Method and apparatus for removing a high pressure in-tank pump using a low pressure tube
AssigneeChicago Bridge & Iron Company
InventorGlenn L. Weidlein
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Apparatus are disclosed which include a low pressure tube through which a pump discharge line can extend. The tube is sealed in at least two separate elevations to define a purge zone that can be purged of all volatile gases and permit the discharge line to be raised vertically through the low pressure tube.
Claims42
Apparatus for removing a pump from a tank containing cryogenic fluid, comprising:
- a tube having a bore therethrough;
- a discharge pipe extending through the tube bore, and having means for being connected to a pump discharge;
- a first seal joined to the discharge pipe at a first elevation;
- a second seal joined to the discharge pipe at a second elevation below the first seal elevation, the second seal spaced apart from the first seal to define a vent zone therebetween;
- a third seal joined to the discharge pipe at a third elevation below the second seal elevation, the third seal spaced apart from the second seal to define a purge zone therebetween;
- and
- means for purging the purge zone.
Apparatus for removing a pump from a tank, comprising:
- a tube having a bore therethrough;
- a discharge pipe disposed in and extending through the tube bore, the discharge pipe including a pump mount;
- a first seal joined to the discharge pipe at a first elevation;
- a second seal joined to the discharge pipe at a second elevation below the first seal elevation, the second seal spaced apart from the first seal to define a vent zone therebetween;
- a third seal joined to the discharge pipe at a third elevation below the second seal elevation, the third seal spaced apart from the second seal to define a purge zone therebetween;
- a pump seal including a pump mount at an elevation below the third seal elevation;
- means for pulling the discharge pipe through the tube bore to sealably engage the tube bore with the pump seal to define a second purge zone;
- and
- means for purging the first and second purge zones.
Apparatus for removing a pump from a tank containing a cryogenic fluid, comprising:
- a tube having a bore therethrough;
- a first seal joined to the tube bore and having an orifice therethrough;
- a second seal joined to the tube bore and having an orifice therethrough, the second seal spaced apart from the first seal to define a purge zone therebetween;
- a discharge pipe extending through the tube bore and the seal orifices, and having a pump mount;
- means for purging the purge zone with inert gas;
- and
- means for raising the discharge pipe through the tube bore and seal orifices.
A method for removing a pump and an associated discharge pipe from a tank containing cryogenic fluid, the discharge pipe extending through a tube bore, the method comprising the steps of:
- sealing the tube bore with a first seal joined to the discharge pipe at a first elevation;
- sealing the tube bore with a second seal joined to the discharge pipe at a second elevation spaced apart from and below the first elevation to define a vent zone;
- sealing the tube bore with a third seal joined to the discharge pipe at a third elevation spaced apart from and below the second elevation to define a purge zone;
- venting the vent zone;
- purging the purge zone;
- raising the discharge pipe to remove the first seal from the tube bore, the second seal to the first elevation, and the third seal to the second elevation;
- sealing the tube bore with a plurality of successively lower seals joined to the discharge pipe by raising each successive seal to the third elevation to define a new purge zone with a seal at the second elevation;
- purging the new purge zone;
- and
- removing the pump from the tube bore.
A method for removing a pump and an associated discharge pipe from a tank containing cryogenic fluid, the discharge pipe extending through a tube bore, the method comprising the steps of:
- sealing the tube bore around the discharge pipe at a first elevation,
- sealing the tube bore around the discharge pipe at a second elevation spaced apart from the first elevation to define a purge zone therebetween;
- purging the purge zone with inert gas;
- and
- raising the discharge pipe and the pump through the purge zone.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.