IPC분류정보
국가/구분 |
United States(US) Patent
등록
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국제특허분류(IPC7판) |
|
출원번호 |
US-0177943
(2002-06-21)
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발명자
/ 주소 |
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출원인 / 주소 |
|
대리인 / 주소 |
|
인용정보 |
피인용 횟수 :
1 인용 특허 :
28 |
초록
▼
A vapor pressure equalizer system for reducing the pressure of a storage tank that contains volatile liquid or fuel. A conduit is connected to the storage tank that draws vapors present in the ullage of the storage tank into the conduit. The vapors are circulated through the conduit to cool the vapo
A vapor pressure equalizer system for reducing the pressure of a storage tank that contains volatile liquid or fuel. A conduit is connected to the storage tank that draws vapors present in the ullage of the storage tank into the conduit. The vapors are circulated through the conduit to cool the vapor and return the vapor to the storage tank. In this manner, the pressure of the storage tank is reduced since the vapors being returned are cooler and smaller in volume than when the vapors entered the conduit. The conduit may be an open system that circulates vapors, or may be a closed system that circulates a cooling media through a radiator in the ullage of the storage tank. An electronic controller controls the operation of the system according to measurements that indicate an overpressure condition or a likelihood of future over-pressurization.
대표청구항
▼
1. A volatile liquid storage tank pressure reduction system for reducing the volume of vapor present in the ullage of a storage tank that contains volatile liquid, comprising:a conduit having an inlet port and an outlet port;a valve connected inline to said conduit, said valve having a valve inlet a
1. A volatile liquid storage tank pressure reduction system for reducing the volume of vapor present in the ullage of a storage tank that contains volatile liquid, comprising:a conduit having an inlet port and an outlet port;a valve connected inline to said conduit, said valve having a valve inlet and a valve outlet;a pump and heat exchanger connected inline to said conduit downstream said valve outlet; andan electronic controller electrically coupled to said valve to control the opening of said valve and electronically coupled to said pump to activate said pump, wherein said electronic controller is adapted to open said valve and activate said pump to draw vapor from the ullage of the storage tank through said inlet port to pass the vapor through said heat exchanger to cool the vapor and return the cooled vapor through said outlet port to the ullage of the storage tank;wherein said heat exchanger includes a fan to circulate outside air inside said conduit to cool the vapor. 2. The system of claim 1, further comprising an ullage temperature sensor that measures the temperature of the storage tank and inputs the ullage temperature into said electronic controller. 3. The system of claim 1, further comprising an ambient temperature sensor that measures the temperature of the outside air and inputs the ambient temperature into said electronic controller. 4. The system of claim 1, further comprising an ambient pressure sensor that measures the pressure of the outside air and inputs the ambient pressure into the electronic controller. 5. The system of claim 1, further comprising a storage tank pressure sensor that measures the pressure of the storage tank and inputs the storage tank pressure into said electronic controller. 6. The system of claim 5, wherein said electronic controller opens said valve and activates said pump if said storage tank pressure is greater than a preset pressure threshold. 7. The system of claim 6, wherein said electronic controller additionally activates said heat exchanger if said storage tank pressure is greater than said preset pressure threshold. 8. The system of claim 5 further comprising a volatile liquid temperature sensor that measures the temperature of the volatile liquid in the storage tank and inputs said voltage liquid temperature into said electronic controller, and an ambient temperature sensor that measures the temperature of the outside air, wherein said electronic controller also determines if the volatile liquid temperature is greater than the ambient temperature by a preset temperature value and opens said valve and activates said pump if said volatile liquid temperature is greater than the ambient temperature by at least said preset temperature value. 9. The system of claim 5, wherein said electronic controller additionally activates said heat exchanger. 10. The system of claim 4, further comprising a volatile liquid temperature sensor that measures the temperature of the volatile liquid and inputs said volatile liquid temperature into said electronic controller, a ullage temperature sensor that measures the temperature of the ullage and inputs said ullage temperature into said electronic controller, wherein said electronic controller closes said valve and deactivates said pump if said storage tank pressure is less than a pressure threshold, and either said volatile liquid temperature is not greater than a temperature preset value, said volatile liquid temperature is not greater than said ullage temperature, or said difference in temperature between said volatile liquid temperature and said ullage temperature is not greater than or equal to a second temperature preset value. 11. The system of claim 1, wherein said ullage further comprises a vent stack, wherein said vent stack has a vent stack inlet port and a vent stack outlet port, and wherein said vent stack outlet port is connected to a pressure relief valve coupled to atmosphere. 12. The system of claim 11, wherein said vent stack inlet port is fluidly connected to said outlet port of said conduit and said vent stack outlet port is fluidity connected to said inlet port of said conduit. 13. A volatile liquid storage tank pressure reduction system for reducing the volume of vapor present in the ullage of a storage tank that contains volatile liquid, comprising:a conduit having an inlet and an outlet port, wherein said conduit is in thermal contact with the air outside of the storage tank;a valve connected to said conduit said valve having a valve inlet and a valve a pump connected inline to said conduit downstream said valve outlet;a electronic controller electrically coupled to said valve to control the opening of said valve and electronically coupled to said urn to activate said urn wherein said electronic controller is adapted to open said valve and activated said pump to draw vapor from the ullage of the storage tank through said inlet port and pass the vapor through said conduit to cool the vapor and return the cooled vapor through said outlet port to the ullage of the storage tank;a storage tank pressure sensor that measures the pressure of the storage tank and inputs the storage tank pressure into said electronic controller;a volatile liquid temperature sensor that measures the temperature of the volatile liquid in the storage tank and inputs said volatile liquid temperature into said electronic controller; andan ambient temperature sensor that measures the temperature of the outside air;wherein said electronic controller also determines if the volatile liquid temperature is greater than the ambient temperature by a preset threshold valve and opens said valve and activates said pump if said volatile liquid temperature is greater than the ambient temperature by at least said preset threshold value. 14. A volatile liquid storage tank pressure reduction system for reducing the volume of vapor present in the ullage of a storage tank that contains volatile liquid, comprising:a conduit having an inlet port and an outlet port, wherein said conduit is in thermal contact with the sir outside of the storage tank;a valve connected inline to said conduit said valve having a valve inlet and a valve outlet;a pump connected inline to said conduit downstream said valve outlet;a electronic controller electronically coupled to said valve to control the opening of said valve and electronically coupled to said pump to activate said pump wherein said electronic controller is adapted to open said valve and activate said pump to draw vapor from the ullage of the storage tank through said inlet port and pass the vapor through said conduit to cool the vapor and return the cooled vapor through said outlet port to the ullage of the storage tank;a storage tank pressure sensor that measures the pressure of the storage tank and inputs the storage tank pressure into said electronic controller;a volatile liquid temperature sensor that measures the temperature of the volatile liquid and inputs said volatile liquid temperature into said controller;a ullage temperature sensor that measures the temperature of the ullage and inputs said ullage temperature into said electronic controller; andwherein said electronic controller closes said valve and deactivates said pump if said storage tank pressure is less than a pressure threshold, and either said volatile liquid temperature not greater than temperature preset value, said volatile liquid temperature is not greater than said ullage temperature, or said difference in temperature between said volatile liquid temperature and said ullage temperature is not greater than or equal to a second temperature preset value. 15. A volatile liquid storage tank pressure reduction system for reducing the volume of vapor present in the ullage of a storage tank that contains volatile liquid, comprising:a conduit having an inlet port and an outlet port, wherein said conduit is in thermal contact with the air outside of the storage tank;a valve connected t o said conduit, said valve having a valve inlet and a valve a valve connected inline to said conduit downstream said valve outlet;a electronic controller electrically coupled to said valve to control the opening of said valve and electronically coupled to said pump to activate said pump, wherein said electronic controller is adapted to oven said valve and activate said pump to draw vapor from the ullage of the storage tank through said inlet port and pass the vapor through said conduit to cool the vapor and return the cooled vapor through said outlet port to the ullage of the storage tank;a storage tank pressure sensor that measures the pressure of the storage tank and inputs the storage tank pressure into said electronic controller;a ullage temperature sensor that measures the temperature of the ullage and inputs said ullage temperature into said electronic controller; andan ambient temperature sensor the measures the temperature of the air outside the storage tank and inputs said ambient temperature to said electronic controller;wherein said electronic controller only opens said valve and activates said pump if said ambient temperature is legs than said ullage temperature by more than a temperature preset value. 