KR20060130097A - How to remove residual gas - Google Patents

Abstract

A method of removing residual gas from inside a conventional shipping container is disclosed. First, the method includes accessing the container with the door of the container and fitting the panel to the door. The method then includes extracting at least a portion of the residual gas present in the container through an extraction valve located in the panel using an external absorption pump. Finally, the method includes providing a flow of cleaning gas into the container through an injection valve located in the panel, thereby cleaning the residual gas from the container. The total pressure in the container can be sensed and adjusted by adjusting the gas flow in the inlet and outlet holes or valves.

Description

Residual Gas Removal Method

The present invention generally relates to a method for removing residual gas from an enclosed space. The present invention will be primarily described in relation to the use of removing residual gas or various gases from a cargo ship container, but may be widely applied to other product spaces or other confined spaces used for transportation where residual gas is generated. .

Many types of products are transported around the world using conventional shipping containers. Products stored primarily in containers may be passed through a specific fumigant gas to remove pests, parasites, insects and other pests from other countries (such as perforates, teeth, ticks, fleas, termites, etc.) before shipment. Fumigation These containers often store timber dunnage or other bulky products that are bundled around the product.

The container can be well ventilated by known methods after fumigation, but there is always a residual fumigant that permeates into the products, products and confined spaces in the container. These fumigants are slowly removed over time while loading re-sealed containers. In addition, free fumigation gas may occur when the space between the wood and the enclosed space material, especially when a lot of cargo is loaded in the container. These gases can pose an environmental risk to people approaching the container when it arrives and is released at its destination. Currently open containers with long openings on one side of the container are inefficient in completely removing trapped or removed gases, and the gases used for efficient fumigation are very toxic, especially in terms of disseminated health. It is dangerous at occupational health standpoints.

In other situations, the container may be used to transport painted and polished products, such as furniture, automobiles or other wood products, which may emit toxic odors and scents that may condense over time in a limited container space. have. In addition, if the chemicals or solvents that are carried together during the movement of the container leak, it can produce residual gas inside the container. If mold perishes or rots as the perishable product is transported, this can also result in toxic gases. In such situations, gases or bubbles generated in the container may pose a risk of environmental exposure and may be harmful to those who approach and enter the container when it arrives at its destination.

As used herein, the term "residual gas" means a measurable amount of gases, scents or bubbles remaining in, or generated in, a closed space, that is, a sealed space for a period of time. . The term “conventional shipping container” also means containers of varying lengths and weights (eg, containers of 40 feet or 20 feet in length) and are widely used in freighter or rail transportation applications. These containers are generally made of metal with corrugated side wall surfaces and consist of two doors that can be opened at one end to enter the interior.

Summary of the Invention

According to a first aspect of the present invention, the present invention provides a method for removing residual gas generated inside a conventional shipping container comprising the following steps:

(Iii) accessing the container;

(Ii) extracting at least a portion of the residual gas present inside the container; And,

(Iii) providing a flow of flushing gas to the container for cleaning residual gas from the container.

This method allows for safe extraction of residual gas inside the container with minimal risk for those who later need to access the container when opening the container.

Preferably, the step of extracting the residual gas causes the pressure in the container to be lower than the air pressure around the container.

Preferably, when the pressure of the residual gas in the electric container reaches a predetermined value, the flow of the washing gas starts and the pressure in the container increases.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, the present invention provides a method for removing residual gas from the interior of a conventional shipping container comprising the following steps:

(Iii) accessing the container;

(Ii) providing a flow of scrubbing gas to the container for scrubbing residual gas from the container; And,

(Iii) extracting the flow of wash gas and residual gas until at least a portion of the residual gas in the container is removed;

Preferably, the total pressure inside the container is sensed and adjusted.

Preferably, most of the residual gas present inside the container is extracted.

Preferably, the electrical method further comprises the step of absorbing / adsorbing at least a portion of the residual gas extracted from the container by means of absorbing / adsorbing means. Most preferably, substantially all of the extracted residual gas is absorbed / adsorbed by absorption / adsorption means.

Preferably, the electrical method further comprises the step of washing the absorbed / adsorbed means to remove residual gas absorbed / adsorbed.

Preferably, accessing the container includes each of the following steps:

(Iii) opening the door of the container; And,

(Ii) operatively coupling a gas injection means and a gas extraction means to the container to the open door to seal the container during extraction or cleaning of gases;

Preferably, the cleaning gas is introduced through gas injection means.

Preferably, the gas is extracted through gas extraction means.

Preferably, the cleaning gas is atmospheric air.

Preferably, the container is provided with means for sensing and regulating the gas pressure of the container.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, the present invention provides a method for removing residual gas in an enclosed space comprising each of the following steps:

(Iii) accessing the confined space, operatively coupling the gas injection means and the gas extraction means to the confined space;

(Ii) extracting the flow of residual gas through the gas extraction means until at least a portion of the existing residual gas is removed; And,

(Iii) providing a flow of washing gas into the confined space through the gas injection means, thereby washing residual gas from the confined space.

Preferably, the step of extracting the residual gas makes the pressure in the sealed space lower than the air pressure around the sealed space.

Preferably, when the pressure of the residual gas in the electrically sealed space reaches a predetermined value, the flow of the washing gas is started and the pressure in the sealed space increases.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the present invention provides a method for removing residual gas in an enclosed space including each of the following steps.

(Iii) accessing the confined space, operatively coupling the gas injection means and the gas extraction means to the confined space;

(Ii) providing a flow of washing gas into the closed space through the gas injection means, thereby washing residual gas from the closed space; And,

(Iii) extracting the residual gas flow through the gas extraction means until at least a portion of the residual gas present is removed;

Preferably, in either the third and fourth sides, the confined space is defined as a conventional shipping container.

Preferably, the method of the third and fourth aspects differs from that defined in the first and second aspects.

In a fifth aspect, the present invention provides a residual gas removal apparatus arranged to be effectively coupled to a sealed space to remove residual gas from inside a sealed space including each of the following means.

(Iii) gas injection means for injecting washing gas into the closed space;

(Ii) gas extraction means for extracting gas from the enclosed space;

(Iii) pressure sensing means for sensing the total pressure of the gases in the closed space; And,

(Iii) regulating means for regulating the flow of gases through at least one of the gas injection means and the gas extraction means in response to the sensed pressure in the confined space.

Such pressure regulating means may raise the pressure in the confined space or lower the ambient atmospheric pressure level. In any case, the trapped gas located between the product and the bundle in the confined space can be pushed out of the confined space and subsequently easily and efficiently removed from the confined space with minimal risk to those who need access to the container while opening the confined space. Extracted.

Preferably, the apparatus further comprises absorbing / adsorbing means for absorbing / adsorbing the residual gas extracted from the container.

Preferably, the absorption / adsorption means comprises an absorption / adsorption bed containing activated carbon to which at least a portion of the residual gas extracted in its surface and its apertures can bind.

Preferably, the residual gas removal apparatus comprises a panel arranged to be coupled to the closed space in a sealed manner in use, a gas injection means and a gas extraction means operatively coupled or mounted to the electrical panel.

In a sixth aspect, the present invention provides an apparatus arranged to be operatively coupled to an enclosed space to remove residual gas from within the enclosed space, including each of the following means.

(Iii) a framework which can be mounted on the surface of the enclosed space and which can be located adjacent to the enclosed space in use; And,

(Ii) a mounting means mounted to the framework, comprising gas injection means for introducing a cleaning gas into the closed space, gas extraction means for extracting gas from the closed space, and coupling means for coupling to the closed space; And a movable position between the enclosed space and the engaging position for engaging the member and a decoupling position for isolating the member from the enclosed space.

Coupling and isolating the residual gas removal device by moving the member relative to the confined space facilitates the operation of the device at high speed, and consequently not only to those who need to access the confined space upon subsequent opening of the confined space, Minimize the risk of exposure to those who operate the device.

Preferably, the member is mounted pivotally to the framework.

Preferably, the member further comprises a panel for engaging the opening in the enclosed space.

Preferably, the device of the sixth aspect is different from that defined in the fifth aspect.

Notwithstanding the various forms falling within the scope of the invention, the preferred form of the invention is described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings.

1 is a perspective view of the right side of a shipping container fixed to the outside of the residual gas removal apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

2 is a left side perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 1.

3 shows one side perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 1 with the residual gas removal device separated from the shipping container.

Figure 4 is a side cross-sectional view of a shipping container fixed to the outside of the residual gas removal apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention.

5 is a side view of the residual gas removing apparatus of FIG.

6 is a plan view of the residual gas removing apparatus of FIG.

FIG. 7 is a plan view of the residual gas removing apparatus of FIG. 4 when the residual gas removing apparatus is separated from a shipping container; FIG.

In other embodiments the residual gas removal device may be coupled to any type of enclosure, for example silos, hangars, warehouses and openings for use in rooms of various sizes, Various embodiments of a residual gas removal apparatus 10 arranged to be operatively coupled to a confined space in the form of a phosphorus shipping container 12 are shown in each figure. Typical openings in the electrically enclosed spaces include entrances, windows, inspection openings or everyday entrances to accommodate the device 10.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the device 10 includes a rectangular-shaped panel 14 of a size that can be coupled to the container 12 when in use, once the short side 16 of the container 12 is opened. Embodiments of electrical panel 14 now have two standard heights (8 feet, 6 inches and 9 feet, 6 inches) close to the standard door height of conventional shipping containers available worldwide. In use, panel 14 is moved to the door of the container and attached to the border 18 of the door using a gas-tight seal. The gas-tight seal is an inflatable seal that includes the outermost edge of each frame 52 fitted 100 mm wide with a laterally movable frame 52 located on each of the opposite extensions of panel 14, a 100 mm long compressible rubber gasket 54 It is made possible by the action of a sieve. In use, frame 52 is laterally movable to face outward of side 50 of panel 14 in response to rotation of wheel 22 located in front of panel 14. Rotation of the wheel 22 is a cam device located on the back of panel 14 (visible only inside container 12) which laterally moves frame 52 and its rubber gasket 54 outward from side 50 of the panel to force the gasket 50 against the opposite edge of the door. Activate

100 mm long and wide at the top and bottom of panel 14, sized to be friction fit at one end of each of the top and bottom edges of the perimeter of the container door 18 to prevent gas leaks around the panel 14 A 100 mm compressible rubber gasket 56 is provided.

In the following embodiments, the panel can be firmly preserved against the movement of gases from inside the container by means of expandable rubber gasket seals which can be inflated by an external air compressor.

Panel 14 is also attached to container 12 by two corner fastening assemblies 58 located on one side 50 thereof. Each of these fastening assemblies has a spear-mount mounted to the bracket 62 attached at positions corresponding to the outermost upper corner 64 and the lower corner 66 of the container 12 when the outer panel 14 of the panel 14 is joined to the container 12. headed shaped bolt 60. The bolts 60 can slowly move relative to their respective brackets 62, and when the panel 14 is connected with the container 12, it can enter the oval hole 68 of the corner housing 70 located at the outermost upper corner 64 and the lower corner 66 of the container 12. . When the bolt 60 is moved into the elliptical hole 68, these bolts 60 have at least a portion of the outer surface of the bolt 60 having frictional engagement at one inner end of the elliptical hole 68 and fixing the panel 14 to the site. To this end, panel 14 is partially rotated about an extension axis which is fixed to container 12.

Moreover, panel 14 is also attached to container 12 by two side fastening assemblies 72 disposed on side 50a connected to opposite sides 50 of panel 14. Each of these fastening assemblies 58 is a combination of one bolt and bolt close to the top of panel 14 and the other bolt close to the bottom of panel 14 and bolt 74 mounted on a bracket 76 attached to the outside of panel 14 in a spaced apart position. Combination of bolts. Each end of this bolt closest to the container door 16a has a ring 78 that can be frictionally snapped to a vertical fastening bar 80 located outside the container one end door 16a, so that the panel 14 has It is secured in the container 12 to secure it.

Members with other forms of fastening pins, cams, clips or locking devices that can fix the corners and sides of the panel 14 to the perimeter 18 of the container door are also included within the scope of the invention.

