An atmospheric tank body inspection platform

Abstract

The application discloses a kind of normal pressure tank body inspection platform, including gas source module, vacuumizing module, gas source module includes gas source, pressure gauge and valve one, gas source module is used to provide test power, vacuumizing module includes vacuum pump, vacuum gauge and valve two, vacuumizing module is used to tank body vacuumizing, gas source module and vacuumizing module are connected to the loading and unloading valve of normal pressure tank body by pipeline, pipeline is located on the side of loading and unloading valve and is provided with valve four, pipeline is located on the side of valve four and is provided with pressure sensor, flowmeter and safety valve, pipeline is located between safety valve and gas source module, vacuumizing module and is provided with valve three, pressure regulating valve, pipeline is located on the both ends of pressure regulating valve and is provided with pressure sensor. Through the cooperation between gas source module, vacuumizing module, valve four and loading and unloading valve, normal pressure tank body emergency cut-off valve effectiveness inspection, loading and unloading valve leakproofness inspection, breathing valve positive opening inspection, breathing valve reverse opening inspection can be completed, and it is convenient and efficient.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of atmospheric pressure tank inspection technology, and more particularly to an atmospheric pressure tank inspection platform. Background Technology

[0002] As a vital component of the producer services industry, road transportation serves as a crucial link between primary, secondary, and tertiary industries, acting as the lifeblood of national economic development. However, because the transported media primarily consist of flammable, explosive, and hazardous substances such as gasoline, diesel, methanol, sodium hydroxide, and benzene, atmospheric pressure tank trucks transporting liquid hazardous goods constitute an "unstable factor" within this vital system. Accidents during the transport of liquid hazardous goods in atmospheric pressure tank trucks can lead to explosions, fires, and leaks of the transported media from the tanks, causing severe environmental pollution with potentially serious consequences.

[0003] To reduce risks and minimize the risk of accidents involving atmospheric pressure tank trucks transporting liquid hazardous goods by road, requirements have been set for the inspection of atmospheric pressure tanks. When inspecting atmospheric pressure tanks, the performance of breathing valves, emergency shut-off valves, and loading and unloading valves should be verified, and airtightness tests should be conducted when necessary.

[0004] In the existing technology, many companies have developed different types of breathing valve calibration benches for breathing valve calibration. However, these breathing valve calibration benches all require the breathing valve to be removed before testing. For old-fashioned ordinary breathing valves, removal is relatively simple, but for new-type built-in breathing valves, removal is more complicated and requires opening the tank opening, which wastes a lot of manpower.

[0005] There are currently two common methods for calibrating emergency shut-off valves. One method is to remove the valve and then calibrate it on an offline calibration bench. Removing the emergency shut-off valve sometimes requires personnel to enter the tank, which necessitates boiling, purging, and cooling the tank. These steps take at least half a day. The other method is to fill the tank with water for a shut-off test. However, filling the tank with water can corrode carbon steel, and if chloride ions exceed the standard, it can also corrode stainless steel tanks. If the water is not completely drained after the test, it may affect the quality of the contained medium.

[0006] The current method for calibrating loading and unloading valves is mainly to conduct a water filling test on the tank, which is carried out simultaneously with the test of the emergency shut-off valve. This method also carries the risk of water corrosion of the tank, and the water discharged from the test must flow into a special collection pool to avoid environmental pollution.

[0007] The above-mentioned calibration of breathing valves, emergency shut-off valves, and loading / unloading valves all require the tank trucks transporting the tanks to be driven to a fixed inspection site to meet the corresponding conditions. In addition, the breathing valves need to be removed or water needs to be injected into the tank trucks during the testing process, which is cumbersome and inefficient. Summary of the Invention

[0008] The purpose of this invention is to overcome the problems of low inspection efficiency and the need for inspection at fixed locations in the existing technology for tank trucks. It proposes an atmospheric pressure tank inspection platform that can be placed on an inspection vehicle to provide on-site inspection services for customers. The platform has high inspection efficiency and does not pollute the environment.

