US3899099A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Inert gas system and method for tankers
Assignee: TANK SAPP UK Ltd
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Filing: 1973-06-21
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Granted: 1975-08-12
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Expires: 1993-06-21
Abstract
Abstract Method and system for providing inert gas to prevent fires and explosions aboard tankers. A portion of the flue gas from the ship''s boiler is scrubbed with sea water to remove sulfur dioxide. The scrubbed flue gas is then used as an inert gas blanket for the cargo tanks. The blanket of inert gas contains less than 12% oxygen and, therefore, combustion is prevented. For purposes of improved operation and ecology, the sulfur dioxide contained in the sea water is stripped therefrom before the sea water is discharged back into the sea.
Inventors
- 👤 Andrew Oiestad
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 06:42
CPC Classifications
A; A62; A62C; A62C99/00; A62C99/0009; A62C99/0018; A62C3/00; A62C3/002; A62C3/07; A62C3/10; B; B63; B63J; B63J2/00; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S203/00; Y10S203/90
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
214 words
A system for providing a blanket of inert gas in cargo storage tanks of a tanker having a fuel burner using a sulfur-containing oil as a fuel, which comprises means for withdrawing a portion of the sulfur dioxide containing flue gas from said fuel burner, a scrubber-cooler, said scrubber-cooler having flue gas inlet means for admitting the portion of said flue gas withdrawn from said burner and flue gas outlet means for withdrawing the flue gas treated in said scrubber-cooler, said flue gas outlet means being connected to distribution means for distributing said treated flue gas to cargo storage tanks, coolant inlet means for admitting sea water coolant to said scrubber-cooler in counter-current flow with said flue gas whereby said flue gas is cooled and sulfur dioxide is transferred from said flue gas to said sea water coolant, coolant outlet means for withdrawing said sea water coolant from said scrubber-cooler, stripping means to remove sulfur dioxide as a gas from the sea water coolant withdrawn from said scrubber-cooler, said stripping means including an air inlet and an outlet for discharge of gases to the atmosphere, conduit means interconnecting said coolant outlet means and said stripping means and means for discharging the sea water effluent from said stripping means into the water surrounding the tanker.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
214 words
A system for providing a blanket of inert gas in cargo storage tanks of a tanker having a fuel burner using a sulfur-containing oil as a fuel, which comprises means for withdrawing a portion of the sulfur dioxide containing flue gas from said fuel burner, a scrubber-cooler, said scrubber-cooler having flue gas inlet means for admitting the portion of said flue gas withdrawn from said burner and flue gas outlet means for withdrawing the flue gas treated in said scrubber-cooler, said flue gas outlet means being connected to distribution means for distributing said treated flue gas to cargo storage tanks, coolant inlet means for admitting sea water coolant to said scrubber-cooler in counter-current flow with said flue gas whereby said flue gas is cooled and sulfur dioxide is transferred from said flue gas to said sea water coolant, coolant outlet means for withdrawing said sea water coolant from said scrubber-cooler, stripping means to remove sulfur dioxide as a gas from the sea water coolant withdrawn from said scrubber-cooler, said stripping means including an air inlet and an outlet for discharge of gases to the atmosphere, conduit means interconnecting said coolant outlet means and said stripping means and means for discharging the sea water effluent from said stripping means into the water surrounding the tanker.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
39 words
The system of claim 1 further including a mixing tank interposed between said coolant outlet means and said stripping means, said mixing tank including inlet means for said sea water coolant and inlet means for additional heated sea water.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
154 words
IN A PROCESS FOR PROVIDING A INERT GAS BLANKET TO REDUCE THE OXYGEN CONCENTRATION IN FUEL OIL STORAGE TANKS ABOARD SHIP TO AN AMOUNT NOT GREATER THAN ABOUT 12% BY VOLUME, WHEREIN A FLUE GAS CONTAINING SULFUR DIOXIDE IS TREATED WITH SEA WATER TO REDUCE THE SULFUR DIOXIDE CONCENTRATION OF SAID FLUE GAS SUFFICIENTLY TO PREVENT THE GAS FROM CAUSING CORROSION OF THE STORAGE TANKS, THE TREATED GAS IS DISTRIBUTED TO THE STORAGE TANKS ABOARD SHIP TO PROVIDE AN INERT GAS BLANKET, AND THE SEA WATER USED TO REMOVE THE SULFUR DIOXIDE FROM THE FLUE GAS IS DISCHARGED INTO THE WATER SURROUNDING THE SHIP, THE IMPROVEMENT COMPRISING REDUCING THE CONCENTRATION OF SULFUR COMPOUNDS IN SAID WATER TO A NON-POLLUTING LEVEL BY CONTACTING SAID WATER WITH A COUNTERCURRENT STREAM OF AIR IN AN AMOUNT AND AT A TEMPRATURE SUFFICIENT TO REDUE THE LEVEL OF CONCENTRATION OF SULFUR COMPOUNDS TO THE DESIRED LEVEL PRIOR TO DIS-
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
154 words
IN A PROCESS FOR PROVIDING A INERT GAS BLANKET TO REDUCE THE OXYGEN CONCENTRATION IN FUEL OIL STORAGE TANKS ABOARD SHIP TO AN AMOUNT NOT GREATER THAN ABOUT 12% BY VOLUME, WHEREIN A FLUE GAS CONTAINING SULFUR DIOXIDE IS TREATED WITH SEA WATER TO REDUCE THE SULFUR DIOXIDE CONCENTRATION OF SAID FLUE GAS SUFFICIENTLY TO PREVENT THE GAS FROM CAUSING CORROSION OF THE STORAGE TANKS, THE TREATED GAS IS DISTRIBUTED TO THE STORAGE TANKS ABOARD SHIP TO PROVIDE AN INERT GAS BLANKET, AND THE SEA WATER USED TO REMOVE THE SULFUR DIOXIDE FROM THE FLUE GAS IS DISCHARGED INTO THE WATER SURROUNDING THE SHIP, THE IMPROVEMENT COMPRISING REDUCING THE CONCENTRATION OF SULFUR COMPOUNDS IN SAID WATER TO A NON-POLLUTING LEVEL BY CONTACTING SAID WATER WITH A COUNTERCURRENT STREAM OF AIR IN AN AMOUNT AND AT A TEMPRATURE SUFFICIENT TO REDUE THE LEVEL OF CONCENTRATION OF SULFUR COMPOUNDS TO THE DESIRED LEVEL PRIOR TO DIS-
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
51 words
A process according to claim 3 wherein the temperature of said countercurrent stream of air is from 70* to 500*F, the initial temperature of the water being treated by said air is from 90* to 190*F, and the temperature of the water discharged from the ship is from 70* to 140*F.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
35 words
A process according to claim 3 wherein the concentration of sulfur compounds in the water discharged is reduced to a maximum of 0.008 pounds per 100 pounds of water prior to discharge from the ship.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-08-11 | 1979-02-10 | 1979-08-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-08-11 | 1983-02-10 | 1983-08-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-08-11 | 1987-02-10 | 1987-08-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |