PROTECTIVE BARRIER FOR INDUSTRIAL EQUIPMENT

Abstract

Protective barrier for an item of industrial equipment that is traversed by and/or processes a combustible fluid or oxygen, having four vertical walls forming four sides of a parallelepiped, these walls being attached to a base so as to define a rectangular-section space that is intended to contain the industrial equipment arranged on the base, the four vertical walls having a height of at least 2.4 m and having at least one partial roof attached to at least one of the vertical walls, having a surface parallel to the base and extending over the space, the surface area of the partial roof or the surface area of each of the partial roofs being equal to at most 50% of the surface area corresponding to the rectangular section.

Claims

1. A protective barrier for an item of industrial equipment that is traversed by and/or processes a combustible fluid or oxygen, comprising four vertical walls forming four sides of a parallelepiped, the walls being attached to a base so as to define a rectangular-section space that is configured to contain the industrial equipment arranged on the base, the four vertical walls having a height of at least 2.4 m and comprising at least one partial roof attached to at least one of the vertical walls, having a surface parallel to the base and extending over the space, the surface area of the partial roof or the surface area of each of the partial roofs being equal to at most 50% of the surface area corresponding to the rectangular section, wherein a first wall of the four walls, whose length is that of the barrier, is attached to a first partial roof and the height of a second of the four walls or of a partition is greater than that of the first wall, the second wall or the partition being parallel to the first wall.

2. The protective barrier according to claim 1, comprising the industrial equipment arranged with at least in part a footprint below the partial roof or one of the partial roofs.

3. The protective barrier according to claim 2, wherein the industrial equipment is entirely beneath the partial roof.

4. The protective barrier according to claim 1, comprising the industrial equipment contained in the rectangular space, and wherein the industrial equipment is beneath only one of the partial roofs.

5. The protective barrier according to claim 1. wherein at least 50% of the section of the space is uncovered.

6. The protective barrier according to claim 1, wherein the width of the open space of the barrier is greater than 0.75H, where H is the height of at least three walls of the barrier.

7. The protective barrier according to claim 1, wherein all of the vertical walls have the same height.

8. The protective barrier according to claim 1, wherein a second partial roof is attached to the top of the second wall, the first and second partial roofs being above the space formed by the four walls.

9. The protective barrier according to claim 1, wherein a second partial roof is attached to the top of the partition, the first and second partial roofs being positioned above the space formed by the first wall, part of two of the other four walls and of the partition.

10. The protective barrier according to claim 8, where the first partial roof is positioned at a lower height than the second partial roof.

11. The protective barrier according to claim 1, comprising the industrial equipment contained in the rectangular space, where the equipment is a compressor, a pump, a valve, a duct or a storage unit.

12. An installation comprising at least two protective barriers for an item of industrial equipment that is traversed by and/or processes a combustible fluid or oxygen, each comprising four vertical walls forming four sides of a parallelepiped, the walls being attached to a base so as to define a rectangular-section space that is configured a height of at least 2.4 m and comprising at least one partial roof attached to at least one of the vertical walls, having a surface parallel to the base and extending over the space, the surface area of the partial roof or the surface area of each of the partial roofs being equal to at most 50% of the surface area corresponding to the rectangular section, the at least two barriers having a common wall, each barrier being configured to contain an item of industrial equipment that is traversed by and/or processes a combustible gas or oxygen, the common wall being parallel to a wall of each of the at least two barriers and being higher than the at least two walls to which it is parallel.

13. The installation according to claim 12, comprising two partial roofs attached to the common wall.

14. The installation according to claim 13, wherein the two partial roofs are at the same height.

15. The installation according to claim 12, comprising two items of industrial equipment, each in the rectangular space of one of the two barriers.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0039] For a further understanding of the nature and objects for the present invention, reference should be made to the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like elements are given the same or analogous reference numbers and wherein:

[0040] FIG. 1 shows a section through a protective barrier for an item of industrial equipment.

