Method For Maintaining Solids in Suspension in Bulk Storage Tanks

• US 20170157576A1
• Filed: 02/24/2017
• Published: 06/08/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 04/26/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Waterline Tank Technologies LLC
• Original Assignee: Michael Henry James, O'Rourke, Michael William
• Inventors: James, Michael Henry, O'Rourke, Michael William
• Granted Patent: US 10,639,685 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 2101/30 Mixing paints or paint ingredients, e.g. pigments, dyes, colours, lacquers or enamel
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 25/21 with submerged injectors, e.g. nozzles, for injecting high-pressure jets into a large volume or into mixing chambers
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 25/50 Circulation mixers, e.g. wherein at least part of the mixture is discharged from and reintroduced into a receptacle
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 13/0405 with reciprocating or oscillating spray heads B05B13/0436, B05B13/0442, B05B13/0447, B05B13/0468 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 13/0636 by means of rotatable spray heads or nozzles
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 14/00 Arrangements for collecting, re-using or eliminating excess spraying material arrangements integral with nozzles B05B1/28
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 15/652 whereby the jet can be oriented
• CPC Class Codes: B08B 9/0933 Removing sludge or the like from tank bottoms
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 90/0093 Devices for cleaning the internal surfaces of the container and forming part of the container cleaning of containers in general B08B9/08

Abstract

A method for maintaining solids and heavy liquids in fluid suspension within a bulk storage tank includes providing a nozzle and suction assembly mounted to a storage tank sidewall having a horizontally extending discharge pipe and a suction pipe for recirculation of the emulsion of fluids within the storage tank. The discharge pipe and suction pipe can be extended to the tank floor and configured with a bend to extend along the tank sidewall to which is attached a submersible swivel joint fitted with a choked nozzle. The nozzle and suction assembly produce positive and vacuum pressure, respectively, for causing the simultaneous discharge and suction of contained tank fluids to cause recirculation. The nozzle may be adjusted so the direction of flow may follow the angle of the tank floor.

Claims

1. A method for maintaining solids and liquid in a liquid suspension an emulsion of stored an above ground storage tank comprising the steps of:

(a) providing an above ground storage tank having a vertically extending sidewall defining a tank interior and a tank exterior and a downwardly sloped interior tank floor;

(b) providing a quantity of an emulsion of solids and liquid stored in said above ground storage tank;

(C) attaching a recirculation assembly to an above ground storage tank, said recirculation assembly comprising;

(i) a nozzle section, said nozzle section having a horizontally extending discharge pipe fixedly mounted to the vertically extending sidewall of said storage tank, said discharge pipe having a section exterior to said tank sidewall and a section interior to said sidewall, said interior section of said nozzle section extending adjacent to and along said tank floor;

(ii) a suction section, said suction section having a horizontally extending draw pipe fixedly mounted to said vertically extending sidewall of said storage tank, said draw pipe having a section exterior to said tank sidewall and a section interior to said sidewall;

(iii) a first discharge pipe segment attached to said interior section of said discharge pipe of said nozzle section;

(iv) a second discharge pipe segment attached to said first discharge pipe segment of said nozzle section, said second discharge pipe segment having a submersible swivel joint;

(v) a nozzle attached to said second discharge pipe segment; and

(d) providing a vacuum through said suction section thereby suctioning a portion of said quantity of said emulsion of solids and liquid stored in said above ground storage tank from said above ground storage tank;

(e) transferring said suctioned portion of said quantity of emulsion of solids and liquid to a collection reservoir;

(g) pumping said suctioned portion of said emulsion of solids and liquid from said collection reservoir through said nozzle section thereby recirculating said suctioned portion of said emulsion of solids and liquid back into said above ground storage tank; and

(f) swiveling said nozzle section and said suction section thereby agitating said quantity of said emulsion of solids and liquid held in said above ground storage tank with said returned suctioned portion of said emulsion of solids and liquid.

2. The method as recited in claim 1 further comprising the additional step of adjusting said nozzle to be offset at a downward angle whereby said returned suctioned portion of said emulsion of solids and liquid is directed along the downward sloped surface of said tank floor of said above ground tank.

3. The method as recited in claim 2 wherein:

(a) said step of pumping said returned suctioned portion of said emulsion of solids and liquid through said nozzle section breaks up and circulates sludge at the bottom of said above ground storage tank; and

(b) said step of applying a vacuum through said suction section will thereby suction said sludge through said draw pipe.

