior of the housing 38 by passing through damper 54 .
- the damper 54 can be a device such as a louver or valve and can have adjustable vents that can allow the flow of air through the damper 54 to be regulated. Air transferred from the interior 14 of the enclosure 10 to the interior 42 of the housing 38 can create a positive pressure atmosphere within the housing 38 .
- the pressure level of a positive pressure atmosphere within the enclosure 10 and the housing 38 can be regulated or partially regulated by adjusting the vents of the damper 54 .
- the positive pressure atmosphere within the enclosure 10 causes air to be transferred from the interior 14 of the enclosure 10 to the exterior of the enclosure 10 and into the interior 42 of the housing 38 , and then from the interior 42 of the housing 38 to the exterior of the housing 38 .
- an air moving device such as a fan, can be positioned at a location such as in or adjacent to outlet aperture 34 , housing inlet aperture 40 , conduit 58 (discussed below) and/or damper 54 . The air moving device can cause air to be transferred from the interior 14 of the enclosure 10 to the exterior of the enclosure 10 and into the interior 42 of the housing 38 , and then from the interior 42 of the housing 38 to the exterior of the housing 38 .
- the housing 38 is not in contact with the enclosure 10 and can have a gap 56 between the housing 38 and the enclosure 10 .
- a conduit 58 such as ductwork, tubing or pipe, connects the housing 38 to the enclosure 10 .
- the conduit 58 can be connected to the enclosure 10 by any means in the art.
- a flange 59 can connect the conduit 58 to an exterior of a wall of the enclosure 10 .
- a stand 60 is attached to the housing 38 .
- the stand 60 can be placed on a foundation, such as a deck of a drilling platform.
- the stand 60 can also be secured to the foundation which can increase stability.
- the housing 38 can be portable and can be moved to different locations that can be adjacent to an aperture in the sides of the enclosure 10 .
- an aperture can be drilled, cut or otherwise formed in a side of the enclosure 10 at a location so as to position a hot work apparatus 12 that is operable within the enclosure 10 , generally in a line between inlet aperture 32 and outlet aperture 34 .
- the housing 38 can then be placed so that housing inlet aperture 40 is adjacent to outlet aperture 34 .
- a new aperture can be formed in a side of the enclosure 10 at a location so as to position the hot work generally in a line between inlet aperture 32 and the newly formed aperture.
- the housing 38 can then be moved and placed in a location so that housing inlet aperture 40 is adjacent to the newly formed aperture.
- the housing 38 can also be moved to different locations on a drilling platform or different work sites.
- detectors 62 , 64 , 66 , 68 , 70 , 72 , 74 , 76 , 78 and 80 are located exterior of the enclosure 10 .
- Detectors 62 , 64 , 66 , 68 , 70 , 72 , 74 , 76 , 78 and 80 are in detecting communication with the interior 14 of the enclosure 10 , such that the detectors detect the presence of a condition within the enclosure 10 .
- the presence of a condition can include detecting conditions such as a level of toxic gas, a level of combustible gas, a level of oxygen, a level of carbon monoxide, a level of hydrogen sulfide and/or other gases.
- the presence of a condition can also include detecting conditions such as a level of pressure, humidity, temperature and/or any other condition.
- the detectors can be mechanical, solid-state, chemical, electrochemical, electric, optical, infrared, photoionization, catalytic bead and/or any other type of detector. Depending on the detectors selected, the detectors can perform the detection function in various ways, for example by air sampling, pressure sensing, light absorption or any other way.
- detectors 62 , 64 and 66 are located exterior of the enclosure 10 and exterior of the housing 38 , and are in detecting communication with the interior 14 of the enclosure 10 by being fluidly connected to the interior 14 of the enclosure 10 .
- Detectors 62 , 64 and 66 are fluidly connected to the interior 14 of the enclosure 10 by being fluidly connected to the interior 42 of the housing 38 , which is itself fluidly connected to the interior 14 of the enclosure 10 .
- a detector such as combustible gas detector 86 , is located so as to detect the presence of a condition, such as combustible gas, near to the air intake 30 of the blower 26 if the detector is capable of detecting a condition that is more likely than not to be transferred into the air intake 30 of the blower 26 .
- detector 80 can be an infrared detector, such as an infrared combustible gas detector.
- An infrared combustible gas detector is produced by DETCON Inc. under the model number IR-622.
- An infrared combustible gas detector 80 can be located exterior of the enclosure 10 and can transmit infrared light into the interior 14 of the enclosure 10 , such as through a glass window 82 formed in a side of the enclosure 10 .
- a mirror 84 can be placed within the enclosure 10 such that light transmitted by the infrared combustible gas detector 80 can reflect off of the mirror 84 and return to the infrared combustible gas detector 80 .
- Oxygen and/or carbon monoxide detectors 64 , 70 and 76 can be fluidly connected to the interior 14 of the enclosure 10 and can sample air transferred from the interior 14 of the enclosure 10 to the exterior of the enclosure 10 . By sampling air transferred from the interior 14 of the enclosure 10 to the exterior of the enclosure 10 , the oxygen and/or carbon monoxide detectors can detect the presence of oxygen and/or carbon monoxide within the enclosure 10 .
- pressure detectors 66 and 72 are fluidly connected to the interior 14 of the enclosure 10 by being fluidly connected to the interior 42 of the housing 38 , pressure detectors 66 and 72 can detect a level of pressure in the atmosphere within the enclosure 10 and/or a pressure drop in the atmosphere within the enclosure 10 by detecting a level of pressure in the atmosphere within the housing 38 and/or a pressure drop in the atmosphere within the housing 38 .
- one or more detectors can be located so as to detect the presence of a condition in or near to the air intake 30 of the blower 26 .
- detector 86 can be a combustible gas detector
- detector 96 can be a carbon monoxide detector
- detector 98 can be an oxygen detector.
- a combustible gas detector, an oxygen detector, a carbon monoxide detector and a hydrogen sulfide detector can be located so as to detect the presence of a condition in or near to the air intake 30 of the blower 26 ; in addition, an oxygen detector, a carbon monoxide detector, a hydrogen sulfide detector and a pressure detector can be in detecting communication with the interior 14 of the enclosure 10 .
- each of detectors 62 , 64 , 66 , 68 , 70 , 72 , 74 , 76 , 78 , 80 , 86 , 96 and 98 are located exterior of the enclosure 10 .
- one or more, or each of detectors 62 , 64 , 66 , 68 , 70 , 72 , 74 , 76 , 78 , 80 , 86 , 96 and 98 can be located within the interior 14 of the enclosure 10 .
- the conditions detected and the detectors including the number and/or type of detectors described herein, are exemplary of numerous conditions, detectors and configurations that may fall within the scope of the appended claims.
- One or more of detectors 62 , 64 , 66 , 68 , 70 , 72 , 74 , 76 , 78 , 80 , 86 , 96 and 98 can be in communication, such as wired or wireless communication, with a hot work apparatus 12 , such as a power source of the hot work apparatus.
- a hot work apparatus 12 such as a power source of the hot work apparatus.
- the detector can generate a signal that is transmitted to the hot work apparatus so as to terminate the hot work and/or cause the hot work apparatus to shut down.
- the detectors can generate a signal in response to detecting the presence of a predetermined condition, such as a predefined level of oxygen, combustible gas, carbon monoxide, hydrogen sulfide, pressure and/or other conditions.
- a predefined level of oxygen can be a trace amount of oxygen that is at or near the detection capabilities of the detector.
- the predefined level of oxygen can be a level of oxygen below 19.5% and/or above 23.5%.
- a detector generates a signal in response to the detector detecting a level of combustible gas of at most 25% of the lower explosive limit of the combustible gas. For example, referring to the chart above it can be seen that methane has a lower explosive limit of 5%. 25% of the lower explosive limit of methane would be 1.25% methane mixed in air. In this embodiment, the detector would not generate a signal that caused the hot work within the enclosure to terminate until the detector detected a concentration of methane in air of 1.25%.
- one or more of detectors 62 , 64 , 66 , 68 , 70 , 72 , 74 , 76 , 78 , 80 , 86 , 96 and 98 can be in communication with the blower assembly 25 .
- detectors 86 , 96 and 98 can be isolated from the hot work apparatus 12 and can be in communication with the blower assembly 25 , such as the blower 26 and/or a shut off valve of the blower assembly 25 that can be located within duct 28 .
- a first component such as detectors 86 , 96 and/or 98 is isolated from a second component, such as hot work apparatus 12 and/or a controller (described below) if the first and second component are not directly or indirectly in wired or wireless communication with each other.
- a first component is indirectly in wired or wireless communication with a second component if one or more additional components interconnect the first component and the second component by wired or wireless communication. For example, if a first component is in direct wired communication with a controller, and the controller is in direct wired communication with a second component, then the first and second component are in indirect wired communication with each other.
- wireless communication is defined as communication via electromagnetic radiation, such as radio waves, infrared light and/or any other form of electromagnetic radiation.
- detector 86 , 96 and/or 98 can generate a signal which causes the transfer of air from the exterior of the enclosure 10 to the interior 14 of the enclosure 10 to be stopped, such as by shutting down the blower 26 of the blower assembly 25 and/or closing the shut off valve of the blower assembly 25 and diverting or blocking the flow of air through duct 28 .
- the transfer of air from the exterior of the enclosure 10 to the interior 14 of the enclosure 10 could, for example, be stopped by transmitting a signal to a switch of the blower assembly 25 , such as an interface relay.
- a switch of the blower assembly 25 such as an interface relay.
- An example of an interface relay is model number 750XBXH-24D produced by MAGNECRAFT.
- One or more of detectors 62 , 64 , 66 , 68 , 70 , 72 , 74 , 76 , 78 , 80 , 86 , 96 and 98 can be in communication, such as wired or wireless communication, with a controller 88 . As shown in the embodiment depicted in FIG. 4 , each of the detectors can be in communication with the controller 88 .
- the controller can include devices such as a computer, a programmable logic controller or any other suitable device. An example of a controller is a model number S7200 programmable logic controller produced by SIEMENS.
- the controller 88 can be located in the interior 14 of the enclosure 10 or can be located exterior of the enclosure 10 .
- the controller 88 can be attached to housing 38 .
- the controller 88 can receive signals generated by one or more of detectors 62 , 64 , 66 , 68 , 70 , 72 , 74 , 76 , 78 , 80 , 86 , 96 and 98 in response to the detectors detecting the presence of a condition.
- the controller can then process the signals received from the detectors and can generate a second signal which is transmitted to the hot work apparatus 12 and terminates the hot work and/or causes the hot work apparatus 12 to shut down.
- detectors 62 , 68 and 74 can generate an input signal in response to detecting the presence of a predetermined condition, such as a predefined level of combustible gas in the air transferred from the interior 14 of the enclosure 10 to the exterior of the enclosure 10 .
- the input signal can be transmitted to the controller 88 , which can process the input signal.
- the controller 88 can then transmit an output signal to the hot work apparatus 12 , such as a switch, relay, solenoid valve or other suitable device of the hot work apparatus 12 , which terminates the hot work and/or causes the hot work apparatus to shut down; and/or the controller 88 can then transmit an output signal to the blower assembly 25 , which causes the transfer of air from the exterior of the enclosure 10 to the interior 14 of the enclosure 10 to be stopped, such as by shutting down the blower 26 of the blower assembly 25 and/or closing the shut off valve of the blower assembly 25 .
