STEAMOUT EFFLUENT CATCHMENT BLIND FOR TANKS AND PRESSURE TANKS

VOLET DE CAPTAGE DES EFFLUENTS PAR CHASSE A LA VAPEUR POUR RESERVOIRS ET RESERVOIRS SOUS PRESSION

English Abstract

An apparatus for redirecting fluid at a flanged connection is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a flattened section and a tubular section. The flattened section is suitable for insertion between two adjacent flanges of the flanged connection and the tubular section is suitable for attachment to a conduit such as a hose or pipe. The flattened section has a front face, a rear face and an inlet on the front face. The tubular section has an outlet and the interior of the flattened section is in fluid communication with the interior of the tubular section. The flattened section is sufficiently thin to allow the flanged connection to be reassembled, with the apparatus installed, without redesign or dismantling of any related piping.

French Abstract

Un appareil servant à rediriger un fluide à un raccord à bride est décrit. Lappareil présente un méplat et une section tubulaire. Le méplat convient à linsertion entre deux brides adjacentes du raccord à bride et la section tubulaire convient à la fixation à une conduite, comme un tuyau souple ou un tuyau. Le méplat présente une surface avant, une surface arrière et une entrée à la surface avant. La section tubulaire présente une sortie et lintérieur du méplat est en communication fluide avec lintérieur de la section tubulaire. Le méplat est suffisamment mince pour permettre le réassemblage du raccord à bride, avec lappareil installé, sans quil faille modifier ou démonter des tuyaux associés.

Claims

THE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION IN WHICH AN
EXCLUSIVE PROPERTY OR PRIVILEGE IS BEING CLAIMED ARE DEFINED AS
FOLLOWS:
1. An apparatus for redirecting fluid at a flanged connection, the
apparatus comprising
a section suitable for insertion between two adjacent flanges of the
flanged connection, said section having a front face, a solid rear face and an
inlet
only on the front face,
a tubular section suitable for attachment to a conduit, said tubular
section having an outlet;
wherein the interior of said section suitable for insertion between the
two adjacent flanges is in communication with the interior of the tubular
section.
2 The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the tubular section further
comprises a threaded end to facilitate attachment to said conduit.
3 The apparatus of any one of claims 1 to 2 further comprising a neck
portion between the section suitable for insertion between the two adjacent
flanges
and the tubular section, said neck portion gradually changing to a tubular
profile
adjacent the tubular portion.

4. A method for redirecting fluid at a flanged connection, said flanged
connection having two adjacent flanges, the method comprising the steps of
providing an apparatus having a section suitable for insertion between
the two adjacent flanges of the flanged connection, said section suitable for
insertion between the two adjacent flanges having a front face, a solid rear
face, an
inlet only on the front face, and also having a tubular section suitable for
attachment
to a conduit, said tubular section having an outlet, wherein the interior of
the section
suitable for insertion between the two adjacent flanges is in communication
with the
interior of the tubular section;
inserting said apparatus between said two adjacent flanges of the
flanged connection with the front face and opening positioned so as to catch
and re-
direct said fluid; and
creating a sealing engagement between the apparatus and the
flanged connection so that fluid will flow from the flanged connection, via
the inlet, to
the outlet.
The method of claim 4 wherein the step of creating a sealing
engagement between the apparatus and the flanged connection further comprises
bolting the two flanges together
6. The method of claim 5 wherein the step of creating a sealing
engagement between the apparatus and the flanged connection further comprises
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providing a gasket between the front face and one of the flanges of the
flanged
connection
7 The method of any one of claims 4 to 6 further comprising the step
of connecting a conduit to the tubular section so as to enable fluid flowing
out from
the outlet to be directed into the conduit
8. An apparatus for redirecting fluid at a flanged connection of a
section of pipeline, the apparatus comprising
a body member suitable for insertion between two adjacent flanges of
the flanged connection of said section of pipeline, said body member having a
front
face, a solid rear face and an inlet only on the front face;
a tubular section suitable for attachment to a conduit, said tubular
section having an outlet; and
wherein the interior of the body member is in communication with the
interior of the tubular section.
9. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein the body member further
comprises a circumferential rim and a basin
The apparatus of claim 9 wherein the rim overlays the outside
circumference of the basin so as to form a circumferential channel along the
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periphery of the basin, said circumferential channel being in communication
with the
interior of the tubular section
11 The apparatus of any one of claims 9 to 10 wherein the basin
further comprises a plurality of ridges.
12. The apparatus of any one of claims 8 to 11 wherein the tubular
section further comprises a threaded end to facilitate attachment to said
conduit.
13. The apparatus of any one of claims 8 to 12 further comprising a
neck portion between the body member and the tubular section, said neck
portion
gradually changing to a tubular profile adjacent the tubular portion
14. The apparatus of any one of claims 9 to 11 wherein the basin is
convex shaped
15 The apparatus of any one of claims 9 to 11 or 14 wherein the
circumferential rim is of such dimensions so as to match the outside
circumference
of said section of pipeline
16. The apparatus of any one of claims 3 and 13 wherein the neck is
of such dimensions so as to allow the apparatus to be inserted at the flanged
connection while at the same time allowing for bolts to pass through the two
13

