Fuel filter with cleaning device and method for cleaning fuel filter using The Same

Abstract

The present invention relates to a fuel filter device with an integrated cleaning device that can effectively clean a fuel filter without separating the fuel filter when the fuel filter is clogged by integrating the fuel filter cleaning device into the fuel filter, and a method for cleaning a fuel filter using the same. The fuel filter device with an integrated cleaning device according to the present invention comprises: a fuel filter chamber that provides a mounting space for the fuel filter and a space in which a certain amount of gaseous fuel is filtered by the fuel filter; a fuel filter provided within the fuel filter chamber that filters gaseous fuel injected into the fuel filter chamber; a cleaning liquid supply device that supplies a cleaning liquid to the fuel filter chamber when cleaning the fuel filter; a purging gas supply device that supplies a purging gas to purge gas remaining in the fuel filter chamber or cleaning liquid when cleaning the fuel filter; and an ultrasonic oscillator provided on one side of the fuel filter chamber that generates ultrasonic waves while the cleaning liquid is supplied within the fuel filter chamber to detach foreign substances adsorbed on the fuel filter. The device is characterized by comprising: a pressure measuring device that measures the pressure of gas fuel injected into the fuel filter chamber (hereinafter referred to as the first pressure) and the pressure of gas fuel discharged from the fuel filter chamber (hereinafter referred to as the second pressure), and transmits the measured pressure value to a control device; and a control device that determines to perform a cleaning process for the fuel filter when the pressure difference between the first pressure and the second pressure is greater than a preset reference pressure difference, and controls the operation of a cleaning liquid supply device, the operation of a purging gas supply device, and the opening and closing operation of a valve provided in the various flow paths.

Description

Technology Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a fuel filter device with an integrated cleaning device and a method for cleaning a fuel filter using the same. More specifically, the invention relates to a fuel filter device with an integrated cleaning device that allows the fuel filter to be effectively cleaned without separating the fuel filter when the fuel filter becomes clogged by integrating the fuel filter cleaning device into the fuel filter, and a method for cleaning a fuel filter using the same. Background Technology

[0002] Recently, engine systems utilizing gas fuels, such as dual-fuel engines, are being widely used. When using gas fuels such as LNG or LPG as a fuel source, a fuel filter is required to remove impurities contained in the gas fuel, just as with diesel fuel.

[0003] As gaseous fuel is supplied under high pressure through a gas supply pump, it contains a large amount of fine particles smaller than 10㎛, which frequently causes clogging of the fuel filter. Conventionally, when such clogging occurs in a fuel filter, the fuel filter is separated and a separate cleaning process is applied. As such, when the fuel filter is clogged, the fuel supply to the fuel filter is cut off as the filter is separated and cleaned. Prior art literature

[0004] Korean Patent Publication No. 2010-0085227 (Published July 29, 2010) The problem to be solved

[0005] The present invention has been devised to solve the above-mentioned problems, and aims to provide a fuel filter device with an integrated cleaning device that can effectively clean a fuel filter without separating the fuel filter when the fuel filter is clogged by integrating the fuel filter cleaning device into the fuel filter, and a fuel filter cleaning method using the same. means of solving the problem

[0006] A fuel filter device integrated with a cleaning device according to the present invention for achieving the above objective comprises: a fuel filter chamber that provides a mounting space for a fuel filter and a space in which a certain amount of gaseous fuel is filtered by the fuel filter; a fuel filter provided within the fuel filter chamber for filtering gaseous fuel injected into the fuel filter chamber; a cleaning liquid supply device for supplying a cleaning liquid to the fuel filter chamber when cleaning the fuel filter; a purging gas supply device for supplying a purging gas for purging gaseous fuel or cleaning liquid remaining in the fuel filter chamber when cleaning the fuel filter; an ultrasonic oscillator provided on one side of the fuel filter chamber for generating ultrasonic waves to detach foreign substances adsorbed on the fuel filter while the cleaning liquid is supplied within the fuel filter chamber; and a pressure measuring device that measures the pressure of gaseous fuel injected into the fuel filter chamber (hereinafter referred to as the first pressure) and the pressure of gaseous fuel discharged from the fuel filter chamber (hereinafter referred to as the second pressure), and transmits the measured pressure values ​​to a control device. It is characterized by comprising a control device that determines to perform a cleaning process for the fuel filter when the pressure difference between the first pressure and the second pressure is greater than a preset reference pressure difference, and controls the operation of the cleaning fluid supply device, the operation of the purging gas supply device, and the opening and closing operation of the valves provided in the various flow paths.

