WO2008058541A1

WO2008058541A1 - A means for discharging liquid to the outer surface of tank cleaning equipment

Info

Publication number: WO2008058541A1
Application number: PCT/DK2007/000503
Authority: WO
Inventors: Aleksander Lindros
Original assignee: Alfa Laval Tank Equipment AS
Current assignee: Alfa Laval Kolding AS
Priority date: 2006-11-15
Filing date: 2007-11-15
Publication date: 2008-05-22
Anticipated expiration: 2009-05-15

Abstract

When an intermediate member in the form of a length of pipe (5) having channels (7) is mounted on the supply pipe (12) for cleaning liquid, and screens (9, 9a) are arranged at these channels (7), then, according to the invention, cleaning liquid will be discharged in a controlled amount and direction to keep the supply pipe (12) as well as the cleaning equipment (1-4) clean.

Description

A MEANS FOR DISCHARGING LIQUID TO THE OUTER SURFACE OF TANK CLEANING EQUIPMENT

The prior art

The invention relates to a means for discharging liquid to the outer surface of tank cleaning equipment, such as a supply pipe and a cleaning head connected thereto which is immersed in a tank.

Keeping cleaning equipment clean is an important part of the cleaning process, partly in order to ensure the desired hygiene, partly in order to ensure the optimal function of the equipment.

Such equipment usually comprises a supply pipe, in which the cleaning pressure under pressure runs, and on which a cleaning head is mounted down in the tank, and which, by means of a rotary mechanism, is capable of rotating the cleaning head at the same time as a nozzle hub is rotated such that cleaning liquid may be discharged from the equipment via the nozzles and be sprayed around to clean the internal walls of the tank.

Various forms of cleaning of such equipment are known. Most commonly, nozzles are arranged on the rotatable head, from which cleaning liquid may be sprayed upwards as well as downwards to clean the supply pipe and the cleaning head, respectively.

In case of large installations, however, this is an inexpedient cleaning method, as it is not very effective and also requires a quite considerable amount of cleaning liquid. The object of the invention

It is the object of the invention to remedy these deficiencies and drawbacks, and this is achieved according to the invention by a means which is config- ured as a length of pipe, through which cleaning liquid for the cleaning head runs under pressure, wherein one or more channels extend through the pipe wall, and wherein a screen is mounted at the channels to restrict the outflow of liquid.

This means ensures a very precise outflow in that the dimensions and positions of the channels may be adjusted, just as the number of discharge channels may be adapted to the need. Hereby, considerable amounts of cleaning liquid and thereby energy may be saved, and the cleaning process itself is more effective, as the cleaning liquid is supplied precisely at the location where it is needed.

When, as stated in claim 2, external chutes are provided, to which liquid is supplied via the channels, the outflowing liquid may be controlled in a simple manner.

When, as stated in claim 3, the chute extends obliquely on the external side of the length of pipe, the liquid may be caused to run in a given direction.

When, as stated in claim 4, the screen consists of a ring around the length of pipe, cleaning liquid flowing downwards from above may run externally on the ring and thereby keep it clean.

When, as stated in claims 5 and 6, the screen and the chute are restricted to run only at each channel, the equipment is compact and well-protected.

When, as stated in claim 7, the means is configured as an intermediate member, it may be mounted anywhere on the equipment, as needed.

Finally, it is expedient, as stated in claim 8, that the means may be adapted such that it either sprays upwards and/or also downwards.

The drawing

Examples of embodiments of the means according to the invention will be described more fully below with reference to the drawing, in which

fig. 1 shows an example of cleaning equipment mounted on a supply pipe,

fig. 2 shows a partly sectional view of a first embodiment of the means according to the invention mounted on the entry to the cleaning head,

fig. 3 shows a partly sectional view of the screen of this embodiment,

fig. 4 shows a sectional view of a second embodiment seen in the direction IV - IV in fig. 5, and

fig. 5 shows a sectional view of the equipment seen from above.

