JP2775165B2 - Fluid transfer device - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION <Industrial Application Field> The present invention uses a pig that moves inside a transfer pipe in a state of being closely contacted with the inner peripheral surface of the transfer pipe, and uses the pig to move a plurality of types of fluids in the transfer pipe. And a fluid transfer device for partitioning and transferring fluids from each other.

<Prior Art> In a method of transferring a fluid using a pig, as shown in FIG. 2, a pig 3 is put in a transfer pipe 1 together with a fluid 2 (fluid, gas, powder, etc.) to be transferred. Then, the fluid 2 is transported together with the pig 3 by applying a pressure such as a compressed gas to the pig 3. This is used when a pig 3 is interposed between a plurality of types of fluids, and the fluids are replaced by these pigs and transported by the same transport pipe.

Conventional transfer devices of this type include, for example, the following.

In the transfer device shown in FIG. 3, when the transfer of a certain kind of fluid from the transfer source 10 to the transfer destination 11 is completed, the valves 12, 13
Is closed, and the fluid remaining in the transfer pipe 14 is collected at the transfer destination 11 using the discharge pipe 15. That is, after setting the pig on the pig lancher 16, the valves 17, 18 are completely opened, and a back pressure such as N ₂ gas is applied to the pig. With the dispensing pipe
The valve 19 of 15 is opened, the pig is moved to the pig receiver 20 side, and the fluid remaining in the transfer pipe 14 flows to the transfer destination 11 through the discharge pipe 15. Then, when it is confirmed by the signaler 21 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 the back pressure to the pig is stopped. Further, the valve 18 is closed in a state where the internal pressure of the transfer pipe 1 is released to zero, and the remaining fluid from the pig receiver 20 to the discharge pipe 15 is collected in the drain 22.
At the same time, the pig is taken out of the pig receiver 20. After discharging the fluid remaining in the transfer path in this way, the valve 17 is closed. At the same time, valves 12 and 13 are opened to transfer different types of fluids from the transfer source to the transfer destination.

By the way, in this conventional transfer apparatus, the pig is moved by the pressure of the compressed gas to completely remove the fluid remaining in the transfer pipe 14 and the discharge pipe 15, and then transfers the next fluid. For this reason, turbidity between the fluid transferred first and the fluid transferred next can be minimized, but the payout operation by the pig must be performed every time the fluid to be transferred is changed. As a result, a plurality of types of fluids could not be continuously transferred while being replaced by pigs, resulting in poor efficiency. Further, when the fluid to be transferred is highly flammable, an inert gas such as nitrogen gas must be used, resulting in an increase in cost.

Therefore, as another conventional technique for solving this, a moving device as shown in FIG. 4 is known.

That is, in the transfer device shown in FIG.
A certain type of fluid is transferred from the transfer source 33 to the transfer destination 34a with the 30, 31, 32a opened. At the end of this transfer, the valve 35 is opened and the pigtailer 36 pigs into the transfer path.
Insert 37. Next, the next fluid to be transferred is fed from the transfer source 33 through the valve 30, the feed pressure of this fluid is applied to the pig 37 as back pressure, and the previous Pig receiver with pig 37 separated from fluid
Move to 39 side. Then, when the passage of the pig 37 is detected by the signaler 40, the valve 32a is closed. With valve 4
1, 42 and 43a are opened, and the previous fluid is recovered from the path passing through the valves 42 and 43a to the transfer destination 34a. Then, when the signal 37 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. At the same time, the valves 41, 42, and 43a are closed, and the next fluid is transferred to the corresponding transfer destination 34b through the passage 32. The pig 37 that has arrived in the pig receiver 39 is taken out when the valves 45 and 46 are opened, the pump 47 is operated, and the residual fluid is collected in the drain 48.

