In-service cleaning of columns
OwnerCharles R. Rutaninventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
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.
Claims16
A method of cleaning a column while it is in service comprising inserting a lance into said column and passing a compatible liquid through said lance into said column at a pressure of at least about 1000 psig.
A method of preparing a column for in-service cleaning comprising mounting nozzles on the outside of said column through which a lance can be inserted into said column, said nozzles comprising a flange welded to said column and a valve bolted to said flange.
In a process for separating hydrocarbons in a vertical column containing horizontal perforated trays, wherein small granules of polymer form which plug the perforations in said trays, a method of removing said granules from said perforations during said process comprising inserting a lance into the side of said column and spraying said trays with a compatible liquid forced through said lance at a pressure of at least about 1000 psig.
A method of cleaning a vertical column while said column is in service comprising
- (a) welding at least one flange to the side of said column;
- (b) bolting a valve to said flange to form a nozzle;
- (c) inserting a lance into said column through at least one nozzle;
- and
- (d) passing a compatible liquid through said lance into said column at a pressure of at least about 1000 psig.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.