Metal working – Method of mechanical manufacture – Structural member making
Reexamination Certificate
1998-10-13
2001-03-20
Cuda, J. (Department: 3726)
Metal working
Method of mechanical manufacture
Structural member making
C029S897312, C029S469000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06202305
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a method of constructing a large elongate internal structure surrounded by an external structure, the internal structure being a fluid-confining structure intended to form at least part of a fluid supply plant.
The invention applies more particularly to the construction of air-distillation columns, whose height may be as much as 60 meters, surrounded by their support frameworks.
On a production site, such a column, the verticality of which must be perfect in order to ensure that the distillation process is carried out properly, is surrounded by a framework which supports the column and all or some of its items of equipment, the framework being covered with external protective metal sheeting.
In the case of large distillation columns, i.e. the size of which does not allow them to be transported, the column and its framework have hitherto been constructed or delivered separately on site and then all or part of the framework, into which the column is subsequently inserted, is erected. Such a method of construction is complex and poses many problems when assembling the framework, the column and its items of equipment, especially in order to meet the verticality constraint imposed on the column.
Such a method of construction also poses problems of safety, in particular because of the heights at which workers may be required to operate.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The object of the invention is to remedy the abovementioned problems and, in particular, to provide a method of constructing a large internal structure surrounded by an external structure, allowing, on the one hand, rapid on-site assembly, meeting the column verticality constraint, and allowing, on the other hand, factory preassembly before transportation to the site.
For this purpose, the subject of the invention is a method of constructing a large elongate internal structure surrounded by an external structure, the internal structure being a fluid-confining structure intended to form at least part of a fluid supply plant, characterized in that n modules are constructed, for each of the modules, by joining a section of the internal structure to a corresponding section of the external structure, these n modules being intended to be joined together on site in order to form the internal structure surrounded by the external structure.
According to particular embodiments, the method may comprise one or more of the following characteristics:
at least one internal structure section is introduced into the corresponding external structure section by pulling it in, especially by moving it along rails provided in the external structure section, which lies approximately horizontally, and then these two sections are fastened together;
each internal structure section is introduced into and then positioned in the corresponding external structure section, in an identical manner and parallel to a predetermined longitudinal axis of the external structure, before these two sections are fastened together;
the ends of external and internal structure sections are provided respectively with means for guiding adjacent sections and, after the internal structure section has been positioned with respect to the external structure section of a first module and after these two sections have been fastened together, for an adjacent module:
the internal structure section is introduced into the corresponding external structure section,
the internal structure section and the external structure section of the adjacent module are placed, by virtue of the respective guiding means, in the extension of the internal structure section and of the external structure section of the first module, respectively,
the two external structure sections are aligned, and
the internal structure section of the adjacent module is positioned with respect to its external structure section and these two sections are fastened together;
when the corresponding modules are placed one in the extension of the other, at least two adjacent internal structure sections are equipped with at least some of their items of equipment before these modules are separated;
for each module, the construction is completed by fitting protective metal sheeting over the corresponding external structure section, except at least in the regions of connection to the other modules;
the internal structure is a distillation column;
the external structure is a support frame-work;
the n modules are joined together in succession, from the bottom module up to the top module, in order to erect the internal structure on site;
since it is necessary to check on site the verticality of the internal structure:
the bottom module is positioned in such a way that the longitudinal axis of the corresponding external structure section is vertical, and
the following modules are assembled in succession on top of the bottom module;
since it is necessary to check on site the verticality of the internal structure, at least one internal structure section is temporarily disconnected from the external structure section of an erected module in order to check the verticality of the internal structure section; and
the equipping of the internal structure is completed, especially by connecting the items of equipment of the adjacent internal structure sections, and
the fitting of the protective metal sheeting is completed.
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Bracque Gilles
Perisse Jean-Louis
Cuda J.
L'Air Liquide Societe Anonyme pour l'Etude et l'E
Nguyen Trinh
Young & Thompson
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