JPH02221022A - Transfer device for fluid - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To continuously transfer a plurality of sorts of fluid by providing a plurality of branch pipes which are branched off from a transfer pipe mutually in parallel and communicated to the transferring target according to respective sorts of fluid, a plurality of opening/closing valves respectively provided at the above-stated branched parts, signallers at branched parts, and a control means. CONSTITUTION:One of pigs 54 in a pig launcher 51 is introduced to a pig launcher outlet valve 58, hereafter, an opening/closing valve 55 is opened to apply the transfer pressure of a next transfer liquid C into the launcher 51, and simultaneously an opening/closing valve 83B for a branch pipe of the former transfer liquid B is fully opened. After a certain time, the outlet valve 58 is opened, and the pig 54 is moved to the pig receiver 52 side in a transfer pipe 50, while being pushed by the transfer pressure of the C liquid. Namely, the residual liquid B is swept away to a transfer target 82B through the valve 83B and the branch pipe 81B. When the pig 54 reaches a signaller 93, the valve 83 is fully closed, hereafter, at reaching a signaller 95, an opening/closing valve 83C for liquid sort distincted branch pipe is opened, and changeover of the transfer liquid is completed.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention <Industrial Application Field> The present invention uses a pig that moves within the transfer pipe in close contact with the inner peripheral surface of the transfer pipe, and uses the pig to transfer a plurality of types of fluids within the transfer pipe. The present invention relates to a fluid transfer device that separates and transfers fluids.

<Prior art> As shown in FIG. 2, a method for transferring fluid using a pig involves placing a pig 3 together with a fluid 2 (fluid, gas, powder, etc.) to be transferred in a transfer pipe 1. The pig 3 is used to partition the fluid 3, apply pressure such as compressed gas to the pig 3, and transfer the fluid 2 together with the pig 3. Multiple types of fluids can be replaced by the pig 3 to create the same product. Used when transferring with a transfer pipe.

Examples of conventional transfer devices include:

In the transfer device shown in FIG. 3, from the transfer source 10 to the transfer destination 11,
When the transfer of the different types of fluid is completed, the valve 12
．． 13 is closed and the fluid remaining in the transfer pipe 14 is recovered to the transfer destination 11 using the discharge pipe 15. That is,
After setting the pig in the pig launcher 16, the valve 17.18
Completely open the pig, apply back pressure such as N2 gas to this pig, open the valve 19 of the discharge pipe 15, move the pig to the pig receiver 20 side, and transfer the fluid remaining in the transfer pipe 4 through the discharge pipe 15. Transfer to destination 11.

When the signaler 21 confirms that the pig has passed through the valve 18 and entered the pig receiver 20, the valve 19 is immediately closed and the application of back pressure to the pig is stopped, and the internal pressure of the transfer pipe 14 is reduced. Close the valve 18 after releasing the water to zero, and discharge the pipe 15 from the pig receiver 20.
The remaining fluid is collected into the drain 22 and the pig is taken out from the pig receiver 20. After discharging the fluid remaining in the transfer path in this way, the valve 1
7 is closed and the valves 12 and 13 are opened to transfer different types of fluids from the transfer source to the transfer destination.

In the transfer device shown in FIG. 4, valves 30, 31 .
When the transfer of the type of fluid from the transfer source 33 to the transfer destination 34a is completed with 32a open, the valve 35 is opened and the pig 37 is introduced from the pig launcher 36 into the transfer path. Next, the next fluid to be transferred is fed from the transfer source 3T3 through the valve 30, the feeding pressure of this fluid is applied as back pressure to the pig 37, and the previous and subsequent fluids are separated in the transfer pipe 38. The pig 37 is moved to the pig receiver 39 side in a state where it is separated from the fluid flowing from the pipe. Then, when the passage of the pig 37 is detected by the signaler 40, the valve 32a is closed and the valves 41, 42, and 43a are opened to transfer the previous fluid to the valve 4.
2. Collected from route 43 passing through 43a to destination 34a. When the signaler 44 detects that the pig 37 has arrived at the pig receiver 39, the valve 32b of the path corresponding to the next fluid is opened, and the valves 41, 42, 43 are opened.
a is closed, and the next fluid is transferred through the passage 32 to the corresponding transfer destination 34b. The pig 37 that has arrived in the pig receiver 39 is removed when the valves 45 and 46 are opened to operate the pump 47 and the remaining fluid is collected into the drain 48.

