LLOYD DEWAYNE WITTEN
Pilots at Vintage Wood Ln, Spring, TX
License number
Texas A2088962
Category
Airmen
Type
Authorized Aircraft Instructor
Address
Address
17830 Vintage Wood Ln, Spring, TX 77379
Professional information
Explosion Prevention System For Internal Turret Mooring System
US Patent:
6341572, Jan 29, 2002
Filed:
Mar 3, 2000
Appl. No.:
09/518490
Inventors:
Gordon B. Howell - Cypress TX
David A. Jones - Missouri City TX
Jarrell H. Young - Houston TX
Lloyd D. Witten - Spring TX
Asis Nandi - Houston TX
Richard M. Corder - Sealy TX
David A. Jones - Missouri City TX
Jarrell H. Young - Houston TX
Lloyd D. Witten - Spring TX
Asis Nandi - Houston TX
Richard M. Corder - Sealy TX
Assignee:
FMC Corporation - Chicago IL
International Classification:
B63B 2100
US Classification:
11423012, 11423013, 166356, 166363, 441 4
Abstract:
A method and apparatus for ensuring against explosion of the gaseous atmosphere of a closed chamber, such as the QDCD room of an internal turret of an offshore production and offloading buoy wherein the closed chamber has production risers and conduit connectors that represent a potential source of flammable gas. The method comprises mixing and diluting the oxidant content of the air by introducing within the closed chamber a sufficient quantity of inert gas to render the mixture of the air and any flammable gas non-combustible regardless of the flammable gas content of the mixture. The method includes removal of the non-combustible mixture of air and any flammable gas from the closed chamber by purging thereof to the natural atmosphere, while introducing inert gas, thereby leaving a substantially inert atmosphere within the closed chamber. The turret system provides for control of the gaseous atmosphere within the closed chamber at all modes of turret operation, including the idle, on-line and ventilation modes and also provides for gas pressure control to accommodate normal operating conditions and conditions of gas leakage into the chamber.