A low-temperature environment liquid cargo transfer heat preservation pipeline test system

Abstract

The application relates to a low-temperature environment liquid cargo transmission heat preservation pipeline test system, relates to the ship technology field and the test field, and comprises a low-temperature laboratory, a tested pipeline, a liquid cargo storage tank and a pump station; the liquid cargo storage tank is connected with the tested pipeline, and the pump station is arranged on the liquid cargo storage tank; the low-temperature side environment in the low-temperature laboratory is isolated from the working environment of the liquid cargo storage tank and the pump station. The application provides a practical, simple, efficient and high-efficiency test system, which is as close as possible to the real situation of the low-temperature environment and does not need to consume too much cost to test in the natural environment.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the fields of ship technology and testing, and to a testing system for a liquid cargo transfer insulated pipeline, particularly for supply ships, bunkering ships, and offshore oil platforms that need to conduct open-air transfer of oil, water, and other liquid cargo in high-latitude regions of northern China and the low-temperature environments of the polar regions of North and South Poles. Background Technology

[0002] Maritime liquid cargo transport is widely used in the shipbuilding industry. In the civilian sector, it is mainly used for ship refueling, with refueling ships and receiving ships transferring fuel through temporary docking hoses. In the marine engineering sector, it is mainly used for the transportation and transfer of products such as oil and natural gas. Similar liquid cargo transport situations also exist between transport ships and offshore engineering platforms.

[0003] While open-air hoses are commonly used for liquid cargo transport in ambient temperatures, their application in extreme low-temperature environments such as northern cold regions and the polar regions necessitates consideration of the freezing and solidification points of the liquids. Ordinary hoses are no longer suitable, requiring necessary modifications. However, software simulations alone are not entirely accurate in assessing the insulation performance of the improved hoses; experimental verification is still necessary.

[0004] On ships or offshore platforms, due to layout and safety reasons, some rigid pipes for transporting liquid cargo are also exposed to the open environment and face the test of low temperatures.

[0005] Currently, the main domestic liquid cargo transportation related to cryogenics is LNG cargo transportation. However, LNG is transported in an environment of ambient temperature while the transport medium is at extremely low temperatures, which is the opposite of the situation involved in this patent. Moreover, the insulation sleeves and mating joints used in LNG cargo transportation are all imported products, and the relevant technical details are controlled abroad.

[0006] There is currently no experience in domestic testing across environmental conditions, ranging from ambient to cryogenic. LNG cargo transport methods are all imported from abroad and have established industry standards, leaving no precedent for testing. Furthermore, there are no specific standards for cargo transport in cryogenic environments. Domestic cryogenic testing mainly focuses on static testing of materials and components, with almost no dynamic liquid transfer testing. Even similar cargo transport tests place the entire system in a cryogenic environment, rather than conducting cryogenic-ambient temperature cross-environment testing systems.

[0007] In summary, various open-air liquid cargo transmission pipelines require special insulation designs when operating in polar cryogenic environments. It is necessary to verify the insulation capabilities of newly designed pipelines through testing. However, conducting on-site testing in polar regions is impractical due to high costs, insufficient supporting facilities, and excessive preparation time. Therefore, the industry urgently needs a cryogenic environment liquid cargo transmission pipeline insulation testing system to complete cryogenic-normal temperature cross-environment testing at a lower cost.

[0008] Currently, there are various types of cryogenic laboratories in China that can be used for cryogenic testing, but there are no dedicated testing systems and methods for liquid cargo transfer pipelines in cryogenic environments. The main problems are as follows:

[0009] 1. The liquid cargo transfer pipeline is only the test object. The actual entire pipeline test system includes different components such as pipelines, pumps, valves, motors, electrical control boxes, and liquid cargo storage tanks. In actual ship conditions, except for the pipeline part which is exposed to the air, the other equipment is arranged in the ship's cabin and is well protected by the environment. Under the cold storage test conditions, it is challenging to simulate the actual situation where some objects are exposed to the air and some objects are protected by room temperature.

