Abstract:
A vacuum vapor liquid recovery system employs a strong vacuum vessel that can withstand vacuums without damage. The vacuum vessel may be portable and configured to accept an inflow drain line for receiving waste liquid/vapors from a processing system. Additionally, at least one outflow drain line is attached to the vacuum vessel to which a vacuum truck or other similar recovery equipment can be connected in order to pump out whatever liquids/vapors have been drained into the vacuum vapor liquid recovery system. Additional features can include wheels to assist in moving and positioning the vacuum vapor liquid recovery system, tow bar, transport handles, support legs, sight port, a wash out connector, a vacuum relief, etc.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/931,824 entitled VACUUM VAPOR LIQUID RECOVER SYSTEM and filed on Jan. 12, 2015, which is specifically incorporated by reference herein for all that it discloses and teaches. 
     
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0002]    The present invention relates generally to the field of hydrocarbon and fuels production; more specifically, to the field of maintaining and cleaning equipment and systems for processing hydrocarbons and fuels; and more particularly still, to a vacuum vapor liquid recovery system. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    Large industrial complexes are utilized to process raw hydrocarbons in order to produce the fuels and related materials that our complex economy relies upon to move goods, run factories, heat homes, transport food, keep machinery operating smoothly, and otherwise allow our modern lives to continue. In particular, oil and gas plants/refineries are often large, complex facilities with huge storage and processing tanks, miles of pipelines, and untold numbers of towers, valves, pipes, and related equipment that make up the systems. Many of these structures must be periodically drained, cleaned and maintained. 
         [0004]    Currently, low-points in such systems often contain drain valves which can be opened to flush out residue liquids, vapors, etc. (collectively, “refuse”) that remain after the primary materials have been removed from the system(s). Catch basins, tubs, open-air tanks, etc. are often placed under such drain valves in order to catch some portion of this refuse and a vacuum truck is then used to suck up what materials flow into these basins. However, since much of the refuse is gaseous vapor or volatile liquids, the vacuum truck is left only what liquids haven&#39;t evaporated into the environment. Hooking the vacuum truck directly to the system is often impossible; and, when possible, it can be unwise to do so, as the vacuum the truck employs can damage the sometimes fragile equipment in the systems. 
         [0005]    What is needed is a piece of portable equipment that can be easily relocated between drain sites and allows for the capture of both liquids and gases/vapors directly from the systems. Such a device should be capable of containing both liquids and vapors, must be able to withstand the vacuum from the vacuum truck, and should have safety valve(s) to release and handle varying vacuums so that the system that is being drained is protected therefrom. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0006]    A vacuum vapor liquid recovery system employs a strong vacuum vessel or tank that can withstand vacuums without damage. The vacuum vessel may be portable and configured to accept a plurality of inflow drain lines for receiving waste liquid/vapors from a processing system. Additionally, at least one primary outflow drain line is attached to the vacuum vessel to which a vacuum truck or other similar recovery equipment can be connected in order to pump out whatever liquids/vapors have been drained into the vacuum vapor liquid recovery system. Additional features can include wheels to assist in moving and positioning the vacuum vapor liquid recovery system, tow bar, transport handles, support legs, sight port, a wash out connector, a vacuum relief, etc. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0007]      FIG. 1  illustrates a left side elevation view of an exemplary embodiment of a vacuum vapor liquid recovery system; 
           [0008]      FIG. 2  illustrates a top plan view of an exemplary embodiment of a vacuum vapor liquid recovery system; 
           [0009]      FIG. 3A  illustrates a left side elevation view of another exemplary embodiment of a vacuum vapor liquid recovery system utilizing transport handles and support legs; 
           [0010]      FIG. 3B  illustrates a left side elevation view of yet another exemplary embodiment of a vacuum vapor liquid recovery system utilizing transport handles and support legs; 
           [0011]      FIG. 4  illustrates a side elevation view of an exemplary embodiment of a vacuum vapor liquid recovery system placed in an environment in which it could be employed; and 
           [0012]      FIG. 5  illustrates a left side elevation view of two exemplary tow bar devices which can be employed in the system to facilitate the powered relocation of the vacuum vapor liquid recovery system. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0013]    In the following discussion, numerous specific details are set forth to provide a thorough understanding of the present disclosure. However, those skilled in the art will appreciate that embodiments may be practiced without such specific details. Furthermore, lists and/or examples are often provided and should be interpreted as exemplary only and in no way limiting embodiments to only those examples. Similarly, in this disclosure, language such as “could, should, may, might, must, have to, can, would, need to, is, is not”, etc. and all such similar language shall be considered interchangeable whenever possible such that the scope of the invention is not unduly limited. For example, a comment such as: “item X is used” can be interpreted to read “item X can be used”. 
