Apparatus and methods for the automatic cleaning and inspection systems of coke drums
OwnerRoberto Bello, Gabriel Vivasinventors
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An integral system for automated and non-intrusive of cleaning and non-destructive inspection (ultrasonic volumetric testing and visual testing) to detect, characterize and monitor with precision the level of internal and external damage (Cracks, deformations, corrosion, erosion, etc.) that may be present in coke drums throughout their life cycle is disclosed. Embodiments are disclosed that enable a condition of a coke drum to be estimated in a reliable manner for their fitness for service from the results obtained from the automated inspection with the non-destructive methods of ultrasound, visual testing and/or liquid Penetrant Testing.
Claims18
A coke drum cleaning system comprising:
- a vertical member:
- a gear box fixedly attached to a distal end of the vertical member including a joint:
- a gear box motor coupled to the gear box;
- an arm pivotally attached at a proximal end to the joint and configured to pivot from a vertical position to a horizontal position;
- a sliding member selectively slidably positioned within the arm;
- and a cleaning mechanism mounted to a distal end of the sliding member;
- and wherein the gear box motor is configured to selectively rotate the arm about the vertical member in the horizontal position;
- and wherein an inspection system is operable following cleaning of the interior surface using the cleaning mechanism adapted for preparation of a coke drum surface for non-destructive testing.
A method of inspecting a coke drum, the method comprising:
- providing a coke drum cleaning system comprising:
- a vertical member;
- a gear box fixedly attached to a distal end of the vertical member including
- a joint;
- a gear box motor coupled to the gear box;
- an arm pivotally attached at a proximal end to the joint;
- a sliding member selectively slidably positioned within the arm;
- and
- a cleaning mechanism mounted to a distal end of the sliding member;
- introducing the coke drum cleaning system into an interior of the coke drum;
- pivoting the arm from a vertical position to a horizontal position;
- and
- rotating the arm using the gear box motor about the vertical member in the horizontal position;
- and
- performing an automated inspection of a coke drum surface after preparation using a cleaning system.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.