Methods and apparatus for launch and recovery of a remote inspection device within a liquid storage tank. In one embodiment, the tank is accessed by opening an entrance hatch and then injecting a vapor suppression foam across a surface of a stored liquid mass to form a foam layer. A launching system having a remote inspection device is attached to the entrance hatch to define a launch and recovery space sealed from an external environment and isolated from the stored liquid mass in the tank via a valve and the foam layer. The launch and recovery space is purged of hazardous vapors by injection of an inert gas prior to launch and recovery of the remote inspection device. Prior to removal of the launching system, the surface of the stored liquid mass is re-coated with vapor suppression foam.

According an embodiment, a liquid storage system comprises a tank for storing liquid fuel, a vent pipe for providing communication between outside of the tank and a gas space above a level of liquid fuel in the tank, a nonflammable gas supplying apparatus for supplying the gas space with nonflammable gases, a pressure control apparatus installed in the vent pipe to operate responsively to the pressure difference between the gas space and atmospheric pressure so as to limit a pressure in the gas space to a predetermined range. The pressure control apparatus introduces ambient air outside the tank into the gas space through the vent pipe when a pressure in the gas space is lower than a predetermined lower limit, and discharge a gas from the gas space out of the tank through the vent pipe when a pressure in the gas space is higher than a predetermined upper limit.

According an embodiment, a liquid storage system comprises a tank for storing liquid fuel, a vent pipe for providing communication between outside of the tank and a gas space above a level of liquid fuel in the tank, a nonflammable gas supplying apparatus for supplying the gas space with nonflammable gases, a pressure control apparatus installed in the vent pipe to operate responsively to the pressure difference between the gas space and atmospheric pressure so as to limit a pressure in the gas space to a predetermined range. The pressure control apparatus introduces ambient air outside the tank into the gas space through the vent pipe when a pressure in the gas space is lower than a predetermined lower limit, and discharge a gas from the gas space out of the tank through the vent pipe when a pressure in the gas space is higher than a predetermined upper limit.

A gas inerting system employs a carbon dioxide separation unit to remove carbon dioxide and water from an oxygen depleted gas stream generated from a catalytic oxidation unit and subsequently provides a nitrogen rich inerting gas to a fuel tank and/or to a cargo hold. A method of producing an inert gas passes an oxygen depleted gas stream from a catalytic oxidation unit through a carbon dioxide separation unit and provides a nitrogen rich inerting gas for fuel tank inerting and/or cargo hold fire suppression.

A gas inlet assembly for oil tanks, connectable to a gas inlet pipe, for the maintenance of pressure and a non-explosive atmosphere during unloading of oil from an oil tank has at least one inlet conduit arranged to direct a unidirectional flow of gas from the inlet pipe to a primary inlet nozzle. The primary inlet nozzle includes a spreader element configured to spread the inflowing inert gas within the tank with a horizontal velocity component larger than the vertical velocity component.

A gas inlet assembly for oil tanks, connectable to a gas inlet pipe, for the maintenance of pressure and a non-explosive atmosphere during unloading of oil from an oil tank has at least one inlet conduit arranged to direct a unidirectional flow of gas from the inlet pipe to a primary inlet nozzle. The primary inlet nozzle includes a spreader element configured to spread the inflowing inert gas within the tank with a horizontal velocity component larger than the vertical velocity component.

An aircraft fuel tank inerting system includes an inlet, an oxygen absorption unit, and a vent to discharge oxygen from the system. The inlet may be configured to be in fluid communication with a ullage of a fuel tank. In embodiments, the oxygen absorption unit is in communication with the inlet and includes a chamber, a temperature reversible oxygen absorption medium within said chamber, and a temperature controller for selectively heating or cooling the medium. The reversible oxygen absorption medium may be a medium which absorbs oxygen by chemisorption.

A dome-based cyclic inert sealing system for an external floating roof tank includes the external floating roof tank, a dome structure, an inert sealing pipeline, and a gas source servo device; wherein the dome structure is formed by a top portion of a tank wall of the external floating roof tank for sealing; the dome structure together with an internal wall of the external floating roof tank, a floating plate and a sealing device form a gas phase space which is isolated from atmosphere, so as to fill the gas phase space with an inert sealing medium; the inert sealing medium is a gas fire-fighting medium used in a suffocation fire-fighting method; the gas source servo device is connected to the gas phase space through the inert sealing pipeline and communicates through a valve for feedback-controlling states of the inert sealing medium in the gas phase space.

A system to maintain an inert ullage in a hydrocarbon tank. The system provides for outgassing/venting of ullage gases when a high pressure event is found within the tank. Further, when a low pressure event occurs, during fuel discharge or based on ambient conditions, a source of inert gas, such as nitrogen) supplies gas on-demand to the hydrocarbon tank via a pressure regulator (preferably along the venting system) to maintain both the pressure and inerting of the ullage. A method for maintaining the inert ullage is also provided, whereby a low pressure event triggers a supply of inert gas into the tank.

A hydrocarbon tank system environment corrosion inhibitor includes use of inert gas, preferably Nitrogen, to blanket ullage and interstice through the tank system. Blanket gas is provided via controller into coupling to access ullage. Blanket gas is provided upon fueling events to stabilize the pressure in the system and prevent entry of atmospheric air and water (vapor). Blanket gas may be continuously run into the ullage and/or other spaces in tank system. A controlled system allows for monitoring of pressures in the tank, and thereby identifies pressure events and even leaks in system due to unusual events, or general loss of pressure.