The residual gas removal device 10 includes a post 38 shaped framework which is rotationally mounted on the surrounding bottom 40 and positioned adjacent to the container 12 in use. Panel 14 is mounted via a joint 41 located between two arms 42 connecting sleeve 44 connected to post 38 and in the vicinity of a journal for suspending or pivoting panel 14 to an open doorway of container 12. Is placed. The upper 38a of the post 38 where the sleeve is located is positioned perpendicular to the lower 38b of the post 38 using a hydraulic piston 43 so as to overcome the height of the post 38 and thus fit the panel 14. The panel 14 is tilted at a predetermined angle from the vertical direction (to pivot on the horizontal axis J in the direction of movement, as indicated by arrow JJ in the figure), twisting the joint 41 in several directions, and panel 14 being already determined from the vertical axis. It is possible to tilt at an angle (as indicated by arrow KK, clockwise or counterclockwise in the plane of the panel with respect to the rotation point K). Thus, whether or not the container is on a complete square foundation at the surrounding ground, panel 14 is directed at a number of free angles to fit the container door open front without considering the fitting of the gastight seal.

Through this pivoting mechanism, panel 14 can be easily and flexibly rotated to be coupled to container 12 when opening one of the container's one end door 16, resulting in isolation from container 12 and access and unloading inside the container. Move far enough away from container 12 to allow. Coupling and isolation of this residual gas removal device 10 can be easily performed by a single person, and the movement of panel 14 takes place at a very high speed, so that only those who need access to the container itself upon subsequent opening of the container. Rather, it minimizes the risk of gas exposure to the person operating the device. Coupling and de-coupling processes are performed without the need for heavy shipping or effort by the operator, minimizing back strain and fatigue.

As can be seen in the figure, panel 14 also comprises gas injection means in the form of a valve 24 coupled to pipe 26 located on the outer face of panel 14, where pipe 26 allows ventilation fan 29 to be mounted in ventilation fan housing 27. The housing 27 protrudes from the panel 14 and the circulation fan 29 is arranged to face inward toward the interior of the container 12 when the panel 14 is coupled to the door of the container 12. Typically, valve 24 has a tab handle 25 and other opening mechanisms that trigger the mechanism of valve 24 and allow gas to flow there.

Cleaning gas such as air in the air is introduced into the container 12 through the valve 24 and the pipe 26, and spreads more evenly inside the container 12 by the action of the fan 29. According to another embodiment of the panel, no fan 29 or pipe 29 is required, and the cleaning gas can be injected directly into the container only through the holes in panel 14.

Panel 14 may be operatively coupled directly to hole 30 in panel 14, and may be mounted in panel 14 itself or in the form of a flexible pipe 28 which may be mounted on the surrounding ground or connected to an absorption pump 30 located in an adjacent support vehicle It can be applied to the extraction means. According to the embodiment shown in the figure, the hole 30 which extracts gases from the container in use during use is of panel 14 in which heavier concentrations of naturally heavier than recycled toxic gas molecules (eg methyl bromine) are used without recycling. It is located below.

In the following embodiments, the gas injection means may be equipped with a gas pump 33 which may be mounted on the panel 14 itself, located on the surrounding ground or located in an adjacent support vehicle, and is provided with a cleaning gas, for example atmospheric The flow of air in the air can be connected to valve 24 of the panel via a flexible hose pipe 28a leading to the flow to container 12. In this case, the circulation fan may not be necessary for the forward flow of air through the valve 24, and the pipe 26 may reach deep enough inside the container 12 so that the residual gas is well cleaned.

Likewise, the gas extraction means comprises a valve 32 which can be mounted in the hole 30 of the panel 14 and a flexible hose pipe 28 and a valve 32 connected to the absorption pump 31. Although briefly described later, the internal pressure of the container 12 can be adjusted by mounting the two valves 24 and 32 on the panel.

The apparatus 10 of the present invention also includes pressure sensing means in the form of a pressure gauge 34 for sensing the total pressure of the gases in the container 12. Typically, the gauge 34 is mounted in another hole 36 of the panel 14 with a pressure sensing means connected thereto and located in the container 12. The apparatus of the present invention also includes regulating means such as an electronic control system for controlling the flow of gases through at least one of the gas injection valve 24 and the gas extraction valve 32 in response to the sensed pressure in the container 12. For example, valves 24 and 32 act independently to allow the sensed pressure of container 12 to be lower than atmospheric pressure (by closing gas injection valve 24 and operating absorption pump 31) or higher than atmospheric pressure (gas By closing the extraction valve 32 and directing the flow of cleaning gas from the gas pump 33 through the gas input valve 24), or at a predetermined value, for example at atmospheric pressure.

