Abstract: An apparatus including a coke drum for coking hydrocarbon substances, a valve disposed near the bottom of the coke drum, and a discharge conduit for removing coke from the coke drum, wherein the discharge conduit is connected to the valve such that when the valve is open, the coke may be removed via the discharge conduit.

Abstract: An apparatus including a coke drum for coking hydrocarbon substances, a valve disposed near the bottom of the coke drum, and a discharge conduit for removing coke from the coke drum, wherein the discharge conduit is connected to the valve such that when the valve is open, the coke may be removed via the discharge conduit.

Abstract: An apparatus for removing a bottom cover on a coke drum. A support structure supports at least the coke drum. A vertical actuator has a cover end attached to the bottom cover and a support end attached to the support structure, and is arranged to move the bottom cover vertically in a removal operation of the bottom cover. A rotating actuator has a cover end attached to the bottom cover and a support end attached to the support structure, and is arranged to rotate the bottom cover in a removal operation. A frame assembly having opposing ends is provided, a pivoting end being attached to the bottom cover and a sliding end being slidably mounted. The frame assembly, the vertical actuator and the rotating actuator cooperate to remove the bottom cover in a removal operation.

Abstract: An apparatus including a coke drum for coking hydrocarbon substances, a valve disposed near the bottom of the coke drum, and a discharge conduit for removing coke from the coke drum, wherein the discharge conduit is connected to the valve such that when the valve is open, the coke may be removed via the discharge conduit.

Abstract: An unheading and containment system for unheading and heading a pressure vessel includes an unheading apparatus for removing a cover from a pressure vessel in an unheading operation and a modular enclosure, mechanism to substantially enclose the cover during the unheading operation. The unheading apparatus includes a cover removably secured to the pressure vessel, a lock plate cooperating with the cover, and a cover moving mechanism capable of moving the cover vertically and laterally.

Abstract: An apparatus including a coke drum for coking hydrocarbon substances, a valve disposed near the bottom of the coke drum, and a discharge conduit for removing coke from the coke drum, wherein the discharge conduit is connected to the valve such that when the valve is open, the coke may be removed via the discharge conduit.

Abstract: An apparatus for removing a bottom cover on a coke drum. A support structure supports at least the coke drum. A vertical actuator has a cover end attached to the bottom cover and a support end attached to the support structure, and is arranged to move the bottom cover vertically in a removal operation of the bottom cover. A rotating actuator has a cover end attached to the bottom cover and a support end attached to the support structure, and is arranged to rotate the bottom cover in a removal operation. A frame assembly having opposing ends is provided, a pivoting end being attached to the bottom cover and a sliding end being slidably mounted. The frame assembly, the vertical actuator and the rotating actuator cooperate to remove the bottom cover in a removal operation.

Abstract: An unheading and containment system for unheading and heading a pressure vessel includes an unheading apparatus for removing a cover from a pressure vessel in an unheading operation and a modular enclosure mechanism to substantially enclose the cover during the unheading operation. The unheading apparatus includes a cover removably secured to the pressure vessel, a lock plate cooperating with the cover, and a cover moving mechanism capable of moving the cover vertically and laterally.

Abstract: A mechanism for selectively securing a cover to a flange of a pressure vessel. A plurality of such devices can be employed, using a plurality of studs that extend through matching openings in the flange and cover. A movable anchor plate or plates, also with holes through which each stud extends, is disposed adjacent to the flange or cover. The head of each stud will fit through its associated hole of the anchor plate (and into the opening of the closer one of the flange or cover) only if the anchor plate is properly oriented. When the anchor plate is so oriented, a piston head at the opposite end of the stud can be actuated away from the flange and cover to retract the stud head into the opening of the flange or cover. This protects the stud when the cover is disengaged from the flange. The stud can be biased in the opposite direction to permit the anchor plate to be reoriented into a position in which the stud head cannot pass through the anchor plate, so the stud can clamp the flange and cover together.

Abstract: A mechanism for selectively securing a cover to a flange of a pressure vessel. The cover and flange each have openings that are aligned when the cover is in position facing the flange. The mechanism includes an anchor plate having a hole therethrough. A piston is slidable in a direction normal to the cover in alignment with the opening therethrough. A stud extends from to the piston with a stud head remote from the piston. The stud head fits through the opening of the closer of the cover and flange and through a wider portion of the anchor plate hole, and is positioned opposite the flange and cover from the piston when the cover is positioned over the flange. The stud head does not fit through a narrower portion of the anchor plate hole. A resilient member biases the piston away from the cover. A selectively activated actuator overcomes the resilient member and forces the stud head away from the flange and the anchor plate.

Abstract: A closure device adapted for attachment onto the upper head of a coking drum to prevent hot vapors escaping during drum decoking operations. The closure device includes a cylindrical-shaped housing having a rotatable ball valve and horizontal elongated stem provided in its lower portion, and a cover unit including a packing gland provided at the housing upper end. A rotatable cutting tool provided within the housing above the ball valve has a drive rod extending upwardly through the cover unit packing gland. During operations, the ball valve is opened and the drive rod and its attached cutting tool can be extended downwardly through the ball valve cylindrical-shaped opening into the coking drum and rotated, so as to cut and dislodge coke deposited in the drum.

Abstract: An automated top head cover and stem guide assembly adapted for covering a top opening in vertical vessels such as coking drums, and a method for remotely operating the assembly. The top head assembly includes a flanged connector unit attached pressure-tightly to a top flange opening of a coking drum and a top cover device including a cover unit pivotally attached to the flanged connector unit, so that the cover unit can be pivotally lifted and moved aside. A stem guide device is also pivotally attached to the top flange unit, so that a stem guide unit can be pivotally moved downwardly into place over the top flange unit opening, after a stem member is inserted into the vessel. Following coke removal from the drum, the stem member is withdrawn, the stem guide unit is pivotally moved upwardly, and the head cover unit is moved downwardly to cover the coking drum flanged unit. The invention also discloses method steps for operating the head cover and stem guide devices of the assembly.

Abstract: An automated top head cover and stem guide assembly adapted for covering a top opening in vertical vessels such as coking drums, and a method for remotely operating the assembly. The top head assembly includes a flanged connector unit attached pressure-tightly to a top flange opening of a coking drum, and a top cover device including a cover unit pivotally attached to the flanged connector unit, so that the top cover unit can be pivotally lifted and moved aside. A stem guide device is also pivotally attached to the flanged connector unit, so that a stem guide unit can be pivotally moved downwardly into place over the top flange unit opening, after a stem member is inserted into the vessel. Following coke removal from the drum, the stem member is withdrawn, the stem guide unit is pivotally moved upwardly, and the head cover unit is moved downwardly to cover the coking drum flanged connector unit. The invention also discloses method steps for operating the head cover and stem guide devices of the assembly.