Crude Oil Cargo Recirculation System for Tank Barges
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Solution Overview
Problem
Crude oil tank barges face the challenge of material buildup, such as wax and sediment, which reduces storage capacity, and existing methods like Crude Oil Washing are inefficient and undesirable.
Innovation Solution
A crude oil cargo recirculation system that includes a longitudinal header, recirculation headers, and a pumping unit to resuspend settled material within the tanks, using pipes and diffusers to mix the oil and prevent deposition, which can be retrofitted onto existing barges or integrated into new ones.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If Crude Oil Washing method is used to remove build-up, then tank capacity is maintained, but the process is inefficient and undesirable
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses the crude oil cargo itself to wash the tanks during normal cargo handling operations, eliminating the need for separate washing operations. The crude oil is recirculated through the tanks using existing pumping infrastructure, allowing the cargo to perform the cleaning function automatically during its normal transport purpose.
Solution Approach 2:
The crude oil serves dual purposes: it is both the cargo being transported and the cleaning medium for washing the tanks. The existing pumping system serves both to move cargo and to recirculate oil for washing purposes, eliminating the need for dedicated washing equipment and operations.
2Reliability
If crude oil is heated and sprayed via high pressure nozzles, then build-up is removed, but device complexity and operational complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system leverages the existing pumping infrastructure and crude oil cargo to perform the washing function, eliminating the need for separate heating systems, high-pressure nozzle installations, and dedicated washing operations. The crude oil is recirculated through existing pipes and valves during normal cargo handling.
Solution Approach 2:
The washing function is merged with the normal cargo handling operations. The same pumping system that moves cargo also recirculates oil for washing purposes. The washing process is combined with routine cargo discharge and loading operations, eliminating the need for separate complex washing systems.
3Reliability
If recirculation system is implemented, then material suspension and buildup reduction are achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The existing pumping system is designed to perform multiple functions: it moves crude oil cargo during transport and simultaneously recirculates the oil through the tanks for washing purposes. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate dedicated recirculation equipment, reducing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the crude oil cargo itself as the washing medium and leverages the existing pumping infrastructure to recirculate the oil. The cargo performs the cleaning function automatically during normal handling operations, eliminating the need for separate washing systems or additional complex equipment.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system effectively keeps material suspended, reducing buildup and maintaining tank capacity, as demonstrated by reduced accumulation over time in recirculated tanks compared to non-recirculated ones.
Implementation Method 1
a pumping unit to resuspend settled material within the tanks
Implementation Method 2
using pipes and diffusers to mix the oil and prevent deposition
Data Source
AI summary
A recirculation system for a crude oil cargo tank barge having at least one tank includes a pump in fluid communication with at least one tank and recirculation piping in fluid communication with the pump and at least one tank. The pump pumps fluid from at least one tank to the recirculation piping. The recirculation piping then returns the pumped fluid to at least one tank.