Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02310557 2000-OS-24
Fugitive Emission Capture Device
Technical field description
Fugitive emissions are the uncontrolled molecular level leakage to the
atmosphere
of a process gas or liquid or solid contained within a piping system through
or
across the surface of a form of gasket used to seal or contain pressure
tightly the
piping systems contents.
The primary objective of this invention is to provide an environmental
protection
device, which enables the capture of fizgitive emissions uncontaminated from
the
atmosphere.
1o Another objective of this invention is to provide an environmental
protection
device, which will assist in the removal of back ground pollution caused by
the
molecular level leakage through or across the surface of a form of gasket used
to
seal pressure tightly the piping systems contents from the atmosphere.
Another objective of this invention is to provide an environmental protection
device for the purpose of recycling back to the system of origin to reclaim
the
captured fugitive emissions.
Another objective of this invention is to allow the workers to connect the
invention to a newly constructed facility of piping systems connections,
during
the commission and start up phase for secondary containment, as loss of
2o containment risk is greatest during these phases.
Another objective of this invention is to provide an environmental protection
device for the capture or collection for the purpose of quantification of a
fugitive
emission.
Another objective of this invention is to provide an environmental protection
device for the identification of the fugitive emission.
Another objective of this invention is to provide an environmental protection
device for the secondary containment of the fi~gitive emission. An enclosure,
encapsulating device, sealing pressure tightly about and around the pipe, the
flanges, and the welded or screwed connection before and after the flanges on
a
3o pipe or pressure vessel connection to contain pressure tightly the
fi~gitive
emission
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CA 02310557 2000-OS-24
Another objective of this invention is to provide an environmental protection
device for the protection of the workers during a flange or gasket failure.
Another objective of this invention is to provide an environmental protection
device for the protection of equipment situated in a close proximity to the
failed
piping system connection.
Another objective of this invention is to provide an environmental protection
device for the protection of workers, to act as an early warning system for
the
detection of leaks via numerous attachments available on the market today.
Prior art description
For many years it has been the common practice. To join pipe sections, process
instrumentation, and or numerous forms and types of valves (i.e. automated
control valves, manual control valves, check valves, block valves manual and
or
automated, and or manual throttling valves, and or pressure safety valves)
together with threaded or welded connections and or with opposing spaced
annular flanges which extend radial from the pipe section and or the
instrument
and or the numerous forms and types of valves, at each end. Then fastening the
sections of pipe, process instrument, and or numerous forms and types of
valves,
together using a plurality of bolts or fasteners in a mechanical bolting
system. A
2o sealing gasket of suitable composition and configuration is interposed
between
such flanges to contain pressure tightly the solid, the liquid, or the gas
within the
piping system.
The flanges are then torque to a specification tightness, as to compress the
sealing
gasket material, thus completing the connection pressure tightly.
Many piping systems so constructed are intended to carry hydrocarbons and or
toxic chemicals, and or corrosive chemicals, and or nuclear exposed gas, and
or
liquid, and or solid products under high pressure. Experience and Engineering
Principles and Alberta Environmental Protection Legislation has proven that a
gasket interposed between two spaced annular opposing flanges will leak the
3o contents of the piping system, to the atmosphere at a molecular level.
There is
uncontrolled molecular level leakage at the spaced annular opposing flanged
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CA 02310557 2000-OS-24
connections which extend radial from the pipe, and or instrument, and or
numerous forms and types of valves.
The leakage occurs through and or across the sealing gasket material. The
amount of leakage is a factor of
~ The pressure of the material contained within the piping system.
~ The temperature of the material contained within the piping system.
~ The molecular composition of the material, contained within the piping
system.
to ~ The sealing gasket material of construction
~ The surface area contact of the sealing gasket (taken as the diameter of
the pipe).
~ The specification torque applied to the sealing gasket as defined by the
flange pressure rating
These are six of the contributing factors which cause Fugitive Emissions.
The problem with devices and systems in the market today is the failure to
deal
with the mechanical fastening system of the common welded or threaded flange
connection used extensively in industry today. The common bolt (stud) used in
2o the mechanical fastening system all have the potential to leak through the
hole
through which the bolt passes, when only the outer diameter or circumference
of
the flange is covered in an attempt to contain a sealing gasket failure or
simply
detect large and or small concentration leaks.
