Method for determining length of safety line for ship-to-ship LNG hose filling operation

Abstract

The application discloses a method for determining the length of a safety rope in a ship-to-ship LNG hose filling operation, which comprises the following steps: arranging a safety rope between a filling ship and a receiving ship; calculating the length of the hose between the two ships based on the length parameters of the hose and the connecting components at both ends of the hose, and the installation position parameters of the hose; and calculating the length of the safety rope based on the calculated length of the hose between the two ships, and the installation position parameters of the hose and the rope, and the safety protection parameters. The application can accurately identify the dangerous distance of the relative displacement of the ships in the ship-to-ship LNG hose filling operation, and provide a basis for the response of the safety facilities of the filling system, thereby playing a crucial role in improving the safety of the filling system and ensuring the safety of the filling operation.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention belongs to the field of safety protection for ship LNG refueling operations, and in particular, it is a method for determining the length of a safety protection rope for ship LNG hose refueling operations. Background Technology

[0002] Currently, there are two main methods for LNG transportation at sea, both domestically and internationally: boom loading and hose loading. LNG hose loading technology has gradually developed alongside the rise of the FLNG and ship bunkering industries. Whether it's FLNG or LNG-powered ship bunkering, continuous delivery operations are required under harsh sea conditions. Compared to rigid booms, flexible hoses offer advantages such as good flexibility, strong corrosion resistance, excellent thermal insulation, and the ability to withstand large deformations caused by ocean currents, floating vessel movement, and installation loads. Furthermore, they avoid frequent interruptions to the unloading process due to waves or displacement caused by changes in the draft of FLNG / LNGC, making them the preferred method for LNG transportation at sea.

[0003] During LNG refueling operations between ships, significant relative displacement can cause the refueling hoses to rupture due to excessive stretching, leading to large-scale LNG / NG leaks. This can result in frostbite or asphyxiation of personnel, low-temperature damage to ship structures or equipment, and the accumulation of flammable gases that could ignite and cause fires or explosions. To address this, refueling systems typically incorporate safety features such as ESD emergency shut-off systems, pressure relief valves on pipelines, hose support saddles on the ship's sides, and water curtains on the ship's sides. These measures effectively reduce the risk of significant relative displacement between ships. However, the activation of these safety features relies heavily on manual judgment, which can lead to inaccurate hazard identification. This can result in either over- or under-identification of hazards, causing additional economic losses due to premature activation or ineffective safety protection due to delayed activation.

[0004] Therefore, accurately identifying the dangerous distance of the relative displacement of the ship during LNG hose refueling operations provides a basis for the response of the refueling system's safety facilities and plays a crucial role in improving the safety of the refueling system and ensuring the safety of refueling operations. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The purpose of this invention is to provide a method for determining the length of a safety protection rope during LNG hose refueling operations. The rope determined by this method can accurately identify the dangerous distance of the relative displacement of the ship during LNG hose refueling operations, providing a basis for the response of the refueling system's safety facilities, and effectively improving the safety of the refueling system and ensuring the safety of the refueling operation.

[0006] The technical solution to achieve the objective of this invention is: a method for determining the length of a safety protection rope during LNG hose refueling operations on ships, the method comprising the following steps:

[0007] Step 1: Install safety ropes between the bunkering vessel and the receiving vessel;

[0008] Step 2: Calculate the length of the hose between the two ships based on the length parameters of the hose and the connecting components at both ends of the hose, as well as the hose installation position parameters;

[0009] Step 3: Based on the calculated lengths of the hoses between the two ships, as well as the installation position parameters of the hoses and ropes and the safety protection parameters, calculate the length of the safety rope.

[0010] Furthermore, in step 2, the length parameters of the hose and the connecting components at both ends of the hose include the hose length, the quick connector length, the emergency disconnect device length, and the diameter reduction length at the front end of the quick connector; the hose installation position parameters include the distance from the manifold flange to the side of the ship and the distance from the manifold flange of the receiving vessel to the side of the ship.

[0011] Furthermore, the formula for calculating the length of the hose between the two ships in step 2 is as follows:

[0012] L t =A + Q + E + B - t1 - t2

[0013] In the formula, L t t1 is the length of the hose between the two ships, in meters; A is the hose length, in meters; Q is the length of the quick connector, in meters; E is the length of the emergency disconnect device, in meters; B is the diameter reduction length of the quick connector front end, in meters; t1 is the distance from the manifold flange of the refueling ship to the side of the ship, in meters; t2 is the distance from the manifold flange of the receiving ship to the side of the ship, in meters.

[0014] Furthermore, the installation position parameters for the hose and rope in step 3 include the angle between the rope and the hose when the rope is straightened, the height difference at the rope fixing point, and the height difference at the manifold flange; the safety protection parameter is the maximum drift distance of the vessel before the safety device responds.

