Monitoring system for a pressurized container

• US 20030071736A1
• Filed: 08/23/2002
• Published: 04/17/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 08/24/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: BS&B Safety Systems LLC (International Systems & Controls Corp.)
• Original Assignee: BS&B Safety Systems LLC (International Systems & Controls Corp.)
• Inventors: Brazier, Geof, Smallwood, John E., Clark, John P. III
• Granted Patent: US 7,168,333 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/614
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 17/1606 of the reverse-buckling-type F16K17/1633 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 37/0083 by measuring valve parameters
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 37/0091 by measuring fluid parameters
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 13/02 Special adaptations of indicating, measuring, or monitoring equipment measuring in general G01
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 13/026 having the temperature as the parameter
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 13/12 Arrangements or mounting of devices for preventing or minimising the effect of explosion flame traps A62C4/00 ; Other safety measures
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2205/0314 breakable, e.g. with burst discs
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2205/0332 Safety valves or pressure relief valves
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2223/0123 gaseous, e.g. CNG, GNC
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2250/032 using computers
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2250/034 using wireless transmissions
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2250/036 using alarms
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2250/0404 Parameters indicated or measured
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2250/0408 Level of content in the vessel
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2250/043 Pressure
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2250/0434 Pressure difference
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2250/0439 Temperature
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2250/0465 Vibrations, e.g. of acoustic type
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2250/0473 Time or time periods
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2250/0491 Parameters measured at or inside the vessel
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2250/06 : Controlling or regulating of parameters as output values
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2250/0626 : Pressure
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2250/072 : Action when predefined value is reached
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2250/075 : when full
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2250/077 : when empty
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2260/016 : Preventing slosh
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2260/022 : Avoiding overfilling
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2260/023 : Avoiding overheating
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 23/0235 : based on a comparison with predetermined threshold or range, e.g. "classical methods", carried out during normal operation; threshold adaptation or choice; when or how to compare with the threshold
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/8158 : With indicator, register, recorder, alarm or inspection means
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/8175 : Plural
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/8326 : Fluid pressure responsive indicator, recorder or alarm

Abstract

A system and method of monitoring a pressurized container having an auxiliary device are provided. The system includes a sensor operable to provide a signal representative of at least one operating condition of the pressurized container. The system also includes a control operable to receive the signal from the sensor and generate a warning when the sensed operating condition will impact the operation of the auxiliary device.

Claims

1. A monitoring system for a pressurized container having an auxiliary device, the system comprising:

a sensor operatively disposed in the pressurized system to generate a monitoring signal representative of at least one operating condition of the pressurized container; and

a control operably connected to the sensor and operable to receive the monitoring signal and to generate a warning when the at least one operating condition of the pressurized container system will impact the operation of the auxiliary device.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the auxiliary device is chosen from the group including a pressure relief device, a pressure reduction device, a pressure control device, a pressure indicating device, and a pressure sensing device.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the monitoring signal is representative of the pressure of a fluid within the pressurized container.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein the system has a maximum allowable working pressure and the warning is generated when the pressure within the system exceeds a threshold that is a predetermined percentage of the maximum allowable working pressure.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein the threshold is approximately 105% of the maximum allowable working pressure.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the monitoring signal is representative of the temperature within the pressurized container.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein the warning is generated when the temperature exceeds a first temperature limit.

8. The system of claim 6, wherein the warning is generated when the temperature falls below a second temperature limit.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the auxiliary device is a pressure relief device and the monitoring signal is representative of a back pressure exerted on the pressure relief device, and the warning is generated when the back pressure exceeds a back pressure limit.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein the monitoring signal is representative of the pH level, and the warning is generated when the pH level is outside of a predetermined pH range appropriate for the proper operation of the auxiliary device.

11. The system of claim 1, wherein the control includes a first memory configured to store a series of monitoring signals representative of the at least one operating condition over a predetermined time period.

12. The system of claim 11, further comprising a pressure event sensor operable to generate an event signal when the auxiliary device activates.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein the control includes a second memory means, the control transferring the series of monitoring signals from the first memory to the second memory upon receipt of a burst signal.