<Problems to be Solved by the Invention> In the transfer device shown in FIG. 4, in order to move the pig by using the feed pressure of the fluid to be transferred next as the back pressure, a plurality of types of fluids are transferred. It is possible to continuously transfer while replacing, but at this time, once the signal 37 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. It has become. As a result, the pig 37 passes through the passage of the transfer pipe 38.
After passing through the branch portion with 32, until the storage in the pig receiver 39 is completed, the next fluid is transferred to the corresponding transfer destination 34b.
There was a problem that it was not transferred to the side.

Accordingly, the present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned conventional circumstances, and a pig in which a plurality of types of fluids can be continuously transferred by a single transfer pipe while being replaced by a pig, and the transfer of the fluid has been completed. It is an object of the present invention to provide a fluid transfer device capable of automatically recovering while transferring the next fluid.

<Means for Solving the Problems> A fluid transfer device according to the present invention includes a transfer pipe for transferring a fluid, and is connected upstream of the transfer pipe to supply a plurality of types of fluids to the transfer pipe. A possible supply source, a pig loaded inside the transfer tube and movable in the transfer tube, and branched to and connected to a transfer tube downstream of the supply source, respectively.
A plurality of branch pipes each connected to a transfer destination corresponding to a plurality of types of fluids, a plurality of on-off valves respectively provided at a branch portion of each branch pipe with a transfer pipe, and each branch section. A signaler for detecting that the pig has passed, and in a state in which a plurality of types of fluids are separated from each other by the pig in the transfer pipe, the fluid before the pig is transported by the feed pressure of the fluid after the pig. In the fluid transfer device, the fluid before the pig in the transfer pipe is transferred to the branch pipe for the fluid before the pig, and the fluid after this pig is forwarded to the pig before the pig. When transferring to the fluid branch pipe after the pig located on the upstream side of the transfer pipe than the fluid branch pipe, the pig passed through the branch part of the fluid branch pipe after this pig. This means that the system located immediately upstream or downstream of this branch After detecting with a knurler and closing the branch pipe for the fluid before the pig with the corresponding on-off valve, the on-off valve arranged at the branch of the branch pipe for the fluid after the pig is pigtailed. It is characterized by having control means for adjusting its opening so as to maintain the back pressure.

<Operation> According to the fluid transfer apparatus of the present invention, continuous transfer of a plurality of types of fluids using the feed pressure of the next transfer fluid (fluid after the pig) as a power source for moving the pig. I do. At the same time, the position of the pig is detected by a signaler to control the opening and closing of an on-off valve provided in the branch pipe. In addition, during this control, the on-off valve (on-off valve on the upstream side of the pig) provided at the branch portion of the next fluid branch pipe is opened at such an opening that the pig can continue moving in the transfer pipe. As a result, the pig after the transfer of the previous fluid can be automatically collected while performing the transfer of the next fluid.

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

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

The launching valve 53 is provided in the pig lancher 51, and a pig 54 is mounted on the back side of the valve 53. Piglancia 51
A fluid introduction pipe 56 is connected to the outlet side of the launching valve 53 via an on-off valve 55, and is connected to a transfer source 57 of a fluid to be transferred. An outlet opening / closing valve 58 is provided at the outlet of the pig lancher 51.
Signalers 59 and 60 for detecting the passage of the vehicle.
One end of a drain pipe 61 is connected to the outlet of the pig lancher 51 and the transfer pipe 50, and the other end of the drain pipe 61 is connected to a fluid introduction pipe 56.

In the drawings, reference numerals 62 and 63 denote on-off valves provided at one end of the drain tube 61, and reference numeral 64 denotes an on-off valve provided at the other end of the drain tube 61. Reference numerals 65, 66, and 67 denote pumps, filters, and flow switches provided in the drain tube 61, respectively. Further, reference numeral 68 denotes an on-off valve provided on the fluid introduction pipe 56, and reference numeral 69 denotes an on-off valve provided on a gas introduction port (for example, an air introduction port) of the fluid introduction pipe 56.

On the other hand, an inlet opening / closing valve 71 is provided at the inlet of the pig receiver 52, and a signaler 72 for detecting the pig 54 is provided near the inlet opening / closing valve 71 at the back of the pig receiver 52.
The pig receiver 52 is connected to a discharge pipe 73. The discharge pipe 73 is connected to a drain pipe 75 via a drain valve 74 and is led to a drain 76.

In the drawings, reference numerals 77, 78, and 79 denote flow switches, filters, and pumps provided in the drain tube 75, respectively, and reference numeral 80 denotes an on-off valve provided in a gas inlet (for example, an air inlet) of the pig receiver 52.

In the vicinity of the pig receiver 52 of the transfer pipe 50, a plurality of (in this embodiment, three for liquid A, liquid B and liquid C) branch pipes 81A, 81
1B and 81C are connected in parallel with each other.
1A, 81B and 81C are different types of fluids (liquid A, liquid B
(Liquid, liquid C) are connected to transfer destinations 82A, 82B, 82C.
On-off valves 83A, 83B, 83C are provided at the branch portions of the branch pipes 81A, 81B, 81C from the transfer pipe 50, respectively.

Merging pipes 84A, 84B, and 84C for discharging liquid are connected to the branch pipes 81A, 81B, and 81C, respectively. These merging pipes 84A, 84B, and 84C are combined into one merging pipe 84. The discharge pipe 73 is connected upstream of the drain valve 74.

In addition, on / off valves 85A, 85B, 8
5C is provided for each.

Also, the on-off valves 85A, 85B, 85C of the respective merging pipes 84A, 84B, 84C
Drain pipes 87A, 87B, 87C having drain valves 86A, 86B, 86C are connected to portions between the drain pipes 87A, 81B, 81C, respectively.
The drain pipes 86 are collectively connected to the drain pipe 75.

Signalers 91, 92, 93, 94, and 95 are provided at branch portions of the transfer pipe 50 to the branch pipes 81A, 81B, and 81C.
Signaler 91 is the entrance of the branch pipe
92 is a signaler 93 slightly before the entrance to the branch pipe 81A
Is located slightly before the entrance to the branch pipe 81B, the signaler 94 is disposed slightly before the branch pipe 81C, and the signaler 95 is disposed at the exit part at the branch pipe arrangement position.

The above valves, pumps, and flow switches are all connected to a control device (not shown) called a sequencer, and the operation is automatically controlled by the sequencer.

A method for transferring a fluid using the above-configured fluid transfer device will be described.

In this embodiment, a case where liquid C is continuously transferred as a liquid before the pig and liquid B is continuously transferred as a liquid after the pig will be described.

First, prior to the start of the transfer of the fluid, the operator confirms that the liquid type transferred in the previous transfer operation (here, the liquid type C) is stored and displayed in the storage device of the sequencer.
After that, the launching valve 53 is opened and closed once,
One of the pigs 54 stored in the 51 is a signaler
It is led to the piglancha outlet valve 58 via 59.

Then, the liquid type to be transferred next (here, the liquid type B)
After the transfer preparation including the start of the transfer pump is completed at the transfer source 57, the operator inputs a transfer start signal to the sequencer to open the on-off valve 55. As a result, the transfer pressure of the liquid B, which has already been increased, is applied to the inside of the picranter 51, and the on-off valve for the branch pipe of the liquid C stored in the sequencer.
83C is opened under the control of the sequencer and fully opened.

When a certain period of time has elapsed after the sequencer has received the transfer start signal, the piglancher outlet valve 58 is opened.
As a result, the pig 54 exits the pig lancer outlet valve 58 while being pushed by the transfer pressure of the liquid B, and moves inside the transfer pipe 50 to the pig receiver 52 side. That is, the C liquid remaining on the front side of the pig 54 in the transfer pipe 50 is transferred from the branch pipe 81C to the transfer destination 82 via the on-off valve 83C.
Start flushing to C.

When the pig 54 passes through the signaler 60, a pig movement start signal is input to the sequencer.