adjacent flanges and allow for the flanged connection to be connected in a
normal
fashion when the apparatus inserted between the two adjacent flanges.
17. A method for cleaning a pressure vessel of an oil-and-gas facility
with a cleaning fluid, the pressure vessel being in fluid communication with a
section
of pipeline having a flanged connection, said flanged connection having two
adjacent flanges, the method comprising the steps of
providing an apparatus having a section suitable for insertion between
the two adjacent flanges of the flanged connection, said section suitable for
insertion between the two adjacent flanges having a front face, a solid rear
face, an
inlet on only the front face, and also having a tubular section suitable for
attachment
to a conduit, said tubular section having an outlet, wherein the interior of
the section
suitable for insertion between the two adjacent flanges is in communication
with the
interior of the tubular section;
inserting said apparatus between said two adjacent flanges of the
flanged connection with the front face and opening positioned so as to catch
and re-
direct said fluid,
creating a sealing engagement between the apparatus and the
flanged connection so that fluid will flow from the flanged connection, via
the inlet, to
the outlet;
cleaning the pressure vessel with said cleaning fluid,
allowing said cleaning fluid to exit the pressure vessel via the section
of pipeline: and
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using said apparatus to direct the cleaning fluid out through said outlet
of said tubular section
18 The method of claim 17 wherein the step of creating a sealing
engagement between the apparatus and the flanged connection further comprises
bolting the two adjacent flanges together.
19. The method of claim 17 wherein the step of creating a sealing
engagement between the apparatus and the flanged connection further comprises
providing a gasket between the front face and one of the flanges of the
flanged
connection.
20. The method of any one of claims 17 to 19 further comprising
the step of connecting a conduit to the tubular section so as to enable fluid
flowing
out from the outlet to be directed into the conduit.
21 The method of any one of claims 17 to 20 wherein the cleaning
fluid is steam.

Description

CA 02541279 2006-03-30
"STEAMOUT EFFLUENT CATCHMENT BLIND FOR TANKS
AND PRESSURE TANKS"
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates generally to catchment devices and clean-out
blinds and, more particularly, to devices for installation or insertion
between flanges
or flanged sections of pipe to facilitate catching and redirecting steam and
water
effluent.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
During clean-up times or turn-arounds at refineries, petrochemical and
other oil-and-gas facilities, when typically dozens of pressure vessels in a
plant are
purged and cleaned with steam, clean-up crews often unbolt flanged sections of
piping to provide an exit for the steam and water that has gone through a
pressure
vessel and piping as part of the clean-out process. It is not uncommon for the
clean-up crews to simply let the steam escape into the atmosphere and allow
the
water run onto the ground or floor.
One problem with this is that the steam vapour and water effluent will
be contaminated with whatever was inside the pressure vessel or piping.
Contaminants may include hydrocarbons, H2S or carcinogenic substances; and
would thus be released to the surroundings, creating environmental and safety
concerns.

CA 02541279 2006-03-30
A further problem is that the piping between the various pressure
vessels is often fixed in place. It is therefore difficult to remove a section
of pipe to
attach a vacuum hose or other containment means. It is simply easier to unbolt
flanged sections of pipe, and perhaps slide one relative to another, thereby
creating
an opening for the steam and water to exit. This has worked because all that
typically exits during a clean-out of a plant or pressure vessel is the
contaminated
steam and water, requiring only a relatively small opening or crack.
Applicant is not aware of any device, suitable for catching and
redirecting steam and water effluent during clean-outs and turn-arounds at
refineries, petrochemical and other oil-and-gas facilities that is simple to
operate,
and can be easily and inexpensively manufactured and is installed between
flanges
in a straightforward manner.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The invention provides an apparatus for redirecting fluid at a flanged
connection. In one aspect the apparatus comprises a flattened or narrowed
section
suitable for insertion between two adjacent flanges of the flanged connection,
said
flattened section having a front face, a rear face and an inlet on the front
face. The
apparatus further comprises a tubular section suitable for attachment to a
conduit,
said tubular section having an outlet. The interior of the flattened section
is in
communication with the interior of the tubular section enabling efFluent,
which enters
the intlet, to move from the flattened section to the tubular section and out
the
outlet.
2

