Systems and methods for providing continuous containment of delayed coker unit operations

• US 20060076225A1
• Filed: 04/20/2005
• Published: 04/13/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 03/12/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: DeltaValve, LLC (Circor International Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Curtiss-Wright Flow Control Corporation (Curtiss-Wright Corporation)
• Inventors: Lah, Ruben F.
• Granted Patent: US 7,632,381 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 202/245
• CPC Class Codes: C10B 25/10 for ovens with vertical chambers
• CPC Class Codes: C10B 33/006 Decoking tools, e.g. hydraulic coke removing tools with boring or cutting nozzles
• CPC Class Codes: C10B 33/12 Discharge valves

Abstract

The present invention relates to a safety system during the entire delayed coker operation. The present invention preferably comprises a coke drum; a first coke drum de-header system coupled to the bottom of the coke drum; a second coke drum de-header system coupled to the top of the coke drum; a containment system coupled to the second coke drum de-header system; and a remote switching system. Hence, the present invention provides system for cutting coke within a coke drum with increased safety, efficiency and convenience.

Claims

1. A system for providing a safe working environment during delayed coker operations, said system comprising:

a coke drum;

a first coke drum de-header system coupled to the bottom of the coke drum;

a second coke drum de-header system coupled to the top of the coke drum;

a containment system coupled to the second coke drum de-header system; and

a remote switching system.

2. A system for providing a safe working environment during the delayed coker operations as in claim 1, wherein the first coke drum de-header system comprises:

a main body removably coupled to a coke drum, wherein said main body comprises an orifice dimensioned to align with an opening of said coke drum;

a valve closure comprising a valve capable oscillating to open and close said de-header valve and for de-heading and re-heading said coke drum;

means for supporting said valve; and

a metal to metal contact seal created between said valve closure and said means for supporting a valve closure, said contact seal shearing any accumulated coke upon actuation of said valve closure.

3. A system for providing a safe working environment during the delayed coker operations as in claim 2, wherein said means for supporting said valve closure comprises a seat support system.

4. A system for providing a safe working environment during the delayed coker operations as in claim 3, wherein said seat support system comprises at least one element selected from a list consisting of:

dual, independent seats positioned opposite one another on either side of said valve closure, thus applying opposing forces upon said valve closure, and wherein said seats are selected from a static and a dynamic seat;

live loaded seat and seat assembly;

at least one static seat and seat assembly;

a static seat positioned opposite a complimentary live loaded seat; and

portions of said main body adapted to support said valve closure and provide said contact seal.

5. A system for providing a safe working environment during the delayed coker operations as in claim 2, further comprising a steam purge system.

6. A system for providing a safe working environment during the delayed coker operations as in claim 2, wherein said valve closure is actuated by an element selected from a list consisting of:

a hydraulic apparatus;

an electric motor;

a manual actuator;

an actuator remotely controlled by a central processing unit.

7. A system for providing a safe working environment during the delayed coker operations as in claim 2, wherein the de-header valve is selected from a list consisting of:

a plug type de-header valve, a ball-type de-header valve, an adjusting wedge gate-type de-header valve, a flexible wedge gate-type de-header valve, a parallel slide gate-type de-header valve, a solid wedge gate-type de-header valve, a sliding blind gate-type de-header valve, globe-type de-header valve, and a goggle type de-header valve.

8. A system for providing a safe working environment during the delayed coker operations as in claim 1, wherein the containment system is comprised of:

a drill stem guide, wherein the drill stem guide may move vertically up and down inside of the containment system.

9. A system for providing a safe working environment during the delayed coker operations as in claim 8, wherein the containment system is a structural can rated to take pressure swells.

10. A system for providing a safe working environment during the delayed coker operations as in claim 8, wherein the containment system is further comprises a venting system.

11. A system for providing a safe working environment during the delayed coker operations as in claim 10, wherein the venting system comprises vent tubing, wherein the vent tubing is comprised of a terminal end of the vent tube and the vent plate, wherein the first end of the vent tubing is affixed to the containment system and the venting system allows excess gas produced during the decoking process to enter the vent tubing through the first end of the vent tubing, wherein the excess gas is further allowed to move through the vent tubing to the terminal end of the vent tubing and be released at a point distant from operators.