Description of the exemplary embodiments

The cleaning equipment, which is used for tank cleaning in particular, may comprise a cleaning head, which is mounted on a carrier pipe 12 via a connecting piece 4, which pipe 12 is also a supply pipe for cleaning liquid un- der pressure, as shown in fig. 1. The cleaning head itself comprises a conical fixed part 1 , a rotatable part 2 and a rotary hub 3 with nozzles.

When the equipment is in operation, a moving mechanism rotates the part 2 at the same time as the nozzles are caused to rotate with the hub 3.

Effective cleaning of the internal walls of a tank is ensured in this manner.

To ensure that this complete equipment is cleaned effectively together with the tank, a means 5 is mounted according to the invention, which means will be described in two embodiments below.

The first example is shown in figs. 2 and 3. In this example, the means 5 is configured as an intermediate member comprising a length of pipe 11 with connections at both ends for mounting.

Hereby, it may be mounted anywhere on the supply pipe 12 and/or, as shown in fig. 2, directly on the fixed part 1 , 4 of the cleaning housing.

In the length of pipe 11 , one or more channels 7 are provided through the length of pipe 11 , so that cleaning liquid may run from the cavity 6 and out.

Externally on the length of pipe 11 , as shown in fig. 3, chutes 8 are provided, which extend obliquely in the example shown. This is in order to achieve annular outflow from the means.

For deflecting and controlling the outflow of liquid, a screen 9 is moreover mounted, which extends as a ring around the length of pipe 11 in the example shown.

The purpose of this screen 9 is to ensure that the outflowing liquid 10 is guided either upwards and downwards or optionally in only one direction, depending on the location of mounting, but with the greatest possible control of the outflow.

Hereby, the means may be adapted to the cleaning need which the equipment has at the mounting location concerned.

Of course, the chutes 7 may extend in other directions and have different dimensions to achieve the most effective and liquid-saving cleaning effect.

Figs. 4 and 5 show a second example of the means according to the invention.

This example comprises a length of pipe 11 , in this case with three chan- nels 7 between the inner space 6 and the external side of the pipe.

To ensure that the outflow 10 takes place in the desired direction or directions, such as upwards and/or downwards, screens 9a are mounted at each channel mouth.

Here, chutes 8a are likewise arranged to achieve a suitable outflow 10 with the desired amount of liquid and direction.

By this means, it will be possible to ensure that equipment in the form of an intermediate member may be mounted at the desired location or locations on the installation.

The outlet is configured so as to achieve a precise and controlled discharge of liquid in the desired direction, thereby ensuring an optimal utilization of the cleaning liquid and thus an optimal cleaning effect not only of the equipment itself, but also of the cleaning effect of the cleaning head be- cause of the reduced consumption of liquid.

Claims

PATENT CLAIMS

1. A means for discharging liquid to the outer surface of cleaning equipment, such as a supply pipe and a cleaning head connected thereto, which is immersed in a tank, characterized in that the means is configured as a length of pipe (5), through which cleaning liquid for the cleaning head (1, 2, 3) runs under pressure, wherein one or more channels (7) extend through the wall of the pipe (11), and that a screen (9, 9a) is mounted at the channels (7) to restrict/control the outflow of liquid (10).

2. A means according to claim ^characterized in that the channels (7) terminate in chutes (8, 8a) which are arranged on the outer side of the length of pipe (11), and from which the liquid is discharged (10).

3. A means according to claim 2, characterized in that the chutes (8) extend obliquely relative to the longitudinal axis of the length of pipe (11).

4. A means according to claim 1, characterized in that the screen (9) extends as a ring externally on the length of pipe (11 ) (figs.2 and 3).

5. A means according to claim 1, characterized in that the screen (9a) extends at its respective channel (7) (figs.4 and 5).

6. A means according to claim 5, c haracterized in that a chute (8a) is arranged internally in the screen (9a).

7. A means according to claim ^characterized in that it (5) may be mounted anywhere on the supply pipe (12).

8. A means according to claims 1 -7, characterized in that the outflow (10) takes place upwards and/or downwards from the screen (9, 9a).