Pig moving inside transfer tube 50 toward pig receiver 52
When 54 passes through the signaler 91 and reaches the liquid type signaler 92, the sequencer controls the pig receiver inlet valves 71 and C
The liquid merging on-off valve 85C is opened. With confluence pipe 8
4, the opening degree of the branch pipe opening / closing valve 83C is adjusted so that the flow rate of the liquid C that joins the branch pipe 81C via 84C can be appropriately secured.

Then, when the pig 54 further moving in the transfer pipe 50 reaches the liquid type signaler 93, the sequencer fully opens the branch pipe on-off valve 83C. This state is maintained until the pig 54 reaches the liquid type signaler 95.

Then, the pig 54 moves in the transfer pipe 50 and the signaler 95
When the sequencer reaches
Open. However, at this time, in order to allow the pig 54 to continue moving within the transfer pipe 50, the on-off valve 83B for the branch pipe is used.
The back pressure on the pig 54 is maintained by adjusting the opening of the pig. The timing for opening the on-off valve for the branch pipe to the extent that the pig back pressure can be maintained is such that the branch position to the branch pipe is immediately after the pig 54 passes, and the branch position to the branch pipe is determined by the pig 54.
May pass after a while. For example, when the transfer is switched from the liquid C to the liquid B, the pig 54 is a signaler.
In addition to the usage mode in which the branch pipe on-off valve 83B is opened to the extent that the pig back pressure can be maintained when it reaches 94, the pig back pressure can be maintained on the branch pipe on-off valve 83B when the pig 54 reaches the signaler 95. It is good also as a usage mode which makes it open to an extent.

Then, the pig receiver inlet valve 71 is moved in the transfer pipe 50 and moved.
Is passed through the signaler 72, the pig receiver inlet valve 71 is immediately closed by the sequencer. At the same time, the branch pipe on-off valve 83B is fully opened. Then, the flow rate of the solution B is increased to complete the switching of the type of the transfer liquid in the transfer pipe 50.

The sequencer receives the pig passing signals from the two types of seigrainers provided immediately upstream of the various branch pipes and the one type of siglener provided immediately downstream, and controls the on-off valve for the branch pipe and the on-off valve for the merging pipe. It is a mechanism to do. Therefore, no matter how the combination order of the fluid types changes, the type transfer is possible.

On the other hand, the pig 54 that has reached the pig receiver 52 as described above stops moving in the pig receiver 52. And
The sequencer that has received the signal when passing through the signaler 72 fully closes the on-off valve 85C for the merging pipe. At the same time, the drain valve 74 and the drain pump discharge valve 86C for the liquid type are fully opened. Further, the drain pump 79 is started to transfer the C liquid remaining in the pig receiver 52 and the C liquid remaining on the upstream side of the confluence pipe opening / closing valve 85C to the branch pipe 81C via the liquid type drain pump discharge valve 86C, and the residual liquid in the system. Collect the liquid.

After a predetermined time has elapsed after the start of the drain pump 79, the gas suction valve 80 is opened by a sequencer to ensure the recovery of the residual liquid in the system. Further, the flow switch 77 detects a point in time when the residual liquid in the system has run out and the drain recovery liquid has run out, and the drain pump 79 is stopped. At the same time, the drain pump liquid type discharge valve 86C and the drain valve 74 are fully closed, and this state is continued for a certain period of time to terminate the collection of the residual liquid around the pig receiver.

As described above, the recovery of the residual liquid around the pig receiver is completed, and the transfer of the liquid B is completed. When the operator inputs a signal indicating the completion of the transfer of the liquid B to the sequencer, the sequencer controls the system inlet valve 55 and the pigglet outlet valve. 58 is fully closed. At the same time, the drain valve 62 and the drain pump discharge valve 63 are fully opened. Then, the drain pump 65 is started. After a certain period of time from the start, the gas intake valve 69
Is fully opened, and the residual liquid inside the pig lancher 51 and the receiving pipe 56 is collected.

