Method and apparatus for cleaning railroad tank cars
AssigneeBiochem Systems
InventorsBruce Jansen, Cody Nath
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A blend of aliphatic hydrocarbons and polyglycol ether(s) is used in a process for cleaning railroad tank cars that have been gravity drained of hydrocarbon fluids but may be left with a residuum containing heavy hydrocarbons, paraffin and noxious gas. A simple recirculation system is established between the chemical source, the contaminated railcar, canister filters and back to the chemical source. Contaminates are removed from the cleaning chemical by the filters and there is no water or steam used which might otherwise damage the railcar.
Claims20
A method for cleaning a tank comprising:
- circulating a blend of aliphatic hydrocarbons and polyglycol ether(s) through the interior of the tank and into a filter;
- monitoring the turbidity of the circulating blend;
- and,
- discharging the circulating blend from the tank when the turbidity reaches a preselected value.
An apparatus for cleaning the interior of a tank with a solvent comprising:
- a reservoir containing a supply of the solvent;
- a first pump in fluid communication with the reservoir;
- a spray nozzle configured for releasable mounting within the tank and in fluid communication with the first pump;
- a drain line configured for releasable connection to a low point in the tank;
- a second pump in fluid communication with the drain line;
- a valve assembly in fluid communication with the second pump and configured to selectively direct the output of the second pump to either a first output or a second output;
- an effluent recovery vessel in fluid communication with the first output;
- a solvent recycle line in fluid communication with the second output;
- a filter assembly having an input in fluid communication with the solvent recycle line and an output;
- and,
- a solvent return line in fluid communication with the filter output and the solvent reservoir.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.