Fluid suction device

Abstract

To prevent ignition in operations of sucking fluid from a container such as a drum can, even when the fluid is flammable.SOLUTION: A fluid suction device 10 is employed for sucking fluid L accumulated in a container 50 through an opening 52 of the container 50. The fluid suction device 10 comprises: a cylindrical body 11 mounted on a portion 51 of the container 50 that is provided with the opening 52; a pipeline 12 connected to the cylindrical body 11 and configured to supply an inert gas G1 into an internal space K of the cylindrical body 11; and a suction tube 13 integrated with the cylindrical body 11, the suction tube being inserted into the opening 52 to suck the fluid L accumulated in the container 50.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a fluid suction device. [Background technology]

[0002] For example, in order to suck out a flammable fluid from a container such as a drum containing the fluid, the container is opened, a suction tube is inserted into the opening of the container, and the fluid is sucked out by a pump. As a technique for sucking out a fluid from a container, for example, a device disclosed in Patent Document 1 is known. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Utility Model Application Publication No. 5-69379 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Generally, the method for sucking out fluid from a container such as a drum is as follows (see Figure 4). An operator manually removes the plug from the drum 90 and inserts a suction tube 91 into an opening 99 of the drum 90. A pump 92 is activated, and the fluid L in the drum 90 is sucked out of the drum 90 through the suction tube 91.

[0005] Even if there is only a short time between removing the plug and inserting the suction tube 91, oxygen from the atmosphere will flow into the drum 90 through the opening 99. In addition, there is a gap between the opening 99 of the drum 90 and the suction tube 91. Therefore, even during the suction operation, oxygen from the atmosphere will flow into the drum 90 through the gap. If the fluid L contained in the drum 90 is flammable, there is a possibility that it will ignite for some reason.

[0006] Therefore, an object of the present disclosure is to provide a fluid suction device that can prevent fire when sucking a fluid from a container such as a drum, even if the fluid is flammable. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The present invention provides a fluid suction device used to suck a fluid stored in a container through an opening of the container, the fluid suction device comprising: a cylindrical body attached to a portion of the container having the opening, a pipe connected to the cylindrical body and capable of supplying an inert gas to the interior space of the cylindrical body, and a suction tube integral with the cylindrical body and inserted into the opening for sucking the fluid stored in the container. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the fluid suction device of the present invention, when sucking a fluid from a container, it is possible to prevent the fluid from catching fire even if the fluid is flammable. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of an example of a fluid suction device of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing the opening of the drum. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of the cylindrical body and its surroundings. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of a conventional fluid suction device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] <Outline of the embodiment of the present invention> Hereinafter, an outline of an embodiment of the present invention will be listed and described. (1) The present invention is a fluid suction device used to suck out a fluid stored in a container through an opening of the container, comprising: a cylindrical body attached to a portion of the container having the opening; a pipe connected to the cylindrical body and capable of supplying an inert gas to the internal space of the cylindrical body; and a suction tube that is integral with the cylindrical body and inserted into the opening to suck out the fluid stored in the container.

[0011] According to the fluid suction device having the above configuration, when the cylindrical body is attached to the portion of the container having the opening, the space inside the cylindrical body including the opening of the container becomes a closed space. The piping makes it possible to supply inert gas through the cylindrical body from the opening of the container into the container. The suction pipe sucks the fluid inside the container. Even if the fluid inside the container is flammable, it is possible to prevent ignition.

[0012] (2) The fluid suction device of (1) has a pipe connected to the cylindrical body and capable of discharging gas from the internal space of the cylindrical body. With the cylindrical body attached to the portion of the container having an opening, the gas inside the container can be discharged from the cylindrical body through the piping. As described above, if an inert gas is supplied into the container through the cylindrical body, the gas inside the container is replaced with the inert gas. Even if the fluid inside the container is flammable, it is possible to prevent ignition.