- the controller 88 can include a display screen which can display information, such as the status of the detectors or other components that are in communication with the controller 88 .
- the display screen can be within the interior 14 of the enclosure 10 , or can be exterior of the enclosure.
- a first display screen of the controller 88 can be attached to the housing 38 and a second display screen of the controller 88 can be located within the interior 14 of the enclosure 10 .
- the first and/or second display screen can be in communication, such as by wired or wireless communication, with the controller 88 .
- the display screen can be a model TP 270 touch screen display produced by SIEMENS.
- detectors 86 , 96 and/or 98 can be isolated from controller 88 and the hot work apparatus 12 , and can be in communication with the blower assembly 25 , such as a switch, relay, solenoid valve or other suitable device of the blower assembly 25 .
- the blower assembly 25 such as a switch, relay, solenoid valve or other suitable device of the blower assembly 25 .
- detectors 86 , 96 and 98 are in direct communication with the blower assembly 25 .
- detectors 86 , 96 and 98 are in communication with the blower assembly 25 by being in communication with a second controller 100 , which is itself in communication with the blower assembly 25 .
- the second controller 100 can be of a similar or identical type as controller 88 .
- detecting a condition such as combustible gas, carbon monoxide and/or oxygen entering the enclosure 10 can be accomplished by shutting down the blower assembly 25 in response to one or more of detectors 86 , 96 and 98 detecting a condition, and then by detecting the resulting pressure drop in the atmosphere within the enclosure 10 so as to detect a condition entering the enclosure 10 .
- An alarm 94 such as a visual and/or audio alarm, can also be in communication with the detectors, the controller 88 and/or the second controller 100 , and can be triggered in response to a signal received from the detectors, the controller 88 and/or the second controller 100 .
- Oxygen and/or carbon monoxide detectors 64 , 70 , and 76 can be in communication with the hot work apparatus 12 , the blower assembly 25 , the controller 88 , the second controller 100 and/or the alarm 94 . Additionally, pressure detectors 66 , 72 , and 78 and/or any other detectors can be in communication with the hot work apparatus 12 , the blower assembly 25 , the controller 88 , the second controller 100 and/or the alarm 94 .
- An interior manual shut down switch 90 and/or an exterior manual shutdown switch 92 can be connected to the hot work apparatus 12 , the blower assembly 25 , the controller 88 , the second controller 100 and/or the alarm 94 .
- the interior manual shut down switch 90 and/or the exterior manual shutdown switch 92 can be devices such as a switch, button, lever, knob, toggle or any other device that, when triggered, can shut down the hot work apparatus 12 , activate the alarm 94 and/or shut down the blower assembly 25 .
- the interior manual shut down switch 90 and/or an exterior manual shutdown switch 92 can be triggered by a user, such as one or more persons designated as a firewatch, who is within the enclosure 10 and/or exterior of the enclosure 10 .
- One or more additional manual shut down switches can be located within the interior of the enclosure 10 and/or exterior to the enclosure 10 .
- the detectors, controller 88 , second controller 100 , interior manual shut down switch 90 and/or exterior manual shut down switch 92 are in communication with the hot work apparatus 12 , the blower assembly 25 and/or the alarm 94 if a signal generated by the detectors, controller 88 , second controller 100 , interior manual shut down switch 90 and/or exterior manual shut down switch 92 results in terminating the hot work, stopping the transfer of air from the exterior of the enclosure 10 to the interior 14 of the enclosure 10 and/or activates the alarm 94 .
- the distance between the housing 38 and the enclosure 10 can be a distance that can maintain a positive pressure atmosphere within the enclosure 10 and/or can maintain a positive pressure atmosphere within the housing 38 .
- the pressure level of the positive pressure atmosphere within the enclosure 10 and the housing 38 can be reduced by increasing the distance between the housing 38 and the enclosure 10 .
- the pressure level of the positive pressure atmosphere within the enclosure 10 and the housing 38 can be increased by decreasing the distance between the housing 38 and the enclosure 10 .
- the distance between the housing 38 and the enclosure 10 can be fractions of a centimeter.
- the distance between the housing 38 and the enclosure 10 can also be varied as described above so that all or substantially all of the air that enters the housing 38 is air that has been transferred from the interior 14 of the enclosure 10 .
- the enclosure 10 can also have an entry way, such as a door, that can allow a person to enter and exit the enclosure 10 .
- the entry way can include an air lock that can allow a person to enter and exit the enclosure 10 with little or no pressure drop in the positive pressure atmosphere within the enclosure 10 .
- the air lock can be a separate chamber from the enclosure 10 and can have a conduit interconnecting the interior 14 of the enclosure 10 and the interior of the air lock.
- the conduit can have a valve that can be opened or closed to allow the pressure differential between the interior 14 of the enclosure 10 and the interior of the air lock to be equalized.
- blower assembly 25 can be in fluid communication with the interior of the air lock, such as by a second duct, and can create a positive pressure atmosphere within the air lock.
- a second blower assembly can be in fluid communication with the interior of the air lock, and can create a positive pressure atmosphere within the air lock.
- a person enters the air lock from the exterior of enclosure 10 and closes an exterior door of the air lock a short period of time will elapse while the pressure in the air lock increases to a pressure level equal to or greater than the pressure level inside of the enclosure 10 . Once this condition occurs, the person can then open the door to enclosure 10 and enter enclosure 10 without causing a pressure drop within enclosure 10 , thereby causing a spurious shut down of hot work within the enclosure 10 .
- enclosure 10 can be formed at a location where hot work will be conducted within the enclosure 10 .
- Blower assembly 25 can be activated to transfer air from the exterior of the enclosure 10 to the interior 14 of the enclosure 10 and produce a positive pressure atmosphere within the enclosure 10 . Once a positive pressure atmosphere is produced within the enclosure 10 , hot work can be conducted within the enclosure 10 . The positive pressure atmosphere within the enclosure can cause air to be transferred from the interior 14 of the enclosure 10 to the exterior of the enclosure, and into the interior 42 of housing 38 .
- the air transferred from the interior 14 of the enclosure 10 to the interior 42 of the housing 38 can then be sampled by detectors 62 , 64 , 66 , 68 , 70 and/or 72 for the presence of a condition, such as a level of combustible gas, oxygen and/or pressure.
- a condition such as a level of combustible gas, oxygen and/or pressure.
- the positive pressure atmosphere within the housing 38 can then cause the air to be transferred from the interior 42 of the housing 38 to the exterior of the housing 38 through damper 54 .
- detectors 62 , 64 , 66 , 68 , 70 , 72 , 74 , 76 , 78 , 80 , 86 , 96 and/or 98 detects the presence of a condition
- one or more of the detectors can generate a signal which results in hot work within the enclosure 10 and/or the transfer of air from the exterior of the enclosure 10 to the interior 14 of the enclosure being automatically terminated.
- a person can then view a display screen of the controller 88 to determine the cause of the automatic shut down. Once the cause of the automatic shut down has been determined and remedied, the above process can be repeated.
- a second person such as a firewatch, can be inside of the enclosure 10 and can monitor the level of combustible gas, the level of oxygen and/or other gases within the enclosure 10 .
- the second person can terminate the hot work within the enclosure 10 by activating the interior manual shut down switch 90 .
- Lights and a radio can be located within the enclosure 10 and can have an independent power source that allows the lights and radio to function even if power to the enclosure 10 is shut down.
- a fire extinguisher such as a 30 pound (13.61 kilogram) fire extinguisher, can also be located within the enclosure 10 .
- the detectors Prior to conducting hot work within the enclosure 10 , the detectors can be calibrated and/or drills can be conducted to determine whether the methods and apparatuses described herein are functioning properly.
- combustible gas detector 86 carbon monoxide detector 96 , oxygen detector 98 and blower assembly 25 are in communication with controller 88 .
- controller 88 In response to one or more of detectors 86 , 96 and 98 detecting a condition, such as detector 86 detecting a level of combustible gas in or near to a source of air being transferred from the exterior of the enclosure to the interior of the enclosure by blower assembly 25 , combustible gas detector 86 can generate a signal which is transmitted to controller 88 .
- the controller 88 can then stop the transfer of air from the exterior of the enclosure to the interior of the enclosure, such as by sending a signal to blower assembly 25 which causes the blower assembly 25 to shut down.
- one or more of the detectors can be isolated from the controller 88 , and can be in communication with the hot work apparatus 12 , the blower assembly 25 , the second controller 100 and/or the alarm 94 .
- An embodiment is a method of detecting a condition such as a combustible gas entering the enclosure 10 by detecting a pressure drop in the atmosphere within the enclosure 10 .
- combustible gas detector 86 carbon monoxide detector 96 and oxygen detector 98 are in communication with blower assembly 25 .
- the detectors 86 , 96 and 98 , and the blower assembly 25 are isolated from the controller 88 and the hot work apparatus 12 .
- pressure detectors 66 , 72 and 78 are in communication with the controller 88 .
- detecting a condition such as a combustible gas entering the enclosure 10 by detecting a pressure drop in the atmosphere within the enclosure 10 can be accomplished by: transferring air from the exterior of the enclosure 10 to the interior 14 of the enclosure 10 , such as by blower assembly 25 ; detecting a level of combustible gas in or near to a source of the air transferred from the exterior of the enclosure 10 to the interior 14 of the enclosure 10 , such as by combustible gas detector 86 ; stopping the transferring of air from the exterior of the enclosure 10 to the interior 14 of the enclosure 10 in response to the detecting a level of combustible gas, such as by combustible gas detector 86 generating a signal which results in blower assembly 25 shutting down; and detecting a pressure drop in the atmosphere within the enclosure 10 so as to detect a combustible gas entering the enclosure 10 , such as by pressure detectors 66 , 72 and/or 78 .
- the above method can allow for the detection a combustible gas entering the enclosure 10 by detecting a pressure drop in the atmosphere within the enclosure 10 .
- one or more of the pressure detectors in response to detecting a pressure drop in the atmosphere within the enclosure 10 , can send a signal to the controller 88 .
- the controller 88 in response to receiving the signal from one or more of the pressure detectors, can indicate that combustible gas was detected entering the enclosure 10 by displaying a message on a display screen of the controller 88 .
- the entry way of the enclosure 10 can include an air lock, such as the air lock described above, that can reduce or eliminate the chance that the controller 88 incorrectly indicates that combustible gas was detected entering the enclosure 10 .
- hot work being conducted within the enclosure 10 can be terminated in response to the detecting a pressure drop in the atmosphere within the enclosure 10 , such as by one or more of the pressure detectors generating a signal that results in the hot work being terminated.
- a condition such as a combustible gas
- a pressure drop in the atmosphere within the enclosure 10 can also be caused by circumstances other than detection of a condition entering the enclosure.
- blower assembly 25 could malfunction and shut down, or an opening could be formed in the sides of the enclosure 10 that caused the interior 14 of the enclosure 10 to depressurize; in such a circumstance detecting a pressure drop in the atmosphere within the enclosure 10 would not be detecting a condition entering the enclosure 10 .
Abstract
In the specification and drawings, an apparatus for conducting hot work is described and shown with an enclosure; a hot work apparatus operable within the enclosure; and a detector located exterior of the enclosure, the detector being in detecting communication with the interior of the enclosure, such that the detector detects the presence of a condition within the enclosure. A method of conducting hot work is also described and shown.
Description
- This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 14/579,780 filed on Dec. 22, 2014, which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 12/412,197 (now U.S. Pat. No. 8,947,249) filed on Mar. 26, 2009, each of which are incorporated by reference herein.