12. A system for providing a safe working environment during the delayed coker operations as in claim 8, wherein the containment system provides continuous containment of pressurized gases and materials during the entire length of the drill stroke.

13. A system for providing a safe working environment during the delayed coker operations as in claim 8, wherein the drill stem guide maintains the position of the drill stem.

14. A system for providing a safe working environment during the delayed coker operations as in claim 8, wherein the drill may safely operate in a fully raised or lowered position.

15. A system for providing a safe working environment during the delayed coker operations as in claim 8, wherein the containment system additionally comprises an access panel.

16. A system for providing a safe working environment during the delayed coker operations as in claim 8, wherein the containment system additionally provides a hinged means for opening one side of the containment system.

17. A system for providing a safe working environment during the delayed coker operations as in claim 15, wherein the access panel is attached to the containment systems by hinges and can be locked shut with a locking means.

18. A system for providing a safe working environment during the delayed coker operations as in claim 1, wherein the switching system comprises:

a cutting head with a plurality of nozzles separated into two groups, one group for boring and one for cutting, each group being supplied by fluid from a pipe independent from the other group.

19. A system for providing a safe working environment during the delayed coker operations as in claim 18, further comprising multiple cutting heads.

20. A system for providing a safe working environment during the delayed coker operations as in claim 18, wherein the cutting head is controlled by a central processing unit.

21. A system for providing a safe working environment during the delayed coker operations as in claim 18, further comprising a switch valve, wherein said switch valve segregates high-pressure fluid into separate delivery pipes, wherein said delivery pipes consist of at least one delivery pipe for boring and at least one delivery pipe for cutting, wherein said delivery pipes deliver fluid to a cutting head.

22. A system for providing a safe working environment during the delayed coker operations as in claim 21, wherein the switch valve is a three way ball joint.

23. A system for providing a safe working environment during the delayed coker operations as in claim 21, further comprising one or more visual markers that indicate whether high pressure fluid is flowing, and into which delivery pipe the fluid is flowing.

24. A system for providing a safe working environment during the delayed coker operations as in claim 21, wherein said switch valve is controlled by a central processing unit.

25. A system for providing a safe working environment during the delayed coker operations as in claim 21, wherein said switch valve and cutting head are controlled remotely from a control room.

26. A system for providing a safe working environment during the delayed coker operations as in claim 21, wherein the switch valve is manually actuated by an operator.

27. A system for providing a safe working environment during the delayed coker operations as in claim 18, further comprising an integrated boring and cutting water delivery pipe, which begins where said boring water delivery pipe and said cutting water delivery pipe connect and integrate.

28. A system for providing a safe working environment during the delayed coker operations as in claim 18, further comprising a rotatable integrated boring and cutting drill stem having a cutting head and a motor.

29. A system for providing a safe working environment during the delayed coker operations as in claim 28, further comprising a union, wherein said union connects said integrated boring and water delivery pipe to said rotatable integrated boring and cutting drill stem.

30. A system for providing a safe working environment during the delayed coker operations as in claim 18, wherein said fluid is water.

31. A method for safely removing coke from a coke vessel, comprising the steps of:

coupling a coke drum to a main body of a deheader valve;

supporting said valve; and

creating a metal to metal contact seal between said valve closure and said means for supporting a valve closure, said contact seal shearing any accumulated coke upon actuation of said valve closure;

pressurizing liquid;

ejecting high pressure fluid from nozzles dedicated to boring on a cutting head to begin boring a hole through said coke, wherein said cutting head is comprised of a plurality of nozzles separated into two groups, one group for boring and one for cutting, each independently supplied by fluid

ejecting high pressure fluid from nozzles dedicated to cutting coke on a cutting head to begin cutting said coke within said coke vessel;

wherein said cutting head is comprised of a plurality of nozzles separated into two groups, one group for boring and one for cutting, each independently supplied by fluid;

containing the de-coking system with a continuous containment system.