[0013] (3) In the fluid suction device of (2), the piping for supplying the inert gas and the piping for discharging the gas in the container may be separate, independent piping, or a portion of the piping for supplying the inert gas and a portion of the piping for discharging the gas in the cylindrical body may be a common piping. The common piping is used when the gas inside the container is discharged through the cylindrical body and then the inert gas is supplied into the container through the cylindrical body, which simplifies the work of connecting the piping to the cylindrical body and enables the work to be performed quickly.

[0014] (4) In any one of the fluid suction devices (1) to (3), the portion of the container having the opening has an opening thread portion that allows the stopper of the container to be attached and detached, and the cylindrical body has a cylindrical body thread portion that can be fastened to the opening thread portion. According to the above-described configuration, the cylindrical body is attached to the portion of the container having the opening by fastening the screws, and the connection between the internal space of the cylindrical body and the space inside the container is tightly closed, making it possible to prevent gas inside the container from leaking to the outside.

[0015] (5) In the fluid suction device of (4) above, the cylindrical body has a sealing member positioned between the cylindrical body and the portion having the opening. The sealing member improves the airtightness of the closed space between the internal space of the cylindrical body and the space within the container.

[0016] (6) In the fluid suction device of (4) or (5), the suction tube has an insertion tube that is integral with the cylindrical body and inserted into the container through the opening, and a first joint portion that is provided at the end of the insertion tube and allows another piping on the suction drive device side to be attached and detached, and the cylindrical body has a second joint portion that allows the piping that can supply inert gas to be attached and detached. According to the above configuration, the cylindrical body can be screwed to the container by rotating the cylindrical body with the other pipe on the suction drive device side disconnected from the first joint and the other pipe disconnected from the second joint. After the cylindrical body is attached to the container, the other pipe on the suction drive device side is connected to the first joint and the other pipe is connected to the second joint.

[0017] <Details of the embodiment of the present invention> Hereinafter, the details of the embodiments of the present invention will be described. [Overall configuration of the fluid suction device] FIG. 1 is a structural diagram showing an example of a fluid suction device of the present invention. The fluid suction device 10 shown in FIG. 1 is a device used to suck out a fluid (liquid) L stored in a container 50. The container 50 in this embodiment is a drum. Below, a case where the container 50 is a drum 50 will be described. The fluid L stored in the drum 50 is not particularly limited, but in this embodiment it is a flammable fluid, for example, a solvent (methanol, ethanol, isopropyl alcohol, etc.).

[0018] Next, a drum 50 will be described. The drum 50 has a top plate 53, and the top plate 53 has an opening 52 that is closed by a spout 59 (see FIG. 2). FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing a portion 51 of the drum 50 that has the opening 52. In the following description, the portion 51 that has the opening 52 will be referred to as the "opening portion 51." The drum 50 shown in FIG. 1 has the stopper 59 removed and the cylindrical body 11 of the fluid suction device 10 attached to the opening 51 of the drum 50.

[0019] The stopper 59 (see FIG. 2) is removed from the opening 51 by hand of an operator. The stopper 59 has a threaded portion 591, and can be attached to and detached from the drum 50 (opening 51) by screwing it. For this purpose, the opening 51 of the drum 50 has a threaded portion 54 that allows the stopper 59 to be attached and detached. Hereinafter, the threaded portion 54 of the opening 51 will be referred to as the "opening threaded portion 54." In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the threaded portion 591 of the plug 59 is an external thread and the opening threaded portion 54 is an internal thread, but the threaded portion 591 of the plug 59 may be an internal thread and the opening threaded portion 54 may be an external thread.

[0020] 1, the fluid suction device 10 includes a cylindrical body 11, a pipe 12, and a suction pipe 13. The cylindrical body 11 and the suction pipe 13 are made of metal (e.g., stainless steel). Considering that the fluid L is a hazardous material, it is preferable that the pipe 12 be made of metal.

[0021] The pipe 12 is connected to the cylindrical body 11 and allows the inert gas G1 to be supplied to the internal space K of the cylindrical body 11. The inert gas G1 supplied into the cylindrical body 11 is supplied into the drum 50 through the opening 52. The inert gas G1 is, for example, nitrogen gas. In this embodiment, the piping 12 not only functions as a piping for supplying the inert gas G1 into the cylindrical body 11, but also functions as a piping for discharging the gas G2 in the drum 50 to the outside through the cylindrical body 11, as will be described later.