[0009] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention adopts the following technical solution:

[0010] An atmospheric pressure tank inspection platform includes a gas source module and a vacuum module. The gas source module includes a gas source, a pressure gauge, and valve one, which provides the test power. The vacuum module includes a vacuum pump, a vacuum gauge, and valve two, which is used to evacuate the tank. The gas source module and the vacuum module are connected to the loading and unloading valve of the atmospheric pressure tank through pipelines. Valve four is installed on the pipeline next to the loading and unloading valve. A pressure sensor, a flow meter, and a safety valve are installed on the pipeline next to valve four. Valve three and a pressure regulating valve are installed on the pipeline between the safety valve and the gas source module and the vacuum module. Pressure sensors are installed at both ends of the pressure regulating valve on the pipeline.

[0011] Furthermore, a filter is installed on the pipeline between valve four and the safety valve.

[0012] This invention also provides an inspection method using an atmospheric pressure tank inspection platform, the inspection method comprising the following steps:

[0013] S1: Emergency shut-off valve effectiveness test: Close valve 2, open valve 1, valve 3, valve 4, open loading and unloading valve, open emergency shut-off valve, operate emergency shut-off valve switch, after the emergency shut-off valve is activated, close valve 1. If the pipeline can maintain pressure, it means that the emergency shut-off valve is effective.

[0014] S2: Test the sealing performance of the loading and unloading valves. Close valve 2, open valves 1, 3, and 4, close the loading and unloading valves, and close valve 1. If the pipeline can maintain pressure, it means that the loading and unloading valves are effective.

[0015] S3: Breathing valve calibration

[0016] S3.1: Breathing valve forward opening test

[0017] Close valve 2, open valve 1, valve 3, valve 4, open loading and unloading valve, open emergency shut-off valve, and pressurize the pipeline using the air source module. If the pipeline pressure rises to 6KPa~12KPa and then stops rising, it proves that the breathing valve is opening normally in the forward direction.

[0018] S3.2: Breathing valve reverse opening test

[0019] Close valve one, open valves two, three, and four, open the loading / unloading valve, open the emergency shut-off valve, and use the vacuum module to evacuate the pipeline. If the pipeline pressure drops to -2KPa to -4KPa and then stops dropping, it proves that the breather valve is opening normally in reverse.

[0020] Furthermore, the inspection method also includes step S4: tank volume determination, closing valve 2, opening valve 1, valve 3, and valve 4, opening the loading and unloading valve, opening the emergency shut-off valve, detecting the flow meter and pressure sensor, and calculating the atmospheric pressure tank volume based on the flow meter reading and the formula PV=nRT when the pipeline pressure approaches 6 kPa.

[0021] Furthermore, valve one includes a solenoid valve one and a manual valve one connected in parallel; valve two includes a solenoid valve two and a manual valve two connected in parallel; valve three includes a solenoid valve three and a manual valve three connected in parallel; and valve four includes a solenoid valve four and a manual valve four connected in parallel. When the solenoid valves are in normal operation, manual valves one, two, three, and four are in the closed state. When a solenoid valve connected in parallel fails to open, the manual valve can be opened manually.

[0022] Furthermore, the inspection platform also includes an operating console module. The operating console module includes a platform body with casters at the bottom for easy movement. The gas source module and vacuum module are placed on the platform body. The platform body is also equipped with circuitry, which is electrically connected to the gas source, vacuum pump, and solenoid valves 1, 2, 3, and 4. This circuitry can control the start and stop of the gas source and vacuum pump, as well as the opening and closing of solenoid valves 1, 2, 3, and 4, to achieve the inspection of the atmospheric pressure tank.

[0023] Furthermore, the testing platform also includes a control module, which comprises a computer, a data acquisition unit, and a control output unit. The computer has a pre-set testing program. The data acquisition unit is connected to pressure gauges, vacuum gauges, pressure sensors, and flow meters to collect data during the testing process and store it on the computer. The control output unit is connected to a circuit and is used to automatically control the start and stop of the gas source and vacuum pump, and the opening and closing of solenoid valves one, two, three, and four, based on the information collected by the data acquisition unit and the pre-set testing program in the computer.

[0024] Furthermore, the testing platform includes an alert module, which is connected to the data acquisition unit to provide alerts for pressure and flow exceeding limits.

