A MOTORISED VEHICLE FOR CLEANING AND DEGASSING UNDERGROUND STORAGE TANKS

Abstract: A device for cleaning and degassing underground storage tanks is constituted by an entirely pneumatically or hydraulically powered motorised vehicle (10), which can be placed internally of a tank (20) to be cleaned and be moved around inside the tank itself, for example by means of tracked wheels driven by respective pneumatic of hydraulic motors. Said motorised vehicle (10) may be provided with a first series of nozzles, frontally arranged with respect to the advancement direction of the vehicle, which nozzles emit water at high pressure with the aim of breaking up and suspending in the water the deposits collected in the tank (20); the vehicle is also provided with a suction mouth arranged anteriorly of the first series of nozzles, by means of which mouth the water-suspended deposits are aspirated and removed from the tank (20).

Description: A MOTORISED VEHICLE FOR CLEANING AND DEGASSING UNDERGROUND STORAGE TANKS ***************** TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a device for cleaning and degassing underground storage tanks. More in particular, the present invention relates to a motorised vehicle, powered " pneumatically or hydraulically, for carrying out cleaning and degassing operations of underground tanks, particularly tanks for fuel storage, in conditions of maximum security. The invention is principally intended for use in the oil industry field. BACKGROUND ART Cleaning and degassing operations in underground fuel storage tanks are traditionally carried out by first emptying the tank, using a suction pump, and then lowering an operative into the tank itself, who, using special tools guaranteed not to produce any sparks which might cause an explosion, then scours the internal part of the tank; said operative also being provided with a suction mouth, guided by him, for removing by aspiration the sludge gathered at the bottom of the tank. This operation is in reality extremely dangerous, due to the presence of inflammable vapours inside the tank, liable to cause explosions and possibly the death of the operator. Further, the cleaning operation carried out by the operator requires great use of cleaning water, which also has to be collected up and suitably dispersed. DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention obviates the drawbacks and disadvantages typical of the prior art and provides a device for cleaning and degassing underground storage tanks which allows effective and careful tank cleaning operations to be carried out in conditions of total security for the operators, as well as considerably reducing the environmental impact of the cleaning activity. This is obtained by means of a device having the features described in the main claim. The dependent claims describe particularly advantageous forms of embodiment of the invention. The device for cleaning and degassing underground storage tanks according to the present invention is constituted by an entirely pneumatically or hydraulically powered motorised vehicle, which can be placed internally of the tank to be cleaned and be moved around inside the tank itself, for example by means of tracked wheels driven by respective pneumatic or hydraulic motors. According to a feature of the invention, the motorised vehicle is provided with a first series of nozzles, frontally arranged with respect to the advancement direction of the vehicle, which nozzles emit water at high pressure with the aim of breaking up and suspending in the water the deposits collected in the tank; the vehicle is also provided with a suction mouth arranged anteriorly of the first series of nozzles, by means of which mouth the water-suspended deposits are aspirated and removed from the tank. According to a special feature of the invention, the motorised vehicle is provided with a second series of nozzles, arranged on one or more rotating heads, which nozzles emit water at high pressure along the whole internal surface of the tank. This has the double aim of removing any encrustation from the wall of the tank and of performing the final wash of the tank itself. According to a particularly advantageous form of embodiment of the invention, the motorised vehicle is further provided with a support for a television camera and a light, both of which are obviously totally electrically sealed from the contents of the tank. The television camera thus enables the motorised vehicle to be moved into zones where there is a particular need for cleaning, thereby improving the efficiency of the cleaning and degassing operation. DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent during the following description, provided in the form of a non-limiting example and with the aid of the accompanying figures of the drawings, in which: - figure 1 shows a schematic representation of a work phase of fuel storage tank cleaning and degassing, carried out by the device of the invention; - figure 2 is a lateral view of a motorised vehicle according to the invention; and - figure 3 is a frontal view of the vehicle of figure 2, with the vehicle inserted in a fuel storage tank to be cleaned and degassed. DESCRIPTION OF A FORM OF EMBODIMENT The cleaning and degassing process for underground fuel storage tanks, using a motorised vehicle according to the present invention, can be subdivided into four fundamental phases . In a first of these, a "filming" substance is used, having the property of forming a hydrocarbon-proof film so that a continual emission of explosive gases is blocked; then a flexible plastic pipe is inserted, provided with a special conveyor positioned at the top of the pipe; the pipe being connected to a suction pump. This pipe is introduced into the fuel storage tank through the manhole thereof and is immediately activated. In this way the majority of the sandy or muddy deposit is aspirated from the central part of the fuel storage tank bottom. Following this, the pipe is withdrawn, and the motorised vehicle 10 of the invention, which will be more fully described hereinbelow, is introduced into the tank. The vehicle 10, activated either pneumatically or hydraulically from a control panel situated externally of the tank, can be moved both longitudinally and to a certain extent transversally along the internal wall of the tank. The vehicle 10, externally connected to a mobile truck- mounted tank 12 exhibiting separate compartments, is provided with a series of frontal nozzles through which water is emitted at a pressure which is sufficiently high to break up and suspend in the water the deposits which were not removed during the first phase. The material thus raised is aspirated by a suction mouth with which the vehicle 10 is equipped. In the third phase, the supply of water to the frontal nozzles is suspended and instead water is directed at high pressure (about 200 bars, for example) through the nozzles mounted on a rotating head arranged on the vehicle 10. During this phase the filming product can be dispensed, in various percentages, through the series of nozzles. This is the work phase illustrated in figure 1, in which the truck 11 mounting the cistern 12 with four separate compartments 13, 14, 15, 16, is schematically represented. During the cleaning operation by means of the rotating head, the water containing the deposits is removed from the fuel storage tank 20 and conveyed into the compartment 14. From the compartment 14 the liquid is removed by means of a pump 21, is treated, filtered and conveyed to compartment 16, from which is it removed by a hydropump and sent back once more to the rotating head inside the fuel storage tank 20; following this procedure the liquid can be recuperated and recycled. In this way the quantity of liquid effectively used is very limited. In a fourth work phase the vehicle 10 is extracted from the tank; following this, steam coming from a boiler supplied with water contained in compartment 15 is fed into the fuel storage tank while at the same time the condensed water vapour is removed by aspiration. This procedure serves to facilitate the chemical bond of the carbon in the hydrocarbons with the oxygen present m the steam. The cleaning and degassing operation can thus be considered completed. The vehicle 10 illustrated in figures 2 and 3 is provided with conical pulley pairs with elastic-material belts arranged both longitudinally and transversally. Pneumatic or hydraulic controls activate the respective and separate engines for moving the vehicle in the various directions, as well as for raising and lowering the respective belt pairs. The vehicle 10 is provided, as previously mentioned, with a series of frontal nozzles and a series of rotating nozzles for performing the above-described work phases, as well as with an elastically-suspended suction mouth which is thus able to adhere to the bottom of the fuel storage tank during the vehicle movements, so that it can remove the water which is then conveyed, according to the work phase, into various compartments of the cistern arranged on the support truck controlling the cleaning and degassing operation. The reason for the differentiated conveying of the dirty water into the various compartments of the cistern is due to the fact that the water coming from the first cleaning phase, carried out by means of the frontal nozzles, is very polluted, while the water coming from the final washing operation, carried out by means of the rotating nozzles, is definitely re-usable after an appropriate reclaiming treatment. The electronic control panel of the vehicle movements, achieved by means of pneumatic and/or hydraulic feeding systems, is subdivided into four main sections, of which the first is constituted by the axial movement control, the second by the raising system control for transversal movement, the third for transversal movement, and the fourth for the alternating movement of the rotating head during the cleaning operation. The invention has been described making reference to a preferred embodiment thereof. It is clear, however, that the invention is susceptible to numerous modifications of a technically-equivalent kind. By way of example, the invention could have a further embodiment m which the vehicle is provided with a television camera and a light, so that a detailed check could be carried out from outside the fuel storage tank of the internal tank surfaces.

