Arrangement and method for handling a load for isostatic pressure treatment

Abstract

There is provided an arrangement and a method for handling a load for isostatic pressure treatment in a high-pressure arrangement. The arrangement includes a transportation unit including at least one track for transporting the load into a treatment position for isostatic pressure treatment of the load from a working space outside the high-pressure arrangement. Furthermore, the transportation unit is further arranged for transporting the load from the treatment position to the working space after pressure treatment of the load. The arrangement further includes a partition plane arranged at least partially above the high-pressure arrangement, wherein the working space is provided above the partition plane. The partition plane is arranged to shield the working space from the high-pressure arrangement in the event of a gas leakage of the high-pressure arrangement.

Claims

1. An arrangement for handling a load for isostatic pressure treatment in a high-pressure arrangement, comprising: a horizontal partition plane including at least one opening and being arranged at least partially above the high-pressure arrangement, the partition plane defining a working space outside the high-pressure arrangement and at least partially separating the working space from the high-pressure arrangement, wherein the working space is provided above the partition plane and wherein the partition plane is arranged to shield the working space from the high-pressure arrangement in the event of a gas leakage of the high-pressure arrangement; and a transportation unit including a lifting arrangement provided in the working space, wherein the lifting arrangement includes a lifting device to lift the load and at least one track in the working space for transporting the lifting device, wherein the arrangement is configured to transport the load in the working space on the at least one track and to transport the load through the at least one opening of the partition plane, and at least one track under the partition plane for transporting the load into a treatment position, wherein the at least one track in the working space is aligned with the at least one track under the partition plane, and wherein the transportation unit is configured to transport the load in a vertical plane from the working space into a treatment position before pressure treatment of the load, and from the treatment position to the working space after pressure treatment of the load.

2. The arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the transportation unit is configured to transport an equipment unit on the at least one track, wherein the equipment unit comprises one or more of the group consisting of a pressure vessel for holding a load for isostatic pressure treatment, a power transformer unit, and a compressor unit.

3. The arrangement according to claim 2, further comprising at least one lid for at least partially closing the at least one opening.

4. A control system, comprising the arrangement according to claim 2, and at least one controller for controlling the arrangement automatically.

5. A pressure system, comprising the arrangement according to claim 2, a load for isostatic pressure treatment, and a force-absorbing press frame for isostatic pressure treatment of the load.

6. The arrangement according to claim 1, further comprising at least one lid for at least partially closing the at least one opening.

7. A control system, comprising the arrangement according to claim 6, and at least one controller for controlling the arrangement automatically.

8. A pressure system, comprising the arrangement according to claim 6, a load for isostatic pressure treatment, and a force-absorbing press frame for isostatic pressure treatment of the load.

9. A control system, comprising the arrangement according to claim 1, and at least one controller for controlling the arrangement automatically.

10. A pressure system, comprising the arrangement according to claim 1, a load for isostatic pressure treatment, and a force-absorbing press frame for isostatic pressure treatment of the load.

11. The pressure system according to claim 10, further comprising an-equipment unit for use in the arrangement, wherein the equipment unit comprises one or more of the group consisting of a pressure vessel for holding a load for isostatic pressure treatment, a power transformer unit, and a compressor unit.

12. The pressure system according to claim 11, wherein the equipment unit comprises a pressure vessel for holding the load for isostatic pressure treatment and a lid for the pressure vessel, wherein the pressure system further comprises a lifting device configured to put the lid onto the pressure vessel before pressure treatment of the load, and configured to remove the lid from the pressure vessel after pressure treatment of the load.

13. The pressure system according to claim 10, further comprising at least one controller for controlling the arrangement automatically.

14. A method for handling a load for isostatic pressure treatment in a high-pressure arrangement, wherein the method comprises the steps of: providing a horizontal partition plane comprising at least one opening and being arranged at least partially above the high-pressure arrangement, the partition plane defining a working space outside the high-pressure arrangement and at least partially separating the working space from the high-pressure arrangement, wherein the working space is provided above the partition plane, transporting a load in the working space on at least one track, transporting the load through the at least one opening of the partition plane, and transporting the load on at least one track under the partition plane into a treatment position, wherein the at least one track in the working space is aligned with the at least one track under the partition plane and wherein the load is transported in a vertical plane from the working space into a treatment position before pressure treatment of the load, and from the treatment position to the working space after pressure treatment of the load, and shielding the working space from the high pressure arrangement by means of the partition plane in the event of a gas leakage of the high pressure arrangement.

15. The method according to claim 14, further comprising the step of: transporting an equipment unit on the at least one track, wherein the equipment unit comprises one or more of the group consisting of a pressure vessel, a power transformer, a compressor, and a pressure intensifier.