- An embodiment described herein is an apparatus and method for conducting hot work.
- An embodiment of an apparatus and method for conducting hot work is described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,783,054 to Pregeant, Jr. et al., U.S. Pat. No. 7,397,361 to Paulsen, U.S. Pat. No. 7,091,848 to Albarado, and U.S. Pat. No. 7,193,501 to Albarado, et al., each of which are hereby incorporated by reference.
- An embodiment can be an apparatus for conducting hot work comprising: an enclosure; a hot work apparatus operable within the enclosure; and a detector located exterior of the enclosure, the detector being in detecting communication with the interior of the enclosure, such that the detector detects the presence of a condition within the enclosure.
- An embodiment can be an apparatus wherein the hot work apparatus is shut down in response to the detector detecting the presence of a predetermined condition within the enclosure.
- An embodiment can be an apparatus further comprising a housing located adjacent to the enclosure, the interior of the housing being fluidly connected to the interior of the enclosure, the detector being fluidly connected to the interior of the housing.
- An embodiment can be an apparatus further comprising a gap between the housing and the enclosure.
- An embodiment can be an apparatus wherein the housing is not in contact with the enclosure.
- An embodiment can be an apparatus wherein the housing is portable.
- An embodiment can be an apparatus further comprising a stand attached to the housing.
- An embodiment can be an apparatus further comprising a damper attached to the housing.
- An embodiment can be an apparatus wherein the detector comprises a first combustible gas detector.
- An embodiment can be an apparatus further comprising: an oxygen detector fluidly connected to the interior of the housing; and a pressure detector fluidly connected to the interior of the housing.
- An embodiment can be an apparatus wherein at least one of the first combustible gas detector, the oxygen detector and the pressure detector is located exterior of the housing.
- An embodiment can be an apparatus further comprising: a blower assembly in fluid communication with the interior of the enclosure; a second combustible gas detector located so as to detect the presence of a combustible gas in or near to an air intake of the blower assembly; a manual shutdown switch located within the enclosure; and a controller in communication with the first combustible gas detector, the second combustible gas detector, the oxygen detector, the pressure detector and the manual shutdown switch, the controller being in communication with the hot work apparatus and capable of controlling the operation of the hot work apparatus in response to a signal received from at least one of the first combustible gas detector, the second combustible gas detector, the oxygen detector, the pressure detector and the manual shutdown switch.
- An embodiment can be an apparatus wherein the hot work apparatus comprises a welding apparatus.
- An embodiment can be an apparatus further comprising an aperture extending from the interior of the enclosure to the exterior of the enclosure, the detector being fluidly connected to the interior of the enclosure through the aperture.
- An embodiment can be an apparatus further comprising a conduit between the aperture and the detector.
- An embodiment can be an apparatus further comprising a blower assembly in fluid communication with the interior of the enclosure.
- An embodiment can be an apparatus further comprising a positive pressure atmosphere within the enclosure.
- An embodiment can be an apparatus further comprising a second detector for detecting a condition exterior the enclosure.
- An embodiment can be an apparatus wherein the detector comprises a combustible gas detector.
- An embodiment can be an apparatus wherein the combustible gas detector is fluidly connected to the interior of the enclosure.
- An embodiment can be an apparatus wherein the combustible gas detector is in light communication with the interior of the enclosure.
- An embodiment can be an apparatus wherein the combustible gas detector is in infrared light communication with the interior of the enclosure.
- An embodiment can be an apparatus wherein the combustible gas detector is in light communication with air transferred from the interior of the enclosure to the exterior of the enclosure.
- An embodiment can be an apparatus wherein the combustible gas detector is in infrared light communication with air transferred from the interior of the enclosure to the exterior of the enclosure.
- An embodiment can be an apparatus for conducting hot work comprising: an enclosure; a blower assembly in fluid communication with the interior of the enclosure; and a means for detecting the presence of combustible gas that is within the enclosure by sampling air that is not within the enclosure.
- An embodiment can be an apparatus wherein the air that is not within the enclosure has been transferred from the interior of the enclosure.
- An embodiment can be an apparatus further comprising a welding apparatus operable within the enclosure.
- An embodiment can be an apparatus further comprising a positive pressure atmosphere within the enclosure.
- An embodiment can be an apparatus wherein the means for detecting the presence of combustible gas that is within the enclosure by sampling air that is not within the enclosure comprises a combustible gas detector located exterior of the enclosure.
- An embodiment can be an apparatus for conducting hot work comprising: an enclosure; a first combustible gas detector for detecting combustible gas within the enclosure; an oxygen detector for detecting oxygen within the enclosure; and a pressure detector for detecting pressure within the enclosure, at least one of the first combustible gas detector, the oxygen detector and the pressure detector being located exterior of the enclosure.
- An embodiment can be an apparatus further comprising: a blower assembly in fluid communication with the interior of the enclosure; a second combustible gas detector located so as to detect the presence of a combustible gas in or near to an air intake of the blower assembly; a welding apparatus operable with the enclosure, the operation of the welding apparatus being controllable in response to a signal generated by at least one of the first combustible gas detector, the second combustible gas detector, the oxygen detector and the pressure detector.
- An embodiment can be an apparatus for conducting hot work comprising: an enclosure; a welding apparatus operable at least partially within the enclosure; a blower assembly in fluid communication with the interior of the enclosure; a manual shutdown switch in communication with the welding apparatus; an oxygen detector fluidly connected to the interior of the enclosure and in communication with the welding apparatus; a pressure detector fluidly connected to the interior of the enclosure and in communication with the welding apparatus; and a combustible gas detector located exterior of the enclosure, the combustible gas detector being fluidly connected to the interior of the enclosure such that the combustible gas detector detects the presence of a combustible gas within the enclosure, the combustible gas detector being in communication with the welding apparatus.
- An embodiment can be an apparatus wherein the welding apparatus is shut down in response to a signal generated by at least one of the oxygen detector, the pressure detector and the combustible gas detector.
- An embodiment can be a method of terminating hot work within an enclosure comprising: conducting hot work within an enclosure; transferring air from the interior of the enclosure to the exterior of the enclosure; sampling the air transferred from the interior of the enclosure for the presence of combustible gas; and terminating the hot work within the enclosure in response to detection of a level of combustible gas in the air transferred from the interior of the enclosure to the exterior of the enclosure.
- An embodiment can be a method further comprising producing a positive pressure atmosphere within the enclosure.
- An embodiment can be a method wherein producing a positive pressure atmosphere within the enclosure further comprises transferring air from the exterior of the enclosure to the interior of the enclosure.
- An embodiment can be a method wherein terminating hot work within the enclosure in response to detection of a level of combustible gas in the air transferred from the interior of the enclosure further comprises terminating hot work within the enclosure in response to detection of a level of combustible gas above a predefined level.
- An embodiment can be a method wherein the predefined level is at most 25% of the lower explosive limit of the combustible gas.
- An embodiment can be a method further comprising forming the enclosure at a location where hot work is to be conducted on a production platform that drills for flammable materials.
- An embodiment can be a method further comprising: conducting drilling operations for flammable materials on the production platform; and terminating drilling operations in response to detection of a level of combustible gas in the air transferred from the interior of the enclosure.
- An embodiment can be a method further comprising sampling the air transferred from the interior of the enclosure for the presence of a level of oxygen.
- An embodiment can be a method wherein the conducting hot work within an enclosure further comprises conducting welding within the enclosure.
- An embodiment can be a method of detecting a combustible gas entering an enclosure by detecting a pressure drop in the atmosphere within the enclosure comprising: transferring air from the exterior of the enclosure to the interior of the enclosure; detecting a level of combustible gas in or near to a source of the air transferred from the exterior of the enclosure to the interior of the enclosure; stopping the transferring of air from the exterior of the enclosure to the interior of the enclosure in response to the detecting a level of combustible gas; and detecting a pressure drop in the atmosphere within the enclosure so as to detect a combustible gas entering the enclosure.
- An embodiment can be a method further comprising conducting hot work in the enclosure.
- An embodiment can be a method further comprising terminating the hot work in the enclosure in response to the detecting a pressure drop in the atmosphere within the enclosure.
- An embodiment can be a method further comprising transmitting a signal to a controller in response to the detecting a pressure drop in the atmosphere within the enclosure.
- An embodiment can be a method further comprising transmitting a signal from a controller to a power source of the hot work.
- An embodiment can be a method wherein terminating the hot work further comprises terminating the hot work in response to a signal from the controller.
- An embodiment can be an apparatus for conducting hot work comprising: an enclosure; a hot work apparatus operable within the enclosure; a blower assembly in fluid communication with the interior of the enclosure; and a detector located so as to detect the presence of a condition in or near to an air intake of the blower assembly, the detector being in communication with the blower assembly, the detector being isolated from the hot work apparatus.
- An embodiment can be an apparatus further comprising a first controller, the first controller being in communication with the hot work apparatus, the first controller being isolated from the blower assembly.
- An embodiment can be an apparatus further comprising a pressure detector fluidly connected to the interior of the enclosure, the pressure detector being in communication with the hot work apparatus.
- An embodiment can be an apparatus wherein the pressure detector is isolated from the blower assembly.
- An embodiment can be an apparatus further comprising a second controller, the second controller being in communication with the blower assembly, the second controller being in communication with the detector.
- An embodiment can be an apparatus further comprising: a first controller, the first controller being in communication with the hot work apparatus, the first controller being isolated from the blower assembly; and a pressure detector fluidly connected to the interior of the enclosure, the pressure detector being in communication with the first controller.
- An embodiment can be an apparatus wherein the detector comprises a combustible gas detector located so as to detect the presence of a level of combustible gas in or near to an air intake of the blower assembly.
- An embodiment can be an apparatus further comprising: an oxygen detector located so as to detect the presence of a level of oxygen in or near to an air intake of the blower assembly, the oxygen detector being in communication with the blower assembly, the oxygen detector being isolated from the hot work apparatus; and a carbon monoxide detector located so as to detect the presence of a level of carbon monoxide in or near to an air intake of the blower assembly, the carbon monoxide detector being in communication with the blower assembly, the carbon monoxide detector being isolated from the hot work apparatus.
- The above summary is not intended to describe each illustrated embodiment or every possible implementation. The figures and the detailed description which follow exemplify these embodiments.