This pressure control raises or lowers the pressure in the container above the ambient atmospheric pressure level, allowing trapped gas located between the product and the bundle within the confined space to exit a small space or gap, and subsequently to remove the contents from the confined space. This makes it easier and more efficient to extract from confined spaces with minimal risk for those who need access to the container when opening.

If residual gases are extracted from the container rather than emanating into the air (which is still harmful to the surrounding workers and also illegal depending on the type of gas), they may be transferred to absorbing / adsorbing means to physically capture them. Can be. In one embodiment such absorption / adsorption means may be in the form of an absorption / adsorption bed comprising a case with activated carbon particles in which at least a portion of the extracted residual gas adheres to the surface of the particles or to the holes of the carbon. Depending on the amount of carbon and the rate of absorption / adsorption, residual gases can be completely removed from the flow of gases. Depending on the nature of the residual gases, other absorbent or adsorbent materials (zeolites, activated soil materials, etc.) may be well suited for this purpose. In some embodiments, the absorbed / adsorbed bed may be repeatedly washed to remove absorbed / adsorbed gases and regenerated for reuse. According to one embodiment, the activated carbon bed with absorbed / adsorbed methyl bromide fumigation is washed with sodium thiosulfate solution to chemically decompose methyl bromide and positively, such as one or more sodium bromide and methyl thiosulfate sodium. Produces a salt.

In the following embodiments, the residual gas extracted or absorbed / adsorbed may be in other forms, depending on the situation. For example, an embodiment is within the scope of the present invention in which fumigating gases such as phosphine, fluorine sulfide or carbon dioxide are extracted or decomposed. In the case of phosphines, the gas is converted to form phosphate salts on the outer surface of carbon by passage of the gas through the absorption vessel of wet carbon; This salt is subsequently washed off from the carbon as a result. In the case of fluorinated sulfides, gas is passed through an absorption vessel with calcium carbonate, which is modified to form various sulfide salts that can safely remove the gas. If carbon dioxide is used as a fumigant to suffocate pests, it can be bubbled out of a container or bowl of water to form carbonic acid and then simply removed from the container and then destroyed.

Any of the absorption / adsorption means described herein can be located adjacent to the container 12 in use or in a support vehicle capable of receiving a flow of gas from the absorption pump 31. This arrangement allows the extracted residual gases to be quickly removed from the gas stream at all times, which in turn creates a very safe working environment for workers to maintain a low incidence of occupational health risks.

Operation of the residual gas extraction apparatus will be described in detail below. When a pre-fumigated shipping container arrives at another location, it is sometimes opaque whether the container has been largely cleaned from the fumigation agent before shipment and so there are currently residual gases. Gases can be removed from the goods in the container during transportation. As a result, rather than immediately opening a container door with a risk of safety, a probe can be inserted through a small opening or hole in the container wall to check the amount of certain residual gases. For example, the typical concentration of gas when washing methyl bromide of a container is about 48 g per cubic meter, and after fumigation can be reduced to about 20 to 30 g per cubic meter by some loss, decomposition, adsorption, etc. Although not known up to the 1000 ppm level, it is common to have a methyl bromine residual gas concentration of 20 to 30 ppm after emptying the container and resealing it. The method of removing residual gas aims to reduce the concentration of such gases to less than 5 ppm, but as near as possible to zero.

If residual gases are detected, it is necessary to remove the residual gases. During continuous extraction and cleaning of residual gases, the operator (dressed in a safe ventilated garment) opens one of the container doors and very quickly selects the gas injection means or gas extraction means as well as the panel to seal the container from air leakage. To the door of the container. According to one operating condition, if an operator wishes to clean a container with an internal pressure higher than the ambient atmospheric pressure to send residual gases to the outside, open the valve 24 and transport the atmosphere to the container 12 through the flexible hose pipes 28a and 26. The air injection pump 33 can be operated, and at the same time, the absorbing pump 31 is connected to the hole 30 and the valve 32 through the flexible hose pipe 28, as well as partially cleaning the cleaning gas out of the container through the hole 30 by locking the valve 32. And the flow of residual gas can be restricted.

