Abstract:
A vapor evacuating device that enables product offloaders to quickly, easily, and safely offload chemicals and the associated vapors from vessels with minimal environmental impact and inconvenience by combining vapors from a tanker vehicle with an evacuation fluid, such as water, in order to yield a solution that is easily and safely disposed.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    The present invention relates to the evacuation of hazardous and/or harmful vapors from a tanker vehicle. These vapors are typically vented into the atmosphere where they can cause environmental problems, or stored in the tanker vehicle where they can pose a danger, especially if they are flammable and/or volatile.  
         OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    One object of the invention is to provide a vapor evacuation device that can evacuate vapors from tanker vehicles.  
           [0003]    Another object of this invention is to provide a vapor evacuation device which combines harmful vapors into an easily disposable liquid and/or air stream.  
           [0004]    Still another object of the invention is to provide a vapor evacuation device which is portable.  
           [0005]    Other objects and advantages of this invention shall become apparent from the ensuing descriptions of the invention.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0006]    According to the present invention, the vapor evacuation device comprises at least one fluid line which can have a pump configured to draw a water and/or air mixture which is combined with vapors vacuumed from a tank via another inlet, yielding a solution that can then be disposed as a liquid. Vacuum at the inlet is created by the flowing of the water or air/water mixture past the inlet. The reduced pressure of the moving liquid causes a pressure differential with the higher pressure within the tank, and thus the vapors migrate into the vapor evacuation assembly, are mixed with the fluid, and can then be disposed. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0007]    The accompanying drawings illustrate an embodiment of this invention. However, it is to be understood that this embodiment is intended to be neither exhaustive, nor limiting of the invention. They are but examples of some of the forms in which the invention may be practiced.  
         [0008]    [0008]FIG. 1 shows a diametrical longitudinal cross section of an exemplary embodiment of a vapor evacuation device.  
         [0009]    [0009]FIG. 2 shows a diametrical longitudinal cross section of another exemplary embodiment of a vapor evacuation device.  
         [0010]    [0010]FIG. 3A shows an elevational view of a vapor evacuation device configured as part of a tanker truck.  
         [0011]    [0011]FIG. 3B shows an elevational view of a vapor evacuation device configured as a standalone trailer and in use with a rail tanker car.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS  
       [0012]    Without any intent to limit the scope of this invention, reference is made to the figures in describing the various embodiments of the invention. Referring to FIGS. 1, 2 and  3 , a vapor evacuation system  200  comprising:  
         [0013]    1. A vapor containing vessel  201 , which would contain gaseous or liquid chemicals or other products which will often leave vaporous residue in vessel  201  when evacuated;  
         [0014]    2. A chassis  202  which may have wheels, skids, rails, tracks or any other mobility-creating device, the purpose of which is to enable the vessel to be moved around. Examples of such a chassis could be a trailer, a cart, a rail car, a sled or any similar device. The chassis might also be self-propelled, such as with a motor, sails or any method of locomotion. Examples of such a chassis would be a truck, a car, a locomotive, a van, or other vehicle. Alternately, the chassis can be buoyant, making a barge, boat or other seagoing vessel into a mobile, flotational vapor evacuation system  200 ; and  
         [0015]    3. A vapor evacuation device  100  is provided for the removal of the vapors from vessel  201 . An embodiment of such a vapor evacuation device  100  is illustrated in FIG. 1, comprising an outer housing  101  which may be used to protect and to conceal the inner workings of the device. In one embodiment, a fluid passageway  117  may consist of a first aperture  110  in which air Δ and/or water β will be introduced into fluid passageway  117  creating a mixture φ. A second aperture  112  will be located downstream of said first aperture  110  and may be connected to a wastewater line or other such disposal outlet. A third aperture  107  is connected to a vapor source, for example, the vapor vent of a tanker truck or other vessel  201 .  
         [0016]    Operation may be achieved in multiple ways, one of which can be to feed a fluid comprised of air Δ or water β, or some mixture thereof, into first aperture  110  to cause a vacuum at third aperture  107  which, in turn, draws vapors a out of vessel  201  and into fluid passageway  117  where vapors are combined with the air/water mixture φ to create a disposable vapor and air/water mixture λ. This effect is explained by the Bernoulli principle, which describes the phenomenon that when the flow rate of a fluid increases, the pressure within that fluid decreases. The net effect of a lower pressure within the fluid and a higher pressure within vessel  201  is a vacuum at third aperture  107 , which increases proportionately to the flow rate within the vapor evacuation device. It is this pressure differential which causes vapors to flow from vessel  201  to fluid passageway  117 . Vapor and air/water mixture λ is subsequently expelled through second aperture  112  for disposal.  
         [0017]    Another method of operation can be achieved by using pump  113  to increase the flow rate of material through the fluid passageway  117  which will further lower the fluid pressure and thus increase the vacuum at third aperture  107  which draws vapors α out of the vessel  201 . This method can also be used when there is no source of air Δ present to mix with the water β at first aperture  110  which would otherwise cause accelerated flow of fluid through fluid passageway  117 . Here, pump  113  is used to increase the flow of fluid through fluid passageway  117 , rather than using air Δ, to accomplish a similar result. Air Δ can also be used with water β in conjunction with pump  113 .  
         [0018]    Another embodiment of this invention can have multiple lines, such as a first line  105  and a second line  106  as in FIG. 1, wherein basic operation is the same as described above, only with the ability to select between the two lines  105  and  106  for evacuating the vapors, which allows for the selective use of pump  113 .  
         [0019]    The progress of the moving product through the assembly can be monitored by operatively affixing a sight glass  114  in line  105  and/or  106  so that the moving product can be viewed. This is useful for confirming that product is or is not moving through the apparatus as desired. The tank may also be configured to have vents  115  so that the internal temperature can be passively regulated, or fans or other circulation devices may be provided to actively control the temperature. This may be useful to keep pump  113  at a particular operating temperature or to prevent it from overheating. Additionally, a drain  116  may be mounted in the wall of the housing to permit evacuation of condensation or other liquid inside of the assembly that may result from operation, as a build up of such liquid may cause corrosion or other problems if permitted to accumulate.  
         [0020]    Although only a few exemplary embodiments of this invention have been described in detail above, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that many modifications are possible in the exemplary embodiments without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of this invention. Accordingly, all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of this invention as defined in the following claims.