NO346815B1

NO346815B1 - Hose storage tower

Info

Publication number: NO346815B1
Application number: NO20210322A
Authority: NO
Inventors: Stig Helleland Erlandsen
Original assignee: Virix As
Priority date: 2021-03-11
Filing date: 2021-03-11
Publication date: 2023-01-16
Also published as: NO20210322A1; WO2022191717A1

Description

HOSE STORAGE TOWER

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates in particular to hose storage towers.

BACKGROUND

Hose storage towers may be employed for example on a quayside or jetty to support and store a hose from an elevated position. By supporting the hose from sufficient height on the tower, the stored hose can conveniently be made available and connected to a vessel moored alongside. The end of the hose is connected for example to the mid-ship loading / unloading manifold on the vessel. Contents such as fluids or other material can then be transmitted through the hose between the vessel and shore.

When disconnected from the vessel, the hose is stored on the hose tower, hanging from the tower down vertically along the outside of the tower ready for future connection to a vessel.

In order to cater for different vessels and requirements, the section of stored hose hanging down from the tower can be of considerable length. Hose towers are typically therefore large and/or tall structures. Long hanging sections may be more cumbersome to handle and/or connect to the vessel. Such sections may be susceptible to swinging forces, knocks and damage, and may have greater maintenance requirements. The structure of the tower that supports the hose may also require maintenance and in the case of a tall tower may need to meet onerous structural requirements to withstand expected forces.

A specific hose tower may for certain vessels result in the hose being supported from position with a height difference to the connection point of the vessel which can present challenges of handling and that might adversely affect the transfer of fluid through the hose.

At least one aim of the invention is to obviate or mitigate one or more drawbacks of prior art.

SUMMARY

According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided apparatus for providing a hose storage tower for storing and making available at least one hose for connection to a marine vessel, the apparatus comprising: at least one hose support member for receiving at least one hose over the hose support member for suspending the hose from the tower; at least one movable guide member for defining at least one trajectory of the hose toward the hose support member along the tower; and at least one structure for supporting the movable guide member; wherein the movable guide member is operable to configure the hose trajectory by movement of the movable guide member relative to the structure and with a component transverse to the tower, for varying the length of the hose trajectory and thereby varying the extent of available hose to be suspended from the tower.

The movable guide member may comprise an arc for bearing against the hose. The movable guide member may comprise at least one wheel.

The apparatus may include preferably at least one pair of movable guide members. The movable guide members may be configured to be mounted to the structure, and/or may be operable to configure the hose trajectory by movement of both the movable guide members of the pair relative to the structure. The guide members of the pair may be moved with respective components in opposite transverse directions with respect to the tower.

The apparatus may further comprise at least one beam configured to be rotatably mounted to the structure. The one guide member of the pair may be configured to be mounted to a first end of the beam. The other guide member of the pair may be configured to be mounted to a second end of the beam. In such way, upon rotation of the beam in use, the hose may be engaged in opposite directions to modify the trajectory of the hose.

The apparatus may include the hose. The structure may be configured to provide a fixed structure of the hose storage tower. The structure may comprise a frame. The support member may be provided on an end of the frame for supporting the hose at height upon the frame, in use.

According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a hose storage tower defining at least one hose trajectory for suspending a hose at height from the tower, the hose tower being provided with at least one movable guide member and the hose trajectory being configurable by transverse movement of the guide member to vary tortuosity or length of the hose trajectory and thereby the extent of available hose suspended from the tower.

The trajectory of the hose may preferably climb or increase in elevation monotonically toward the support member, e.g. between base of the hose tower and the support member at an elevated location on the hose tower.

The hose storage tower may include the hose. The hose may extend upward along the tower toward the support member. The hose may further extend and/or pass over the support member for suspending the hose from the tower. The hose may have a hose apex and may rise monotonically on the trajectory between the base of the tower and the hose apex.

The hose may extend between a fixed end connection at a lower end of the tower and the support member at an elevated location. The hose may extend between respective ends, wherein one end of the hose may be a fixed end connected to the fixed end connection, and the other end of the hose may be a free end available for connecting to a vessel.

The guide member may movable between a first configuration of the tower, and a second configuration of the tower. The first configuration may be a parked or retracted configuration. The second configuration may be a use configuration or an extracted or extended configuration.