[0010] 2. Due to the high rental costs of large cryogenic laboratories, and the fact that the liquid transport pipelines for the test subjects are sometimes not long, small cryogenic laboratories (generally the size of a standard shipping container) can be used as an alternative. Since small cryogenic laboratories only house the exposed portion of the test subject, flanges can be installed on the outer wall to connect the pipelines, whereas large cryogenic laboratories generally do not have pre-installed openings on their outer walls. Therefore, the experimental methods for the two types of cryogenic laboratories are not entirely the same, and the selection must be based on the characteristics of the test subject.

[0011] 3. Regardless of whether it is a large or small cryogenic laboratory, it is rented by the testing party. Moreover, the testing content undertaken by such laboratories varies, and it is impossible to modify the hardware facilities specifically for a certain testing content. All liquid cargo should be carried by the testing party as a whole, and the interface between the liquid cargo and the cryogenic laboratory should be minimized to reduce the amount of work required to modify the cold storage before the test.

[0012] 4. The main test content for liquid cargo transportation in polar low-temperature environments is the temperature of the liquid cargo, which is used to judge the insulation effect. Currently, there are no temperature measurement points that can be referenced or learned from.

[0013] 5. The physical and chemical properties of some types of liquid cargo may change after extreme low temperatures or excessive heating, and may even breed bacteria and other microorganisms. Therefore, in addition to testing the temperature of the liquid cargo, it is also necessary to have the ability to sample the liquid cargo for analysis of its composition. Therefore, the pipeline system cannot be completely closed and a sampling port should be reserved. Summary of the Invention

[0014] Ships and offshore platforms operating in cryogenic environments involve the transport of liquid cargo via open-air pipelines, including but not limited to refueling and oil and gas extraction. During long-distance offshore liquid cargo replenishment, the cryogenic environment can cause the liquid cargo to solidify. To avoid this, it is necessary to verify the insulation capabilities of liquid cargo transmission pipelines in cryogenic environments.

[0015] The present invention aims to design a practical, simple and efficient test system that closely approximates the real conditions of low-temperature environments without incurring excessive costs in conducting tests in natural environments.

[0016] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention provides a cryogenic environment liquid cargo transport insulated pipeline test system, including a cryogenic laboratory, a test pipeline, a liquid cargo storage tank, and a pump station; the liquid cargo storage tank is connected to the test pipeline, and the pump station is located on the liquid cargo storage tank; the cryogenic environment inside the cryogenic laboratory is isolated from the working environment of the liquid cargo storage tank and the pump station.

[0017] Preferably, the pump station includes a pump body located inside the liquid cargo storage tank, a motor located outside the liquid cargo storage tank, an electrical control box located outside the liquid cargo storage tank, and an overflow valve located on the test pipeline; the liquid cargo storage tank includes a storage tank and a sampling port.

[0018] Preferably, a flow meter is provided on the test tube.

[0019] Preferably, the cryogenic laboratory is a large cryogenic laboratory, which is equipped with an insulated cabinet for housing the liquid cargo storage tank and the pump station, and the test pipeline includes an inlet penetration component and an outlet penetration component for passing through the insulated cabinet.

[0020] Preferably, the test pipeline includes a pipeline body that passes through the inlet and outlet passages of the insulated cabinet, and a gantry for suspending the pipeline body.

[0021] Preferably, the insulated cabinet includes an insulated cabinet shell for housing the liquid cargo storage tank, the pump station and the electrical control box, and a space heater disposed inside the insulated cabinet shell for maintaining a normal temperature.

[0022] Preferably, the cryogenic laboratory is a small cryogenic laboratory, the liquid cargo storage tank and the pump station are located outside the small cryogenic laboratory, and the small cryogenic laboratory is connected to the test pipeline by an inlet penetration device and an outlet penetration device.

[0023] Preferably, the test tubing is equipped with an inlet thermometer near the inlet perforation and an outlet thermometer near the outlet perforation.

[0024] Preferably, the test pipeline includes a switch valve disposed on the pipeline body and located outside the inlet passage component.

