WO2010082809A1

WO2010082809A1 - A system for loading and unloading products and methods therefor

Info

Publication number: WO2010082809A1
Application number: PCT/MY2010/000006
Authority: WO
Inventors: Edwin Chin Yau Chung; Ahmad Farhan Asmawar; Ainol Zamaly Zainal Abidin; Ajitpal Singh Nerwair Singh; Zuraideey Abdul Mutalib
Original assignee: Petroliam Nasional Berhad
Priority date: 2009-01-15
Filing date: 2010-01-11
Publication date: 2010-07-22
Also published as: MY154489A

Abstract

The present invention relates to a system for prevention of products cross contamination (sometimes also known as products crossover) as it is loaded from a storage container (90) at one location into a storage and transfer container (100) and discharged from the storage and transfer container (100) into another storage, a receiving storage container (401 ), at another location wherein the transfer of products between the storage and transfer container (100) and storage containers (90, 401 ) is performed by connecting the storage and transfer container (100) and said storage containers (90, 401 ) storages via hoses that equipped with system (500, 600). More specifically, this invention related to a system (500, 600) that employs a means to determine the specific products loaded into each compartment in the storage and transfer container (100) and the specific products the storage is meant for during preparation for products discharging, sounding an alarm and preventing discharging when a mismatch is detected. The products can be of, but not limited to liquid, gas, powder, pellets, granule or a mixture of these.

Description

A SYSTEM FOR LOADING AND UNLOADING PRODUCTS AND METHODS

THEREFOR

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention relates to a system for loading and unloading products. More specifically, this invention relates to a system for the prevention of products cross contamination.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

The practice of mass production entails the production of a product at one location in large quantities and distributing them throughout a network where products are moved from one storage location to another during the distribution process. Some of these products are bulk transfer between storage and hauler via hoses. These products may be liquid, gas, powder, pellets, granular or a mixture of these. To reduce costs related to the haulages of these products, especially as it nears the consumer end of the supply network, it is common for haulers to be equipped with multiple compartments where multiple products of different varieties and/or grades can be transported in a single trip. The disadvantage of hauling multiple products within a single trip is that it increases the probability of product cross contamination. Product cross contamination (sometime also known as product crossover) is said to have occurred when a product is discharged into a storage meant for a different product or a different product grade. Contaminating a product of a higher grade with that of a lower grade depreciates the value of the higher grade product. Product cross contamination involving different product can have significant costs impact associated with the need to write off the contaminated product, the cleaning of the storage, and other damages.

As mentioned earlier, product cross contamination occurs when a product is discharged into the storage meant for a different product or of another product grade. An obvious and common solution for the prevention of product cross contamination is the use of specialized connectors (based on size, gender etc) where the equipment for a particular product or product grade is associated with a particular connector. This in essence permanently assigns all equipments, including the individual compartment in a hauler, to a particular product or product grade. Such approach makes it impossible to connect two different product varieties or grades to each other eliminating product cross contamination. However, it also limits the flexibility of the haulage fleet and will lead to an increase in haulage costs. As an example, in the case of the oil and gas industry, road tankers need to be flexible in carrying loads of all possible loading configurations where each compartment can be used to transport any product in the inventory. The use of specialized connectors will mean that each compartment will now be reserved for a specific product or product grade, limiting the number of possible loading configuration it can carry. Such reduced loading flexibility will have a direct impact to transportation costs as it will increase the occurrences of trips where tankers are not fully loaded.

There is a need for prevention of product cross contamination as it is loaded and discharged from one location to another.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

The preferred embodiments of present invention consists of several novel features and a combination of parts hereinafter fully described and illustrated in the accompanying description and drawings, it being understood that various changes in the details may be made without departing from the scope of the invention or sacrificing any of the advantages of the present invention.

Accordingly, the preferred embodiments of present invention for prevention of products cross contamination (sometimes also known as product crossover) include systems and methods for loading and unloading products. The systems comprising:

a) a system for loading products from a storage container to a storage and transfer container using a hose, characterized in that the system includes: i) a loading arm having a descriptor wherein the loading arm is connected to a storage container from which product is loaded into a storage and transfer container; ii) a compartment coupler having a contact reader wherein the compartment coupler is disposed at storage and transfer container and is connected to a coupler of the loading arm during products loading; iii) a control unit disposed at the storage and transfer container wherein the control unit reads the descriptor to extract saved information regarding function of the coupler connected and type of product; iv) a display unit disposed at each compartment of the storage and transfer container wherein the display unit indicates the products contained within the associated compartment; and v) a valve disposed at each compartment of the storage and transfer container wherein the valve controls loading of products from the storage container to the compartment of the storage and transfer container. Accordingly, the descriptor is a memory device disposed at the coupler of the loading arm. Said descriptor is coded such that it indicates types of function at contact point and identification of products contained within.

