Method and apparatus for transmitting liquid suphur over long distances

Abstract

Movement of liquid sulphur requires a considerable heat source to maintain the sulphur in liquid form. The present application and method utilizes an outer steel pipe having a liquid sulphur inlet at one end and a liquid sulphur outlet at the other end and at least one heating fluid carrying conduit extending through the outer pipe. Liquid sulphur is pumped in at one end and the majority of this liquid sulphur is maintained in the molten state through out the length of the pipe line by the heating liquid carrying conduit. However an annular shell of solidified sulphur is allowed to form in contact with the inner surface of the wall of the outer pipe so that it acts as a thermal insulator and assists in maintaining the sulphur that is remaining in the liquid state. Thrust blocks are required along the length of the liquid carrying conduit to limit end shifting and expansion and contraction means are provided along the length of the heating liquid carrying conduit to take up longitudinal movement between adjacent thrust blocks. Means are provided to remove the liquid within the heating liquid carrying conduit at stages along the length thereof, so that this liquid may be reheated and returned to the heating liquid carrying conduit.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.