However, in subsequent operating conditions, if the operator attempts to extract residual gases at a pressure inside the container below ambient atmospheric pressure to remove them, the inlet valve 24 is initially closed and the flexible hose pipe 28 is closed. In addition to actuating the absorption pump 31, which is connected to the hole 30, the valve 32 can be fully opened to allow residual gas to flow out of the container through the hole 30. The pressure in the container drops by the fraction of air pressure until the pressure in the container reaches a predetermined value (measured by pressure gauge 34 and the detector) or until the container side wall starts to bend or rupture internally. Can be. At this point, the valve 24 can be opened and the pressure in the container can be quickly returned to ambient atmospheric pressure. The flow of scrubbing gas into the container 12 through valve 24 frees the residual gases (now from the gap between the hidden space and the gas inside the container shipments) through holes 30, valve 32, flexible hose pipe 28 and absorption pump 31. Wash through.

In subsequent operating conditions, it is desirable to remove residual gases at the same pressure inside the container as the ambient atmospheric pressure. In this situation, the operator not only operates the absorption pump 31 which is connected to the hole 30 through the flexible hose pipe 28, but also opens the valve 32 completely, creating a flow of residual gas out of the container through the hole 30 and simultaneously You can keep it open. Depending on the arrangement or nature of the container contents, more complex pressure regulation methods such as the two examples described above may not be applicable, and the pressure inside the container may be satisfactory.

In later embodiments, it is important to repeat one of the operating conditions of this embodiment to remove and extract most residual gases from the inside of the container as freely as possible. Depending on the specific environmental conditions and the complexity of the collection of residual gases, subsequent combinations of the operating conditions of these embodiments may still be used. These methods make it possible to safely extract the trapped residual gases inside the container with minimal risk for those who need access to the container on subsequent container openings.

One of the other advantages of the framework for supporting mobile panels is that the same pivotable panel can reach a series of shipping containers located adjacently. According to one example, while the gases are removed from one container, the other container is located nearby, tested and ready to extract and clean residual gas. After degassing from the first container, the panel is isolated and immediately removed so that it can be connected to a second adjacent container to begin degassing. While this is happening, the degassed container is moved, and another container is placed at that location, ready for testing and degassing. This approach provides a more efficient and "continuous" degassing operation while minimizing the cost of the equipment used.

4 and 7, other embodiments of a residual gas removal apparatus very similar to the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 will be described. In order to avoid repetition and to facilitate the characterization and reference of these alternative embodiments of the invention, an additional number “0” has been added to the reference number, such as panel 140.

Having described the preferred embodiments of the present invention in detail, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that a residual gas removal apparatus has at least the following advantages over that of the prior art:

1. The device of the present invention is suitable for use in conventional shipping containers or walls of any confined space, is relatively useful and not complicated to operate.

2. The apparatus of the present invention is relatively useful for removing residual gases from enclosed spaces and can be operated in several different ways to maximize gas extraction.

3. The device of the present invention is " environmentally friendly " in that the collected residual gases can be safely removed and captured rather than spread to the workplace or personnel environment.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that many other variations or modifications are possible in addition to those described in detail herein. For example, the gas injection and gas extraction means need not be located in a single panel, but can be mounted on a large number of panels or directly on the same wall or on different walls of a container or other enclosed space. With respect to the shipping container, the gas injection and gas extraction means need not fit in the opening space located at one end of the container. The present invention is not limited to the removal of residual fumigants such as methyl bromide, and can be extended to other gaseous substances which are undesirable and harmful to human or animal health. The cleaning gas used does not need to be air, but may be an inert gas or a mixture of gases. The present invention need not be limited to the specific structural forms described above, and may, for example, use other support frameworks or other types of inflatable seals.

All such various changes and modifications should be considered within the scope of the present invention, the features of which may be determined from the foregoing description.