[0025] Compared with existing technologies, the atmospheric pressure tank inspection platform and method provided by this invention have the following advantages:

[0026] The atmospheric pressure tank inspection platform provided by this invention connects the gas source module and the vacuum module to the atmospheric pressure tank via pipelines. Through the cooperation of the gas source module, the vacuum module, valves, and loading / unloading valves, the effectiveness of the emergency shut-off valve, the sealing of the loading / unloading valve, the forward opening of the breather valve, and the reverse opening of the breather valve can be completed. It is not necessary to transport the atmospheric pressure tank to a fixed inspection site; the inspection platform can be transported to the tank truck location to begin the inspection. Moreover, the inspection process is simple, and there is no need to remove the breather valve or fill the tank truck with water, which improves the testing efficiency, saves testing time, conserves water resources, and avoids environmental problems caused by leakage of transport media from the tank truck.

[0027] The atmospheric pressure tank inspection platform provided by this invention includes a valve and a pressure regulating valve on the tank to regulate the pressure of the pipeline, and a safety valve on the pipeline to release pressure when the pressure inside the pipeline is too high, thereby improving the safety of the inspection. Attached Figure Description

[0028] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the atmospheric pressure tank inspection platform provided by the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0029] The specific embodiments of the present invention will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0030] Please refer to Figure 1 , Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the atmospheric pressure tank inspection platform provided by the present invention. The atmospheric pressure tank inspection platform provided by the present invention includes a gas source module and a vacuum module. The gas source module includes a gas source, a pressure gauge and valve one, and the gas source module is used to provide test power. The vacuum module includes a vacuum pump, a vacuum gauge and valve two, and the vacuum module is used to evacuate the tank. The gas source module and the vacuum module are connected to the loading and unloading valve of the atmospheric pressure tank through pipelines. Valve four is installed on the pipeline next to the loading and unloading valve. A pressure sensor, a flow meter and a safety valve are installed on the pipeline next to valve four. Valve three and a pressure regulating valve are installed on the pipeline between the safety valve and the gas source module and the vacuum module. Pressure sensors are installed at both ends of the pressure regulating valve on the pipeline.

[0031] A valve and a pressure regulating valve are installed on the tank to regulate the pressure of the pipeline. A safety valve is installed on the pipeline to release pressure when the pressure inside the pipeline is too high, thereby improving the safety of the test.

[0032] Preferably, a filter is installed on the pipeline between valve four and the safety valve to prevent residues in the gas source from entering the atmospheric pressure tank.

[0033] This invention also provides an inspection method using an atmospheric pressure tank inspection platform, the inspection method comprising the following steps:

[0034] S1: Emergency shut-off valve effectiveness test: Close valve 2, open valve 1, valve 3, valve 4, open loading and unloading valve, open emergency shut-off valve, operate emergency shut-off valve switch, after the emergency shut-off valve is activated, close valve 1. If the pipeline can maintain pressure, it means that the emergency shut-off valve is effective.

[0035] S2: Test the sealing performance of the loading and unloading valves. Close valve 2, open valves 1, 3, and 4, close the loading and unloading valves, and close valve 1. If the pipeline can maintain pressure, it means that the loading and unloading valves are effective.

[0036] S3: Breathing valve calibration

[0037] S3.1: Breathing valve forward opening test

[0038] Close valve 2, open valve 1, valve 3, valve 4, open loading and unloading valve, open emergency shut-off valve, and pressurize the pipeline using the air source module. If the pipeline pressure rises to 6KPa~12KPa and then stops rising, it proves that the breathing valve is opening normally in the forward direction.

[0039] S3.2: Breathing valve reverse opening test

[0040] Close valve one, open valves two, three, and four, open the loading / unloading valve, open the emergency shut-off valve, and use the vacuum module to evacuate the pipeline. If the pipeline pressure drops to -2KPa to -4KPa and then stops dropping, it proves that the breather valve is opening normally in reverse.

[0041] The atmospheric pressure tank inspection platform and method provided by this invention connects the gas source module and the vacuum module to the atmospheric pressure tank via pipelines. Through the cooperation of the gas source module, the vacuum module, valve 4, and the loading and unloading valve, the effectiveness of the emergency shut-off valve, the sealing of the loading and unloading valve, the forward opening test of the breather valve, and the reverse opening test of the breather valve can be completed. It is not necessary to transport the atmospheric pressure tank to a fixed inspection site; the inspection platform can be transported to the tank truck location to start the inspection. Moreover, the inspection process is simple, and there is no need to remove the breather valve or fill the tank truck with water, which improves the testing efficiency, saves testing time, conserves water resources, and avoids environmental problems caused by leakage of the transport medium from the tank truck.