16. The method according to claim 15, wherein at least one step is controlled automatically.

17. The method according to claim 16, wherein all steps are controlled automatically.

18. The method according to claim 14, wherein at least one step is controlled automatically.

19. The method according to claim 18, wherein all steps are controlled automatically.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The present invention will now be described in more detail, with reference to the appended drawings showing a currently preferred embodiment of the invention, wherein:

(2) FIGS. 1-3 are schematic illustrations of an arrangement for handling a load for isostatic pressure treatment in a high-pressure arrangement, and

(3) FIG. 4 is a schematic illustration of an equipment unit.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(4) In the following description, the present invention is described with reference to an arrangement for handling a load for isostatic pressure treatment in a high-pressure arrangement.

(5) FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of an arrangement 100 comprising a transportation unit 110. The transportation unit 110 comprises at least one track 120, which is exemplified as a single, linear track 120 comprising two parallel rails arranged on a ground floor. The transportation unit 110 with the at least one track 120 is arranged to transport a load 130. The load 130, which is shown in FIG. 1 as a cylinder, may comprise element(s), material(s), composition(s), powder(s), etc., which is (are) to be subjected to high-pressure treatment.

(6) The transportation unit 110 is arranged to transport the load 130 from a working space 200 outside a high-pressure arrangement 150, and to transport the load 130 into a treatment position 140 for isostatic pressure treatment of the load 130. The treatment position 140 is shown as a position within the high-pressure arrangement 150, wherein the high-pressure arrangement 150 in FIG. 1 comprises a force-absorbing press frame 160. The transportation unit 110 is further arranged to transport the load 130 from the treatment position 140 to the working space 200 after pressure treatment of the load 130.

(7) The arrangement 100 comprises a partition plane 300 arranged at least partially above the high-pressure arrangement 150. The partition plane 300 is shown as a substantially horizontal plane or floor which at least partially separates the working space 200 from the high-pressure arrangement 150. It will be appreciated that the relation between the partition plane 300 and the high-pressure arrangement 150 in FIG. 1 is shown as an example, wherein the partition plane 300 is arranged above the treatment position 140 of the high-pressure arrangement 150, and wherein a top portion of the force-absorbing press frame 160 is arranged above the partition plane 300. It will be appreciated that the partition plane 300 defines the working space 200 above the partition plane 300, i.e. an upper floor above the partition plane 300. The working space 200 is arranged for the (first) step of transportation of the load 130 before pressure treatment, i.e. the transportation of the load 130 from the working space 200 outside the high-pressure arrangement 150. It will be appreciated that the working space 200 is arranged for any kind of manual and/or automatic production operation, e.g. the handling of the load 130. Furthermore, the partition plane 300 defines a space 400 below the partition plane 300, i.e. a lower floor below the partition plane 300. The space 400 is arranged for the (second) step of transportation of the load 130 before pressure treatment, i.e. the transportation of the load 130 into the treatment position 140 of the high-pressure arrangement 150 for isostatic pressure treatment of the load 130. It will be appreciated that the space 400 is further arranged for any kind of maintenance operation. The arrangement 100 may further comprise vertical walls, partitions, or the like, extending from the partition plane 300 to the lower floor, for enclosing the high-pressure arrangement 150. The arrangement 100 may further comprise a safety arrangement in the space 400, comprising one or more oxygen detectors and/or a fan system for an even safer operation of the arrangement 100.

(8) The force-absorbing press frame 160 may be arranged on the lower (ground) floor, and it will be appreciated that heavy operations related to the force-absorbing press frame 160 may be performed on the lower floor. Furthermore, the wire of the force-absorbing press frame 160 may be wound on the lower floor. Moreover, a gantry crane may be temporarily used for the installation of the force-absorbing press frame 160, wherein each frame may weigh 200 tons.

(9) The partition plane 300 is further arranged to shield the working space 200 from the high-pressure arrangement 150 in the event of a gas leakage of the high-pressure arrangement 150. Hence, the partition plane 300 may be constructed from any kind of material which is gas impermeable and which further may be able to support a relatively heavy load 130, equipment, etc.

(10) The transportation unit 110 further comprises a lifting arrangement 500 provided in the working space 200. The lifting arrangement 500 comprises a lifting means 510 for lifting the load 130, wherein the lifting means 510 comprises a structure configured to lift the load into a center position of the lifting means 510. More specifically, the lifting means 510 comprises four vertical bars 530 wherein each bar 530 comprises a lifting device 540 arranged to hook a top portion of the load 130. Each bar 530 further comprises at least one wheel 550 for a stabilisation of the load 130 during lifting and/or transportation of the load 130. The stabilization of the load 130 is of high importance, as the load 130 may weigh 175 tons.

(11) The transportation unit 110 further comprises at least one track 520 in the working space 200 for transporting the lifting means 510. The at least one track 520 is shown as a single, linear track 520 comprising two parallel rails arranged on the partition plane 300. The bottom ends of the bars 530 of the lifting means 510 may comprise rolling means (not shown) for a transportation on the at least one track 520.

(12) The working space 200 of the arrangement 100 comprises a storage area for the at least one load 130. Here, the storage area is disclosed to comprise two openings in the partition plane 300, into which opening a cylinder-shaped load 130 may be stored before or after pressure treatment of the load 130. The at least one load 130 may alternatively be stored in an area to the left of the at least one track 520 in the working space 200.