CA 02541279 2006-03-30
In another embodiment, the flattened section further comprises a
circumferential rim and a basin, the rim overlaying some of the outside
circumference area of the basin so as to form circumferential channel along
the
periphery of the basin. The circumferential channel is in communication with
the
interior of the tubular section. A method aspect is also provided.
Advantages of the present invention include:
~ easy insertion and mounting of the device between flanged
sections of pipe;
~ facilitating easy capture and containment of noxious vapours
and contaminated effluent that would otherwise be released to
atmosphere, ground or surrounding environment; and
~ ability, via a hose or pipe, to be hooked up to containment
means or waste tank at atmospheric pressure, or to vacuum
system (such as a vacuum truck).
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Figures 1a - 1c are various views of one embodiment of the present
invention;
Figure 2 is a front view of the embodiment of Figures 1 a - 1 c shown
adjacent a flanged section of pipe;
Figures 3a - 3g are various perspective views of a second
embodiment the present invention, without flutes or ridges in the basin;
3

CA 02541279 2006-03-30
Figures 4a - 4d are various perspective views of the embodiment of
Figures 1 a -1 c; and
Figure 5 is a schematic side view of the embodiment of Figures 1 a -
1 c shown installed between two flanged sections of pipe.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Reference is to be had to the Figures in which identical reference
numbers identify similar components.
FIGS. 1 a - 1 c, 2, 4a - 4d and 5 show a first embodiment of an
apparatus 10 for capturing and redirecting noxious vapours and contaminated
effluent 11 that may be released during a clean-out of a pressure vessel (not
shown) and associated piping 15, and which is easily installed or inserted at
a
flanged connection 20, such as between two flanges 14a, 14b or flanged
sections of
pipe 15.
The apparatus 10 comprises a flattened section or body member 12
connected to, and in communication with, a generally hollow tubular section or
body
member 16. The flattened section 12 is adapted for insertion and mounting
between two adjacent flanges 14a, 14b of a pipeline 15 or between two adjacent
flanges of other equipment such as pressure vessels (not shown). Preferably,
the
flattened section 12 connects to the tubular section 16 via a hollow neck
portion 9.
More preferably, the neck portion 9 gradually changes from a flattened profile
4

CA 02541279 2006-03-30
(adjacent the flattened section 12) to a tubular profile (adjacent the tubular
portion
16).
The flattened section 12 further comprises a front face 12f, a rear face
12r, an inlet or opening 120 on the front face 12f, a circumferential rim 18
and a
basin or chamber 12b. The opening 12o is generally formed by the inner
circumference of the rim 18. Likewise, the basin 12b is generally formed by
the rear
face 12r and the circumferential rim 18. The basin 12b is in fluid
communication
with the tubular section 16 through an opening or passage 17 in the rim 18.
Preferably the rim 18 overlaps or overlays some of the outside circumference
of the
basin 12b so as to form a circumferential channel or passage 12c thereunder
and
along the periphery of the basin 12b. More preferably, the circumferential
channel
12c is in fluid communication with the tubular section 16 through the opening
or
passage 17. Even more preferably, the basin portion 12b is convex shaped and
has a plurality of ridges or flutes 22 (as shown more clearly in FIGS. 1a and
4a -
4d) to facilitate the re-direction of steam and effluent 11 into
circumferential passage
12c and subsequently into the tubular section 16 via passage 17.
The tubular section 16 is adapted for attachment or connection to a
conduit 19, such as a hose or pipe, and further comprises an outlet or opening
160.
The conduit 19 is preferably used to connect the apparatus 10 to a containment
tank at atmospheric pressure (not shown), a vacuum source such as a vacuum
truck (also not shown) or other containment means for the effluent 11. More
preferably, the end 16b of the tubular section 16 is threaded to facilitate
attachment
to the conduit 19.
5