[0007] For the supply and discharge of gaseous fuel, the supply and discharge of cleaning liquid, and the supply and discharge of purging gas, a fuel supply path, a fuel discharge path, a cleaning liquid supply path, a cleaning liquid discharge path, and a fuel recovery path are further provided on one side of the fuel chamber, and each path is equipped with a valve that selectively opens and closes the corresponding path under the control of a control device.

[0008] The fuel filter cleaning method according to the present invention comprises: a step in which the fuel inlet and fuel outlet of the fuel filter chamber are blocked by a control device when the pressure difference between a first pressure and a second pressure is greater than a reference pressure difference; a step in which purging gas from a purging gas supply device is supplied to the fuel filter chamber while the fuel recovery path is open, so that gaseous fuel remaining in the fuel filter chamber is purged by the purging gas and recovered to a fuel tank through the fuel recovery path; a step in which a cleaning liquid from a cleaning liquid supply device is supplied to the fuel filter chamber; a step in which, while the cleaning liquid is supplied to the fuel filter chamber, ultrasonic waves are oscillated in the fuel filter chamber through the operation of an ultrasonic oscillator under the control of a control device to detach foreign substances, including fine particles adsorbed on the fuel filter; a step in which the cleaning liquid discharge path is opened to discharge the cleaning liquid containing foreign substances from the fuel filter chamber; and a step in which the purging gas from a purging gas supply device is supplied to the fuel filter chamber to discharge the residual cleaning liquid. Effects of the invention

[0009] The fuel filter device with an integrated cleaning device according to the present invention and the fuel filter cleaning method using the same have the following effects.

[0010] When clogging of the fuel filter occurs, the fuel filter can be cleaned using a cleaning solution and an ultrasonic oscillator provided on one side of the fuel filter, so separation of the fuel filter is not required when cleaning the fuel filter. Brief explanation of the drawing

[0011] FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a fuel filter device with an integrated cleaning device according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a flowchart for explaining a fuel filter cleaning method according to an embodiment of the present invention. Specific details for implementing the invention

[0012] The present invention provides a technology that can effectively clean a fuel filter without separating the fuel filter. In this specification, the term "fuel filter" refers to a fuel filter that filters high-pressure gaseous fuel, and high-pressure gaseous fuel contains a large amount of fine particles smaller than 10 μm, which causes clogging of the fuel filter.

[0013] As previously mentioned in the 'Technology constituting the background of the invention,' in the case of conventional technology, when clogging of the fuel filter occurs, the fuel filter is separated and a separate cleaning process is applied; however, the present invention allows the fuel filter to be effectively cleaned without separation by integrally providing a cleaning device on one side of the fuel filter.

[0014] Hereinafter, a fuel filter device with an integrated cleaning device according to an embodiment of the present invention and a fuel filter cleaning method using the same will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0015] Referring to FIG. 1, a fuel filter device with an integrated cleaning device according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises a fuel filter chamber (110), a fuel filter (120), a cleaning fluid supply device (130), a purging gas supply device (140), an ultrasonic oscillator (150), a pressure measuring device (160), and a control device (170).

[0016] The fuel filter chamber (110) provides a mounting space for the fuel filter (120) and also provides a space where a certain amount of gaseous fuel is filtered by the fuel filter (120). A fuel inlet is provided on one side of the fuel filter chamber (110) for injecting high-pressure gaseous fuel, and a fuel outlet is provided on the other side of the fuel filter chamber (110) for discharging gaseous fuel filtered by the fuel filter (120). The fuel filter (120) is provided within the fuel filter chamber (110) and serves to filter the high-pressure gaseous fuel injected into the fuel filter chamber (110).

[0017] The cleaning fluid supply device (130) supplies cleaning fluid to the fuel filter chamber (110) when cleaning the fuel filter (120), and the purging gas supply device (140) supplies purging gas to purge the gaseous fuel or cleaning fluid remaining in the fuel filter chamber (110) when cleaning the fuel filter (120). An inert gas, such as nitrogen gas, may be used as the purging gas.

