Supply vessel liquid bulk system cleaning system

Abstract

A cleaning system used on a supply vessel's wet holding tanks allows the plumbing for such tanks to be cleaned without flooding the tank proper. A gun line hose has a manifold with a series of nozzles that each connect to one of the gun lines of the vessel. An outflow hose is connected to the ship's sump. The opposing ends of the gun line hose that have the outflow hose are connected to a port section that allows the system to form a closed loop through which cleaning solution flows either under the sump's pump or a separate pump located within the port section. The port section also has an accumulator and appropriate inlet and outlet ports and appropriate valving.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION1. Field of the Invention

[0001] The present invention relates to a cleaning system that cleans the pump and circulation lines of an offshore oil rig liquid cargo supply vessel, wherein the cleaning system allows the cleaning solution to completely bypasses the holding tanks of the vessel during the cleaning process.2. Background of the Prior Art

[0002] Liquid mud, which is used in the operation of an offshore oil drilling rig, is either water based or oil based, and has a variety of additives, thickeners, and so forth, designed by an engineer, in order to give the mud certain properties when used on the oil rig. Liquid mud comes in a variety of densities, viscosities, etc. In order to prevent these fluids from separating before the oil rig is ready to use them, the fluids are circulated inside the tanks of the vessel they are stored in and transported to the oil rig site. The periodicity and duration of the circulation is provided to the vessel by the mud engineer, so that the vessel can store and maintain the fluid properly. For example, a particular fluid may need to be circulated for 30 minutes every 4 hours until it is pumped to the rig.

[0003] In order to provide for this circulation inside each tank in a liquid mud system, there is a sump and suction pipe as well as a section of “gun lines,” or fill / circulation pipes. The gun lines are arranged so that once the product is loaded into the tanks, the product in each tank can be circulated. The gun lines are comprised of piping inside the tank, which piping has a number of nozzles sized and positioned so as to circulate the fluid in the tank when the pump is running. Generally, a liquid mud system of 8 tanks is arranged so that each set of tanks has its own circulation pump. The system has valves providing the ability to isolate half of the tanks from the other half, so that the vessel could carry 2 separate types of drilling fluid without cross contamination. Likewise, each set of 4 tanks has a cargo pump, which is rated to pump more than the circulation pumps, and which is used to pump the fluid off the vessel to the rig or to another facility or vessel. There are common suction and discharge manifolds aboard the vessel, and the fluid is controlled, isolated, and circulated, by using the correct alignment of valves in the pumping system, and the corresponding pump. In total, a typical layout of the supply vessel has have 8 tanks, with 4 circulation pumps, 2 cargo pumps, and is piped with valves so that the system can operate as a single, 8 tank system, or two, segregated, 4 tank systems, each with the ability to circulate its own, respective fluid, via its own circulation pumps, and discharge that fluid with its own, higher rated, cargo discharge pump.

[0004] During tank cleaning, in order to clean the piping and pumps in the system, the circulation process is conducted using soapy water instead of liquid mud. Liquid mud will be removed from the tanks, soapy water added to the tanks, and then each pump circulates the soapy water about its tanks. As the circulation of soapy water removes the liquid mud residue from the inside of the piping and pumps of the system, the soapy water contaminates the interior surfaces of the tank. That contamination must be removed from the tanks and the process repeated until the interior of the piping has been sufficiently cleaned of the soapy water residue. This is not a very efficient process, as the cleaning fluid rapidly becomes dirty.

[0005] What is needed is a system that has the capability of isolating the cleaning of the interior of the piping and pumps from the cleaning of the interior of the tank so that the tanks do not become contaminated during the process of cleaning the pipes and pumps.SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] The supply vessel gun line cleaning system of the present invention addresses the aforementioned problems in the art by providing a system that cleans the liquid cargo holding areas of an offshore oil rig supply vessel while segregating the pipes and pumps from the holding tanks during the cleaning process. The system bypasses the tank in the cleaning fluid circulation process by connecting each of the discharge nozzles of the gun lines to a hose manifold, which fills an accumulator, (the accumulator essentially takes the place of the tank). A return hose serves as a discharge from the accumulator and connects back to the suction piping of the vessel thereby creating a closed loop circulation system for the vessel mud system which is independent of its own tank.

