WO2023015324A1 - Tank cleaning device and method - Google Patents

Tank cleaning device and method Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO2023015324A1
WO2023015324A1 PCT/ZA2022/050037 ZA2022050037W WO2023015324A1 WO 2023015324 A1 WO2023015324 A1 WO 2023015324A1 ZA 2022050037 W ZA2022050037 W ZA 2022050037W WO 2023015324 A1 WO2023015324 A1 WO 2023015324A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
tank
cleaning device
hose
cleaning
fluid
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/ZA2022/050037
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Andre Joachim Henry DU RAND
Original Assignee
Du Rand Andre Joachim Henry
Priority date (The priority date 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 date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Du Rand Andre Joachim Henry filed Critical Du Rand Andre Joachim Henry
Publication of WO2023015324A1 publication Critical patent/WO2023015324A1/en

Links

Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B08—CLEANING
    • B08B—CLEANING IN GENERAL; PREVENTION OF FOULING IN GENERAL
    • B08B9/00—Cleaning hollow articles by methods or apparatus specially adapted thereto 
    • B08B9/08—Cleaning containers, e.g. tanks
    • B08B9/087—Cleaning containers, e.g. tanks by methods involving the use of tools, e.g. brushes, scrapers
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B08—CLEANING
    • B08B—CLEANING IN GENERAL; PREVENTION OF FOULING IN GENERAL
    • B08B9/00—Cleaning hollow articles by methods or apparatus specially adapted thereto 
    • B08B9/08—Cleaning containers, e.g. tanks
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B08—CLEANING
    • B08B—CLEANING IN GENERAL; PREVENTION OF FOULING IN GENERAL
    • B08B9/00—Cleaning hollow articles by methods or apparatus specially adapted thereto 
    • B08B9/08—Cleaning containers, e.g. tanks
    • B08B9/093—Cleaning containers, e.g. tanks by the force of jets or sprays
    • B08B9/0933—Removing sludge or the like from tank bottoms

Definitions

  • This invention relates to a device and method for cleaning tanks.
  • the inventor is aware of the difficulty of removing sludge, corrosion buildup and other solid contaminants in liquid storage tanks such as fuel tanks. Typically the tank will be drained and a person will enter the liquid storage tank via a manhole and manually clean the inside surface of the tank. Often a manhole is not provided, particularly for smaller tanks. The inventor is also aware that the tank cannot be used during such a cleaning process and often the atmosphere inside the tank is toxic and/ or combustible and cleaning personnel is required take special precautions and to wear appropriate personal protection equipment.
  • a cleaning device for cleaning a tank which device includes: a flexible inlet hose, which is configured to attach to an opening provided in a tank and extend into the tank up to at least the furthest end from the opening in the tank; and an agitator unit fitted proximate the free end of the inlet hose.
  • the cleaning device may preferably also include a hose rotating unit.
  • the device may also be provided with a hose swivel unit.
  • the hose rotating unit may include a hollow sleeve with an inlet hose connector at one end and an outlet hose connector at the other end.
  • the inlet and outlet hose connectors may be axially aligned.
  • the hose swivel unit may be a rotating unit with a bend, i.e. the inlet and outlet of the rotating unit may be arranged at an angle to each other.
  • the inlet and outlet hose connectors may preferably each be connected to the sleeve via sealed bearing unit defining a fluid pathway through the rotating or swivel unit.
  • the agitator unit may be in the form of a sleeve which fits over or onto the free end of the flexible hose provided with protrusions, stubs, a brush or the like which will contact and agitate the inner surface of a tank when the hose moves inside the tank.
  • the agitation serves to loosen and suspend particles which settled or formed on the inner surface of the tank.
  • hose and its associated agitator unit will be moved, in use, by backward reaction forces of fluid moving through and out of the hose into the tank, typically fuel which is being filtered or cleaned and returned to the tank.
  • the cleaning device may also include an anchor base or a fixing means for anchoring or fixing the cleaning device, in use, to an opening provided on the tank.
  • the anchor base may be an access hole or manhole attachment means, which includes bracing means for bracing against the inner lip of the hole.
  • the anchor base or fixing means may also be configured to allow or fit an outlet hose there through.
  • the invention also extends to a method for cleaning a fluid containing tank, which method includes the steps of: attaching a tank cleaning device as described above to a tank opening and pumping fluid through the device into the tank to allow backward reaction force to move the agitator in a random manner inside the tank to loosen and suspend particles on the inner surface of the tank; and removing the agitated fluid from the tank.
  • the method may include pumping fluid, such as fuel, from the tank, filtering the fluid and returning the fluid back to the tank through the cleaning device.
  • fluid such as fuel
  • the tank can be used while the tank is being cleaned. No manhole is required and the tank does not have to be emptied and cleaned manually by a person.
  • the tank cleaning device can, preferably be used by a filtering and liquid cleaning system and the cleaned liquid can be returned to the tank.
  • the method can be used intermittently or continuous with a liquid cleaning and returning system. The method is non-hazardous to personnel.
  • FIG. 1 shows a schematic view of a tank cleaning device, in accordance with the invention.
  • the tank cleaning device in accordance with the invention, is generally indicated by reference numeral 10.
  • the cleaning device 10 for cleaning a tank 12 includes a flexible inlet hose 14, which is configured to attach to an opening 16 provided in the tank and extend into the tank up to at least the furthest end from the opening in the tank.
  • the device 10 further includes an agitator unit 18 in the form of a ridged attachment which fits over and is attached to the hose proximate the free end of the flexible inlet hose 14.
  • the cleaning device 10 also includes a hose rotating unit 22.
  • the hose rotating unit 22 includes a hollow sleeve 24 with an inlet hose connector 26 at one end and an outlet hose connector 28 at the other end.
  • the inlet and outlet hose connectors 26 and 28 are axially aligned.
  • the inlet and outlet hose connectors are connected to the sleeve via sealed bearing units 30 and 32 defining a fluid pathway through the rotating unit 22.
  • the cleaning device 10 also include a fixing means 34 for fixing the device, in use, to the opening 16 provided on the tank.
  • the fixing means 34 is provided with an opening to allow an outlet hose 36 there through.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Cleaning In General (AREA)

Abstract

The invention provides a cleaning device (10) for cleaning a tank (12). The tank cleaning device includes a flexible inlet hose (14), which is configured to attach to an opening provided in a tank (12) and extend into the tank up to at least the furthest end from the opening in the tank, and an agitator unit (18) fitted proximate the free end of the inlet hose. Typically the fluid is a fuel and is pumped from the tank, filtered, cleaned and the surface of the tank agitated by returning the cleaned fluid through the inlet hose.

Description

Title: Tank Cleaning Device and Method
Technical field of the invention
This invention relates to a device and method for cleaning tanks.
Background to the invention
The inventor is aware of the difficulty of removing sludge, corrosion buildup and other solid contaminants in liquid storage tanks such as fuel tanks. Typically the tank will be drained and a person will enter the liquid storage tank via a manhole and manually clean the inside surface of the tank. Often a manhole is not provided, particularly for smaller tanks. The inventor is also aware that the tank cannot be used during such a cleaning process and often the atmosphere inside the tank is toxic and/ or combustible and cleaning personnel is required take special precautions and to wear appropriate personal protection equipment.
It is an object of the invention to provide a tank cleaning device and method which do not suffer from the abovementioned disadvantages.
General description of the invention
According to the invention there is provided a cleaning device for cleaning a tank, which device includes: a flexible inlet hose, which is configured to attach to an opening provided in a tank and extend into the tank up to at least the furthest end from the opening in the tank; and an agitator unit fitted proximate the free end of the inlet hose.
The cleaning device may preferably also include a hose rotating unit. The device may also be provided with a hose swivel unit. The hose rotating unit may include a hollow sleeve with an inlet hose connector at one end and an outlet hose connector at the other end. The inlet and outlet hose connectors may be axially aligned. The hose swivel unit may be a rotating unit with a bend, i.e. the inlet and outlet of the rotating unit may be arranged at an angle to each other. The inlet and outlet hose connectors may preferably each be connected to the sleeve via sealed bearing unit defining a fluid pathway through the rotating or swivel unit.
The agitator unit may be in the form of a sleeve which fits over or onto the free end of the flexible hose provided with protrusions, stubs, a brush or the like which will contact and agitate the inner surface of a tank when the hose moves inside the tank. The agitation serves to loosen and suspend particles which settled or formed on the inner surface of the tank.
It is to be understood that the hose and its associated agitator unit will be moved, in use, by backward reaction forces of fluid moving through and out of the hose into the tank, typically fuel which is being filtered or cleaned and returned to the tank.
The cleaning device may also include an anchor base or a fixing means for anchoring or fixing the cleaning device, in use, to an opening provided on the tank. The anchor base may be an access hole or manhole attachment means, which includes bracing means for bracing against the inner lip of the hole. The anchor base or fixing means may also be configured to allow or fit an outlet hose there through. The invention also extends to a method for cleaning a fluid containing tank, which method includes the steps of: attaching a tank cleaning device as described above to a tank opening and pumping fluid through the device into the tank to allow backward reaction force to move the agitator in a random manner inside the tank to loosen and suspend particles on the inner surface of the tank; and removing the agitated fluid from the tank.
The method may include pumping fluid, such as fuel, from the tank, filtering the fluid and returning the fluid back to the tank through the cleaning device.
It is to be appreciated that the tank can be used while the tank is being cleaned. No manhole is required and the tank does not have to be emptied and cleaned manually by a person. The tank cleaning device can, preferably be used by a filtering and liquid cleaning system and the cleaned liquid can be returned to the tank. The method can be used intermittently or continuous with a liquid cleaning and returning system. The method is non-hazardous to personnel.
Detailed description of the invention
The invention is now described by way of example with reference to the accompanying Figure 1.
Figure 1 shows a schematic view of a tank cleaning device, in accordance with the invention. Referring now to the drawing, the tank cleaning device, in accordance with the invention, is generally indicated by reference numeral 10. The cleaning device 10 for cleaning a tank 12 includes a flexible inlet hose 14, which is configured to attach to an opening 16 provided in the tank and extend into the tank up to at least the furthest end from the opening in the tank. The device 10 further includes an agitator unit 18 in the form of a ridged attachment which fits over and is attached to the hose proximate the free end of the flexible inlet hose 14. The cleaning device 10 also includes a hose rotating unit 22. The hose rotating unit 22 includes a hollow sleeve 24 with an inlet hose connector 26 at one end and an outlet hose connector 28 at the other end. The inlet and outlet hose connectors 26 and 28 are axially aligned. The inlet and outlet hose connectors are connected to the sleeve via sealed bearing units 30 and 32 defining a fluid pathway through the rotating unit 22.
The cleaning device 10 also include a fixing means 34 for fixing the device, in use, to the opening 16 provided on the tank. The fixing means 34 is provided with an opening to allow an outlet hose 36 there through.
It shall be understood that the example is provided for illustrating the invention further and to assist a person skilled in the art with understanding the invention and is not meant to be construed as unduly limiting the reasonable scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A cleaning device for cleaning a tank, which device includes: a flexible inlet hose, which is configured to attach to an opening provided in a tank and extend into the tank up to at least the furthest end from the opening in the tank; and an agitator unit fitted proximate the free end of the inlet hose.
2. A cleaning device as claimed in Claim 1 which includes a hose rotating unit.
3. A cleaning device as claimed in Claim 2 wherein the hose rotating unit includes a hollow sleeve with an inlet hose connector at one end and an outlet hose connector at the other end.
4. A cleaning device as claimed in Claim 3 wherein the inlet and outlet hose connectors are axially aligned.
5. A cleaning device as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 4 which includes a hose swivel unit.
6. A cleaning device as claimed in Claim 5 wherein the hose swivel unit is a rotating unit with a bend.
7. A cleaning device as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 6, wherein the inlet and outlet hose connectors each connected to the sleeve via sealed bearing unit defining a fluid pathway through the rotating or swivel unit.
5
8. A cleaning device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the agitator unit is in the form of a sleeve which fits over or onto the free end of the flexible hose provided with protrusions, stubs, a brush or the like which will contact and agitate the inner surface of a tank when the hose moves inside the tank.
9. A cleaning device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 8, which includes an anchor base or a fixing means for anchoring or fixing the cleaning device, in use, to an opening provided on the tank.
10. A cleaning device as claimed in Claim 9 wherein the anchor base is an access hole or manhole attachment means, which includes bracing means for bracing against the inner lip of the hole.
11. A cleaning device as claimed in Claim 10 wherein the anchor base or fixing means is configured to allow or fit an outlet hose there through.
12. A method for cleaning a fluid containing tank, which method includes the steps of: attaching a tank cleaning device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 11 to a tank opening and pumping fluid through the device into the tank to allow backward reaction force to move the agitator in a random manner inside the tank to loosen and suspend particles on the inner surface of the tank; and removing the agitated fluid from the tank.
13. A method for cleaning a fluid containing tank as claimed in Claim 12, which includes the step of pumping fluid from the tank, filtering the fluid and returning the fluid back to the tank through the cleaning device.
6
14. A cleaning device for cleaning a tank as claimed in Claim 1, substantially as herein described and illustrated.
15. A cleaning device for cleaning a tank according to the invention, substantially as herein described and illustrated.
16. A method for cleaning a fluid containing tank as claimed in Claim 12, substantially as herein described and illustrated.
17. A method for cleaning a fluid containing tank, substantially as herein described and illustrated.
7
PCT/ZA2022/050037 2021-08-04 2022-08-03 Tank cleaning device and method WO2023015324A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
ZA2021/05529 2021-08-04
ZA202105529 2021-08-04