The hose or hose trajectory may provide an incline, e.g. a continuous fall, for draining liquid inside the hose down the incline from the support member and out of the hose through the end connector. Liquid may be drained and/or emptied from the hose in either or both the first and second configurations, e.g. through the S-bend when in the parked configuration.

The support member may typically comprise an arc for bearing against the hose.

The at least one guide member may preferably comprise at least one pair of movable guide members. The guide members may be mounted on respective first and second ends of a rotatable beam, and the beam may be rotatably mounted on a fixed structure of the tower. The beam may be rotatable relative to the structure, about pivot located in an intermediate position between the first end second ends. The hose may pass on the trajectory through a region between the first and second guide members. The beam may be rotatable to move the guide members in respective directions transverse to tower for engaging the hose, and/or urging the hose into an S-bend trajectory through the guide members to retract the hose.

The trajectory may be configurable to arrange the hose on the trajectory to form an S-trajectory for configuring the hose in a retracted configuration.

According to a third aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of using the hose storage tower of any preceding claim, the method comprising the steps of: suspending a length of the hose from the hose storage tower; and arranging at least one movable guide member to make available a desired extent of hose suspended from the hose storage tower, by moving the guide member transverse to the tower to vary the length of the hose trajectory.

Any of the above aspects of the invention may further comprise one or more features as described in relation to any other aspect of the invention wherever described herein.

Embodiments of the invention are advantageous in various respects as will be apparent from throughout the present description.

DRAWINGS AND SPECIFIC DESCRIPTION

There will now be described, by way of example only, embodiments of the invention with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a side representation of a hose tower with the hose in a first, retracted configuration;

Figure 2 is a side representation of the hose tower of Figure 1 with the hose in a second, extracted configuration;

Figure 3 is a side representation of another hose tower with an alternative arrangement of guide members, in a first, retracted configuration;

Figure 4 is a side representation of the hose tower of Figure 3 in a second, extracted configuration;

Figure 5 is a front-on representation of another hose tower with multiple hoses; and Figure 6 is a perspective representation of the hose tower of Figure 5 in smaller scale.

With reference to Figures 1 and 2, apparatus in the form of a hose storage tower 1 is generally depicted. The hose storage tower 1 is disposed on a jetty 2. A vessel (not shown) may from time to time be moored at the jetty 2 so that it is located next to the tower 1 in the water 4. A hose section 12f hanging freely from the tower 1 is available to be used for connection to the vessel. The end 12b of the hanging hose section 12f can then be connected to the vessel to allow transmission of contents through the connected hose 12 onto or off the vessel. For example, fluids or bulk materials may be transferred through the hose 12. An example fluid is Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) or Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) which can be carried as cargo on a designated LNG or LPG carrier vessel.

The hose storage tower 1 is provided with a hose 12 and has one or more support members 9 which support the hose 12 in elevated position for suspending the hose 12 from the tower 1. The hose 12 is passed over the support member(s) 9 which defines an apex 50 of the hose trajectory. The hose 12 is thereby suspended from the tower 1, in effect hung over the support member(s) 9, with a section 12f of the hose 12 hanging down freely in the storage configuration of Figure 1 available for use.

Although clearly there are many ways in which one may provide a hose tower with one or more support members 9 for supporting for the hose 12 in an elevated position, the structure 3 of the present example comprises a frame, e.g. being a fixed framework of trusses and crossbeams, that extends in a vertical direction upwardly from a surface 2 of the jetty from a lower end 5a to an upper end 5b, with the support member 9 being provided on the upper end 5b. The hanging section of the hose 12f in Figure 1 in this case hangs along a front side of the structure 3, i.e. on the side that faces towards the mooring and water 4.

In Figure 1, the hose 12 stored on the tower 1 so that the hanging section 12f hangs down along the front side of the structure 3. However, the hose 12 can beneficially be retracted or extracted from the tower 1, as will now be described in more detail below. In Figure 2, the free end 12f of the hose is shown in extracted configuration, supported in U-shape from the support member 9, during lifting for connection to a vessel, although the end is not yet actually connected to any vessel.

It can first be noted that the hose storage tower 1 is provided with a pair of movable guide members in this example in the form of wheels 7, 8. The hose 12 arranged on a trajectory between the wheels 7, 8 extending upwardly along the tower 1. The wheels 7, 8 are movable to engage the hose 12 and change the trajectory of the hose 12. In particular, the trajectory of the hose 12 is configurable by transverse components of movement of the wheels 7, 8 to vary the length of the trajectory of the hose 12 toward the apex 50 at the upper end 5b. The extent of available hose 12f suspended from the tower 1 is correspondingly configurable. The hose 12 can thus be retracted by making the trajectory through the guide members longer or extracted by making that trajectory shorter, according to needs.

