Patent Application
20150292223
The field of the invention is modular construction of process facilities, with particular examples given with respect to modular oil sand processing facilities.
Building large-scale processing facilities can be extraordinarily challenging in remote locations, or under adverse conditions. One particular geography that is both remote and suffers from severe adverse conditions includes the land comprising the western provinces of Canada, where several companies are now trying to establish processing plants for removing oil from oil sands.
Given the difficulties of building a facility entirely on-site, there has been considerable interest in what we shall call 2nd Generation Modular Construction. In that technology, a facility is logically segmented into truckable modules, the modules are constructed in an established industrial area, trucked or airlifted to the plant site, and then coupled together at the plant site. Several 2nd Generation Modular Construction facilities are in place in the tar sands of Alberta, Canada, and they have been proved to provide numerous advantages in terms of speed of deployment, construction work quality, reduction in safety risks, and overall project cost. There is even an example of a Modular Helium Reactor (MHR), described in a paper by Dr. Arkal Shenoy and Dr. Alexander Telengator, General Atomics, 3550 General Atomics Court, San Diego, Calif. 92121.
2nd Generation Modular facilities have also been described in the patent literatures, An example of a large capacity oil refinery composed of multiple, self-contained, interconnected, modular refining units is described in WO 03/031012 to Shumway. A generic 2nd Generation Modular facility is described in US20080127662 to Stanfield.
Unless otherwise expressly indicated herein, Shumway and all other extrinsic materials discussed herein, and in the priority specification and attachments, are incorporated by reference in their entirety. Where a definition or use of a term in an incorporated reference is inconsistent with or contrary to the definition of that term provided herein, the definition of that term provided herein applies and the definition of that term in the reference does not apply.
There are very significant cost savings in using 2nd Generation Modular. It is contemplated, for example, that building of a process module costs US$4 in the field for every US$1 spent building an equivalent module in a construction facility. Nevertheless, despite the many advantages of 2nd Generation Modular, there are still problems. Possibly the most serious problems arise from the ways in which the various modules are inter-connected. In the prior art 2nd Generation Modular units, the fluid, power and control lines between modules are carried by external piperacks. This can be seen clearly in FIGS. 1 and 2 of WO 03/031012. In facilities using multiple, self-contained, substantially identical production units, it is logically simple to operate those units in parallel, and to provide in feed (inflow) and product (outflow) lines along an external piperack. But where small production units are impractical or uneconomical, the use of external piperacks is a hindrance.)
What is needed is a new modular paradigm, in which the various processes of a plant are segmented in process blocks comprising multiple modules. We refer to such designs and implementations as 3rd Generation Modular Construction.
The inventive subject matter provides apparatus, systems and methods in which the various processes of a plant are segmented in process blocks, each comprising multiple modules, wherein at least some of the modules within at least some of the blocks are fluidly and electrically coupled to at least another of the modules using direct-module to-module connections.
In preferred embodiments, a processing facility is constructed at least in part by coupling together three or more process blocks. Each of at least two of the blocks comprises at least two truckable modules, and more preferably three, four five or even more such modules. Contemplated embodiments can be rather large, and can have four, five, ten or even twenty or more process blocks, which collectively comprise up to a hundred, two hundred, or even a higher number of truckable modules. All manner of industrial processing facilities are contemplated, including nuclear, gas-fired, coal-fired, or other energy producing facilities, chemical plants, and mechanical plants.
Unless the context dictates the contrary, all ranges set forth herein should be interpreted as being inclusive of their endpoints, and open-ended ranges should be interpreted to include only commercially practical values. Similarly, all lists of values should be considered as inclusive of intermediate values unless the context indicates the contrary.
As used herein the term “process block” means a part of a processing facility that has several process systems within a distinct geographical boundary. By way of example, a facility might have process blocks for generation or electricity or steam, for distillation, scrubbing or otherwise separating one material from another, for crushing, grinding, or performing other mechanical operations, for performing chemical reactions with or without the use of catalysts, for cooling, and so forth.
As used herein the term “truckable module” means a section of a process block that includes multiple pieces of equipment, and has a transportation weight between 20,000 Kg and 200,000 Kg. The concept is that a commercially viable subset of truckable modules would be large enough to practically carry the needed equipment and support structures, but would also be suitable for transportation on commercially used roadways in a relevant geographic area, for a particular time of year. It is contemplated that a typical truckable module for the Western Canada tar sands areas would be between 30,000 Kg and 180,000 Kg, and more preferably between 40,000 Kg and 160,000 Kg. From a dimensions perspective, such modules would typically measure between 15 and 30 meters long, and at least 3 meters high and 3 meters wide, but no more than 35 meters long, 8 meters wide, and 8 meters high.
