Abstract:
A chemical loading system is used for loading a molten chemical into a tanker. The chemical loading system includes a source supplying a molten chemical and a tanker for receiving the molten chemical. The chemical loading system has a stationary feed line supplying a chemical from the source. An extendable loader has a feed passage that is in fluid communication with the feed line. The extendable loader has a retracted position and an extended position relative to the feed line. The feed passage is adapted to have at least a portion thereof inside the tanker when in the extendable loader is in the extended position. A hoist assembly selectively extends and retracts the extendable loader assembly between the retracted and extended positions.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This patent application is a continuation of U.S. Nonprovisional patent application Ser. No. 11/455,532 filed on Jun. 19, 2006, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates generally to a product conveyance assembly, and more specifically to an apparatus for transferring a chemical substance to a movable tanker. 
     2. Background of the Invention 
     Loading arm assemblies are utilized for the transfer of chemicals from a processing plant to a tanker for transportation. Loading arm assemblies that are used for the loading of molten chemicals, such as, sulfur have numerous drawbacks associated with the safety to the operator and the reliability of the equipment. In prior art assemblies, loading arms included flexible non-metallic tubing, or tubing that was maneuverable do to swivel joints, that was manually pulled and positioned over an opening of tanker. A vacuum piping system was often associated with the maneuverable loading arms for collecting some of the fumes emanating from the molten sulfur being loaded into the tanker. 
     Molten sulfur often caused corrosive damage to the non-metallic tubing or piping, and to the swivel joints that needed to be replaced repeated. Moreover, the operator had to push and pull the prior art loading arms while moving about the upper surface of the tanker. This exposed the operator to awkward and often dangerous situations while handling the molten sulfur loading arms. The operator had to negotiate curved tankers with protuberances and guard assemblies formed on the tanker surface around the tanker opening, and the operator was exposed to the heat associated with the molten sulfur being transferred to the tanker the operator was walking upon. Furthermore, the operator was often exposed to the fumes from the chemicals emanating from within the tanker during the loading process while engaging and disengaging the loading arm with the tanker. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     A chemical loading system is used for loading a molten chemical into a tanker. The chemical loading system includes a source supplying a molten chemical and a tanker for receiving the molten chemical. The chemical loading system has a stationary feed line supplying a chemical from the source. An extendable loader has a feed passage that is in fluid communication with the feed line. The extendable loader has a retracted position and an extended position relative to the feed line. The feed passage is adapted to have at least a portion thereof inside the tanker when in the extendable loader is in the extended position. A hoist assembly selectively extends and retracts the extendable loader assembly between the retracted and extended positions. 
     The molten chemical is typically molten sulfur. Feed seals are typically positioned between the feed line and the feed passage. The chemical loading system can also include a heating jacket mounted to the feed line. The heating jacket carries a heating fluid to keep the molten chemical from solidifying in the feed line. The heating fluid can be steam, and a heating fluid recovery unit in fluid communication with the heating jacket collects and recovers the heating fluid when the heating fluid exits the heating jacket. 
     The chemical loading system of can also include a platform positioned adjacent the tanker. The platform is also positioned away from the extendable loader assembly. A controller is positioned on the platform and is in communication with the hoist assembly for selectively extending and retracting the extendable loader assembly. 
     The extendable loader assembly of the chemical loading system can also include a ventilation passage in fluid communication with the interior of the tanker when the extendable loader is in its extended position. The ventilation passage extends parallel to the feed passage. The ventilation passage moves in unison with the feed passage when the extendable loader assembly is moved between its extended and retracted positions. The chemical loading system can also include a ventilation line in fluid communication with the ventilation passage. The ventilation line is in fluid communication with a collection unit that collects the fumes from the molten chemical. 
     A loading assembly is used for loading molten sulfur into a tanker. The loading assembly includes a hood adapted to cover an opening of the tanker. A pair of telescoping conduits are attached to the hood. One of the telescoping conduits is for flowing the molten sulfur into the tanker. The other of the telescoping conduits is for ventilating fumes from the molten sulfur. Each of the pair of telescoping conduits have an upper portion and a lower portion. The lower portions being movable in unison with the hood between a raised position and a lowered position. 
     The loading assembly can also have seals positioned between the upper and lower portions of the telescoping conduits. A plurality of metal plates may be connected to the outer surface of a lower end of each of the upper portions of the telescoping conduits. The lower conduits can receive the upper conduits when the lower portions and the hood are moved to the raised position. The telescoping conduits can extend parallel to each other from the hood. 