<Problems to be Solved by the Invention> In the transfer device shown in FIG. Since the next fluid is transferred, turbidity between the previously transferred fluid and the next fluid to be transferred can be minimized. However, each time the fluid to be transferred has to be changed, a dispensing operation using a pig must be performed, making it impossible to continuously transfer multiple types of fluid while replacing them, resulting in inefficiency. Furthermore, if the fluid to be transferred is highly flammable, an inert gas such as nitrogen gas must be used, resulting in increased costs.

In the transfer device shown in Fig. 4, the feed pressure of the next fluid to be transferred is applied as back pressure to move the pig, so it is possible to continuously transfer multiple types of fluids while replacing them. However, each time the type of fluid is switched, the passage 32.4
3, the fluid became cloudy.

That is, conventionally, there has been no transfer device that can continuously transfer multiple types of fluids while minimizing turbidity, resulting in problems such as a decrease in work efficiency or turbidity of the fluids.

The present invention was made in view of the above-mentioned conventional circumstances, and it is possible to continuously transfer multiple types of fluids while replacing them with one transfer pipe, and to minimize turbidity of these fluids. The purpose is to provide a transfer device that can

<Means for Solving the Problems> The fluid transfer device according to the present invention uses a pig that moves within the transfer pipe in close contact with the inner peripheral surface of the transfer pipe, and uses the pig to transfer a plurality of types of fluids within the transfer pipe. In a fluid transfer device that separates and transfers fluids, there are multiple branch pipes that are branched in parallel from a transfer pipe and each lead to a transfer destination depending on the type of fluid, and a branch between the branch pipe and the transfer pipe. multiple on-off valves installed in each section, a signaler that detects when the pig has passed the branch between the branch pipe and the transfer pipe, and a signaler that detects when the pig passes through the branch of the branch pipe corresponding to the fluid being transferred first. A control means that closes the on-off valve of the branch when the pig passes, and opens the on-off valve of the branch when the pig passes through the branch of the branch pipe corresponding to the fluid following this fluid. It is characterized by having the following.

<Function> Continuously transfers multiple types of fluids using the feed pressure of the next fluid to be transferred as a power source for moving the pig, and also detects the position of the pig with a signaler to control the opening and closing of the on-off valve. ,
Fluids are guided to branch pipes corresponding to each type to suppress turbidity between fluids.

<Example> The transfer device according to the present invention will be specifically described based on the example shown in FIG.

As shown in the figure, a pig launcher 51 is provided at one end of the transfer tube 50, and a pig receiver 52 is provided at the other end of the transfer tube 50.

The pig launcher 51 is provided with a launching valve 53, and a pig 54 is loaded on the back side of this valve 53. An on-off valve 55 is located on the outlet side of the pig launcher 510 and the launching valve 53.
A fluid introduction pipe 56 is connected to the transfer source 57 of the fluid to be transferred. An outlet opening/closing valve 58 is provided at the outlet of the pig launcher 51, and this valve 58
Signalers 59 and 6 detect the passage of the pig 54 across the
0 is set. Further, one end of a drain pipe 61 is connected to the outlet of the pig launcher 51 and the transfer pipe 50, and the other end of this drain pipe 61 is connected to the fluid introduction pipe 56. In addition, 62.63 in the figure is the drain pipe 61.
An on-off valve provided at one end, 64 an on-off valve provided at the other end of the drain pipe 61, 65, 66, and 67 a pump, filter, and flow switch each provided on the drain pipe 61, and 68 a fluid introduction pipe. On-off valve provided in 56, 6
Reference numeral 9 denotes an on-off valve provided at a gas inlet (for example, an air inlet) of the fluid inlet pipe 56.

