Vehicle, method, and system for waste materials
Vehicle, method, and system for waste materials
Abstract
Images (14)
Classifications
US20200165904A1
United States
- Inventor
Andrew MCNABB Xian Meng Huang Nolan PIETTE - Current Assignee
- METAFLO TECHNOLOGIES Inc
Worldwide applications
Application US16/610,795 events
United States
- Inventor
Andrew MCNABB Xian Meng Huang Nolan PIETTE - Current Assignee
- METAFLO TECHNOLOGIES Inc
Worldwide applications
Application US16/610,795 events
Priority claimed from US201762501361P
2018-05-03
2020-03-03
2020-05-28
Status
Abandoned
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application claims the benefit of priority from U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/501,361, filed on May 4, 2017, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference herein.FIELD [0002] The present specification relates generally to an apparatus, method, and reagent for solidifying a liquid, and more particularly to solidifying liquid waste.BACKGROUND [0003] Liquid waste is generated in a wide variety of industries where removal and transportation of liquids can be difficult. For example, in drilling applications, such as in the oil and gas industry, large amounts of liquid waste are often generated at a work site. The liquid waste is commonly pumped into a holding pond or storage bin where the liquid waste can collect.SUMMARY [0004] In accordance with an aspect of the invention, there is provided a vehicle for removing waste material from a worksite. The vehicle includes a containment tank to store the waste material. In addition, the vehicle includes a vacuum inlet pipe in communication with the containment tank. The vacuum inlet pipe is to draw the waste material from the worksite and to deliver the waste material to the containment tank. Furthermore, the vehicle includes a reagent tank to store a liquid-phase reagent. The liquid-phase reagent is a polymer suspension in an oil, the polymer to solidify the waste material. The vehicle also includes an injection point to receive the liquid-phase reagent, wherein the injection point provides access to the liquid waste. Additionally, the vehicle includes a delivery system to deliver the liquid-phase reagent to injection point.[0005] In accordance with an aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of removing waste material from a worksite. The method involves drawing the waste material from the worksite via a vacuum inlet pipe. The method further involves delivering a liquid-phase reagent to an injection point, wherein the liquid-phase reagent is a polymer suspension in an oil, the polymer to solidify the waste material. In addition, the method involves adding the liquid-phase reagent to the waste material at the at the injection point to solidify the waste material. Furthermore, the method involves delivering the waste material to a containment tank. Additionally, the method involves storing the solidified waste material in the containment tank.[0006] In accordance with an aspect of the invention, there is provided a system for solidifying waste material from a worksite. The system includes a liquid-phase reagent source to provide a liquid-phase reagent. The liquid-phase reagent is a polymer suspension in an oil, the polymer to solidify the waste material. The system also includes a delivery system to deliver the liquid-phase reagent to the waste material. In addition, the system includes a connector to connect the delivery system to waste removal system. The waste removal system is to collect the waste materialBRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0007] Reference will now be made, by way of example only, to the accompanying drawings in which:[0008] FIG. 1 is a schematic view showing a boring operation according to an embodiment;[0009] FIG. 2 is a schematic view showing an apparatus for solidifying a liquid waste according to an embodiment used in the operation shown in FIG. 1 ;[0010] FIG. 3 is a schematic view showing a boring operation according to another embodiment;[0011] FIG. 4 is a schematic view showing an apparatus for solidifying a liquid waste according to another embodiment used in the operation shown in FIG. 3 ;[0012] FIGS. 5A-B are schematic views showing apparatus for solidifying a liquid waste according to other embodiments;[0013] FIGS. 6A-B are schematic views showing apparatus for solidifying a liquid waste according to other embodiments;[0014] FIGS. 7A-B are schematic views showing apparatus for solidifying a liquid waste according to other embodiments;[0015] FIGS. 8A-B are schematic views showing apparatus for solidifying a liquid waste according to other embodiments;[0016] FIG. 9 is a schematic view showing an apparatus for solidifying a liquid waste according to another embodiment;[0017] FIG. 10 is a schematic view showing an apparatus for solidifying a liquid waste according to another embodiment;[0018] FIG. 11 is a schematic view showing an operation for removing liquid waste from a holding pond;[0019] FIGS. 12A-B are schematic views showing apparatus for solidifying a liquid waste according to other embodiments; and[0020] FIG. 13 is a schematic view showing an apparatus for solidifying a liquid waste according to another embodiment.DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS [0021] Referring to FIG. 1 , a schematic representation of a tunnel boring operation is generally shown at 10. It is to be understood that the tunnel boring operation 10 is purely exemplary and that it will become apparent to those skilled in the art that modifications to the operation 10 are contemplated. In the present embodiment, the tunnel boring operation 10 includes a tunnel boring machine 30, an auger 35, a conveyor belt 40, and an apparatus 50 for solidifying a liquid waste.