In the configuration of Figure 2, the path of the hose 12 is relatively straight, extending upward through the wheels 7, 8, and providing an available, usable section 12f of extracted hose of length L2. In the configuration of Figure 1, the wheels 7, 8 are positioned to define a tortuous path up the tower 1 where the hose 12 is urged into an S-shape through the wheels 7, 8. This reduces the usable length L1 of hose 12f available along the front of the structure 3, the length L1 being significantly less than L2. Thus, by moving from the configuration of Figure 2 to that of Figure 1, the hose can be retracted. And vice versa, by moving from the configuration of Figure 1 to that of Figure 2, the hose 12 can be extracted. Thus, in Figure 1 the hose storage tower has a retracted, storage configuration, in which the hose is retracted and in Figure 2 the hose storage tower has an extracted configuration in which the hose is extracted for use, such as to connect to a vessel.

In this way, a relative long hose length L2 can be made available for use. However, by way of being able to lengthen the trajectory of the hose 12 up the tower 1 using the guide members, the hose 12 can be stored more compactly such that a tower structure 3 that may not need to extend to great height and thus may alleviate constructional requirements.

Furthermore, the reconfiguration of hose trajectory may allow the hose 12 to be extracted from the hose storage tower 1 by a desired predetermined length, e.g. with the suspended portion 12f of the hose 12 having a certain predefined intermediate length in the range between a minimum length L1 and maximum length L2. This can be achieved by moving the wheels an intermediate distance between the configurations of Figures 1 and 2, producing a less pronounced S-shape to the trajectory. Yet further, the length of the hose 12f can be adapted during transfer through the hose 12 by movement of the guide wheels 7, 8.

The wheels 7, 8 in the example of Figures 1 and 2 are mounted at respective ends of a beam 15 which in turn is mounted rotatably to the fixed structure 3 by way of the rotatable joint formed at an intermediate position between the ends of the beam 15 for connecting the beam to the frame. The beam 15 together with the wheels 7, 8 is rotatable around a horizontal axis 20, as indicated by arrows C. An actuator or motor is arranged to drive rotation of the beam 15 relative to the frame 3. The hose 12 passes between the wheels 7, 8 through an intermediate region defined generally between the beam ends. Upon rotating the beam 15, the wheels 7, 8 are moved orbitally around the horizontal axis 20 so that the lower wheel 7 urges a lower portion of the hose laterally toward the front of the frame 3, and the upper wheel 8 urges an upper portion of the hose laterally toward the rear of the frame 3. The wheels 7, 8 therefore force the hose 12 into respective bends in accordance with the wheel curvature, increasing the tortuosity and length of the hose 12i inboard of the tower 1, and producing the tortuous S-shaped configuration of the hose 12. The provision of the guide members on the beam may facilitate distribution of forces upon the hose 12, which may facilitate hose longevity. Using beam rotation to produce movement of both guide members together may facilitate operation and control.

The hose 12 bears against the circumference of the wheels 7, 8, more specifically in this example against curved surfaces 17, 18 that extend along the circumference of the wheel 7, 8. When engaged by the wheels 7, 8 therefore to reconfigure the hose into a tortuous trajectory, the wheels transmit a lateral force component against the hose 12 and the hose 12 is adapted to the curvature of the surfaces 17, 18. Considerable friction may be imparted between the hose 12 and the surfaces 17, 18, as the beam 15 is rotated and the wheels 7, 8 travel to new locations relative to the frame 3. Accordingly, the wheels 7, 8 are allowed to rotate relative to the beam 15 about respective horizontal axes 30, 40. The wheels 7, 8 are low friction mounted to the beam 15 to permit free rotation of the wheels 7, 8 about the axes 30, 40 responding to the movement of the beam 15 whilst engaging the hose 12 (see arrows R1 and R2).

The above provides merely an example of possible arrangements of guide members. In other variants for example, a roller track extending in an arc or circumferentially about a fixed support on the beam is provided instead of the rotatably mounted wheels 7, 8. The hose 12 is located against rollers on the track bed and upon movement of the beam 15, the fixed location roller track orbits the axis 30 urging the hose into another configuration and hose trajectory. The rollers turn on low friction bearings to permit movement or adjustment of the hose along the circumference or arc of the track, as the beam 15 is rotated. In yet other variants, rollers can be omitted, and a low friction curved track or guide surface may be provided in place of the wheels 7, 8 for contacting and engaging the hose 12.