On the other hand, an artificial opening/closing valve 71 is provided at the entrance of the pig receiver 520, and a signaler 72 for detecting the pig 54 is provided near the valve 71 on the back side of the pig receiver 52. A discharge pipe 73 is connected to the pig receiver 52, and this discharge pipe 73 is connected to a drain pipe 75 via a drain valve 74 and led to a drain 76. In addition, 77, 78, and 79 in the figure are the flow switch, filter, and pump provided in the drain pipe 75, and 80 is the gas inlet (for example, air inlet) of the pig receiver 52.
This is an on-off valve installed in the

Near the pig receiver 52 of the transfer pipe 50, there are a plurality of branch pipes 81A (in this embodiment, three for liquid A, liquid B, and liquid phase C).
, 81B, and 81C are connected in parallel to each other, and these branch pipes 81A, 81B, and 81C serve as destinations 82A, 82B, and 81C for transferring different types of fluids (liquid A, liquid B, and liquid C), respectively.
Connected to 82C. Each branch pipe 81A, 81B, 8
An on-off valve 83A is installed at each branch from the transfer pipe 50 of 1C.
, 83B, and 83C are provided.

In addition, confluence tubes 84A, 84B, and 84C for collecting the discharged liquid are connected to each of the branch tubes 81A, 81B, and 81C, respectively, and these confluence tubes 84A, 184B, and 84C are connected to one another.
The pipes are combined into a main confluence pipe 84 and connected upstream of the drain valve 74 of the discharge pipe 73. In addition, each confluence pipe 8
4A, 84B, 84C have on-off valves 85A, 85B, 85
C is provided.

In addition, on-off valves 85A for each merging pipes 84A, 84B, and 84C
, 85B, 85C and the branch pipes 81A, 81B, 81C are provided with drain valves 86A, 86B, 86C, respectively.
Drain pipes 87A, 187B, 87C are connected, and these drain pipes 87A, 87B, 87C have 1
The drain pipe 75 is assembled into a main drain pipe 86.
It is connected to the.

Signalers 91, 92, 93, 94, 95 are installed at the branch portions of the transfer pipe 50 to the branch pipes 81A, 81B, and 81C.
are provided, the signaler 91 is located at the entrance of the branch pipe installation position, the signaler 92 is located slightly before the entrance to the branch pipe 81A, the signaler 93 is located slightly before the entrance to the branch pipe 81B, and the signaler 94 is located at the branch pipe 81B. The signaler 95 is disposed a little before the entrance to the pipe 81C and at the outlet of the branch pipe arrangement position.

The above-described valves, pumps, and flow switches are all connected to a control device (not shown) called a sequencer, and their operations are automatically controlled by this sequencer.

The operation of the transfer device having the above configuration will be explained.

First, before starting the fluid transfer, the operator confirms that the liquid type transferred in the previous transfer operation (here, type B liquid) is stored and displayed in the sequencer's memory device.
The launching valve 53 is opened and closed once, and one of the pigs 54 stored in the pig launcher 51 is set to the signaler 5.
9 to the pig launcher outlet valve 58.

After the transfer source 57 completes transfer preparations including starting the transfer pump for the next liquid type to be transferred (here, C liquid type), the operator inputs a transfer start signal to the sequencer to open and close the transfer pump. Open valve 55. As a result, the transfer pressure of liquid C, which has already been increased in pressure, is applied to the pig launcher 51, and the opening/closing valve 8 for the branch pipe of liquid B stored in the sequencer
3B is opened fully under the control of the sequencer.

