Bottom entry pumping system with tertiary containment

Details Bottom entry pumping system with tertiary containment Bottom entry pumping system with tertiary containment

2000-01-27

2001-09-11

Doerrler, William (Department: 3744)

Refrigeration

Storage of solidified or liquified gas

Liquified gas transferred as liquid

C062S050700, C062S053100

Reexamination Certificate

active

06286320

ABSTRACT:

FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to methods and structures for pumping liquids to and from a tank, and in a further embodiment relates to methods and structures for pumping liquids from a tank at cryogenic temperatures.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Conventionally, liquified natural gas (LNG) is pumped to and from a tank via a pump which has been positioned within the bottom of the tank up through a pipe to the top of the tank to a relatively expensive, complex and sizable piping and handling system that is built at considerable expense on top of the LNG tank.
It is desirable to reduce the cost, complexity, size and construction time for a system used to pump LNG to and from its storage tank.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a simplified method and apparatus for pumping liquids to and from a storage tank.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a simplified method and apparatus for pumping cryogenic liquids such as LNG to and from a storage tank safely.
Still another object of the invention is to provide an apparatus for pumping cryogenic liquids such as LNG to and from a storage tank safely, and more simply and less complexly than currently done, and which can be built relatively more quickly.
In carrying out these and other objects of the invention, there is provided, in one form, a bottom entry pumping system for cryogenic liquids which includes a container which has an outer wall, which may be concrete and/or metal (e.g. stainless or carbon steel), and an optional inner metal liner, where the metal is rated for cryogenic temperatures. The system also has a line for transporting liquid from a liquid storage tank through the container, and a pump connected to the line for pumping liquid out of the liquid storage tank. Optionally, this line is vacuum-jacketed. The system also includes at least one cryogenic valve in the line which can be controlled from outside the container.
In the case where an optional inner metal liner is not used, powdered perlite (eutectic between ferite and cementite) can be used to fill the voids between the outer wall and the equipment. Another optional feature is to provide earthen dikes or berms in place around the bottom entry pumping system for further containment.


REFERENCES:
patent: 2386958 (1945-10-01), Jackson
patent: 4920754 (1990-05-01), Dederer et al.
patent: 5762119 (1998-06-01), Platz et al.
patent: 5954101 (1999-09-01), Drube et al.
patent: 2 020 542 (1970-04-01), None
patent: 59147198 (1984-08-01), None

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