-
FIG. 1 is a side section view of an embodiment described herein. -
FIG. 2 is a side section view of an embodiment described herein. -
FIG. 3 is a side section view of an embodiment described herein. -
FIG. 4 is a schematic view of an embodiment described herein. -
FIG. 5 is a schematic view of an embodiment described herein. -
FIG. 6 is a schematic view of an embodiment described herein. - As shown in the accompanying drawings, an embodiment is an apparatus and method for conducting hot work. As shown in
FIG. 1 , an embodiment can have anenclosure 10. Theenclosure 10 can have a plurality of sides that define the interior 14 of theenclosure 10 and surround ahot work apparatus 12 that is operable within theinterior 14 of theenclosure 10. The sides of theenclosure 10 can includeceiling 16,floor 18, leftwall 20,right wall 22,rear wall 24 and a front wall (not shown). The sides of theenclosure 10 can be made of materials such as wood, flame resistant plywood, fabric, metal, fiberglass, and/or any other suitable materials. In an embodiment, sides, such as the floor and/or walls, can be flame resistant plywood that is lined on the interior side with sheet metal, such as aluminum or steel sheet metal. As opposed to or in addition to sheet metal, the sides can be lined with one or more welding blankets. In an embodiment, the floor and a portion of the walls beginning at the floor and extending upwards about six inches can be lined with one or more welding blankets. An example of a welding blanket is sold as item number CF16 under the trademark PANTHERFELT. In an embodiment, theenclosure 10 can be formed at locations such as a work site, a petroleum plant, a chemical plant, a pipeline and/or a production platform. In an embodiment, a production platform can be a drilling rig that drills for flammable materials, such as a drilling platform that drills into the earth for hydrocarbons. Theenclosure 10 can also be formed at other locations, such as any location where it could be desirable to permanently or temporarily isolate hot work within theenclosure 10. A scaffolding framework can be formed around theenclosure 10 such that the scaffolding framework provides support for theenclosure 10 and secures the position of theenclosure 10. The scaffolding framework can be made of materials such as wood, metal, plastic or any other suitable materials. In an embodiment, the scaffolding framework can be made of fire retardant wooden two-by-fours and/or conventional metal scaffolding. - In an embodiment, the
enclosure 10 can be formed adjacent to flammable materials, such as hydrocarbons contained in tanks, pipes or other structures. Hot work can be conducted within the enclosure so that the hot work is isolated from the flammable materials. Hot work is work that produces a source of ignition, such as arcs, sparks or flames. The hot work can be conducted within theenclosure 10 by apparatus such as an arc welder, mig welder, tig welder, cutting torch, grinder, analyzing equipment, spectrometer and/or other apparatuses which can produce a source of ignition. - The sides of the
enclosure 10 can have openings that allow objects, such as pipes, decking, cables or other objects to pass through the sides of theenclosure 10. The openings can be formed by cutting the opening into a side of theenclosure 10 when theenclosure 10 is being formed, or by forming the sides of the enclosure around such objects. Any remaining gaps between the sides of theenclosure 10 and the object can be sealed with a material such as fire resistant caulk or metal tape. - In an embodiment, a positive pressure atmosphere is within the
enclosure 10. The positive pressure atmosphere can be produced within theenclosure 10 by transferring air from the exterior of theenclosure 10 to the interior 14 of theenclosure 10. In the embodiments depicted inFIGS. 1, 2 and 3 , air is transferred from the exterior of theenclosure 10 to the interior 14 of theenclosure 10 by a blower assembly 25 (shown in schematic inFIGS. 4, 5 and 6 ), which can includeblower 26. Theblower 26 can be any device that is capable of producing a flow of air, such as a fan, a ducted fan, a compressed air source, such as an air compressor and/or a compressed air tank, an air pump and/or any other suitable device. In an embodiment, theblower 26 can be an electric, hydraulic or pneumatic blower. An example of a blower is an Air MAX-12, produced by COPPUS. In the embodiments depicted inFIGS. 1, 2 and 3 , theblower 26 is in fluid communication with the interior of theenclosure 10 by way ofduct 28. Anair intake 30 of theblower 26 can be located at an area believed to be free of combustible gases, such as unclassified area of a drilling platform. In operation, air is transferred from the exterior of theenclosure 10 to the interior 14 of theenclosure 10 by passing throughair intake 30 traveling throughduct 28 and into theenclosure 10 atinlet aperture 32. - Referring to the embodiment depicted in
FIG. 1 , a positive pressure atmosphere within theenclosure 10 can cause air to be transferred from theinterior 14 of theenclosure 10 to the exterior of theenclosure 10 by passing through an aperture, such asoutlet aperture 34, which extends from theinterior 14 of theenclosure 10 to the exterior of theenclosure 10. As shown in the embodiment depicted inFIGS. 1 and 3 , theoutlet aperture 34 can be approximately the same size asinlet aperture 32. In an embodiment, theoutlet aperture 34 can be larger or smaller than theinlet aperture 32. As shown in the embodiment depicted inFIG. 3 , a grill 36, such as a spark arresting filter, can be placed acrossoutlet aperture 34. In an embodiment, the spark arresting filter can include a Flame Gard 1 produced by FLAME GARD. The grill 36 can hamper or prevent sources of ignition, such as sparks that can be created by hot work, from passing through theoutlet aperture 34. One or more grills can also be placed across other apertures that may exist in the sides of theenclosure 10 or thehousing 38. - Referring to the embodiment depicted in
FIG. 1 , ahousing 38 can be located adjacent to theenclosure 10. Thehousing 38 can have a plurality of housing sides that define the interior 42 of thehousing 38. The housing sides of thehousing 38 can includehousing ceiling 44,housing floor 46, housing leftwall 48, housingright wall 50, housingrear wall 52 and a housing front wall (not shown). A housing side ofhousing 38 can have an aperture, such as ahousing inlet aperture 40, located adjacent tooutlet aperture 34 so as to allow a fluid connection between the interior 14 of theenclosure 10 and the interior 42 of thehousing 38. Thehousing inlet aperture 40 can be approximately the same size as theoutlet aperture 34 of the enclosure. Thehousing inlet aperture 40 can also be larger (seeFIG. 1 ) or smaller than theoutlet aperture 34.Housing 38 can also have adamper 54 attached to thehousing 38. Thedamper 54 can provide an aperture that allows air to be transferred from theinterior 42 of thehousing 38 to the exterior of thehousing 38 by passing throughdamper 54. Thedamper 54 can be a device such as a louver or valve and can have adjustable vents that can allow the flow of air through thedamper 54 to be regulated. Air transferred from theinterior 14 of theenclosure 10 to the interior 42 of thehousing 38 can create a positive pressure atmosphere within thehousing 38. The pressure level of a positive pressure atmosphere within theenclosure 10 and thehousing 38 can be regulated or partially regulated by adjusting the vents of thedamper 54. For example, to increase the pressure level of the positive pressure atmosphere within theenclosure 10 and thehousing 38, the vents of thedamper 54 could be closed or partially closed. To decrease the pressure level of the positive pressure atmosphere within theenclosure 10 and thehousing 38, the vents of thedamper 54 could be opened or partially opened. In an embodiment, thedamper 54 can include a grill, such as a spark arresting filter. In the embodiment depicted inFIGS. 1 and 3 , although some air may spill out ofgap 56 between thehousing 38 and theenclosure 10, adjusting the vents of thedamper 54 can still have an effect on the pressure level of the positive pressure atmosphere within theenclosure 10 when thehousing inlet aperture 40 is placed sufficiently near theoutlet aperture 34 of theenclosure 10. - In an embodiment the positive pressure atmosphere within the
enclosure 10 causes air to be transferred from theinterior 14 of theenclosure 10 to the exterior of theenclosure 10 and into the interior 42 of thehousing 38, and then from theinterior 42 of thehousing 38 to the exterior of thehousing 38. In an embodiment, an air moving device, such as a fan, can be positioned at a location such as in or adjacent tooutlet aperture 34,housing inlet aperture 40, conduit 58 (discussed below) and/ordamper 54. The air moving device can cause air to be transferred from theinterior 14 of theenclosure 10 to the exterior of theenclosure 10 and into the interior 42 of thehousing 38, and then from theinterior 42 of thehousing 38 to the exterior of thehousing 38. - Referring to the embodiments depicted in
FIGS. 1 and 3 , thehousing 38 is not in contact with theenclosure 10 and can have agap 56 between thehousing 38 and theenclosure 10. In the embodiment depicted inFIG. 2 , aconduit 58, such as ductwork, tubing or pipe, connects thehousing 38 to theenclosure 10. Theconduit 58 can be connected to theenclosure 10 by any means in the art. For example, as shown inFIG. 2 , aflange 59 can connect theconduit 58 to an exterior of a wall of theenclosure 10. Referring to the embodiments depicted inFIGS. 1, 2 and 3 , astand 60 is attached to thehousing 38. Thestand 60 can be placed on a foundation, such as a deck of a drilling platform. Thestand 60 can also be secured to the foundation which can increase stability. Thehousing 38 can be portable and can be moved to different locations that can be adjacent to an aperture in the sides of theenclosure 10. For example, an aperture can be drilled, cut or otherwise formed in a side of theenclosure 10 at a location so as to position ahot work apparatus 12 that is operable within theenclosure 10, generally in a line betweeninlet aperture 32 andoutlet aperture 34. Thehousing 38 can then be placed so thathousing inlet aperture 40 is adjacent tooutlet aperture 34. If the location of the hot work within theenclosure 10 is changed, a new aperture can be formed in a side of theenclosure 10 at a location so as to position the hot work generally in a line betweeninlet aperture 32 and the newly formed aperture. Thehousing 38 can then be moved and placed in a location so thathousing inlet aperture 40 is adjacent to the newly formed aperture. Thehousing 38 can also be moved to different locations on a drilling platform or different work sites. - Referring to the embodiments depicted in
FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 ,detectors enclosure 10.Detectors enclosure 10, such that the detectors detect the presence of a condition within theenclosure 10. In an embodiment, the presence of a condition can include detecting conditions such as a level of toxic gas, a level of combustible gas, a level of oxygen, a level of carbon monoxide, a level of hydrogen sulfide and/or other gases. The presence of a condition can also include detecting conditions such as a level of pressure, humidity, temperature and/or any other condition. As an example, the detectors can be mechanical, solid-state, chemical, electrochemical, electric, optical, infrared, photoionization, catalytic bead and/or any other type of detector. Depending on the detectors selected, the detectors can perform the detection function in various ways, for example by air sampling, pressure sensing, light absorption or any other way. - In the embodiments depicted in
FIGS. 1 and 3 ,detectors enclosure 10 and exterior of thehousing 38, and are in detecting communication with the interior 14 of theenclosure 10 by being fluidly connected to the interior 14 of theenclosure 10.Detectors enclosure 10 by being fluidly connected to the interior 42 of thehousing 38, which is itself fluidly connected to the interior 14 of theenclosure 10. In the embodiment depicted inFIG. 2 ,detectors enclosure 10 and within theinterior 42 of thehousing 38, and are in detecting communication with the interior 14 of theenclosure 10 by being fluidly connected to the interior 14 of theenclosure 10.Detectors enclosure 10 by being fluidly connected to the interior 42 of thehousing 38, which is itself fluidly connected to the interior 14 of theenclosure 10. Still referring to the embodiment depicted inFIG. 2 ,detectors enclosure 10 and are attached to the exterior side ofright wall 22, and are in detecting communication with the interior 14 of theenclosure 10 by being fluidly connected to the interior 14 of theenclosure 10 through apertures inright wall 22.Detector 80 is attached to the exterior side ofright wall 22 and is in detecting communication with the interior 14 of theenclosure 10 by being in light communication with the interior 14 of theenclosure 10 through aglass window 82 inright wall 22. - Referring to the embodiments depicted in
FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 ,detectors Combustible gas detectors enclosure 10 and can sample air transferred from theinterior 14 of theenclosure 10 to the exterior of theenclosure 10 for the presence of combustible gas. By sampling air transferred from theinterior 14 of theenclosure 10 to the exterior of theenclosure 10, the combustible gas detector can detect the presence of combustible gas within theenclosure 10. Anothercombustible gas detector 86 can be located so as to detect the presence of a combustible gas in or near to theair intake 30 of theblower 26. As used herein, a detector, such ascombustible gas detector 86, is located so as to detect the presence of a condition, such as combustible gas, near to theair intake 30 of theblower 26 if the detector is capable of detecting a condition that is more likely than not to be transferred into theair intake 30 of theblower 26. - Referring to