[0041] FIG. 2 shows a section through a protective barrier for an item of industrial equipment.

[0042] FIG. 3 shows a section through a protective barrier for an item of industrial equipment.

[0043] FIG. 4 shows a section through another protective barrier for an item of industrial equipment according to the invention.

[0044] FIG. 5 shows a section through another protective barrier for an item of industrial equipment according to the invention.

[0045] FIG. 6 shows a section through another protective barrier for an item of industrial equipment according to the invention.

[0046] FIG. 7 shows a top view of a protective barrier from FIG. 4.

[0047] FIG. 8 shows a section through another protective barrier for an item of industrial equipment according to the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0048] FIG. 1 shows a section through a protective barrier for an item of industrial equipment E. The item of industrial equipment E may be traversed by a combustible fluid (gas or liquid), or liquid or gaseous oxygen. It may also process the fluid in question. The equipment E may for example be a compressor, a pump, a valve, a duct or a storage unit. The pressure of the fluid in question may be above one bara, or above 10 bara, or above 50 bara.

[0049] The barrier comprises four vertical walls 1, 2, 3, 4 forming four sides of a parallelepiped attached to a base S to define a rectangular-section space that is intended to contain the industrial equipment E arranged on the base S. This figure shows the walls 1, 2 having the same height. The wall 4 would form the back of the section, but is not shown. The four vertical walls 1, 2, 3, 4 are made of reinforced concrete or another suitable material (steel, cement, concrete) and have a height of at least 2.4 m. The section shows the walls 1, 2 defining the length of the space, the walls 3, 4 defining the width W thereof. The length-to-width ratio can take any value. The parallelepipedal space between the walls 1, 2, 3, 4 and the base is partially dosed at the top by a partial roof T1 attached to three of the vertical walls 1, 3, 4. The roof T1 is a plate, made of reinforced concrete or any other suitable material (steel, cement, concrete) and has a rectangular surface parallel to the base S and perpendicular to the walls 1, 2. 3, 4, the surface of the partial roof T1 corresponding to at most half of the rectangular section of the space formed by the four walls 1, 2, 3, 4. The width of the plate of the roof T1 is W.sub.1 and its length is that of the walls 1, 2. The partial roof is positioned above the equipment E, leaving an open space of width W.sub.A and of length equal to that of the walls 1, 2.

[0050] W.sub.1 is equal to at most 50% of W and W.sub.A is equal to at most 50% of W. Next to the barrier there is an industrial apparatus B on which a person can work. The figure shows that the barrier is dimensioned in such a way that the cone covered by the fragments or the fire from the equipment E cannot hit the person or the apparatus B. In this case, the industrial equipment is on the same base S, but this is not essential. The apparatus B may be a distillation column or a storage unit, and in this case is taller than the barrier, that is to say taller than at least 2.4 m,

[0051] The base S does not necessarily extend beyond the barrier and the apparatus can be located on another base.

[0052] An operator can act on the equipment using the handles that pass through a wall of the barrier. This means that the operator remains outside the barrier,

[0053] FIG. 2 shows in greater detail the distance D between the wall 1 of the barrier of height H and the apparatus B. Without the presence of the partial roof T1 of width W.sub.T, the fire and/or the fragments coming from E would reach a region of the apparatus B below the height M. The wall 2 is not depicted, in order to simplify the drawing.

[0054] FIG. 3 shows the same section as FIG. 1, but seen in the other direction with the wall 3 at the back.

[0055] FIG. 4 shows a section through a protective barrier for four items of industrial equipment, of which two are shown here: E, E.sub.1. The items of industrial equipment may be traversed by the same combustible fluid (gas or liquid), or liquid or gaseous oxygen, or may be traversed by different fluids (combustible or oxygen). They may also process the fluid in question. The equipment may be chosen from the following non-exhaustive list: a compressor, a pump, a valve, a duct or a storage unit. The pressure(s) of the fluid(s) in question may be above one bars, or above 10 bars, or above 50 bara.