Claims: CLAIMS 1. A device for cleaning and degassing underground tanks, characterised in that it comprises a motorised vehicle (10) powered pneumatically and/or hydraulically, which vehicle is suitable for being inserted into a fuel storage tank (20) to be cleaned and degassed, and for being moved internally thereof by means of an external control panel, in that said vehicle comprises a first series of frontal nozzles which emit a fluid, advantageously water, at a predetermined pressure and directed towards a bottom of said tank, and in that said vehicle comprises a suction mouth for collecting and expelling said water externally of said tank. 2. A device as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that said motorised vehicle comprises a second series of nozzles, arranged on a rotating head connected to said motorised vehicle, said second series of nozzles emitting a fluid, advantageously water, directed at high pressure against walls of said tank. 3. A device as claimed in claims 1 or 2, characterised in that drive is transmitted to said vehicle by means of pneumatic and/or hydraulic motors which drive respective conical pulley pairs and longitudinal and/or transversal belt pairs. 4. A device as claimed in anyone of the preceding claims, characterised in that the vehicle (10) is provided with a television camera connected to a television set situated externally of said fuel storage tank, as well as with a light for illuminating. 5. A device as claimed in anyone of the preceding claims, characterised in that the motorised vehicle is connected to a support truck on which a cistern (12) is mounted, said cistern (12) being subdivided into a plurality of compartments (13, 14, 15, 16) for storing the cleaning water. 6. A process for cleaning underground tanks, advantageously for cleaning and degassing underground fuel storage tanks, characterised in that it comprises a first phase during which a filming substance is used internally of the fuel storage tank for forming on an internal surface thereof a film, which film is proof to hydrocarbon vapours, a second phase in which a flexible plastic pipe connected to a suction pump is introduced into the fuel storage tank through a manhole and immediately activated with the aim of aspirating a majority of muddy and sandy deposits present in a central part of a bottom of the tank, a third phase during which a device according to any one of the preceding claims is inserted into the fuel storage tank and is moved internally thereof during functioning of a suction mouth and the first series of frontal nozzles, and a fourth phase during which said suction mouth is continuously operated while the first series of nozzles is deactivated and the second series of nozzles activated, which can be supplied with liquid, advantageously water, and/or with a filming agent. 7. A process as claimed in claim 6, characterised in that it further comprises a fifth phase, in which steam is introduced into said fuel storage tank and subsequently removed there-from by aspiration. A process as claimed in anyone of claims 6 or 7, characterised in that said process is commanded from a support vehicle comprising a pneumatic and/or hydraulic feeding device for said motorised vehicle, a cistern (12) , subdivided into various compartments (13, 14, 15, 16) , containing the cleaning fluid, a control panel for commanding the movements of the motorised vehicle, and the devices for emitting and aspirating the fluid.

Inventors: GUDINI MADDALENA, PIVI MARIO POMPEO, GUDINI, MADDALENA, PIVI, MARIO, POMPEO
Applicants: GUDINI MADDALENA, PIVI MARIO POMPEO, T & A S A, GUDINI, MADDALENA, PIVI, MARIO, POMPEO, T. & A.S.A.
Application year: 1997
Main classification: B08B9
IPC codes: B08B9