Rupture vessel with auxiliary processing vessel

A fluid recovery system and method for accessing the contents of a target container. A preferred embodiment of the fluid recovery system includes an auxiliary processing vessel for housing a container to be accessed, a cylinder rupture vessel for housing the auxiliary processing vessel, and a tapping assembly positioned within the cylinder rupture vessel for accessing the contents of a target container. One or more fluid seals may be formed. The use of the auxiliary processing vessel of the preferred embodiment provides an extra level of protection against exposure to the contents of the container.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
1. Field of the Invention 
This invention relates to the field of rupture vessels and more 
particularly to rupture vessels having an auxiliary processing vessel 
(APV) to provide, among other things, an extra measure of safety in 
processing containers in a rupture vessel. 
2. Related Art 
Cylinder rupture vessels (CRVs), such as disclosed, for example, in U.S. 
Pat. No. 4,690,180 entitled "Cylinder Rupture Vessel"; U.S. Pat. No. 
4,944,333 entitled "Cylinder Rupture Vessel with Clamps for Immobilizing a 
Container Within the Vessel", and U.S. Pat. No. 5,186,219 entitled 
"Cylinder Rupture Vessel" enable access to the contents of cylinders (for 
example, cylinders with inoperable valves), munitions, drums or other 
containers, containing either known or unknown substances, in a controlled 
environment. For simplicity, the term "container" will be used herein 
broadly to refer to cylinders, munitions, drums or other containers 
containing known or unknown substances (whether pressurized or not). 
The general structure and operation of a CRV is described, for example, in 
the aforementioned patents which are each incorporated herein by 
reference. Briefly, a CRV generally comprises a sealed chamber with an 
access door for enabling a container to be located therein on a support 
surface. A sealing mechanism is provided to seal the chamber. Inlet and 
outlet ports may be provided for creating a vacuum and/or introducing 
inert gas into the CRV and for purging air and inert gas from the 
container. A rupture mechanism is typically provided for gaining access to 
the inside of the container. This has been done in the past by rupturing a 
wall of the container using a puncture mechanism such as a punch, spike, 
drill, projectile or saw or by puncturing the container near the valve to 
remove the valve. The term "rupture" is used herein broadly to mean 
gaining access to the interior of the container, by penetrating a wall or 
portion of the container. In some prior CRV's, the container is held 
stationary by clamps or other securing mechanisms. It is also known to 
invert the container after rupturing to facilitate removal of its 
contents, especially when those contents are liquids. 
Accessing the contents of a container in a CRV enables controlled 
containment of the contents of the container. To this end, the CRV may be 
a sealed chamber to prevent leakage of the contents and may be designed to 
withstand explosions should they occur in the CRV. While this arrangement 
works satisfactorily, improvements are possible. 
In an alternative arrangement, as described in parent application Ser. No. 
08/070,709, a tapping assembly may be used inside the CRV to form a seal 
against the container and add an extra measure of protection. While this 
enhances the efficacy of a CRV, additional improvements are still 
possible. 
Overpacks, per se, are known for receiving and transporting a container. It 
is believed to be heretofore unknown to locate an overpack in a CRV and 
process a container located therein. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
It is an object of this invention to provide an improved CRV. 
It is another object of the present invention to provide a CRV with an APV 
to, among other things, increase the level of safety when processing 
containers in a CRV. 
According to one preferred embodiment, a CRV is provided with an APV in 
which a container is placed. The APV is designed to permit access to the 
contents of a container when the APV is located within a CRV. In another 
embodiment, a seal is formed between the APV and a rupture mechanism. In 
another embodiment, a seal is formed between the rupture mechanism and a 
container located within an APV. 
In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, the rupture 
mechanism may comprise a drilling assembly for penetrating a wall of a 
container. The container may be supported within an APV which in turn is 
supported by a platform or other support structure within a CRV. The 
drilling assembly allows removal of a fluid from the container. The 
drilling assembly includes a tube for lining a first opening into the 
recovery vessel, as well as a first housing having an interior. A first 
adapter couples the housing to a first end of the tube to partially define 
a longitudinal bore. A shaft is rotatably disposed within the longitudinal 
bore. The shaft has one end for engagement with a drill bit with the other 
end for engagement with a motor. The drill bit is engaged to the shaft to 
penetrate the container wall or the APV and container wall, while the 
motor is engaged to the other end of the shaft. A first seal assembly 
forms a first fluid barrier between the interior and the longitudinal 
bore. A seal may be formed between the rupture mechanism (e.g. drill 
assembly) and the APV or between the rupture mechanism and the container. 
