METHODS FOR PERFORMING TASKS INHERENTLY SAFELY IN A TANK CONTAINING HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCES

• Main Authors: EFFINGER, Robert, T, MEYERS, John, W, PONTRELLI, Donald, A
• Format: Patent
• Language: English; French; German
• Published: 29.12.2021
• Subjects: BASIC ELECTRIC ELEMENTS; BOARDS, SUBSTATIONS, OR SWITCHING ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE SUPPLYOR DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRIC POWER; CONSTRUCTIONAL DETAILS OF INSTRUMENTS, OR COMPARABLE DETAILSOF OTHER APPARATUS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; CONVERSION OR DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRIC POWER; ELECTRIC SWITCHES; ELECTRICITY; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES; GENERATION; INSTRUMENT DETAILS; INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIRCHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES; MEASURING; OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS, OR APPARATUS; OPTICS; PHYSICS; RELAYS; SELECTORS; TESTING

A method of performing a selected task in a tank at least partially filled with an energetic substance includes, in part, configuring a mobile platform to be inherently safe by positioning spark-generating components in either or both of: (i) an inherently safe enclosure that prevents a spark occurring inside the inherently safe enclosure from passing to an exterior of the inherently safe enclosure, and (ii) a spark-neutralizing body formed of at least one non-flammable substance and positioned inside an enclosure, the spark-neutralizing body blocking direct contact between a spark from the enclosed spark-generating component and an energetic substance from occurring inside the at least one enclosure. The method also includes positioning at least one spark-generating component not inside any inherently safe enclosure that prevents a spark occurring inside the inherently safe enclosure from passing to an exterior of the inherently safe enclosure. The sparks are capable of igniting the energetic substances.