         [0014]    Exemplary embodiments are described below in the accompanying Figures. The following detailed description provides a comprehensive review of the drawing Figures in order to provide a thorough understanding of, and an enabling description for, these embodiments. One having ordinary skill in the art will understand that in some cases well-known structures and functions have not been shown or described in detail to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the description of the embodiments. 
         [0015]    Referring now to the drawings,  FIG. 1  illustrates a left side elevation view of an exemplary embodiment of a vacuum vapor liquid recovery system  10 . The primary components illustrated in  FIG. 1  include a vacuum vessel device  400 , a vacuum vessel top portion  410 , a vacuum vessel bottom portion  420 , a sight port  430 , a vacuum relief valve  440 , a plurality of inflow drain line ports  450 , a washout connector  460 , at least one primary outflow drain line  50 , a front wheel  20 , a plurality of rear wheels  30 , and a frontal support and repositioning structure  300 . 
         [0016]    In the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the vacuum vessel device  400  is shown comprising a vacuum vessel top portion  410  and a vacuum vessel bottom portion  420 . In another embodiment, the vacuum vessel device  400  could be constructed as a single component. In yet another embodiment, the vacuum vessel device  400  could be constructed from multiple sub-components. In any case, the vacuum vessel device  400  is adapted to receive inflowing vapors/liquids and store them until they are drained away via the outflow drain line  50 . The vacuum vessel device  400  can be constructed from any sufficiently strong material that can withstand the various pressures associated with having a vacuum applied thereto as well as the sometimes volatile, caustic, and otherwise reactive properties of the gases/liquids to be held therein. In one embodiment, stainless steel is used to form a curved tank having a low point to which any liquids held therein would naturally flow due to gravity. 
         [0017]    The vacuum vessel device  400  comprises a plurality of inflow drain line ports  450  that are attached to the vacuum vessel device  400 . In one embodiment, at least one of the plurality of inflow drain line ports  450  extends upwards from a top surface of the vacuum vessel device  400 . The plurality of inflow drain line ports  450  are adapted to releasably attach to incoming drain lines so as to receive therethrough the last remaining liquids/vapors from a system. 
         [0018]    An outflow drain line  50  can be attached at the low point  51  on the vacuum vessel device  400 . The outflow drain line  50  has a plurality of attachments  58  that allow it to be connected to a vacuum truck or similar gas/vapor pumping device. In one embodiment the outflow drain line  50  extends outwards and slightly downwards from the vacuum vessel device  400  so that no pooling locations are created therein. In another embodiment one or more additional outflow drain lines  50  are incorporated into the vacuum vapor liquid recovery system. 
         [0019]    A sight port  430  can be incorporated into the vacuum vessel device  400 . The sight port  430  provides a means for a person to visually inspect the interior of the vacuum vessel device  400 . There are many reasons why this can be desirable, including: determining if anything is entering the vacuum vessel device  400 , determining if materials are exiting, determining the amount of materials in the vacuum vessel device  400 , etc. The sight port  430  can be built with glass, plastic, or any other suitably strong and sufficiently transparent material(s). 
         [0020]    A vacuum relief valve  440  can also be attached to the vacuum vessel device  400 . The vacuum relief valve  440  can serve to automatically relieve a vacuum at a certain level (or maintain it at that level), say at three inches of mercury, for example. In other embodiments other levels of vacuum relief valves  440  are contemplated. In yet another embodiment, a user-selectable, variable-setting vacuum relief valve  440  can be employed. 
         [0021]    In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 , the vacuum relief valve  440  can be a valve that is opened and closed by a ball with a spring. When no vacuum is present, the spring keeps the ball tightly against the seal, effectively closing the valve. However, when a sufficiently strong vacuum is applied, the ball is pushed away from the seal, the spring is actuated and outside air flows through the valve and into the system  10 . In another embodiment, a ball check valve can be used. A ball check valve can be placed in an open position to allow forward flow and in a closed position to block reverse flow. A ball check valve is a check valve in which the closing member, the movable part to block the flow, can be a spherical ball. In some ball check valves, the ball is spring-loaded to help keep it shut. For those designs without a spring, reverse flow is used to move the ball toward the seat and create a seal. The interior surface of the main seats of ball check valves are more or less conically-tapered to guide the ball into the seat and form a positive seal when stopping reverse flow. 