Accordingly, the indicator of said system is set automatically by control unit upon reading the descriptor at the coupler of the loading arm. The control unit stores information regarding the types of products contained within each compartment of the storage and transfer container.

Accordingly, the valve for each corresponding compartment of the storage and transfer container can be used to control the loading of product if necessary. The products can be of, but not limited to liquid, gas, powder, pellets, granule or a mixture of these.

b) a system (600) for unloading products from a storage and transfer container to a receiving storage container using a hose, characterized in that the system includes: i) a coupler of a receiving point having a descriptor wherein the coupler of a receiving point is connected to a receiving storage container; ii) a hose coupler having a contact wherein the hose coupler is disposed at each distal end of a hose, iii) a compartment coupler having a contact reader wherein the compartment coupler is disposed at storage and transfer container; iv) a control unit disposed at the storage and transfer container wherein the control unit reads the descriptor to extract saved information regarding types of products; v) a display unit disposed at each compartment of the storage and transfer container wherein the display unit indicates the products contained within its associated compartment; vi) an indicator disposed at the storage and transfer container wherein the indicator indicates matching connection between the products in the compartment of the storage and transfer container and the receiving storage container; vii) a valve disposed at each compartment of the storage and transfer container wherein the valve controls the flow of products from the compartment of the storage and transfer container to the receiving storage container.

Accordingly, the system is optionally provided with an adaptor wherein the adaptor is disposed between a compartment coupler and the hose coupler. Said adaptor having inner and outer contacts that extends and makes available contact points between contact reader of the compartment coupler and the contact at the hose coupler.

Accordingly, the descriptor is a memory device disposed at the coupler of a receiving point. Said descriptor at the coupler of a receiving point is coded such that it indicates types of function at contact point and identification of product contained within.

Accordingly, the indicator is set automatically cleared by control unit upon disconnecting descriptor at the coupler of a receiving point from contact reader. The control unit is provided with a buzzer to sound an audible warning when there is a mismatched between the products in the compartment of the storage and transfer container and the receiving storage container. Said control unit compares previously stored information regarding the types of products contained within a compartment of the storage and transfer container will the identification of the receiving storage container retrieved from reading descriptor the compartment is connected to.

Accordingly, the valve for each corresponding compartment of the storage and transfer container controls the flow of products from the compartment. Accordingly, the hose extends connection via connection wire embedded between the materials of the hose that connects the contact of hose coupler disposed at both distal ends of the hose.

Accordingly, the products can be of, but not limited to liquid, gas, powder, pellets, granule or a mixture of these.

The methods for prevention of product cross contamination in accordance with preferred embodiments of the present invention comprising:

a) A method for loading products from a storage container to a storage and transfer container using a hose, characterized in that the method includes: i) connecting a coupler of a loading arm from a storage container to a compartment coupler that connected to a storage and transfer container; ii) reading identification of a descriptor at the coupler of the loading arm to determine the products in storage container that to be loaded into the storage and transfer container; iii) storing the products information within a control unit for future verification in product unloading; iv) displaying the products identification in the corresponding compartment at display unit; and v) releasing the valve to load the products from a storage container to a compartment coupler.

b) A method for unloading products from a storage and transfer container to a receiving storage container using a hose, characterized in that the method includes: i) connecting a hose from a compartment coupler to a receiving point, wherein a descriptor is connected to a contact reader to a control unit through a contact, wherein the contact is connected by connection wire embedded between materials of the hose; ii) reading identification of a descriptor at a coupler of a receiving point to identify which products is meant for in the receiving storage container; iii) control unit checks if the product being unloaded matches the products in a compartment in the receiving storage container it is connected to, and iv) releasing the valve to unload the products from the compartment of storage and transfer container to receiving storage container when a match occurs.

