Abstract: A bundle puller having an adjustable length carriage frame is disclosed. The carriage frame includes a hinged section that can be rotated between a level or lowered position and a raised position. When the hinged section is raised, the length of the carriage frame is decreased considerably, which allows the bundle puller to be operated in narrow alleyways. The hinged section may then be lowered for operating in larger alleyways. A hydraulic cylinder lowers and raises the hinged section. A rack-and-pinion drive system is used instead of the more common screw drive system to move the sled back and forth on the carriage frame while removing or replacing tube bundles in the heat exchanger shell. Separate gear racks are attached to the hinged section and main section of the carriage frame, respectively. The separate gear racks can be raised and lowered with the hinged section.

Abstract: A scrubbing tower mounted on a mobile frame is movable between a horizontal transport position and a vertical operating position. A means is provided for distributing gas upwardly through the scrubbing tower, and water downwardly through the scrubbing tower, when the tower is in the vertical operating position. The apparatus also includes a blower and a pump mounted on the mobile frame, the blower being connectable with a source of hazardous gases enclosed within a storage vessel, and the pump being connectable with a source of water. The apparatus is especially beneficial in removing water soluble hazardous compounds, such as ethylene dichloride and hydrogen sulfide, from gaseous atmospheres.

Abstract: A method for removing hazardous gases having water solubility from storage tanks by scrubbing steps is described. Additionally, a method for removing ethylene dichloride contamination from soil is disclosed.

Abstract: A chopping machine comprises a frame and a plurality of detachable components which may be individually insertable through an entryway into a storage tank to be cleaned. The detachable components include traction drive belts and a chopping assembly. Hydraulic power means are provided exteriorly of the tank, and are connected by lines extending through the entryway to the frame mounted operating components inside the tanks. The chopping assembly comprises a plurality of replaceable blades radially disposed about a rotatable tubular member.

Abstract: An apparatus for cleaning the interior of storage tanks of the type used for storing large volumes of crude oil wherein hydrocarbon sludge accumulates with the passage of time. The apparatus comprises a crude oil circulator having rotatable nozzles positioned within the tank, a gear member externally disposed on an outer surface of a hollow rotor, and a worm gear operatively connected to the gear member. A drive shaft is connected, through a valve opening in the tank wall, to a motor unit. Upon failure of the worm gear, the worm gear is removed from the tank through the valve opening, replaced or repaired, and reintroduced into the tank through the valve opening.

Abstract: The invention relates to a street legal mobile mounted tube bundle pulling apparatus which is moveable from a lifting position to a travelling position. A longitudinal track is attached to the bed of the vehicle. A sled which is contiguous with said track supports a turntable. A vertical telescoping column is mounted on the turntable. A bundle pulling apparatus is attached to the vertical telescoping column. Hydraulic cylinders are used for actuating both the turntable and the sled. By actuating the sled the telescoping column and bundle pulling apparatus which is a majority of the mass can be dragged to and between a rearward lifting position and a forward travelling position.

Abstract: A tube bundle cleaner capable of cleaning vertical tube bundles by remote actuation by an operator is provided. To prevent binding of the flexible fluid supply conduit which supplies hydroblasting fluid to the manifold upon which the cleaning lances are mounted, a bight portion of the conduit extends toward the open end of the housing which slidably carries the manifold.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for cleaning the interior of storage tanks of the type used for storing large volumes of liquids, such as crude oil, wherein hydrocarbon sludge accumulates with the passage of time, such apparatus comprising a hollow housing, liquid agitation means including a plurality of nozzled outlet jets laterally rotatably mounted on the housing in fluid communication with the hollow interior thereof, connecting means comprising an independently rotatable tubular casing rotatably mounted on the housing in fluid communication with the interior thereof, the tubular casing having a kelley mounted therein and being operatively connected with the nozzled outlet jets, and multi-joint support pipe means rotatably jointed to the connecting means in fluid communication with the interior of the tubular casing.

Abstract: An aerial tube bundle puller for extracting a tube bundle from a heat exchanger is provided, comprising a cradle supporting a carriage frame and a power source, a sled, attachable to a tube bundle, with a hydraulic powered screw drive to propel the sled on the carriage frame, a hydraulic elevator slidable on the carriage frame for adjusting and supporting the tube bundle and an extension for adjusting the length of the carriage frame.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for cleaning the interior of storage tanks of the type used for storing large volumes of liquids, such as crude oil, wherein hydrocarbon sludge accumulates with the passage of time, such apparatus comprising a hollow housing, liquid agitation means including a plurality of nozzled outlet jets laterally rotatably mounted on the housing in fluid communication with the hollow interior thereof, connecting means comprising an independently rotatable tubular casing rotatably mounted on the housing in fluid communication with the interior thereof, the tubular casing having a kelly mounted therein and being operatively connected with the nozzled outlet jets, and multi-joint support pipe means rotatably joined to the connecting means in fluid communication with the interior of the tubular casing.