Claims (28)

(Iii) accessing the container; (Ii) extracting at least a portion of the residual gas present inside the container; And, (Iii) providing a flow of flushing gas to the container for cleaning the residual gas from the container. The method of claim 1, Extracting the residual gas is characterized in that the pressure in the container is lower than the air pressure around the container Way. The method of claim 2, When the pressure of the residual gas in the electric container reaches a predetermined value, the flow of the washing gas is started and the pressure in the container increases. Way. (Iii) accessing the container; (Ii) providing a flow of scrubbing gas to the container for scrubbing residual gas from the container; And, (Iii) extracting a stream of wash gas and residual gas until at least a portion of the residual gas in the container is removed. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, Characterized in that the total pressure inside the container is sensed and regulated Way. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, Characterized in that the majority of the residual gas present in the container is extracted Way. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, And absorbing / adsorbing at least a portion of the residual gas extracted from the container by means of absorbing / adsorbing means. Way. The method of claim 7, wherein In general, all the extracted residual gas is absorbed / adsorbed by the absorption / adsorption means, characterized in that Way. The method according to claim 7 or 8, Washing the absorption / adsorption means, characterized in that it further comprises the step of removing the absorbed / adsorbed residual gas Way. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 9, Accessing the container may comprise (i) opening the door of the container; And (ii) operatively coupling a gas injection means and a gas extraction means to the container to the open door, thereby closing the container during extraction or cleaning of the gases. Way. The method of claim 10, The washing gas is characterized in that it is introduced through a gas injection means Way. The method according to claim 10 or 11, wherein Gas is extracted through the gas extraction means Way. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 12, The washing gas is characterized in that the atmosphere (atmospheric air) Way. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 13, The container is provided with means for sensing and regulating the gas pressure of the container. Way. (Iii) accessing the confined space, operatively coupling the gas injection means and the gas extraction means to the confined space; (Ii) extracting the flow of residual gas through the gas extraction means until at least a portion of the existing residual gas is removed; And, (Iii) providing a flow of washing gas into the confined space through a gas injection means, thereby washing out the residual gas from the confined space. The method of claim 15, Extracting the residual gas is characterized in that the pressure in the sealed space is lower than the air pressure around the sealed space Way. The method of claim 16, When the pressure of the residual gas in the electric sealed space reaches a predetermined value, the flow of the washing gas is started and the pressure in the sealed space increases Way. (Iii) accessing the confined space, operatively coupling the gas injection means and the gas extraction means to the confined space; (Ii) providing a flow of washing gas into the closed space through the gas injection means, thereby washing residual gas from the closed space; And, (Iii) extracting the flow of residual gas through the gas extraction means until at least a portion of the residual gas present is removed. The method according to any one of claims 15 to 18, Enclosed space is defined as a conventional shipping container Way. The method according to any one of claims 15 to 19, The method differs from that defined in any one of claims 5-14. Characterized Way. (Iii) gas injection means for injecting washing gas into the closed space; (Ii) gas extraction means for extracting gas from the enclosed space; (Iii) pressure sensing means for sensing the total pressure of the gases in the closed space; And, (Iii) regulating means for regulating the flow of gases through at least one of the gas injection means and the gas extraction means in response to the sensed pressure in the hermetic space; Residual gas removal device arranged to be operatively coupled. The method of claim 21, And absorbing / adsorbing means for absorbing / adsorbing the residual gas extracted from the container. Device. The method of claim 22, The absorption / adsorption means comprises an absorption / adsorption bed containing activated carbon to which at least a portion of the residual gas extracted in its surface and its apertures can bind. Device. The method according to any one of claims 21 to 23, wherein The residual gas removal apparatus includes a panel disposed to be coupled to the closed space in a sealed manner in use, and gas injection means and gas extraction means operatively coupled or mounted to the electrical panel. Device. (Iii) a framework which can be mounted on the surface of the enclosed space and which can be located adjacent to the enclosed space in use; And, (Ii) a mounting means mounted to the framework, comprising gas injection means for introducing a cleaning gas into the closed space, gas extraction means for extracting gas from the closed space, and coupling means for coupling to the closed space; Operable in the confined space to remove residual gas from within the confined space, including a member movable between the confined space and the engaging position for engaging the member and the decoupling position for isolating the member from the confined space. Devices arranged to engage securely. The method of claim 25, The member is pivotally mounted to the framework. Device. The method of claim 25 or 26, The member further comprises a panel for engaging the opening in the enclosed space. Device. The method according to any one of claims 25 to 27, Characterized in that it is different from the one defined in any one of claims 21 to 24 Device.

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