In the retracted configuration when the hose 12 is engaged by curved surface of the wheels 7, 8 or other curved guide member, the hose follows or conforms to the curvature of the curved surface. The diameter and curvature of the wheels or other curved guide member is selected so that when the hose 12 is engaged and urged transverse direction laterally it does not exceed the minimum operational bend radius for the hose. Thus, the wheels 7, 8 are configured with surfaces 17, 18 configured to adhere to minimum bend radius requirements. The minimum bend radius may depend upon hose size, materials, and/or other criteria.

The hose 12 takes a trajectory monotonically upward along the structure 3 from the end connector 19 at the lower end 3a of the tower 1 to the peak of the trajectory 50 on the support 9 at the upper end 5b of the tower 1. The wheels 7, 8 and beam 15 are positioned accordingly so that the monotonic trajectory, i.e. monotonic increase in elevation, is provided in both the fully retracted and fully extracted configurations (Figures 1 and 2), and all configurations between. The monotonic configuration can facilitate drainage of material in the hose 12 under gravity and/or cleaning when the hose end 12b is disconnected from the vessel. In the retracted, parked configuration(s) therefore, the hose 12 provides a fall, i.e. a downward incline, for draining liquid out of the hose from the apex 50 downward along the tower through the end connector 19 at the base of the tower, e.g. when the hose is not transferring material to/from the vessel or is disconnected from the vessel

The hose 12 passes over the upper end of the tower structure 3 so as to be suspended from the tower. The hose extends over and is supported by the support 9 which defines an apex or peak 50 of the hose trajectory. The support 9 provides a shoulder that overhangs a front side of the frame 3. The shoulder has a curved bed or surface 19 for the hose 12. The hose passes over the shoulder, supported on the curved bed or surface, so as to be suspended from the shoulder along the front of the frame 3. The hose 12 travels over the support and shoulder as the hose 12 is extracted or retracted from the tower 1. The hose 12 conforms to the curvature of the curved bed or curved surface of the shoulder. The tightness of bend of the hose 12 over the shoulder transitioning into free length 12f can then be controlled so that it does not exceed the minimum bend radius requirement.

Moving toward the lower end 5a of the tower 1, the hose 12 transitions into a lateral trajectory supported by fixed support 6. The support 6 comprises a surface against which the transitioning hose portion can bear, and which is of curvature to guide and maintain the hose on a trajectory that does not exceed bend requirements. The inboard hose end 12a of the hose 12 is connected fixedly to the end connector 19 at the lower end 5a of the tower 1. The end connector 19 in this example comprises a rigid pipe stub with flange mounted in fixed position with respect to the tower, in this example fixed to the frame of structure 3. The end connector 19 provides for connecting between the hose 12 and other pipework (not shown), e.g. for connecting onward to other pipework such as pipes or flowlines of onshore recipient or supply facilities in other locations away from the tower.

In use, the wheels, 7, 8 are positioned by operating the beam 15 to rotate about axis 20 to adjust the length of trajectory of the inboard hose portion 12i along the tower 1. By doing so, the hose 12 is extracted or retracted to obtain a desired extent of usable hose 12f extracted from the tower. In order to connect the hose 12 to the vessel, a crane is then connected to the free end 12b of the hose, and is operated to lift the hose end 12b onto the vessel where it is then connected, e.g. to hose manifold connectors by personnel on the vessel. Transfer of material through the hose onto or off the vessel is then performed.