Accordingly, the control unit is equipped with a buzzer to sound an audible warning when a mismatch of products is detected. The method is optionally includes an adaptor, wherein the adaptor is disposed between the compartment coupler and the hose coupler. Said adaptor having inner and outer contacts that extend and make available contact points between the contact reader of the compartment coupler and the contact at the hose coupler. Accordingly, the products can be of, but not limited to liquid, gas, powder, pellets, granule or a mixture of these.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will be fully understood from the detailed description given herein below and the accompanying drawings which are given by way of illustration only, and thus are not limitative of the present invention, wherein:

Figure 1a is a perspective view of product loading wherein the product transfers from a storage container to a storage and transfer container using a hose in accordance with preferred embodiments of present invention;

Figure 1b is a perspective view of product unloading wherein the product transfers from a storage and transfer container to a receiving storage container using a hose in accordance with preferred embodiments of the present invention;

Figure 2a is a diagrammatic view of a system for product loading in accordance with preferred embodiments of the present invention;

Figure 2b is a diagrammatic view of a system for product unloading in accordance with preferred embodiments of the present invention;

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present invention relates to a system for prevention of product cross contamination (sometimes also known as product crossover) as it is loaded from a storage at one location into a hauler and discharged from the hauler into another storage at another location where the transfer of product between hauler and storages is performed by connecting the hauler and these storages via hoses. More specifically, this invention related to a system that employs a means to determine the specific product loaded into each compartment in the hauler and the specific product the storage is meant for during preparation for product discharging, sounding an alarm and preventing discharging when a mismatch is detected. Hereinafter, this specification will describe the present invention according to the preferred embodiments of the present invention. However, it is to be understood that limiting the description to the preferred embodiments of the invention is merely to facilitate discussion of the present invention and it is envisioned that those skilled in the art may devise various modifications and equivalents without departing from the scope of the appended claims.

The following detailed description of the preferred embodiments will now be described in accordance with the attached drawings, either individually or in combination.

The preferred embodiments of the present invention for product loading and unloading are generally shown in Figure 1a and Figure 1b respectively. As refer more specifically to Figures 2a and 2b, components of the system for product loading and unloading (500, 600) in accordance with preferred embodiments of the present invention include a descriptor (201 ) at the coupler of a loading arm (105), a compartment coupler (101 ) with contact reader (202), a descriptor (203) disposed at a coupler of the receiving point (104) associated with a receiving storage container (401 ), a contact (204) at a hose coupler (103) disposed at each distal end of a hose (200), an optional adaptor (102) with inner and outer contacts (205, 206), a display unit (303) indicating product of each compartment, a valve (304) that controls the discharging of product from each compartment, an indicator (305) which indicates if there is a correct connection, from a product type and/or grade point of view, between the compartment and its receiving storage and a control unit (301 ) at road tanker which reads these descriptors and act as an automated failsafe system for the prevention of product cross contamination.

The descriptor (203) at the coupler of the receiving point (104) shall be coded such that it indicates that it is a receiving point (104) and what product is allowed in the receiving storage container (401 ) associated with receiving point (104). It will be appreciated that the descriptor (203) is a memory device storing encoding disposed at the coupler of the receiving point (104).

Likewise, the descriptor (201 ) at the coupler of the loading arm (105) shall be coded such that it indicates that it is a filling point and for which product. Said descriptor (201 ) is preferably a memory device storing encoding disposed at the coupler of a loading arm (105).

During product upliftment at the depot (or source storage) hereinafter referred as storage container (90) (Figure 1a and Figure 2a), the control unit (301 ) read the descriptor (201 ) at the coupler of the loading arm (105) once it is connected to a compartment coupler (101 ) that is connected to a compartment of the hauler or storage and transfer container (100) via a contact reader (202). The control unit (301) will set the indicator (305) for the corresponding compartment specifying the product that has been loaded into that compartment. As this indicator (305) is set automatically by the control unit (301 ) upon reading the descriptor (201 ) at the coupler of the loading arm (105) during product loading, it will prevent product cross contamination due to the indicator (305) at the compartment being incorrectly set.

