WO2003095789A1

WO2003095789A1 - Container for handling material

Info

Publication number: WO2003095789A1
Application number: PCT/GB2003/001986
Authority: WO
Inventors: Dean Terry
Original assignee: Transfer Systems International
Priority date: 2002-05-09
Filing date: 2003-05-09
Publication date: 2003-11-20
Also published as: GB0210543D0; AU2003239663A1

Abstract

A container (10) for handling material is described. The container has a body (14), an aperture in the body, a lid (16) to cover the aperture, and an inlet (20) and an outlet (30) disposed on the body of the container. Certain embodiments provide efficient sealing of the lid and the container. The container may be used in conjunction with a vacuum pump (80) and may optionally be linked to further containers (60), reducing the chance of any of the material entering the vacuum pump.

Description

CONTAINER FOR HANDLING MATERIAL

This invention relates to apparatus for use in handling and storing materials, especially but not exclusively materials produced from an oil or gas well. Particular embodiments of the invention are suitable for use in handling and storing particulate matter obtained during the drilling or production phases of oil recovery, such as drill cuttings, matter separated from produced fluids (e.g. sand, oil-contaminated sand) and the like.

It is well known to use a vacuum pump to transfer drill cuttings into a skip. The skip generally has a hatch covering a hole in the roof, over which a removable section can be placed to transfer the cuttings into the skip. The lid commonly has an inlet and an outlet, to which conduits to convey the cuttings can be attached. The conduit connected to the inlet is positioned to collect the drill cuttings, e.g. from another tank or from a hydrocyclone, and the end of the conduit connected to the outlet is attached to a vacuum pump.

The lid is held on the roof by air pressure. The vacuum pump removes air from the tank, which reduces the pressure in the tank. However, this does not perfectly seal the tank, as air tends to escape from the gap between the lid and the roof, which renders the vacuum pump less efficient.

According to the present invention there is provided a container for handling material, the container having a body, an aperture in the body, a lid to cover the aperture, and an inlet and an outlet disposed on the body.

Having the inlet and outlet disposed on the body, as opposed to the lid, provides the advantage that the amount of man-handling is reduced, since the lid can be opened without removing any conduits attached to the inlet and outlet.

The material typically comprises particulate material such as drill cuttings. Alternatively, the material could comprise matter separated from produced fluids such as sand or oil-contaminated sand.

Alternatively the material handled could be heavy crude oils or waxes, in either fluid form or particulate form. For example, the apparatus could be used for storing or handling material extracted from large-scale storage tanks such as FPSOs and can be particularly useful for handling solidified or highly viscous residues such as sludges and waxes that do not flow easily when pumped by conventional means .

The container is typically a skip.

Preferably, the inlet and outlet are disposed on the roof of the container.

Preferably the inlet and the outlet have locking devices such as camlocks to connect to conduits for conveying the material to and from the container.

Preferably, the container has a scattering device for distributing the material in the container.

Optionally, the scattering device comprises a tube connected to the underside of the inlet, the end of which is inclined relative to the floor of the container.

The scattering device can be anything which can disperse the material entering the tank.

Preferably, the scattering device can swivel so that the material can be directed onto selected areas of the skip floor. This can help prevent a build-up of material on one side of the skip. Preferably the inlet and the outlet are connected to conduits . The conduits can be any pipes or tubes which are capable of withstanding pressure from the vacuum and transporting the material.

Optionally, the inlet conduit has a free end for receiving the material to be pumped and the outlet conduit is connected to a vacuum pump. However, in preferred embodiments, the vacuum pump is connected to two or more skips in series by conduits linking the inlets and outlets of the skips, the final skip in the series having a free end for receiving the material to be pumped.

In the case that the material comprises drill cuttings, the free end is typically located within the container from which the drill cuttings are to be pumped. If the material comprises matter separated from produced fluids, the free end may be connected to the output of a separating device, such as a hydrocyclone, or alternatively located in a tank of pre-separated material.

Having more than one skip provides another chance to offload any material which has been sucked out of the first skip by the vacuum pump, so preventing damage to the vacuum pump.

Preferably, the container is provided with a sealing means to tightly seal the lid onto the container to prevent air from entering the container via the lid when the container is connected to the vacuum pump. Typically, the sealing means includes a resilient seal provided around the circumference of the aperture in the body and/or the lid.

Optionally, the container is provided with a holding means to hold the lid firmly onto the body. Typically the holding means comprises latches. Optionally the latches are on the body of the container.

Optionally, the container is provided with an inlet/outlet protector. Typically, the protector comprises at least one (optionally elongate) member adjacent to or straddling the inlet and outlet. Optionally, the inlet/outlet protector is provided on the roof of the skip.

