Method and apparatus for producing and storing a flowable slush, particularly for ice pigging
US11340004B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 6, 2018 |
| Grant date | May 24, 2022 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 13, 2038 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF25C2700/08
- WIPO fieldThermal processes and apparatus
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
An apparatus for generating and storing in a tank 22 a flowable slush 2 of frozen particles usable inter alia in Ice Pigging™ includes a control system 100 which is arranged to monitor an operating parameter OP of an agitator 23 in the storage tank. The control system initiates a slush comminution and separation or dewatering cycle when a control parameter CP based on the operating parameter OP reaches a threshold value CPt. The control parameter may represent a cumulative energy input to the storage tank 22. Comminution may be performed prior to separation, with the treatment cycle being terminated when a sensed rheometric parameter RP of the slush circulating in the treatment flowpath reaches a target value RPt.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.