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BR-102024017891-A2 - SEALED HYDROJET SYSTEM FOR HIGH TEMPERATURES

BR102024017891A2BR 102024017891 A2BR102024017891 A2BR 102024017891A2BR-102024017891-A2

Abstract

The present invention relates to a sealed hydrojet system for unclogging pipelines in operation comprising: at least one high-pressure pump; at least one oil reservoir; at least one high-pressure hose; a high-pressure lance; at least one nitrogen source; at least one sealing subsystem comprising: a nitrogen inlet; a primary gasket seal; a nitrogen-inertized chamber; and a secondary gasket seal.

Inventors

  • DANIEL ZUMPANO GUERRERO
  • CLAUDIO ANTONIO ANTUNES DE SOUZA

Assignees

  • Petróleo Brasileiro S.A. - Petrobras

Dates

Publication Date
20260317
Application Date
20240830

Claims (6)

  1. 1. Sealed hydrojet system for unclogging pipelines operating at high temperatures, characterized in that it comprises: at least one high-pressure pump (300); at least one oil reservoir (302); at least one high-pressure hose (304); a high-pressure lance (200); at least one nitrogen source (308); at least one sealing subsystem (214) comprising: a nitrogen inlet (202); a primary gasket seal (204); a nitrogen-inertized chamber (206); and a secondary gasket seal (208).
  2. 2. System according to claim 1, characterized in that the high-pressure lance comprises a high-pressure nozzle (210).
  3. 3. System according to claim 1, characterized in that the pressure of the nitrogen-inertized chamber (206) must always be greater than the internal pressure of the fractionator piping (212).
  4. 4. System according to claim 1, characterized in that one of the sealing subsystems (214) is installed in the horizontal section of the fractionator inlet pipe.
  5. 5. System according to claim 1, characterized in that one of the sealing subsystems (214) is installed in the vertical section of the fractionator inlet pipe (400).
  6. 6. System according to claim 1, characterized in that the blasting fluid is selected according to the operating conditions of the equipment in order to avoid damage caused by its sudden vaporization.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION [01] The present invention falls within the technical field of maintenance and operation of industrial units, especially in oil refinery systems, where the unblocking of pipelines and equipment operating at high temperatures is necessary. [02] More specifically, the system of the present invention was applied in the Delayed Coking Unit (DCU), where the fines removal system of the fractionating tower requires effective methods for clearing bottom circulation systems of the tower, without interrupting operation. FUNDAMENTALS OF THE INVENTION [03] The objective of the invention is to solve the problem of clogging in systems that operate at high temperatures and with hydrocarbons. [04] Blockages can interrupt flow and cause unplanned shutdowns, resulting in operational losses and safety risks. Traditional methods, such as hydro-jetting using water, are not feasible due to the risks of thermal expansion and damage to equipment. [05] In this sense, the present invention proposes a hydrojet system using a motive fluid compatible with the operating conditions of the equipment in question. In this case, a lubricating oil was selected. [06] This system consists of equipment adapted with special materials, a triple sealing system with gaskets and nitrogen, and welding techniques in operation. The solution allows for safe and effective unblocking without the need to stop the equipment, mitigating operational risks and maintaining process continuity. STATE OF THE ART [07] Document CN117797493A presents a method for recovering residual lubricating oil in refineries. Initially, the residual oil is sent to a dirty oil tank via a discharge facility. In this tank, the residual oil mixes with dirty oil, forming a mixture called mixed dirty oil. This mixture is then pumped to the top of a vent tower, where it is heated and sprayed to remove light particles. The bottom residual oil is then mixed with hot heavy oil and sent to a coking tower. The output from the coking tower is routed to a distillation tower where different products are separated, such as naphtha, coking diesel, and coking oil. [08] Document WO2022146885A1 presents a series of embodiments related to isolation valves, with emphasis on valves used in bottom residue circuits in fluidized catalytic cracking (FCCU) units. These valves are purged using hydrocarbons, such as heavy coking oils (HCO), medium coking oils (MCO) or light coking oils (LCO). The liquid purge system is designed to keep the internal parts of the valve clean and free of deposits or residues, thus extending its service life and ensuring its proper functioning. [09] Therefore, it is evident that, while prior art documents focus on the recovery of residual lubricating oil or the purging of valves, the present invention directly addresses the unblocking of pipelines and equipment in UCRs, where frequent blockages occur due to the accumulation of coke fines. [010] Furthermore, the present invention introduces a triple sealing system with gaskets and a nitrogen inerting chamber, ensuring the safety of the operators during the unblocking process. In addition, unlike methods that require equipment shutdown, the present invention allows unblocking without interrupting the operational process. This significantly reduces operational risks and losses associated with unplanned shutdowns. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [011] The present invention proposes a sealed hydrojet system for unclogging the piping of a fractionating tower comprising: at least one high-pressure pump; at least one oil reservoir; at least one high-pressure hose; a high-pressure lance; at least one nitrogen source; at least one sealing subsystem comprising: a nitrogen inlet; a primary seal with gaskets; a nitrogen-inertized chamber; and a secondary seal with gaskets. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [012] The present invention will now be described with reference to typical embodiments thereof and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: [013] Figure 1 is a representation of the bottom of the fractionating tower of a delayed coking unit, with its system for removing fines. [014] Figure 2 is a representation of the triple sealing system of the present invention. [015] Figure 3 is a schematic representation of all the components of the proposed system. [016] Figure 4 is a representation of the delayed coking unit where two derivations were made: horizontal and vertical. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [017] Delayed Coking is a petroleum refining process that converts heavy waste into more valuable products such as refinery gas, naphtha, diesel, and coke. The existence of a Delayed Coking Unit (DCU) is crucial for maximizing the utilization of crude oil, especially in refineries that process heavy oils. [018] As shown in Figure 1, among the main components of the UCR is the fractionator (100), where the separation of lighter components, such as gases and light liquids, and heavier streams takes place. Th