[0056] The barrier comprises four vertical walls 1, 2, 3, 4 forming four sides of a parallelepiped, attached to a base S and divided by partitions C so as to define a rectangular-section space divided into four identical or non-identical compartments that are intended to each contain one item of industrial equipment E. Each one of these compartments is considered to form a barrier for the equipment that it contains. This figure shows the walls 1, 2 having the same height. The four vertical walls 1, 2, 3, 4 are made of reinforced concrete or another suitable material and have a height H of at least 2.4 m. The section shows the walls 1, 2 defining the length of the space, the walls 3, 4 defining the width 2W thereof. The length-to-width ratio can take any value.

[0057] Between the two walls 1, 2 there is a vertical partition C of the same length as —but taller than—the walls 1, 2, Thus, the figure shows two of the compartments, one for the item of equipment E and one for the item of equipment E1. One person can operate on the equipment, in this case E1 by acting on the links passing through the wall, in this case the wall 2.

[0058] Each one of the compartments has a width W and a length equal to half of the length of the walls 1, 2,

[0059] The parallelepipedal space between the walls 1, 2, 3, 4 and the base is partially closed at the top by four partial roofs T1, T2, T3, T4. The partial roof T1 is attached to three of the vertical walls 1, 3, 4. The roof T1 is a plate, made of reinforced concrete or another suitable material and has a rectangular surface parallel to the base S and perpendicular to the walls 1, 2, 3, 4, the surface area of the partial roof T1 corresponding to the rectangular section of the space formed by the four walls 1, 2, 3, 4. The width of the plate of the roof T1 is W.sub.T and its length is that of the walls 1, 2. This partial roof is positioned above the equipment E, leaving an open space of width W.sub.A and of length equal to that of the walls 1, 2.

[0060] W.sub.1 is equal to at most 50% of W and W.sub.A is equal to at most 50% of W.

[0061] The roof T1 is a plate, made of reinforced concrete or another suitable material and has a rectangular surface parallel to the base S and perpendicular to the walls 1, 2, 3, 4, the surface area of the partial roof T1 corresponding to at most one-quarter of the rectangular section of the space formed by the four walls 1, 2, 3, 4. The width of the plate of the roof T1 is W.sub.T and its length is that of the walls 1, 2. This partial roof is positioned above the equipment E, leaving an open space of width W.sub.A and of length equal to that of the walls 1, 2, passing all the way through two compartments.

[0062] W.sub.1 is equal to at most 50% of W and W.sub.A is equal to at most 50% of W.

[0063] The roof T2 is a plate, made of reinforced concrete or another suitable material and has a rectangular surface parallel to the base S and perpendicular to the walls 1, 2, 3, 4 and the partition C, the surface area of the partial roof T2 corresponding to at most one-quarter of the rectangular section of the space formed by the four walls 1, 2, 3, 4 and at most half of the rectangular section of the compartment formed by the partitions and two of the walls. The width of the plate of the roof T2 is W.sub.T2 and its length is that of the walls 1, 2, The partial roof T2 is attached to the top of the partition

[0064] C, parallel to the walls 1, 2, This partial roof T2 is not located above the item of equipment E.

[0065] W.sub.1 is equal to at most 50% of W and W.sub.A is equal to at most 50% of W.

[0066] The offset positioning of the partial roofs T2, T1 forces the air to enter the barrier, descending along the partition and circulating around the equipment E, thus improving ventilation of the equipment E.

[0067] Conversely, on the other side of the partition, a partial roof T3 is attached above the compartment where the equipment E1 is located. A partial roof T4 extends from the top of the wall 2 above the equipment E1.

[0068] As indicated, the presence of the taller partial roofs T2, T3 can make it possible to reduce the size of the partial roofs T1, T4. In this case, the partial roofs T1, T4 are longer than the partial roofs T2, T3.

[0069] In this case in which the two roofs T1, T2 and T3, T4 form chicanes, it is important that the two partial roofs do not overlap, in order to leave enough space for air to move.

