Method and apparatus for handling of covering gas
AssigneeABB Gas Technology AS
InventorsReidar Trefall, Kristian Utkilen
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method for the handling of covering gas or inert gas in connection with a tank that conveys crude oil, during successive discharging and loading operations of the tank, is disclosed. The method is characterised by the fact that covering gas/inert gas is re-circulated in an approximate closed circulation by the following steps: that during discharging of the tank, covering gas is produced in a recognised manner known per se from the cargo to fill the gradually increasing void space in the tank, and that when the tank is filled again with crude oil, the gas from the tank is extracted again, and it is compressed and absorbed into the stabilized crude oil. An apparatus is mentioned for accomplishing the method.
Claims11
Method for the handling of covering gas or inert gas in connection with a tank that conveys crude oil, during successive discharging and loading operations of the tank, characterised in that the covering gas/inert gas is re-circulated in virtually closed circulation by the following steps:
- that during discharging of the tank covering gas is produced in a recognised manner known per se, from the cargo to fill the gradually increasing void space in the tank, and
- that when the tank is filled again with crude oil, the gas from the tank is extracted again, and it is compressed and absorbed into the stabilized crude oil.
Method according to any of the foregoing claims, characterised in that a part of the cargo is extracted and conducted through a plant, such as a gas generator for producing gas, said gas being pressurized and fed back to the tank.
Method according to any of the foregoing claims, characterised in that preheating the part boosts the vaporization of part of the cargo, subjecting it to vacuum and/or atomisation.
Apparatus for the handling of covering gas or inert gas in connection with a tank conveying crude oil, during successive discharging and loading operations of the tank, characterised by
- a circulation for re-circulating covering gas/inert gas, comprising:
- means of vaporization/vaporization of a unit of cargo for the production of said covering gas, and means for filling a gradually increasing void space in the tank with covering gas, and
- an means for venting gas from the tank, as well as a means of compressing and absorption of the released tank gas.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.