PRESSURE RELIEF OFFSHORE SYSTEM
First Claim
1. A hydrocarbon transfer system which includes a plurality of conduit sections that form an elongated conduit extending between a floating structure that floats at the sea surface and a second structure, where one of said structures has a shut-off valve, including:
- an overflow container that lies adjacent to a first of conduit sections;
a relief valve that connects said conduit to said overflow container to pass fluid hydrocarbons from said conduit to said overflow container, said relief valve constructed to open when the pressure of fluid in said conduit exceeds a predetermined level.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
An offshore hydrocarbon transfer system (10) wherein a conduit (24) connects a floating structure (12) to a second structure (22) to carry hydrocarbons between them, and one of the structures has a shutoff valve (30) that produces a pressure surge in the conduit if the shut-off valve closes too fast. The invention provides a surge protection apparatus (40) with an overflow container (50) that receives hydrocarbons in the event of a pressure surge. The overflow container lies adjacent to the conduit and is connected to the conduit by a pressure relief valve (60). In one apparatus (40), the overflow container lies coaxial with a relief conduit section (42), and includes an elastic outer wall (44) that surrounds the conduit section. In another apparatus, the overflow container (72) lies completely outside the conduit section (42), and can be removed after it has filled with hydrocarbons.
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Citations
11 Claims
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1. A hydrocarbon transfer system which includes a plurality of conduit sections that form an elongated conduit extending between a floating structure that floats at the sea surface and a second structure, where one of said structures has a shut-off valve, including:
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an overflow container that lies adjacent to a first of conduit sections; a relief valve that connects said conduit to said overflow container to pass fluid hydrocarbons from said conduit to said overflow container, said relief valve constructed to open when the pressure of fluid in said conduit exceeds a predetermined level. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. A hydrocarbon transfer system that includes first and second structures and a conduit that extends between them and that carries liquid petroleum from said second structure to said first structure, said first structure having a shut-off valve that can stop the flow of petroleum into said first structure, comprising:
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an overflow container lying adjacent to said conduit; a pressure relief valve that connects said conduit to said overflow container, said pressure relief valve constructed to open at a predetermined pressure in said conduit and then flow said liquid petroleum into said overflow container. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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Specification