Cover handling and chute positioning apparatus

Abstract

A cover and chute handling apparatus for use in combination with a bottom head of a coker is described. The apparatus includes rails positioned adjacent to the bottom head of the coker. A bottom head cover and a spacer are suspended by the rails and slide thereon. A force ring is suspended beneath the bottom head cover or the spacer. Force ring actuators are connected to the force ring and move the force ring to press either the bottom head cover or the spacer against the bottom head of the coker. A chute may be connected to the force ring so that the chute is positioned adjacent to the bottom head of the coker during emptying of the coker. The chute directs effluents from the coker to a receiving area. A method of emptying a coker is also described.

1 . A cover and chute handling apparatus for use in combination with a bottom head of a coker, comprising: 
 one or more rails positioned adjacent to the bottom head of the coker;    a bottom head cover suspended by the rails, wherein the bottom head cover slides on the rails;    a spacer suspended by the rails adjacent to the bottom head cover, wherein the spacer slides on the rails;    a force ring suspended beneath the bottom head cover or the spacer; and    one or more force ring actuators connected to the force ring, wherein the actuators move the force ring to press either the bottom head cover or the spacer against the bottom head of the coker.    
   
   
       2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 a chute connected to the bottom of the force ring and being moveable therewith, wherein the chute directs discharge of materials from the coker.    
   
   
       3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 one or more supports slidably suspended from the rails, wherein the supports are slidably disposed on the rails and support one or both of the bottom head cover and the spacer.    
   
   
       4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 one or more slide actuators connected to one or both of the bottom head cover or the spacer, wherein the slide actuators move the bottom head cover and the spacer beneath the bottom head of the coker or move the bottom head cover and the spacer away from a position beneath the coker.    
   
   
       5 . The apparatus of  claim 3 , further comprising: 
 one or more slide actuators connected to one or more supports, wherein the slide actuators move the supports, thereby moving the bottom head cover and the spacer beneath the bottom head of the coker or moving the bottom head cover and the spacer away from a position beneath the coker.    
   
   
       6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the bottom head cover and the spacer are connected to one another.  
   
   
       7 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the bottom head cover and the spacer are integrally formed.  
   
   
       8 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 one or more chute supports attached to the chute, permitting the chute to rest on the chute supports when the chute is in a non-operative position.    
   
   
       9 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the force ring actuators are hydraulic.  
   
   
       10 . The apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein the slide actuators are hydraulic.  
   
   
       11 . A method of operating a cover and chute handling apparatus for use in combination with a bottom head of a coker, comprising: 
 after completion of coking, releasing fasteners holding a bottom head cover to the bottom head of the coker;    lowering a force ring securing the bottom head cover to the bottom head of the coker;    sliding the bottom head cover from beneath the bottom head of the coker;    sliding a spacer into position beneath the bottom head of the coker;    raising the force ring to hold the spacer against the bottom head of the coker;    reengaging the fasteners to secure the spacer against the bottom head of the coker; and    emptying the coker.    
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising: 
 after sliding the spacer into position beneath the bottom head of the coker, raising a chute beneath the spacer to direct effluents from the coker.    
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising: 
 after emptying the coker, lowering the force ring, thereby releasing the spacer from engagement with the bottom head of the coker;    sliding the spacer from beneath the bottom head of the coker, thereby sliding the bottom head cover into position beneath the bottom head of the coker;    raising the force ring to press the bottom head cover against the bottom head of the coker; and    reengaging the fasteners to hold the bottom head cover on the bottom head of the coker.    
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the method is remotely actuated.  
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the force ring is actuated hydraulically.  
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the bottom head cover and the spacer are moved hydraulically.  
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the chute is connected to a bottom of the force ring.  
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the bottom head cover and the spacer are moved simultaneously.  
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the bottom head cover and the spacer are connected to one another.  
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the bottom head cover and the spacer are integrally formed.