[0022] For this purpose, the pipe 12 has a branch (junction) 121. A supply pipe 16 connected to a tank 15 of the inert gas G1 and an exhaust pipe 19 connected to an exhaust treatment device (scrubber) 18 are connected to the branch 121.

[0023] That is, the pipe 12 branches into a supply pipe 16 and a discharge pipe 19 at the branching point 121. A portion of the pipe for supplying the inert gas G1 and a portion of the pipe for discharging the gas G2 from the cylindrical body 11 are common pipes. This portion of the pipe, i.e., the pipe from the cylindrical body 11 to the branching point 121, is called a "common pipe 122." The piping 12 includes a flexible tube 123. In this embodiment, the common piping 122 includes the flexible tube 123.

[0024] The fluid suction device 10 has a pipe that can discharge the gas G2 from the internal space K of the cylindrical body 11. The pipe is connected to the cylindrical body 11. As described above, the pipe is composed of the common pipe 122 and the discharge pipe 19. The discharge pipe 19 is provided with a first opening / closing valve 191. The piping for supplying the inert gas G1 into the cylindrical body 11 is made up of a supply piping 16 and a common piping 122. A second opening / closing valve 161 is provided on the supply piping 16.

[0025] When the gas G2 in the internal space K of the cylindrical body 11 is discharged, the first opening / closing valve 191 is opened and the second opening / closing valve 161 is closed. When the inert gas G is supplied into the cylindrical body 11, the first opening / closing valve 191 is closed and the second opening / closing valve 161 is opened. A pressure sensor 35 is provided on the common pipe 122 (pipe 12). When the inert gas G1 is supplied from the cylindrical body 11 into the drum 50 and the drum 50 is filled with the inert gas G1, the pressure (internal pressure) of the common pipe 122 increases. By detecting the pressure of the common pipe 122 (pipe 12), the pressure sensor 35 can confirm that the inert gas G1 is being supplied into the drum 50.

[0026] FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of the cylindrical body 11 and its surroundings. The cylindrical body 11 is attached to the opening 51 of the drum 50. The cylindrical body 11 has a cylindrical side wall 22 and an upper wall 21 that closes the top of the side wall 22. The cylindrical body 11 has a cylindrical shape that is closed at the top and open at the bottom. However, the suction pipe 13 penetrates the upper wall 21. The upper wall 21 and the suction pipe 13 are fixed around the entire circumference by, for example, welding. Therefore, there is no gap between the upper wall 21 (the hole in the upper wall 21) and the suction pipe 13.

[0027] The cylindrical body 11 has a threaded portion that can be fastened to the opening threaded portion 54 of the drum 50. This threaded portion is referred to as the "cylindrical body threaded portion 23." The cylindrical body 11 is fixed to the drum 50 by fastening the cylindrical body threaded portion 23 to the opening threaded portion 54. The cylindrical body 11 has a handle 26 protruding from the side wall 22. When attaching the cylindrical body 11 to the drum 50, the worker grips the handle 26 and rotates the cylindrical body 11 to tighten the cylindrical body thread portion 23 onto the opening thread portion 54.

[0028] The cylindrical body 11 has a sealing member 24 located between the cylindrical body 11 and the opening portion 51. The sealing member 24 is, for example, an annular gasket. The sealing member 24 is sandwiched between the lower surface of the annular portion 113 that the cylindrical body 11 has at the bottom and the upper surface of the opening portion 51.

[0029] The cylindrical body 11 has a second joint portion 112 to which the pipe 12 (common pipe 122) can be attached and detached. The second joint portion 112 in this embodiment is a coupler (quick coupling). The second joint portion 112 may also be a flange. The pipe 12 (common pipe 122) is connected to the second joint portion 112. An inert gas G1 passing through the pipe 12 is supplied into the cylindrical body 11 through the second joint portion 112. The gas G2 in the cylindrical body 11 flows into the pipe 12 through the second joint portion 112 and is discharged.