FIG. 2 ,detector 80 can be an infrared detector, such as an infrared combustible gas detector. An example of an infrared combustible gas detector is produced by DETCON Inc. under the model number IR-622. An infraredcombustible gas detector 80 can be located exterior of theenclosure 10 and can transmit infrared light into the interior 14 of theenclosure 10, such as through aglass window 82 formed in a side of theenclosure 10. Amirror 84 can be placed within theenclosure 10 such that light transmitted by the infraredcombustible gas detector 80 can reflect off of themirror 84 and return to the infraredcombustible gas detector 80. Since combustible gases such as combustible hydrocarbon gases can have different infrared absorption spectra, the infrared combustible gas detector can analyze the reflected infrared light to detect the presence of combustible hydrocarbon gas within theenclosure 10. In an embodiment, an infrared combustible gas detector can be located in or adjacent tohousing 38 so as to be in infrared light communication with air transferred from theinterior 14 of theenclosure 10 to the exterior of theenclosure 10. By sampling air transferred from theinterior 14 of theenclosure 10 to the exterior of theenclosure 10, the infrared combustible gas detector can detect the presence of combustible gas within theenclosure 10. - Referring still to the embodiments depicted in
FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 ,detectors carbon monoxide detectors enclosure 10 and can sample air transferred from theinterior 14 of theenclosure 10 to the exterior of theenclosure 10. By sampling air transferred from theinterior 14 of theenclosure 10 to the exterior of theenclosure 10, the oxygen and/or carbon monoxide detectors can detect the presence of oxygen and/or carbon monoxide within theenclosure 10. - Referring still to the embodiments depicted in
FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 ,detectors Pressure detectors enclosure 10 and can detect a level of pressure in the atmosphere within theinterior 14 of theenclosure 10 and/or a pressure drop in the atmosphere within theinterior 14 of theenclosure 10. Sincepressure detectors enclosure 10 by being fluidly connected to the interior 42 of thehousing 38,pressure detectors enclosure 10 and/or a pressure drop in the atmosphere within theenclosure 10 by detecting a level of pressure in the atmosphere within thehousing 38 and/or a pressure drop in the atmosphere within thehousing 38. - In an embodiment, one or more detectors can be located so as to detect the presence of a condition in or near to the
air intake 30 of theblower 26. In the embodiments depicted inFIGS. 1, 2 and 3 ,detector 86 can be a combustible gas detector,detector 96 can be a carbon monoxide detector anddetector 98 can be an oxygen detector. In an embodiment, a combustible gas detector, an oxygen detector, a carbon monoxide detector and a hydrogen sulfide detector can be located so as to detect the presence of a condition in or near to theair intake 30 of theblower 26; in addition, an oxygen detector, a carbon monoxide detector, a hydrogen sulfide detector and a pressure detector can be in detecting communication with the interior 14 of theenclosure 10. - Referring to the embodiments depicted in
FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 , each ofdetectors enclosure 10. In another embodiment, one or more, or each ofdetectors interior 14 of theenclosure 10. It should also be understood that the conditions detected and the detectors, including the number and/or type of detectors described herein, are exemplary of numerous conditions, detectors and configurations that may fall within the scope of the appended claims. - One or more of
detectors hot work apparatus 12, such as a power source of the hot work apparatus. In response to one or more ofdetectors - As an additional example,
detectors interior 14 of theenclosure 10 to the exterior of theenclosure 10. In an embodiment, the predefined level of combustible gas can be a trace amount of combustible gas that is at or near the detection capabilities of the detector. In another embodiment, the predefined level of combustible gas can be a percentage of the lower explosive limit of the combustible gas. The predefined level can be percentages such as 5%, 10%, 15%, 20% or 25% of the lower explosive limit of the combustible gas. The lower explosive limit (also known as the lower flammable limit) is the leanest percentage of combustible gas mixed with air that is explosive. Examples of possible lower explosive limits of some gases are provided in the following chart: -
“Lower Explosive or Flammable Limit” GAS (LEL/LFL)/(%) Acetaldehyde 4 Acetone 2.6 Acetylene 2.5 Ammonia 15 Arsine 5.1 Benzene 1.35 n-Butane 1.86 iso-Butane 1.80 iso-Butene 1.8 Butylene 1.98 Carbon Disulfide 1.3 Carbon Monoxide 12 Cyclohexane 1.3 Cycloproprane 2.4 Diethyl Ether 1.9 Ethane 3 Ethylene 2.75 Ethyl Alcohol 3.3 Ethyl Chloride 3.8 Fuel Oil No. 1 0.7 Hydrogen 4 Isobutane 1.8 Isopropyl Alcohol 2 Gasoline 1.4 Kerosine 0.7 Methane 5 Methyl Alcohol 6.7 Methyl Chloride 10.7 Methyl Ethyl Ketone 1.8 Naphthalene 0.9 n-Heptane 1.0 n-Hexane 1.25 n-Pentene 1.65 Neopentane 1.38 Neohexane 1.19 n-Octane 0.95 iso-Octane 0.79 n-Pentane 1.4 iso-Pentane 1.32 Propane 2.1 Propylene 2.0 Silane 1.5 Styrene 1.1 Toluene 1.27 Triptane 1.08 p-Xylene 1.0 - In an embodiment, a detector generates a signal in response to the detector detecting a level of combustible gas of at most 25% of the lower explosive limit of the combustible gas. For example, referring to the chart above it can be seen that methane has a lower explosive limit of 5%. 25% of the lower explosive limit of methane would be 1.25% methane mixed in air. In this embodiment, the detector would not generate a signal that caused the hot work within the enclosure to terminate until the detector detected a concentration of methane in air of 1.25%.
- As opposed to, or in addition to, being in communication with the
hot work apparatus 12, one or more ofdetectors combustible gas detector 86,carbon monoxide detector 96 andoxygen detector 98, can be in communication with theblower assembly 25. For example, as shown inFIGS. 5 and 6 ,detectors hot work apparatus 12 and can be in communication with theblower assembly 25, such as theblower 26 and/or a shut off valve of theblower assembly 25 that can be located withinduct 28. As the term “isolated” is used herein, a first component, such asdetectors hot work apparatus 12 and/or a controller (described below) if the first and second component are not directly or indirectly in wired or wireless communication with each other. As used herein, a first component is indirectly in wired or wireless communication with a second component if one or more additional components interconnect the first component and the second component by wired or wireless communication. For example, if a first component is in direct wired communication with a controller, and the controller is in direct wired communication with a second component, then the first and second component are in indirect wired communication with each other. As used herein, wireless communication is defined as communication via electromagnetic radiation, such as radio waves, infrared light and/or any other form of electromagnetic radiation. In response to detecting a level of combustible gas, a level of carbon monoxide and/or a level of oxygen in or near to a source of air transferred from the exterior of theenclosure 10 to the interior 14 of theenclosure 10,detector enclosure 10 to the interior 14 of theenclosure 10 to be stopped, such as by shutting down theblower 26 of theblower assembly 25 and/or closing the shut off valve of theblower assembly 25 and diverting or blocking the flow of air throughduct 28. The transfer of air from the exterior of theenclosure 10 to the interior 14 of theenclosure 10 could, for example, be stopped by transmitting a signal to a switch of theblower assembly 25, such as an interface relay. An example of an interface relay is model number 750XBXH-24D produced by MAGNECRAFT. - One or more of
detectors controller 88. As shown in the embodiment depicted inFIG. 4 , each of the detectors can be in communication with thecontroller 88. The controller can include devices such as a computer, a programmable logic controller or any other suitable device. An example of a controller is a model number S7200 programmable logic controller produced by SIEMENS. Thecontroller 88 can be located in theinterior 14 of theenclosure 10 or can be located exterior of theenclosure 10. In an embodiment, thecontroller 88 can be attached tohousing 38. Thecontroller 88 can receive signals generated by one or more ofdetectors hot work apparatus 12 and terminates the hot work and/or causes thehot work apparatus 12 to shut down. For example,detectors interior 14 of theenclosure 10 to the exterior of theenclosure 10. The input signal can be transmitted to thecontroller 88, which can process the input signal. Thecontroller 88 can then transmit an output signal to thehot work apparatus 12, such as a switch, relay, solenoid valve or other suitable device of thehot work apparatus 12, which terminates the hot work and/or causes the hot work apparatus to shut down; and/or thecontroller 88 can then transmit an output signal to theblower assembly 25, which causes the transfer of air from the exterior of theenclosure 10 to the interior 14 of theenclosure 10 to be stopped, such as by shutting down theblower 26 of theblower assembly 25 and/or closing the shut off valve of theblower assembly 25. Thecontroller 88 can include a display screen which can display information, such as the status of the detectors or other components that are in communication with thecontroller 88. The display screen can be within theinterior 14 of theenclosure 10, or can be exterior of the enclosure. In an embodiment, a first display screen of thecontroller 88 can be attached to thehousing 38 and a second display screen of thecontroller 88 can be located within theinterior 14 of theenclosure 10. The first and/or second display screen can be in communication, such as by wired or wireless communication, with thecontroller 88. In an embodiment, the display screen can be a model TP 270 touch screen display produced by SIEMENS. - As shown in
FIGS. 5 and 6 ,detectors controller 88 and thehot work apparatus 12, and can be in communication with theblower assembly 25, such as a switch, relay, solenoid valve or other suitable device of theblower assembly 25. In the embodiment depicted inFIG. 6 ,detectors blower assembly 25. In the embodiment depicted inFIG. 5 ,detectors blower assembly 25 by being in communication with asecond controller 100, which is itself in communication with theblower assembly 25. In an embodiment, thesecond controller 100 can be of a similar or identical type ascontroller 88. In an embodiment, detecting a condition such as combustible gas, carbon monoxide and/or oxygen entering theenclosure 10 can be accomplished by shutting down theblower assembly 25 in response to one or more ofdetectors enclosure 10 so as to detect a condition entering theenclosure 10. - An
alarm 94 such as a visual and/or audio alarm, can also be in communication with the detectors, thecontroller 88 and/or thesecond controller 100, and can be triggered in response to a signal received from the detectors, thecontroller 88 and/or thesecond controller 100. - Oxygen and/or
carbon monoxide detectors hot work apparatus 12, theblower assembly 25, thecontroller 88, thesecond controller 100 and/or thealarm 94. Additionally,pressure detectors hot work apparatus 12, theblower assembly 25, thecontroller 88, thesecond controller 100 and/or thealarm 94. - An interior manual shut down
switch 90 and/or an exteriormanual shutdown switch 92 can be connected to thehot work apparatus 12, theblower assembly 25, thecontroller 88, thesecond controller 100 and/or thealarm 94. The interior manual shut downswitch 90 and/or the exteriormanual shutdown switch 92 can be devices such as a switch, button, lever, knob, toggle or any other device that, when triggered, can shut down thehot work apparatus 12, activate thealarm 94 and/or shut down theblower assembly 25. The interior manual shut downswitch 90 and/or an exteriormanual shutdown switch 92 can be triggered by a user, such as one or more persons designated as a firewatch, who is within theenclosure 10 and/or exterior of theenclosure 10. One or more additional manual shut down switches can be located within the interior of theenclosure 10 and/or exterior to theenclosure 10. - As used herein, the detectors,
controller 88,second controller 100, interior manual shut downswitch 90 and/or exterior manual shut downswitch 92 are in communication with thehot work apparatus 12, theblower assembly 25 and/or thealarm 94 if a signal generated by the detectors,controller 88,second controller 100, interior manual shut downswitch 90 and/or exterior manual shut downswitch 92 results in terminating the hot work, stopping the transfer of air from the exterior of theenclosure 10 to the interior 14 of theenclosure 10 and/or activates thealarm 94. - In an embodiment, the
housing inlet aperture 40 of two ormore housings 38 can be placed adjacent to apertures in the sides of theenclosure 10 at various locations. For example, thehousing inlet aperture 40 of afirst housing 38 can be placed adjacent to an aperture near theceiling 16 of theenclosure 10, so as to detect combustible gases for example that are lighter than air. Thehousing inlet aperture 40 of asecond housing 38 can be placed adjacent to an aperture near thefloor 18 of theenclosure 10, so as to detect combustible gases for example that are heavier than air. - Referring to the embodiments depicted in