By simply wrapping the outside circumference of the flange in an attempt to
contain leaks, the plurality of bolts (studs) used in the mechanical fastening
system begin to leak between the bolt and the bolt hole. The leak is not
contained in a manner that all material could be recycled in a purer form
isolated
from the atmosphere, back to the process of origin for reclaim, or to a system
for
absorption, adsorption, analysis or destruction
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CA 02310557 2000-OS-24
Each of these researched devices and systems fails in the attempt to contain
leakage at the molecular level through or across the sealing gasket material
interposed between two spaced annular flanges. These devices or systems fail
to
address the leaking ability, of the plurality of bolts (studs) used in the
mechanical
fastening system, by failing to enclose the mechanical fastening system and
sealing the complete connection including the welded or screwed connections
before and after the flanges, the flanges, the sealing gasket, and the
mechanical
fastening system in an enclosure which attaches pressure tightly to the pipe
system.
to For example: Canadian Patent #1178629 discloses a flange safety shield
which is
shrink wrapped to the flange exposing the flange connection and the mechanical
bolting system consisting of a plurality of bolts or fasteners. The objective
of this
device is to contain the leak between the flanges without a concern for the
leak
potential of the plurality of fasteners (bolts) connecting the flanges
together.
For example: Canadian Patent #1308043 discloses a flange clamping and
injection device used for on line leak sealing of flanges and piping using a
curing
agent injection, of sealing compound encased within the clamp/ injection
device.
The objective of this device is to fill any cavity formed by the flanged
piping
system connection, with the sealing fluid which is pumped into the clamping /
2o injection device under pressure. The flange must then be cut out at the
earliest
convenient maintenance activity. This is a form of destructive leak seal
technology.
For example Canadian Patent #1161697 discloses a clamp which uses a bladder
inside the clamp to contain and identify the leaking connection by a change in
pressure of the space between the clamp and the leaking connection. A
suspicion
of a leak, clamping the suspect leak, then waiting for a change in pressure to
verify the leak is required to make efficient use of this device.
For example United States Patent #W009616321 discloses a fugitive emission
detection system which uses a clamping system attached to the outside
3o circumference of the flange with sensing devices placed directly above in
the
closest proximity possible to the potential leak. The plurality of fasteners
used to
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CA 02310557 2000-OS-24
connect the flanges is exposed with no concern for the leaking ability of each
of
these fasteners between the fastener and the hole through which the fastener
passes.
What is required in industry today is the ability to conform to the increasing
pressure of governmental and environmental monitoring agencies worldwide by
reducing emissions that are released into the atmosphere.
A fugitive emission capture device which could contain emissions from a
common flanged connection by encasing completely the pipe or instrument flange
to or numerous forms of valves flanges and the mechanical fastening system in
above and below ground applications as in claims drawings #8 and #9. A
fugitive
emission captures device, which is an integral part of a system. The system
would allow the collection of the emission without any atmospheric
contamination to the leaking emission or without any leaking emission
contamination to the atmosphere. In pure form isolated from the atmosphere
with
an inert or compatible Garner gas as a mode of force or a form of compressor
in
order to move the emission to:
1. An absorption system as in drawing #5
20 2. A recycle back to the system of origin as in drawing #2
3. A flare stack destruction system as in drawing #4, #10
4. A waste heat recovery system as in drawing #4, # 10
5. The input of a molecular concentration analysis system as shown in
drawing # 12
A fugitive emissions capture system, which is retrofit for all ages of
facility. A
manual system that requires monitoring by operations personal who are trained
in
reading instrumentation that is commonly found in industry today as referred
to in
drawing #3.
3o A fizgitive emission capture device which splits symmetrically in half
along the
longitudinal axis and a pressure piping system so as to attach
circumferentially
CA 02310557 2000-OS-24
about the piping system. In a mirror-like image, the two halves come together
to
form a pressure tight seal with sufficient clearance to extend past the welded
or
threaded connection before and after each flange and seal to the pressure
vessel or
numerous valves and instrumentation completely encasing the flanges, the
welded
or screwed connection before and after the flanges, the gasket, and the
mechanical
fastening system to the outside circumference of the pipe as in drawing # I
A fi~gitive emission capture device, which may take any shape required in
order to
custom fit an application.