A first technical advantage of the present invention is that it provides 
added levels of containment for protecting the environment from exposure 
to a fluid removed from a container. 
A second technical advantage of the present invention is that it increases 
the efficiency of the process by which a hazardous fluid is removed from a 
container. 
A third technical advantage of the present invention is that it reduces the 
risk of ignition of a fluid during its removal from a container. 
A fourth technical advantage of the present invention is that it reduces 
the risk of a fluid reacting violently with surfaces exposed to the fluid 
during its removal from a container. 
A fifth technical advantage of the present invention is that it reduces the 
risk of direct handling of a container in a deteriorated or otherwise 
unsafe condition in that it can be inserted into an APV which may be 
transportable, and can subsequently be processed remotely without having 
to first remove it from the APV. Other advantages also exist. 
Other objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from 
the description of the preferred embodiments when read in conjunction with 
the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
The preferred embodiment of the present invention and its advantages are 
best understood by referring to FIGS. 1-8 of the drawings, like numerals 
being used for like and corresponding parts of the various drawings. 
As an overview of the present invention, a fluid recovery system 10 
provides a sealed recovery vessel 12 for receiving container 14. The 
contents of container 14, typically hazardous waste fluids, can then be 
removed without polluting the environment by using recovery system 10. The 
pressures under which the fluid contents may be stored in container 14 can 
range up to approximately 6000 psi. Additionally, the fluid within 
container 14 may be in a gas phase, a liquid phase or a combination of 
both a gas and liquid phase. Typically, container 14 has been sealed shut 
either purposely or inadvertently, and cannot be emptied by normal 
procedures. After the fluid is removed from container 14, the fluid and 
container can be disposed of safely. Recovery system 10 allows for removal 
of any hazardous fluids within container 14 from a remote location to 
ensure the safety of personnel controlling the fluid recovery process. 
More specifically, FIG. 1 is a side view of fluid recovery system 10. Fluid 
recovery system 10 is typically housed in a sealed trailer 16 to allow 
movement of fluid recovery system 10 to the location of any deteriorated 
containers. Thus, safety is increased by avoiding transportation of the 
deteriorated containers, as well as by providing an added level of 
containment. (The trailer being a third level, with recovery vessel 12 
being a second level, and drill assembly 44 being a first level, as is 
discussed below.) 
Fluid recovery system 10 includes a recovery vessel 12 which has a sealable 
end opening 18 through which container 14 may be inserted. End closure 19 
is then secured to end opening 18 to seal the interior 21 of recovery 
vessel 12 from the environment. A fluid tight barrier is preferably 
maintained between the interior 21 and the exterior of recovery vessel 12. 
Recovery vessel 12 also includes two access openings 20 and 22. Access 
openings 20 and 22 provide additional entries into interior 21 of recovery 
vessel 12. Closures 24 and 26 seal interior 21 from the environment when 
secured to access openings 20 and 22 respectively. 
Although recovery vessel 12 and container 14 are shown as cylinders, 
various sizes, shapes and configurations of recovery vessels and 
containers may be satisfactorily used with the present invention. 
Container 14 is placed on platform assembly 28 disposed within recovery 
vessel 12. Platform assembly 28 includes a platform 30 which is supported 
by four springs 32. Springs 32 are respectively attached to the interior 
of recovery vessel 12 by four support members 34. Springs 32 of platform 
assembly 28 allow platform 30 to move in a plane perpendicular to that of 
platform 30. 
Fluid recovery system 10 also includes a hold-down assembly 36 having a 
hydraulic cylinder 38, hydraulic piston rod 40, hold-down clamp 41 and a 
support member (not shown) for securing hydraulic cylinder 38 to the 
interior portion of wall 43 of recovery vessel 12. 
