PUMPING STATION SPHERE HANDLING METHOD AND SYSTEM

摘要

A method and system applicable to pipeline systems for handling spheres at pumping stations. Particularly the invention serves to launch spheres into the line at the downstream side of a pumping station in predetermined relation to an interface region between different liquid products. Spheres arriving at the pumping station are detected and diverted and stored in a magazine. Previously diverted spheres in the magazine are launched successively into the downstream portion of the line in such a manner as to effectively divide different products. The method makes use of sphere detecting means in the upstream portion of the line to detect the arrival of a group of spheres, and also means for detecting the interface region between different products. Special timing means is provided for controlling the sequence with which the spheres are relaunched into the line, whereby the spacing between relaunched spheres corresponds to a particular volume.