FORM 2
THE PATENTS ACT 1970
(39 of 1970)
&
The Patents Rules, 2003
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION
(See Section 10; Rule 13)
1. TITLE OF THE INVENTION:
Container System for Transportation of Bromine.
2. APPLICANT(S)
(a) NAME: Agrocel Industries Limited
(b) NATIONALITY: An Indian Company
(c) ADDRESS:
Agrocel Industries Limited
4th Floor, Doctor House,
Opp. G K General Hospital,
Bhuj,
Gujarat 370 001,
INDIA.
3. PREAMBLE TO THE DESCRIPTION:
The following COMPLETE specification particularly describes the nature of this invention and the manner in which it is to be performed.

CONTAINER SYSTEM FOR TRANSPORTATION OF BROMINE
FIELD OF INVENTION
This invention relates to a container-system for transportation of bromine. More particularly, present invention relates to a container system for transportation of bromine comprising an outer container made up of a polymer material and an inner container made up of PVDF with a substance filled between the two containers which absorbs shocks as well as bromine spillage. The containers are mounted on a steel frame so as to carry multiple containers one above the other in transportation.
BACKGROUND AND PRIOR ART
Bromine is a highly corrosive element. It attacks common metals and becomes more corrosive in presence of moisture.
It is generally stored and transported in glass or glass-lined containers, lead-lined containers, or containers of monel comprising mainly of Ni & Cu. C C Crump Limited based in UK designs and manufactures either lead or PVDF lined vessels for the transportation of Bromine. Though lead is resistant to dry bromine, in presence of moisture, acid is formed which is corrosive to lead-lined vessels. Corrosiveness of bromine to metals increases if the water content in bromine is above 70 ppm. Glass or glass-lined containers are expensive and fragile. Moreover, lead-lined or glass-lined containers are heavy and consequently a substantial amount of dead-weight is to be transported which adds to the transportation cost. It is also difficult to handle such type of containers.

PVDF lined mild steel has limitations. PVDF though resistant to corrosion, it's permeability for bromine increases with pressure. Density of bromine is 3.1 and hence it exerts pressure on the walls of the vessel. The pressure further increases during unloading of bromine under pressure with dry air or nitrogen.
As described in GB 1037704, bromine can be stored in stainless steel container as a admixture with small amount of nitrogen oxide. However, it adds NOx to the environment and also recurring cost. Moreover, it is necessary to coat the container from outside because bromine splashes during filling and emptying of the vessel. NOx being volatile, quickly evaporates into atmosphere from splashed bromine. Bromine also comes into contact with moisture and produces acid near openings for transfer, resulting in corrosion.
Bromaid is a consortium among European bromine companies with an aim to define and promote best practice for the distribution, handling and use of bromine. According to Bromaid, a pressure transfer is the simplest means of transferring bromine from one container to another. However, pressure transfer method can only be used if the container can withstand the pressure required to empty the container.
Conventionally, bromine is transferred under pressure using dry nitrogen or dry air. Containers with two or three valves are used to facilitate transfer of bromine under pressure. One valve is used for pressurizing and one valve is used for discharge. However, leakage in pressurized lines, pipe fittings and pipe joints pose a risk of escape of hazardous material like bromine into the atmosphere and exposure of human beings in the working environment.

In addition to abovementioned disadvantages of prior art, it is not practicable to transfer bromine under vacuum because the density of bromine is 3.1. Due to this reason, bromine is transferred either by pouring or by applying pressure using dry air or dry nitrogen as mentioned above.
Thus there is a need for a safe and effective transportation system for bromine which overcomes abovementioned disadvantages of the prior art.
OBJECTS OF INVENTION
It is an object of this invention to provide a corrosion resistant container system for transportation of bromine which is safe.
Another object of invention is to provide a container system for transportation of bromine wherein dead-weight is minimized.
Another object of invention is to provide a container system for transportation of bromine which is cost-effective.
Yet another object of invention is to provide a container system for transportation of bromine which is easy to handle.
Yet another object of invention is to provide a container system for transportation of bromine which is flexible and parts of which can be easily dismantled and replaced instead of replacing the entire system.
Yet another object of invention is to provide a container system for transportation of bromine which is easy to maintain at a low maintenance cost.

Another object of invention is to provide a container system for transportation of bromine which prevents accumulation of weight on a single surface and thus preventing development of huge pressure on the walls of the container.
Another object of invention is to provide a container system for transportation of bromine which facilitates easy transfer of bromine under vacuum and gravity.
STATEMENT OF INVENTION
The present invention provides a container system for safe and cost-effective transportation of bromine, said system comprising an outer container made up of a polymer material and an inner container made up of polyethylene treated with fluorine. An absorbent substance is filled between the two containers which absorbs shocks as well as bromine spillage, if any, during transportation. The containers are mounted on multiple units of steel frames so as to carry multiple containers one above the other in transportation.
DESCRIPTION OF ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS
Fig. 1 illustrates vertical section of a single unit of the container system. Item 1 is the cage; Item 2 is outer container; Item 3 is packing material; Item 4 is inner container.
Fig.2 illustrates the cage.
Fig.3 illustrates the ring at the bottom of cage, which is provided with supportive strips.