[0030] The suction pipe 13 is a pipe that is inserted into the opening 52 of the drum 50 and that sucks the fluid L stored in the drum 50. The suction pipe 13 passes through the upper wall 21 of the cylindrical body 11 and is integral with the cylindrical body 11. The suction pipe 13 has an insertion pipe 131 and a first joint portion 132. The insertion pipe 131 is a portion that is integrated with the cylindrical body 11, and a portion of it is inserted into the drum 50 through the opening 52. The insertion pipe 131 has a straight pipe portion 131a and a curved pipe portion 131b that is connected to the straight pipe portion 131a. The first joint portion 132 is attached to the end of the curved pipe portion 131b.

[0031] The first joint 132 is provided at the end of the insertion tube 131. As shown in Fig. 1, the first joint 132 allows for detachable attachment of another pipe 31 connected to a suction drive device 30 such as a pump. The pipe 31 includes a flexible tube 311. In this embodiment, the first joint portion 132 is a flange. The second joint portion 112 may be a coupler (quick-acting fluid coupling).

[0032] The suction pipe 13 (see FIG. 3) penetrates the upper wall 21 of the cylindrical body 11, and the cylindrical body 11 has a double-pipe structure together with the suction pipe 13. The internal space K of the cylindrical body 11 and the internal flow path R of the suction pipe 13 form independent flow paths. The internal space K, which is on the outer periphery of the suction pipe 13 and on the inner periphery of the side wall 22, is a region through which the gas G2 or the inert gas G1 in the drum 50 passes. The internal flow path R of the suction pipe 13 is a region through which the fluid L in the drum 50 passes.

[0033] The fluid suction device 10 (see FIG. 1) has a weighing device 45 on which a drum 50 is placed and which weighs the drum 50. In this embodiment, the weighing device 45 is a platform scale. The amount of fluid L extracted from the drum 50 is measured based on the weight of the fluid L that decreases in the drum 50.

[0034] [Fluid suction method] A method for extracting the fluid L from the drum 50 using the fluid suction device 10 having the above-described configuration will be described. The drum can 50 is placed on the weighing device 45 (see FIG. 1) and is ready for weighing. The stopper 59 (see FIG. 2) of the drum can 50 is removed from the opening 51.

[0035] As shown in Figure 1, the cylindrical body 11 is fixed to the opening portion 51 of the drum can 50. In the present embodiment (see Figure 3), the cylindrical body thread portion 23 is tightened to the opening thread portion 54 to fix the cylindrical body 11 to the opening portion 51. Since the suction tube 13 is integral with the cylindrical body 11, the cylindrical body 11 is attached to the opening portion 51 with the suction tube 13 inserted into the opening 52.

[0036] Since the cylindrical body 11 is fastened with screws, the piping 31 connected to the suction drive device 30 consisting of a pump or the like is in a state where it is detached from the first joint part 132, and the piping 12 (common piping 122) is in a state where it is detached from the second joint part 112. When the cylindrical body 11 is attached to the opening portion 51 , the pipe 31 connected to the suction drive device 30 is connected to the first joint portion 132 , and the pipe 12 (common pipe 122 ) is connected to the second joint portion 112 .

[0037] An exhaust operation is performed by the exhaust treatment device 18, and the gas G2 inside the drum 50 is exhausted through the internal space K of the cylindrical body 11, the common pipe 122, and the exhaust pipe 19. This exhaust operation is continued for a predetermined time, and as much of the gas G2 inside the drum 50 as possible is exhausted.

[0038] Thereafter, the exhaust operation by the exhaust treatment device 18 is stopped, and subsequently, the inert gas G1 is supplied from the tank 15 to the internal space K of the cylindrical body 11 through the supply pipe 16 and the common pipe 122. The inert gas G1 flows into the drum can 50. As a result, the gas G2 in the drum 50 is almost entirely replaced with the inert gas G1.

[0039] The pipe 12 (common pipe 122) that can supply the inert gas G1 has a pressure sensor 35. When the inert gas G1 is filled into the drum 50, the pressure in the pipe 12 (common pipe 122) increases. The pressure increase is detected by the pressure sensor 35. This makes it possible to start suction of the fluid L in the drum 50 by the suction pipe 13.