According to a further aspect of the present invention there is provided a container assembly comprising: at least one container, having a body, an aperture in the body, a lid to cover the aperture and an inlet and an outlet disposed on the body; a vacuum pump; and conduits serially connecting the vacuum pump to the inlet and outlet of the or each container.

Optionally, the container assembly further includes a frame. Optionally the container assembly is provided with an inlet/outlet protector comprising at least one strut of the frame located in the same horizontal plane as the inlet and outlet.

Optionally, the container assembly is provided with a holding means to hold the lid firmly on the body. Optionally, the holding means comprises latches provided on the frame .

The present invention also provides a method of handling material comprising the steps of : connecting a vacuum source to an outlet disposed on a body of a container, the container also having an aperture in the body, a lid to cover the aperture and an inlet disposed on the body; and activating the vacuum source to deliver the material into the container.

Preferably, the container also includes a holding means to hold the lid firmly closed on the body and the method includes the step of securing the lid closed with the holding means before activating the vacuum source.

Typically, the container further includes a scattering device and including the step of using the scattering device to distribute the material in the container.

Preferably, the method further comprises the step of swivelling the scattering device as the material is being pumped, so that the material is scattered over selected areas of the floor of the container.

Preferably, the method further comprises the step of using conduits to connect the container to one or more further containers .

The present invention also provides a container for handing material, the container having a body, an aperture in the body, a lid to cover the aperture, an inlet and outlet disposed on the body and a scattering device for distributing the material in the container.

The present invention also provides a method of handling material comprising the steps of: connecting a vacuum source to an outlet of a container, the container having a scattering device; delivering the material into the container; and distributing the material in the container by means of the scattering device.

According to a further aspect of the present invention there is provided a container having a body, an aperture in the body, a lid to cover the aperture, and an inlet and an outlet disposed on the body.

An embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example only, and with reference to the following drawings in which: - Fig 1 shows an end view of a skip; Fig 2 shows a perspective view of the skip; Fig 3 shows a side view of the skip; Fig 4 shows a plan view of the skip; Fig 5 shows an end view of a skip with an elbow joint; Fig 6 shows a plan view of a skip with an elbow joint; Fig 7 shows a schematic view of a skip assembly; Fig 8 shows a schematic view of a second skip assembly; Fig 9 shows a plan view of the skip encased in a protective frame; Fig 10 shows a side view of the skip and frame of Fig 9; Fig 11 shows a rear view of the skip and frame of Fig 9; Fig 12 shows a front view of the skip and frame of Fig 9; Fig 13 shows a sectional view of the skip and frame of Fig 9 along the line X-X; Fig 14 shows a sectional view of the frame of Fig 9 along the line Y-Y; and Fig 15 shows a sectional view of the skip and frame of Fig 9 along the line Z-Z.

Figs 1 to 4 show various views of a skip 10, which has a roof 12 and a body 14. The roof 12 has a lid 16, which covers a hole in the roof 12 suitable for emptying the skip 10. The roof 12 has an inlet 20 and an outlet 30. Typically, the top parts of inlet 20 and outlet 30 project upwardly from the roof of the tank 10. The hole in the roof 12 and/or the lid 16 may be provided with a sealing means, such as a resilient seal around its circumference so that when closed, the lid 16 tightly seals the container 10.

Fig 5 shows material 35 entering a skip 10. The material 35 may comprise drill cuttings, matter separated from produced fluids or other oil industry products, such as residual sludges and particulates that accumulate in high volume and long term storage tanks. In this embodiment, the material 35 comprises drill cuttings. The skip 10 has an elbow joint 24 attached to an inlet 20. The elbow joint 24 is a tube with a bend therein, so that the end 24E of the elbow joint 24 is inclined with respect to the floor of the skip 10. The elbow joint 24 can swivel, to orientate the end of the joint 24E in different directions. The elbow joint 24 could rotate relative to the inlet 20, or the inlet 20 itself could be rotatable.

The elbow joint 24 could be attached to the inlet 20 or the outlet 30 by means of screw threads. The outlet 30 is shown having a screw thread 22 for engagement with an interior screw thread on the elbow joint 24.

Fig 6 shows a plan view of the skip 10, elbow joint 24 and material 35 of Fig 5. Fig 7 depicts a first embodiment of a skip assembly. The inlet 20 of the skip 10 is typically attached to an inlet conduit 21 with a free end 21E. The outlet 30 is typically connected to a vacuum pump 80 with an outlet conduit 31.

Figs 9 to 15 show various views of the skip 10 encased in a protective frame 100. The frame 100 has a base 112, a vertical corner strut 114 at each corner extending from the base 112, intermediate vertical struts 116 around the sides of the frame between each corner strut 114, and horizontal struts 118, 119 at the top of the frame, extending between each corner strut 114. (Strut 119 extends along the front end of the skip 10 and struts 118 extend along the sides and the rear end.)

The skip 10 is thus encased in a protective cage, and is prevented from falling off the base 112 by the vertical struts 116 and the corner struts 114. The base 112 may be solid, (i.e. a palette), or alternatively it may be composed of further struts. Elongate apertures 120, 122 are preferably provided in the base 112 for insertion of prongs, such as fork lift truck lifting prongs. Apertures 120 run from one side of the base 112 to another, whereas apertures 122 link the front and back of the base 112. Preferably, the apertures 120, 122 intersect each other.

A respective padeye 124 is attached to the upper end of each corner strut 114. The padeyes 124 are angled upwards (typically -45°) and inwards with respect to the frame 100 (see especially Fig 14) . The padeyes 124 have apertures 125 into which hooks or chains may be inserted to lift the frame 100.

Figs 9 and 13 also show the lid 16 being provided with three handles 126. The handles are provided on the front end of the lid 16. At the rear end of the lid 16 are three hinges 132 around which the lid 16 pivots to open and close (both positions shown in Fig 13) . The roof 12 of the skip 10 is provided with a strengthening beam 121 which extends across the roof 12 from one side to the other underneath and parallel to the rear edge of the lid.

Typically, the horizontal strut 119 at the front end of the skip is in the same plane as the roof 12 of the skip 10, whereas the other three horizontal struts 118 are level with the projecting parts of the inlet 20 and outlet 30, to protect the inlet 20 and outlet 30 from accidental damage. Typically, this means that strut 119 is lower than struts 118, as best shown in Figs 11 to 13.

The lower horizontal strut 119 at the front of the skip 10 is provided with two latches 128. Each latch 128 has an extension 130. Each latch 128 is pivotable with respect to the frame 100 between a lid-closed position, in which the extension 130 is positioned over the lid 16, and a lid-open position, in which the extension 130 lies parallel to the edge of the lid, permitting the lid 16 to be opened and closed. In this way, the lid 16 can be tightly closed on the body 14.

The lid 16 is also preferably provided with a chain 184 (see Fig 13), which can secure the lid 16 to a portion of the skip 10 so that the lid 16 remains open. In the embodiment shown, the chain 184 passes around the horizontal strut 118 at the rear end of the skip 10 and attaches to the rear end of the roof 12 of the skip 10.

In use, the free end 21E of the conduit 21 is positioned close to the material 35 to be pumped. For example, the free end 2IE could be positioned in a tank containing the material 35, or it could be connected to the output of a hydroclone for separating matter (eg sand) from produced fluids. The lid 16 is closed and the latches 128 are closed to seal the lid 16 on the roof 12. The vacuum pump 80 is turned on. The vacuum pump 80 sucks air out of the skip 10, which draws air and material 35 into the skip 10 via the conduit 21. Sliding down the end of the elbow joint 24E gives the material 35 horizontal momentum and so that it does not land directly beneath the inlet 20. The elbow joint 24 is swivelled, either continuously or sporadically, to orientate the end of the joint 24E in different directions in the skip 10 so that the material 35 is distributed over the floor of the skip 10.

Alternatively, as shown in Fig 8, more than one skip can be connected in series. The outlet conduit 31 of the skip 10 is connected to an inlet 40 of a second skip 60. The second skip 60 has an outlet 50 which is connected to the vacuum pump 80 via an outlet conduit 41.

In use, the free end 2IE of the conduit 21 is positioned close to the material 35 to be pumped, as described above. The lid 16 is closed and the latches 128 are closed to seal the lid 16 on the roof 12. The vacuum pump 80 is turned on. The vacuum pump 80 sucks air out of skips 10 and 60, which draws air and material 35 into the skip 10 via the conduit 21. Sliding down the end of the elbow joint 24E gives the material 35 horizontal momentum and so that it does not land directly beneath the inlet 20. The elbow joint 24 is swivelled, either continuously or sporadically, to orientate the end of the joint 24E in different directions in the skip 10 so that the material 35 is distributed over the floor of the skip 10. Most of the material 35 which enters the skip 10 should remain on the skip floor. However, if any of the material 35 were to be sucked out of skip 10, through the outlet conduit 31, it would be deposited in the second skip 60. The second skip 60 may also have a rotatable elbow joint 24 to distribute the material 35 in different directions in the skip 60. The advantage of this embodiment is that it reduces the amount of material 35 which is sucked into the vacuum pump 80, thereby reducing damage to the pump 80. The invention reduces the amount of man-handling required, compared to that required with a conventional skip with an inlet and outlet disposed on a lid of the skip. With such a conventional skip, the inlet and outlet connecting conduits must first be removed before the lid is opened. This requires extra work, extra time and an increased risk of injury. In contrast, with the present invention, the lid 16 can be easily opened (eg to check how full the skip is) without having to remove any inlet and outlet conduits.