With reference in particular now to Figures 3 and 4, a hose storage tower 101 is depicted where the trajectory of the hose 112 is configured by other means than the rotatable beam 15. Corresponding features are denoted with the same reference numerals as Figures 1 and 2 incremented by one hundred. A first, lower movable guide member 107 is arranged for travelling in direction A on a horizontal track 125 at a first elevation. The hose 112 tracks and bears against an arc 117, e.g. curved surface or roller bed, of the guide member 107. A second upper movable guide member 108 is arranged for travelling in direction B on a horizontal track 126 at a second, higher elevation along the tower 101. The hose 112 tracks and bears against an arc 118, e.g. curved surface or roller bed, of the guide member 108. The first and second guide members 107, 108 are arranged to act on opposite sides of the hose 112. In order to move from a first configuration in Figure 3 in which the hose trajectory has a short path to the apex 150 to a second configuration in which the hose trajectory to the apex 50 is more tortuous and has an S-shape, the first guide member 107 is arranged to exert a force component on the hose 112 toward the front of the tower in direction A, and the second guide member 108 is arranged to exert a force component on the hose 112 in the opposite direction toward a rear of the tower in direction B. The hose 112 is correspondingly forced to bend to an increasing amount between the two configurations in response to being urged by guide members 107, 108 applying force components in directions A and B. This shortens the usable free length 112f of hose suspended from the tower. Linear actuators 127, 128 for producing the lateral movement of the guide members 107, 108 are arranged to act upon the guide members 107, 108. The actuators 127, 128 obtain leverage from a structure 103 of the tower, and extend or contract laterally to push or pull the guide members laterally along the tracks 125, 126.

Whilst the above examples depict guide members 7, 8, 107, 108 cooperating in pairs movably in opposite lateral directions to produce an S-shaped bend of the hose, still other configurations can be envisaged to produce suitable reconfiguration of the trajectory to shorten or lengthen the extent of the hose suspended from the tower. For example, further bends in the trajectory may be produced by adding in further guide members. Alternatively, the hose trajectory between the base of the tower and the apex 50, 150 may also be shortened by operating only one guide member to move laterally across the structure 103. However, using at least two movable guide members 7, 8 or 107, 108 cooperating to act in opposite directions such as exemplified above may allow for providing a more compact tower laterally as well as vertically.

With reference now in particular to Figures 5 and 6, a hose storage tower 201 includes a plurality of hoses 212 passed over respective support apexes 250 of the tower, so as to hang multiple hoses 212 from the tower in parallel. The trajectories of respective ones of the plurality of hoses 212 are configurable independently into S-shape, as indicated in for example Figures 1 and 2 by guide members 207, 208 on rotating beam mechanism 210, to extract or retract the hose 212. Thus, hose lengths 212f hanging along the front of the tower frame 3 are available in parallel and configured by operation of the beam mechanism 210 to have defined lengths depending upon the position of the guide members. The right-hand hose section 212f in Figure 5 is set at length L2, whereas the other hoses 112 are each configured with usable length L1. Corresponding features are denoted with the same reference numerals as in Figures 1 and 2 incremented by two hundred.

By making hoses available in parallel, the free end portions of the hoses can be conveniently lifted and manipulated into position onto the vessel for connection. The lifting and manipulation of the connecting end 212b of the hose onto the vessel is performed separately by operating lifting means (not shown), such as a crane or the like. In the case of a crane, the crane wire is coupled to the hose ends 12b of the hose 12f hanging from the tower, and then lifts, moves, and lowers these into place on the vessel, e.g. near the hose connection manifold on the ship.

The free end portions 212f of the hoses on the multi-hose tower 201 can also advantageously be configured with different lengths of extension from the tower. This may permit crossing of hoses more easily. A particular hose of the hose tower may be configured to reach across and connect to any desired connector of a midship manifold regardless of position of the connector whether located toward bow or stern along the vessel.

The hoses 12, 112, 212 described herein have for example an internal diameter of 8 inches or greater for example in the range of 16 to 20 inches. As can be appreciated the hoses 12 are flexible within minimum bend radius limits and have a tubular structure. The minimum bending radius can vary from type to type and producer and quality. The hose can in some examples have an internal diameter of 10" diameter with a minimum bend radius of 1600 mm.

They are provided in single drapes over the support member so as to be suspended the tower. It will be appreciated that the hoses 12, 112, 212 depicted on the hose storage towers herein provide a tubular structure and are not spooled, not arranged in layers, and not folded or collapsed. It will also be appreciated that although the tower is supported on a jetty in various examples above, it may in other variants be stored on land, e.g. on a quayside.

Various modifications and improvements may be made without departing from the scope of the invention herein described.

Claims

1. Apparatus for providing a hose storage tower (1, 101, 201) for storing and making available at least one hose (12, 112, 212) for connection to a marine vessel, the apparatus comprising:

at least one hose support member (9, 109) for receiving at least one hose (12, 112, 212) over the hose support member (9, 109) for suspending the hose (12, 112, 212) from the tower;

at least one movable guide member (7, 8, 107, 108) for defining at least one trajectory of the hose toward the hose support member (9, 109) along the tower; and

at least one structure (3, 103, 203) for supporting the movable guide member thereupon (7, 8, 107, 108);

characterized in that the movable guide member (7, 8, 107, 108) is operable to configure the hose trajectory by movement of the movable guide member (7, 8, 107, 108) relative to the structure (3, 103, 203) and with a component transverse to the tower (1, 101, 201), for varying the length of the hose trajectory and thereby varying the extent of available hose (12f, 112f, 212f) to be suspended from the tower.

2. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the movable guide member comprises an arc (117, 118) for bearing against the hose.

3. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the movable guide member comprises at least one wheel (7, 8).

4. Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, including at least one pair of movable guide members (7, 8, 107, 108) operable to configure the hose trajectory by movement of both the movable guide members of the pair relative to the structure and with respective components in opposite transverse7, directions with respect to the tower.

5. Apparatus as claimed in claim 4, further comprising at least one beam (15) configured to be rotatably mounted to the structure (3), wherein the one guide member (7) of the pair is configured to be mounted to a first end of the beam (15), and the other guide member (8) of the pair is configured to be mounted to a second end of the beam (15), such that upon rotation of the beam (15) in use, the hose (12) is engaged in opposite directions to modify the trajectory of the hose (12).

6. Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, including the hose (12).

7. Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the structure comprises a frame (3).

8. Apparatus as claimed in claim 7, wherein the support member is provided on an end (5b) of the frame (3) for supporting the hose (12) at height upon the frame, in use.

9. A hose storage tower (1, 101, 201) defining at least one hose trajectory for suspending a hose (12, 112, 212) at height from the tower, the hose storage tower (1, 101, 201) being provided with at least one movable guide member (7, 8, 107, 108), and characterized in that the hose trajectory is configurable by transverse movement of the guide member (7, 8, 107, 108) to vary tortuosity or length of the hose trajectory and thereby the extent of available hose (12f, 112f, 212f) suspended from the tower.

10. A hose storage tower as claimed in claim 9, wherein the trajectory of the hose climbs monotonically between a base of the tower and a support member (9, 109) at height for suspending the hose.

11. A hose storage tower as claimed in claim 9 or 10, including the hose (12, 112, 212), wherein the hose extends upward along the tower (1, 101, 201) toward the support member (9, 109) and over the support member (9, 109) for suspending the hose from the tower, the hose (12, 112, 212) having a hose apex (50, 150, 250) and rising monotonically on the trajectory between the base of the tower to the hose apex (50, 150, 250).

12. A hose storage tower as claimed in any of claims 9 to 11, including the hose (12, 112, 212), wherein:

the hose (12, 112, 212) extends between a fixed end connection (19) at a lower end (5a) of the tower and the support member (9, 109) at an elevated location upon the hose storage tower (1, 101, 201);

the guide member (7, 8, 107, 108) is movable between a first configuration of the tower, and a second configuration of the tower; and

in either or both the first and second configurations, the hose or hose trajectory provides an incline for draining liquid down the incline through the hose (12, 112, 212) from the support member.

13. A hose storage tower as claimed in any of claims 9 to 12, wherein the support member comprises an arc (117, 118) for bearing against the hose (12, 112, 212).

14. A hose storage tower as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the at least one guide member comprises at least one pair of movable guide members (7, 8, 107, 108).

15. A hose storage tower as claimed in claim 14, wherein the guide members (7, 8) are mounted on respective first and second ends of a rotatable beam (15), and the beam (15) is rotatable mounted on a fixed structure (3) of the tower, wherein the beam (15) is rotatable about pivot (20) located in an intermediate position between the first end second ends, and the trajectory of the hose (12) passes through the intermediate region between the first and second guide members (7, 8), the beam (15) being rotatable to move the guide members (7, 8) in respective directions transverse to the tower for engaging the hose (12) and urging the hose (12) into an S-bend trajectory through the guide members (7, 8) to retract the hose (12).

16. A hose storage tower as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the trajectory is configurable to arrange the hose (12, 112, 212) on the trajectory to form an S-trajectory for configuring the hose in a retracted configuration.

17. A method of using the hose storage tower of any of claims, the method comprising the steps of:

suspending a length of the hose (12f, 112f, 212f) from the hose storage tower (1, 101, 201);

arranging at least one movable guide member (9, 109) to make available a desired extent of hose suspended from the hose storage tower, by moving the guide member (9, 109) transverse to the tower to vary the length of the hose trajectory.