[0015] Furthermore, the formula for calculating the length of the safety rope in step 3 is as follows:

[0016]

[0017] In the formula, L p For the length of the safety rope, H f This refers to the height difference between the manifold flanges, in meters (m); x d H represents the maximum drift distance of the vessel before the safety device responds, in meters (m). s θ represents the elevation difference at the rope fixing point, in meters; θ is the angle between the rope and the hose when the rope is taut.

[0018] A safety rope length determination system for LNG hose refueling operations on ships, the system comprising:

[0019] The first module is used to install safety ropes between the bunkering vessel and the receiving vessel;

[0020] The second module is used to calculate the length of the hose between the two ships based on the length parameters of the hose and the connecting parts at both ends of the hose, as well as the hose installation position parameters.

[0021] The third module is used to calculate the length of the safety rope based on the calculated length of the hose between the two ships, as well as the installation position parameters of the hose and rope and the safety protection parameters.

[0022] A computer device includes a memory, a processor, and a computer program stored in the memory and executable on the processor, wherein the processor, when executing the computer program, performs the following steps:

[0023] Based on the length parameters of the hose and the connecting components at both ends of the hose, as well as the hose installation position parameters, calculate the length of the hose between the two ships.

[0024] Based on the calculated lengths of the hoses between the two ships, as well as the installation position parameters of the hoses and ropes and the safety protection parameters, the length of the safety rope is calculated.

[0025] A computer-readable storage medium having a computer program stored thereon, the computer program performing the following steps when executed by a processor:

[0026] Based on the length parameters of the hose and the connecting components at both ends of the hose, as well as the hose installation position parameters, calculate the length of the hose between the two ships.

[0027] Based on the calculated lengths of the hoses between the two ships, as well as the installation position parameters of the hoses and ropes and the safety protection parameters, the length of the safety rope is calculated.

[0028] Compared with the prior art, the significant advantages of this invention are:

[0029] (1) Using ropes to replace conventional manual observation, the dangerous distance of the relative displacement of the ship during the LNG hose refueling operation can be accurately identified, and the safe distance of the refueling operation can be quantitatively controlled, that is, the safe distance can be controlled by the length of the rope.

[0030] (2) Factors affecting the connection length between the two ships, such as the length of the quick connector, the length of the emergency disconnect device, and the length of the diameter change at the front end of the quick connector, were taken into consideration. The connection between the two ships not only depends on the hose, but also on the connecting parts at both ends of the hose. Considering the length of these parts, the determined hose length between the two ships is more reasonable.

[0031] (3) The impact of the height difference of the manifold flange on the safe distance for refueling operations was considered. The manifold flanges of the two ships are connected to both ends of the hose. When there is a height difference between the manifold flanges, the hose is at an angle to the sea level when it is straightened. The actual safe distance for refueling operations is less than the case where the hose is parallel to the sea level when it is straightened. Considering the height difference of the manifold flange, the determined safe distance for refueling operations is more reasonable.

[0032] (4) The maximum drift distance of the ship before the safety device responds is taken into account. The safety device needs a certain response time from receiving the signal to executing the safety action and realizing the emergency detachment function of the refueling device. Considering the drift distance of the ship within this response time, the determined rope length is more reasonable.

[0033] (5) The rope installation deviations, such as the angle between the rope and the hose when the rope is straightened and the height difference at the rope fixing point, are taken into account. The basic principle of rope protection is to simulate the hose breaking. The length of the simulated hose is smaller than the actual hose length. The simulated values ​​of the fixing points at both ends of the rope are consistent with the hose fixing points. The rope installation deviation is taken into account to make the rope more accurately simulate the hose breaking and the determined rope length is more reasonable.

[0034] The present invention will now be described in further detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Attached Figure Description

[0035] Figure 1 This is a flowchart of the method for determining the length of the safety protection rope during LNG hose refueling operations on ships according to the present invention.

[0036] Figure 2 This is a front view of the LNG hose refueling operation of the present invention.

[0037] Figure 3 This is a top view of the LNG hose refueling operation on a ship according to the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0038] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of this application clearer, the following detailed description is provided in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and embodiments. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are merely illustrative and not intended to limit the scope of this application.