An opening 42 extends through wall 43 of recovery vessel 12 and provides 
drill assembly 44 with access to container 14. Drill assembly 44 is 
discussed in greater detail below in conjunction with FIGS. 3 and 4. Drill 
assembly 44 is driven by a drill motor 46 which is secured to motor 
support 48. 
Drill assembly 44 and drill motor 46 are positioned relative to container 
14 by drill positioning assembly 50. Drill positioning assembly 50 
includes two hydraulic cylinders 52 and 54. Piston rods 56 and 58, which 
are positioned by cylinders 52 and 54 respectively, are coupled to motor 
support 48. Frame 60 secures cylinders 52 and 54 to the exterior of wall 
43 of recovery vessel 12. Opening 42, drill assembly 44, motor 46, motor 
support 48 and drill positioning assembly 50 are preferably located on the 
exterior of wall 43 of recovery vessel 12 opposite from container 14 and 
platform 30. The specific location of opening 42 may be selected along 
with the location of platform assembly 28 and hold-down assembly 36 to 
optimize the performance of drill assembly 44 to penetrate container 44. 
The optimum location may vary depending upon the fluids which will be 
released and the type of container containing the fluids. 
Hold-down assembly 36, drill positioning assembly 50, drill motor 46, valve 
54 and valve 60 are all capable of being controlled remotely from remote 
control panel 72. Remote control panel 72 is typically located outside of 
trailer 16 at a distance sufficient to provide for safe operation. 
FIG. 2 shows an end view of the fluid recovery system 10 of FIG. 1 along 
lines 2--2. In FIG. 2 an opening 74 is shown in platform 30 to accommodate 
drill assembly 44. Two rails 76 and 78, which are part of platform 
assembly 28, are disposed along the outer edges of platform 30. Rails 76 
and 78 cooperate with hold-down assembly 28 to prevent container 14 from 
rolling on platform 30. Drill assembly 44, motor 46, support 48 and drill 
positioning assembly 50 are shown disposed in another possible orientation 
with respect to recovery vessel 12. Such orientation does not affect the 
operation of fluid recovery system 10. 
Referring again to FIG. 1, a pressure transducer 62 is coupled to a port 
105 of drill assembly 44. A valve 64 is coupled between transducer 62 and 
interior 21 of recovery vessel 12. Inside recovery vessel 12, drill 
assembly 44 includes a cylindrical evacuation port 66 which is coupled to 
a pipe 68. Pipe 68 is coupled through wall 43 of recovery vessel 12 to a 
valve 70. A second pressure transducer 71 is also coupled to pipe 68. 
Pressure transducers 62 and 71 may be monitored from control panel 72. 
Valves 64 and 70 may be operated from control panel 72. FIG. 2 shows 
transducers 62 and 71, valves 64 and 70, evacuation port 66 and pipe 68 
disposed in another possible orientation with respect to recovery vessel 
12. Again, such orientation does not affect the operation of fluid 
recovery system 10. 
In operation container 14 is carefully placed upon platform assembly 28 
through end opening 18. End closure 19 is then closed to seal container 14 
inside recovery vessel 12. Trailer 16 is sealed as well. Hydraulic 
cylinder 38 is activated to urge, via hydraulic piston rod 40 and 
hold-down clamp 41, container 14 toward platform assembly 28. Support 
springs 32 are compressed, allowing platform 30 to be moved toward opening 
42 and drill assembly 44. Container 14 is continually urged downward until 
drilling assembly 44 makes sealable contact with the exterior of container 
14, as shown in FIG. 2. Hold-down assembly 36 then maintains container 14 
in this position. 