A fugitive emission capture device which can be manufactured in a number of
to different processes to accommodate the required piping specifications such
as:
1. Injection molding process
2. Plastic or metal extrusion processes
3. Forged metal process
4. Cast metal process
S. Welded sheet metal process
6. Specified tolerance machining process metal or plastic
Description of Claims Drawings
Drawing # 1 refers to claim # 1
2o A plan view of the Fugitive Emission Capture Device.
Drawing #2 refers to claim #2 and drawing # 1 as the represented Fugitive
Emission Capture Device
A one-line system and instrument drawing representing a piping system 1 with a
plurality of flanged connections 2. Fugitive emission capture devices 3 are
connected pressure tightly to the piping system 1 to capture in pure form the
fugitive emissions, using a compatible inert carrier gas 4 , which is
circulated by a
form of compressor 5 from the fugitive emission capture devices 3 across an in
line sensor 6 detects a leak from an identifiable flanged connection, which
has
3o input to programmable logic controller 7. The logic controller 7 controls
the
position of valves 8 and 9. When valve 8 is open valve 9 is closed. When valve
9
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CA 02310557 2000-OS-24
is open valve 8 is closed. Heat exchanger 10 recovers heat of compression
efficiently cooling the circulating inert gas when valve 9 is open and valve 8
is
closed. When valve 8 is open and valve 9 is closed a leak has been detected
from
inline sensors) 6. Inert gas plus fugitive emissions are recycled to the
process of
origin.
Drawing #3 refers to claim #3 and drawing #1 as the represented Fugitive
Emission Capture Device.
A one-line system and instrument drawing representing a piping system 1 with a
to plurality of flanged connections 2. Fugitive emission capture devices 3 are
connected pressure tightly to the piping system 1 to eliminate the loss of
containment due to improperly installed flanged connections 2. Instrumentation
4
to detect a pressure change in the fugitive emission capture devices 3 will
indicate
a leak at that flanged connection. Instrumentation 5 of which there are many
in
the market today, to detect the presence of a specific chenucal elements) will
indicate a leak at that flanged connection.
Drawing #4 and #10 is a combination of claims #4 and #10 referring to claims
#4
and #10 and drawing #1 as the represented Fugitive Emission Capture Device.
2o A one-line system and instrument drawing representing a piping system 1
with a
plurality of flanged connections 2. Fugitive emission capture devices 3 are
connected pressure tightly to the piping system 1 to capture in pure form the
fugitive emissions, using a compatible inert carrier gas 4 , which is
circulated by
a form of compressor 5 from the fugitive emission capture devices 3 across an
in
line sensor 6 detects a leak from an identifiable flanged connection, which
has
input to programmable logic controller 7. The logic controller 7 controls the
position of valves 8 and 9 and 10. When valve 8 is open valve 9 and valve 10
are
closed. When valve 9 is open valve 8 and valve 10 are closed. When valve 8 or
valve 10 are open and valve 9 is closed. Heat exchanger 11 recovers heat of
3o compression effectually cooling the circulating inert gas when valve 9 is
open and
valve 8 and valve 10 are closed. When valve 8 or valve 10 is open and valve 9
is
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CA 02310557 2000-OS-24
closed a leak has been detected from inline sensors) 6. When valve 10 is open
the
flare stack 12 has been chosen for destruction of the fugitive emission. When
valve 8 is open the heat recovery boiler has been chosen for destruction of
the
fugitive emission. A liquid knock out drum 14 is positioned on the suction
side of
the compressor 5 to prevent damage.
Drawing #5 refers to claim #5 and drawing #1 as the represented Fugitive
Emission Capture Device.