Then, when a certain period of time has passed after the sequencer receives the transfer start signal, the pig launcher outlet valve 58 is closed, and the pig 54 is not pushed by the transfer pressure of liquid C, so it exits the pig launcher outlet valve 58 and enters the transfer pipe 60. inside to the pig receiver 52 side. That is, the B liquid remaining in front of the pig 54 in the transfer pipe 50 is transferred to the branch pipe 81B via the on-off valve 83B.
From there, it begins to be swept away to the transfer destination 82B. Incidentally, when the pig 54 passes through the signaler 60, a pig movement start signal is input to the sequencer.

The pig 54 moving toward the pig receiver 52 in the transfer pipe 50 passes through the signaler 91 and reaches the liquid type side signaler 9.
2, the sequencer opens the pig receiver inlet valve 71 and the B liquid merging on-off valve 85B, and
The opening degree of the branch pipe on-off valve 83B is adjusted to ensure an appropriate flow rate of the B liquid that flows into the branch pipe 81B via the merging pipes 84, 84B.

Then, when the pig δ4 further moving in the transfer pipe 50 reaches the liquid type side signaler 93, the sequencer fully opens the branch pipe on-off valve 83B, and this state remains until the pig 54 reaches the liquid type side signaler 95. to be maintained.

Then, the pig 54 moves within the transfer pipe 50 and moves to the signal 9.
5, the sequencer turns on/off valve 8 for the liquid type side branch pipe.
Open 3C. However, at this time, the pig 54
In order to continue moving within the pig 54, the back pressure on the pig 54 is maintained by adjusting the opening degree of the branch pipe on-off valve 83C.

In addition, the timing to open the on-off valve for the branch pipe to the extent that the pig back pressure can be maintained is to set the branch position for the branch pipe to the pig 5.
In addition to the time immediately after the pig 54 passes through the branch pipe, the time may be set after the pig 54 passes the branch position to the branch pipe. For example, when switching from liquid A to liquid B, the pig 54
In addition to the mode of use in which the branch pipe on-off valve 83B is opened to the extent that the pig back pressure can be maintained when the signal reaches the signaler 94,
The branch pipe on-off valve 83B may be opened to the extent that the pig back pressure can be maintained when the pig 54 reaches the jig nut 95.

Then, the pig receiver artificial valve 7 is moved inside the transfer pipe 50 and
When the pig 54 that has passed through the pipe 1 passes through the signal generator 72, the pig receiver inlet valve 71 is immediately closed by the sequencer, and the branch pipe on-off valve 83C is fully opened. Then, the flow rate of liquid C is increased to complete switching of the type of liquid to be transferred in the transfer pipe 50.

The sequencer receives pig passage signals from two type signalers installed immediately upstream of each type of branch pipe and one signaller installed immediately downstream, and controls the branch pipe on-off valve and the merging pipe on-off valve. Since it is a mechanism, it is possible to transfer the types no matter how the combination order of the fluid types changes.

On the other hand, the pig 54 that has reached the pig receiver 52 as described above stops moving within the pig receiver 52. Then, the sequencer that receives the signal when the signal passes through the signaler 72 fully closes the confluence pipe on-off valve 85B, fully opens the drain valve 74 and the drain pump discharge valve 86B on the liquid type side, and further closes the drain pump 79. When activated, the B liquid remaining in the pig receiver 52 and the B liquid remaining upstream of the confluence pipe on-off valve 85B are transferred to the branch pipe 81B via the liquid type side drain pump discharge valve 86B, and the residual liquid in the system is recovered.

Furthermore, after a certain period of time has elapsed after starting the drain pump 79, the gas suction valve 80 is opened by the sequencer to ensure the recovery of the residual liquid in the system, but the residual liquid in the system is gone and there is no drain recovery liquid. The flow switch 77 detects the time, and the drain pump 79 is stopped, and the drain pump liquid type discharge valve 86B and the drain valve 74 are each fully closed.This state is continued for a certain period of time, and the recovery of the residual liquid around the pig receiver is completed.