FIGS. 1 and 3 , the distance between thehousing 38 and theenclosure 10, such as the distance between thehousing inlet aperture 40 andoutlet aperture 34, can be a distance that can maintain a positive pressure atmosphere within theenclosure 10 and/or can maintain a positive pressure atmosphere within thehousing 38. When air is being transferred from the exterior of theenclosure 10 to the interior 14 of theenclosure 10, such as byblower assembly 25, the pressure level of the positive pressure atmosphere within theenclosure 10 and thehousing 38 can be reduced by increasing the distance between thehousing 38 and theenclosure 10. The pressure level of the positive pressure atmosphere within theenclosure 10 and thehousing 38 can be increased by decreasing the distance between thehousing 38 and theenclosure 10. In an embodiment, the distance between thehousing 38 and theenclosure 10 can be fractions of a centimeter. The distance between thehousing 38 and theenclosure 10 can also be varied as described above so that all or substantially all of the air that enters thehousing 38 is air that has been transferred from theinterior 14 of theenclosure 10. - In an embodiment, the
enclosure 10 can also have an entry way, such as a door, that can allow a person to enter and exit theenclosure 10. The entry way can include an air lock that can allow a person to enter and exit theenclosure 10 with little or no pressure drop in the positive pressure atmosphere within theenclosure 10. The air lock can be a separate chamber from theenclosure 10 and can have a conduit interconnecting the interior 14 of theenclosure 10 and the interior of the air lock. The conduit can have a valve that can be opened or closed to allow the pressure differential between the interior 14 of theenclosure 10 and the interior of the air lock to be equalized. In an embodiment,blower assembly 25 can be in fluid communication with the interior of the air lock, such as by a second duct, and can create a positive pressure atmosphere within the air lock. In an embodiment, a second blower assembly can be in fluid communication with the interior of the air lock, and can create a positive pressure atmosphere within the air lock. When a person enters the air lock from the exterior ofenclosure 10 and closes an exterior door of the air lock, a short period of time will elapse while the pressure in the air lock increases to a pressure level equal to or greater than the pressure level inside of theenclosure 10. Once this condition occurs, the person can then open the door toenclosure 10 and enterenclosure 10 without causing a pressure drop withinenclosure 10, thereby causing a spurious shut down of hot work within theenclosure 10. Likewise, aperson exiting enclosure 10 can enter the air lock and close the door to theenclosure 10 before opening the exterior door of the air lock to exit the air lock, thereby preventing a spurious shutdown of hot work operations. In an embodiment, pressure detectors can detect the level of pressure within the air lock and can allow for the pressure differential between the interior of the air lock and the interior 14 of theenclosure 10 to be determined and/or displayed to a person entering or exiting theenclosure 10. - In operation of an embodiment,
enclosure 10 can be formed at a location where hot work will be conducted within theenclosure 10.Blower assembly 25 can be activated to transfer air from the exterior of theenclosure 10 to the interior 14 of theenclosure 10 and produce a positive pressure atmosphere within theenclosure 10. Once a positive pressure atmosphere is produced within theenclosure 10, hot work can be conducted within theenclosure 10. The positive pressure atmosphere within the enclosure can cause air to be transferred from theinterior 14 of theenclosure 10 to the exterior of the enclosure, and into the interior 42 ofhousing 38. The air transferred from theinterior 14 of theenclosure 10 to the interior 42 of thehousing 38 can then be sampled bydetectors housing 38 can then cause the air to be transferred from theinterior 42 of thehousing 38 to the exterior of thehousing 38 throughdamper 54. Ifdetectors enclosure 10 and/or the transfer of air from the exterior of theenclosure 10 to the interior 14 of the enclosure being automatically terminated. A person can then view a display screen of thecontroller 88 to determine the cause of the automatic shut down. Once the cause of the automatic shut down has been determined and remedied, the above process can be repeated. - In an embodiment, a first person, such as a firewatch, can be outside of the
enclosure 10 and can have fire-fighting equipment, a radio and a combustible gas detector. The first person can monitor the enclosure and/or other components described herein for at least half an hour prior to, during and at least half an hour after hot work is conducted within theenclosure 10. The first person can also terminate the hot work within theenclosure 10 by activating the exterior manual shut downswitch 92. In an embodiment, the hot work can be conducted on a production platform, and the first person can be in close proximity to an emergency shut down station of the production platform. The first person can activate the emergency shut down station, which can terminate operations on the production platform as well as terminate the hot work within theenclosure 10. A second person, such as a firewatch, can be inside of theenclosure 10 and can monitor the level of combustible gas, the level of oxygen and/or other gases within theenclosure 10. The second person can terminate the hot work within theenclosure 10 by activating the interior manual shut downswitch 90. Lights and a radio can be located within theenclosure 10 and can have an independent power source that allows the lights and radio to function even if power to theenclosure 10 is shut down. A fire extinguisher, such as a 30 pound (13.61 kilogram) fire extinguisher, can also be located within theenclosure 10. Prior to conducting hot work within theenclosure 10, the detectors can be calibrated and/or drills can be conducted to determine whether the methods and apparatuses described herein are functioning properly. - Referring to
FIG. 4 ,combustible gas detector 86,carbon monoxide detector 96,oxygen detector 98 andblower assembly 25 are in communication withcontroller 88. In response to one or more ofdetectors detector 86 detecting a level of combustible gas in or near to a source of air being transferred from the exterior of the enclosure to the interior of the enclosure byblower assembly 25,combustible gas detector 86 can generate a signal which is transmitted tocontroller 88. Thecontroller 88 can then stop the transfer of air from the exterior of the enclosure to the interior of the enclosure, such as by sending a signal toblower assembly 25 which causes theblower assembly 25 to shut down. As opposed to each ofdetectors FIG. 4 ), one or more of the detectors can be isolated from thecontroller 88, and can be in communication with thehot work apparatus 12, theblower assembly 25, thesecond controller 100 and/or thealarm 94. - An embodiment is a method of detecting a condition such as a combustible gas entering the
enclosure 10 by detecting a pressure drop in the atmosphere within theenclosure 10. Referring now toFIGS. 5 and 6 ,combustible gas detector 86,carbon monoxide detector 96 andoxygen detector 98 are in communication withblower assembly 25. Thedetectors blower assembly 25 are isolated from thecontroller 88 and thehot work apparatus 12. As shown inFIGS. 5 and 6 ,pressure detectors controller 88. Referring now toFIGS. 1, 2 and 3 , in an embodiment, detecting a condition such as a combustible gas entering theenclosure 10 by detecting a pressure drop in the atmosphere within theenclosure 10 can be accomplished by: transferring air from the exterior of theenclosure 10 to the interior 14 of theenclosure 10, such as byblower assembly 25; detecting a level of combustible gas in or near to a source of the air transferred from the exterior of theenclosure 10 to the interior 14 of theenclosure 10, such as bycombustible gas detector 86; stopping the transferring of air from the exterior of theenclosure 10 to the interior 14 of theenclosure 10 in response to the detecting a level of combustible gas, such as bycombustible gas detector 86 generating a signal which results inblower assembly 25 shutting down; and detecting a pressure drop in the atmosphere within theenclosure 10 so as to detect a combustible gas entering theenclosure 10, such as bypressure detectors enclosure 10 can indicate that a combustible gas is entering theenclosure 10, the above method can allow for the detection a combustible gas entering theenclosure 10 by detecting a pressure drop in the atmosphere within theenclosure 10. In an embodiment, in response to detecting a pressure drop in the atmosphere within theenclosure 10, one or more of the pressure detectors can send a signal to thecontroller 88. In response to receiving the signal from one or more of the pressure detectors, thecontroller 88 can indicate that combustible gas was detected entering theenclosure 10 by displaying a message on a display screen of thecontroller 88. In an embodiment, the entry way of theenclosure 10 can include an air lock, such as the air lock described above, that can reduce or eliminate the chance that thecontroller 88 incorrectly indicates that combustible gas was detected entering theenclosure 10. Further, hot work being conducted within theenclosure 10 can be terminated in response to the detecting a pressure drop in the atmosphere within theenclosure 10, such as by one or more of the pressure detectors generating a signal that results in the hot work being terminated. Although the above method can allow for the detection of a condition, such as a combustible gas, entering theenclosure 10 by detecting a pressure drop in the atmosphere within theenclosure 10, a pressure drop in the atmosphere within theenclosure 10 can also be caused by circumstances other than detection of a condition entering the enclosure. For example, theblower assembly 25 could malfunction and shut down, or an opening could be formed in the sides of theenclosure 10 that caused the interior 14 of theenclosure 10 to depressurize; in such a circumstance detecting a pressure drop in the atmosphere within theenclosure 10 would not be detecting a condition entering theenclosure 10. - The embodiments shown in the drawings and described above are exemplary of numerous embodiments that may be made within the scope of the appended claims. It is contemplated that numerous other configurations may be used, and the material of each component may be selected from numerous materials other than those specifically disclosed. In short, it is the applicant's intention that the scope of the patent issuing herefrom will be limited only by the scope of the appended claims.
Claims (31)
1. An apparatus for conducting hot work comprising:
a. an enclosure;
b. a hot work apparatus operable within said enclosure; and
c. a detector located exterior of said enclosure, said detector being in detecting communication with an interior of said enclosure, such that said detector detects the presence of a condition within said enclosure.
2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said hot work apparatus is shut down in response to said detector detecting the presence of a predetermined condition within said enclosure.
3. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a housing located adjacent to said enclosure, the interior of said housing being fluidly connected to the interior of said enclosure, said detector being fluidly connected to the interior of said housing.
4. The apparatus of claim 3 further comprising a gap between said housing and said enclosure.
5. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said housing is not in contact with said enclosure.
6. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said housing is portable.
7. The apparatus of claim 3 further comprising a stand attached to said housing.
8. The apparatus of claim 3 further comprising a damper attached to said housing.
9. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said detector comprises a first combustible gas detector.
10. The apparatus of claim 9 further comprising:
a. an oxygen detector fluidly connected to the interior of said housing; and
b. a pressure detector fluidly connected to the interior of said housing.
11. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein at least one of said first combustible gas detector, said oxygen detector and said pressure detector is located exterior of said housing.
12. The apparatus of claim 11 further comprising:
a. a blower assembly in fluid communication with the interior of said enclosure;
b. a second combustible gas detector located so as to detect the presence of a combustible gas in or near to an air intake of said blower assembly;
c. a manual shutdown switch located within said enclosure; and
d. a controller in communication with said first combustible gas detector, said second combustible gas detector, said oxygen detector, said pressure detector and said manual shutdown switch, said controller being in communication with said hot work apparatus and capable of controlling the operation of said hot work apparatus in response to a signal received from at least one of said first combustible gas detector, said second combustible gas detector, said oxygen detector, said pressure detector and said manual shutdown switch.
13. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said hot work apparatus comprises a welding apparatus.
14. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising an aperture extending from the interior of said enclosure to an exterior of said enclosure, said detector being fluidly connected to the interior of said enclosure through said aperture.
15. The apparatus of claim 14 further comprising a conduit between said aperture and said detector.
16. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a blower assembly in fluid communication with the interior of said enclosure.
17. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a positive pressure atmosphere within said enclosure.
18. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a second detector for detecting a condition exterior said enclosure.
19. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said detector comprises a combustible gas detector.
20. The apparatus of claim 19 wherein said combustible gas detector is fluidly connected to the interior of said enclosure.
21. The apparatus of claim 19 wherein said combustible gas detector is in light communication with the interior of said enclosure.
22. The apparatus of claim 19 wherein said combustible gas detector is in infrared light communication with the interior of said enclosure.
23. The apparatus of claim 19 wherein said combustible gas detector is in light communication with air transferred from the interior of said enclosure to an exterior of said enclosure.
24. The apparatus of claim 19 wherein said combustible gas detector is in infrared light communication with air transferred from the interior of said enclosure to an exterior of said enclosure.
25. An apparatus for conducting hot work comprising:
a. an enclosure;
b. a blower assembly in fluid communication with an interior of said enclosure; and
c. a means for detecting the presence of combustible gas that is within said enclosure by sampling air that is not within said enclosure.
26. The apparatus of claim 25 wherein said air that is not within said enclosure has been transferred from the interior of said enclosure.
27. The apparatus of claim 26 further comprising a welding apparatus operable within said enclosure.
28. The apparatus of claim 27 further comprising a positive pressure atmosphere within said enclosure.
29. The apparatus of claim 27 wherein said means for detecting the presence of combustible gas that is within said enclosure by sampling air that is not within said enclosure comprises a combustible gas detector located exterior of said enclosure.
30. An apparatus for conducting hot work comprising:
a. an enclosure;
b. a first combustible gas detector for detecting combustible gas within said enclosure;
c. an oxygen detector for detecting oxygen within said enclosure; and
d. a pressure detector for detecting pressure within said enclosure, at least one of said first combustible gas detector, said oxygen detector and said pressure detector being located exterior of said enclosure.
31. The apparatus of claim 30 further comprising:
a. a blower assembly in fluid communication with an interior of said enclosure;
b. a second combustible gas detector located so as to detect the presence of a combustible gas in or near to an air intake of said blower assembly;
c. a welding apparatus operable within said enclosure, the operation of said welding apparatus being controllable in response to a signal generated by at least one of said first combustible gas detector, said second combustible gas detector, said oxygen detector and said pressure detector.
Priority Applications (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US17/240,614 US20210239399A1 (en) | 2009-03-26 | 2021-04-26 | Apparatus and method for conducting hot work |
US18/369,320 US20240003629A1 (en) | 2009-03-26 | 2023-09-18 | Apparatus and Method for Conducting Hot Work |
Applications Claiming Priority (3)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US12/412,197 US8947249B1 (en) | 2009-03-26 | 2009-03-26 | Apparatus and method for conducting hot work |
US14/579,780 US10989477B2 (en) | 2009-03-26 | 2014-12-22 | Apparatus and method for conducting hot work |
US17/240,614 US20210239399A1 (en) | 2009-03-26 | 2021-04-26 | Apparatus and method for conducting hot work |
Related Parent Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US14/579,780 Continuation US10989477B2 (en) | 2009-03-26 | 2014-12-22 | Apparatus and method for conducting hot work |
Related Child Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US18/369,320 Continuation US20240003629A1 (en) | 2009-03-26 | 2023-09-18 | Apparatus and Method for Conducting Hot Work |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US20210239399A1 true US20210239399A1 (en) | 2021-08-05 |
Family
ID=52395665
Family Applications (5)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US12/412,197 Active 2033-05-05 US8947249B1 (en) | 2009-03-26 | 2009-03-26 | Apparatus and method for conducting hot work |
US14/579,780 Active 2032-10-12 US10989477B2 (en) | 2009-03-26 | 2014-12-22 | Apparatus and method for conducting hot work |
US14/580,323 Abandoned US20150111161A1 (en) | 2009-03-26 | 2014-12-23 | Apparatus and Method for Conducting Hot Work |
US17/240,614 Abandoned US20210239399A1 (en) | 2009-03-26 | 2021-04-26 | Apparatus and method for conducting hot work |
US18/369,320 Pending US20240003629A1 (en) | 2009-03-26 | 2023-09-18 | Apparatus and Method for Conducting Hot Work |
Family Applications Before (3)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US12/412,197 Active 2033-05-05 US8947249B1 (en) | 2009-03-26 | 2009-03-26 | Apparatus and method for conducting hot work |
US14/579,780 Active 2032-10-12 US10989477B2 (en) | 2009-03-26 | 2014-12-22 | Apparatus and method for conducting hot work |
US14/580,323 Abandoned US20150111161A1 (en) | 2009-03-26 | 2014-12-23 | Apparatus and Method for Conducting Hot Work |
Family Applications After (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US18/369,320 Pending US20240003629A1 (en) | 2009-03-26 | 2023-09-18 | Apparatus and Method for Conducting Hot Work |
Country Status (1)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (5) | US8947249B1 (en) |
Families Citing this family (17)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20140116992A1 (en) * | 2012-10-25 | 2014-05-01 | Safe Arc Technology, Llc | Welding Enclosure |
US10646734B2 (en) * | 2014-05-05 | 2020-05-12 | Wayne Fueling Systems Sweden Ab | Purge and pressurization system with feedback control |
GB2541874B (en) * | 2015-08-26 | 2019-09-04 | Cunningham Covers Ltd | Control system and enclosure for the operation of ignition capable equipment |
US10518301B1 (en) | 2015-12-18 | 2019-12-31 | SafeZone Safety Systems, L.L.C. | Isolation enclosure and method for conducting hot work |
CN107202874A (en) * | 2017-07-12 | 2017-09-26 | 苏州赛福德自动化科技有限公司 | A kind of probe for combustible gas detecting |
US11105526B1 (en) | 2017-09-29 | 2021-08-31 | Integrated Global Services, Inc. | Safety shutdown systems and methods for LNG, crude oil refineries, petrochemical plants, and other facilities |
WO2020028959A2 (en) * | 2018-06-23 | 2020-02-13 | Chandanam Parambathu Rajesh Panthavoor | An enclosure for conducting hot works |
DE102018220610A1 (en) * | 2018-11-29 | 2020-06-04 | Robert Bosch Gmbh | Method for detecting a combustion gas |
US11828210B2 (en) | 2020-08-20 | 2023-11-28 | Denso International America, Inc. | Diagnostic systems and methods of vehicles using olfaction |
US11636870B2 (en) | 2020-08-20 | 2023-04-25 | Denso International America, Inc. | Smoking cessation systems and methods |
US11760169B2 (en) | 2020-08-20 | 2023-09-19 | Denso International America, Inc. | Particulate control systems and methods for olfaction sensors |
US11813926B2 (en) | 2020-08-20 | 2023-11-14 | Denso International America, Inc. | Binding agent and olfaction sensor |
US11760170B2 (en) | 2020-08-20 | 2023-09-19 | Denso International America, Inc. | Olfaction sensor preservation systems and methods |
US11932080B2 (en) | 2020-08-20 | 2024-03-19 | Denso International America, Inc. | Diagnostic and recirculation control systems and methods |
US11881093B2 (en) | 2020-08-20 | 2024-01-23 | Denso International America, Inc. | Systems and methods for identifying smoking in vehicles |
US11761581B1 (en) | 2020-09-28 | 2023-09-19 | Danny W. Ashley | Burn barrier unit for use between gas containers |
CN112305177B (en) * | 2020-12-22 | 2021-04-23 | 南京沃智仪器科技有限公司 | Chemical industry workshop gas concentration detection device |
Citations (26)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US4249463A (en) * | 1978-05-23 | 1981-02-10 | Howorth Air Engineering Limited | Workstation |
US4297940A (en) * | 1980-01-31 | 1981-11-03 | Tellus Machinery Corporation | Protective workplace and system |
US4968975A (en) * | 1989-12-18 | 1990-11-06 | Fritz Frank V | Self-penetrating remote sensing smoke detector |
US5026219A (en) * | 1988-09-08 | 1991-06-25 | Henry Wallace | Portable wellhead and welder protector system |
US5101604A (en) * | 1990-05-02 | 1992-04-07 | Hot Hed, Inc. | Subterranean well welding habitat |
US6060689A (en) * | 1998-02-23 | 2000-05-09 | Wilson; Tim R. | Portable welding ventilation system |
US6328775B1 (en) * | 1999-10-12 | 2001-12-11 | Beth-El Zikhron-Yaaqov | Protection system against the penetration of contaminated air and blast waves into a protective space |
US6402613B1 (en) * | 2001-02-21 | 2002-06-11 | David B. Teagle | Portable environmental control system |
US6540603B1 (en) * | 1999-02-15 | 2003-04-01 | Juha Koskinen | Method and system for the regulation of ventilation in a welding workshop |
US6687005B2 (en) * | 2000-03-06 | 2004-02-03 | Korea Industrial Safety Corp. | Combustible gas detector and method for operating same |
US6741181B2 (en) * | 2000-05-17 | 2004-05-25 | Robert E. Skaggs | System for testing a duct smoke or other hazardous gas detector and method for use thereof |
US6783054B1 (en) * | 2002-05-20 | 2004-08-31 | Clyde W. Pregeant, Jr. | System for controllably conducting welding operations adjacent flammable materials and method of welding adjacent flammable materials |
US20050151661A1 (en) * | 2003-03-13 | 2005-07-14 | Albarado Jason P. | Enclosure system for hot work within the vicinity of flammable or combustible material |
US7021165B2 (en) * | 2003-12-12 | 2006-04-04 | Marathon Sensors, Inc. | Sensor insertion and removal apparatus and methods using the same |
US7094142B1 (en) * | 2003-02-25 | 2006-08-22 | Thomas Joseph Maskell | Portable device with interchangeable air cleaning modules for cleaning the air outside of an existing enclosed space and delivering the cleaned air into the existing enclosed space |
US7135332B2 (en) * | 2001-07-12 | 2006-11-14 | Ouellette Joseph P | Biomass heating system |
US7193501B1 (en) * | 2003-03-13 | 2007-03-20 | Alford Safety Services, Inc. | Enclosure system allowing for hot work within the vicinity of flammable and combustible material |
US20070120695A1 (en) * | 2003-03-13 | 2007-05-31 | Albarado Jason P | Enclosure system allowing for hot work within the vicinity of flammable and combustible material |