After a fluid seal is established between drill assembly 44 and the 
exterior of container 14, an interior portion 80 (FIG. 3) of drill 
assembly 44 is filled with an inert gas. Transducer 62 monitors the 
pressure in a longitudinal bore 82 (FIG. 3) of drill assembly 44. If the 
pressure increases, a leak between interior portion 80 and longitudinal 
bore 82 is indicated. When such a leak occurs, drill assembly 44 must be 
disassembled and repaired. If no leak is detected, motor 46 is activated 
and rotates a drill bit 84 (FIG. 3). Drill positioning assembly 50 urges 
drill bit 84 forward until it makes contact with and penetrates wall 85 of 
container 14. Any fluid waste within container 14 may then be withdrawn 
through the penetration 86 via interior portion 80, evacuation port 66, 
pipe 68 and valve 70. By confining the fluid to the relatively small 
volume of interior 80, rather than the much larger volume of recovery 
vessel 12, the fluid removal efficiency is increased. That is, by 
minimizing the number of surfaces to which the fluid is exposed (the 
inside wall of interior 80 versus the interior side of wall 23 and the 
outside of wall 85), the decontamination of these surfaces is minimized. 
FIG. 3 is an exploded view of drill assembly 44 as installed in FIGS. 1 and 
2. Referring to FIG. 3, opening 42 in wall 43 of recovery vessel 12 is 
provided for installation and support of drill assembly 44. Cylindrical 
tubing 88 lines the inside diameter of opening 42. For this embodiment, 
cylindrical tubing 88 is welded within opening 42, although any other form 
of attachment may be used, such as threading both the outer surface of 
cylindrical tubing 88 and the inside diameter of opening 42. 
Drill assembly 44 includes a first housing section 90 and a second housing 
section 92. First adapter 94 is provided to secure first housing section 
90 to end 89 of tubing 88 within recovery vessel 12. Second adapter 96 is 
provided to secure second housing section 92 to end 91 of tubing 88 on the 
exterior of recovery vessel 12. A plurality of matching threads are used 
to attach first and second adapters 94 and 96 with their respective first 
housing section 90 and second housing section 92 to ends 89 and 91 of 
tubing 88. Housing sections 90 and 92, adapters 94 and 96 and tubing 88 
cooperate with each other to define longitudinal bore 82 extending 
therethrough. 
A first seal assembly 98, having a first packing 99, is placed on the end 
of first adapter 94 opposing the end threaded into tubing 88. A second 
seal assembly 100, having a second packing 101, is retained within second 
housing section 92 by packing nut 103. Second housing section 92 is 
threaded into the inside surface of second adapter 96. Thus, longitudinal 
bore 82 is formed from the interior of adapter 94, through tube 88, to the 
interior of adapter 96. Evacuation port 66 allows access 5 to interior 80 
of housing section 90, while port 105 allows access to longitudinal bore 
82. 
A shaft 102 extends from the interior of first housing section 90, through 
bearing assembly 106, first seal assembly 98, longitudinal bore 82, and 
second seal assembly 100. Drill bit 84 is coupled to a drill end of shaft 
102, while a drive end is coupled to motor shaft 108 by coupler 110. A 
coupling sleeve 112 having a lip 114 surrounds a lower portion of first 
housing section 90. A seal is formed between first housing section 90 and 
coupling sleeve 112 by two O-rings 116 and 118. The inner portion of lip 
114 is disposed between one end of housing section 90 and first seal 
assembly 98. Quick disconnect coupling 120 engages the outer portion of 
lip 114 to secure sleeve 112 to first adapter 94. A portion of the 
interior surface of coupling 120 has threads which engage threads on the 
outer surface of adapter 94. A washer 122, having a center hole 123 (FIG. 
4) to receive drill bit 84, is inserted between first housing section 90 
and the exterior of wall 85 of container 14. 
In operation, coupling 120 is tightened so that seal assembly 98 forms a 
first fluid barrier (by forcing packing 99 to form a seal around a first 
portion of shaft 102) between interior 80 of housing section 90 and 
longitudinal bore 82. Packing nut 103 is tightened so that seal assembly 
100 forms a second fluid barrier (by forcing packing 101 to form a seal 
around a second portion of shaft 102) between longitudinal bore 82 and the 
outside environment. Hold-down assembly 36 is activated in response to a 
first signal from remote control panel 72. Container 14 is forced against 
washer 122 to form the fluid seal between housing section 90 and wall 85. 
In some embodiments, washer 122 is made of a material, such as lead, which 
allows washer 122 to conform to the contour of wall 85. In other 
embodiments, washer 122 is pre-formed to the contour of wall 85. The force 
exerted upon housing section 90 by container 14 aids in forming the first 
fluid barrier by further compressing packing 99. 