During product offloading/discharging (refer to Figure 1b and Figure 2b), the same control unit (301 ) will read the descriptor (203) at the coupler of the receiving point (104) via a contact reader (202) which is now connected to the coupler of the receiving point (104) via a hose (200) and possibly with an adaptor (102). The connections for contact reader (202) are extended by the adaptor (102) and the hose (200) allowing the control unit (301 ) to read the descriptor (203) at the coupler of the receiving point (104). The adaptor (102) extends the contact reader (202) by connecting to all the contact points on the contact reader (202) using the inner contact (205) on the adaptor (102) and replicating these contacts on the other side at outer contact (206) of the adaptor (102) where a hose coupler (103) will connect to it. The inner contacts (205) are directly connected to the outer contacts (206) preferably within the adaptor (102) to protect these connections from damage during use. Likewise, the ability of the hose (200) to extend the contact reader (202) on the compartment coupler (101 ), in the case where adaptor (102) is not require, or that of the outer contact (206) of adaptor (102) to the receiving point (104) is achieved by having a contact (204) at the both distal ends of the hose (200) such that the necessary connections between the descriptor (203) on the receiving point (104) and the outer contact (206) on the adaptor (102) or the reader (202) at the compartment coupler (101 ) are made. Connections wire such as a Category 5 (CAT 5) wire between the contacts (204) on hose coupler (103) at two distal ends of the hose (200) may be embedded between the materials of the hose (200) as a means to protect the connection wire from damage during use. Once the control unit (301 ) has read the descriptor (203) of a receiving point (104) that a specific compartment is connected to, it can verify if there is a match between the product type, variety and grade of the product in the compartment and that is in the storage the compartment is connected to. This verification is performed by the control unit (301 ) by comparing the detail of the product in the compartment previously recorded during product loading against the product details of the storage the compartment is connected to during product of unloading. Control unit (301 ) will indicates using indicator (305) and sound an alarm or a buzzer (307), and immobilize the valve (304) at the bottom of the compartment to prevent product offloading if it detects a mismatch between the product in the compartment and the product of the storage it is connected to thereby preventing product cross contamination. The valve (304) for each corresponding compartment of the storage and transfer container (100) controls the flow of product from the compartment to the compartment coupler (101 ).

It will be appreciated that the system (500, 600) of the preferred embodiment described above can either be a mechanical or an electronic system. For a mechanical system, the descriptor will be a set of indicators much like the encoding on a mechanical key. The contact reader (202) in this case will just be one where the encoding on the indicators are transferred via cables to a sensor behind that translate the encoding into digital signals that can be read by the control unit (301 ).

An electronic system on the other hand can implement the descriptor on the coupler using devices like the iButton. Here descriptors (201 , 203) at the loading arm (105) and the receiving point (104) are simple memory devices with minimal contacts such as the two wires iButton. Descriptors (201 , 203) will essentially be round with two contacts, one in the middle and one around the circumference of the circle. It will be appreciated that contact points, (202, 204, 205, 206) will also be round with two contacts, one in the middle and another around the circumference of the circuit.

Though the example presented here has been taken from the oil and gas industry, it is to be appreciated however, that this invention is not limited to use in the oil and gas industry only. It is application generally where it involves the transfer of product between storages where the product is transfer between these storages, via hoses; and where the product can be of, but not limited to liquid, gas, powder, pellets, granule or a mixture of these.

Claims

1. A system (500) for loading products from a storage container to a storage and transfer container using a hose, characterized in that the system includes: i. a loading arm (105) having a descriptor (201 ) wherein the loading arm (105) is connected to a storage container (90) from which products are loaded into a storage and transfer container (100); ii. a compartment coupler (101 ) having a contact reader (202) wherein the compartment coupler (101 ) is disposed at storage and transfer container (100) and is connected to a coupler of the loading arm (105) during products loading; iii. a control unit (301 ) disposed at the storage and transfer container (100) wherein the control unit (301 ) reads the descriptor (201 ) to extract saved information regarding function of the coupler connected and types of products; iv. a display unit (303) disposed at each compartment of the storage and transfer container (100) wherein the display unit (303) indicates the products contained within the associated compartment; and v. a valve (304) disposed at each compartment of the storage and transfer container (100) wherein the valve (304) controls loading of products from the storage container (90) to the compartment of the storage and transfer container

(100).

2. The system (500) as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the descriptor (201 ) is a memory device disposed at the coupler of the loading arm (105).

3. The system (500) as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the descriptor (201 ) at the coupler of a loading arm (105) is coded such that it indicates types of function at contact point and identification of products contained within.

4. The system (500) as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the indicator (305) is set automatically by control unit (301 ) upon reading the descriptor (201 ) at the coupler of the loading arm (105).

5. The system (500) as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the control unit (301 ) stores information regarding the types of products contained within each compartment of the storage and transfer container (100).

6. The system (500) as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the valve (304) for each corresponding compartment of the storage and transfer container (100) can be used to control the loading of products if necessary.

7. The system (500) as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the products are selected from liquid, gas, powder, pellets, granule or a mixture of these.

8. A system (600) for unloading products from a storage and transfer container to a receiving storage container using a hose, characterized in that the system includes: i. a coupler of a receiving point (104) having a descriptor (203) wherein the coupler of a receiving point (104) is connected to a receiving storage container (401 ); ii. a hose coupler (103) having a contact (204) wherein the hose coupler (103) is disposed at each distal end of a hose (200). iii. a compartment coupler (101 ) having a contact reader (202) wherein the compartment coupler (101 ) is disposed at storage and transfer container (100); iv. a control unit (301 ) disposed at the storage and transfer container (100) wherein the control unit (301 ) reads the descriptor (203) to extract saved information regarding types of products; v. a display unit (303) disposed at each compartment of the storage and transfer container (100) wherein the display unit (303) indicates the products contained within its associated compartment; vi. an indicator (305) disposed at the storage and transfer container (100) wherein the indicator (305) indicates matching connection between the products in the compartment of the storage and transfer container (100) and the receiving storage container (401 ) ; vii. a valve (304) disposed at each compartment of the storage and transfer container (100) wherein the valve (304) controls the flow of products from the compartment of the storage and transfer container (100) to the receiving storage container (401 ).

9. The system (600) as claimed in claim 8, wherein the system (600) is optionally provided with an adaptor (102) wherein the adaptor (102) is disposed between a compartment coupler (101 ) and the hose coupler (103).

10. The system (600) as claimed in claim 9, wherein the adaptor having inner and outer contacts (205, 206) that extends and makes available contact points between contact reader (202) of the compartment coupler (101 ) and the contact (204) at the hose coupler (103).

1 1. The system (600) as claimed in claim 8, wherein the descriptor (203) is a memory device disposed at the coupler of a receiving point (104).

12. The system (600) as claimed in claim 8, wherein the descriptor (203) at the coupler of a receiving point (104) is coded such that it indicates type of function at contact point and identification of products contained within.

13. The system (600) as claimed in claim 8, wherein the indicator (305) is set automatically cleared by control unit (301 ) upon disconnecting descriptor (203) at the coupler of a receiving point (104) from contact reader (202).

14. The system (600) as claimed in claim 8, wherein the control unit (301 ) is provided with a buzzer (307) to sound an audible warning when there is a mismatched between the products in the compartment of the storage and transfer container (100) and the receiving storage container (401 ).

15. The system (600) as claimed in claim 8, wherein the control unit (301 ) compares previously stored information regarding the types of products contained within a compartment of the storage and transfer container (100) will the identification of the receiving storage container (401 ) retrieved from reading descriptor (203) the compartment is connected to.

16. The system (600) as claimed in claim 8, wherein the valve (304) for each corresponding compartment of the storage and transfer container (100) controls the flow of products from the compartment.

17. The system (600) as claimed in claim 8, wherein the hose (200) extends connection via connection wire embedded between the materials of the hose that connects the contact (204) of hose coupler (103) disposed at both distal ends of the hose (200).

18. The system (600) as claimed in claim 8, wherein the products are selected from liquid, gas, powder, pellets, granule or a mixture of these.

19. A method for loading products from a storage container to a storage and transfer container using a hose, characterized in that the method includes: i. connecting a loading arm (105) from a storage container (90) to a compartment coupler (101 ) that connected to a storage and transfer container (100); ii. reading identification of a descriptor (201 ) at a coupler of the loading arm (105) to determine the products in storage container (90) that to be loaded into the storage and transfer container (100); iii. storing the products information within a control unit (301 ) for future verification in products unloading; iv. displaying the products identification in the corresponding compartment at display unit (303); and v. releasing the valve (304) to load the products from a storage container (90) to a compartment coupler (101 ).

20. A method for unloading products from a storage and transfer container to a receiving storage container using a hose, characterized in that the method includes: i. connecting a hose (200) from a compartment coupler (101 ) to a receiving point (104), wherein a descriptor (203) is connected to a contact reader (202) to a control unit (301 ) through a contact (204), wherein the contact (204) is connected by connection wire embedded between materials of the hose (200); ii. reading identification of a descriptor (203) at a coupler of a receiving point (104) to identify which products is meant for in the receiving storage container (401 ); iii. control unit (301 ) checks if the products being unloaded matches the products in a compartment in the receiving storage container (401 ) it is connected to, and iv. releasing the valve (304) to unload the products from the compartment of storage and transfer container to receiving storage container (401 ) when a match occurs.

21. The method as claimed in claim 20, wherein the control unit (301 ) is equipped with a buzzer (307) to sound an audible warning when a mismatch of products is detected.

22. The method as claimed in claim 20, wherein the method includes an adaptor (102), wherein the adaptor (102) is disposed between the compartment coupler (101 ) and the hose coupler (103).

23. The method as claimed in claim 22, wherein the adaptor (102) having inner and outer contacts (205, 206) that extend and make available contact points between the contact reader (202) of the compartment coupler (101 ) and the contact (204) at the hose coupler (103).

24. The method as claimed in claims 19 and 20, wherein the products are selected from liquid, gas, powder, pellets, granule or a mixture of these.