Gas riser apparatus and method

Claim 1

A double-walled riser apparatus for conducting fluid from a non-metallic service line disposed below ground level to a point of delivery at a member above ground level, said apparatus comprising in combination: a tubular element having a first end and a second end, said first end being adapted to be disposed above ground level there being provided means at said first end to connect said tubular element to a delivery member, said tubular element having a sufficient length such that said second end thereof is disposed below ground level; fluid conducting means having a first end and a second end, said first end of said fluid conducting means being disposed within said tubular element, said fluid conducting means extending through said tubular element to said second end thereof; sealing means between said tubular element and said fluid conducting means; said sealing means coacting with said tubular element and said fluid conducting means; said tubular element being defined by a metallic member; said fluid conducting means being defined, at the second end thereof, by a non-metallic tubular member, there being provided means at said second end of said fluid conducting means to interconnect said fluid conducting means to a nonmetallic service line disposed below ground level; whereby, fluid from a buried non-metallic service line may be conducted to a delivery member above ground level by means of said fluid conducting means, the portion of said fluid conducting means located above ground level being protected by said tubular element, said sealing means prohibiting the flow of gas between said tubular element and said gas conducting means at a location below said sealing means.

Claim 3

A system for conducting fluid from a source below ground level to a delivery point above ground level, said system comprising in combination: a non-metallic service line disposed below ground level and in communication with a source of fluid; a delivery member above ground level; a double walled riser apparatus for interconnecting said non-metallic service line and said delivery member, said riser apparatus comprising in combination: an outer tubular conduit having a first end and a second end, said first end of said outer tubular conduit being adapted to be disposed above ground level, connection means at said first end to interconnect said outer tubular conduit to said delivery member, said outer tubular conduit having a sufficient length such that said second end thereof is disposed below ground level; said outer tubular conduit being defined by a metallic member; inner fluid conducting conduit means having a first end and a second end, said first end of said inner fluid conducting means being disposed within said outer tubular conduit, said inner fluid conducting conduit means extending through said outer tubular conduit to said second end thereof; sealing means between said outer tubular conduit and said inner fluid conducting means, said sealing means coacting with said outer tubular conduit and said inner fluid conducting means; said inner fluid conducting conduit means being defined, at the second end thereof, by a non-metallic tubular member, connection means at said non-metallic tubular member of said inner fluid conducting conduit means to interconnect said inner fluid conducting conduit means to said nonmetallic service line; said inner fluid conducting conduit means defining a fluid tight conducting path from said second end thereof to said first end thereof; whereby, fluid from a source below ground level may be conducted to said delivery member above ground level, the portion of said inner fluid conducting conduit means located above ground level being protected by said outer tubular conduit.

Claim 4

A system for conducting fluid from a source below ground level to a delivery point above ground level, said system comprising in combination: a non-metallic service line disposed below ground level and in communication with a source of fluid; a delivery member above ground level; a double walled riser apparatus for interconnecting said non-metallic service line and said delivery member, said riser apparatus comprising in combination: an outer tubular conduit having a first end and a second end, said first end of said outer tubular conduit being adapted to be disposed above ground level, connection means at said first end to interconnect said outer tubular conduit to said delivery member, said outer tubular conduit having a sufficient length such that said second end thereof is disposed below ground level; said outer tubular conduit being defined by a metallic member; inner fluid conducting conduit means having a first end and a second end, said first end of said inner fluid conducting means being disposed within said outer tubular conduit, said inner fluid conducting conduit means extending through said outer tubular conduit to said second end thereof; sealing means between said outer tubular conduit and said inner fluid conducting means, said sealing means coacting with said outer tubular conduit and said inner fluid conducting means; said inner fluid conducting conduit means being defined, at the second end thereof, by a non-metallic tubular member, connection means at said non-metallic tubular member of said inner fluid conducting conduit means to interconnect said inner fluid conducting conduit means to said nonmetallic service line; said inner fluid conducting conduit means defining a fluid tight conducting path from said second end thereof to said first end thereof; whereby, fluid from a source below ground level may be conducted to said delivery member above ground level, the portion of said inner fluid conducting conduit means located above ground level being protected by said outer tubular conduit.