Drill motor 46, in response to a second signal from panel 72, rotates shaft 
102. Bearing assembly 106 stabilizes shaft 102 as it rotates. Drill 
positioning assembly 50 is activated in response to a third signal from 
panel 72. Drill bit 84 is urged toward container 14, as described above in 
conjunction with FIGS. 1 and 2, by drill positioning assembly 50 until it 
comes in contact with wall 85. Drill bit 84 is then further urged toward 
container 14 until wall 85 is penetrated to form penetration 86. 
Typically, an increase in pressure within pipe 68 indicates the formation 
of penetration 86. The pressure within pipe 68 may be obtained by remotely 
monitoring transducer 71 with control panel 72. Drill positioning assembly 
50, in response to a fourth signal from panel 72, retracts drill bit 84 
from container 14. The fluid within container 14 can be drained or pumped 
out of container 14 via penetration 86, evacuation port 66, pipe 68 and 
valve 70. 
The relatively small volume of interior 80 aids in the prevention ignition 
of the fluid contents by minimizing the time during which the fluid 
escapes through penetration 86. As the fluid escapes, the friction between 
the fluid and the walls of penetration 86 generates heat. The longer the 
escape time, the higher the temperature of the portion of container wall 
14 surrounding penetration 86 becomes. The temperature may become high 
enough to ignite the escaping fluid. The escape time is proportional to 
the volume into which the fluid escapes. That is, fluid, especially in a 
gas phase, will escape until the pressure within the escape volume reaches 
equilibrium with the pressure inside container 14. The smaller the volume, 
the more quickly such equilibrium is reached, and the lower the amount of 
heating which occurs. The lower the amount of heating, the less of a 
chance of ignition of the fluid. 
A further measure which can be taken to prevent fluid ignition is to 
evacuate interior 80 of air via port 66 before penetration. Additionally, 
after evacuation is performed, interior 80 may be pressurized with an 
inert gas via port 66. The pressure within interior 80 is typically raised 
to a point above the anticipated pressure of the contents of container 14. 
When penetration occurs, the more highly pressurized inert gas flows 
through penetration 86 into container 14. Thus, if any heating occurs, it 
will be to the inert gas which will not ignite. If the pressure within 
interior 80 is less than that of the fluid inside container 14, the inert 
gas dilutes the escaping fluid, thus reducing the probability of ignition. 
Interior 80 may be pressurized with a passivation gas when the fluid is a 
strong oxidizer, such as any fluorinated compound. Typically, the 
passivation gas consists of approximately 20% fluorine and 80% nitrogen. 
The passivation gas causes a thin oxidation layer to be formed on the 
surfaces which are exposed to the fluid once penetration of wall 85 
occurs. Such surfaces include the inner surfaces of first housing section 
90, port 66 and pipe 68, as well as the outer surface of drill bit 84. The 
thin oxidation layer prevents the strong oxidizer within container 14 from 
reacting with the above mentioned surfaces. 
Decontamination of a fluid, such as a poison, may sometimes be necessary. 
Such decontamination is accomplished by injecting a decontaminate into 
container 14 via pipe 68, port 66, interior 80 and penetration 86. 
Eradication of living organisms within the fluid may be necessary. Such 
eradication is accomplished by injecting a killing agent into container 14 
via pipe 68, port 66, interior 80 and penetration 86. 
The pressure within longitudinal bore 82 may be monitored by pressure 
transducer 62. If the pressure within bore 82 increases when interior 80 
is filled with an inert gas or when penetration into container 14 occurs, 
a leak from interior 80 into bore 82, i.e., a failure of the first fluid 
barrier, is indicated. In the event such a leak occurs, second seal 
assembly 100 prevents any fluid from leaking into the environment to 
reestablish the first fluid barrier, first seal assembly 98 may be 
replaced. Alternatively, quick disconnect coupling 120 may be tightened to 
further compress packing 101 and reestablish the first fluid barrier. 
Fluid which does leak into longitudinal bore 82 is contained by second 
seal assembly 100 and may be redirected to interior 21 of recovery vessel 
12 by opening valve 64. The leaking fluid is thereby isolated from the 
external environment. 
