Pressure differential manlid and method of discharging a shipping container using a pressure differential

Abstract

A mock manlid system includes a lid defining a first side and an opposing second side and an aperture through which a valve assembly is coupled. The lid seats about a manhole of a shipping container with a conventional manlid retracted. The valve assembly connects to a spillbox located in the manhole for discharging the shipping container under pressure.

1 . A mock manlid system for use with a spillbox, the mock manlid comprising: 
 a hatch defining a first side, an opposing second side and an aperture therethrough;    a valve assembly coupled through the aperture, the hatch being configured to seat about a manhole of a shipping container, the valve assembly being configured for connection to a spillbox disposed in the manhole for discharging cargo from the shipping container under pressure.    
   
   
       2 . The mock manlid system as in  claim 1 , wherein the hatch defines a circumferential lip having an annular groove defined therein, the annular groove being configured to seat around the manhole.  
   
   
       3 . The mock manlid system as in  claim 1 , further comprising an annular seal disposed about the hatch, the seal being configured to seal the hatch against the manhole to pressurize the shipping container.  
   
   
       4 . The mock manlid system as in  claim 1 , wherein the pressure for discharging the shipping container is from about fifty pounds per square inch to about sixty-five pounds per square inch.  
   
   
       5 . The mock manlid system as in  claim 1 , wherein the valve assembly defines a discharge end disposed on the first side of the hatch and a coupling end disposed on the second side of the hatch, and further comprising a coupling hose defining a first end and a second end, the coupling end attached to the first end of the coupling hose, the second end attached to a valve of the spillbox.  
   
   
       6 . The mock manlid system as in  claim 5 , further comprising a discharge hose attached to the discharge end of the valve assembly and a pressure hose attached to a pressure valve of the shipping container to pressurize the shipping container, the pressure forcing the cargo from the shipping container through the spillbox valve and the valve assembly into the discharge hose.  
   
   
       7 . A mock manlid system, comprising; 
 a portable hatch defining a first side, an opposing second side and an aperture therethrough;    a valve assembly coupled through the aperture, the portable hatch being configured to seat about a manhole of a shipping container;    a coupling hose connected to the valve assembly; and    a spillbox having a valve, the spillbox disposed in the manhole and the valve connected to the coupling hose, wherein the shipping container under pressure discharges cargo from the shipping container through the spillbox valve and the valve assembly.    
   
   
       8 . The mock manlid system as in  claim 7 , wherein the hatch defines a circumferential lip having an annular groove defined therein, the annular groove being configured to seat against a circumferential lip depending from a perimeter of the manhole.  
   
   
       9 . The mock manlid system as in  claim 7 , wherein the pressure for discharging the shipping container is from about fifty pounds per square inch to about sixty-five pounds per square inch.  
   
   
       10 . The mock manlid system as in  claim 7 , wherein the spillbox defines a vent hole therethrough to prevent liquid ingress into the shipping container.  
   
   
       11 . A method for pressurized discharge of cargo from a shipping container, the method comprising: 
 attaching a valve assembly of a mock manlid to a valve of a spillbox, the spillbox disposed in a manhole of a shipping container;    placing the mock manlid over the manhole;    attaching a discharge hose to the valve assembly;    pressurizing the shipping container;    discharging a load of cargo from the shipping container through the spillbox valve and the discharge hose.    
   
   
       12 . The method as in  claim 11 , wherein the mock manlid includes an annular seal disposed about the hatch, the seal being configured to seal the hatch against the manhole to pressurize the shipping container.  
   
   
       13 . The method as in  claim 11 , wherein the shipping container is pressurized from about fifty pounds per square inch to about sixty-five pounds per square inch to discharge the load of cargo.  
   
   
       14 . The method as in  claim 11 , further comprising attaching a pressure hose to a pressure valve of the shipping container to pressurize the shipping container.  
   
   
       15 . The method as in  claim 11 , further comprising moving a manlid of the shipping container in a direction away from the manhole before placing the mock manlid over the manhole.  
   
   
       16 . The method as in  claim 11 , further comprising connecting a plurality of latches disposed about the manhole to a plurality of lugs disposed about the mock manlid.  
   
   
       17 . The method as in  claim 11 , further comprising attaching a coupling hose to the valve assembly and to the valve.  
   
   
       18 . The method as in  claim 11 , further comprising opening the valve assembly and the valve to discharge the load of cargo.  
   
   
       19 . The method as in  claim 11 , further comprising depressurizing the shipping container.  
   
   
       20 . The method as in  claim 11 , further comprising removing the mock manlid from the shipping container.  
   
   
       21 . The method as in  claim 11 , further comprising removing the spillbox from the shipping container.  
   
   
       22 . A mock manlid system, comprising: 
 a hatch defining a first side, an opposing second side and an aperture therethrough;    an outlet valve coupled through the aperture, the hatch being configured to seat about a manhole of a shipping container, the outlet valve being configured for connection to a liner disposed in the shipping container for discharging cargo from the shipping container under pressure.    
   
   
       23 . The mock manlid system as in  claim 22 , further comprising an air inlet valve attached to the hatch, the air inlet valve being configured to inject air into the shipping container to impart a pressure differential between the shipping container and the liner.  
   
   
       24 . The mock manlid system as in  claim 23 , further comprising a pressure gauge in communication with the air inlet valve for sensing the pressure differential.  
   
   
       25 . The mock manlid system as in  claim 22 , further comprising a pressure relief valve attached to the hatch, the pressure relief valve being configured to relieve a pressure differential.  
   
   
       26 . A method for pressurized discharge of cargo from a shipping container, the method comprising: 
 attaching an outlet valve through a blind flange of a shipping container;    attaching a first end of a discharge hose to the outlet valve;    attaching a second end of the discharge hose to a liner disposed in the shipping container;    pressurizing the shipping container; and    discharging a load of cargo from the shipping container through the outlet valve.