[0018] The above ultrasonic generator (150) is provided on one side of the fuel filter chamber (110) and generates ultrasonic waves when a cleaning solution is supplied into the fuel filter chamber (110) to remove foreign substances, such as fine particles, adsorbed on the fuel filter (120).

[0019] The pressure measuring device (160) measures the pressure of the gas fuel injected into the fuel filter chamber (110) and the pressure of the gas fuel discharged from the fuel filter chamber (110), and transmits the measured pressure value to the control device (170).

[0020] The above control device (170) determines whether to proceed with the cleaning process for the fuel filter (120) based on the pressure value measured by the pressure measuring device (160), and also controls the operation of the cleaning fluid supply device (130), the operation of the purging gas supply device (140), and the opening and closing operation of the valves provided in the various flow paths.

[0021] In addition to the above components, a fuel supply path (11), a fuel discharge path (12), a cleaning fluid supply path (21), a cleaning fluid discharge path (22), and a fuel recovery path (31) are further provided on one side of the fuel chamber for supplying and discharging gas fuel, supplying and discharging cleaning fluid, and supplying and discharging purging gas, and each path is equipped with a valve that selectively opens and closes the corresponding path. In this case, as shown in FIG. 1, the Euro inlet (12a) is structured to be in communication with the lower space of the fuel filter chamber (110) so as to include the fuel filter (120). Under this situation, when the ‘cleaning procedure of the fuel filter (120) using the cleaning liquid and the ultrasonic oscillator (150)’ described later is carried out, foreign matter on the fuel filter (120), for example, foreign matter attached to the outer surface of the fuel filter (120), flows along the arrow shown in FIG. 1 together with the cleaning liquid and undergoes a process of being discharged into the cleaning liquid discharge path (22).

[0022] The operation of a fuel filter device integrated with a cleaning device according to one embodiment of the present invention having the above configuration, i.e., a fuel filter cleaning method according to one embodiment of the present invention, proceeds as follows (see FIG. 2).

[0023] In the process where the pressure of the gas fuel injected into the fuel filter chamber (110) (hereinafter referred to as the first pressure) and the pressure of the gas fuel discharged from the fuel filter chamber (110) (hereinafter referred to as the second pressure) are continuously measured by the pressure measuring device (160) and the measured pressure value is transmitted to the control device (170), if the difference between the first pressure and the second pressure is greater than the reference pressure difference, a cleaning process for the fuel filter (120) is initiated by the control device (170).

[0024] In the case of an engine system that uses gas fuel as a fuel source, the gas fuel is pressurized to a high-pressure state by a gas supply pump and supplied to the engine through a fuel filter (120). However, if the fuel filter (120) becomes clogged during the process of passing through the fuel filter (120), the pressure discharged from the fuel filter (120), i.e., the second pressure, becomes lower than the pressure supplied to the fuel filter (120), i.e., the first pressure.

[0025] When the difference between the first pressure and the second pressure increases to a level greater than the reference pressure difference preset in the control device (170), the control device (170) determines that the blockage of the fuel filter (120) has worsened and cuts off the supply of gas fuel to the fuel filter chamber (110) and performs a cleaning process on the fuel filter (120).

[0026] First, if the pressure difference between the first pressure and the second pressure is greater than the reference pressure difference, the fuel inlet and fuel outlet of the fuel filter chamber (110) are blocked by the control device (170) (S201).

[0027] Next, under the control of the control device (170), the fuel recovery channel (31) is opened, and the purging gas from the purging gas supply device (140) is supplied to the fuel filter chamber (110). The gaseous fuel remaining in the fuel filter chamber (110) is purged by the purging gas and moved to the fuel recovery channel (31), and is recovered to a fuel tank (not shown) through the fuel recovery channel (31) (S202).

[0028] Once the recovery of residual gas by the purging gas is complete, cleaning of the fuel filter (120) using a cleaning solution is performed. Specifically, under the control of the control device (170), a certain amount of cleaning solution from the cleaning solution supply device (130) is supplied to the fuel filter chamber (110) (S203). At this time, all flow paths are blocked. With the cleaning solution supplied to the fuel filter chamber (110), the ultrasonic oscillator (150) is operated under the control of the control device (170) to generate ultrasonic waves in the fuel filter chamber (110). Due to the ultrasonic waves, foreign substances (e.g., foreign substances attached to the outer surface of the fuel filter (120), including fine particles adsorbed on the fuel filter (120), are removed (S204).