[0039] In one embodiment, combined Figures 1 to 3 A method for determining the length of a safety rope during LNG hose refueling operations on ships is provided, the method comprising the following steps:

[0040] Step 1: Install safety ropes between the bunkering vessel and the receiving vessel;

[0041] Step 2: Based on the length parameters of the hose and the connecting components at both ends of the hose, and the hose installation position parameters, calculate the length of the hose between the two ships. The length parameters of the hose and the connecting components at both ends of the hose include the hose length, the quick connector length, the emergency disconnect device length, and the diameter reduction length at the front end of the quick connector. The hose installation position parameters include the distance from the manifold flange to the side of the ship and the distance from the receiving ship's manifold flange to the side of the ship. The length of the hose between the two ships is calculated using the following formula:

[0042] L t =A + Q + E + B - t1 - t2

[0043] In the formula, L t t1 is the length of the hose between the two ships, m; A is the hose length, m; Q is the length of the quick connector, m; E is the length of the emergency disconnect device, m; B is the diameter reduction length of the quick connector front end, m; t1 is the distance from the manifold flange of the refueling ship to the side of the ship, m; t2 is the distance from the manifold flange of the receiving ship to the side of the ship, m.

[0044] Step 3: Based on the calculated lengths of the hoses between the two ships, and the installation position parameters of the hoses and ropes, as well as the safety protection parameters, calculate the length of the safety rope. The installation position parameters of the hoses and ropes include the angle between the rope and the hose when the rope is taut, the height difference at the rope fixing point, and the height difference of the manifold flange; the safety protection parameter is the maximum drift distance of the ship before the safety device responds; the calculation of the safety rope length is divided into the following cases:

[0045] When neither the angle between the rope and the hose when the rope is taut nor the height difference at the rope's anchor point is considered, i.e., assuming the two ends of the hose and rope are installed at the same position, the formula for calculating the length of the safety rope is:

[0046]

[0047] In the formula, H f The difference in height between the manifold flanges is m; x d The maximum drift distance of the vessel before the safety device responds.

[0048] When considering the angle between the rope and the hose when the rope is taut, and neglecting the height difference at the rope fixing point:

[0049]

[0050] In the formula, θ is the angle between the rope and the hose when the rope is straightened.

[0051] When the angle between the rope and the hose is not considered when the rope is taut, but the height difference at the rope fixing point is considered:

[0052]

[0053] In the formula, H sLet m be the elevation difference at the point where the rope is fixed.

[0054] When considering both the angle between the rope and the hose when the rope is taut and the height difference at the rope fixing point:

[0055]

[0056] In one embodiment, a safety rope length determination system for LNG hose refueling operations on ships is provided, the system comprising:

[0057] The first module is used to install safety ropes between the bunkering vessel and the receiving vessel;

[0058] The second module is used to calculate the length of the hose between the two ships based on the length parameters of the hose and the connecting parts at both ends of the hose, as well as the hose installation position parameters.

[0059] The third module is used to calculate the length of the safety rope based on the calculated length of the hose between the two ships, as well as the installation position parameters of the hose and rope and the safety protection parameters.

[0060] Specific limitations regarding the safety rope length determination system for LNG hose refueling operations can be found in the above-mentioned limitations on the method for determining the safety rope length for LNG hose refueling operations, and will not be repeated here. Each module in the aforementioned safety rope length determination system for LNG hose refueling operations can be implemented entirely or partially through software, hardware, or a combination thereof. These modules can be embedded in or independent of the processor in a computer device, or stored in the memory of a computer device as software, so that the processor can call and execute the corresponding operations of each module.

[0061] In one embodiment, a computer device is provided, including a memory, a processor, and a computer program stored in the memory and executable on the processor, wherein the processor executes the computer program to perform the following steps:

[0062] Based on the length parameters of the hose and the connecting components at both ends of the hose, as well as the hose installation position parameters, calculate the length of the hose between the two ships.

[0063] Based on the calculated lengths of the hoses between the two ships, as well as the installation position parameters of the hoses and ropes and the safety protection parameters, the length of the safety rope is calculated.

[0064] For specific limitations on each step, please refer to the limitations on the method for determining the length of the safety protection rope for LNG hose refueling operations on ships mentioned above, which will not be repeated here.

[0065] In one embodiment, a computer-readable storage medium is provided having a computer program stored thereon, the computer program performing the following steps when executed by a processor:

[0066] Based on the length parameters of the hose and the connecting components at both ends of the hose, as well as the hose installation position parameters, calculate the length of the hose between the two ships.

[0067] Based on the calculated lengths of the hoses between the two ships, as well as the installation position parameters of the hoses and ropes and the safety protection parameters, the length of the safety rope is calculated.

[0068] For specific limitations on each step, please refer to the limitations on the method for determining the length of the safety protection rope for LNG hose refueling operations on ships mentioned above, which will not be repeated here.

[0069] As a specific example, the collected calculation parameters include: quick connector length 0.55m, emergency disengagement device length 0.6m, quick connector front diameter reduction length 0.65m, distance from the manifold flange of the refueling vessel to the side of the hull 2.8m, and distance from the manifold flange of the receiving vessel to the side of the hull 3.5m; in addition, the collected hose length is 20m. Substituting the collected calculation parameters into the formula for calculating the hose length between the two vessels, as shown below:

[0070] L t =A + Q + E + B - t1 - t2

[0071] = 20 + 0.55 + 0.6 + 0.65 - 2.8 - 3.5

[0072] =15.5m

[0073] The calculated length of the hose between the two ships is 15.5m.