16. A system for reducing the pressure of a storage tank, comprising:a storage tank that contains volatile liquid and has an ullage containing vapor;a conduit having an inlet port and an outlet pork wherein both said inlet port and said outlet port are fluidly coupled to said ullage;a valve connected inline to said conduit said valve having a valve inlet and a valve outlet;a pump and heat exchanger connected inline to said conduit downstream said valve outlet; andan electronic controller electrically coupled to said valve control the opening of said valve and electronically coupled to said pump to activate said pump, wherein said electronic controller is adapted to open said valve and activate said pump to draw vapor from said ullage at said storage tank through said inlet port to pass said vapor through said heat exchanger to cool said vapor and return said cooled gas through said outlet port to said ullage of said storage tank;wherein said heat exchanger includes a fan to circulate outside air inside said conduit to cool the vapor. 17. The system of claim 16, further comprising an ullage temperature sensor that measures the temperature of said storage tank and inputs the ullage temperature into said electronic controller. 18. The system of claim 16, further comprising an ambient temperature sensor that measures the temperature of the outside air and inputs the ambient temperature into said electronic controller. 19. The system of claim 16, further comprising an ambient pressure sensor that measures the pressure of the outside air and inputs the ambient pressure into the electronic controller. 20. The system of claim 16, further comprising a storage tank pressure sensor that measures the pressure of said storage tank and inputs said storage tank pressure into said electronic controller. 21. The system of claim 16, wherein said electronic controller opens said valve and activates said pump if said storage tank pressure is greater than a predetermined pressure threshold. 22. The system of claim 21, wherein said electronic controller additionally activates said heat exchanger if said storage tank pressure is greater than said preset pressure threshold. 23. The system of claim 20, further comprising a volatile liquid temperature sensor that measures the temperature of said volatile liquid in said storage tank and inputs said volatile liquid temperature into said electronic controller, and an ambient temperature sensor that measures the temperature of the outside air, wherein said electronic controller also determines if said volatile liquid temperature is greater than the ambient temperature by a preset temperature value and opens said valve and activates said pump if said volatile liquid temperature is greater than sai d preset temperature value. 24. The system of claim 23, wherein said electronic controller additionally activates said heat exchanger. 25. The system of claim 20, further comprising a volatile liquid temperature sensor that measures the temperature of said volatile liquid and inputs said volatile liquid temperature into said controller, an ullage temperature sensor that measures the temperature of said ullage and inputs said ullage temperature into said electronic controller, wherein said electronic controller closes said valve and deactivates said pump if said storage tank pressure is less than a pressure threshold, and either said volatile liquid temperature not greater than a temperature preset value, said volatile liquid temperature is not greater than said ullage temperature, or said difference in temperature between said volatile liquid temperature and said ullage temperature is not greater than or equal to a second preset temperature value. 26. A method of reducing the pressure of a storage tank, comprising the steps of:opening a valve inline to a conduit in thermal contact with the outside air to allow vapors to be drawn into said conduit and wherein said conduit has an inlet and an outlet coupled to the ullage of the storage tank;drawing said vapors from the ullage of the storage tank into said inlet of said conduit;circulating said vapors through said conduit to create beat exchange between said vapors and the outside air;passing said vapor through a heat exchange inline to said conduit to cool said vapors before said step of returning;returning said vapors to the ullage of the storage tank by discharging said vapors through said outlet of said conduit;measuring the pressure of the storage tank;measuring the temperature of volatile liquid stored in the storage tank; andperforming the step of passing said vapors through said heat exchanger if the temperature of the volatile liquid is less than the ambient temperature by more than a temperature preset value and if the pressure of the storage tank is above a pressure threshold. 