[0007] The supply vessel gun line cleaning system of the present invention is comprised of a gun line hose that has a first end with a manifold thereon. The manifold has a series of nozzles such that each nozzle is connected to a respective one of the gun lines. The gun line hose also has a second end. An outflow hose has a third end and a fourth end, the third end connected to a sump. A port section has an inflow pipe having first distal end and a first proximal end. The port section also has an outflow pipe with a second distal end and a second proximal end. An inlet port is located on the first distal end of the inflow pipe while an outlet port is located on the second distal end of the outflow pipe. A first crossover pipe connects the inflow pipe and the outflow pipe. The second end of the gun line hose is connected to the second proximal end of the outflow pipe and the fourth end of the outflow hose is connected to the first proximal end of the inflow pipe so that a closed fluid flow loop is created by the inflow pipe, the outflow hose, the sump, the gun feed line, the gun lines, the manifold, the gun line hose, the outflow pipe and the first crossover pipe. An inlet valve is located on the inlet pipe between the first crossover pipe and the inlet port while an outlet valve is located on the outlet pipe between the first crossover pipe and the outlet port. An accumulator is located on the inlet pipe between the first crossover pipe and the first proximal end of the inlet pipe. An outflow valve is located on the inlet pipe between the accumulator and the first proximal end of the inlet pipe while an inflow valve located on the outflow pipe between the first crossover pipe and the second proximal end of the outlet pipe. A first crossover valve is located on the first crossover pipe. An optional system pump is located on the inlet pipe between the first crossover pipe and the first proximal end. A second crossover pipe connects the inflow pipe and the outflow pipe and is connected to the inlet pipe between the system pump and the first proximal end of the inlet pipe and is connected to the outlet pipe between the first crossover pipe and the second proximal end of the outlet pipe. A second crossover valve located on the second crossover pipe. A first three-way valve is located between the sump and the gun feed hose while a second three-way valve is located between the outflow hose and the outlet pipe.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a typical supply vessel upon which the supply vessel gun line cleaning system of the present invention is installed.

[0009] FIG. 2 is a schematic view of the supply vessel of FIG. 1.

[0010] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the supply vessel gun line cleaning system hooked up to the gun lines of the supply vessel.

[0011] FIG. 4 is a close-up perspective view of the supply vessel gun line cleaning system connected to the suction system of the supply vessel.

[0012] FIG. 5 is a schematic view of the inlet port and outlet port section of the supply vessel gun line cleaning system.

[0013] FIG. 6 is a schematic view of the inlet port and outlet port section of the supply vessel gun line cleaning system employing an optional prime mover powered pump.

[0014] FIG. 7 is a schematic view of the supply vessel gun line cleaning system.

[0015] Similar reference numerals refer to similar parts throughout the several views of the drawings.DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0016] As seen in FIGS. 1-3, a supply vessel V has a dry bulk goods area B and a series of liquid holding tanks T for carrying various liquids such as the illustrated dry mud holding tanks T. Within each of the liquid holding tanks is a manifold, known as a “gun line,” consisting of a series of discharge ports G, fed by a supply portion of the gun line F. and a sump area S, located at the lowest part of the tank T, including the suction pipe C, with suction created within the sump area S via an appropriate pump P. Each tank T has an access opening O at the top of the tank T. As seen, one or more walls W of the tank can be corrugated.

[0017] The “gun line” is a single entity within each tank. The gun line consists of the piping entering the tank and continuing to each opening port throughout the tank, at which point there is a discharge “nozzle” or reduction in pipe diameter for the purpose of increasing fluid velocity, which serves to circulate the fluid within the tank. From the pipe entering the tank to the opening at each nozzle, that entire apparatus is the “gun line.” Whichever manner the piping is arranged within the tank in order to create fluid flow, that entire section of piping and all it's components, from the point it enters the tank until each opening where fluid exits, is considered one entity and that entity is referred to as the gun line.

