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BR-102023002997-B1 - A device for detecting gas leaks, and a method and system thereof.

BR102023002997B1BR 102023002997 B1BR102023002997 B1BR 102023002997B1BR-102023002997-B1

Abstract

A GAS LEAK DETECTION APPARATUS AND A METHOD AND SYSTEM THEREOF. This disclosure discloses an apparatus for detecting gas leaks emanating from an inorganic compound stored in a container. The apparatus includes an enclosure structured to conceal a closure attached to the container. A flow-creating device is fluidically connected to the enclosure; the flow-creating device is configured to create a flow of the gas emanating from the enclosure. Additionally, a gas monitoring unit is fluidically connected between the enclosure and the flow-creating device. The gas monitoring unit is structured to receive at least a portion of the gas emanating from the enclosure and to detect the concentration of at least one constituent present in the emanating gas. The disclosure also discloses a system incorporating a control unit for detecting gas leaks emanating from an inorganic compound stored in a container. Figures 1 and 2 are representative figures.

Inventors

  • PUSHPAKSEN P ASHER

Assignees

  • UPL LIMITED

Dates

Publication Date
20260317
Application Date
20230216
Priority Date
20220218

Claims (11)

  1. 1. Apparatus (100) for detecting leakage of a gas emanating from an inorganic compound stored in a container (10), characterized by the apparatus (100) comprising: an enclosure (20) structured to conceal a closure (30) attached to the container (10); wherein the enclosure (20) is open to an air source through a first valve (V1), a flow-creating device (50) fluidically connected to the enclosure (20), the flow-creating device (50) configured to create flow of the gas emanating from the enclosure (20); wherein the flow-creating device (50) is a vacuum pump, the vacuum pump is configured to apply vacuum within the enclosure (20) to create the flow of gas emanating out of the enclosure (20) to the line (L1), a gas monitoring unit (60) fluidically connected between the enclosure (20) and the flow-creating device (50), the gas monitoring unit (60) is structured to receive at least a portion of the gas emanating from the enclosure (20) and detect the concentration of at least one constituent present in the emanating gas, and the gas monitoring unit (60) is placed in the branched flow line (L2) and contains a third valve (V3) in the same flow line (L2), a second valve (V2) coupled between the flow-creating device (50) and the enclosure (20), wherein the second valve is configured to selectively allow the flow of gas emanating from the enclosure (20); and a third valve (V3) coupled to an inlet (60A) of the gas monitoring unit (60), wherein the third valve (V3) is configured to selectively allow the flow of at least a portion of the gas emanating from the enclosure (20) to the gas monitoring unit (60).
  2. 2. Apparatus (100), according to claim 1, characterized in that the casing (20) is attached to an upper portion of the container body (10) enclosing the closure (30).
  3. 3. Apparatus (100), according to claim 1, characterized by comprising a sealing member (40) between the casing (20) and the container (10).
  4. 4. Apparatus, according to claim 1, characterized by comprising a manometer (80) coupled between the flow-creating device (50) and the enclosure (20), wherein the manometer (80) is configured to indicate the vacuum pressure applied inside the enclosure (20).
  5. 5. Apparatus, according to claim 1, characterized in that the inorganic compound is a metallic phosphide including Aluminum Phosphide (AlP), Magnesium Phosphide (MgP), Calcium Phosphide (CaP) or any other metallic phosphide, and the gas emitted is Phosphine.
  6. 6. Method for detecting leakage of a gas emanating from an inorganic compound stored in a container (10) through an apparatus (100), as defined in claims 1 to 5, characterized by comprising: positioning, an enclosure (20), to conceal a closure (30) attached to the container (10); opening, a second valve (V2) positioned between a flow-creating device (50) and the enclosure (20); operating, the flow-creating device (50), to create flow of the gas emanating from the enclosure (20); and opening, a first valve (V1) and a third valve (V3) to direct at least a portion of the emanating gas to a gas monitoring unit (60), wherein the gas monitoring unit (60) is configured to measure the concentration of at least one constituent present in the emanating gas.
  7. 7. Method according to claim 6, characterized in that the flow-creating device (50) is a vacuum pump, and wherein the operation of the flow-creating device includes applying vacuum within the enclosure (20) using the vacuum pump.
  8. 8. Method according to claims 6 and 7, characterized by the opening of the first valve (V1) and the second valve (V2) releasing the vacuum applied inside the enclosure (20).
  9. 9. Method according to claim 6, characterized by the vacuum pressure inside the envelope varying from (-6100) to (-7900) mm of water.
  10. 10. System (200) for detecting leakage of a gas emitted from an inorganic compound stored in a container (10), characterized by comprising: the apparatus (100) according to claim 1; and, a control unit (210) communicatively coupled to a flow-creating device (50), a first valve (V1), a second valve (V2), a third valve (V3) and the gas monitoring unit (60), wherein the control unit (210) is configured to: selectively operate the flow-creating device (50), the first valve (V1), the second valve (V2) and the third valve (V3) to direct at least a portion of the emitted gas to the gas monitoring unit (60); and indicate the concentration of at least one constituent present in the emitted gas based on signals received from the gas monitoring unit (60).
  11. 11. System according to claim 10, characterized by comprising a display unit (70) communicatively coupled to the control unit (210), wherein the control unit (210) indicates the concentration of at least one constituent through the display unit (70).