27. The method of claim 26, further comprising the steps of:measuring the temperature of the ullage;measuring the temperature of the vapors exiting said heat exchanger; andperforming said step of opening said valve and drawing vapors through said conduit if the temperature of the ullage is greater than the temperature of vapors exiting said heat exchanger by a temperature preset value. 28. A method of reducing the pressure of a storage tank, comprising the steps of:opening a valve inline to a conduit in thermal contact with the outside air to allow vapors to be drawn into said conduit and wherein said conduit has an inlet and an outlet coupled to the ullage of the storage tank;drawing said vapors from the ullage storage tank into said inlet of said conduit;circulating said vapors through said conduit to create heat exchange between said vapors and the outside air;returning said vapors to the ullage of the storage tank by discharging said vapors through said outlet of said conduit;measuring the pressure of the storage tank;measuring the temperature of volatile liquid stored in the storage tank; andperforming said step of opening said valve and said step of circulating the vapors if the temperature of the volatile liquid is greater than the ambient temperature by more than a temperature preset value and if the pressure of the storage tank is above a pressure threshold. 29. The method of claim 28, wherein said step of circulating said vapors further comprises the step of creating a vacuum inside said conduit. 30. A method of reducing the pressure of a storage tank, comprising the steps of:opening a valve inline to a conduit in thermal contact with the outside air to allow vapors to be drawn into said conduit and wherein said conduit has an inlet and an outlet coupled to the ullage of the storage tank;drawing said vapors from the ullage of the storage tank into said inlet of a conduit;circulating sai d vapors through said conduit to create beat exchange between said vapors and the outside air returning said vapors to the ullage of the storage tank by discharging said vapors through said outlet of said conduit;measuring the temperature of volatile liquid stored in the storage tank; andclosing said valve if the temperature of the volatile liquid is not greater than a temperature preset value. 31. The method of claim 30, further comprising the steps of:measuring the temperature of the ullage of the storage tank; andclosing said valve if the temperature of the volatile liquid is not greater than the temperature of the ullage. 32. The method of claim 31, further comprising the steps of:comparing the difference in temperature between the temperature of the volatile liquid and the temperature of the ullage;closing said valve if the temperature of the volatile liquid is greater than the temperature of the ullage, but not by an amount greater than a temperature preset valve. 33. The method of claim 32, further comprising the steps of:measuring the ambient temperature;comparing the temperature of the volatile liquid to the ambient temperature; andclosing said valve if the temperature of the volatile liquid is not greater than the ambient temperature. 34. The method of claim 33, further comprising the step of activating a heat exchanger coupled inline to said conduit if difference between the temperature of the volatile liquid and the ambient temperature is not greater than a temperature preset value. 35. The method of claim 33, further comprising the step of activating a heat exchanger coupled inline to said conduit wherein said heat exchanger cools said vapors if the temperature of the volatile liquid is greater than the ambient temperature and the difference between the temperature of the volatile liquid and the ambient temperature is greater than a temperature preset value. 36. The method of claim 35, further comprising the steps of:measuring the temperature of the vapors exiting said heat exchanger; andopening said valve if the temperature of the vapors exiting said heat exchanger is less than the temperature of the ullage, and the difference in temperature between the temperature of the vapors exiting said heat exchanger and the temperature of the ullage is greater than a temperature preset value. 37. The system of claim 13, further comprising a second valve coupled inline to an outlet of said heat exchanger, wherein said second valve is under control of said electronic controller and said second valve is opened to all the vapor to return to the storage tank. 38. The system of claim 14, further comprising a second valve coupled inline to an outlet of said heat exchanger, wherein said second valve is under control of said electronic controller and said second valve is opened to all the vapor to return to the storage tank. 39. The system of claim 15, further comprising a second valve coupled inline to an outlet of said heat exchanger, wherein said second valve is under control of said electronic controller and said second valve is opened to all the vapor to return to the storage tank. 40. The system of claim 13, further comprising an ullage temperature sensor that measures the temperature of the storage tank and inputs the ullage temperature into said electronic controller. 