Method for Handling Bituminous Crude Oil in Tank Cars
AssigneeVopak North America, Inc.
InventorThomas Gieskes
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Bituminous heavy crude oil is kept at elevated temperatures in order to flow and may be transported in one direction, and light hydrocarbons typically comprising of mixtures of components of which the majority will have molecular chain lengths of 2 to 12 carbon atoms, such as Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG), Natural Gas Liquids (NGL), light naphtha, natural gasoline and natural gas condensates may be transported in the opposite direction.
Claims21
A method for changing a rail tank car from transporting heated bituminous crude oil to transporting light hydrocarbons comprising:
- transporting the bituminous crude oil at a temperature of 70° C. or higher under its own vapor pressure;
- and
- discharging bituminous crude oil from a rail car at a destination without reheating using light hydrocarbon vapor.
A method comprising:
- receiving a tank car with bituminous crude oil at a temperature of at least 70° C.;
- discharging the bituminous crude oil at a temperature of at least 30° C. using light hydrocarbon vapors;
- and
- refilling the rail tank car with light hydrocarbons.
A rail car terminal comprising:
- a condensate vaporizer to vaporize liquid light hydrocarbons and to supply the hydrocarbons to a rail car;
- a condenser to condense light hydrocarbon vapors from said car;
- and
- a pressure control system to control the pressure of condensate vapors.
A rail car comprising:
- a shell;
- external heating coils extending around said shell to heat the contents of said shell;
- and
- said coils acting as stiffeners to enable said shell to withstand full internal vacuum.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.