[0040] The suction drive device 30 starts operating to suck out the fluid L inside the drum 50 using the suction pipe 13. While the fluid L is being sucked out, it is preferable to continue supplying the inert gas G1 to the cylindrical body 11. Since the internal space K of the cylindrical body 11 is sealed, the inert gas G1 is supplied into the drum 50. This is continued until the desired amount of fluid L is drawn out. The desired amount is controlled based on the measurement result by the measuring device 45.

[0041] When the desired amount of fluid L has been sucked out, the suction operation of the suction drive device 30 is stopped, and the supply of the inert gas G1 is also stopped. The pipe 31 connected to the suction drive device 30 is removed from the first joint portion 132, and the pipe 12 (common pipe 122) is removed from the second joint portion 112. Thereafter, the cylindrical body 11 is rotated to remove the cylindrical body 11 from the drum can 50. Finally, the opening portion 51 of the drum can 50 is closed with the stopper 59.

[0042] [Regarding the fluid suction device 10 of this embodiment] As described above, the fluid suction device 10 of this embodiment includes the cylindrical body 11 attached to the opening 51 of the drum 50, the piping 12 connected to the cylindrical body 11, and the suction pipe 13. The piping 12 is capable of supplying the inert gas G1 to the internal space K of the cylindrical body 11. The suction pipe 13 is inserted into the opening 52 and sucks the fluid L stored in the drum 50.

[0043] According to the fluid suction device 10 having the above-described configuration, when the cylindrical body 11 is attached to the opening 51 of the drum 50, the internal space K of the cylindrical body 11 is connected to the space inside the drum 50. The space inside the cylindrical body 11 including the opening 52 of the drum 50 (internal space K) becomes a closed space. The inert gas G1 can be supplied into the drum 50 through the cylindrical body 11 by the piping 12.

[0044] The fluid suction device 10 has a pipe connected to the cylindrical body 11 and capable of discharging the gas G2 from the internal space K of the cylindrical body 11. In the present embodiment, the common pipe 122 connected to the cylindrical body 11 is used not only for supplying the inert gas G1 but also for discharging the gas G2. According to the piping for discharging gas G2, when the cylindrical body 11 is attached to the opening portion 51 of the drum can 50, the gas G2 inside the drum can 50 can be discharged from the cylindrical body 11 through the piping.

[0045] Then, when the inert gas G1 is supplied into the drum can 50 through the cylindrical body 11, the gas inside the drum can 50 is replaced with the inert gas G1. The suction pipe 13 makes it possible to suck the fluid L inside the drum can 50.

[0046] In this embodiment, the opening 51 of the drum 50 has an opening thread 54 to which a stopper 59 can be attached and detached. The cylindrical body 11 has a cylindrical body thread 23 that can be fastened to the opening thread 54. In other words, the cylindrical body 11 and the opening 51 of the drum 50 are connected by fastening the threads. The connection between the internal space K of the cylindrical body 11 and the space inside the drum 50 is tightly closed. It is possible to prevent gas G2 inside the drum 50 from leaking out from the connection to the outside.

[0047] Furthermore, the cylindrical body 11 has a sealing member 24 positioned between the opening portion 51. The sealing member 24 further enhances the airtightness of the closed space between the internal space K of the cylindrical body 11 and the space inside the drum can 50.

[0048] As described above, the cylindrical body 11 and the opening 51 of the drum 50 are connected by fastening screws. Therefore, when attaching the cylindrical body 11 to the opening 51, it is necessary to rotate the cylindrical body 11. In addition, the cylindrical body 11 and the suction tube 13 are integral with each other. Therefore, the suction pipe 13 has a first joint 132 (flange or coupler) that allows the piping 31 on the suction drive device 30 side to be detachable. The cylindrical body 11 has a second joint 112 (coupler or flange) that allows the piping for the inert gas G1 and the piping for the exhaust gas G2 (common piping 122) to be detachable.