Description

[0001] The following descriptive report describes in particular the invention and the manner in which it is to be carried out. TECHNICAL FIELD [0002] This disclosure generally relates to detection equipment. In particular, but not exclusively, this disclosure relates to the detection of leaks of a gas emanating from an inorganic compound. Additionally, embodiments of the disclosure disclose an apparatus, a system, and a method for detecting leaks of gas emanating from an inorganic compound stored in a container based on the concentration of the emitted gas. BACKGROUND [0003] Inorganic compounds, such as metal phosphides, are highly toxic substances commonly used in applications such as fumigants to disinfect agricultural products, such as grains and other essential commodities. One such metal phosphide is Aluminum Phosphide (AlP), commonly sold as a powder or in other convenient forms such as tablets, granules, etc. Phosphine gas (PH3) is emitted from both technical and formulated metal phosphides in reaction with atmospheric moisture. Phosphine gas is highly toxic and, in all cases, exposure or inhalation beyond a Threshold Limit Value (TLV) as recommended by safety agencies, to which a person can be exposed for a lifetime without affecting their health condition, should be avoided. In order to avoid direct exposure to or inhalation of phosphine gas, metal phosphides, whether technical or formulated, are generally packaged in containers such as aluminum canisters or containers with sealed caps or covers. The integrity of the seal is very important, and each canister must be checked to ensure that there is no gas leakage from the container. This is done to ensure the safety of personnel during product use, as well as during transport, loading/unloading, and storage. The recommended TLV for phosphine gas may vary from region to region. In some countries, the recommended TLV for phosphine gas is 0.3 ppm, while in others, a TLV of up to 0.1 ppm is strictly mandatory. [0004] To ensure safe exposure to phosphine gas well within the mandatory TLV, it is necessary to identify the extent of the leak. Leaks can be detected by several known techniques that serve as effective means to assess qualitative and quantitative extents of toxic constituents, for example, phosphine gas in the case of AlP. One such technique involves checking the concentration of phosphine gas in its storage container using any conventionally known gas concentration measuring device. However, checking each storage container to identify a possible leak is a tedious and time-consuming task. Therefore, there is a need for a simple, fast, accurate, and less expensive device to detect leaks in a leaking container containing a toxic gas such as phosphine. [0005] This disclosure aims to overcome one or more of the limitations stated above. BRIEF DESCRIPTION [0006] One or more shortcomings of conventional leak detection apparatus, systems and methods are overcome and additional advantages are provided through this disclosure. Additional features and advantages are achieved through the techniques of this disclosure. Other embodiments and aspects of the disclosure are described in detail in this document and are considered part of the claimed disclosure. [0007] In a non-limiting embodiment of the present disclosure, an apparatus is disclosed for detecting leakage of a gas emanating from an inorganic compound stored in a container. The apparatus includes an enclosure structured to conceal a closure attached to the container. The apparatus further includes a flow-creating device that is fluidically connected to the enclosure. The flow-creating device is configured to create a flow of the gas emanating from the enclosure. Additionally, a gas monitoring unit is fluidically connected between the enclosure and the flow-creating device. The gas monitoring unit is structured to receive at least a portion of the gas emanating from the enclosure and to detect the concentration of at least one constituent present in the emanating gas. [0008] In one embodiment, the wrapper is attached to an upper portion of the container body that encloses the closure. [0009] In one embodiment, a sealing member is provided between the casing and the container. [00010] In one embodiment, the enclosure is opened to an air source through a first valve. [00011] In one embodiment, the flow-creating device is a vacuum pump, and the vacuum pump is configured to apply a vacuum within the enclosure to create the flow of emanating gas. [00012] In one embodiment, a pressure gauge is coupled between the flow-creating device and the enclosure, where the pressure gauge is configured to indicate the vacuum pressure applied within the enclosure. [00013] In one embodiment, a second valve is coupled between the flow-creating device and the enclosure, where the second valve is configured to selectively allow the flow of gas emanating from the enclosure. [00014] In one embodiment, a third valve is coup