     The loading assembly can also include a driven winch that selectively raises the hood between the raised and lowered positions. The loading assembly can also include a liquid sensor extending downward from the hood that is adapted to determine when the molten sulfur reaches a predetermined level within the tanker. 
     A method for loading molten sulfur into a tanker includes the step of providing an extendable loader having a feed passage. The extendable loader is movable by a remotely controlled winch between a retracted position and an extended position. The method then includes positioning a tanker beneath the extendable loader for receiving a molten sulfur. The feed passage is extended to the extended position so that least a portion thereof is inside the tanker. The molten sulfur is conveyed into the tanker from a sulfur source through a stationary feed line in fluid communication with the feed passage. The feed passage is retracted to the retracted position. The tanker is moved from beneath the extendable loader. 
     The method can also include the step of providing a ventilation passage in fluid communication with the interior of the tanker when the extendable loader is in its extended position. The fumes emanating from the molten sulfur within the tanker are then collected with the ventilation passage. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a schematic view of a movable tanker positioned beneath a sulfur loading assembly constructed in accordance with the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a schematic sectional view of the movable tanker and the sulfur loading assembly of  FIG. 1  when viewed along line  2 - 2 , with the sulfur loading assembly in its lowered positioned. 
         FIG. 3  is a schematic sectional view of the movable tanker and the sulfur loading assembly of  FIG. 1  when viewed along line  2 - 2 , with the sulfur loading assembly in its raised positioned. 
         FIG. 4  is a schematic sectional view of an alternative embodiment of the sulfur loading assembly shown in  FIG. 1 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , a movable tanker  11  is illustrated below a sulfur loading assembly  13 . Movable tanker  11  is preferably supported on a chassis and wheel assembly allowing movable tanker  11  to be moved into position for receiving a load from sulfur loading assembly  13 . As will readily be appreciated by those skilled in the art, although tanker  11  is illustrated as a railroad tanker, movable tanker  11  can also be a tanker that is towed behind a vehicle such as an eighteen wheeler. 
     An opening  15  is preferably formed on an upper surface of movable tanker  11  for receiving a load from loading assembly  13 . In the preferred embodiment, opening  15  is positioned beneath loading assembly  13  for receiving a payload into tanker  11 . An opening guard G is formed around opening  15  on an upper surface of tanker  11 . 
     Loading assembly  13  includes a feed line  19  for supplying a supply of product from a product source S. Loading assembly  13  also preferably includes a ventilation line  21  that is in fluid communication with a ventilation system V. Ventilation line  21  preferably receives fumes from tanker  11  during the loading process of the supply into tanker  11 . Ventilation line  21  communicates fumes from tanker  11  and conveys the fumes to the ventilation system V so that the fumes are either collected for disposal or recirculated within other processing equipment. 
     In the preferred embodiment, source S provides a supply of molten sulfur to tanker  11 . When molten sulfur is the product being supplied, ventilation line  21  preferably carries the sulfur fumes to a ventilation system V so that fumes are collected for disposal or recirculated to source S. 
     Loading assembly  13  preferably includes an extendable loader  23  that selectively moves between raised and lowered positions ( FIGS. 2 and 3 ). A winch  25 , which can be motor driven or pneumatically driven, is connected to extendable loader  23  via a control line  27  to raise and lower extendable loader  23  between its raised and lowered positions. A support structure  17  preferably supports feed and ventilation lines  19 ,  21  as well as winch  25  and extendable loader  23 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 2 and 3 , a controller  29  is positioned in communication, such as pneumatic or electrical, with control line  27  adjacent a platform  31 . As will be readily appreciated by those skilled in the art, an operator can operate winch  25  with controller  29  from a position spaced-apart from tanker  11  and loading assembly  13  when standing upon platform  31 . 
     Extendable loader  23  includes a hood  33  that is raised and lowered relative to support structure  17 . Hood  33  covers and encloses opening  15  of tanker  11 . Hood  33  helps in the collection of fumes F being collected through ventilation line  21  during the loading process. A support mount  35  is connected to hood  33 . A support line  37  connects to support mount  35  and extends upward to winch  25 . Support line  37  can be a cable, a chain, or any suitable line for lifting and lowering extendable loader  23  with winch  25 . 
