Flint Hills Resources, LP

Peter V Holmgren

A steam cap for use in cleaning out a tank, such as a railroad tank car, is described herein. The steam cap of the invention is preferably affixed to a tank outlet, such as a tanker outlet leg. The steam cap includes a body, preferably made of a drain cup and a line cuff, wherein the body is adapted to be secured to the tank. A delivery pipe extends into an interior space defined by the body. The drain cup defines an annular space around the delivery pipe. A condensate drain line communicates with the annular space. The condensate drain line extends outwardly from the drain cup. In use, steam or other material, delivered to the tank through the delivery pipe condenses on the tank walls and collects at a bottom of the tank. The condensate drains out of the tank outlet into the annular space in the drain cup. Condensate is then drained out of the annular region of the interior space through the condensate drain line or through a perforation. The condensate may be drained out of the annular space simultaneous to delivery of steam through the delivery pipe, which is advantageous in reducing time required to clean a tank.

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Fairbanks, AK, United States of America

Peter V Holmgren