Inflatable Bladder Purging Gas Vessels
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for cleaning gas vessels between different cargo types are environmentally unfriendly, costly, and time-consuming, involving direct venting of gas mixtures to the atmosphere, which wastes cargo and inert gas, and result in vessels often going without revenue-generating cargo for extended periods.
Innovation Solution
A method using an inflatable bladder connected to a fluid source, stored outside the vessel, which is brought inside to displace residual gases, allowing for efficient purging and re-gassing without venting to the atmosphere, reducing emissions and preparation time, and enabling vessels to carry different cargo types more efficiently.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of substance
If the vessel is purged by venting the mixture of cargo gas and inert gas directly to the atmosphere, then the vessel is cleaned from remainder cargo gas, but gas emissions are generated and cargo gas is wasted
Solution Approach 1:
A movable partition is introduced as an intermediary element that separates the cargo hold into two compartments. This partition can be moved to control the displacement of residual cargo gas, allowing it to be contained and redirected rather than vented to the atmosphere, thereby eliminating both gas emissions and cargo waste during the cleaning process
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses inert gas to create a controlled atmosphere within the cargo hold. By introducing inert gas and using the movable partition to control gas displacement, the system maintains an inert environment that prevents harmful emissions while effectively cleaning the vessel for new cargo loading
2Productivity
If the vessel is purged by venting to the atmosphere, then the vessel is cleaned, but the operation is time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The movable partition acts as a mechanical intermediary that accelerates the gas displacement process. By physically dividing the cargo hold and controlling the movement of residual gas with the partition, the system achieves effective cleaning in a fraction of the time required for atmospheric venting, significantly reducing turnaround time between cargo loads
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary gas displacement actions using the movable partition before final cargo loading. By pre-positioning the partition and controlling gas movement in advance, the vessel is prepared for new cargo much faster than traditional venting methods, reducing the time loss associated with cleaning operations
3Productivity
If the vessel proceeds to another harbour without cleaning, then revenue-generating cargo can be carried continuously, but environmental emissions increase and transport capacity utilization decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The movable partition enables rapid cleaning operations that allow vessels to return to service quickly. By eliminating the need for lengthy atmospheric venting, the system reduces environmental emissions while maintaining high vessel utilization rates, allowing continuous revenue-generating cargo transport without compromising environmental standards
Solution Approach 2:
The inert gas system provides an environmentally friendly cleaning method that eliminates harmful emissions to the atmosphere. By using inert gas displacement controlled by the movable partition, vessels can be cleaned without releasing cargo vapors or inert gas to the environment, enabling continuous operation with reduced environmental impact
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
This approach reduces gas emissions, minimizes waste, shortens cleaning operations, and increases vessel utilization by allowing quicker changes between cargo types, thereby lowering transport costs and emissions per ton.
Implementation Method 1
The method disclosed in EP 1791772 B1, and also the present invention, ensures that the gas vapour left in the tank from the previous cargo is not lost as will otherwise be the case and thus the emissions are reduced.
Implementation Method 2
The bladder is inflated by means of a fluid provided from a fluid source arranged outside of the vessel
Data Source
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AI summary
A method and an apparatus for facilitating purging a vessel (1) by means of an inflatable bladder (3), the bladder (3) being connected to a conduit (53, 55, 57) for communicating a fluid into or out of the bladder (3), wherein the method comprising : - arranging the bladder (3) in a compartment (5) outside the vessel (1), the compartment (5) being provided with a closable sealing means (7) adapted for selectively bringing the compartment (5) in fluid communication with the internal of the vessel (1) via an aperture (9) in a portion of the vessel (1); - bringing at least a portion of the bladder (3) into the vessel (1); - inflating the bladder (3) by means of a fluid provided from a fluid source; - cleaning the vessel (1) by purging a space which is defined by an internal surface of the vessel (1) and an external surface of the inflated bladder (3); - deflating the bladder (3); and - bringing the bladder (3) out of the vessel (1) and into the compartment (5).