Capsule train separation system for fluid capsule pipeline transporation
First Claim
1. Apparatus for spacing consecutive capsules of solid material traveling as a capsule train in a pipeline, the capsule train comprising a plurality of said capsules in longitudinal, generally closely spaced relationship, the capsules being carried by a fluid flowing through the pipeline, the apparatus comprising a separation system interposed between upstream and downstream portions of the pipeline for receiving the train of capsules from the upstream portion and passing consecutively separated capsules within the capsule train to the downstream portion, the separation system being constructed for increasing the spacing between consecutive capsules within the capsule train in the downstream portion of the pipeline after passing through the separation system, the volume of fluid flowing from an outlet location of the separation system being substantially the same as the volume of fluid flowing into an inlet location of the separation system.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Apparatus for spacing consecutive capsules of solid material traveling as a capsule train in a pipeline in which the capsules are carried by a fluid flowing through the pipeline includes a separation system interposed between upstream and downstream portions of the pipeline for receiving the train of capsules. The separation system passes consecutively separated capsules within the capsule train to the downstream portion. The separation system is constructed for increasing the spacing between consecutive capsules within the capsule train in the downstream portion of the pipeline after passing through the separation system. The volume of fluid flowing from an outlet location of the separation system is substantially the same as the volume of fluid flowing into an inlet location of the separation system. A method for boosting fluid pressure in the capsule carrying pipeline consecutively spaces capsules within a capsule train as the train approaches a dual lock booster station to permit the booster station to alternately divert the trains into the first and second locks of the booster station.
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Citations
25 Claims
- 1. Apparatus for spacing consecutive capsules of solid material traveling as a capsule train in a pipeline, the capsule train comprising a plurality of said capsules in longitudinal, generally closely spaced relationship, the capsules being carried by a fluid flowing through the pipeline, the apparatus comprising a separation system interposed between upstream and downstream portions of the pipeline for receiving the train of capsules from the upstream portion and passing consecutively separated capsules within the capsule train to the downstream portion, the separation system being constructed for increasing the spacing between consecutive capsules within the capsule train in the downstream portion of the pipeline after passing through the separation system, the volume of fluid flowing from an outlet location of the separation system being substantially the same as the volume of fluid flowing into an inlet location of the separation system.
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19. A method for boosting fluid pressure in a pipeline system in which capsules of solid material are injected into a pipeline containing a flowing fluid to carry the capsules over long distances, the method comprising the steps of:
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positioning a valve to divert a first number of capsules defining a first train into a first lock of a boosting station; removing fluid ahead of the capsules in the first train from the first lock; positioning the valve to divert a second number of capsules defining a second train to a second lock at the boosting station; removing fluid ahead of the capsules in the second train from the second lock; pressurizing fluid removed from the second lock; injecting pressurized fluid from the second lock into the first lock to increase the pressure of the fluid to carry the first train of capsules in the first lock into the pipeline at increased velocity; separating the capsules travelling through the fluid flow to provide a spacing between the first and second trains prior to reaching the boosting station to permit the position of the valve to be switched between diverting capsules into the first lock and diverting capsules into the second lock; the step of separating the capsules comprising the steps of removing a substantial portion of the fluid surrounding the capsules in the pipeline at an inlet location of a capsule separator so that the capsules are decelerated, injecting the removed fluid back into the pipeline around the capsules at an outlet location of the capsule separator downstream from the inlet location where fluid was removed thereby to accelerate capsules passing through said downstream location for spacing apart consecutive capsules. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
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Specification