In-service cleaning of columns
AssigneeOccidental Chemical Corporation
InventorCharles R. Rutan
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
This invention discloses a method of in-service cleaning an operating column by inserting into the column a lance through which a compatible liquid is dispensed at a pressure of at least about 5000 psig. Also disclosed is apparatus which comprises a column through which a fluid can pass, nozzles mounted on the outside of the column, where each nozzle comprises a flange welded to the column and a valve bolted to the flange, a lance which can be inserted through the nozzles into the column and means for dispensing a liquid through the lance at a pressure of at least about 5000 psig.
Claims20
Apparatus comprising
- (1) a vertical column,
- (2) baffles inside said column,
- (3) means for passing a fluid through said column;
- (4) sealable apertures in the side of said column;
- (5) a removable hollow lance inserted through any of said sealable apertures into said column through which a liquid can be supplied to the interior of said column;
- and
- (6) means for supplying a liquid to said lance at a pressure of at least about 1000 psig.
Apparatus comprising
- (A) a vertical column having horizontally mounted trays therein;
- (B) means for passing a fluid vertically through said column;
- (C) nozzles mounted on the outside of said column, each nozzle comprising a flange fixed to the side of said column and a valve fixed to said flange;
- (D) a removable hollow lance inserted into said vertical column through any of said nozzles;
- and
- (E) means for forcing a liquid through said hollow lance into said vertical column at a pressure of at least about 1000 psig.
Apparatus comprising
- (A) a vertical column containing a multiplicity of horizontal trays, each tray having a weir and perforations therethrough covered by valve caps;
- (B) means for passing a fluid vertically through said column;
- (C) nozzles mounted on the outside of said column at levels in between the levels of said trays, each nozzle comprising a flange welded to the side of said column and a gate valve bolted to said flange;
- (D) a lance guide mounted on the gate valve of any one of said nozzles, where said lance guide
- (1) has a stop for preventing the withdrawal of a lance therefrom;
- and
- (2) contains a packing gland and means for cooling a lance therein with water;
- (E) a removable hollow lance inserted into said vertical column through said lance guide and through the nozzle on which said lance guide is mounted, said removable hollow lance having a tip perforated so as to direct a fluid passing therethrough at at least one of said trays;
- and
- (F) a pump fitted to force a fluid through said hollow lance at a pressure of at least about 1000 psig.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.