Apparatus and method of cleaning tanks containing fluid

Oct. 23, 1934.

P. M. ERDMAN

1,978,015

APPARATUS AND METHOD OF CLEANING TANKS CONTAINING FLUID . Filed June 30, 1930

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Patented Oct. 23, 1934

1,978,015

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE

1,978,015 APPARATUS AND METHOD OF CLEANING TANKS CONTAINING FLUID

Peter M. Erdman, Los Angeles, Calif.

Application June 30, 1930, Serial No. 464,993

Claims. (Cl. 210—209)

My present invention relates to tank cleaning devices, and more particularly to devices for cleaning oil tanks and to a method of cleaning the same.

=' The objects of my invention are: first, to provide a tank cleaning device for tanks whereby the sediment or other foreign matter may be removed from the bottom of the tank without the necessity of emptying the same; second, to 1·· provide a tank cleaning device whereby the entire area on the bottom of the tank is cleaned at one time; third, to provide a tank cleaning device whereby the sediment may be removed or loosened from the bottom of the tank and placed 1· in suspension before removing the same; fourth, to provide a tank cleaning device whereby a cleaning liquid may be forced over the bottom of the tank for loosening the sediment and washing the tank and then removing the liquid and 20 sediment therefrom; fifth, to provide a tank cleaning device whereby a circular motion of the sediment is caused, thereby placing the same in suspension before its removal;, sixth, to provide a tank cleaning device which may be readily in25 stalled, one which is simple and^-economical of construction, durable, and which will not readily deteriorate or get out of order; and, seventh, to provide a novel· method of cleaning tanks.

With these and other objects in. view as will 30 appear hereinafter, my invention consists of a certain novel method of and of certain novel features of construction, combination and arrangement of parts and portions, as will be hereinafter described in detail and. particularly set 35 forth in the appended · claims, reference being had to the accompanying, drawing and. to the characters of reference thereon which form a part of this application in which:

Figure 1 is a side elevation of my tank clean40 ing device positioned in a tank, showing the tank and _: certain portions of my device in section; Fig. 2 is a plan view of my device positioned in a tank for use, showing diagramma,tically the suction pump ..and a supply pipe for cleaning fluid;

and Fig. 3 is a sectional view of one of the nozzles and suction pipes taken at 3—3 of Fig. 2.

Like characters of reference refer to similar parts and portions throughout the views of the drawing.

50.: My tank cleaning device consists in one form essentially of a central head or manifold 1 having a number of pipes 2 extending radially therefrom, supports 3 for supporting the pipes, and an elbow 4 connecting the head 1 through the tank 55 5 to a discharge pipe 6.

The head or manifold 1, in this instance, is supported on the bottom and in the center of the tank 5 by means of a flange la. The head 1 is provided with a large central opening 1&amp; into which the pipes 2 discharge. To facilitate, the 60 securing of the pipes 2 to the head 1, the head 1 is provided with a number of flat sides to which flanges of the pipes 2 are secured and supported at their inner ends. Said pipes extend substantially radially outwardly therefrom, as shown 65 best in Fig. 2. The pipes 2 are supported on the bottom of the tank at their outer ends by the supports 3, consisting of cross members provided’ at the ends with downwardly extending legs which rest on the bottom of the tank. Extending out- 70 wardly and downwardly from the pipes 2 are smaller or secondary pipes 2α. These pipes are flattened longitudinally at their outer ends to form nozzles 2b. The pipes 2 are bent at their ends at substantially right angles toward the 75 side from which the pipes 2a project and are also^!flattened longitudinally forming nozzles 2c. All of the pipes 2α project at an angle, from their respective main pipes and with the nozzles 2b directed to cause circular motion of the liquid in 80 the tank. Thus, when suction is applied to the pipes, or when fluid is forced out of the nozzles, the liquid at the bottom of the tank is made to circulate in the tank.

The liquid from the head 1 is discharged 85 through an opening 5a, in the bottom of the tank over which the flange la of the head 1 is secured, and out through the pipe 6 which is connected with the opening 5α by means of the elbow 4. The pipe 6 is connected to a T 7 which 90 is in turn connected to valves 8 and 9, the valve 8 being connected to a suction pump 10 and the valve 9 to a liquid or steam supply pipe 11.. The liquid contained in the tank, that is to be withdrawn for use, is withdrawn through the pipe 12 95 which is positioned above the pipes 2 and at the side of the tank 5.

Many fluids stored in tanks contain a great deal-of foreign matter that remains in suspension as long as the fluid is agitated, but settles 100 to the bottom of the tank in the form of sediment or scum when the liquid is allowed to remain at rest. With my device it is possible to remove such settled sediment or scum and other foreign matter from the bottom of the tank and then 105 wash the bottom of the tank without removing any material part of the liquid contained therein.

When it is desired to clean the bottom of the tank the valve 8 is opened and the suction pump started. Because the pipes 2α all extend in a DO ί,978,015 circular direction the liquid will be made to circulate about the bottom of the tank in a clockwise direction, when the pipes are arranged as shown. This circulation of the liquid agitates 5 the sediment on the bottom of the tank and causes it to become loosened and suspended in the circulating liquid and consequently drawn out of the tank by means of the pump 10. After the larger part of the sediment is removed, the valve 10 8 is closed and the valve 9 opened allowing steam, water or other cleaning fluid to be forced into the tank through the nozzles 2b and 2c. In the. case of oil tanks, steam is used since the heat of the steam dissolves and loosens the gummy oil. 15 more easily than would a liquid. This fluid will circulate in a counterclockwise direction or a direction opposite to that when being withdrawn. When the steam or other cleaning fluid has loosened the dirt and sediment and caused the 20 same to become suspended, the valve 9 is closed and the valve 8 again opened, and the cleaning fluid, thus withdrawn, removing any sediment or foreign matter with it. This process is repeated as many times as necessary to thoroughly clean 25 the tank of Sediment or other foreign matter.

Though I have shown and described a particular construction, combination and arrangement of parts and portions of my apparatus and certain steps of my method of cleaning tanks, 3Q I do not wish to be limited to this particular construction, combination and arrangement of parts and portions, nor to the particular method, but desire to include in the scope of my invention the construction, combination and arrangement of 35 elements and the method substantially as set forth in the appended claims.