F.P.V. CONTAINER

CONTENEUR SOUS PRESSION

English Abstract

This invention relates to a collapsible and free standing pressure vessel,
designed for the
transportation of fluids or semi-fluids, to offshore installations.
The invention described here is a multipurpose flexible containment device,
and unlike its nearest
rival, has a self stabilising bottom.
The container is ball shaped with a base ring which is an integral part of the
fluid carrying
capacity and when filled the unit automatically inflates to its ball shape
with the base ring giving a
donut effect allowing maximum stability.
It is a space saving device when empty, and the outer webbing not only acts as
a built-in lifting
device for engagement with a crane, but is also an integrated part of the
structure, adding
durability and extra strength. The unit has a removable liner for toxic or non-
toxic materials, in
the event that the unit has to carry a different type of material back from
the offshore location.

Claims

Claims
1. A collapsible container for shipping fluids or semi-fluids to and from
offshore installations.
2. Can be filled or discharged under pressure or vacuum.
3. Floatation device in emergency
4. Inexpensive to manufacture and maintain in comparison to its steel
counterpart.
5. Dramatically reduce shipping costs to offshore installations.
6. Less valuable rig space required.
7. Multi purpose use.

Description

CA 02352013 2003-02-27
Specification
Ref F.f'.V. ivontainer
AppIicF~tion no. 2,352,013
This invention is a collapsible and free standing pressure vessel, designed
for the transportation
of fluids, or semi-fluids, to offshore installations.
Shipping containers are well known devices comprising of an all-steel
construction, with four
corner castings, top and bottom, forklift pockets at bottom, and usually two
opening doors on one
end.
They can be lifted by crane, usually by the attachment of a wire rope sling.
Containers, however, are relatively expensive to manufacture and have to
undergo stringent steel
design codes, and take up a great deal of space even when empty.
The invention described here is a multipurpose flexible contt~ainment device,
and unlike its nearest
rival, has a self stabilising bottom, and can be operated either under
pressure or vacuum.
It is a space saving device when empty allowing minimum shipping costs and
eliminating the
need for valuable offshore platforms real estate usage. tMe cuter webbing net
only acts as a built-
in lifting device, but is also an integral part of the structurr~, adding
durability and extra strength.
A number of openings may be provided in the envelope to permit filling and
emptying.
The shape of this container makes this extremely versatile. Regular steel
units will sink if
washed overboard in severe weather canditions, and cause the toss of possible
hazardous
contents. This unit in its loaded state will fleet and with its unique shape
it will automatically flip
upside dawn and act as an emergency life raft.
Further uses are for oil spill recovery, the vessel can be used to contain
recovered oil and then
locked together to form a chain to prevent are oil slick from spreading.
Further proposed use far this inventive design ws to help contain flash flood
waters, using the
readily available water as ballast, this would then be used to build barrier
dykes eliminating the
need for sand bags.

CA 02352013 2003-02-27
Brief Description of the fJrawings
Ref F.P.V. Container
Application no. 2,352,013
A spacrtic embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example
to the
acoorrtpanying drawings in which:
Fig. 1 sttowa a cross-secbOn of the device in a full positron.
Fig. 2 it~ustrates an aerial view.
Fig. 3 shows the mans of filling and emptying with a bu~t~in hand operated
butterr~y valve. Also
shown is an added sealing safety cap, which is of screw knock-on, knock-aff
type, secured by
wire rope to prevent lass.
Fig 4 shows a bail and spring operated pneasure valve.
Referrirng to the drawing, (Fig 1 ) the crantainer comprises of an inner
removable liner (No. 8~
which is of food hygiene standard, and a flexible cuter casing (No. ?), both
of which are secured
within an oubar support system (No.'s 2 & t3) which doubles as the lifting
device, incorporating the
lining ring (No. 1 ).
the container can be fll~d under pressure via th~a hose connection (No.. 3).
To pnQVertt over-filling and damage under pressure, there is fitted a pne~-set
safely rjelease valve
(No. 5).
When emptying under vacuum there ~ an addi~onai praa-set safety release vahre
(No. 4y.
As the container is gradually fillet! the self-stabitisirtg device ryas
apparent (No. 9~
The body can then be filled in a stable manner.
The outer webbing (No.'s 2 8~ 8) shown in Fig. 1 in the lifting position, and
Fig. 2 from an serial!
vi~w, shows th~ amount of lifting straps incorporated. !t is also an integral
part of the system,
which cannot be removed on site, preventing loss.
No. 1 Lifting ring
No. 2 & ~B Factory tested outer webbing and lil~lng mechanism.
No. 3 Screw fitting connection with hand operated butterfly valve and safety
cap.
No. 4 Pressure r~eleasa valve under suction.
No. 5 Pressure release vahre under pressure.
No. 6 Removable hygienic liner.
No. 7 Flexibt~ outer casing.
No. 8 Above as In No. 2
No. 9 Self stabilising section.

Representative Drawing