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US4389351A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Removal of solids from a cooling tower basin

Assignee: Phillips Petroleum Co
•
Filing: 1981-07-22
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Granted: 1983-06-21
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Expires: 2001-07-22
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Abstract

Abstract Solids are removed from a cooling tower basin by using a perforated removal header in the basin in conjunction with a back flush flow.

Inventors

  • 👤 Sharon R. O'Brien

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-11-01 23:23
CPC Classifications
F; F28; F28F; F28F25/00; F28F25/02; F28F25/04; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S261/00; Y10S261/11; Y10S261/46

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim 116 words
A method for removing contaminating substances in a cooling tower basin from the cooling tower basin which substances have been contained in the water fed to the cooling tower for cooling, said method comprising: (a) passing an aqueous flush fluid in to the cooling tower basin through a perforated flush tube means which extends into the cooling tower basin at, in or near the bottom of said cooling tower basin, (b) agitating and mixing substances in the cooling tower basin with the aqueous flush fluid of (a) to form a mixture comprising said substances and water, and (c) withdrawing said mixture from the bottom of the cooling tower basin via said same perforated flush tube means.
Claim 2
Independent Claim 116 words
A method for removing contaminating substances in a cooling tower basin from the cooling tower basin which substances have been contained in the water fed to the cooling tower for cooling, said method comprising: (a) passing an aqueous flush fluid in to the cooling tower basin through a perforated flush tube means which extends into the cooling tower basin at, in or near the bottom of said cooling tower basin, (b) agitating and mixing substances in the cooling tower basin with the aqueous flush fluid of (a) to form a mixture comprising said substances and water, and (c) withdrawing said mixture from the bottom of the cooling tower basin via said same perforated flush tube means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 22 words
A process in accordance with claim 1 wherein said substances in the cooling tower basin to be removed are water insoluble solids.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 21 words
A process in accordance with claim 1 wherein said substances in the cooling tower basin to be removed are polymeric solids.
Claim 5
Independent Claim 95 words
An apparatus for removing substances in a cooling tower basin having a floor comprising: (a) a perforated flush tube means located at, in or near the floor of the cooling tower basin, (b) a source of pressurized aqueous flush fluid operatively connected with said flush tube means, (c) means for withdrawing fluid from an area in said cooling tower basin at or near said floor operatively connected to said tube means, and (d) valves operatively connected to said flush tube means permitting the switching from flush fluid injection to fluid withdrawal through said tube means.
Claim 6
Independent Claim 95 words
An apparatus for removing substances in a cooling tower basin having a floor comprising: (a) a perforated flush tube means located at, in or near the floor of the cooling tower basin, (b) a source of pressurized aqueous flush fluid operatively connected with said flush tube means, (c) means for withdrawing fluid from an area in said cooling tower basin at or near said floor operatively connected to said tube means, and (d) valves operatively connected to said flush tube means permitting the switching from flush fluid injection to fluid withdrawal through said tube means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 169 words
An apparatus in accordance with claim 4 wherein: (a) said perforated flush tube means comprises a perforated tube header positioned at, in or near the floor of the cooling tower basin, forming a manifold into which other tubes open and having a plurality of apertures for passing a flow of said aqueous flush fluid and/or a flow of fluid containing said substances in the cooling tower basin, (b) a plurality of perforated tube branches connect to, and open into said perforated tube header, branch out therefrom, and extend along or near the floor of the cooling tower basin, and have a plurality of apertures for passing a flow of said aqueous flush fluid and/or a flow of fluid containing said substances in the cooling tower basin, (c) means are provided for connecting said source of pressurized aqueous flush fluid in communication with said perforated tube header, and (d) said means for withdrawing fluid are operatively connected to said perforated tube branches and the apertures of the perforated tube header.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 44 words
An apparatus in accordance with claim 5 wherein said floor of said cooling tower basin is sloped and said perforated tube branches are connected to and extend from said perforated tube header at an angle which is determined by the slope of said floor.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 22 words
An apparatus in accordance with claim 6 wherein said angle is in the range of about 1° to about 45° from horizontal.
Claim 10
Independent Claim 120 words
An apparatus for adding an aqueous flush fluid to a cooling tower basin having a floor comprising: (a) a perforated tube means positioned near the floor of the cooling tower basin, having a plurality of apertures which can pass a flow of said aqueous flush fluid, (b) a source of pressurized aqueous flush fluid, (c) a means for connecting said source of pressurized aqueous flush fluid in communication with the perforated tube means, (d) means for withdrawing fluid from an area in said cooling tower basin at or near said floor, operatively connected to said tube means, and (e) valves operatively connected to said tube means permitting the switching from flush fluid injection to fluid withdrawal through said tube means.
Claim 11
Independent Claim 120 words
An apparatus for adding an aqueous flush fluid to a cooling tower basin having a floor comprising: (a) a perforated tube means positioned near the floor of the cooling tower basin, having a plurality of apertures which can pass a flow of said aqueous flush fluid, (b) a source of pressurized aqueous flush fluid, (c) a means for connecting said source of pressurized aqueous flush fluid in communication with the perforated tube means, (d) means for withdrawing fluid from an area in said cooling tower basin at or near said floor, operatively connected to said tube means, and (e) valves operatively connected to said tube means permitting the switching from flush fluid injection to fluid withdrawal through said tube means.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim 26 words
An apparatus in accordance with claim 8 wherein said apertures are fitted with nozzles which direct a flow of aqueous flush fluid in a desired direction.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1986-06-20 1986-12-20 1987-06-21 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 1990-06-20 1990-12-20 1991-06-21 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 1994-06-20 1994-12-20 1995-06-21 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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