Inert gas supply and salvage system for oil tankers
AssigneeThe British Petroleum Company p.l.c.
InventorsPeter V. Shaw, Stewart Speed
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An inert gas supply system suitable for salvaging a damaged oil tanker comprises an inert gas generator (1), a pressurizing blower (5), piping (3, 12), at least one combined purge pipe, pressure indicator and pressure vacuum release device (4) and at least one set of seals and isolating tanks. The system may be used for reducing hydrocarbon gas accumulations on a damaged tanker to safe levels, pressurizing damaged tanks to improve buoyancy, and maintaining non-flammable atmospheres during off-loading of cargo or discharge of ballast.
Claims5
A method for salvaging an oil tanker comprising:
- purging combustible gasses from a compartment of said tanker;
- regulating the back pressure of purged gasses;
- connecting, via a covering plate, a source of inert gas to a first opening of said compartment;
- forcing said inert gas into said compartment via said first opening with a pressure equal to or greater than said back pressure to insure complete purging of said combustible gasses;
- lowering a pump and pump driving and discharge hoses via a lift cable through a second opening into said compartment;
- and
- slidably sealing said lift cable and said pump hoses to said second opening for containment of said gasses while pumping liquid via said pump discharge hose from said compartment.
A salvage system for an oil tanker comprising:
- a source of inert gas;
- means for connecting said source of inert gas to a compartment of said tanker, said source including means for pressurizing said gas sufficiently for driving out liquid from said tank;
- means for pumping liquid from a compartment of said tanker, said pumping means including hose for the withdrawal of liquid and cabling for lowering said pumping means into said compartment via an opening in said compartment;
- a seal for closing off said opening about said hose and said cabling, said seal being formed of two sectors mating at semi-cylindrical guides for admission of said hose and said cabling;
- and
- vapor purging means adapted to be coupled to an opening of said compartment, and having a direct vent and a manometer vent for alternative venting of entrapped gas from said compartment.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.