[0025] Preferably, the small cryogenic laboratory is equipped with suspension ropes for installing the test tubing.

[0026] In summary, the present invention has the following beneficial technical effects:

[0027] 1. This invention resolves the contradiction between test effectiveness and test cost. Based on the length of the liquid cargo test pipeline, the cryogenic environment liquid cargo transmission insulation pipeline test system is divided into two technical routes: large cryogenic laboratory and small cryogenic laboratory. For shorter pipelines, containerized small cryogenic laboratory is preferred to save test resources; for longer pipelines, large cryogenic laboratory technical route is adopted to more closely simulate the actual ship conditions.

[0028] 2. This invention uses the insulated shell of an insulated cabinet or container laboratory (refrigerated container) to divide the overall test space into a normal temperature side and a low temperature side. The test pipelines are arranged on the low temperature side, and the pump station in the cabin is arranged on the normal temperature side, which can avoid purchasing expensive low temperature resistant equipment.

[0029] 3. This invention integrates the pump station, liquid storage tank, and related valve assembly within an insulated cabinet, forming a self-circulating system with the external test pipeline. This eliminates the need for a cold storage laboratory to supply the test liquid to the entire system; only electricity is required. This offers two advantages: first, it significantly expands the range of test sites available, requiring only a cold storage area to meet the testing requirements, without limiting the use of a specialized low-temperature laboratory; second, it reduces the workload of modifying the cold storage facility before testing.

[0030] 4. This invention utilizes the method of installing a thermometer at the inlet and outlet of the test pipeline to monitor the temperature drop during the liquid cargo transportation process. If the cost allows, a remote thermometer can be purchased so that the test personnel can read the temperature value at room temperature.

[0031] 5. The test tubing of the present invention is connected to the system via a flange, which allows for easy replacement of various types of test tubing, thus enabling reuse.

[0032] 6. A sampling port is set at the liquid cargo return location to facilitate sampling and testing of the medium.

[0033] 7. By adjusting the shape of the test pipeline, this invention can simulate the suspension state and ice surface state of the pipeline under actual ship conditions. Attached Figure Description

[0034] Appendix Figure 1 Schematic diagram of a large-scale cryogenic laboratory liquid cargo transfer pipeline test system;

[0035] Appendix Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of a small-scale cryogenic laboratory liquid cargo transfer pipeline test system.

[0036] Appendix Figure 3 Detailed schematic diagram of a large-scale cryogenic laboratory liquid cargo transfer pipeline test system;

[0037] Appendix Figure 4 Detailed schematic diagram of a small-scale cryogenic laboratory liquid cargo transfer pipeline test system.

[0038] Reference numerals: 1. Large cryogenic laboratory; 2. Test pipeline; 21. Pipeline body; 22. Outlet penetration; 23. Inlet penetration; 24. Gantry; 25. Suspension rope; 3. Pump station; 31. Pump body; 32. Motor; 33. Electrical control box; 34. Switch valve; 35. Overflow valve; 4. Outlet thermometer; 5. Inlet thermometer; 6. Flow meter; 7. Liquid cargo storage tank; 71. Storage tank; 72. Sampling port; 8. Insulation cabinet; 81. Insulation cabinet shell; 82. Space heater; 9. Small cryogenic laboratory. Detailed Implementation

[0039] The technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present invention, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0040] To address the technical challenges of testing liquid cargo transport pipelines in extreme low-temperature environments, we have developed a low-temperature insulated pipeline testing system for liquid cargo transport, comprising two technical approaches: a large-scale low-temperature laboratory 1 and a small-scale low-temperature laboratory 9.

[0041] Example 1:

[0042] This embodiment adopts the technical approach of a large-scale cryogenic laboratory, including:

[0043] Large-scale low-temperature laboratory 1 can be provided by professional experimental institutions. For experiments that do not have high requirements for temperature field distribution, large cold storage can also be rented. All of these require that the low-temperature temperature can meet the experimental requirements.