Fig.4 illustrates a complete unit of container system.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION
The container system for transportation of bromine includes multiple units, each unit comprising (i) an outer container made up of a polymer material; (ii) an inner container made up of polyethylene treated with fluorine, said inner container placed inside said outer container; (iii) an absorbent substance filled between the two containers which absorbs shocks as well as bromine spillage; (iv) a frame/cage made up of hard material such as steel, into which said outer container is placed.
The outer container is made up of commercially available high molecular weight high density polyethylene generally known as HM-HDPE.
As per an embodiment of present invention, the outer container is a full-open-top carboy (Fig. 1, Item-2). The outer carboy is of around 40-60 liter capacity, around 400 mm diameter, around 600 mm height and around 2.5 Kg weight. The carboy is closed with a matching lid with gasket and it is tightened with clamping ring so as to make it pilfer proof and lockable with T-clip. Two handles are provided on diagonally opposite sides to facilitate handling of the container.
Outer carboys of smaller size can also be used. Larger carboys pose risk of breakage and it is not convenient to handle. The shape and size of the carboy is only illustrative and not limitative to the scope of this patent application.
The inner container is made up of fluorinated high density polyethylene generally known as F-HDPE. In F-HDPE, fluorine is chemically bonded

to the outermost surface of the polyethylene, providing enhanced protection against chemical attack and it is recommended for storing aggressive chemicals. It also reduces chemical permeation, distortion and discoloration of the container. The shape and size of inner container is chosen in a manner so as to accommodate it within the outer container along with packing material (absorbent) filled between inner & outer containers to absorb shocks and leakage (if any).
As per an embodiment of present invention, the inner container [Fig. 1, Item - 4] is made up of F-HDPE. It has a neck-bung type opening. The thickness of walls of inner container is around 2.5 mm.
Density of bromine is high (3.1). Due to this, it exerts pressure on the walls of the container. Moreover, permeability of walls of container increases at elevated pressure. Hence the dimensions of the containers should not be too large.
The packing material (absorbent) serves a dual function. It absorbs shock as well as bromine leakage (if any). The packing material is abrasion resistant and it works as a cushion against shock, impact and rough handling. Example of packing material include vermiculite, sawdust, sand etc. Vermiculite is preferred choice as it has all desirable properties.
Inner container is accommodated into the outer container with packing material filled between containers as mentioned above.
The outer container (along with inner container and packing material between inner and outer containers) is placed in a casing. The casing is made up of hard material such as mild steel (MS). It is like a cage made up of metal strips. An illustrative example of cage is shown in Fig.2. The

width and thickness of the strips is chosen so as to provide necessary strength to withstand the weight of material filled along with the containers arranged one above the other (stack load). The shape and size of the cage is chosen in such a way that the outer container can be easily accommodated in the said cage. The cage can be made up of rings joined together with three or more side-bars so as to form a hollow cylindrical-shaped cage. The ring at the bottom of said cage is provided with two or more supportive strips attached diagonally across said ring [Fig.3]. The shape of the cage is only illustrative and not limitative to the scope of this patent application.
As per an embodiment of the present invention, the casing/cage is made up from MS strips of dimensions 40 mm width and 3 mm thickness. The design of the cage include three rings with 408 mm outer diameter made from said MS strips, joined parallel to each other with four side-bars. The distance between bottom ring and middle ring is 390 mm and that between middle and upper ring is 250 mm. The position of the middle ring is chosen considering geometry of the outer container so as to get good grip/support. Vertical side-bars of the cage are extended beyond horizontal extreme i.e., beyond the ring at the bottom on the lower side. This facilitates handling and it is also advantageous in the sense that it will avoid load on the horizontal strips and it will in turn avoid bending of horizontal strips. The upper ring is attached at right angle with four additional pieces of strips with rounded corner as shown in Fig.2. The extension of side-bars can fit into the geometry at upper ring, formed due to attachment of said additional pieces of strips. This facilitates interlocking of the cage units and prevent dislocation or falling of the units. Multiple units can be easily and safely transported with such interlocking arrangement. Two handles are attached on the upper ring as shown in Fig.4

For unloading of bromine, a single unit (including cage, outer container, inner containers filled with bromine and the packing material filled between outer and inner containers) can be lifted or transferred to a place where it is to be unloaded. Bromine is then syphoned out from the inner container to a suitable storage tank.

We Claim:
1. A system for transportation of bromine comprising inter-lockable multiple units, each unit comprising: (i) an outer container made up of a polymer material; (ii) an inner container made up of polyethylene treated with fluorine, said inner container placed inside said outer container; (iii) a packing material filled between the two containers; (iv) a frame/cage made up of hard material such as mild steel, into which said outer container is placed.
2. A system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said outer container is made pilfer-free by closing it with a matching lid with gasket, tightening with clamping ring and locking it.
3. A system as claimed in any of the claims 1 or 2, wherein said outer container is provided with two handles on diagonally opposite sides on the top.
4. A system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said inner container has a neck-bung type opening.
5. A system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said packing material is selected from vermiculite, saw-dust or sand.
6. A system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said packing material is vermiculite.
7. A system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said cage are inter-lockable.