Delayed coker isolation valve systems

• US 20070034496A1
• Filed: 08/12/2005
• Published: 02/15/2007
• 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: Larsen, Gary, Lah, Ruben
• Granted Patent: US 8,282,074 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 202/258
• CPC Class Codes: C10B 25/10 for ovens with vertical chambers
• CPC Class Codes: C10B 27/06 Conduit details, e.g. valves
• CPC Class Codes: C10B 55/00 Coking mineral oils, bitumen, tar, and the like or mixtures thereof with solid carbonaceous material cracking oils C10G
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 27/044 slide valves with flat obturating members
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 3/0263 using particular material or covering means
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 3/0272 permitting easy assembly or disassembly

Abstract

The present invention provides more efficient, cost effective coke drum isolation valve devices and system as well as more efficient, cost effective methods for isolating the flow of matter from location to another in the delayed coker unit operation where the valve comprises a first seat; a second seat aligned with said first seat; a blind; a main body having an orifice dimensioned to align with an orifice in said line; wherein said main body is coupled to said line; an upper and lower bonnet coupled to said main body, wherein said bonnets may be removed in order to replace valve parts without separating the main body from the line; and a plate located inside a bonnet, wherein the plate comprises a planar surface that contacts a surface of the blind.

Claims

1. An isolation valve system comprising:

a first seat;

a second seat aligned with said first seat,

a blind;

a main body having an orifice dimensioned to align with an orifice in a line;

wherein said main body is coupled to said line;

an upper and lower bonnet coupled to said main body, wherein said bonnets may be removed in order to replace valve parts without separating the main body from the line; and

a plate located inside a bonnet, wherein the plate comprises a planar surface that contacts a surface of the blind.

2. The isolation system of claim 1, further comprising means for monitoring and controlling the pressure existing within said isolation system.

3. The isolation system of claim 1, further comprising metal to metal seating such that there is a metal to metal contact seal between said first seat, said second seat, and said blind.

4. The isolation system of claim 1, wherein said blind is a biased, dual seated blind.

5. The isolation system of claim 1, wherein at least one of said seats is a dynamic seat assembly further comprising a force transfer module in juxtaposition to said dynamic, live loaded seat for transferring a force from said live loaded seat adjustment mechanism to said dynamic, live loaded seat.

6. The isolation system of claim 5, wherein said live loaded seat adjustment mechanism is comprised of:

a force applicator having a portion thereof outside said isolation valve, such that an individual may adjust the force exerted on said blind by said dynamic, live loaded seat;

a biased plunger coupled to said force applicator and applying a force from said force applicator to said force transfer module;

a spring loaded assembly coupled to said pressure applicator and biasing said biased plunger; and

a plurality of sealing members contained within said live loaded seat adjustment mechanism, wherein said force applicator applies a force to said force transfer module via said plunger, which subsequently forces said dynamic, live loaded seat against said blind, thus creating a seal between said blind and said seats.

8. The isolation system of claim 1, further comprising an actuator which moves the blind through a bidirectional motion.

9. The isolation system of claim 8, where in said actuator is controlled from a remote location to increase safety.

10. The isolation system of claim 8, wherein said actuator of said blind is selected from list comprising:

a hydraulically controlled actuator;

an electric actuator, a manual actuator; and

a hydraulic actuator powered by electricity.

11. The isolation system of claim 1, wherein at least one seat comprises a dynamic live loaded seat assembly comprising a plurality of dynamic, live loaded seats with corresponding live loaded seat adjustment mechanisms and opposing static seats, such that point to point adjustability and fine tuning of said live loaded seat assembly, as acting on said blind, is achieved.

12. The isolation system of claim 1, further comprising:

a second plate located inside the same bonnet as the first plate, where in the second plate comprises a planar surface that may contact another surface of the blind.

13. The isolation system of claim 12, further comprising additional plates, where in the additional plates comprise a planar surface that may contact another surface of the blind.

14. The isolation system of claim 1, wherein the contact between the planar surface of the plate and the blind prevents matter in the line from being released.

15. The isolation system of claim 12, where in the contact between the planar surface of the plates and the blind prevent matter in the line from being released.

16. The isolation system of claim 1, wherein said flange may be attached to said line and may remain attached to said line while other elements of the valve system are repaired or replaced.

17. The isolation system of claim 1, further comprising an extraction system for extracting the seats through a space created when a bonnet is removed.

18. The isolation system of claim 17, where in the extraction system is comprised of a notch in the seats;

a block that bolts to the seat; and

an extraction tool which interacts with the block which has been bolted to a seat to allow seat to be removed from the main body through a space created by a removed bonnet.

19. The isolation system of claim 18, wherein the extraction tool comprises:

a wedge connected to a threaded shaft.

7. The isolation valve system of claim I, wherein said seats are static seats.

20. A method for isolating the flow of a fluid, gas or solid in a line said method comprising the steps of:

equipping a line with an isolation valve, said isolation valve coupled to said line and comprising;

a main body having means for connecting said isolation valve to said line;

a seat; and

a blind coupled to said main body and actuated by an actuator, said blind capable of moving in a substantially lateral bi-directional manner within said isolation valve adjacent to said seat to control the opening and closing of said isolation valve, said blind providing a seal between said seat and said blind;

closing said blind and sealing said seat against said blind blocking the flow of matter through the line; and

opening said blind causing said blind to slide across said seat into an open position, allowing the flow of matter through the line.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein said isolation comprises isolating the flow of matter out of a coke drum.

22. The method of claim 20, wherein said isolation comprises isolating the flow of matter into a coke drum.

23. A method of replacing elements of an isolation valve comprising:

attaching the main body of an isolation valve system to a line where in the isolation valve system comprises;

a flange for attaching the valve to a line;

a first seat;

a second seat aligned with said first seat;

a blind, said blind capable of moving in a bi-directional manner within said line between said first seat and said second seat to control the opening and closing of isolation valve; and

an upper and lower bonnet coupled to opposing ends of said isolation valve;

uncoupling one of the bonnets from the main body;

allowing the main body of the valve system to remain attached to the line;

inspecting the interior elements of the isolation valve system;

removing an interior element of the isolation valve system;

replacing the interior element of the isolation valve system; and

coupling the uncoupled bonnet to the main body of the valve.

24. The method of replacing elements of an isolation valve of claim 23, where in the step of removing an interior element of the isolation valve system further comprises an extraction system for extracting the seats through a space created when the bonnet is removed.

25. The method of replacing elements of a isolation valve of claim 24, further comprises a notch in the seats;

a block that bolts to the seat; and

an extraction tool which interacts with the block which has been bolted to a seat to allow seat to be removed from the main body through a space created by a removed bonnet.

26. The method of replacing elements of an isolation valve of claim 25, further comprising of a wedge connected to a threaded shaft.