Cleaning method
OwnerMarcello Ferrarainventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
The method for cleaning chemical process and hydrocarbon processing apparatuses is performed by establishing a closed flow circulation loop, under specific operating conditions and in the presence of hydrocarbon-based fluids. The cleaning method is monitored by performing chemical/physical analysis. After cleaning the apparatus(es) can be immediately inserted back into the process. An optional degassing step can also be performed, in case the apparatus(es) has to be disassembled for inspection of maintenance.
Claims83
A method for cleaning apparatus(es) of a chemical or hydrocarbon processing plant to remove heavy organic compounds, foulants, sludge or coke, as material to be removed, comprising:
- a) connection of the apparatus(es) to be cleaned to a plant comprised of:
- heating means,
- a system for circulating a fluid,
- a connection system for establishing a closed loop,
- inlet/outlet for fluids,
- control means,
- filtering means;
- b) establishment of a closed flow circulation loop which effectively includes:
- the apparatus(es) to be cleaned,
- the heating means,
- the system for circulating a fluid,
- the connection system for establishing a closed loop,
- the inlet/outlet for fluids,
- the control means,
- the filtering means;
- c) filling of the apparatus(es) with a sufficient amount of hydrocarbon-based fluid(s), in a way that the closed flow circulation loop be full during subsequent circulation, and such that said closed flow circulation loop is full of said hydrocarbon-based fluid(s);
- d) circulation through the loop of the hydrocarbon-based fluid(s);
- e) heat up the circulating hydrocarbon-based fluid(s) to a temperature comprised between 100° C. and 600° C.;
- f) set up the pressure of the circulating hydrocarbon-based fluid(s) to a value comprised between 1 bar and 50 bar;
- g) circulation of the hydrocarbon-based fluid(s) for a time sufficient to clean the apparatus(es) of the material to be removed, comprised of between 20 minutes and 7 days, at temperature comprised between 100° C. and 600° C. and a pressure comprised between 1 bar and 50 bar, with the pressure and temperature being effective in solubilizing the material to be removed;
- h) monitoring of the status of cleaning operations, as to determine cleaning time, by performing chemical and/or physical analysis;
- i) removal of the circulated hydrocarbon-based fluid(s).
A method for cleaning a surface of an apparatus to remove heavy organic compounds, foulants, sludge or coke, as material to be removed in a chemical process or hydrocarbon process system, comprising:
- a) flushing a fluid from the chemical or hydrocarbon process system which includes said apparatus;
- b) setting up a closed flow circulation loop which includes said apparatus;
- c) introducing a first hydrocarbon-based fluid to the closed flow circulation loop such that said introduced first hydrocarbon-based fluid fills said closed flow circulation loop, and such that said closed flow circulation loop is full of said first hydrocarbon-based fluid;
- d) passing the first hydrocarbon-based fluid across the surface of said at least one apparatus while maintaining said first hydrocarbon-based fluid at a temperature of from 100° C. to 600° C. and a pressure of from 1 to 50 bar;
- e) recirculating said first hydrocarbon-based fluid through said closed flow circulation loop and over the surface of said apparatus multiple times to clean the surface of said apparatus of the material to be removed, with the pressure and temperature being effective in solubilizing the material to be removed.
A method for cleaning a surface of an apparatus to remove heavy organic compounds, foulants, sludge or coke, as material to be removed in a chemical process or hydrocarbon process system, comprising:
- a) setting up a closed flow circulation loop which includes said apparatus;
- b) introducing a first hydrocarbon-based fluid to the closed flow circulation loop that includes the surface of said apparatus to be cleaned within said closed flow circulation loop;
- c) independently of said first hydrocarbon-based fluid introduction, introducing a second hydrocarbon-based fluid to the closed flow circulation loop that includes the surface of said apparatus to be cleaned within said closed flow circulation loop such that said introduced first and second hydrocarbon-based fluid fills said closed flow circulation loop and such that the closed flow circulation loop is full of said first and second hydrocarbon-based fluids following introduction of said first and second hydrocarbon-based fluids to said closed flow circulation loop;
- d) passing the first and second hydrocarbon-based fluids across the surface of said at least one apparatus while at a temperature of from 100° C. to 600° C. and while at a pressure of from 1 bar to 50 bar;
- e) recirculating said first and second hydrocarbon-based fluids through said closed flow circulation loop and over the surface of said apparatus multiple times to clean the surface of said apparatus of the material to be removed, with the pressure and temperature being effective in solubilizing the material to be removed during the recirculating.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.