[0049] The cylindrical body 11 can be rotated with the piping 31 on the suction drive device 30 side disconnected from the first joint portion 132 and the common piping 122 disconnected from the second joint portion 112. This allows the cylindrical body 11, which is integrated with the suction pipe 13, to be fastened to the opening portion 51 of the drum can 50 by screws. After the cylindrical body 11 is attached to the drum 50, the piping 31 on the suction drive device 30 side is connected to the first joint part 132, and the common piping 122 is connected to the second joint part 112.

[0050] In the present embodiment, as described above, the common pipe 122 connected to the second joint portion 112 of the cylindrical body 11 is used not only for supplying the inert gas G1 but also for discharging the gas G2. This reduces the number of pipes to be connected to the cylindrical body 11. As a result, the effort of connecting the pipe (common pipe 122) to the cylindrical body 11 is saved, and the connection work can be performed quickly.

[0051] As described above, according to the fluid suction device 10 of this embodiment, when the fluid L is being sucked out of the drum 50, the air around the drum 50 is prevented from flowing into the drum 50. The space inside the drum 50 and the internal space K of the cylindrical body 11 connected to that space are sealed. Gas G2 inside the drum 50 is sucked out as much as possible, and inert gas G1 is supplied to the space inside the drum 50. Therefore, even if the fluid L in the drum 50 is flammable, it is possible to prevent the fluid L from catching fire when the fluid L is sucked out by the suction pipe 13.

[0052] The cylindrical body 11, which is integrated with the suction pipe 13, is fixed to the drum 50. Therefore, the metering device 45 can easily measure the amount of the sucked-out fluid L.

[0053] 〔others〕 In the above embodiment, the gas G2 in the drum 50 is discharged through the cylindrical body 11, and then the inert gas G1 is supplied into the drum 50 through the cylindrical body 11. Therefore, a portion of the piping used to supply the inert gas G1 and a portion of the piping used to discharge the gas G2 in the cylindrical body 11 are common piping (common piping 122). In addition to this configuration, although not shown, the piping for supplying the inert gas G1 and the piping for discharging the gas G2 from the cylindrical body 11 may be separate, and each piping may be independently connected to the cylindrical body 11.

[0054] The embodiments disclosed herein are illustrative in all respects and are not restrictive. The technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and includes all modifications within the scope of equivalents to the configurations described in the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0055] 10 Fluid suction device 11 Cylinder 12 Piping 13 Suction tube 23 Cylindrical thread 24 Sealing member 30 Suction drive unit 31 Another piping 50 drums (containers) 51 Opening part 52 Aperture 54 Opening thread 59 Stopper 112 Second joint 122 Common piping 131 Insertion tube 132 First joint G1 Inert Gas G2 Gas K interior space L fluid

Claims

1. A fluid suction device used to suck a fluid stored in a container through an opening of the container, a cylindrical body attached to a portion of the container having the opening; a pipe connected to the cylindrical body and capable of supplying an inert gas to the internal space of the cylindrical body; a suction tube that is integral with the cylindrical body and is inserted into the opening to suck the fluid stored in the container; A fluid suction device comprising:

2. a pipe connected to the cylindrical body and capable of discharging gas from the internal space of the cylindrical body; The fluid suction device of claim 1 .

3. A portion of the piping for supplying the inert gas and a portion of the piping for discharging the gas from the cylindrical body are common piping. The fluid suction device according to claim 2 .

4. The portion of the container having the opening has an opening screw portion that allows a stopper of the container to be attached and detached, The fluid suction device according to claim 1 , wherein the cylindrical body has a cylindrical body thread portion that can be fastened to the opening thread portion.

5. The cylindrical body has a sealing member positioned between the portion having the opening and the cylindrical body. The fluid suction device according to claim 4 .

6. The suction tube is an insertion tube that is integral with the cylindrical body and is inserted into the container through the opening; a first joint portion provided at an end of the insertion tube to allow another pipe on the suction drive device side to be attached and detached; and The cylindrical body has a second joint portion to which the pipe capable of supplying an inert gas can be detachably attached. The fluid suction device according to claim 4 or 5.

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