Device for coupling pipelines for running cryogenic liquid

Abstract

A device for coupling pipelines for running cryogenic liquid has: a pair of flanges which are pierced by coupling units respectively and which support the coupling units with the coupling units freely approaching and separating from each other and which form compartments around the coupling units; a pair of inner cover units which open and shut the insides of the coupling units; a pair of outer cover units which open and shut the insides of the compartments of the flanges; and purge lines for purging the insides of the compartments. The process of coupling pipelines by this device has the steps of: opening the outer cover units with the insides of the coupling units shut by the inner cover units; coupling the flanges to each other; purging the inside of a compartment which is formed in the flanges; opening the inner cover units; and coupling the coupling units to each other with the coupling units isolated from the outside air. It can be possible to promptly perform the separation and the coupling of the pipelines with high purity kept. Moreover, the reduction of the cost of the separation and the coupling can be accomplished because the quantity of flushing fluid can be reduced greatly.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.