CA 02541279 2006-03-30
The flattened section 12 is of such planar dimensions so as to block
the internal passage or channel of the pipeline 15 and to direct substantially
all of
the fluid or effluent flow 11 into the basin 12b when the flattened section 12
is
inserted into the line 15 and mounted or supported at the flanged connection
20
(see FIG. 5). In this embodiment the flattened section 12 is generally
circular, but
it need not be as long as the section 12 is of sufficient planar dimensions so
as to
block the internal passage or channel of the pipeline 15 and direct
substantially all
of the fluid or effluent flow 11 into the basin 12b when the flattened section
12 is
inserted into the line 15 and mounted or supported at the flanged connection
20.
The circumferential rim 18 is of such dimensions so as to facilitate
sealing engagement of the apparatus 10 with the flange 14. Preferably the rim
18 is
generally circular and of such dimensions so as to match the outside
circumference
and general wall thickness of the pipe 15. Advantageously, by matching the
outside dimensions of the flattened section 12, and rim 18, to the outside
dimensions of the pipeline 15, any bolts 23 that normally extend through the
flanges
14a, 14b can still be used to reconnect and secure the flanges 14a, 14b after
the
apparatus 10 is inserted at the flanged connection 20.
Preferably, the neck 9 is of such width and profile so as to allow the
apparatus 10 to be inserted at the flanged connection 20 while at the same
time
allowing for the bolts 23 (that normally pass through the flanges 14a, 14b) to
continue to pass through the flanges 14a, 14b and allow for the flanged
connection
20 to be secured or connected in the normal fashion with the apparatus 10
inserted
between the flanges 14a, 14b; see FIG. 2 for an illustration of one possible
6

CA 02541279 2006-03-30
arrangement for positioning of the bolts 23 and neck 9. It will be appreciated
by
those skilled in the art, that other bolt placements or positioning, and neck
9
dimensions, will also work to keep the flanged connection 20 secured in the
normal
fashion when the apparatus 10 is inserted between the flanges 14a, 14b.
In another embodiment (not shown), the flattened section 12 is of an
outside dimension so as to extend past the outside circumference of the pipe
15.
In this embodiment holes, openings or recesses are provided through the
flattened
section 12 as needed so as to allow passage of the bolts therethrough and
thereby
allowing for the flanged connection 20 to be secured or connected in the
normal
fashion with the apparatus 10 inserted between the flanges 14a, 14b.
The apparatus 10, is preferably made from steel, but can also be
made from other suitable material, such as a metal alloy or plastic.
Operation:
In operation, the flattened section 12 of the apparatus 10 is inserted at
a flanged connection 20 between two flanges 14a, 14b, with the front face 12f
and
opening 12o positioned so as to catch and re-direct steam and effluent 11 from
the
pipeline 15, to the basin 12b and subsequently into the tubular section 16 via
the
opening or passage 17 (see FIG. 5). A sealing engagement, between the rim 18
and the flange 14 is then created by the user. Preferably the sealing
engagement,
between the rim 18 and flange 14, is created by reconnecting or re-bolting the
two
flanges 14a, 14b back together. Typical American Petroleum Institute flanges
14a,
14b are suitable.
7

CA 02541279 2006-03-30
The apparatus 10 can be inserted at a flanged connection 20 by
disconnecting or unbolting the flanges 14a, 14b from each other and then
either:
displacing one flange 14a relative to the other 14b, laterally or axially, or
temporarily
removing one flange 14b and associated section of pipeline 15.
Preferably, a gasket (not shown) is positioned between the rim 18 and
the flange 14, so as to further facilitate sealing engagement of the apparatus
10 to
the flange 14. Advantageously, using a gasket enables the apparatus 10 work
efficiently even if the steam or effluent 11 is under a high pressure.
Advantageously, by mounting or supporting the apparatus 10 from the
flattened section 12, the apparatus 10 can be inserted at a flanged connection
20
without having to modify the structure of an existing pipeline 15; as the
flattened
section 12 and any additional gaskets are sufficiently thin to allow the
flanged
connection 20 to be reassembled without redesign or dismantling of the related
piping.
In another aspect, the apparatus 10 may be used in the reverse, so as
to direct fluid or gasses from the tubular section 16, to the flattened
section 12 and
into a flanged section of pipeline 15.
8

CA 02541279 2006-03-30
Other Embodiments:
FIGS. 3a - 3g illustrate another embodiment of the apparatus 10
without flutes in the basin 12b.
In yet another embodiment (not shown), there are a plurality of tubular
sections 16 connected to the flattened section 12, each with their own passage
17.
The specific embodiments described should be taken as illustrative of
the invention only and not as limiting its scope. Many further modifications
and
changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art to which the invention
relates
and the inventions should be construed in accordance with the accompanying
claims.
9

Representative Drawing