41. The system of claim 14, further comprising an ambient temperature sensor that measures the temperature of the outside and inputs the ambient temperature into said electronic controller. 42. The system of claim 13, further comprising an ambient pressure sensor that measures the temperature of the outside air and inputs the ambient pressure into said electronic controller. 43. The system of claim 14, further comprising an ambient pressure sensor that measures the pressure of the outside air and inputs the ambient pressure into said electronic controller. 44. The system of claim 15, further comprising an ambient pressure sensor that measures the pressure of t he outside air and inputs the ambient pressure into said electronic controller. 45. The system of claim 16, further comprising a second valve coupled inline to an outlet of said heat exchanger, wherein said second valve is under control of said electronic controller and said second valve is opened to allow said cooled vapor to return said storage tank. 46. The method of claim 26, further comprising the step of opening a second valve on the outlet side of said head exchanger to allow said vapors to return to the ullage of the storage tank. 47. A volatile liquid storage tank pressure reduction system for reducing the volume of vapor present in the ullage of a storage tank that contains volatile liquid, comprising:a conduit having an inlet port and an outlet port;a valve connected inline to said conduit, said valve having a valve inlet and a valve outlet;a pump and heat exchanger connected inline to said conduit downstream said valve outlet;an electronic controller electrically coupled to said valve to control the opening of said valve and electronically coupled to said pump to activate said pump, wherein said electronic controller is adapted to open said valve and activate said pump to draw vapor from the ullage of the storage tank through said inlet port to pass the vapor through said heat exchanger to cool the vapor and return the cooled vapor through said outlet port to the ullage of the storage tank; anda storage tank pressure sensor that measures the pressure of the storage tank and inputs the storage tank pressure into said electronic controller;wherein said electronic controller opens said valve and activates said pump if said storage tank pressure is greater than a preset pressure threshold and additionally activates said heat exchanger if said storage lank pressure is greater than said preset pressure threshold. 48. A volatile liquid storage tank pressure reduction system for reducing the volume of vapor present in the ullage of a storage tank that contains volatile liquid, comprising:a conduit having an inlet port and an outlet port;a valve connected inline to said conduit, said valve having a valve inlet and a valve outlet;a pump and heat exchanger connected inline to said conduit downstream said valve outlet; andan electronic controller electrically coupled to said valve to control the opening of said valve and electronically coupled to said pump to activate said pump, wherein said electronic controller is adapted to open said valve and activate said pump to draw vapor from the ullage of the storage tank through said inlet port to pass the vapor through said heat exchanger to cool the vapor and return the cooled vapor through said outlet port to the ullage of the storage tank;a storage tank pressure sensor that measures the pressure of the storage tank and inputs the storage tank pressure into said electronic controller; anda volatile liquid temperature sensor that measures the temperature of the volatile liquid in the storage tank and pressure into said volatile liquid temperature into said electronic controller, and an ambient temperature sensor that measures the temperate of the outside air, wherein said electronic controller also determines if the volatile liquid temperature is greater than the ambient temperature by a present temperature value and opens said valve and activates said pump if said volatile liquid temperature is greater than the ambient temperature by at least said preset temperature valve. 49. A volatile liquid storage tank pressure reduction system for reducing the volume of vapor present in the ullage of a storage tank that contains volatile liquid, comprising:a conduit having an inlet port and an outlet port;a valve connected inline to said conduit, said valve having a valve inlet and a valve outlet;a pump and heat exchanger connected inline to said conduit downstream said valve outlet; andan electronic controller electrically coupled to said valve to control the opening of said valve and elect ronically coupled to said pump to activate said pump, wherein said electronic controller is adapted to open said valve and activate said pump to draw vapor from the ullage of the storage tank through said inlet port to pass the vapor through said heat exchanger to cool the vapor and return the cooled vapor through said outlet port to the ullage of the storage tank;a storage tank pressure sensor that measures the pressure of the storage tank and inputs the storage tank pressure into said electronic controller; anda volatile liquid temperature sensor that measures the temperature of the volatile liquid and inputs said volatile liquid temperature into said electronic controller, a ullage temperature sensor that measures the temperate of the of the ullage and inputs said ullage temperature into said electronic controller wherein said electronic controller closes said valve and deactivates said pump if said storage tank pressure is less than a pressure threshold, and either said volatile liquid temperature is not greater than a temperature preset valve, said volatile liquid temperature is not greater than said ullage temperature and said ullage temperature is not greater than or equal to a second temperature preset value. 