14. A method of monitoring conditions experienced by pressurized container having an auxiliary device, the method comprising the steps of:

sensing at least one operating condition of the pressurized container;

generating a monitoring signal representative of the at least one operating condition of the pressurized container;

receiving the monitoring signal; and

issuing a warning when the at least one operating condition of the pressurized container will impact the operation of the auxiliary device.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the auxiliary device is a pressure relief device and further comprising:

inputting a set of performance characteristics of the pressure relief device into a control; and

comparing the at least one operating condition to at least one of the performance characteristics of the pressure relief device.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the monitoring signal is representative of the pressure within the pressurized container.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the pressurized container has a maximum allowable working pressure and the performance characteristics of the pressure relief device include an operating ratio and a rated pressure, and wherein the warning is generated when the pressure within the system exceeds a threshold determined by multiplying the operating ratio times the rated pressure of the rupture disk.

18. The method of claim 14, wherein the monitoring signal is representative of the temperature within the pressurized container.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the warning is generated when the temperature exceeds an upper temperature limit.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the warning is generated when the temperature falls below a lower temperature limit.

21. The method of claim 14, wherein the monitoring signal is representative of a back pressure exerted on the auxiliary device, and the warning is generated when the back pressure exceeds a back pressure limit.

22. The method of claim 14, wherein the monitoring signal is representative of the pH level in the fluid, and the warning is generated when the pH level is outside of a predetermined pH range.

23. A method of monitoring conditions experienced by a pressure reduction device sealingly engaged in a pressurized container, the method comprising the steps of:

receiving a series of monitoring signals representative of at least one operating condition of the pressurized container, each of the monitoring signals representing the operating condition existing at a particular time;

storing each monitoring signal in a first memory;

receiving a pressure event signal from a pressure event sensor; and

transmitting a historical set of monitoring signals to a second memory, the historical set containing the monitoring signals received during a predetermined time period immediately prior to receipt of the pressure event signal.

24. The method of claim 23, further comprising the step of deleting the monitoring signals from the first memory after the predetermined time period has expired.

25. The method of claim 23, further comprising the step of sensing the operating conditions of the pressurized container.

26. The method of claim 23, wherein the operating conditions include the temperature within the pressurized container.

27. The method of claim 23, wherein the operating conditions include the pressure within the pressurized container.

28. The method of claim 23, wherein the operating conditions include the pH level within the pressurized container.

29. The method of claim 23, wherein the operating conditions include a back pressure exerted on the pressure reduction device.

30. A monitoring system for a pressure reduction device sealingly engaged in a pressurized container, the system comprising:

a pressure event sensor operable to generate an event signal upon activation of the pressure relief device;

a condition sensor disposed in the pressurized container and operable to generate an operational signal representative of at least one operating condition of the pressurized container for a particular time; and

a control operable to receive the signals from the pressure event sensor and condition sensor, the control having a first memory for storing a historical set of operational signals representative of the at least one operating condition over a predetermined time period and a second memory, the control transferring the historical set of operational signals to the second memory upon receipt of the event signal.

31. The system of claim 30, wherein the monitoring signal is representative of the pressure within the pressurized container.

32. The system of claim 31, wherein the system has a maximum allowable working pressure and the control is operable to generate a warning generated when the pressure within the system exceeds a threshold that is a certain percentage of the maximum allowable working pressure.

33. The system of claim 30, wherein the monitoring signal is representative of the temperature within the pressurized container.

34. The system of claim 33, wherein the control is operable to generate a warning when the temperature exceeds an upper temperature limit.

35. The system of claim 33, wherein the control is operable to generate a warning when the temperature falls below a lower temperature limit.

36. The system of claim 30, wherein the monitoring signal is representative of a back pressure exerted on the pressure reduction device and the control generates a warning when the back pressure exceeds a back pressure limit.

37. The system of claim 30, wherein the monitoring signal is representative of the pH level and the control generates a warning when the pH level is outside of a predetermined pH range.