Patent US4117684A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4117684A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Underground storage
Assignee: Phillips Petroleum Co
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Filing: 1977-05-16
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Granted: 1978-10-03
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Expires: 1997-05-16
Abstract
Abstract A method is provided for preventing the accidental discharge of hydrocarbon from an underground storage cavern by the use of a pressure-sensing element connected in a brine discharge tube near or above the ground with the pressure-sensing element being operable for providing a signal which is proportional to the pressure in the tubing. The signal is transmitted to a valve which closes when a predetermined pressure level is obtained, thereby preventing further flow of liquid through the discharge tubing.
Inventors
- 👤 Hurshel V. Hendrix
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 23:11
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65G; B65G5/00; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T137/00; Y10T137/7287
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
192 words
A method of controlling the filling of an underground storage cavern with a fluid product, said cavern comprising an underground cavity defined by an impermeable formation and an access bore defined by a surface and extending from said cavity to the ground surface, said cavern normally containing a displacing liquid heavier than and immiscible with said product with an interface formed therebetween, said cavern being provided with a conduit extending into said cavity and communicating with said cavity at its lower end, the lower end of said conduit being adjacent the bottom of said cavern at a point normally below said interface, said method comprising the steps of: introducing said product into said cavern via said access bore so as to displace a portion of said liquid from said cavern; discharging the displaced portion of the liquid from said cavern via said conduit; continuously measuring, at a point in said conduit adjacent the ground surface, the static pressure in said conduit; terminating the discharge of fluid through the conduit when said pressure reaches a predetermined level indicating presence of said product in said conduit; and terminating introduction of product into said cavern.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
192 words
A method of controlling the filling of an underground storage cavern with a fluid product, said cavern comprising an underground cavity defined by an impermeable formation and an access bore defined by a surface and extending from said cavity to the ground surface, said cavern normally containing a displacing liquid heavier than and immiscible with said product with an interface formed therebetween, said cavern being provided with a conduit extending into said cavity and communicating with said cavity at its lower end, the lower end of said conduit being adjacent the bottom of said cavern at a point normally below said interface, said method comprising the steps of: introducing said product into said cavern via said access bore so as to displace a portion of said liquid from said cavern; discharging the displaced portion of the liquid from said cavern via said conduit; continuously measuring, at a point in said conduit adjacent the ground surface, the static pressure in said conduit; terminating the discharge of fluid through the conduit when said pressure reaches a predetermined level indicating presence of said product in said conduit; and terminating introduction of product into said cavern.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method as set forth in claim 1 wherein said product is normally gaseous at atmospheric pressure.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
40 words
The method as set forth in claim 2 wherein a signal proportional to the pressure is generated and a valve in said conduit is actuated responsive to said signal to selectively close said valve when a predetermined pressure is measured.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
41 words
The method as set forth in claim 3 wherein the predetermined pressure is such that the height of the product in the conduit is below about 75% of the height of the conduit from its lower end to the ground surface.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method as set forth in claim 2 wherein said liquid is brine and said product is liquefied petroleum gas.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method as set forth in claim 2 wherein said liquid is brine and said product is liquefied propane.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method as set forth in claim 2 wherein said liquid is brine and said product is liquefied butane.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method as set forth in claim 2 wherein said liquid is brine and said product is gaseous ethylene.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
46 words
A method as set forth in claim 3 wherein: the predetermined pressure is such that the height of the product in the conduit is between about 30 percent and about 75 percent of the height of the conduit from its lower end to the ground surface.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
46 words
A method as set forth in claim 9 wherein: the predetermined pressure is such that the height of the product in the conduit is between about 50 percent and about 65 percent of the height of the conduit from its lower end to the ground surface.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
190 words
An apparatus for controlling the filling of an underground storage cavern with a fluid product, said cavern comprising an underground cavity defined by an impermeable formation and an access bore defined by a surface and extending from said cavity to the ground surface, said cavern normally containing a displacing liquid heavier than and immiscible with said product with an interface formed therebetween, said apparatus including: inlet means communicating with said cavity via said access bore for introducing product into said cavity; a first conduit means having a lower end positioned adjacent a lower portion of said cavity with the said first conduit means extending upwardly therefrom to a position adjacent the ground surface, said first conduit means forming a flow passage; a first valve connected in said first conduit means at a position adjacent the ground surface; pressure-sensing means operably associated with said first conduit means between said valve and said lower end and operable for sensing static pressure in said conduit and providing a signal proportional to said static pressure with said pressure-sensing means being operably connected to said valve for selectively closing said valve at a predetermined pressure.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
190 words
An apparatus for controlling the filling of an underground storage cavern with a fluid product, said cavern comprising an underground cavity defined by an impermeable formation and an access bore defined by a surface and extending from said cavity to the ground surface, said cavern normally containing a displacing liquid heavier than and immiscible with said product with an interface formed therebetween, said apparatus including: inlet means communicating with said cavity via said access bore for introducing product into said cavity; a first conduit means having a lower end positioned adjacent a lower portion of said cavity with the said first conduit means extending upwardly therefrom to a position adjacent the ground surface, said first conduit means forming a flow passage; a first valve connected in said first conduit means at a position adjacent the ground surface; pressure-sensing means operably associated with said first conduit means between said valve and said lower end and operable for sensing static pressure in said conduit and providing a signal proportional to said static pressure with said pressure-sensing means being operably connected to said valve for selectively closing said valve at a predetermined pressure.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
89 words
The apparatus as set forth in claim 11 wherein: said first conduit means includes a first conduit disposed generally vertically with one end being the lower end and also having an upper end positioned adjacent the ground surface, said first conduit means also including a second conduit opening into said first conduit at a position adjacent the ground surface with said pressure-sensing means and valve being connected in said second conduit with said pressure sensing means being connected in said second conduit between said valve and said first conduit.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
65 words
The apparatus as set forth in claim 12 wherein: said pressure-sensing means includes a diaphragm having first and second opposite sides with said first side exposed to pressure in said second conduit, said pressure-sensing means also includes a pressure switch operably associated with said diaphragm on the second side, said pressure switch is operably connected to said valve for selectively effecting closing of the valve.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
44 words
The apparatus as set forth in claim 12 wherein: said pressure-sensing means is operable for closing said valve when said product is below a level of about 75 percent of the height of the first conduit from its lower end to the ground surface.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
53 words
The apparatus as set forth in claim 14 wherein: said pressure-sensing means is operable for closing said valve when said product in the first conduit is at a level of between about 30 percent and about 75 percent of the height of the first conduit from its lower end to the ground surface.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
56 words
The apparatus as set forth in claim 15 wherein: said pressure-sensing means is operable for closing said valve when the height of the product in the first conduit is at a level of between about 50 percent and about 65 percent of the height of the first conduit from its lower end to the ground surface.
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) | 1981-10-02 | 1982-04-03 | 1982-10-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1985-10-02 | 1986-04-03 | 1986-10-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1989-10-02 | 1990-04-03 | 1990-10-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |