Liquid chemical source tank

Abstract

This invention relates to a liquid chemical source tank in the field of hazardous liquid chemical storage and transportation equipment. The tank includes a cabinet containing a source liquid tank and a buffer tank for storing hazardous liquid chemicals. A valve panel is connected above the source liquid tank and buffer tank, and the valve panel includes multiple inlet pipes, multiple electrically controlled valves, multiple pressure gauges, and a degassing tank. A control sub-cabinet is installed on the upper part of the cabinet, containing a control terminal. An infrared thermal imager is installed inside the cabinet, positioned opposite the valve panel. Real-time infrared thermal imaging is performed using the infrared thermal imager, and feature and location extraction is performed on the thermal images via the control terminal. This facilitates rapid detection of liquid leaks and their locations, enabling subsequent maintenance and improving the safety and convenience of hazardous liquid chemical transportation and leak repair.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a liquid source tank, and more particularly to a liquid source tank for use in the field of hazardous liquid chemical storage and transportation equipment. Background Technology

[0002] For the transportation of flammable, explosive or toxic liquid chemicals (such as TEOS, which is flammable, explosive and toxic, with a flash point of 51.67℃), gaseous pressurized transportation is generally used. Inert gas is usually injected into a gas storage tank to propel the liquid chemicals, and then the inert gas is removed when the chemicals arrive at the equipment where they are used.

[0003] A source liquid cabinet is a closed enclosure used to store and isolate gas tanks. Traditional source liquid cabinets are equipped with various sensors, including temperature sensors, pressure sensors, special gas identification sensors, and flame sensors, to monitor the environment inside the source liquid cabinet and detect potential safety hazards in a timely manner. However, traditional source liquid cabinets cannot quickly detect the location of pipeline leaks and provide repair location prompts, requiring maintenance personnel to check and repair each leak one by one, which is cumbersome. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The technical problem that this invention aims to solve in view of the above-mentioned prior art is that traditional source liquid tanks cannot quickly detect the location of liquid chemical leaks and report them to maintenance personnel, resulting in a cumbersome maintenance process.

[0005] To address the aforementioned problems, this invention provides a liquid chemical source tank, comprising a cabinet containing a source liquid tank and a buffer tank for storing liquid hazardous chemicals. A valve panel is connected above the source liquid tank and buffer tank, and the valve panel includes multiple infusion pipes, multiple electrically controlled valves, multiple pressure gauges, and a degassing tank. A control sub-cabinet is installed on the upper part of the cabinet, containing a control terminal. An infrared thermal imager is installed inside the cabinet, positioned opposite the valve panel. The control terminal has a built-in safety system, including a control module. The input of the control module is connected to an infrared positioning module, and the input of the infrared positioning module is connected to the infrared thermal imager. The outputs of the control module are connected to a shutdown module, an alarm module, and a display module. The output of the shutdown module is connected to multiple electrically controlled valves. The output of the alarm module is connected to a buzzer installed above the control sub-cabinet. The output of the display module is connected to a touch screen installed on the front face of the control sub-cabinet. The control module is also connected to a storage module.

[0006] The cabinet also houses a spraying mechanism, which includes a mounting plate on which nozzles are rotatably connected. Each nozzle is connected to a rotating mechanism that drives its rotation, including a rotary motor. A solenoid valve is connected to the upper end of each nozzle via a rotary joint, and the solenoid valve is connected to a high-pressure carbon dioxide fire extinguishing tank via a connecting pipe. A lifting mechanism, including a lead screw motor, is connected to the upper end of the mounting plate. The control module's input is also connected to a nozzle positioning module, whose input is connected to a photoelectric encoder and an infrared distance sensor. The photoelectric encoder is mounted on the connecting shaft of the rotary motor, and the infrared distance sensor is mounted on the lifting mechanism and positioned opposite the mounting plate. The control module's output is connected to a spraying module, whose output is connected to the rotary motor, solenoid valve, and lead screw motor.

[0007] In the aforementioned liquid chemical source tank, a safety system including an infrared thermal imager monitors the valve panel, facilitating rapid detection of leaks, timely shutdown, and alarm activation.

[0008] As a further improvement of the present invention, the method of using its security system includes the following steps;

[0009] Step 1: The control terminal starts the infrared thermal imager, which performs real-time thermal imaging of the valve panel and transmits the real-time thermal image to the control terminal.

[0010] Step 2: The control terminal extracts feature images from the real-time thermal imaging images and compares the extracted real-time feature images with the liquid leakage feature images stored in the storage module.

[0011] Step 3: When the difference between the real-time feature image and the stored liquid leak feature image is less than the set threshold, the control terminal extracts the leak location, and at the same time, the control terminal closes the electric valve, turns on the buzzer, and displays the infrared thermal image containing the leak location on the touch screen.