         [0022]    In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 , a washout connector  460  is incorporated into the vacuum vessel device  400 . The washout connector  460  is adapted to provide for the attachment of a washout device to the vacuum vessel device  400 . The washout device can spray water, chemicals, cleaners, air, etc. into the vacuum vessel device  400  in order to washout or clean the interior thereof. 
         [0023]    The vacuum vapor liquid recovery system  10  illustrated in  FIG. 1  includes a front wheel  20  and a plurality of rear wheels  30 . The front wheel is mounted within a frontal support and repositioning structure  300  in the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 . In another embodiment, the front wheel  20  may be replaced by one or more support legs (see  FIGS. 3A and 3B ). In yet another embodiment, the front wheel  20  may comprise two or more front wheels. One or more transport handles can be attached to the vacuum vessel device. 
         [0024]    The frontal support and repositioning structure  300  illustrated in  FIG. 1  comprises a set of components which allows a user to move and position the vacuum vapor liquid recover system  10  and which supports the vacuum vessel device  400  in a usable orientation. The pull handle  310  attaches to the distal end of the handle collar  320 . A handle stand  322  can extend from the handle collar  320 , the stand  322  can be adapted to hold the handle off of the ground when the pull handle  310  is set down by the user of the system. This allows the pull handle  310  to be easily and quickly grasped when needed rather than attempting to retrieve it from the dirt, mud, or other debris. In another embodiment, a simple transport handle is used in place of the handle collar, handle stand and pull handle. 
         [0025]    Extending from the proximal end of the handle collar is a handle neck  326 . The handle neck  326  extends to the wheel fork  340  which surrounds the front wheel  20  and attaches the handle components to the wheel  20 . In an alternate embodiment, the wheel fork  340  utilizes a single arm on one side of the wheel  20  rather than the more common two-arm fork extending on either side of the wheel  20 . In another embodiment the handle neck, handle collar, handle stand, etc. can be replaced by a simple handle attached to the wheel fork  340 . 
         [0026]    The wheel fork  340  attaches to an axle of the front wheel  20 , allowing the wheel to roll freely as needed and yet provide the user with the leverage to rotate the orientation of the front wheel  20  via the mounting member  350 . The mounting member  350  can similarly comprise a one or two arm fork which rotatably mounts the front wheel  20  to the mounting support  360 . The mounting member  350  is free to rotate within the mounting support  360  such that the front wheel can be oriented in any direction as desired by the user. A lock cap  355  secures the mounting member  350  to the mounting support  360 . 
         [0027]    The mounting support  360  is attached to a front portion of the vacuum vessel device  400 . The mounting support  360  supports the front of the vacuum vessel device  400  and keeps it oriented correctly such that the low point  51  of the vacuum vessel device  400  remains the low point as the system  10  is repositioned. A handle rest support  370  can be attached to the mounting support  360 . The handle rest support  370  provides a structure against which the handle can be rested when not in use. The handle rest support  370  can also incorporate a handle retention device  380  which can comprise a simple flexible grasping clamp which receives within it the handle and securely holds it in place until swung out therefrom by the user. Other types of handle retention means can be utilized in the handle retention device  380 , including magnets, springs, etc. 
         [0028]    The rear support and repositioning structure  700  illustrated in  FIG. 1  comprises a set of components which allows a user to move and position the vacuum vapor liquid recover system  10  and which supports the vacuum vessel device  400  in a usable orientation. In  FIG. 1 , the only component of a rear support and repositioning structure  700  that is visible is the rear wheel  30 . See  FIG. 2  for an embodiment with two rear wheels  30  and  35 . In other embodiments, the rear support and repositioning structure  700  can comprise one or more transport handles (see  FIG. 3A , transport handle  495 ) and one or more wheels  30 . In yet another embodiment, the rear support and repositioning structure  700  can comprise a plurality of transport handles  495  and a plurality of support legs  27  (see  FIG. 3A ). 
         [0029]    The pull handle  310  attaches to the distal end of the handle collar  320 . A handle stand  322  can extend from the handle collar  320 , the stand  322  can be adapted to hold the handle off of the ground when the pull handle  310  is set down by the user of the system. This allows the pull handle  310  to be easily and quickly grasped when needed rather than attempting to retrieve it from the dirt, mud, or other debris. In another embodiment, a simple handle is used in place of the handle collar, handle stand and pull handle. 
         [0030]    In order to employ the vacuum vapor liquid recovery system  10 , a user manipulates the frontal support and repositioning structure  300  in order to reposition the system  10  in proximity to one or more drain pipes. The user then attaches one or more drain hoses to the plurality of inflow drain line ports  450  on the system  10  and opens the valves to let material flow down the drain hoses and into the system  10 . A vacuum truck or similar recovery equipment can be connected to the plurality of attachments  58  on the outflow drain line  50  in order to induce a vacuum within the system  10  and assist the flow of materials down the drain hoses and into the system  10 . Once the drain pipes are emptied, the valves on the drain hoses/pipes can be closed, the drain hoses can be disconnected from the plurality of inflow drain line ports  450  and the vacuum vessel device  400  can be completely emptied into the vacuum truck. The user then again manipulates the frontal support and repositioning structure  300  in order to reposition the system  10  into storage or into position for its next use. 
         [0031]      FIG. 2  illustrates a top plan view of an exemplary embodiment of a vacuum vapor liquid recovery system  10 . The vacuum vessel device  400  is illustrated as are the components of one embodiment of the frontal support and repositioning structure  300  and the rear wheels  30  and  35 . 
         [0032]    The sight port  430  is seen from above such that the viewing port  436  itself is visible. The viewing port  436  comprises the glass, plastic or similarly transparent material which allows the user to view the interior of the vacuum vessel device  400  and any contents therein. Since the viewing port  436  can be transparent, the interior cavity inside the vacuum vessel device  400  is visible. In other embodiments, non-transparent viewing ports  436  are contemplated, including translucent and opaque. Surrounding the viewing port  436  is a plurality of port attachment means  432 . in the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the port attachment means  432  comprise a plurality of bolts that secure the sight port  430  to the vacuum vessel device  400 . 
         [0033]    A portion of the outflow drain line  50  is shown extending from the rear of the system  10 . The plurality of attachments  58  is illustrated as is the shut-off valve  56 . As discussed above, the plurality of attachments  58  is adapted to allow the system  10  to be connected to a vacuum truck or other gas/vapor pumping/recovery devices. The shut-off valve  56  can be extremely useful as way to maintain a vacuum or partial vacuum within the system  10  as well as to ensure no liquids/vapors escape the system when not attached to the vacuum truck. Additionally, the shut-off valve  56  helps to ensure foreign bodies (rodents, insects, etc.) can not enter the system  10  unexpectedly. 
         [0034]      FIG. 3A  illustrates a left side elevation view of another exemplary embodiment of a vacuum vapor liquid recovery system  10  utilizing transport handles  493  and  495  and support legs  26 . The transport handles  493  and  495  can replace (as shown in  FIG. 3A ) or supplement the frontal support and repositioning structure  300  (see  FIGS. 1 and 2 ). Although only one support leg  26  is visible in  FIG. 3A , one or more additional support legs can be added to help maintain the stability of the vacuum vessel device  400 . Depending on the overall size of the vacuum vapor liquid recovery system  10 , one, two, or more people may be required in order to lift and reposition the system  10  using the transport handles  493  and  495 . Additionally, for particularly large and/or heavy embodiments of the system  10 , the transport handles  493  and  495  can be adapted such that a forklift, tractor, or other equipment can grasp the handles and lift/reposition the system  10 . 
         [0035]      FIG. 3B  illustrates a left side elevation view of yet another exemplary embodiment of a vacuum vapor liquid recovery system  10  utilizing transport handles  493  and  495  and support legs  26  and  27 . In the view illustrated in  FIG. 3B , support legs  26  and  27  have replaced the front and rear wheels of the embodiments illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . Although only two support legs  26  and  27  are visible in  FIG. 3B , additional support legs can be utilized in order to ensure the vacuum vessel device  400  is fully supported. 