(13) The at least one track 520 of the transportation unit 110 in the working space 200 is aligned with the at least one track 120 of the transportation unit under the partition plane 300. Hence, the transportation unit 110 is configured to transport a load 130 in a vertical plane in the working space 200, parallel to the at least one track 520 in the working space 200. Furthermore, the transportation unit 110 is configured to transport the load 130 downwards, below the partition plane 300. Then, the transportation unit 110 is configured to transport the load 130 into the treatment position 140 on the at least one track 120 before pressure treatment of the load 130. After pressure treatment of the load 130, the transportation unit 110 is configured to transport the load 130 from the treatment position 140 back to the working space 200 along the same vertical plane.

(14) The partition plane 300 comprises at least one opening 600, and the transportation unit 110 is configured to transport a load 130 from the working space 200 through the at least one opening 600 and into the treatment position 140 before pressure treatment of the load 130. Analogously, the transportation unit 110 is configured to transport the load 130 from the treatment position 140 through the at least one opening 600 to the working space 200 after pressure treatment of the load 130. The arrangement 100 further comprises at least one lid 610 for at least partially closing the at least one opening 600. Here, the lid 610 is provided as two flap portions arranged on opposite sides of the at least one opening 600. The flap portions of the lid 610 are provided with half-circular cut-outs, such that the lid 610 after closure allows a accommodation of a cylinder shaped load 130 and/or pressure vessel through the partition plane 300.

(15) The arrangement 100 may further comprise at least one controller (not shown) for controlling the arrangement automatically. The automatic, i.e. non-manual, operation of one or more of the movements, operations and/or actions of the arrangement 100 may be controlled and/or monitored by an operator from a control room 700.

(16) The arrangement 100 may further comprises a lifting device (not shown) configured to put a lid onto a pressure vessel before pressure treatment of the load 130, and configured to remove the lid from the pressure vessel after pressure treatment of the load 130.

(17) It will be appreciated that the time needed for transporting the load into a treatment position for isostatic pressure treatment of the load from a working space outside the high-pressure arrangement, and backwards, may be as short as 10 minutes. Prior art arrangements may require a cycle time of 1 h, and may be even longer dependent on the amount of manual operation.

(18) FIG. 2 shows a further schematic illustration of the arrangement 100. Here, the transportation unit 110 of the arrangement 100 has transported the load 130 from the working space 200 outside the high-pressure arrangement, and into the space 400 below the working space 200. Here, FIG. 2 shows the arrangement 100 before the transportation unit 110 is about to transport the load 130 into the treatment position for isostatic pressure treatment of the load 130. It will be appreciated that the load 130 has been inserted into a pressure vessel 750 by the lifting means 510. Furthermore, the lifting means 510 has arranged an isolation mantel (not shown) into the pressure vessel 750. The lid 610 is shown in a closed position, but is arranged to open before entry of the load 130 into the treatment position.

(19) FIG. 3 shows yet another schematic illustration of the arrangement 100. Here, the transportation unit 110 of the arrangement 100 has transported the load 130 from the working space 200 outside the high-pressure arrangement, into the space 400 below the working space 200, and further into the treatment position for isostatic pressure treatment of the load 130, wherein the load is arranged within the pressure vessel 750. The lid 610 is shown in the open position. The lifting device 770 is configured to put a lid onto the pressure vessel 750 before pressure treatment of the load 130 in the pressure vessel 750.

(20) FIG. 4 discloses an equipment unit 800 (a pressure supply unit) for use in an arrangement 100 according to any one of the preceding embodiments. The equipment unit 800 comprises a pressure vessel 810 for holding a load 130 for isostatic pressure treatment, a power transformer unit 820, and compressor unit 830. The pressure vessel 810 may have a relatively large diameter of over 3.0 m, and the pressure vessel 810 may have a diameter of 3.14 m and a height of 5.0 m. Compared to a HIP system of the nearest size, which is 2.05 m in diameter and 4.2 m high, the first mentioned pressure vessel 810 has a volume which is 2.8 times larger. Furthermore, the weight of the pressure cylinder 810 may be 158 tons. The relatively large HIP system contributes to a relatively inexpensive cost below 0.15 $ per kg material.

(21) The unitary arrangement or integrated unit of the equipment unit 800 may be pre-assembled (i.e. assembled in advance) and also be tested in advance. The integrated equipment unit 800 comprises only relatively short cables and tube connections (not shown). The compressor unit 830 comprises a lower, first level for housing a motor room, wherein the motor room preferably is sound insulated. The compressor unit 830 further comprises a second, upper level for a high pressure system (not shown). The compressor 830 and/or the power transformer unit 820 also include a water and electricity supply, and control functions for the operation of the compressor 830 and/or the power transformer unit 820 are installed.

(22) Even though the invention has been described with reference to specific exemplifying embodiments thereof, many different alterations, modifications and the like will become apparent for those skilled in the art. The described embodiments are therefore not intended to limit the scope of the invention, as defined by the appended claims. For example, any sizes and/or number of units, devices or the like may be different than those described.