Certain embodiments of the invention in which the lid is provided with a holding means and/or a sealing means allow the lid to be very firmly closed on the body, which reduces the probability of air escaping from the container, which enables efficient, powerful pumping. Thus, air pressure is not relied upon to retain the lid.

Modifications and improvements can be incorporated without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, the relative positions of lid 16, inlet 20 and outlet 30 are not necessarily as shown, i.e. the lid 16 could be positioned towards the rear of the skip 10 and the inlet 20 and outlet 30 could be at the front.

Alternative locking means to latches 128 could be provided to close the lid 16. Latches 128 could be provided on the roof 12 of the skip 10, instead of on the frame 100. The frame 100 may have only one, or no sets of apertures 120, 122.

The inlet/outlet-protecting member could be provided as an extension to the roof 12 instead of on the frame 100. The inlet/outlet protecting member could comprises a hollow bar, extending directly across and covering the inlet and outlet 20, 30, and having apertures in its upper surface for the inlet and outlet 20, 30 instead of, or in addition to, horizontal struts 118.

Claims

"Claims"

1. A container for handling material, the container having a body, an aperture in the body, a lid to cover the aperture, and an inlet and an outlet disposed on the body.

2. A container as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the container comprises a skip.

3. A container as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2, wherein the inlet and outlet are disposed on the roof of the container.

4. A container as claimed in any preceding claim, having a scattering device for distributing the material in the container.

5. A container as claimed in Claim 4, wherein the scattering device comprises a tube connected to the underside of the inlet, the end of which is inclined relative to the floor of the container.

6. A container as claimed in Claim 4 or Claim 5, wherein the scattering device is swivelable.

7. A container as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein at least one of the inlet and the outlet is adapted to connect to a respective conduit.

8. A container as claimed in Claim 7, wherein the at least one of the inlet and the outlet is provided with a locking device for connection to its respective conduit.

9. A container as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the container has a sealing means to tightly seal the lid onto the roof of the container.

10. A container as claimed in Claim 9, wherein the sealing means includes a resilient seal provided around the circumference of the hole in the body and/or the lid.

11. A container as claimed in any preceding claim, having an inlet/outlet protector.

12. A container as claimed in Claim 11, wherein the protector comprises at least one member adjacent to or straddling the inlet and outlet.

13. A container as claimed in Claim 11 or Claim 12, wherein the inlet/outlet protector is provided on the roof of the skip.

14. A container as claimed in any preceding claim, adapted to handle drill cuttings.

15. A container as claimed in any preceding claim, adapted to handle material separated from produced fluids.

16. A container as claimed in any preceding claim, having a holding means to hold the lid firmly closed on the body.

17. A container assembly for handling material comprising: at least one container, having a body, an aperture in the body, a lid to cover the aperture and an inlet and an outlet disposed on the body; a vacuum pump; and conduits serially connecting the vacuum pump to the inlet and outlet of the or each container.

18. A container assembly as claimed in Claim 17, wherein one of the conduits has a free end for receiving the material to be pumped.

19. A container assembly as claimed in Claim 17 or Claim 18, further including a frame.

20. A container assembly as claimed in Claim 19, wherein the at least one container has an inlet/outlet protector comprising at least one strut of the frame located in the same horizontal plane as the inlet and outlet.

21. A method of handling material comprising the steps of: connecting a vacuum source to an outlet disposed on a body of a container, the container also having an aperture in the body, a lid to cover the aperture and an inlet disposed on the body; and activating the vacuum source to deliver the material into the container.

22. A method as claimed in Claim 21, wherein the container also includes a holding means to hold the lid firmly closed on the body and the method includes the step of securing the lid closed with the holding means before activating the vacuum source .

23. A method as claimed in Claim 21 or Claim 22, wherein the container further includes a scattering device and the method includes the step of using the scattering device to distribute the material in the container.

24. A method as claimed in Claim 23, further including the step of swivelling the scattering device as the material is being delivered into the container.

25. A method as claimed in any of Claims 21 to 24, further including the step of serially connecting the container to one or more further containers with conduits.

26. A container having a body, an aperture in the body, a lid to cover the aperture, and an inlet and an outlet disposed on the body.