[0042] Furthermore, the inspection method also includes step S4: tank volume determination, closing valve 2, opening valve 1, valve 3, and valve 4, opening the loading and unloading valve, opening the emergency shut-off valve, detecting the flow meter and pressure sensor, and calculating the atmospheric pressure tank volume based on the flow meter reading and the formula PV=nRT when the pipeline pressure approaches 6 kPa.

[0043] In some preferred embodiments, valve one includes a solenoid valve one and a manual valve one connected in parallel; valve two includes a solenoid valve two and a manual valve two connected in parallel; valve three includes a solenoid valve three and a manual valve three connected in parallel; and valve four includes a solenoid valve four and a manual valve four connected in parallel. When the solenoid valves are in normal operation, manual valves one, two, three, and four are in closed operation. When a solenoid valve connected in parallel fails to open, the manual valve can be opened manually.

[0044] In some preferred embodiments, the inspection platform further includes an operating table module. The operating table module includes a table body with casters at the bottom for easy movement. A gas source module and a vacuum module are placed on the table body. The table body is also equipped with a circuit that is electrically connected to the gas source, vacuum pump, and solenoid valves 1, 2, 3, and 4. The circuit can control the start and stop of the gas source and vacuum pump, and the opening and closing of solenoid valves 1, 2, 3, and 4, thereby enabling the inspection of the atmospheric pressure tank.

[0045] The testing platform also includes a control module, which comprises a computer, a data acquisition unit, and a control output unit. The computer has a pre-set testing program. The data acquisition unit is connected to pressure gauges, vacuum gauges, pressure sensors, and flow meters to collect data during the testing process and store it on the computer. The control output unit is connected to a circuit and is used to automatically control the start and stop of the gas source and vacuum pump, and the opening and closing of solenoid valves 1, 2, 3, and 4, based on the information collected by the data acquisition unit and the pre-set testing program in the computer.

[0046] To ensure safety during the testing process, in some preferred embodiments, the testing platform includes an alert module connected to the data acquisition unit, which provides pressure and flow over-limit alerts.

[0047] The atmospheric pressure tank inspection platform and method provided by this invention connects a gas source module and a vacuum module to the atmospheric pressure tank via pipelines. Through the coordination of the gas source module, vacuum module, valves, and loading / unloading valves, the effectiveness of the emergency shut-off valve, the sealing of the loading / unloading valve, the forward opening of the breather valve, and the reverse opening of the breather valve can be completed. There is no need to transport the atmospheric pressure tank to a fixed inspection location; the inspection platform can be transported to the tanker location to begin inspection. The inspection process is simple, requiring no removal of the breather valve or water injection into the tanker, thus improving inspection efficiency, saving inspection time, conserving water resources, and avoiding environmental problems caused by leakage of transported media from the tanker. Because the inspection is more convenient, the inspection frequency of atmospheric pressure tankers will increase, facilitating earlier detection of potential hazards and reducing accidents involving atmospheric pressure tankers. This is of great significance for the road transport of hazardous materials and has good economic, environmental, and social benefits.

[0048] The above description is only of the preferred embodiment of the present invention and should not be construed as limiting the scope of the claims. The present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and variations in its specific structure are permitted. All variations made within the scope of the independent claims of the present invention are also within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0049] Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention pertains. The terminology used herein in the description of the invention is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention.