US20070289950A1 (en) * | 2006-06-14 | 2007-12-20 | Lincoln Global, Inc. | Shielded gas welder shutdown system |
US7375643B2 (en) * | 2004-11-15 | 2008-05-20 | Honeywell International, Inc. | Through a wall combustion detector |
US7397361B2 (en) * | 2002-06-28 | 2008-07-08 | Sts Stillasservice | Device for security systems for operation of habitats on installations |
US7456753B2 (en) * | 2005-04-20 | 2008-11-25 | Kabushiki Kaisha Yaskawa Denki | Internal pressure explosion-proof system |
US7504962B2 (en) * | 2005-11-22 | 2009-03-17 | Joseph Stephen Smith | Apparatus for enclosing a smoke detector |
US20090134995A1 (en) * | 2007-11-26 | 2009-05-28 | Cinaruco International, S.A. | Workspace enclosure system with automatic shut-off |
US7765072B2 (en) * | 2005-10-03 | 2010-07-27 | Building Protection Systems, Inc. | Building protection system and method |
US20110204032A1 (en) * | 2010-02-23 | 2011-08-25 | Wardlaw Louis J | Automatic shutoff system and method for workspace enclosure environment |
Family Cites Families (23)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US3452764A (en) | 1967-09-18 | 1969-07-01 | Loren D Bell | Pipeline welder's tent |
US3946571A (en) | 1975-02-06 | 1976-03-30 | Dresser Industries, Inc. | Service module for hostile environment |
US4068975A (en) * | 1975-04-17 | 1978-01-17 | Michael Eskeli | Fluid pressurizer |
GB1596784A (en) * | 1977-04-12 | 1981-08-26 | British American Tobacco Co | Gas detection |
US4560873A (en) * | 1983-06-17 | 1985-12-24 | Lear Siegler, Inc. | Situ multi-channel combustion gas analyzer |
US4742763A (en) * | 1985-04-23 | 1988-05-10 | Heinz Holter | Device for the detection of noxious substances in the air supplied to a compartment occupied by people |
US4771929A (en) * | 1987-02-20 | 1988-09-20 | Hollis Automation, Inc. | Focused convection reflow soldering method and apparatus |
US5176566A (en) * | 1989-08-23 | 1993-01-05 | The United States Of America As Represented By The Secretary Of The Department Of Health And Human Services | Variable air flow eddy control |
GB2277625B (en) * | 1993-04-30 | 1996-08-28 | Kidde Fire Protection Ltd | Particle detecting apparatus and systems |
CA2121298C (en) * | 1994-04-14 | 1999-04-13 | Robert C. Stadjuhar | Thermally-protected display with a ventilation system |
US5918793A (en) * | 1994-08-03 | 1999-07-06 | Kopke, Sr.; William Peter | Weld test apparatus and method |
DE4434814A1 (en) * | 1994-09-29 | 1996-04-04 | Microparts Gmbh | Infrared spectrometric sensor for gases |
SE509930C2 (en) * | 1995-10-31 | 1999-03-22 | Grano Maaleri & Dekor Ab | Portable ventilation device |
US5725426A (en) * | 1995-12-26 | 1998-03-10 | Alvarez; Henry | Portable and disposable sterilized operating environment |
GB2311847A (en) | 1996-03-30 | 1997-10-08 | E M & I | A working enclosure |
US5685771A (en) * | 1996-07-01 | 1997-11-11 | C-K Worldwide Inc. | Enclosure for maintaining a controlled atmosphere around a work station |
US6076313A (en) * | 1998-07-06 | 2000-06-20 | Earthsource Technologies, Inc. | Facility for maintaining an item in a controlled environment |
US6791088B1 (en) * | 2001-05-04 | 2004-09-14 | Twin Rivers Engineering, Inc. | Infrared leak detector |
US6830730B2 (en) * | 2001-09-11 | 2004-12-14 | Spectrolanalytical Instruments | Method and apparatus for the on-stream analysis of total sulfur and/or nitrogen in petroleum products |
GB2382593B (en) | 2001-11-29 | 2005-06-22 | E M & I | A working enclosure |
US6701776B2 (en) * | 2002-07-12 | 2004-03-09 | Illinois Institute Of Technology | Apparatus and method for leak detection |
US7369057B2 (en) * | 2005-08-04 | 2008-05-06 | Siemens Power Generation, Inc. | Power generator and power generator auxiliary monitoring |
CA2606986A1 (en) * | 2007-09-10 | 2009-03-10 | Veris Industries, Llc | Duct-mountable sensing unit |
-
2009
- 2009-03-26 US US12/412,197 patent/US8947249B1/en active Active
-
2014
- 2014-12-22 US US14/579,780 patent/US10989477B2/en active Active
- 2014-12-23 US US14/580,323 patent/US20150111161A1/en not_active Abandoned
-
2021
- 2021-04-26 US US17/240,614 patent/US20210239399A1/en not_active Abandoned
-
2023
- 2023-09-18 US US18/369,320 patent/US20240003629A1/en active Pending
Patent Citations (27)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US4249463A (en) * | 1978-05-23 | 1981-02-10 | Howorth Air Engineering Limited | Workstation |
US4297940A (en) * | 1980-01-31 | 1981-11-03 | Tellus Machinery Corporation | Protective workplace and system |
US5026219A (en) * | 1988-09-08 | 1991-06-25 | Henry Wallace | Portable wellhead and welder protector system |
US4968975A (en) * | 1989-12-18 | 1990-11-06 | Fritz Frank V | Self-penetrating remote sensing smoke detector |
US5101604A (en) * | 1990-05-02 | 1992-04-07 | Hot Hed, Inc. | Subterranean well welding habitat |
US6060689A (en) * | 1998-02-23 | 2000-05-09 | Wilson; Tim R. | Portable welding ventilation system |
US6540603B1 (en) * | 1999-02-15 | 2003-04-01 | Juha Koskinen | Method and system for the regulation of ventilation in a welding workshop |
US6328775B1 (en) * | 1999-10-12 | 2001-12-11 | Beth-El Zikhron-Yaaqov | Protection system against the penetration of contaminated air and blast waves into a protective space |
US6687005B2 (en) * | 2000-03-06 | 2004-02-03 | Korea Industrial Safety Corp. | Combustible gas detector and method for operating same |
US6741181B2 (en) * | 2000-05-17 | 2004-05-25 | Robert E. Skaggs | System for testing a duct smoke or other hazardous gas detector and method for use thereof |
US6402613B1 (en) * | 2001-02-21 | 2002-06-11 | David B. Teagle | Portable environmental control system |
US7135332B2 (en) * | 2001-07-12 | 2006-11-14 | Ouellette Joseph P | Biomass heating system |
US6783054B1 (en) * | 2002-05-20 | 2004-08-31 | Clyde W. Pregeant, Jr. | System for controllably conducting welding operations adjacent flammable materials and method of welding adjacent flammable materials |
US7397361B2 (en) * | 2002-06-28 | 2008-07-08 | Sts Stillasservice | Device for security systems for operation of habitats on installations |
US7094142B1 (en) * | 2003-02-25 | 2006-08-22 | Thomas Joseph Maskell | Portable device with interchangeable air cleaning modules for cleaning the air outside of an existing enclosed space and delivering the cleaned air into the existing enclosed space |
US20050151661A1 (en) * | 2003-03-13 | 2005-07-14 | Albarado Jason P. | Enclosure system for hot work within the vicinity of flammable or combustible material |
US7193501B1 (en) * | 2003-03-13 | 2007-03-20 | Alford Safety Services, Inc. | Enclosure system allowing for hot work within the vicinity of flammable and combustible material |
US20070120695A1 (en) * | 2003-03-13 | 2007-05-31 | Albarado Jason P | Enclosure system allowing for hot work within the vicinity of flammable and combustible material |
US7518484B2 (en) * | 2003-03-13 | 2009-04-14 | Alford Safety Services, Inc. | Enclosure system allowing for hot work within the vicinity of flammable and combustible material |
US7021165B2 (en) * | 2003-12-12 | 2006-04-04 | Marathon Sensors, Inc. | Sensor insertion and removal apparatus and methods using the same |
US7375643B2 (en) * | 2004-11-15 | 2008-05-20 | Honeywell International, Inc. | Through a wall combustion detector |
US7456753B2 (en) * | 2005-04-20 | 2008-11-25 | Kabushiki Kaisha Yaskawa Denki | Internal pressure explosion-proof system |
US7765072B2 (en) * | 2005-10-03 | 2010-07-27 | Building Protection Systems, Inc. | Building protection system and method |
US7504962B2 (en) * | 2005-11-22 | 2009-03-17 | Joseph Stephen Smith | Apparatus for enclosing a smoke detector |
US20070289950A1 (en) * | 2006-06-14 | 2007-12-20 | Lincoln Global, Inc. | Shielded gas welder shutdown system |
US20090134995A1 (en) * | 2007-11-26 | 2009-05-28 | Cinaruco International, S.A. | Workspace enclosure system with automatic shut-off |
US20110204032A1 (en) * | 2010-02-23 | 2011-08-25 | Wardlaw Louis J | Automatic shutoff system and method for workspace enclosure environment |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
US20150111161A1 (en) | 2015-04-23 |
US20150101396A1 (en) | 2015-04-16 |
US10989477B2 (en) | 2021-04-27 |
US8947249B1 (en) | 2015-02-03 |
US20240003629A1 (en) | 2024-01-04 |
Similar Documents
Publication | Publication Date | Title |
---|---|---|
US20240003629A1 (en) | Apparatus and Method for Conducting Hot Work | |
US7193501B1 (en) | Enclosure system allowing for hot work within the vicinity of flammable and combustible material | |
US6783054B1 (en) | System for controllably conducting welding operations adjacent flammable materials and method of welding adjacent flammable materials | |
US7518484B2 (en) | Enclosure system allowing for hot work within the vicinity of flammable and combustible material | |
JP2648549B2 (en) | Portable firefighter training device and firefighter training method | |
US10518301B1 (en) | Isolation enclosure and method for conducting hot work | |
US20110308825A1 (en) | Automatic fire extinguishing equipment of a fume hood | |
US20090134995A1 (en) | Workspace enclosure system with automatic shut-off | |
CN114980981A (en) | Fire suppression system for vehicle | |
JPH0766232B2 (en) | Firefighter training device and firefighter training method using this device | |
CN203704019U (en) | Gas incineration monitoring system | |
CN113090956A (en) | Partitioned active explosion-proof and explosion-suppression device and control method thereof | |
CN103926376A (en) | Chemical fire explosion safety test chamber system | |
CN205177102U (en) | Alarm system suitable for hazardous gas detects | |
CN2766894Y (en) | Automatic fire-extinguishing device for ventilator pipe | |
Mercx et al. | Venting of gaseous explosions | |
KR101363837B1 (en) | System and method for hood control of automatic fire extinguisher apparatus | |
KR102265760B1 (en) | Cable tunnels management system in apartment houses | |
CN104950072A (en) | Safety test chamber for chemical fire explosion safety test chamber system | |
CN207623760U (en) | A kind of calcium carbide stove exhaust safety detection and automated ignition system | |
EP2181888A1 (en) | Suction apparatus for suctioning combustible material | |
Davis et al. | Importance of properly designing dust explosion protection systems: Case study–2014 plywood manufacturing facility fire and explosion | |
CN201185032Y (en) | Automatically alarming and saving apparatus for fire | |
US20110282515A1 (en) | Zone shut-down control system | |
CN114344775B (en) | Pipeline spark detection extinguishing system and control method thereof |
Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
STPP | Information on status: patent application and granting procedure in general |
Free format text: DOCKETED NEW CASE - READY FOR EXAMINATION |
|
STPP | Information on status: patent application and granting procedure in general |
Free format text: NON FINAL ACTION MAILED |
|
STPP | Information on status: patent application and granting procedure in general |
Free format text: RESPONSE TO NON-FINAL OFFICE ACTION ENTERED AND FORWARDED TO EXAMINER |
|
STCB | Information on status: application discontinuation |
Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO RESPOND TO AN OFFICE ACTION |