[0044] Test tube 2 can be either a flexible tube or a rigid tube;

[0045] Pump station 3 is a device that converts mechanical energy into kinetic energy of liquid cargo. After being given kinetic energy, the liquid cargo can move in the pipeline at a certain flow rate, and includes control and protection functions for the liquid cargo.

[0046] Outlet thermometer 4 is used to detect the temperature at the outlet of the liquid cargo pipeline.

[0047] Imported thermometer 5 is used to detect the temperature at the reflux inlet of the liquid cargo pipeline;

[0048] Flow meter 6 is used to detect the flow rate in the liquid cargo pipeline;

[0049] Liquid storage tank 7, used to store the liquid substance of the test subject;

[0050] The insulated cabinet 8 is used to store equipment such as the pump station 3, inlet thermometer 5, flow meter 6, and liquid cargo storage tank 7, which are in the insulated environment inside the ship's cabin. The entire experimental environment is divided into a low-temperature side and a normal-temperature side to simulate the actual situation.

[0051] Furthermore, the large-scale cryogenic laboratory 1 only needs to provide a cryogenic environment that meets the test requirements and a power line to the pump station 3.

[0052] Furthermore, the test pipeline 2 includes a pipeline body 21, an outlet perforation fitting 22, and an inlet perforation fitting 23. The two perforation fittings are installed on the insulation cabinet 8 to minimize damage to the insulation performance of the insulation cabinet 8. The pipeline body 21 can be a flexible hose or a rigid pipe, depending on the type of test object. The connection between the pipeline body 21 and the perforation fittings can be via flanges or quick couplings, depending on the actual situation of the test object.

[0053] Furthermore, to realistically simulate the use of pipelines in low-temperature environments, the test pipeline 2 may be laid on ice for liquid cargo transportation, or it may be suspended in the air for liquid cargo transportation. If it is laid on ice for liquid cargo transportation, the test pipeline 2 can be directly laid on the cold storage floor; the latter can be configured with several masts 24 to suspend the pipeline.

[0054] Furthermore, the pump station 3 includes a pump body 31, a motor 32, an electrical control box 33, a switching valve 34, and a relief valve 35. The pump body 31 can be any type of mechanical pump, such as a centrifugal pump, used to convert mechanical energy into the kinetic energy of the liquid. The motor 32 is responsible for driving the pump and converting electrical energy into mechanical energy. The switching valve 34 can be a shut-off valve or a ball valve depending on the nature of the liquid and the actual application. Both valves control the opening and closing of the entire pipeline. The relief valve 35 is used to protect the entire system. When the pipeline is blocked due to icing or other reasons, it can overflow when the pressure exceeds the limit of the relief valve 35, preventing the pipeline from bursting uncontrollably.

[0055] Furthermore, the outlet thermometer 4 should be installed on the ambient temperature side as close as possible to the outlet location to ensure that the detected temperature is as close as possible to the outlet temperature.

[0056] Furthermore, the imported thermometer 5 should be installed on the low-temperature side as close as possible to the reflux inlet to ensure that the detected temperature is as close as possible to the temperature at the reflux inlet point, which is also close to the point in the entire pipeline where the liquid has been in contact with the low temperature for the longest time.

[0057] Furthermore, the liquid storage tank 7 includes a storage tank 71 and a sampling port 72. The sampling port 72 can be set at the liquid return inlet, so that the liquid after passing through the entire pipeline can be obtained for analysis of its composition.

[0058] Furthermore, the heat preservation cabinet 8 includes a heat preservation cabinet shell 81 and a space heater 82. The heat preservation cabinet shell 81 can be made of one or more common insulation materials such as rock wool board, polyurethane, and glass wool; the space heater 82 uses electric heating to assist in maintaining the temperature inside the heat preservation cabinet 8, so that the inside of the heat preservation cabinet 8 is always kept at a normal temperature.

[0059] Furthermore, the electrical control box 33 can be connected to a remote control, which can be placed on the ambient temperature side, allowing operators to control the test system in a comfortable environment.