[0022] In the present embodiment, the tunnel boring machine 30 is generally configured to excavate tunnels through earth 80. The tunnel boring machine 30 includes a cutting surface for cutting the earth 80. It is to be appreciated that the cuttings generated by the tunnel boring machine 30 fall to the bottom of the tunnel at the bore face along with liquids such as water and/or additives (such as oil, dispersants, and soil conditioners) used to lubricate and cool the cutting surface of the tunnel boring machine. In addition, water can be present in the earth 80 through which the tunnel boring machine 30 is drilling. The liquids and the cuttings can mix to generate liquid waste at the bore face that would need to be removed during the boring operation.[0023] In the present embodiment, the auger 35 is generally configured to carry waste away from the cutting surface of the tunnel boring machine 30. The manner by which the auger 35 operates is not particularly limited. For example, waste generally collects near the bottom of the face of the tunnel boring machine 30. In the present embodiment, the auger 35 is configured to move waste that has been treated with a liquid-phase reagent from the apparatus 50 as discussed in further detail below. Accordingly, the auger 35 can be configured to move solid waste and/or liquid waste of various viscosities away from the tunnel boring machine 30 to the conveyor belt 40.[0024] In the present embodiment, the conveyor belt 40 is generally configured to carry solid waste 85 further away from the tunnel boring machine 30 and ultimately out of the tunnel to a vehicle 90 for removal from the boring operation 10. It is to be appreciated by a person of skill in the art with the benefit of this description that the conveyor belt 40 is not limited and can be modified. For example, the conveyor belt 40 can include several parts or belt sections and be extended as the tunnel boring machine 30 advances into the earth 80. Furthermore, although the present embodiment shows a horizontal conveyor belt 40, it is to be appreciated that in some applications, the conveyor belt 40 can be inclined to reach the surface. In addition, instead of leading directly to the vehicle 90, the conveyor belt 40 may lead to a storage pit, tank, or other holding facility for subsequent removal.[0025] The apparatus 50 for solidifying the liquid waste is generally configured to deliver a liquid-phase reagent proximate to the bore face in the present embodiment. The exact location where the liquid-phase reagent is delivered is not particularly limited and can be varied depending on the application as well as the specific manufacturer design of the boring equipment. For example, the liquid-phase reagent can be delivered via an injection port (not shown) near or at the end of
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[0001] This application claims the benefit of priority from U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/501,361, filed on May 4, 2017, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference herein.[0002] The present specification relates generally to an apparatus, method, and reagent for solidifying a liquid, and more particularly to solidifying liquid waste.[0003] Liquid waste is generated in a wide variety of industries where removal and transportation of liquids can be difficult. For example, in drilling applications, such as in the oil and gas industry, large amounts of liquid waste are often generated at a work site. The liquid waste is commonly pumped into a holding pond or storage bin where the liquid waste can collect.[0004] In accordance with an aspect of the invention, there is provided a vehicle for removing waste material from a worksite. The vehicle includes a containment tank to store the waste material. In addition, the vehicle includes a vacuum inlet pipe in communication with the containment tank. The vacuum inlet pipe is to draw the waste material from the worksite and to deliver the waste material to the containment tank. Furthermore, the vehicle includes a reagent tank to store a liquid-phase reagent. The liquid-phase reagent is a polymer suspension in an oil, the polymer to solidify the waste material. The vehicle also includes an injection point to receive the liquid-phase reagent, wherein the injection point provides access to the liquid waste. Additionally, the vehicle includes a delivery system to deliver the liquid-phase reagent to injection point.[0005] In accordance with an aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of removing waste material from a worksite. The method involves drawing the waste material from the worksite via a vacuum inlet pipe. The method further involves delivering a liquid-phase reagent to an injection point, wherein the liquid-phase reagent is a polymer suspension in an oil, the polymer to solidify the waste material. In addition, the method involves adding the liquid-phase reagent to the waste material at the at the injection point to solidify the waste material. Furthermore, the method involves delivering the waste material to a containment tank. Additionally, the method involves storing the solidified waste material in the containment tank.[0006] In accordance with an aspect of the invention, there is provided a system for solidifying waste material from a worksite. The system includes a liquid-phase reagent source to provide a liquid-phase reagent. The liquid-phase reagent is a polymer suspension in an oil, the polymer to solidify the waste material. The system also includes a delivery system to deliver the liquid-phase reagent to the waste material. In addition, the system includes a connector to connect the delivery system to waste removal system. The waste removal system is to collect the waste material[0007] Reference will now be made, by way of example only, to the accompanying drawings in which:[0008] FIG. 1 is a schematic view showing a boring operation according to an embodiment;[0009] FIG. 2 is a schematic view showing an apparatus for solidifying a liquid waste according to an embodiment used in the operation shown inFIG. 1 ;[0010] FIG. 3 is a schematic view showing a boring operation according to another embodiment;[0011] FIG. 4 is a schematic view showing an apparatus for solidifying a liquid waste according to another embodiment used in the operation shown inFIG. 3 ;[0012] FIGS. 5A-B are schematic views showing apparatus for solidifying a liquid waste according to other embodiments;[0013] FIGS. 6A-B are schematic views showing apparatus for solidifying a liquid waste according to other embodiments;[0014] FIGS. 7A-B are schematic views showing apparatus for solidifying a liquid waste according to other embodiments;[0015] FIGS. 8A-B are schematic views showing apparatus for solidifying a liquid waste according to other embodiments;[0016] FIG. 9 is a schematic view showing an apparatus for solidifying a liquid waste according to another embodiment;[0017] FIG. 10 is a schematic view showing an apparatus for solidifying a liquid waste according to another embodiment;[0018] FIG. 11 is a schematic view showing an operation for removing liquid waste from a holding pond;[0019] FIGS. 12A-B are schematic views showing apparatus for solidifying a liquid waste according to other embodiments; and[0020] FIG. 13 is a schematic view showing an apparatus for solidifying a liquid waste according to another embodiment.[0021] Referring toFIG. 1 , a schematic representation of a tunnel boring operation is generally shown at 10. It is to be understood that the tunnelboring operation 10 is purely exemplary and that it will become apparent to those skilled in the art that modifications to theoperation 10 are contemplated. In the present embodiment, thetunnel boring operation 10 includes atunnel boring machine 30, anauger 35, aconveyor belt 40, and anapparatus 50 for solidifying a liquid waste.[0022] In the present embodiment, the tunnelboring machine 30 is generally configured to excavate tunnels throughearth 80. The tunnelboring machine 30 includes a cutting surface for cutting theearth 80. It is to be appreciated that the cuttings generated by thetunnel boring machine 30 fall to the bottom of the tunnel at the bore face along with liquids such as water and/or additives (such as oil, dispersants, and soil conditioners) used to lubricate and cool the cutting surface of the tunnel boring machine. In addition, water can be present in theearth 80 through which the tunnelboring machine 30 is drilling. The liquids and the cuttings can mix to generate liquid waste at the bore face that would need to be removed during the boring operation.[0023] In the present embodiment, theauger 35 is generally configured to carry waste away from the cutting surface of the tunnelboring machine 30. The manner by which theauger 35 operates is not particularly limited. For example, waste generally collects near the bottom of the face of thetunnel boring machine 30. In the present embodiment, theauger 35 is configured to move waste that has been treated with a liquid-phase reagent from theapparatus 50 as discussed in further detail below. Accordingly, theauger 35 can be configured to move solid waste and/or liquid waste of various viscosities away from the tunnelboring machine 30 to theconveyor belt 40.[0024] In the present embodiment, theconveyor belt 40 is generally configured to carrysolid waste 85 further away from thetunnel boring machine 30 and ultimately out of the tunnel to avehicle 90 for removal from theboring operation 10. It is to be appreciated by a person of skill in the art with the benefit of this description that theconveyor belt 40 is not limited and can be modified. For example, theconveyor belt 40 can include several parts or belt sections and be extended as thetunnel boring machine 30 advances into theearth 80. Furthermore, although the present embodiment shows ahorizontal conveyor belt 40, it is to be appreciated that in some applications, theconveyor belt 40 can be inclined to reach the surface. In addition, instead of leading directly to thevehicle 90, theconveyor belt 40 may lead to a storage pit, tank, or other holding facility for subsequent removal.[0025] Theapparatus 50 for solidifying the liquid waste is generally configured to deliver a liquid-phase reagent proximate to the bore face in the present embodiment. The exact location where the liquid-phase reagent is delivered is not particularly limited and can be varied depending on the application as well as the specific manufacturer design of the boring equipment. For example, the liquid-phase reagent can be delivered via an injection port (not shown) near or at the end of
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