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2023015324A1 true WO2023015324A1 (en) 2023-02-09

Family

ID=85156369

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/ZA2022/050037 WO2023015324A1 (en) 2021-08-04 2022-08-03 Tank cleaning device and method

Country Status (1)

Country Link
WO (1) WO2023015324A1 (en)

Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2757088A1 (en) * 1996-12-13 1998-06-19 Rech Et De Formation Pourl Ass Cleaning procedure for domestic heating oil tank
EP2390013A2 (en) * 2010-05-31 2011-11-30 T.&A. S.A. - Tecnologie E Ambiente Equipment and method for the rapid decontamination of underground tanks used for the storage of liquid fuels
US20120247570A1 (en) * 2011-04-01 2012-10-04 Stoneage, Inc. Apparatus for insertion in a tank and method thereof
WO2017201232A1 (en) * 2016-05-18 2017-11-23 Worleyparsons Services Pty Ltd Device for removing catalyst and other material form refinery and petrochemical reactors and other vessels
US20180187922A1 (en) * 2016-12-31 2018-07-05 Craig Muehleip Tank cleaner

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2757088A1 (en) * 1996-12-13 1998-06-19 Rech Et De Formation Pourl Ass Cleaning procedure for domestic heating oil tank
EP2390013A2 (en) * 2010-05-31 2011-11-30 T.&A. S.A. - Tecnologie E Ambiente Equipment and method for the rapid decontamination of underground tanks used for the storage of liquid fuels
US20120247570A1 (en) * 2011-04-01 2012-10-04 Stoneage, Inc. Apparatus for insertion in a tank and method thereof
WO2017201232A1 (en) * 2016-05-18 2017-11-23 Worleyparsons Services Pty Ltd Device for removing catalyst and other material form refinery and petrochemical reactors and other vessels
US20180187922A1 (en) * 2016-12-31 2018-07-05 Craig Muehleip Tank cleaner

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