Claims

1. An inspection method for an atmospheric pressure tank inspection platform, used for inspecting atmospheric pressure tanks, characterized in that, The atmospheric pressure tank includes a breather valve, an emergency shut-off valve, and a loading / unloading valve. The breather valve and the emergency shut-off valve are located within the atmospheric pressure tank, and the loading / unloading valve is connected to the emergency shut-off valve. The testing platform includes a gas source module and a vacuum module. The gas source module includes a gas source, a pressure gauge, and valve one, which provides the test power. The vacuum module includes a vacuum pump, a vacuum gauge, and valve two, which is used to evacuate the tank. The gas source module and the vacuum module are connected to the loading / unloading valve of the atmospheric pressure tank via pipelines. Valve four is located next to the loading / unloading valve on the pipeline. A pressure sensor, a flow meter, and a safety valve are located next to valve four on the pipeline. Valve three and a pressure regulating valve are located between the safety valve and the gas source module and the vacuum module on the pipeline. Pressure sensors are located at both ends of the pressure regulating valve on the pipeline. The testing method includes the following steps: S1: Emergency shut-off valve effectiveness test: Close valve 2, open valve 1, valve 3, valve 4, open loading and unloading valve, open emergency shut-off valve, operate emergency shut-off valve switch, after the emergency shut-off valve is activated, close valve 1. If the pipeline can maintain pressure, it means that the emergency shut-off valve is effective. S2: Test the sealing performance of the loading and unloading valves. Close valve 2, open valves 1, 3, and 4, close the loading and unloading valves, and close valve 1. If the pipeline can maintain pressure, it means that the loading and unloading valves are effective. S3: Breathing valve calibration S3.1: Breathing valve forward opening test Close valve 2, open valve 1, valve 3, valve 4, open loading and unloading valve, open emergency shut-off valve, and pressurize the pipeline using the air source module. If the pipeline pressure rises to 6KPa~12KPa and then stops rising, it proves that the breathing valve is opening normally in the forward direction. S3.2: Breathing valve reverse opening test Close valve one, open valves two, three, and four, open the loading / unloading valve, open the emergency shut-off valve, and use the vacuum module to evacuate the pipeline. If the pipeline pressure drops to -2KPa~-4KPa and then stops dropping, it proves that the breather valve is opening normally in reverse.

2. The inspection method for the atmospheric pressure tank inspection platform according to claim 1, characterized in that, A filter is installed on the pipeline between the fourth valve and the safety valve.

3. The inspection method for the atmospheric pressure tank inspection platform according to claim 1, characterized in that, The inspection method also includes step S4: tank volume determination, closing valve 2, opening valve 1, valve 3, valve 4, opening loading and unloading valve, opening emergency shut-off valve, detecting flow meter and pressure sensor, and when the pipeline pressure is close to 6 kPa, calculating the atmospheric pressure tank volume according to the flow meter reading and the formula PV=nRT.

4. The inspection method for the atmospheric pressure tank inspection platform according to claim 1, characterized in that, Valve 1 includes a solenoid valve 1 and a manual valve 1 connected in parallel; Valve 2 includes a solenoid valve 2 and a manual valve 2 connected in parallel; Valve 3 includes a solenoid valve 3 and a manual valve 3 connected in parallel; Valve 4 includes a solenoid valve 4 and a manual valve 4 connected in parallel. When the solenoid valves are in normal operation, manual valves 1, 2, 3, and 4 are closed. When a solenoid valve connected in parallel malfunctions and cannot be opened, the manual valve can be opened manually.

5. The inspection method for the atmospheric pressure tank inspection platform according to claim 4, characterized in that, The inspection platform also includes an operating table module, which includes a platform body with casters at the bottom for easy movement. The gas source module and the vacuum pump module are placed on the platform body. The platform body is also equipped with a circuit, which is electrically connected to the gas source, vacuum pump, solenoid valve one, solenoid valve two, solenoid valve three, and solenoid valve four. The circuit can control the start and stop of the gas source and vacuum pump, and the opening and closing of solenoid valve one, solenoid valve two, solenoid valve three, and solenoid valve four, to achieve the inspection of the atmospheric pressure tank.

6. The inspection method for the atmospheric pressure tank inspection platform according to claim 5, characterized in that, The testing platform also includes a control module, which comprises a computer, a data acquisition unit, and a control output unit. The computer has a pre-set testing program. The data acquisition unit is connected to the pressure gauge, vacuum gauge, pressure sensor, and flow meter to collect data during the testing process and store it on the computer. The control output unit is connected to a circuit and is used to automatically control the start and stop of the gas source and vacuum pump, and the opening and closing of solenoid valves one, two, three, and four, based on the information collected by the data acquisition unit and the pre-set testing program in the computer.

7. The inspection method for the atmospheric pressure tank inspection platform according to claim 6, characterized in that, The testing platform includes an alert module, which is connected to the data information acquisition unit and provides pressure and flow over-limit alert functions.

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