[0029] When cleaning of the fuel filter (120) using the cleaning liquid and the ultrasonic oscillator (150) is completed, the cleaning liquid discharge path (22) is opened to discharge the cleaning liquid containing foreign substances (S205). During this process, foreign substances on the fuel filter (120), for example, foreign substances attached to the outer surface of the fuel filter (120), are discharged together with the cleaning liquid into the cleaning liquid discharge path (22) through the path inlet (12a) which is connected to the lower space of the fuel filter chamber (110) (see FIG. 1). At this time, the cleaning liquid discharge path (22) can be configured separately or configured to branch off from one point of the fuel discharge path (12). In order to discharge the remaining cleaning liquid after the cleaning liquid containing foreign substances has been discharged from the fuel filter chamber (110), the purging gas of the purging gas supply device (140) is supplied to the fuel filter chamber (110), and when the remaining cleaning liquid is discharged, the fuel filter cleaning method according to one embodiment of the present invention is completed (S206). Explanation of the symbols

[0030] 11: Fuel supply path 12: Fuel discharge path 21 : Cleaning fluid supply path 22 : Cleaning fluid discharge path 31 : Fuel recovery path 110: Fuel filter chamber 120: Fuel filter 130: Cleaning solution supply device 140: Purge gas supply device 150: Ultrasonic oscillator 160: Pressure measuring device 170 : Control unit

Claims

Claim 1 A fuel filter chamber that provides a mounting space for a fuel filter and a space in which a certain amount of gaseous fuel is filtered by the fuel filter; a fuel filter provided within the fuel filter chamber that filters gaseous fuel injected into the fuel filter chamber; a cleaning fluid supply device that supplies cleaning fluid to the fuel filter chamber when cleaning the fuel filter; a purging gas supply device that supplies purging gas to purge gas remaining in the fuel filter chamber or cleaning fluid when cleaning the fuel filter; an ultrasonic oscillator provided on one side of the fuel filter chamber that emits ultrasound while cleaning fluid is supplied into the fuel filter chamber to detach foreign substances adsorbed on the fuel filter; and a pressure measuring device that measures the pressure of gaseous fuel injected into the fuel filter chamber (hereinafter referred to as the first pressure) and the pressure of gaseous fuel discharged from the fuel filter chamber (hereinafter referred to as the second pressure), and transmits the measured pressure values ​​to a control device. A fuel filter device with an integrated cleaning device, characterized by comprising: a control device that determines to perform a cleaning process for the fuel filter when the pressure difference between the first pressure and the second pressure is greater than a preset reference pressure difference, and controls the operation of a cleaning fluid supply device, the operation of a purging gas supply device, and the opening and closing operation of valves provided in the various flow paths. Claim 2 A fuel filter device with an integrated cleaning device, characterized in that, in claim 1, a fuel supply path, a fuel discharge path, a cleaning solution supply path, a cleaning solution discharge path, and a fuel recovery path are further provided on one side of the fuel chamber for supplying and discharging gas fuel, supplying and discharging cleaning solution, and supplying and discharging purging gas, and each path is provided with a valve that selectively opens and closes the corresponding path under the control of a control device. Claim 3 A method for cleaning a fuel filter using a fuel filter device integrated with a cleaning device according to claim 1 or 2, comprising: a step in which the fuel inlet and fuel outlet of a fuel filter chamber are blocked by a control device when the pressure difference between a first pressure and a second pressure is greater than a reference pressure difference; a step in which purging gas from a purging gas supply device is supplied to the fuel filter chamber while the fuel recovery path is open, so that gaseous fuel remaining in the fuel filter chamber is purged by the purging gas and recovered to a fuel tank via the fuel recovery path; a step in which a cleaning liquid from a cleaning liquid supply device is supplied to the fuel filter chamber; a step in which, while the cleaning liquid is supplied to the fuel filter chamber, ultrasonic waves are oscillated in the fuel filter chamber through the operation of an ultrasonic oscillator under the control of a control device to detach foreign substances, including fine particles adsorbed on the fuel filter; and a step in which the cleaning liquid containing foreign substances is discharged from the fuel filter chamber by opening the cleaning liquid discharge path. A fuel filter cleaning method characterized by comprising the step of supplying purging gas from a purging gas supply device to a fuel filter chamber to discharge residual cleaning liquid.

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