System and method for fumigating a vessel with exhaust

Abstract

An exhaust conduit for a cargo vessel. The exhaust conduit is a flexible conduit with a first upstream opening adapted to engage with an exhaust structure and a second downstream opening for exhausted air. The exhaust conduit is inflatable due to the passage of exhausted air and the downstream opening is of smaller cross-sectional area than the upstream opening. The downstream opening is of adjustable cross-sectional area. In a system for fumigating a RORO vessel, the inflatable exhaust is inflatable to a height exceeding the height of the accomodation block. In a method of fumigating a RORO vessel, the method includes providing a temporary flexible exhaust for exhausting fumigant from the cargo area, and/or providing an inflatable exhaust for exhausting fumigant from the cargo area.

1 - 30 . (canceled) 
     
     
         31 . An exhaust conduit for a cargo vessel, the exhaust conduit comprising a flexible conduit having a first upstream opening adapted to engage with an exhaust structure and a second downstream opening for an exhausted air, wherein the exhaust conduit is inflatable due to the passage of exhausted air, and wherein the downstream opening has a cross-sectional area which is at least one of (i) smaller than the first opening or (ii) adjustable. 
     
     
         32 . The exhaust conduit as claimed in  claim 31 , wherein the flexible conduit is configured to be inflatable to provide an upright exhaust with the second opening configured to be disposed at an upper end of the upright exhaust, with the first opening configured to be disposed (i) at a lower end, (ii) towards the lower end, or (iii) to a side of the upright exhaust. 
     
     
         33 . The exhaust conduit as claimed in  claim 31 , wherein the exhaust conduit comprises at least one portion in which the cross-sectional area is progressively reduced along a length thereof. 
     
     
         34 . The exhaust conduit as claimed in  claim 31 , wherein the flexible conduit is at least one of (i) conical in its inflated form, or (ii) has a first lower cylindrical portion and a second upper conical portion. 
     
     
         35 . The exhaust conduit as claimed in  claim 31 , wherein the flexible conduit has a cylindrical form with an open end being adjustable such that the exhaust conduit is conical in its inflated form. 
     
     
         36 . The exhaust conduit as claimed in  claim 31 , wherein the exhaust conduit is configured to at least one of (i) attach to and over a mechanical exhaust ventilator body, or (ii) facilitate venting through a service doorway of a mechanical exhaust ventilator or a vent housing. 
     
     
         37 . The exhaust conduit as claimed in  claim 31 , wherein the flexible conduit is shaped as an elbow or a T-shape with at least two portions comprising a first portion which has the first upstream opening, and a second portion provided with the second downstream opening for exhaust of a fumigant. 
     
     
         38 . The exhaust conduit as claimed in  claim 37 , wherein the first upstream opening of the first portion is configured to connect to a ventilation duct within a mechanical ventilator, and wherein the first portion is configured to extend out through one or more service doors. 
     
     
         39 . The exhaust conduit as claimed in  claim 38 , wherein the second portion is is angled relative to an outlet of the first portion. 
     
     
         40 . The exhaust conduit as claimed in  claim 37 , wherein the exhaust conduit is configured to connect around a service doorway of a vent house. 
     
     
         41 . The exhaust conduit as claimed in  claim 40 , wherein the exhaust conduit has a T-shape, and comprises a tubular column with a peripheral branch to connect to the service doorway. 
     
     
         42 . The exhaust conduit as claimed in  claim 31 , wherein the flexible conduit has a height that is in the range of about 4 m to 10 m. 
     
     
         43 . The exhaust conduit as claimed in  claim 31 , wherein the flexible conduit comprises an insect net. 
     
     
         44 . The exhaust conduit as claimed in  claim 43 , wherein the insect net is removably attached to the flexible conduit. 
     
     
         45 . The exhaust conduit as claimed in  claim 31 , further comprising tether points configured to tether the exhaust conduit to the cargo vessel. 
     
     
         46 . The exhaust conduit as claimed in  claim 31 , further comprising at least one of internal vanes, baffles or inflatable ribs configured to direct the exhausted air. 
     
     
         47 . A system for fumigating a roll-on/roll-off (RORO) vessel, the system being ancillary to the vessel and comprising:
 a fumigant delivery system configured to deliver a fumigant to a cargo area of the vessel; and   a temporary flexible exhaust configured to assist with a removal of the fumigant from the cargo area, wherein the temporarily flexible exhaust has first and second openings, and wherein the second opening has a cross-sectional area that is smaller than the first opening.   
     
     
         48 . The system as claimed in  claim 47 , wherein the temporary flexible exhaust is fluidly connected around a service doorway of a vent house. 
     
     
         49 . The system as claimed in  claim 47 , wherein the temporary exhaust is in fluid communication with at least one of (i) a mechanical exhaust ventilator, or (ii) a vent house. 
     
     
         50 . A system for fumigating a roll-on/roll-off (RORO) vessel that has a cargo area and an accomodation block, the system being ancillary to the vessel and comprising:
 a fumigant delivery system configured to deliver a fumigant to the cargo area; and an inflatable exhaust configured to assist with a removal of the fumigant from the cargo area, wherein the inflatable exhaust is inflatable to a height that exceeds the height of the accomodation block.   
     
     
         51 . The system as claimed in  claim 50 , wherein the inflatable exhaust is inflated by an exhausted air from the cargo area. 
     
     
         52 . The system as claimed in  claim 50 , wherein the temporary exhaust is fluidly connected to a ventilation duct within a mechanical ventilator, through service doors of the mechanical ventilator. 
     
     
         53 . The system as claimed in  claim 52 , further comprising a support structure to support the temporary exhaust. 
     
     
         54 . A method for ventilating a roll-on/roll-off (RORO) vessel, the method comprising: providing an exhaust for exhausting a fumigant from a cargo area of the vessel, wherein the exhaust is at least one of (i) a temporary flexible exhaust, or (i) an inflatable exhaust. 
     
     
         55 . The method as claimd in  claim 54 , further comprising opening the doors of a service doorway to a mechanical ventilator, and installing the exhaust to a mechanical ventilator. 
     
     
         56 . The method as claimd in  claim 55 , further comprising installing a support assembly to support the exhaust from service doors. 
     
     
         57 . The method as claimd in  claim 55 , further comprising attaching the exhaust to a vent housing by installing the exhaust to fit the doorway, and blocking any exit vents in the vent housing.