In another embodiment of the drill assembly of FIG. 3, second housing 
section 92, second seal assembly 100, transducer 62 and valve 64 are not 
installed. The operation of drill assembly 44 remains the same as outlined 
above. However, if first seal assembly 98 fails to maintain the first 
fluid barrier, the fluid from container 14 may leak directly into the 
interior of trailer 16, as opposed to being contained by second seal 
assembly 100. Sealed trailer 16, however, isolates the leaking fluid from 
the external environment. 
FIG. 4 is an exploded isometric view of the drill assembly 44 of FIG. 3. 
Drill bit 84 has a shank 124 for insertion into a receiving cavity 125 
within the drill end of shaft 102. Shank 124 is secured within cavity 125 
by set screw 126. Set screw 126 is threaded into set screw receiving hole 
128. Set screw receiving hole 128 extends from the cavity to the exterior 
of shaft 102. 
Another preferred embodiment of the present invention can be best 
understood by referring to FIGS. 5-9 of the drawings, like numerals being 
used for like and corresponding parts of the various drawings. 
In this embodiment, the fluid recovery system 10 is adapted to accept an 
auxiliary processing vessel assembly (APV assembly) 15 within recovery 
vessel 12 as generally shown, for example, in FIG. 9. The use of the APV 
assembly within the recovery vessel 12 provides an additional layer of 
protection against contamination of the environment upon release of the 
contents of container 14, an extra level of protection in the event of 
explosion and other advantages. 
An example of an APV assembly is shown in FIG. 5. The embodiment shown, 
includes the following components: APV overpack 151, cradle assembly 152, 
and end plate 153 with a gasket (not shown) or other type of sealing 
mechanism. The APV may be transportable and reusable. Alternatively, it 
may be attached to a CRV and may be slidable outwardly to receive an APV 
and inwardly to enable processing. 
The overpack 151 is the actual protective container and can be formed of 
stainless steel. Overpack 151 is preferably sealed at one end 1511 and has 
an access opening 1512 at the opposite end which during use is sealed by 
end plate 153. In this manner, the APV assembly can be sealed in use. 
Overpack 151 may also include one or more removable drill plates 1513 with 
gaskets or other types of sealing mechanisms. The gasket can be a lead 
seal for example. The use of removable drill plates enables reuse of the 
APV. The drill plates allow the container 14 within the overpack 151 to be 
accessed for removal/neutralization of the contents of the container. The 
overpack 151 also can include drain well 1514 with a filter if desired. 
Drain well 1514 allows fluid contents of the overpack 151 to be drained. A 
vapor sensing port 1515 may be provided to allow investigation of the 
contents of the overpack, especially during the cylinder rupture process. 
The APV assembly 15 also includes cradle assembly 152. Cradle assembly 152 
provides a support surface for various containers and allows the container 
14 to be precisely positioned or fixedly located within the overpack 151. 
This positioning allows the contents of container 14 to be accessed at a 
precise location. For example, if it is desired to position the container 
14 with respect to the rupture mechanism so that the center of the 
container along a longitudinal axis is ruptured, the cradle assembly 152 
can be adapted to ensure this positioning. Cradle assembly 152 may also 
have an alignment guide 1521 which, along with end plates 1522, allows for 
the precise positioning of the container 14 within overpack 151 by 
ensuring the correct positioning of the cradle 152. The cradle can be made 
of stainless steel pipe 1523. The container 14 can be secured in position 
on the cradle using steel bands 1524 or other securing mechanisms. The 
cradle assembly 152 may be adjustable to allow different size containers 
to be fixedly located within overpack 151. 
The operation of this embodiment will now be broadly described. To access 
and drain or neutralize the contents of a container 14, the container is 
first positioned within APV assembly 15 and APV assembly 15 is positioned 
within the CRV, preferably on a support surface. Then the rupture 
mechanism is activated to access the contents of the container in any of a 
variety of ways. For example, access may be by drilling, punching, 
spiking, sawing or otherwise puncturing a wall or portion of the 
container. If desired, one or more seals may be formed prior to accessing. 
In this regard, the concepts described in FIGS. 1-4 may be used in 
conjunction with the present embodiment. For example, a drill assembly 
portion of a tapping assembly may be positioned to form a fluid seal to 
prevent escape of the contents of container 14. The contents of the 
container are then accessed using the tapping assembly substantially as 
described above. In various embodiments, the fluid seal may be formed at 
the interface of the tapping assembly with container 14 or at the 
interface with APV assembly 15, or both. Further, in an alternate 
embodiment, the contents of container 14 may be accessed without forming a 
seal. Inert gas or nitrogen may be introduced into the APV and/or CRV 
before processing. 
FIG. 6 shows an example of a preferred embodiment of a tapping assembly 44 
within a CRV (not shown) and an associated APV where a fluid seal is 
formed at the interface of the tapping assembly and the container 14. As 
shown, the overpack 151 is modified to accept a piston 1541 which may be 
moved against the container to be accessed. The piston 1541 fits within a 
sealed orifice on the body of the overpack 151. This may be accomplished 
by installing a standard 2" threaded port, in which a threaded sleeve 1542 
with grooved o-ring seals 1543 are provided. The piston preferably extends 
through the sleeve 1542 and is sealed by one or more o-rings 1543, or 
other alternate seals suitable for a smooth, cylindrical piston. Other 
dimensions may be used. 
One end of the piston is terminated within the overpack and preferably 
contains a gasket retainer 1544. A gasket 1545 is installed in the 
retainer. The gasket may consist of a lead seal, rubber seal, or other 
malleable or pliable sealing material. The gasket retainer may be threaded 
onto the piston for easy removal and repair. Further, the retainer 1544 
may form a continuous seal with the piston interior, or it may include a 
center hole of suitable diameter to allow a drill bit of a drill assembly 
(or other access mechanisms) to easily penetrate therethrough. 
The end of the piston within the overpack may be curved to more readily 
conform with the body of cylinders or other rounded containers. It is not, 
however, necessary to curve the end where the gasket material is malleable 
or flexible, especially when the diameter of the piston is relatively 
small. 
The end of the piston which extends outside of the overpack may include a 
coil spring 1546 around its circumference. The spring is held in place by 
a spring retainer 1547. The spring maintains the piston in the shown 
position until compressed by a seal cup 441 during operation. The spring 
retainer can be attached by threaded coupling (not shown) to the piston to 
facilitate installation and maintenance. An alternate embodiment of this 
arrangement could provide a coil spring within the overpack which would be 
stretched upon exertion of downward force by the seal cup 441. 
The actual tapping mechanism 44 is similar to that described above in 
conjunction with FIGS. 2 and 3. It preferably includes a seal cup 441, a 
shaft seal 442, and a drill shaft 443 with an attached drill bit 444. The 
seal cup 441 may be extended sufficiently to enable it to extend into 
piston 1541 and function properly as described. 
One embodiment of the seal cup incorporates an o-ring (not shown) in a 
groove around the circumference of its face which contacts the gasket 
retainer. Alternatively, the open end of the seal cup may seal directly 
against the gasket 1545. 
The overpack 151 may include a threaded collar surrounding the outer 
portion of the threaded port to which a cover may be attached (not shown). 
This cover may be fitted to the overpack to protect the piston during 
movement and prior to accessing the contents of container 14. Immediately 
prior to operation, the cover can be removed and the open end of the 
piston exposed. 
According to one embodiment, for accessing the contents of the container 
within the overpack, the open end of the piston 1541 is oriented directly 
under the drilling assembly and seal cup 441. The seal cup 441 is 
hydraulically advanced to a first position into contact with the seal or 
gasket retainer 1545. The seal cup 441 is then further advanced to a 
second position, extending the piston inward towards the target container 
until the gasket contacts the circumference of the target container and 
the gasket forms a fluid seal against the target container and the seal 
cup. 
The adequacy of the seal can be tested by pressurizing the seal cup with an 
inert gas. The atmosphere within the seal cup can be removed and a vacuum 
created prior to drilling. When a seal has been made, the drill shaft and 
drill bit can be advanced. The drill bit penetrates the gasket retainer 
and/or the gasket and continues into the target container. The contents of 
the target container may then be sampled, identified, and removed in a 
known manner. Alternatively, processing of contents may occur in the APV 
while it is in the CRV. For example, a neutralizing agent may be 
introduced into the APV through the tapping assembly as explained herein. 