[0018] Referring now to the drawings, it is seen that the supply vessel liquid mud system cleaning system of the present invention, generally denoted by reference numeral 10, is comprised of an isolation system that forms a closed loop with the liquid mud system fill / discharge ports G on the gun lines F, G, and associated section of piping connecting F to G, the sump S and its pump P so as to allow cleaning solution to be pumped through the piping while preventing it from contacting the walls W, of the tank T, and the sump S. allowing the separation of the tank from the associated piping in order to be able to clean the inner surfaces of the piping system independently from the inner surfaces of the tank / tanks.

[0019] A gun line hose 12 has a manifold 14 that has a series of gun line nozzle connections 16, one gun line nozzle 16 for each discharge port in the gun line G present. Each nozzle 16 of the manifold 14 is connected to a respective gun line nozzle G in appropriate fashion such as via a quick disconnect coupling (not illustrated) or other appropriate connection system. The gun line hose 12 and its manifold 14 and each of the nozzles are, advantageously, flexible.

[0020] An outflow hose 18 is connected, in water-tight fashion to the sump S. Advantageously, the outflow hose 18 is also flexible.

[0021] Both the gun line hose 12 and the draw hose 18 pass out of the tank T via the access opening O of the tank. The gun line hose 12 and the outflow hose 18 are each connected to the inlet port and outlet port section 20 of the supply vessel liquid mud system cleaning system fill / discharge manifold 10.

[0022] As seen in FIG. 5, the inlet port and outlet port section 20 has an inlet pipe 22 that has an inlet port 24 on its distal end. The inlet port and outlet port section also has an outlet pipe 26 that has an outlet port 28 on its distal end. An accumulator 30 is located along the inlet pipe 22. An inlet valve 32 is located proximate the inlet port 24 between the accumulator 30 and the inlet port 24 while an outlet valve 34 is located proximate the outlet port 28. A crossover pipe 36 connects the inlet pipe 22 and the outlet pipe 26. The crossover pipe 36 connects to the inlet pipe 22 between the accumulator 30 and the inlet valve 32. A crossover valve 38 is located on the crossover pipe 36. An outflow valve 40 is located near the proximal end of the inlet pipe 22, past the accumulator 30 while an inflow valve 42 is located near the proximal end of the outlet pipe 26. A sight glass 44 is located on the outlet pipe 26.

[0023] As seen in FIG. 6, an optional system pump 46 powered by an appropriate prime mover 48 can be used in order to make the system self-reliant. In this embodiment, the inlet port and outlet port section 20′ has an inlet pipe 22′ that has an inlet port 24′ on its distal end. The inlet port and outlet port section also has an outlet pipe 26′ that has an outlet port 28′ on its distal end. An accumulator 30′ is located along the inlet pipe 22′. An inlet valve 32′ is located proximate the inlet port 24′ between the accumulator 30′ and the inlet port 24′ while an outlet valve 34′ is located proximate the outlet port 28′. A crossover pipe 36′ connects the inlet pipe 22′ and the outlet pipe 26′. The crossover pipe 36′ connects to the inlet pipe 22′ between the accumulator 30′ and the inlet valve 32′. A crossover valve 38′ is located on the crossover pipe 36′ (the outlet valve 34 and crossover valve 38 can be replaced with a single 3-way valve). An outflow valve 40′ is located near the proximal end of the inlet pipe 22′, past the accumulator 30′ while an inflow valve 42′ is located near the proximal end of the outlet pipe 26′. A sight glass 44′ is located on the outlet pipe 26′. The system pump 46 and its prime mover 48 are located along the inlet pipe 22′ between the accumulator 30′ and the outflow valve 40′.

[0024] As seen in FIG. 7, the gun line hose 12 connects to the proximal end of the outlet pipe 26 in appropriate fashion while the outflow hose is connected to the proximal end of the inlet pipe 22.

[0025] In order to use the supply vessel gun line cleaning system 10 of the present invention, the system is connected as described. A solution hose E is connected to the inlet port 24 in appropriate fashion, the solution hose E connected to a source of cleaning solution (which may simply be water or can have appropriate detergents added therein) that is pumped into the supply vessel gun line cleaning system 10. The inlet valve 32 is opened to allow the cleaning solution to enter the supply vessel gun line cleaning system 10. Additionally, the outlet valve 34 is closed once all the air is displaced from the circuit by the water / cleaning solution, the crossover valve 38 is open as are the outflow valve 40 and the inflow valve 42. Sufficient cleaning solution is pumped into the supply vessel gun line cleaning system 10 including enough to fill the accumulator 30. Once sufficient cleaning solution is pumped into the system, the inlet valve 32 is closed and the solution hose E is disconnected (this external hose E may remain connected should the user desired a fill-flush-refill and flush again sequence). Once the inlet valve 32 is closed, the pump P is activated. The pump P pumps the cleaning solution within the supply vessel gun line cleaning system 10 and the ship's plumbing through the closed circuit created. Specifically, the solution flows from the inlet port and outlet port section 20 into the outflow hose 18. The solution then flows into the gun line F and into the gun line branches G. The solution then flows out of the gun line branches G into the gun nozzles 16 wherein the manifold directs the solution into the outflow hose 18. The outflow hose 18, connected to the outlet pipe, returns the solution back to the inlet port and outlet port section 20 in order to repeat the circuit. The use of the accumulator provides static head pressure and a reserve volume of fluid in order to maintain prime on the pump P. An operator can see the state of the cleaning solution via the sight glass 44.

[0026] Once the cleaning solution has performed its task and is suffienctly dirty as to need replenishment or dilution, a discharge hose D is connected in appropriate fashion to the outlet port 28. A fill hose is connected in appropriate fashion to inlet port 24. An appropriate pump or means is used to provide flow and pressure of water / cleaning solution to inlet port 24. Inlet valve 32 is opened. Outlet valve 34 is opened while the crossover valve 38 is closed, thus redirecting the flow of the solution out of the system via the outlet port 28 and into the discharge hopes D for disposal as desired, rather than through crossover pipe 36. The operator is able to view the sight glass 44 to determine when the dirty fluid has been sufficiently diluted / displaced with clean water / cleaning solution. Once this has occurred, crossover valve 36 is opened, while outlet valve 34 is closed. The process of displacing dirty solution with clean water / cleaning solution will be repeated as necessary until the circuit has been cleaned to the operators satisfaction. Once the circuit has been cleaned to the operators satisfaction the pump P is stopped. Inlet valve 32 is opened to allow clean water into the system. Crossover valve 36 is closed. Outlet valve 34 is opened. The sight glass 44 can be viewed by the operator to determine once the dirty fluid has been displaced sufficiently with clean water. Once this has been completed, the supply of water is stopped. Inlet valve 34 is closed. The inlet hose connecting to inlet port 24 is removed. An inlet hose that will supply pressurized air is connected to inlet port 24 via an appropriate adapter and connection. The supply of pressurized air is turned on. Inlet valve 34 is opened. Once the appropriate pressure has been reached in the circuit the operator will open discharge valve 34. This process will be repeated until an appropriate amount of the water in the circuit has been removed.. The process may be repeated as needed.

[0027] If the system has its own system pump 46, then the process is substantially similar except cleaning solution flow is achieved via the system pump 46, either alone or as an augment to the pump P.

[0028] While the invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to an embodiment thereof, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and detail may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A cleaning system for cleaning a hold hank on a ship, the hold tank having a series of gun lines fed by a fill line, the ship also having a sump with a pump creating suction within the sump, the cleaning system comprising:a gun line hose having a first end with a manifold thereon, the manifold having a series of nozzles such that each nozzle is adapted to be connected to a respective one on the gun lines nozzles, the gun line hose also having a second end;an outflow hose having a third end and a fourth end, the third end adapted to be connected to the sump;a port section having an inflow pipe having first distal and a first proximal end, the port section also having an outflow pipe with a second distal end and a second proximal end, such that an inlet port is located on the first distal end of the inflow pipe and an outlet port is located on the second distal end of the outflow pipe and such that a first crossover pipe connects the inflow pipe and the outflow pipe; andwherein the second end of the gun line hose is connected to the second proximal end of the outflow pipe and the fourth end of the outflow hose is connected to the first proximal end of the inflow pipe so that a closed fluid flow loop is created by the inflow pipe, the outflow hose, the sump, the gun feed line, the gun lines, the manifold, the gun line hose, the outflow pipe and the first crossover pipe.