Truckable modules may be closed on all sides, and on the top and bottom, but more typically such modules would have at least one open side, and possibly all four open sides, as well as an open top. The open sides allows modules to be positioned adjacent one another at the open sides, thus creating a large open space, comprising 2, 3, 4, 5 or even more modules, through which an engineer could walk from one module to another within a process block.
A typical truckable module might well include equipment from multiples disciplines, as for example, process and staging equipment, platforms, wiring, instrumentation, and lighting.
One very significant advantage of 3rd Generation Modular Construction is that process blocks are designed to have only a relatively small number of external couplings. In preferred embodiments, for example, there are at least two process blocks that are fluidly coupled by no more than three, four or five fluid lines, excluding utility lines. It is contemplated, however, that there could be two or more process blocks that are coupled by six, seven, eight, nine, ten or more fluid lines, excluding utility lines. The same is contemplated with respect to power lines, and the same is contemplated with respect to control (i.e. wired communications) lines. In each of these cases, fluid, power, and control lines, it is contemplated that a given line coming into a process block will “fan out” to various modules within the process block. The term “fan out” is not meant in a narrow literal sense, but in a broader sense to include situations where, for example, a given fluid line splits into smaller lines that carry a fluid to different parts of the process block through orthogonal, parallel, and other line orientations.
Process blocks can be assembled in any suitable manner. It is contemplated, for example, that process blocks can be positioned end-to-end and/or side-to-side and/or above/below one another. Contemplated facilities include those arranged in a matrix of x by y blocks, in which x is at least 2 and y is at least 3. Within each process block, the modules can also be arranged in any suitable manner, although since modules are likely much longer than they are wide, preferred process blocks have 3 or 4 modules arranged in a side-by-side fashion, and abutted at one or both of their collective ends by the sides of one or more other modules. Individual process blocks can certainly have different numbers of modules, and for example a first process block could have five modules, another process block could have two modules, and a third process block could have another two modules. In other embodiments, a first process block could have at least five modules, another process block could have at least another five modules, and a third process block could have at least another five modules.
In some contemplated embodiments, 3rd Generation Modular Construction facilities are those in which the process blocks collectively include equipment configured to extract oil from oil sands. Facilities are also contemplated in which at least one of the process blocks produces power used by at least another one of the process blocks, and independently wherein at least one of the process blocks produces steam used by at least another one of the process blocks, and independently wherein at least one of the process blocks includes an at least two story cooling tower. It is also contemplated that at least one of the process blocks includes a personnel control area, which is controllably coupled to at least another one of the process blocks using fiber optics. In general, but not necessarily in all cases, the process blocks of a 3rd Generation Modular facility would collectively include at least one of a vessel, a compressor, a heat exchanger, a pump, a filter.
Although a 3rd Generation Modular facility might have one or more piperacks to inter-connect modules within a process block, it is not necessary to do so. Thus, it is contemplated that a modular building system could comprise A, B, and C modules juxtaposed in a side-to-side fashion, each of the modules having (a) a height greater than 4 meters and a width greater than 4 meters, and (b) at least one open side; and a first fluid line coupling the A and B modules; a second fluid line coupling the B and C modules; and wherein the first and second fluid lines do not pass through a common interconnecting piperack.
Various objects, features, aspects and advantages of the inventive subject matter will become more apparent from the following description of exemplary embodiments and accompanying drawing figures.
In one aspect of preferred embodiments, the modular building system would further comprise a first command line coupling the A and B modules; a second command line coupling the B and C modules; and wherein the first and second command lines do not pass through the common piperack. In more preferred embodiments, the A, B, and C modules comprise at least, 5, at least 8, at least 12, or at least 15 modules. Preferably, at least two of the A, B and C process blocks are fluidly coupled by no more than five fluid lines, excluding utility lines. In still other preferred embodiments, a D module could be is stacked upon the C module, and a third fluid line could directly couple C and D modules.
Methods of laying out a 2nd Generation Modular facility are different in many respects from those used for laying out a 3rd Generation Modular facility. Whereas the former generally merely involves dividing up equipment for a given process among various modules, the latter preferably takes place in a five-step process as described below. It is contemplated that while traditional 2nd Generation Modular Construction can prefab about 50-60% of the work of a complex, multi-process facility, 3rd Generation Modular Construction can prefab up to about 90-95% of the work
Additional information for designing 3rd Generation Modular Construction facilities is included in the 3rd Generation Modular Execution Design Guide, which is included in this application. The Design Guide should be interpreted as exemplary of one or more preferred embodiments, and language indicating specifics (e.g. “shall be” or “must be”) should therefore be viewed merely as suggestive of one or more preferred embodiments. Where the Design Guide refers to confidential software, data or other design tools that are not included in this application, such software, data or other design tools are not deemed to be incorporated by reference. In the event there is a discrepancy between the Design Guide and this specification, the specification shall control.
