Method and apparatus for unplugging hydrocarbon drains or vents
AssigneeSaudi Arabian Oil Company
InventorSaleh H. Al-Shammari
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Embodiments of an apparatus can be used for unplugging a component of a hydrocarbon transportation or storage unit. Embodiments can include a main body, which can have a central passage through a length of the main body; a secondary passage transverse to the central passage; and a connector end operable to connect the body to the component. Embodiments of the apparatus can also include a valve in fluid communication with the secondary passage, a pressure gauge in fluid communication with the valve, a system connector in fluid communication with the valve, operable to connect the apparatus to a dosed system, and a poker rod operable to move within the central passage of the main body.
Claims21
An apparatus for unplugging an outlet, the apparatus comprising:
- a main body comprising:
- a central passage through a length of the main body;
- a secondary passage transverse to the central passage;
- a connector end operable to connect the body to the outlet;
- a valve in fluid communication with the secondary passage;
- a pressure gauge in fluid communication with the valve;
- a system connector in fluid communication with the valve, operable to connect the apparatus to a closed system;
- and
- a poker rod operable to move within the central passage of the main body.
A method for unplugging a component connected to a fluid containing unit, useful in hydrocarbon application, comprising the steps of:
- (a) connecting a component connector end of a device to the component;
- (b) connecting a system connector end of the device to a closed system;
- (c) poking an end of a rod of the device into the component;
- (d) evaluating if a pressure gauge of the device reads a pressure greater than zero;
- and
- (e) repeating step (c) and step (d) until the pressure gauge reads a pressure greater than zero.
A method for unplugging a component connected to a fluid containing unit, useful in hydrocarbon application, comprising the steps of:
- (a) connecting a component connector end of a device to the component, the device comprising a poker rod operable to enter the component;
- (b) connecting a system connector end of the device to a closed system;
- (c) evaluating if a pressure gauge of the device reads a pressure greater than zero;
- (d) monitoring the pressure gauge until the pressure becomes substantially equal to zero;
- and
- (e) disconnecting the device from the component and the closed system.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.