2. The cleaning system as in claim 1 further comprising:an inlet valve located on the inlet pipe between the first crossover pipe and the inlet port; andan outlet valve located on the outlet pipe between the first crossover pipe and the outlet port.

3. The cleaning system as in claim 2 further comprising an accumulator located on the inlet pipe between the first crossover pipe and the first proximal end of the inlet pipe.

4. The cleaning system as in 3 further comprising:an outflow valve located on the inlet pipe between the accumulator and the first proximal end of the inlet pipe; andan inflow valve located on the outflow pipe between the first crossover pipe and the second proximal end of the outlet pipe.

5. The cleaning system as in claim 1 further comprising an accumulator located on the inlet pipe between the first crossover pipe and the first proximal end of the inlet pipe.

6. The cleaning system as in 1 further comprising:an outflow valve located on the inlet pipe between the first crossover pipe and the first proximal end of the inlet pipe; andan inflow valve located on the outflow pipe between the first crossover pipe and the second proximal end of the outlet pipe.

7. The cleaning system as in claim 1 further comprising a first crossover valve located on the first crossover pipe.

8. The cleaning system as in claim 1 further comprising a system pump located on the inlet pipe between the first crossover pipe and the first proximal end.

9. The cleaning system as in claim 8 further comprising a second crossover pipe connecting the inflow pipe and the outflow pipe, the second crossover pipe connected to the inlet pipe between the system pump and the first proximal end of the inlet pipe, the second crossover pipe connected to the outlet pipe between the first crossover pipe and the second proximal end of the outlet pipe.

10. The cleaning system as in claim 9 further comprising:a first crossover valve located on the first crossover pipe; anda second crossover valve located on the second crossover pipe.

11. A cleaning system for cleaning a hold hank on a ship, the hold tank having a series of gun lines fed by a gun feed line, the ship also having a sump with a sump pump creating suction within the sump, the cleaning system comprising:a gun line hose having a first end with a manifold thereon, the manifold having a series of nozzles such that each nozzle is adapted to be connected to a respective one of the gun lines, the gun line hose also having a second end;an outflow hose having a third end and a fourth end, the third end adapted to be connected to the sump;a port section having an inflow pipe having first distal and a first proximal end, the port section also having an outflow pipe with a second distal end and a second proximal end, such that an inlet port is located on the first distal end of the inflow pipe and an outlet port is located on the second distal end of the outflow pipe and such that a first crossover pipe connects the inflow pipe and the outflow pipe;an inlet valve located on the inlet pipe between the first crossover pipe and the inlet port;an outlet valve located on the outlet pipe between the first crossover pipe and the outlet port;a system pump located on the inlet pipe between the first crossover pipe and the first proximal end; andwherein the second end of the gun line hose is connected to the second proximal end of the outflow pipe and the fourth end of the outflow hose is connected to the first proximal end of the inflow pipe so that a closed fluid flow loop is created by the inflow pipe, the outflow hose, the sump, the gun feed line, the gun lines, the manifold, the gun line hose, the outflow pipe and the first crossover pipe.

12. The cleaning system as in claim 11 further comprising an accumulator located on the inlet pipe between the first crossover pipe and the first proximal end of the inlet pipe.

13. The cleaning system as in 12 further comprising:an outflow valve located on the inlet pipe between the accumulator and the first proximal end of the inlet pipe; andan inflow valve located on the outflow pipe between the first crossover pipe and the second proximal end of the outlet pipe.

14. The cleaning system as in claim 11 further comprising a first crossover valve located on the first crossover pipe.

15. The cleaning system as in claim 14 further comprising a second crossover pipe connecting the inflow pipe and the outflow pipe, the second crossover pipe connected to the inlet pipe between the system pump and the first proximal end of the inlet pipe, the second crossover pipe connected to the outlet pipe between the first crossover pipe and the second proximal end of the outlet pipe.

16. The cleaning system as in claim 15 further comprising:a first crossover valve located on the first crossover pipe; anda second crossover valve located on the second crossover pipe.

17. The cleaning system as in claim 11 further comprising:a first three-way valve located between the sump and the gun feed hose; anda second three-way valve located between the outflow hose and the outlet pipe.

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