Abstract:
The invention relates to a floating suction device for a pump wherein the pickup point for the pump suction can be adjusted to various elevations. An aeration feature may be combined with the floating suction device to sparge compressed gas into an oil/hydrocarbon layer to promote movement of hydrocarbons from that layer into a topmost hydrocarbon rich layer for ultimate pumping through the floating suction device.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The field of this invention relates to floating pump suction lines which allow for withdrawal of fluid from a preselected elevation. These devices are especially useful in applications involving layers of fluids having different densities. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     In the past, hydrocarbon processing industries have employed collection ponds, pits or tanks for various in-process fluids or waste streams. Many of these storage facilities for such fluids included fluids of varying densities where discreet layers were formed between various fluids. In some applications, a hydrocarbon layer would be found present above an aqueous layer. In other applications, the aqueous layer would contain hydrocarbons. 
     In the past, when it has been desired to remove the hydrocarbon rich layer floating on the top of a storage container floating suction lines have been used. The floating suction line usually comprised of a hose with a plurality of floatation devices tied directly to the hose. The open end of the hose would thus be suspended adjacent the top liquid level of the hydrocarbon layer. These floating suction lines could not be adapted to withdraw fluids at points other than the top most liquid level in the hydrocarbon layer. 
     It is an object of this invention to provide a floating suction line mechanism wherein fluids may be extracted at preselected and predetermined depths below the top most liquid surface. 
     It is a further object of this invention to combine the adjustable inlet feature with an aeration feature. The aeration feature would be useful for blowing compressed gas in an oil-water layer below a top most oil layer to assist hydrocarbon materials to float upwardly from the oil/water layer into the oil layer for ultimate withdrawal into a pump suction line. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention relates to a floating suction device for a pump wherein the pickup point for the pump suction can be adjusted to various elevations. An aeration feature may be combined with the floating suction device to sparge compressed gas into an oil/hydrocarbon layer to promote movement of hydrocarbons from that layer into a topmost hydrocarbon rich layer for ultimate pumping through the floating suction device. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is an elevational view of the apparatus of the present invention showing the adjustable floating suction line; 
     FIG. 2 is an elevational view of the apparatus with the suction line arranged in an alternative position; 
     FIG. 3 is an elevational view of the apparatus as shown in FIG. 1 but with the aeration feature added. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     The apparatus A of the present invention is illustrated in FIG. 1. Frame F is suspended below the level of liquid L. Liquid L is formed of two layers 10 and 12. Layer 10 has a lighter density than layer 12 and is predominantly a hydrocarbon material. Layer 12 is disposed below layer 10 and is predominantly an aqueous layer. In certain applications, layer 12 can contain as much as fifty percent hydrocarbons. 
     Frame F is preferably constructed of a lightweight material such as polyvinylchloride and is preferably in a disc shape. A plurality of floats 14 are assembled to frame F. Floats 14 are connected to frame F via mounting members 16. It is preferred to provide additional stability to frame F to have mounting members 16 angularly disposed (FIGS. 1-2) with respect to frame F so as to position floats 14 beyond the periphery of frame F. Frame F includes a mounting fitting 18 connected therethrough. 10 An intake standpipe 20 is adapted to extend through mounting fitting 18 and be connected thereto via clamp 22. 
     Intake Standpipe 20 has a first connection 24 onto which, a strainer 26 can be optionally attached. At the opposite end of standpipe 20, a second connection 28 is provided for purposes of hooking up a suction line to a pump (not shown). 
     When used without an aeration device E (FIG. 3), standpipe 20 merely contains a 90° elbow at its lower end as opposed o the T shown in FIG. 3. Thus, when used without the aeration device E, the apparatus A can be assembled in a manner shown in FIG. 1 where strainer 26 and thus the intake point is disposed above frame F adjacent to floats 14. Alternatively, strainer 26 may be removed and standpipe 20 inserted into mounting fitting 18 in a direction from above to below frame F. In installing standpipe 20 in the manner described in the previous sentence, the strainer 26 is then reconnected to the standpipe 20 and can be disposed below frame F (FIG. 2) such that the intake is below frame F. Thus the rangeability of the actual pickup location for the apparatus A is increased by the possibilities of mounting standpipe 20 to frame F with first connection 24 disposed either above frame F and adjacent floats 14 (Fib. 1) or below frame F (FIG. 2). Furthermore, by slackening clamp 22 standpipe 20 can be moved with respect to frame F to further adjust the position of first connection 24. 
     The depth of support of frame F can also be varied by virtue of using mounting members 16 which have telescoping elements therein. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, mounting members 16 can be of a nested tube telescoping design to allow for extension or reduction of their overall length as desired. Another feature on the floats 14 are bumpers 30 which are mounted to the periphery of each float. Bumpers 30 are annular rings of a resilient material compatible with the liquid L found in layers 10 or 12. The bumpers 30 are placed on each float 14 for use in enclosures where there may be significant movement of the apparatus A. Therefore to avoid damage to floats 14, bumpers 30 are installed to absorb shocks upon contact with the vessel or other enclosure wall (not shown). 
     Optionally, in situations where layer 12 has entrained hydrocarbons, it may be desirable to add the aeration device E to standpipe 20. Alternately aeration device E can be used in isolation. The aeration device allows bubbling of compressed gas in layer 12 which clings to the immiscible hydrocarbon particles. Aeration device E also acts as a clarifier due to the attraction between the vapor bubbles and colloidal suspensions. The bubbles then rise through layer 12 with the hydrocarbons clinging thereto until the bubbles enter layer 10. The apparatus A then removes the hydrocarbons from layer 10 via first connection 24 (FIG. 1). In order to employ the aeration device E, an extension segment 32 is connected to standpipe 20. A clamp 48 secures extension segment 32 to mounting member 38. This is shown in FIG. 3 with extension segment 32 connected to a T section 34. 
     Aeration device E comprises a sparge plate 36 connected to a mounting member 38. A plurality of nozzles 40 are mounted through sparge plate 36. A manifold 42 is connected to each nozzle 40 by a series of hoses 44. 
     The manifold 42 has an inlet connection 46. Inlet connection 46 is hooked up to a source of compressed gas (not shown). In applications where extension segment 32 is a pipe in fluid communication with second connection 28, a plug 50 is employed for isolation of connection 28 from connection 46. The length of segment 32 can be varied depending on the application. 
     Rope 52 can be connected to frame F to facilitate retrieval of the apparatus. 
     The foregoing disclosure and description of the invention are illustrative and explanatory thereof, and various changes in the size, shape and materials, as well as in the details of the illustrated construction may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention.