WO1997048626A1

WO1997048626A1 - Two-compartment chamber for handling materials

Info

Publication number: WO1997048626A1
Application number: PCT/US1997/010545
Authority: WO
Inventors: John Edward Rivett-Carnac
Original assignee: Ad Astra (Proprietary) Limited; Handelman, Joseph, H.
Priority date: 1996-06-19
Filing date: 1997-06-18
Publication date: 1997-12-24
Also published as: AU3492197A

Abstract

Equipment (10) for handling materials includes a chamber-defining means (12) which defines a chamber (20). A flexible curtain (22) is suspended in the chamber (20) to divide the chamber (20) into two substantially equal compartments (24, 26). At least one filling device is associated with each compartment (24, 26).

Description

TWO-COMPARTMENTCHAMBER FOR HANDLING MATERIALS

THIS INVENTION relates to the handling of materials. More particularly, the invention relates to a method of handling materials and to equipment for handling materials. The invention has particular, but not necessarily exclusive, application in the transportation of materials.

According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided equipment for handling materials, the equipment including a chamber-defining means which defines a chamber; a flexible curtain suspended in the chamber to divide the chamber into two substantially equal compartments; and at leas: one filling device associated with each compartment .

Preferably, the chamber-defining means defines an enclosed chamber and the curtain is secured about its periphery to an interior surface of the chamber-defining means so that, when the curtain is in a rest position, the chamber is divided into the two compartments which are effectively isolated from each other via the curtain.

The chamber-defining means may define an elongate chamber. The::, the curtain may be arranged along a longitudinal axis of the chamber to hang vertically

The curtain may be of a non-stretch material and the curtain may have a vertical dimension which is substantially greater than the dimension between a top and a floor of the chamber-defining means

As indicated above, the invention has particular application in the transportation of materials. Thus, the chamber-defining means may be m the form of a tank The tank may be mounted on a wheeled chassis to form a tanker or trailer Then, the equipment may include a source of fluid, such as compressed air, associated therewith for pressurising each compartment of the chamber-defining means independently The equipment may include a first feed pipe extending from the source of compressed air to the first compartment and a second feed pipe extending from the source of compressed air to the second compartment Further, the filling devices may include a first, closable conduit associated with the first compartment and a second, closable conduit associated with the second compartment Both conduits may be closable by means of valves

When the chamber-defining means is m the form of a tank of a trailer, the filling devices may, additionally, include a closable opening, associated with each compartment, defined m a wall of the chamber-defining means Each closable opening may be in the form of a manhole defined in a top of the tank Accordmg to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of handling materials, the method including the steps of providing a chamber-defining means which is divided into two substantially equal compartments by means of a flexible curtain suspended in the chamber-defining means, displacing the curtain to line approximately one half of an interior surface of the chamber-defining means and holding the curtain m its displaced position so that a chamber comprising approximately the full volume of the chamber-defining means is formed, and charging the materials into the chamber so formed.

The method may include holding the curtain against said half of the interior surface of the chamber-defining means by pressurising a first compartment via a first feed pipe, on one side of the curtain, to expel air through a second conduit from a second compartment, on the other side of the curtain, and, once the curtain is m position against said half of the surface, closing off the second conduit Thus, the method may include holding the curtain against said surface by a vacuum-like effect ana, thereafter, depressurismg the first compartment and charging a fust type of materials into the first compartment

Then, as required, for example when the materials have been transported to a first destination, the method may include discharging the material from the first compartment by opening a first conduit which is m communication with the first compartment and discharging the material through the first conduit . If desired, the discharge of the first type of material may be assisted by pressurising the first compartment via the first feed pipe.

Any residue of the material may be discharged from the first compartment by pressurising a space between the curtain and the covered half of the interior surface of the chamber-defining means by introducing a fluid into said space via a second feed

Then, the method may include continuing to pressurise said space to blow the curtain across to the other side of the chamber-defining means to line an opposed half of the interior surface of the chamber-defining means and pressurising the volume so formed whilst maintaining the first conduit open. Then, the method may include closing the first conduit to create a vacuum¬ like effect between the curtain and the covered opposed half of the chamber-defining means to hold the curtain against said opposed half and, thereafter, charging a second type of material into the new volume so formed Once again, m the transportation of the materials, the material may then be transported to its destination where it is discharged from the second volume by opening the second conduit. Any residue of material may be discharged by pressurising a space between the curtain and the covered, opposed half of the interior surface of the chamber- defining means by introducing a fluid into said space via the first feed pipe Once again, the discharge of the material from the second volume may be assisted by pressuring the second volume by means of introducing fluid through the second feed pipe Hence, in the transportation of materials, a first type of material, such as a fluent, solid material, may be transported in the first volume whereafter, after discharge of the first material, a second, different type of material, such as a liquid, can be transported in the second volume on a return journey of the trailer

The invention is now described by way of example with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings

In the drawings,

Figure 1 shows a schematic side view of equipment, in accordance with the invention, for handling materials,

Figure 2 shows a schematic plan view of part of the equipment,

Figure 3 shows a schematic end view of the equipment in a first configuration, and