     Hood assembly  33  also preferably includes an inlet opening  39  and an outlet opening  41 . Inlet opening  39  is in fluid communication with source S for receiving liquid L from source S through feed line  19 , and outlet opening  41  is in fluid communication with ventilation line  21  for transferring fumes F from tanker  11  during the loading process. As will be readily appreciated by those skilled in the art, during the loading process, liquid L is transferred through feed line  19 , and inlet opening  39  into tanker  11  where liquid L accumulates in a lower portion of tanker  11 . 
     Extendable loader  23  includes a supply telescoping conduit  43  that connects to hood  33  at inlet opening  39 . Extendable loader  23  also preferably includes a vent telescoping conduit  45  connecting to hood  33  at outlet opening  41 . As best illustrated in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , telescoping conduits  43  and  45  allow extendable loader  23  to be raised and lowered between the lowered or extended position shown in  FIG. 2  and the raised or retracted position shown in  FIG. 3 . 
     Supply telescoping conduit  43  preferably includes a supply inner conduit  47  and a supply outer conduit  49 . Supply outer conduit  49  preferably slides up and down relative to supply inner conduit  47 . Supply inner conduit  47  rigidly connects to feed line  19  in a manner such that supply inner conduit  47  does not move up and down relative to support structure  17 . 
     As will be readily appreciated by those skilled in the art, when extendable loader  23  is moved between its upper and lower positions, supply inner conduit  47  remains stationary relative to support structure  17  and winch  25 , while supply outer conduit  49  moves with hood  33 . Similarly, vent telescoping conduit  45  also includes vent inner conduit  51  and vent outer conduit  53 . Vent inner conduit  51  connects to ventilation line  21  in a manner such that vent inner conduit  51  does not move relative to support structure  17  when extendable loader  23  is moved between its raised and lowered positions. Vent outer conduit  53  preferably slides telescopingly relative to vent inner conduit  51  when winch  25  raises and lowers hood  33 . 
     Supply outer conduit  49  preferably extends below hood  33  so that supply outer conduit  49  extends below opening  15  when extendable loader  23  is in its lowered position relative to support structure  17 . With supply outer conduit  49  positioned below opening  15 , liquid L advantageously flows into tanker  11  without as much liquid spilling due to missing opening  15 . 
     Extendable loader  23  preferably includes a sensor  55  extending below hood  33  adjacent supply outer conduit  49 . Sensor  55  preferably extends below hood  33  into tanker  11  through opening  15  such that sensor  55  detects when fluid L reaches a predetermined level within tanker  11 . A sensor line  57  is in communication with sensor  55  and extends upward to support structure  17 . Sensor line  57  is preferably in electrical communication with control line  27  so that a predetermined signal can be communicated to a level control valve (LCV)  18  when fluid level L reaches a predetermined level within tanker  11  to alert the operator of the fluid level L within tanker  11  during the product transfer process. The predetermined signal can be communicated to LCV  18 , for automatically stopping flow from source S, and to activate a siren for recognition by the operator. The operator can manually stop flow if necessary. 
     In operation, an empty tanker  11  is positioned underneath support structure  17  such that opening  15  is located below loading assembly  13 . While standing upon platform  31  an operator uses controller  29  to lower extendable loader  23  from its raised position shown in  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 3  to its lowered position shown in  FIG. 2 . While using controller  29  to control the position of extendable loader  23  relative to support structure  17 , controller  29  conveys electrical or pneumatic signals to winch  25  to engage winch  25  for lowering hood  33  into position on opening  15 . Liquid L is transferred from source S through feed line  19  into supply inner conduit  47  and through supply outer conduit  49  into tanker  11 . Liquid L is transferred from source S after opening a manual valve upstream of LCV  18 , and operating LCV  18  via a pneumatic button control valve of LCV  18 . The signal to LCV  18  is electrical. As liquid L accumulates within tanker  11 , the level of liquid within tanker  11  begins to rise toward supply outer conduit  49  and sensor  55 . When liquid level L reaches sensor  55 , an electrical signal is communicated through sensor line  57  and control line  27  to LCV  18  and controller  29  on platform  31 . Preferably, LCV  18  will automatically cease the conveyance of liquid L from source S. However, the operator who is standing on platform  31  can also cease the conveyance of liquid L from source S with a push button controller to actuate LCV  18 , or through a manual valve  60  positioned upstream of LCV  18 . 