In this way, when the collection of the residual liquid in the system is completed and the drain pump 65 runs idle, the gas suction valve 69 is fully closed. At the same time, the drain pump 65 is stopped and the on-off valve
83B is fully closed and all operations are completed.

In addition, the use mode of the transfer device can be variously set in addition to the one shown in the above-described embodiment, and for example, it is possible to adopt a mode as shown in the following table.

In the table below, case 1 is a case where the on-off valve for a branch pipe is opened when a pig is detected by a signaler immediately after the branch position of the branch pipe corresponding to the post-transfer liquid. Case 2 shows a case where the user hears the on-off valve for the branch liquid to be transferred when the signaler detects that the pig has passed the last branch position of the plurality of branch pipes. In this transfer example, the liquid before transfer is liquid C and the liquid after transfer is liquid A. The valve names and signalers are based on FIG.

In the above embodiment, three types of liquids are transferred. However, when the types are further increased, a branch pipe,
This can be easily achieved by increasing the number of the merging pipes, the on-off valves and the signalers attached thereto, one by one. In addition, the present invention can be used for transferring not only liquids but also fluids including gases.

<Effect> According to the fluid transfer apparatus of the present invention, a plurality of types of fluids are continuously transferred using the feed pressure of the next transfer fluid as a moving force for moving the pig, and the pig is moved by a signaler. The opening and closing of the on-off valve is detected by detecting the position of the on-off valve, and at the time of switching the liquid type, the on-off valve (the valve on the upstream side of the pig that has passed the pig) provided at the branch of the next fluid branch pipe Is opened at such an opening that the movement can be continued in the transfer pipe, so that the pig after the transfer of the fluid is automatically collected while the next fluid is transferred. Further, at the time of this liquid type switching, since the pig traveling speed of the type signaler installation portion can be adjusted by adjusting the opening of the type branch pipe automatic valve, the reliability of the liquid type switching operation can be improved. At the time of liquid type switching, the residual liquid treatment from the pig receiver to the junction can be performed in parallel with the transfer of the next liquid after the completion of the switching, so that the time required for liquid type switching can be reduced.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a transfer device according to an embodiment of the present invention,
FIG. 2 is a sectional view for explaining the concept of the transfer method, FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram of a conventional transfer device, and FIG. 4 is a configuration diagram of another conventional transfer device. 50 ... Transfer pipe, 54 ... Pig, 81A-81C ... Branch pipe, 83A-83C ... On-off valve, 91-95 ... Signaler.

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on front page (58) Field surveyed (Int.Cl. ⁶ , DB name) B65G 53/30

Claims (1)

(57) [Claims] 1. A transfer pipe for transferring a fluid, a supply source connected upstream of the transfer pipe and capable of supplying a plurality of kinds of fluids to the transfer pipe, and a transfer pipe loaded inside the transfer pipe and transferred. A pig that can move in the pipe, and a plurality of branch pipes that are branched and connected to transfer pipes downstream of the supply source, respectively, and that are connected to transfer destinations according to the types of the plurality of types of fluids, A plurality of on-off valves respectively provided at the branch portions of the branch pipes with the transfer pipes, and a signaler for detecting that the pig has passed through each branch section, wherein a plurality of types of fluids are pigged in the transfer pipes. In a fluid transfer device that transfers a fluid before the pig by the feed pressure of the fluid after the pig in a state where the fluid is separated from each other, the fluid before the pig in the transfer pipe is placed before the pig. To the branch pipe for the fluid of Is transferred to the branch pipe for the fluid after the pig located upstream in the transfer pipe from the branch pipe for the fluid before the pig, the flow path for the fluid after the pig The passage of the pig through the branch portion of the branch pipe is detected by a signaler disposed immediately upstream or downstream of the branch portion, and the branch pipe for the fluid before the pig is closed by the corresponding on-off valve. After that, a control means for opening and closing the on-off valve disposed at the branch of the fluid branch pipe after the pig by adjusting the opening thereof so that the back pressure of the pig can be maintained, Fluid transfer device.