Is a one-line system and instrument drawing representing a piping system 1
with a
1o plurality of flanged connections 2. Fugitive emission capture devices 3 are
connected pressure tightly to the piping system 1 to capture in pure form the
fugitive emissions, using a compatible inert Garner gas 4, which is circulated
by a
form of compressor 5 from the fugitive emission capture devices 3 across an in
line sensors 6 detects a leak from an identifiable flanged connection, which
has
input to programmable logic controller 7. The logic controller 7 controls the
position of valves 8 and 9. When valve 8 is open valve 9 is closed. When valve
9
is open valve 8 is closed. Heat exchanger 10 recovers heat of compression
eiI'ectually cooling the circulating inert gas when valve 9 is open and valve
8 is
closed. When valve 8 is open and valve 9 is closed a leak has been detected
from
2o inline sensors) 6. Inert gas plus fugitive emissions are directed to an
adsorption
or absorption system 11 available in industry today. A liquid knock out drum
12
is positioned on the suction side of the compressor to prevent damage.
Drawings #6 and # 11 are a combination of drawings for claims #6 and # 1 i
refernng to claims #6 and #I1 and drawing #1 as the represented Fugitive
Emission Capture Device.
A one-line system and instrument drawing representing a pressure piping system
1 with a plurality of flanged connections 2. Fugitive emission capture devices
3
are connected pressure tightly to the piping system 1 to capture in pure form
the
3o fugitive emissions, using a compatible inert carrier gas 4 , which is
circulated by a
form of compressor 5 from the fugitive emission capture devices 3 across an in
s
CA 02310557 2000-OS-24
line sensors 6 detects a leak from an identifiable flanged connection, which
has
input to programmable logic controller 7. The logic controller has input to a
remote communication system available in industry today, which transmits a
signal to a control station.
The same system is used to remotely identify a leaking vacuum piping system 1
with a plurality of flanged connections 2. Fugitive emission capture devices 3
are
connected pressure tightly to the vacuum piping system 1 to capture in pure
form
the fugitive emissions, using a compatible inert carrier gas 4 to isolate a
flanged
connection 2 subjected to a vacuum within the piping system 1 and providing an
1o inert or compatible barner against the atmosphere, which is circulated by a
form
of compressor 5 from the fugitive emission capture devices 3 through heat
exchanger 9 back to the fugitive emission capture devices 3. The system is
kept at
pressure by pressure control valve 10 and pressure sensing transmitter 11. A
leak
is detected when a flow of compatible barner gas is sensed at flow transmitter
12,
which has input to programmable logic controller 7. The logic controller 7 has
input to remote communication system available in industry today, which
transmits a signal to a control station.
Drawing #7 refers to claim #7 and drawing # 1 as the represented Fugitive
2o Emission Capture Device.
A one-line system and instrument drawing representing a piping system 1 with a
plurality of flanged connections 2. Fugitive emission capture devices 3 are
connected pressure tightly to the piping system 1 to eliminate the loss of
containment due to improperly installed flanged connections 2. Instrumentation
4
to detect a pressure change in the fugitive emission capture devices 3 will
indicate
a leak at that flanged connection. Hose connections S are used to connect
temporary piping system 7 to a portable storage tank 6.
Drawings #8 and #9 are a combination of the drawings for claims #8 and #9
3o referring to claims #8 and #9 and drawing #1 as the represented Fugitive
Emission Capture Device.
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CA 02310557 2000-OS-24
A one-line system and instrument drawing representing a under ground 6
pressure
piping system 1 with a plurality of flanged connections 2. Fugitive emission
capture devices 3 are connected pressure tightly to the piping system 1 to
capture
in pure form the fugitive emissions, that a sensing element 7 connected to a
programmable remote communication system 5 connected through a below grade
6 PVC under ground conduit 4, will alarm to a control center.
Drawing #12 refers to claim #12 and drawing #1 as the represented Fugitive
Emission Capture Device.
to A one-line system and instrument drawing representing a pressure piping
system
1 with a plurality of flanged connections 2. Fugitive emission capture devices
3
are connected pressure tightly to the piping system 1 to capture in pure form
the
fugitive emissions, using a compatible inert carrier gas 4 as a mode of force,
kept
at pressure by pressure control valve 5 and pressure transmitter 6. A
programmable logic controller 7 opens and closes valves 9, 10, 11 in a timed
sequence to allow carrier gas 4 to flow through a molecular concentration
analyzer 8. Analyzer out put is to a data logging system 12.
1D