     While liquid L is accumulating within tanker  11 , fumes F are communicated through opening  15  into vent outer conduit  53 . Hood  33  helps to guide films F into vent outer conduit  53 . Fumes F convey through vent outer conduit  53  into vent inner conduit  51  and on to ventilation line  21  for disposal as predetermined by the operator. 
     Upon turning off the supply of liquid from source S when liquid level L reaches the predetermined level within tanker  11 , the operator uses controller  29  to activate winch  25  in order to raise hood  33  of extendable loader  23  relative to opening  15 . When extendable loader  23  is in its raised position as shown in  FIG. 3 , the operator can move tanker  11  away from loading assembly  13 . As will be readily appreciated by those skilled in the art, the operator has been able to control the loading process of the liquid L from source S without having to manually position the feed lines and ventilation lines relative to opening  15  as had been done in the past. Loading assembly  13  advantageously provides the operator with a safe process by which to load liquid L into tanker  11  from source S without being exposed to as many fumes F and the possibility of tripping over guard G while trying to position loading assembly  23  into position relative to opening  15 . 
     Loading assembly  13  eliminates the use of flexible hoses and swiveling joints that need replacement due to the corrosiveness and the heat of molten sulfur. Having stationary supply and vent inner conduits  47 ,  51  allows the operator to select metals such as stainless steel, or coatings on the interior surfaces that are more resistant to corrosion under heat. The operator can also select metals such as stainless steel, or coating on the surfaces of supply and vent outer conduits  49 ,  53  and hood  33  that are exposed to the molten sulfur and its fumes. 
     Referring to  FIG. 4 , an alternative embodiment of loading assembly  13 ′ is shown. In the alternative embodiment shown in  FIG. 4 , a heating jacket  71  surrounds a portion of feed line  19 ′ and supply inner conduit  47 ′. Heating jacket  71  preferably conveys a heating liquid H while liquid L is conveyed from source S to supply inner conduit  47 ′. Heating liquid H carried within heating jacket  71  advantageously helps to maintain the temperature of liquid L being carried within feed line  19 ′ so that liquid L does not decrease to a temperature such that it would change phases. A seal  73  is positioned between heating jacket  71  and supply inner conduit  47 ′ so that heating liquid H can be guided to a recovery collector R. As will be readily appreciated by those skilled in the art, heating liquid H can be a substance such as steam for maintaining of temperature of liquid L above its temperature upon which liquid L would change phases to a solid. Heating jacket  71  can also be utilized around ventilation line  21 ′. 
     In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 4 , a plurality of metal plates  75  are preferably mounted to the exterior of a lower portion of supply inner conduit  47 ′. Metal plate  75  helped to reduce the amount of liquid L that can splash up to the inner phase of supply inner conduit  47 ′ and supply outer conduit  49 ′. In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 4 , a seal  77  is positioned above metal plate  75 . An annular cover  79  is formed on an upper portion of supply outer conduit  49 ′. Annular cover  79  preferably extends radially inward relative to supply outer conduit  49 ′ toward the outer surface of inner conduit  47 . Annular cover  79  preferably engages seal  77  when extendable loader  23 ′ is in its lowered position. As will be readily appreciated by those skilled in the art, metal plates  75  also help to reduce the contact that seal  77  has with liquid L as liquid L is being conveyed into tanker  11 ′. In the preferred embodiment, seal  77  comprises a rubberized material. In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 4 , seal  77  and metal plate  75  are also positioned around vent inner conduit  51 ′ to engage in annular cover  79  extending radially inward from vent outer conduit  53 . Seal  77  also helps to reduce the amount of fumes F escaping loading assembly  13 ′ around the physical interface of vent inner conduit and vent outer conduit  51 ′,  53 ′ so that fumes F are conveyed in the desired manner through vent outer conduit  53 ′ and to vent inner conduit  51 ′ so that fumes are properly carried to ventilation line  21 ′ where fumes F can be disposed of in a predetermined manner. 
     Hoses, sensors, and sensor cables get damaged due to the movement of the prior art assemblies, as well as due to the heat and chemicals these parts interact with during operation. Such damages disable the level control and vacuum systems necessary for the safety of the operator. Loading assembly  13  helps to reduce such damage and also creates an environment where the operator is farther away from the heat and fumes from the molten sulfur. 
     The description and figures are merely illustrative of various embodiments. While the invention has been shown in only some of its forms, it should be apparent to those skilled in the art that it is not so limited, but is susceptible to various changes without departing from the scope of the invention.