Step 101 is to identify the 3rd Generation Construction process facility configuration using process blocks. In this step the process lead typically separates the facilities into process “blocks”. This is best accomplished by developing a process block flow diagram. Each process block contains a distinct set of process systems. A process block will have one or more feed streams and one or more product streams. The process block will process the feed into different products as shown in.
Step 102 is to allocate a plot space for each 3rd Generation Construction process block. The plot space allocation requires the piping layout specialist to distribute the relevant equipment within each 3rd Generation Construction process block. At this phase of the project, only equipment estimated sizes and weights as provided by process/mechanical need be used to prepare each “block”. A 3rd Generation Construction process block equipment layout requires attention to location to assure effective integration with the piping, electrical and control distribution. In order to provide guidance to the layout specialist the following steps should be followed:
Step 102A is to obtain necessary equipment types, sizes and weights. It is important that equipment be sized so that it can fit effectively onto a module. Any equipment that has been sized and which can not fit effectively onto the module envelop needs to be evaluated by the process lead for possible resizing for effective module installation.
Step 102B is to establish an overall geometric area for the process block using a combination of transportable module dimensions. A first and second level should be identified using a grid layout where the grid identifies each module boundary within the process block.
Step 102C is to allocate space for the electrical and control distribution panels on the first level.
Step 102D is to group the equipment and instruments by primary systems using the process block PFDs.
Step 102E is to lay out each grouping of equipment by system onto the process block layout assuring that equipment does not cross module boundaries. The layout should focus on keeping the pumps located on the same module grid and level as the E&I distribution panels. This will assist with keeping the electrical power home run cables together. If it is not practical, the second best layout would be to have the pumps or any other motor close to the module with the E&I distribution panels. In addition, equipment should be spaced to assure effective operability, maintainability and safe access and egress.
The use of Fluor's Optimeyes™ is an effective tool at this stage of the project to assist with process block layouts.
Step 103 is to prepare a detailed equipment layout within Process Blocks to produce an integrated 3rd Generation facility. Each process block identified from step 2 is laid out onto a plot space assuring interconnects required between blocks are minimized. The primary interconnects are identified from the Process Flow Block diagram. Traditional interconnecting piperacks are preferably no longer needed or used. Pipeways are integrated into the module. A simple, typical 3rd Generation “block” layout is illustrated in
Step 104 is to develop a 3rd Generation Module Configuration Table and power and control distribution plan, which combines process blocks for the overall facility to eliminate traditional interconnecting piperacks and reduce number of interconnects. A 3rd Generation module configuration table is developed using the above data. Templates can be used, and for example, a 3rd Generation power and control distribution plan can advantageously be prepared using the 3rd Generation power and control distribution architectural template.
Step 105 is to develop a 3rd Generation Modular Construction plan, which includes fully detailed process block modules on integrated multi-discipline basis. The final step for this phase of a project is to prepare an overall modular 3rd Generation Modular Execution plan, which can be used for setting the baseline to proceed to the next phase. It is contemplated that a 3rd Generation Modular Execution will require a different schedule than traditionally executed modular projects.
Many of the differences between the traditional 1st Generation and 2nd Generation Modular Construction and the 3rd Generation Modular Construction are set forth in Table 1 below, with references to the 3rd Generation Modular Execution Design Guide, which was filed with the parent provisional application:
Also in
It should be apparent to those skilled in the art that many more modifications besides those already described are possible without departing from the inventive concepts herein. The inventive subject matter, therefore, is not to be restricted except in the spirit of the appended claims. Moreover, in interpreting both the specification and the claims, all terms should be interpreted in the broadest possible manner consistent with the context. In particular, the terms “comprises” and “comprising” should be interpreted as referring to elements, components, or steps in a non-exclusive manner, indicating that the referenced elements, components, or steps may be present, or utilized, or combined with other elements, components, or steps that are not expressly referenced. Where the specification claims refers to at least one of something selected from the group consisting of A, B, C . . . and N, the text should be interpreted as requiring only one element from the group, not A plus N, or B plus N, etc.
This application is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/527,425, filed Oct. 29, 2014, which is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/971,365, filed Dec. 17, 2010, which claims the benefit of priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/287,956, filed Dec. 18, 2009, which along with all other references concurrently filed are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 61287956 | Dec 2009 | US |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 14527425 | Oct 2014 | US |
| Child | 14747727 | US | |
| Parent | 12971365 | Dec 2010 | US |
| Child | 14527425 | US |