         [0036]      FIG. 4  illustrates a side elevation view of an exemplary embodiment of a vacuum vapor liquid recovery system  10  placed in an environment in which it could be employed. Here, a process tower  600  is shown with a process tower drain hose  12  connected thereto. The drain hose  12  is connected to one of the plurality of inflow drain line ports  450  on the system  10 . A second drain hose  14  is illustrated as being connected to the system  10  and also to a low point drain for process piping  800  near the pump  700 . The vacuum truck  500  is illustrated as being attached to the outflow drain line  50  of the system  10  via an outflow drain hose  16 . When the vacuum truck  500  is activated, it draws a vacuum in the outflow drain line  50  and when the shut-off valve  56  (not visible in  FIG. 4 , see  FIG. 2 ) is opened on the drain line  50 , the vacuum extends into the vacuum vessel device  400 . Each of the plurality of inflow drain line ports  450  can also incorporate its own shut-off valve, but assuming they do not, any vacuum extending into the vacuum vessel device  400  would then automatically extend into the drain hoses  12  and  14 . Any materials/vapors/liquids existing in the process tower  600  and process piping  800  should drain through the drain hoses  12  and  14 , into the system  10 , and then into the vacuum truck  500 . If the vacuum truck exerts too large of a vacuum, then the vacuum relief valve  440  in the system  10  would activate to protect the drain hoses, process tower, process piping, pump, etc. from excess vacuum. In this way, the materials are drained from the tower, piping, etc. without evaporating or otherwise escaping into the environment as would otherwise happen when simple catch basins are employed under the drains as is done in the prior art. 
         [0037]      FIG. 5  illustrates a left side elevation view of two exemplary tow bar devices which can be employed in the system to facilitate the powered relocation of the vacuum vapor liquid recovery system  10 . This view depicts a portion of the front wheel assembly  20 , and a plurality of hitch assemblies  564  and  565 . 
         [0038]    A proximal end of the tow bar  560  attaches to the front wheel  20 . The distal end of the tow bar  560  attaches to the plurality of hitch assemblies  564  and  565 , allowing the system  10  to be towed and maneuvered by a vehicle, such as an all terrain vehicle (ATV), lawn tractor or other tractor, truck, etc. Also depicted in  FIG. 5  is an electrical connector  563  that can be used to connect lights and/or any other electrical device to the power system of the tow vehicle or any other power source. Lights, although not shown, could be attached to the rear wheel assembly, vacuum vessel device, etc. and configured in any way currently known in the art. 
         [0039]    The first hitch assembly  564  is configured with a ball hitch that attaches to a standard-type trailer ball attached to a tow vehicle. The first hitch assembly  564  can be sized to fit any of the ball sizes used in the industry. The second hitch assembly  565  is configured with a pin hitch that attaches to any trailer hitch requiring a clevis pin type connection. Other trailer/tow-equipment connections are contemplated in other embodiments. 
         [0040]    While particular embodiments have been described and disclosed in the present application, it is clear that any number of permutations, modifications, or embodiments may be made without departing from the spirit and the scope of this disclosure. 
         [0041]    Particular terminology used when describing certain features or aspects of the embodiments should not be taken to imply that the terminology is being redefined herein to be restricted to any specific characteristics, features, or aspects with which that terminology is associated. In general, the terms used in the following claims should not be construed to be limited to the specific embodiments disclosed in the specification, unless the above Detailed Description section explicitly defines such terms. Accordingly, the actual scope of the claims encompasses not only the disclosed embodiments, but also all equivalent ways of practicing or implementing the claimed subject matter. 
         [0042]    The above detailed description of the embodiments is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the disclosure to the precise embodiment or form disclosed herein or to the particular fields of usage mentioned above. While specific embodiments and examples are described above for illustrative purposes, various equivalent modifications are possible within the scope of the disclosure, as those skilled in the relevant art will recognize. Also, the teachings of the embodiments provided herein can be applied to other systems, not necessarily the system described above. The elements and acts of the various embodiments described above can be combined to provide further embodiments. 
         [0043]    Any patents, applications and other references that may be listed in accompanying or subsequent filing papers, are incorporated herein by reference. Aspects of embodiments can be modified, if necessary, to employ the systems, functions, and concepts of the various references to provide yet further embodiments. 
         [0044]    In light of the above “Detailed Description,” the Inventor may make changes to the disclosure. While the detailed description outlines possible embodiments and discloses the best mode contemplated, no matter how detailed the above appears in text, embodiments may be practiced in a myriad of ways. Thus, implementation details may vary considerably while still being encompassed by the spirit of the embodiments as disclosed by the inventor. As discussed herein, specific terminology used when describing certain features or aspects should not be taken to imply that the terminology is being redefined herein to be restricted to any specific characteristics, features, or aspects of the embodiments with which that terminology is associated. 
         [0045]    While certain aspects are presented below in certain claim forms, the inventor contemplates the various aspects in any number of claim forms. Accordingly, the inventor reserves the right to add additional claims after filing the application to pursue such additional claim forms for other aspects. 
         [0046]    The above specification, examples and data provide a description of the structure and use of exemplary implementations of the described systems, articles of manufacture and methods. It is important to note that many implementations can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.