V-bottom service tank

Abstract

The achievement and economical method of the cleanout of the service tank, providing greater safety due to the V-Shape bottom of the service tank of a hot oil unit.

Description

CROSS REF. TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] NOT APPLICABLE

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

[0002] NOT APPLICABLE

REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTING COMPACT DISK APPENDIX

[0003] NOT APPLICABLE

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0004] The V-Bottom Service Tank was designed by me, Ronald Chandler, and is an integral section of a Hot Oil Unit, which is used in the oilfield services industry, to assist in the paraffin meltdown in the well head, in order for oil to be brought to the surface. The Service Tank holds and supplies oil to the heater, which is mounted on a Truck Chassis. My business is listed as an Oil and Gas Field Equipment Manufacturer, and I manufacture hot oil units, vacuum-kill units, vacuum trucks, transport trailers, etc., to name a few. My experience in this type of business spans more than 30+ years.

[0005] My customers have been making inquiries to me regarding the cleanout phase of their service tank(s) on their hot oil unit(s), which is an integral part of the unit. I, during the design phase of the V-bottom service tank, realized it would be Necessary for this section of the service tank to be economical, functional, and easily accessible for the customer(s).

[0006] Due to the fact that all previously constructed square-style service tanks had a flat bottom, it was necessary for the customer(s), in order to clean out the inside of the service tank, to have an employee physically enter the service tank, which is oily, and thus contains fumes, which can be dangerous and unsafe. These service tanks have to be cleaned out approximately every 90-120 days, dependent upon a visual inspection. This type method of cleaning is not cost effective and is time-consuming.

[0007] I heeded my customer(s) inquiries to design a better service tank, and began working on my V-bottom style service tank, which I knew had to be cost effective for my customer(s), so as to not add any additional charges to a unit, but establish this style unit as Chandler Mfg., Inc.'s “Standard” unit.

[0008] Thus, after hours of studying, thought process, and countless drawings, I designed the V-Bottom style Service Tank.

[0009] I am hereby submitting my paperwork to apply for a patent for my invention of the V-Bottom style Service Tank.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0010] The V-Bottom Style Service Tank has several advantages over the flat bottom style or other shaped bottoms, of which I've listed below:

[0011] (1) Required entry to go inside an oily tank of a hot oil unit, (which is a confined space under OSHA regulations), will be eliminated with my V-Bottom Style Service Tank.

[0012] (2) The cleaning out process of a service tank involves flushing it out with water and pumping out the material via V-Bottom piping without ever having to enter the tank. Thus, the V-Bottom is both cost effective and time efficient.

[0013] (3) The V-Bottom will be the most economical way when compared to the other methods of draining and cleaning the service tank.

[0014] (4) Because of the ease of eliminating the waste material left in the service tank (mud, soil, and oil), the tank will have a more prolonged life span before needing replacement (customer incentive).

[0015] (5) The Safety features of the V-Bottom (non-entry), time element to clean out a service tank, the monetary savings, customer satisfaction, and promotion of my business are the main reasons for this invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DWG

[0016] (Please Refer to the DWG Section)

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0017] V-Bottom Service Tank is fabricated from carbon steel plates and supported by I or H beams, channels and angles. It is a completely fabricated and welded part of a hot oil unit.

[0018] The bottom plate of tank is V-shaped, having a 6″×10″×6″ deep sump with a drain coupling in it.

[0019] The tank is divided into six compartments by using baffles, as shown in the drawing. The baffles contain a circular hole at the center, and a cut out at the corners.

[0020] The Top of the tank has a 16″ manway and vent line, while both sides of the tank contain 16″ diameter inspection holes with a blind flange on them.

[0021] The V-shaped bottom, having the 6″×10″×6″ deep sump is the only part that is being claimed as my invention.

[0022] The size of the service tank depends on the barrel capacity of the customer's requirements.

Claims

1) V-Bottom styled Hot Oil Unit Service Tank

2) The method using the V-Bottom assists in the draining out and cleaning out process of the service tank.

3) Chandler Mfg., Inc. manufactures a variety of sizes of the V-style Bottom of the Service Tank, depending on the customer's requirements.