[0060] Furthermore, the outlet thermometer 4 and the inlet thermometer 5 can be telemetry thermometers, and the temperature data can be transmitted to the ambient temperature side, so that the operator can read the temperature in a comfortable environment.

[0061] Example 2:

[0062] This embodiment adopts the technology route of small-scale cryogenic laboratory 9, which differs from that of large-scale cryogenic laboratory 1 in that:

[0063] The large cryogenic laboratory 1 is replaced by a small cryogenic laboratory 9. The small cryogenic laboratory 9 has a volume of a standard shipping container, its outer shell has thermal insulation capabilities, and its interior can reach the low temperature required for the experiment.

[0064] Furthermore, the insulated cabinet 8 was removed, and all equipment that was in the insulated environment inside the cabin, such as the pump station 3, the imported thermometer 5, the flow meter 6, and the liquid cargo storage tank 7, were stored outside the small cryogenic laboratory 9. The small cryogenic laboratory 9 itself has an insulated shell that divides the entire experimental space into a normal temperature side and a cryogenic side. The difference between the small and large cryogenic laboratories 1 is that the large cryogenic side surrounds the normal temperature side, while the small normal temperature side surrounds the cryogenic side.

[0065] Furthermore, the outlet penetration component 22 and the inlet penetration component 23 of the test tubing 2 are no longer installed on the insulated cabinet 8, but are directly installed on the outer shell of the small cryogenic laboratory 9.

[0066] Furthermore, the gantry 24 can be simplified to a suspension rope 25 installed under the container ceiling.

[0067] The rest is consistent with the technical approach of the large cryogenic laboratory 1.

[0068] In this invention, either a large cryogenic laboratory 1 or a small cryogenic laboratory 9 can be used for experiments to simulate the actual conditions of polar ships. The test pipeline 2 is placed in a cryogenic environment, while other equipment is placed in a normal temperature environment. For test objects with shorter pipelines, the small cryogenic laboratory 9 can be used to save on testing costs; for test objects with longer pipelines, the large cryogenic laboratory 1 can be used to more closely approximate the actual situation.

[0069] The overall testing environment is divided into a normal temperature side and a low temperature side by the outer shell of the insulated cabinet 8 or the container laboratory (refrigerated container). The entry and exit of the pipelines rely on the through-bay components to reduce damage to the insulation layer. The equipment installed in the ship's hold is installed on the normal temperature side of the testing system, thereby avoiding the purchase of expensive low temperature resistant equipment. The testing system relies on its own pump station 3, storage tank 71 and test pipeline 2 to form a completely closed liquid cargo circulation system, without relying on external liquid cargo circulation. This allows the test to be completed in any cold storage without major modifications to the cold storage.

[0070] The test pipeline 2 is equipped with thermometers at both the outlet and inlet to monitor the temperature drop during pipeline transmission. When conditions permit, the thermometers can be remotely measured, allowing test personnel to read temperature data in a more comfortable environment. Switch valves 34 are installed at both the outlet and inlet of the test pipeline 2. The function of the switch valves 34 is to facilitate pipeline replacement after closure. An overflow valve 35 is installed on the test pipeline 2. Its function is to overflow when the pressure suddenly increases due to pipeline blockage caused by solidification of liquid cargo, which may cause danger. The test liquid cargo flows back to the liquid cargo storage tank 7 after exceeding a certain pressure value. The test pipeline 2 can be made of various materials, and can be selected to be suspended in the air or laid flat on the ground (ice surface) for testing, depending on the actual ship operating conditions.

[0071] Finally, it should be noted that the above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention and is not intended to limit the present invention. Although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, those skilled in the art can still modify the technical solutions described in the foregoing embodiments or make equivalent substitutions for some of the technical features. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc., made within the spirit and principles of the present invention should be included within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A test system for insulated pipelines for liquid cargo transport in low-temperature environments, characterized in that, The system includes a cryogenic laboratory, a test pipeline (2), a liquid cargo storage tank (7), and a pump station (3); the liquid cargo storage tank (7) is connected to the test pipeline (2), and the pump station (3) is located on the liquid cargo storage tank (7); the pump station (3), the liquid cargo storage tank (7), and the test pipeline (2) form a self-circulating system; the liquid cargo storage tank (7) includes a storage tank (71) and a sampling port (72) located at the liquid cargo return position, used for component analysis of the liquid cargo after it has been transported through the test pipeline; the cryogenic laboratory is isolated from the working environment of the liquid cargo storage tank (7) and the pump station (3), and is used to simulate the open-air pipeline transmission conditions of polar ships; The cryogenic laboratory is a large cryogenic laboratory (1). The large cryogenic laboratory (1) is equipped with an insulated cabinet (8) for housing the liquid cargo storage tank (7) and the pump station (3). The test pipeline (2) includes an inlet penetration part (23) and an outlet penetration part (22) for passing through the insulated cabinet (8). The test pipeline (2) includes a pipeline body (21) passing through the inlet penetration part (23) and the outlet penetration part (22) to the insulated cabinet (8), and a gantry (24) for suspending the pipeline body (21). The pump station (3) includes an electrical control box (33) located outside the liquid cargo storage tank (7). The insulated cabinet (8) includes an insulated cabinet shell (81) for housing the liquid cargo storage tank (7), the pump station (3) and the electrical control box (33), and a space heater (82) located inside the insulated cabinet shell (81) for maintaining room temperature.

2. The cryogenic environment liquid cargo transport insulation pipeline test system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The pump station (3) also includes a pump body (31) located inside the liquid cargo storage tank (7), a motor (32) located outside the liquid cargo storage tank (7), and an overflow valve (35) located on the test pipeline (2).

3. The low-temperature environment liquid cargo transportation insulation pipeline test system according to claim 2, characterized in that, A flow meter (6) is installed on the test pipeline (2).

4. A test system for insulated pipelines for liquid cargo transport in low-temperature environments, characterized in that, The system includes a cryogenic laboratory, a test pipeline (2), a liquid cargo storage tank (7), and a pump station (3); the liquid cargo storage tank (7) is connected to the test pipeline (2), and the pump station (3) is located on the liquid cargo storage tank (7); the pump station (3), the liquid cargo storage tank (7), and the test pipeline (2) form a self-circulating system; the liquid cargo storage tank (7) includes a storage tank (71) and a sampling port (72) located at the liquid cargo return position, used for component analysis of the liquid cargo after it has been transported through the test pipeline; the cryogenic laboratory is isolated from the working environment of the liquid cargo storage tank (7) and the pump station (3), and is used to simulate the open-air pipeline transmission conditions of polar ships; The cryogenic laboratory is a small cryogenic laboratory (9). The liquid cargo storage tank (7) and the pump station (3) are located outside the small cryogenic laboratory (9). The volume of the small cryogenic laboratory (9) is the size of a standard container. Its outer shell has thermal insulation capabilities. The small cryogenic laboratory (9) is connected to the pipeline body (21) of the test pipeline (2) by an inlet penetration device (23) and an outlet penetration device (22). The test pipeline (2) is provided with an inlet thermometer (5) near the inlet penetration device (23) and an outlet thermometer (4) near the outlet penetration device (22). The test pipeline (2) includes a switch valve (34) located on the pipeline body (21) and outside the inlet penetration device (23). The small cryogenic laboratory (9) is provided with a suspension rope (25) for installing the test pipeline (2).

5. A test system for a cryogenic environment liquid cargo transport insulated pipeline according to claim 4, characterized in that, The pump station (3) includes a pump body (31) located inside the liquid cargo storage tank (7), a motor (32) located outside the liquid cargo storage tank (7), an electrical control box (33) located outside the liquid cargo storage tank (7), and an overflow valve (35) located on the test pipeline (2).

6. The low-temperature environment liquid cargo transportation insulation pipeline test system according to claim 5, characterized in that, A flow meter (6) is installed on the test pipeline (2).

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