4. The method as recited in claim 3 wherein said step of attaching a recirculation assembly includes:

(a) attaching a high pressure fluid supply line fitted to said exterior section of said discharge pipe;

(b) attaching a pump system connected to said fluid supply line;

(c) attaching a vacuum line fitted to said exterior section of said draw pipe; and

(d) a vacuum system connected to said vacuum line;

(e) wherein said collection reservoir is in communication with said vacuum system and said pump system, wherein said vacuum system applies said vacuum through said suction section to suction said suctioned portion of said emulsion of solids and liquid from said above ground storage tank into said collection reservoir; and

(f) wherein said pump system pumps said suctioned portion of said emulsion of solids and liquid from said collection reservoir for recirculation of said suctioned portion of said emulsion of solids and liquid through said nozzle section back into said above ground storage tank.

5. The method as recited in claim 4 further comprising the step of providing a control assembly attached to said nozzle section whereby the position of said nozzle may be rotatably manipulated about said swivel joint from said exterior of said storage tank.

6. method as recited in claim 5, wherein said control assembly is comprised of:

(a) control shaft fitted through a bushing mounted in said tank sidewall;

(b) a control rod pivotally attached to said control shaft;

(c) steering linkage pivotally attached to said control rod and said second discharge pipe segment; and

(d) means for turning said control shaft and thereby manipulating said control rod and said steering linkage whereby said second discharge pipe segment will rotate about said swivel joint.

7. The method as recited in claim 6 wherein said interior section of said suction section is adjustable to extend adjacent to said tank floor of said storage tank comprising a first draw pipe segment in communication with said interior section of said draw pipe of said suction section and a second draw pipe segment in communication with said first draw pipe segment of said suction section, said second draw pipe segment having a submersible draw pipe swivel joint.

8. The method as recited in claim 7 further comprising a control assembly attached to said suction section whereby the position of said funnel may be rotatably manipulated about said draw pipe swivel joint from said exterior of said storage tank. 9, A method for maintaining the contents of an above ground storage tank in suspension comprising the steps of:

(a) providing an above ground storage tank having a vertically sidewall and an interior tank floor, said sidewall defining a tank interior and a tank exterior;

(b) providing liquids and solids in suspension in said tank interior as contents of said storage tank;

(c) attaching a nozzle section to said sidewall, said nozzle section having a discharge pipe adjustably extendable to a position adjacent said tank floor on said interior of said storage tank;

(d) providing a pump system connected to said nozzle section;

(f) attaching a suction section to said sidewall, said suction section having an a draw pipe Within said interior of said storage tank;

(e) providing a vacuum system connected to said suction section, said vacuum system having a collection reservoir;

(g) applying a vacuum through said suction section for suctioning the contents of said above ground storage tank into said collection reservoir;

(h) pumping said contents from said collection reservoir through said nozzle section whereby said contents is discharged back into said interior of said above ground storage tank; and

(i) swiveling said nozzle section to impart agitation to said contents of said above ground storage tank.

10. The method for maintaining the contents of an above ground storage tank in suspension as recited in claim 9 wherein said suction section includes a discharge pipe segment having an attached nozzle, said discharge pipe segment extending in horizontal direction along said tank floor.

11. The method for maintaining the contents of an above ground storage tank in suspension as recited in claim 10 further comprising the additional steps of:

(a) providing first and second discharge pipe segments within said interior of said storage tank, said first and second discharge pipe segments connected by a swivel joint;

(b) attaching a choked nozzle adjusted at a downward angle whereby said contents is discharged to follow the surface of said tank floor; and

(c) providing a control assembly whereby said nozzle is rotated about said swivel joint from said exterior of said storage tank.

12. The method for maintaining the contents of an above ground storage tank in suspension as recited in claim 11, wherein said step of providing a control assembly includes:

(a) providing a control shaft fitted through said sidewall;

(b) providing a control rod pivotally attached to said control shaft; and

(c) turning said control shaft and thereby said control rod whereby said nozzle is rotated about said swivel joint.

13. The method for maintaining the contents of an above ground storage tank in suspension as recited in claim 12 further comprising the steps of:

(a) providing said suction section with a draw pipe having a funnel;

(b) providing a swivel joint in said draw pipe;

(c) swiveling said draw pipe thereby increasing the area of suctioning of said contents adjacent said funnel.

14. The method for maintaining the contents of an above ground storage tank in suspension as recited in claim 13 further comprising the steps of:

(a) providing an adjustable draw pipe, said draw pipe extending in a horizontal direction above said tank floor; and

(b) adjusting said draw pipe whereby said funnel is placed at a position adjacent said tank floor.

15. The method for maintaining the contents of an above ground storage tank in suspension as recited in claim 14 wherein said nozzle section and said funnel section provide positive and vacuum pressure, respectively, in said interior of said storage tank and thereby causing simultaneous discharge, suction, and recirculation of said contents.