[0074] The collected calculation parameters include: a 15° deflection angle between the rope and the hose when the rope is taut, a 2.5m height difference at the rope fixing point, and a 3m height difference at the manifold flange; in addition, the maximum drift distance of the vessel before the safety device responds is 10m. Substituting these collected calculation parameters into the formula for calculating the hose length between the two vessels, as shown below:

[0075]

[0076] The calculated length of the safety rope is 5.98m. To further ensure the safety protection capability of the rope in practical applications, the rope length should be conservatively considered. Therefore, it is recommended to take a value less than 5.98m, such as 5.97m or 5.9m.

[0077] Compared with the conventional method of manually judging the safe distance, this invention uses ropes to determine the safe distance and calculates the accurate length of the ropes, accurately identifying the dangerous distance of the relative displacement of the ship during the LNG hose refueling operation, and realizing the quantitative control of the safe distance for the LNG hose refueling operation.

[0078] The foregoing has shown and described the basic principles, main features, and advantages of the present invention. Those skilled in the art should understand that the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments. The embodiments and descriptions in the specification are merely illustrative of the principles of the invention. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, or improvements made within the spirit and principles of the present invention without departing from its spirit and scope should be included within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A method for determining the length of a safety protection rope during LNG hose refueling operations on ships, characterized in that, The method includes the following steps: Step 1: Install safety ropes between the bunkering vessel and the receiving vessel; Step 2: Calculate the length of the hose between the two ships based on the length parameters of the hose and the connecting components at both ends of the hose, as well as the hose installation position parameters; Step 3: Based on the calculated lengths of the hoses between the two ships, as well as the installation position parameters of the hoses and ropes and the safety protection parameters, calculate the length of the safety rope.

2. The method for determining the length of the safety protection rope for LNG hose refueling operations on ships according to claim 1, characterized in that, In step 2, the length parameters of the hose and the connecting parts at both ends of the hose include the hose length, the quick connector length, the emergency disconnect device length, and the diameter reduction length at the front end of the quick connector.

3. The method for determining the length of the safety protection rope for LNG hose refueling operations on ships according to claim 1, characterized in that, The hose installation location parameters in step 2 include the distance from the manifold flange to the side of the ship and the distance from the manifold flange of the receiving vessel to the side of the ship.

4. The method for determining the length of the safety protection rope for LNG hose refueling operations on ships according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that, The formula for calculating the length of the hose between the two ships in step 2 is as follows: In the formula, L t The length of the hose between the two ships is given in meters (m); A is the length of the hose itself, also in meters (m). Q represents the length of the quick-connect connector, in meters (m); E represents the length of the emergency disengagement device, in meters (m). B represents the diameter variation length of the quick connector's front end, in meters (m). t1 is the distance from the manifold flange of the bunkering vessel to the side of the ship, in meters; t2 is the distance from the manifold flange of the receiving vessel to the side of the ship, in meters.

5. The method for determining the length of the safety protection rope for LNG hose refueling operations on ships according to claim 1, characterized in that, The installation position parameters for hoses and ropes in step 3 include the angle between the rope and the hose when the rope is straightened, the height difference at the rope fixing point, and the height difference at the manifold flange.

6. The method for determining the length of the safety protection rope for LNG hose refueling operations on ships according to claim 1, characterized in that, In step 3, the safety protection parameter is the maximum drift distance of the vessel before the safety device responds.

7. The method for determining the length of the safety protection rope for LNG hose refueling operations on ships according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that, The formula for calculating the length of the safety rope in step 3 is: In the formula, H is the length of the safety rope. f This refers to the height difference between the manifold flanges, in meters (m); x d H represents the maximum drift distance of the vessel before the safety device responds, in meters (m). s The elevation difference at the rope fixing point is expressed in meters (m). θ is the angle between the rope and the hose when the rope is straightened.

8. A system for determining the length of a safety protection rope during LNG hose refueling operations on ships, characterized in that, The system includes: The first module is used to install safety ropes between the bunkering vessel and the receiving vessel; The second module is used to calculate the length of the hose between the two ships based on the length parameters of the hose and the connecting parts at both ends of the hose, as well as the hose installation position parameters. The third module is used to calculate the length of the safety rope based on the calculated length of the hose between the two ships, as well as the installation position parameters of the hose and rope and the safety protection parameters.

9. A computer device, comprising a memory, a processor, and a computer program stored in the memory and executable on the processor, characterized in that, When the processor executes the computer program, it implements the steps of the method according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

10. A computer-readable storage medium having a computer program stored thereon, characterized in that, When the computer program is executed by a processor, it implements the steps of the method according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

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