When the recovery of the residual liquid around the pig receiver is completed as described above and the transfer of the C liquid is completed, when the operator manually inputs a signal to the sequencer to complete the transfer of the C liquid, the sequencer controls the system inlet valve 55 and the pig launcher outlet. The valve 58 is fully opened, and the drain valve 62 and drain pump discharge valve 63 are also fully opened. Then, the drain pump 65 is started, and after a certain period of time has elapsed since the start, the gas suction valve 69 is fully opened, and the residual liquid inside the pig launcher 51 and the receiving pipe 56 is recovered.

When the residual liquid in the system is collected in this way and the drain pump 65 runs idle, the gas suction valve 69 is fully closed and the drain pump 65 is stopped, and the transfer destination branch on-off valve 83
C is fully closed and the entire work is completed.

It should be noted that the manner in which the transfer device is used can be set in various ways other than those shown in the above embodiments, and for example, the manners shown in the table below can also be used.

In the table below, Case 1 is a case where the on-off valve for the branch pipe is opened when a pig is detected by the signaler immediately after the branch position of the branch pipe corresponding to the transferred soaked liquid, and Case 2 is the case where the on-off valve for the branch pipe is opened. This shows the case where the on-off valve for the branch pipe for the condensate is opened when the signaler detects that the pig has passed through the last branch position. Further, transfer example (2) is an example in which the liquid before transfer is liquid A and the liquid after transfer is liquid C, and transfer example (2) is an example in which the liquid before transfer is liquid C and the liquid after transfer is liquid A. In addition, the valve names and signalers are based on FIG.

(Hereinafter, blank spaces) In the above embodiment, three types of liquids are transferred, but if the number of types is to be further increased, one branch pipe, one confluence pipe, and one on-off valve and one signaler attached to these pipes may be used.
This can be easily handled by increasing the number one by one.

Further, the present invention can be used to transfer not only liquids but also all fluids including gases and the like.

Effects> According to the transfer device of the present invention, the position of the pig is detected by the signaler and the pig is guided to the branch pipe according to the type of fluid to be transferred. of fluid can be continuously transferred while being replaced with one transfer tube. Since compressed gas is not used as the power source for moving the pig, it is expected to improve safety during transfer operations when switching liquid types, and also eliminates the need for gas pressure boosting equipment and compressed gas air supply piping, reducing equipment costs. It becomes possible. Further, when switching the liquid type, the pig running speed at the part where the type signaler is installed can be adjusted by adjusting the opening of the automatic valve for the type branch pipe, so the reliability of the liquid type switching operation can be improved. Further, when switching the liquid type, processing of the residual liquid from the pig receiver to the confluence part can be performed in parallel with the transfer of the next liquid after the switching is completed, so that the time required for changing the liquid type can be shortened.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

Fig. 1 is a configuration diagram of a transfer device according to an embodiment of the present invention, Fig. 2 is a sectional view explaining the concept of the transfer method, Figs.
Each figure is a configuration diagram of a conventional transfer device. 50 is a transfer pipe, 54 is a pig, 81A to 81C are branch pipes, 83A to 83C are on-off valves, and 91 to 96 are signalers. Patent applicant: Mitsuishi Engineering Co., Ltd. (2 others)

Claims (1)

[Claims] In a fluid transfer device that uses a pig that moves within the transfer pipe while being in close contact with the inner peripheral surface of the transfer pipe, multiple types of fluids are separated and transferred within the transfer pipe by the pig. A plurality of branch pipes each leading to a transfer destination according to the type of fluid, a plurality of on-off valves provided at the branch points between the branch pipe and the transfer pipe, and a branch between the branch pipe and the transfer pipe. When the pig passes through the branch of the branch pipe corresponding to the fluid being transferred, the on-off valve of the branch is closed, and the fluid is 1. A fluid transfer device characterized by comprising: a control means for opening an on-off valve of a branch pipe when a pig passes through a branch part of a branch pipe corresponding to a subsequent fluid.