Abstract: An aerial tube bundle puller for extracting a tube bundle from a heat exchanger is provided, comprising a cradle supporting a carriage frame and a power source, a sled, attachable to a tube bundle, with a hydraulic powered screw drive to propel the sled on the carriage frame, a hydraulic elevator slidable on the carriage frame for adjusting and supporting the tube bundle and an extension for adjusting the length of the carriage frame.

Abstract: An essentially self-contained mobile tube cleaning machine which is remotely operable so that there is no need for operating personnel to be in close proximity to cleaning nozzles or other high pressure lines during tube cleaning operations. As a consequence, significantly higher water pressures and significantly higher water flow rates can be utilized thereby not only accelerating the rate of cleaning but also the efficiency and the effectiveness of the cleaning operation. Through the provision of a nozzle head at the end of an articulatable boom, it is possible to adjust the location of the nozzle through movement of the boom in order to clean the face of a tube bundle, the shell side of a tube bundle and the interior of the tubes themselves.

Abstract: A water washing robot having features uniquely useful in cleaning the interior of oil storage tanks and which comprises components that can be independently moved inside a storage tank and conveniently assembled therein. The assembled robot comprises a frame, a positive displacement pump carried by the frame, an articulatable water washing nozzle detachably mounted on the frame for spraying water on the interior surfaces of a storage tank. The robot is hydraulically powered.

Abstract: An essentially self-contained mobile tube cleaning machine which is remotely operable so that there is no need for operating personnel to be in close proximity to cleaning nozzles or other high pressure lines during tube cleaning operations. As a consequence, significantly higher water pressures and significantly higher water flow rates can be utilized thereby not only accelerating the rate of cleaning but also the efficiency and the effectiveness of the cleaning operation. Through the provision of a nozzle head at the end of an articulatable boom, it is possible to adjust the location of the nozzle through movement of the boom in order to clean the face of a tube bundle, the shell side of a tube bundle and the interior of the tubes themselves.

Abstract: A device and method for removing and reinstalling tube bundles from and into heat exchanger shells. The device features a portable base with a pivotally mounted vertical telescoping column. A bundle support member is movably attached to one side near the top of the telescoping column. A carriage which is connected to the tube bundle is driven along the bundle support member thereby extracting or inserting the tube bundle. An off-loading mechanism comprising a pair of telescoping masts pivotally mounted to the bundle support member and having a boom pivotally mounted at the top of said masts can be used to transfer a tube bundle from the bundle support member to an adjacent bundle dolly. The masts feature a linkage which is attached to the boom thereby pivoting the boom as the telescoping masts are raised or lowered.

Abstract: The apparatus for removing and reinserting tube bundles into heat exchanger shells features an over the road vehicle having a bed. A vertical telescoping column is rotatably mounted to the rear of the bed. A bundle support member having a longitudinal axis is mounted to the top of the telescoping column and is adapted for slidable movement horizontally relative to the telescoping column and is further adapted for placement at elevations below the truck bed. A carriage is mounted on the bundle support member and is adapted to receive the flanged end of a tube bundle and be driven horizontally along the bundle support member. An offloading mechanism connected to the vertical telescoping column can be used for selectively unloading and reloading a tube bundle from the bundle support member to an awaiting bundle dolly.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for producing a thermal vapor stream for injecting into a subterranean formation for the recovery of liquefiable minerals therefrom, including a pressure vessel containing a high pressure combustion chamber for producing a heating gas for introduction into a heating gas injector. The heating gas injector is partly immersed in a steam generating section of the pressure vessel such that the heating gas is passed through the steam generating section to produce steam and combustion products which are directed between the pressure vessel and the combustion chamber for simultaneously cooling of the combustion chamber by further heating of the steam and combustion gases.

Abstract: A new and improved method and apparatus for burning a hydrocarbon fuel for producing a high pressure thermal vapor stream comprising steam and combustion gases for injecting into a subterranean formation for the recovery of liquefiable minerals therefrom, wherein a high pressure combustion chamber having multiple refractory lined combustion zones of varying diameters is provided for burning a hydrocarbon fuel and pressurized air in predetermined ratios injected into the chamber for producing hot combustion gases essentially free of oxidizing components and solid carbonaceous particles. The combustion zones are formed by zones of increasing diameters up a final zone of decreasing diameter to provide expansion zones which cause turbulence through controlled thorough mixing of the air and fuel to facilitate complete combustion.

Abstract: A system for cleaning particulate matter from a mining car in which a nozzle directs a high pressure fluid against packed particles within the mining car to loosen the same, and withdraws the packed particles and fluid from the mining car with a vacuum flow thereof.

Abstract: A tube cleaning device including a water lance and a movable carriage with a driving mechanism for extending and retracting the lance, lance guides and a device for supplying water under pressure to the lance; the driving mechanism being located close to the lance tip when the lance is in its retracted position.