50. A system for reducing the pressure of a storage tank, comprising:a storage tank that contains volatile liquid and has an ullage containing vapor;a conduit having an inlet port and an outlet pork wherein both said inlet port and said outlet port are fluidly coupled to said ullage;a valve connected inline to said conduit said valve having a valve inlet and a valve outlet;a pump and heat exchanger connected inline to said conduit downstream said valve outlet; andan electronic controller electrically coupled to said valve control the opening of said valve and an electronically coupled to said pump to activate said pump, wherein said electronic controller is adapted to open said valve and activate said pump to draw vapor from said ullage of said storage tank through said inlet port to pass said vapor through said heat exchanger to cool said vapor and return said cooled gas through said outlet port to said ullage of said storage tank;wherein said electronic controller opens said valve and activates said pump if said storage tank pressure is greater than a predetermined pressure threshold and additionally activates said heat exchanger if said storage tank pressure is greater than said present pressure threshold. 51. A system for reducing the pressure of a storage tank, comprising:a storage tank that contains volatile liquid and has an ullage containing vapor;a conduit having an inlet port and an outlet pork wherein both said inlet port and said outlet port are fluidly coupled to said ullage;a valve connected inline to said conduit said valve having a valve inlet and a valve outlet;a pump and heat exchanger connected inline to said conduit downstream said valve outlet;an electronic controller electrically coupled to said valve control the opening of said valve and electronically coupled to said pump to activate said pump, wherein said electronic controller is adapted to open said valve and activate said pump to draw vapor from said ullage at said storage tank through said inlet port to pass said vapor through said heat exchanger to cool said vapor and return said cooled gas through said outlet port to said ullage of said storage tank;a storage tank pressure sensor that measures the pressure of said storage tank and inputs said storage tank pressure into said electronic controller;a volatile liquid temperature sensor measures the temperature of said volatile liquid in said storage tank and inputs said volatile liquid temperature into said electronic controller; andan ambient temperature sensor that measures the temperature of the outside air;wherein said electronic controller also determines if said volatile liquid temperature is greater than the ambient temperature by a present temperature value and opens said valve a nd activates said pump if said volatile liquid temperature is greater than said preset temperature value. 52. A system for reducing the pressure of a storage tank, comprising:a storage tank that contains volatile liquid and has an ullage containing vapor;a conduit having an inlet port and an outlet pork wherein both said inlet port and said outlet port are fluidly coupled to said ullage;a valve connected inline to said conduit said valve having a valve inlet and a valve outlet;a pump and heat exchanger connected inline to said conduit downstream said valve outlet;an electronic controller electrically coupled to said valve control the opening of said valve and electronically coupled to said pump to activate said pump, wherein said electronic controller is adapted to open said valve and activate said pump to draw vapor from said ullage at said storage tank through said inlet port to pass said vapor through said heat exchanger to cool said vapor and return said cooled gas through said outlet port to said ullage of said storage tank; a storage tank pressure sensor that measures the pressure of said outlet port to said ullage of said storage tank;a volatile liquid temperature sensor that measures the temperature of said volatile liquid and inputs said volatile liquid temperature into said controller;an ullage temperature sensor that measures the temperature of said ullage and inputs said ullage temperature into said electronic controller;wherein said electronic controller closes said ullage and deactivates said pump if said storage tank pressure is less than pressure threshold, and either said volatile liquid temperature not greater than a temperature preset value, said volatile liquid temperature is not greater than said ullage temperature of said difference in temperature between said volatile liquid temperature and said ullage temperature is not greater than or equal to a second preset temperature value.
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