The container 14 may be cleaned or decontaminated by introduction of 
solvents or steam through the tapping assembly. 
At the conclusion of the process, the seal cup 441 may be partially 
retracted so that the coil spring 1546 maintains sealing pressure between 
the seal cup 441 and gasket 1545 or gasket retainer 1544. The drill can 
then be left in an extended position such that it is outside of the 
container 14 but within the overpack 151. The space between the overpack 
151 and the container 14 may then be accessed for decontamination or other 
processing through the hollow drill shaft of the tapping assembly. 
Various advantages of this approach are that it is possible to form a seal 
directly against the container to allow a motive force in the form of 
differential pressure to be applied for removal of the container contents. 
This will expedite the process for viscous liquids. This system also 
provides additional levels of safety and containment for management of 
hazardous materials. 
FIG. 7 shows an alternative embodiment in which the tapping assembly forms 
a seal at the interface with the APV 151. In this embodiment, the seal cup 
441 engages with the drill plate 1513 or other portion of the overpack 151 
and forms a fluid seal. As described above the seal may then be tested 
after which the drill is advanced through the overpack 151, preferably 
through drill plate 153. The interior of the overpack can then be 
evacuated before the container 14 is accessed. After penetrating the 
container, the process then proceeds as above with the sampling, 
identification, processing and removal of the contents of the container. 
FIG. 8 illustrates a tapping assembly which may be located inside of a CRV 
for use with an APV having a container to be processed located therein. 
While one such assembly is shown in FIG. 8, two or more may be used. 
In the event that an upper and lower tapping assembly is used, for example, 
two units substantially identical to that disclosed in FIGS. 5-8, the 
following procedures may be followed according to one embodiment of the 
invention. The upper and lower unit may be positioned against the APV 15 
or container 14 to form a seal therewith. Then, the system may be 
pressurized to induce a positive housing pressure at the seal cup 441. 
Next, the rupture mechanism, for example, a drill assembly, may be 
activated to penetrate through the top and bottom (or either) of the APV. 
Next, nitrogen or an inert gas may be introduced through port 445 into the 
top drill assembly, which may have a hollow shaft, and processed out 
through the bottom drill assembly which may also have a hollow shaft to 
purge the interior of the APV 15. Next, the rupture mechanism is advanced 
and activated to penetrate the container 14 and to gain access to the 
contents thereof. This may be done for example by drilling through the top 
of container 14 and/or the bottom of the container. Further processing of 
the contents may be performed in a known manner. 
By way of example, according to the present invention, processing may occur 
by opening downstream valves at the seal cup line and analyzing the 
contents for identification. The bottom drill may be withdrawn from the 
container, but the seal between the lower tapping assembly and the 
container may be maintained. This enables the contents of the container to 
be withdrawn through the bottom seal cup. Then, a neutralization fluid may 
be introduced through the top drill unit and withdrawn through the bottom 
one. If desired, steam may be injected through the top drill (and bottom 
drill if desired) to remove hardened residue within the container. Next, 
the top drill may be withdrawn from the container, but not from the APV to 
maintain a seal with the APV. Alternatively, the drill may be withdrawn 
from the container and APV and the seal may still be maintained. 
Neutralization fluid may be introduced through the top drill unit and 
withdrawn through the bottom unit to decontaminate the APV interior. Then 
the drill may be withdrawn from the APV and the APV removed from the CRV. 
In a further alternative, the APV alone can be used to access the contents 
of the container 14 without the need for a CRV. In this case a fluid seal 
would be formed at the overpack wall and the contents of the container 
accessed substantially as described with respect to FIG. 7. 
Specific features of the fluid recovery system of the embodiments of FIGS. 
5-8 can be ascertained from the descriptions of FIGS. 1-4, the features of 
which can be incorporated therein. 
Although a detailed description of the preferred embodiments has been 
provided, the scope of the invention is not limited thereby. Various 
changes and modifications within the scope of the invention will be 
readily apparent by those skilled in the art as defined by the appended 
claims.