Figure 4 shows a schematic end view of the equipment in a second configuration

Referring to the drawings, equipment, in accordance with the invention, for handling materials is illustrated and is designated generally by the reference numeral 10 The equipment 10 is intended particularly for use in transporting materials and comprises a chamber defining means m the form of a tank 12 mounted on a chassis 14 to form a trailer 16 In a conventional manner, the trailer 16 has one or more wheel sets 18 The tank 12 of the trailer 16 defines a chamber 20. A flexible curtain 22 is suspended m the chamber 20 of the tank 12 to lie along a longitudinal axis of the tank 12 as illustrc -d most clearly in Figure 2 of the drawings. The curtain 22 thus divides the chamber 20 into two substantially equal compartments 24, 26 As will be described m greater detail below, the compartment 24 is used for transporting a first type of material while the compartment 26 is used for transporting a second, different type of material.

The curtain 22 is secured entirely about its periphery 28 to an interior surface of the tank 12 so that the two compartments 24 and 26 are isolated from each other and leakage of materials between the compartments 24, 26 is inhibited.

The curtain 22 is of a non-stretch material. For example, the curtain 22 can be of a rubber-coated, tarpaulin-type material or any other suitable fluid impervious material .

A shaped, metal clamp (not shown) is provided about the periphery 28 of the curtain 22 so that the formation of sharp folds is inhibited at the periphery 28 of the curtain 22 thereby reducing the likelihood of damage to the curtain 22. The clamp also serves to form a pressure-tight seal between the periphery of the curtain 22 and the inner surface of the tank 12.

Further, the curtain 22 has a height dimension which substantially exceeds the spacing between a floor 30 of the tank 12 and a top 32 of the tank 12. Thus, initially, as shown by the wavy line in Figure 3 of the drawings, the curtain 22 hangs in a rumpled condition between the top 32 and the floor 30 of the tank 12.

In a conventional manner, the trailer 16 has a source of compressed air (not shown) associated therewith. A primary conduit 34 extends from the source of compressed air. A first feed pipe 36 branches off the primary conduit 34 to feed compressed air into the compartment 24 of the tank 12. A second feed pipe 38 Dranches off the primary conduit 34 to supply compressed air to the second compartment 26 of the tank 12

Further, a first conduit 40 is mounted to be in communication with the compartment 24 and a second conduit 42 is mounted to be in communication with the compartment 26.

In use, when the tank 12 is empty, the curtain 22 will hang as shown by the wavy line in Figure 3 of the drawings . When a first type of material, for example, a dry or solid, fluent material, is to be transported in the compartment 24, a valve 44 of the conduit 42 associated with the second compartment 26 is opened. The compartment 24 is pressurized by introducing compressed air into the compartment 24 through the pipe 36. This blows the curtain 22 across to the position shown in dotted lines m Figure 3 of the drawings to line half the interior surface, as represented by reference numeral 48 (m Figures 3 and 4) , of the tank 12. Thereafter, the valve 44 is closed to hold the curtain 22 in that position by a vacuum-like effect. The compartment 24 which now effectively comprises the full volume of the tank 12 is depressurized by removing the compressed air. Thereafter, the material to be transported is charged into the compartment 24, in the conventional way, for example, through a manhole 56 in the top 32 of the tank 12.

The trailer 16 is transported to its destination where the materials in the compartment 24 are discharged in the conventional manner through the conduit 40. When the materials are discharged, a small residue 52 of material may remain behind as shown by the shaded area in Figure 3 of the drawings . To remove this residue 52, the compartment 24 is depressurized and the space between the curtain 22 and the covered side 48 of the tank 12 is pressurized by the introduction of compressed air through the pipe 38. This causes the residue 52 of material to be discharged through the conduit 40 associated with the first compartment 24.

Then, to transport a second, different type of material, such as a liquid material, in the compartment 26, pressurization of the second compartment 26 is continued to cause the curtain 22 to be blown across to the other side of the tank, as shown in dotted lines of Figure 4 of the drawings, where it covers the other half of the interior surface of the tank 12, as represented by reference numeral 50 in Figures 3 and 4 of the drawings. A valve 46 of the conduit 40 is maintained in an open condition. Once the compartment 26 has been pressurized, the valve 46 is closed to hold the curtain 22 in the position shown in Figure 4 of the drawings by a vacuum-like effect. The compartment 26 is then depressurized and is charged with the material in the conventional way. Ideally, when liquids are being transported in the compartments, whether 24 or 26, the relevant compartment 24 or 26 must be completely filled to inhibit surging in the tank 12 while the trailer 16 is moving.

When the trailer 16 reaches its second destination and the materials are to be discharged from the compartment 26, the compartment 26 is pressurized using the source of compressed air introduced through the feed pipe 38 while the valve 44 of the conduit 42 is opened to permit discharge of the liquid contained within the compartment 26. Once again, a residue of material may remain behind, as represented by the shaded area 54 in Figure 4 of the drawings. This residue 54 can be discharged by pressurizing the space between the curtain 22 and the surface 50 by introducing compressed air through the feed pipe 36. This will then again cause the curtain 22 to be blown across so that it, once again, covers the surface 48 of the tank 12.

It is a particular advantage of the invention that a single tank 12 can be used for transporting two different types of material. Heretofore, as far as the applicant is aware, in the transportation of materials a tank is loaded with a particular material and tne material is conveyed to a first destination. At this destination, the materials are discharged and the tank must then be washed out and ancillary equipment removed and cleaned or alternate ancillary equipment fitted. This is a time consuming and expensive process and can take a number of hours to complete. During this time, a rig incorporating a towing vehicle and the trailer stands idle and the operator of the rig loses money. Further, the operator has to pay for the cleaning of the tank. With the configuration of the equipment 10, in accordance with the invention, this problem is, to a large extent, obviated.

It will be appreciated that the compartment 24 carrying the first materials need not first be cleaned out before the compartment 26 is loaded with the second type of material for the return journey. Hence, a turnaround time of a rig incorporating the equipment 10 is considerably reduced. Further, as each compartment 24, 26 has its own ancillary equipment, it is not necessary first to clean out the equipment before filling one of the compartments 24, 26.

Further, the compartments 24 and 26 can both be used for the transportation of dry, fluent material or they may both be used for the transportation of liquid material. Instead, as described above, one of the compartments may be used for the transportation of dry, fluent material with the other compartment being used for the transportation of liquid material.

Another advantage is that the equipment 10 need not return from the first destination empty and the opportunity of carrying a paying load on the return journey considerably enhances the profitability of the rig incorporating the equipment 10.

Claims

1. Equipment for handling materials, the equipment including a chamber-defining means which defines a chamber; a flexible curtain suspended in the chamber to divide the chamber into two substantially equal compartments,- and at least one filling device associated with each compartment .

2. The equipment as claimed in Claim 1 in which the chamber-defining means defines an enclosed chamber and the curtain is secured about its periphery to an interior surface of the chamber defining means so that, when the curtain is in a rest position, the chamber is divided into the two compartments which are isolated from each other via the curtain.

3. The equipment as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2 in which the curtain is mounted in the chamber-def:.ling means to hang vertically.

4. The equipment as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which the curtain is of a non-stretch material and in which the curtain has a vertical dimension which is substantially greater than the dimension between a top and a floor of the chamber-defining means .

5. The equipment as claimed m any one of the preceding claims which includes a source of fluid for pressurizing each compartment independently.

6. The equipment as claimed in Claim 5 which includes a first feed pipe extending from the source of fluid to the first compartment and a second teed pipe extending from the source of fluid to the second compartment .

7. The equipment as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which the filling devices include a first, closable conduit associated with the first compartment and a second, closable conduit associated with the second compartment .

8 The equipment as claimed in Claim 7 in which the filling devices, additionally, include a closable opening, associated with each compartment, defined in a wall of the chamber-defining means.

9. The equipment as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which the chamber-defining means comprises a tank

10. The equipment as claimed in Claim 9 in which the tank is mounted on a wheeled chassis

11 A method of handling materials, the method including the steps of providing a chamber-defining means which is divided into two substantially equal compartments by means of a flexible curtain suspended m the chamber-defining means; displacing the curtain to line approximately one half of an interior surface of the chamber-defining means and holding the curtain in its displaced position so that a chamber comprising approximately the full volume of the chamber-defining means is formed; and charging the materials into the chamber so formed.

12. The method as claimed m Claim 11 which includes holding the curtain against said half of the interior surface of the chamber-defining means by pressurizing a first compartment, on one side of the curtain, to expel air through a second conduit from a second compartment, on the other side of the curtain, and, once the curtain is in position against said half of the surface, closing off the second conduit.

13 The method as claimed m Claim 12 which thus includes holding the curtain against said surface by a vacuum-like effect and, thereafter, depressurizing the first compartment and charging the material into the first compartment.

14. The method as claimed in Claim 13 which includes discharging the material from the first compartment by opening a first conduit which is in communication with the first compartment .

15. The method as claimed in Claim 14 which includes discharging any residue of material from the first compartment by pressurizing a space between the curtain and the covered half of the interior surface of the chamber-defining means by introducing a fluid into said space.

16. The method as claimed in Claim 15 which includes continuing to pressurize said space to blow the curtain across to the other side of the chamber-defining means to line an opposed half of the interior surface of the chamber-defining means and pressurizing the volume so formed whilst maintaining the first conduit open.

17. The method as claimed in Claim 16 which includes closing the first conduit to create a vacuum-like effect between the curtain and the covered, opposed half of the chamber-defining means to hold the curtain against said covered, opposed half and, thereafter, charging a second type of material into a second new volume so formed.

18. The method as claimed in Claim 17 which includes discharging the second type of material from the second volume by opening the second conduit .

19. The method as claimed in Claim 18 which includes discharging any residue of material by pressurizing a space between the curtain and the covered, opposed half of the interior surface of the chamber-defining means by introducing a fluid into said space.