[0070] For example, the vertical separation F between two roofs covering part of a single space is between 20 cm and 2 m. The horizontal separation D between the free ends of the two roofs corresponds to between 25% and 75% of the width W.

[0071] The roof T1 is attached to the wall 1 and optionally to the walls 3, 4 and/or to the partitions C, C° if present, but not to the wall 2, The roofs T2 and T3 are attached only to the partition C. The roof T4 is attached to the wall 2 and optionally to the walls 3, 4 and/or to the partitions C, C°.

[0072] According to a simplified version, the partition C can simply be taller than the walls 1, 2, and can have no partial roof, the simple effect of this difference in height being able to improve ventilation.

[0073] FIG. 5 shows that the presence of the roof T3 in FIG. 4 is not essential.

[0074] The roof T1 is attached to the wall 1 and optionally to the walls 3, 4 or to the partitions C, C4 if present, but not to the wall 2. The roof T2 is attached only to the partition C.

[0075] FIG. 6 shows that the presence of the roof T2 in FIG. 4 is not essential. The roof T1 is attached to the wall 1 and optionally to the wads 3, 4 or to the partitions C, C4 if present, but not to the wall 2. The roof T3 is attached only to the partition C.

[0076] FIG. 7 shows a top view of the barrier of FIG. 4 with its four identical compartments and the two mutually perpendicular partitions C, C. The partition C is parallel to the walls 1, 2 and perpendicular to the walls 3, 4 and the partition C′ is perpendicular to the walls 1, 2 and parallel to the walls 3, 4,

[0077] The barrier comprises four vertical walls 1, 2, 3, 4 forming four sides of a parallelepiped attached to a base S to define a rectangular-section space that is intended to contain the industrial equipment E, E1, E2, E3 arranged on the base. The length of this space is defined by the parallel walls 1, 2 and the width of this space is defined by the parallel walls 3, 4.

[0078] The parallelepipedal space between the walls 1, 2, 3, 4 and the base is partially closed at the top by a partial roof T1 attached to three of the vertical walls 1, 3, 4. The roof T1 is a plate, made of reinforced concrete or another suitable material and has a rectangular surface parallel to the base S and perpendicular to the walls 1, 2, 3, 4 of the walls 1, 2.

[0079] Here, only one part of each item of equipment E1, E2, E is located directly beneath the partial roof T4, T1. Here, the item of equipment E4 is a duct located entirely beneath the partial roof T4,

[0080] FIG. 8 shows a variant of the invention in which the barrier has no partition C but comprises four vertical walls 1, 2, 3, 4 forming four sides of a parallelepiped attached to a base S to define a rectangular-section space that is intended to contain the industrial equipment E arranged on the base. This figure shows that the walls 1, 2 are of unequal height, the wall 1 being shorter than the wall 2. The walls 1 and 3 are preferably of equal height. The wall 4 would form the back of the section, but is not shown. The four vertical walls 1, 2, 3. 4 are made of reinforced concrete or another suitable material and have a height of at least 2.4 m, The walls 1, 2 define the length of the space, the walls 3, 4 defining the width W thereof.

[0081] The equipment E is located at least partially beneath the roof T1, extending from the top of the wall 1. The equipment E is not beneath the roof T4 extending from the top of the wall 2, the roof T4 being at a higher level than the roof T1. Thus, as before, the roofs T1, T4 form chicanes that favour ventilation around the equipment.

[0082] The roof T1 is attached to the wall 1 and optionally to the walls 3, 4, but not to the wall 2. The roof T4 is attached only to the wall 2.

[0083] According to a simplified version, the wall 2 may simply be taller than the wall 1, and can have no partial roof, the simple effect of this difference in height being able to improve ventilation.

[0084] It will be understood that many additional changes in the details, materials, steps and arrangement of parts, which have been herein described in order to explain the nature of the invention, may be made by those skilled in the art within the principle and scope of the invention as expressed in the appended claims, Thus, the present invention is not intended to be limited to the specific embodiments in the examples given above.