[0012] As a further improvement of the present invention, the control module is provided with a feature comparison unit and a position extraction unit.

[0013] As a further improvement of the present invention, the cabinet is a hollow box structure with a cabinet door at the front, a sealing strip is installed on the inside of the cabinet door, and a manual emergency stop knob is installed on the control sub-cabinet.

[0014] As a further improvement of the present invention, the rotating mechanism includes a worm gear sleeved on the nozzle, the worm gear meshing with a worm, the worm being connected to a rotating motor, and a photoelectric encoder mounted on the end of the worm.

[0015] As a further improvement of the present invention, the lifting mechanism includes a set of connecting rods hinged to the mounting plate, a bidirectional lead screw hinged to the upper end of the connecting rods, a sliding frame rotatably connected to the bidirectional lead screw and a lead screw motor connected to the end of the sliding frame, an infrared distance sensor mounted on the sliding frame, and the sliding frame fixedly connected to the top plate of the inner wall of the cabinet.

[0016] As a further improvement of the present invention, a sleeve is fitted onto the infusion pipeline. The sleeve is a hollow cylindrical structure and is interference-fitted with the infusion pipeline. The sleeve has equidistantly distributed annular expansion cavities that are connected to the axial cavity of the sleeve. The sleeve is made of elastic rubber material.

[0017] As a further improvement of the present invention, the annular expansion cavity includes an outer cavity with a cross-section that is narrower at the top and wider at the bottom and located on the outer side, and a connecting cavity that communicates with the outer cavity.

[0018] In summary, this invention uses an infrared thermal imager for real-time infrared thermal imaging and extracts features and location from the thermal images via a control terminal. This facilitates the rapid detection of liquid leaks and their locations, enabling subsequent maintenance and improving the safety of transporting and using hazardous liquid chemicals as well as the convenience of leak repair. Attached Figure Description

[0019] Figure 1 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram from the right-side perspective in this application;

[0020] Figure 2 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram from the left-hand perspective in this application;

[0021] Figure 3 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of the valve disc in this application;

[0022] Figure 4 for Figure 1 Enlarged structural diagram at point A;

[0023] Figure 5 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of the injection mechanism in this application;

[0024] Figure 6 This is a cross-sectional structural diagram of the injection mechanism in this application;

[0025] Figure 7 for Figure 6 Enlarged structural diagram at point B;

[0026] Figure 8 This is a block diagram of the security system in this application;

[0027] Figure 9 This is a block diagram of the control module in this application;

[0028] Figure 10This is a schematic diagram of the assembly structure of the sleeve and the infusion pipeline in this application;

[0029] Figure 11 for Figure 10 A schematic diagram of the cross-sectional structure;

[0030] Figure 12 for Figure 11 Enlarged structural diagram at point C;

[0031] Figure 13 This is a cross-sectional view of the sleeve in this application.

[0032] Explanation of the labels in the diagram:

[0033] 1. Cabinet; 2. Source liquid tank; 3. Buffer tank; 4. Valve panel; 401. Infusion pipeline; 402. Electrically controlled valve; 403. Pressure gauge; 5. Degassing tank; 6. Control sub-cabinet; 7. Infrared thermal imager; 8. Display screen; 9. Buzzer light; 10. Emergency stop knob; 11. Spraying mechanism; 12. Mounting plate; 13. Nozzle; 14. Rotating mechanism; 1401. Worm gear; 1402. Worm; 1403. Rotary motor; 15. Rotary joint; 16. Solenoid valve; 17. Connecting pipe; 18. High-pressure carbon dioxide fire extinguishing tank; 19. Lifting mechanism; 1901. Connecting rod; 1902. Bidirectional lead screw; 1903. Lead screw motor; 20. Photoelectric encoder; 21. Infrared distance sensor; 22. Sleeve; 2201. Annular expansion chamber; 22011. Outer cavity; 22012. Connecting cavity. Detailed Implementation

[0034] The two embodiments of this application will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0035] Implementation method 1:

[0036] Figure 1-9 A liquid chemical source tank is shown, including a cabinet 1. Inside the cabinet 1, a source tank 2 and a buffer tank 3 for storing liquid hazardous chemicals are installed. A valve panel 4 is connected above the source tank 2 and the buffer tank 3. The valve panel 4 includes multiple liquid delivery pipes 401, multiple electrically controlled valves 402, multiple pressure gauges 403, and a degassing tank 5. A control sub-cabinet 6 is installed on the upper part of the cabinet 1. A control terminal is installed inside the control sub-cabinet 6. An infrared thermal imager 7 is installed inside the cabinet 1 and is positioned opposite to the valve panel 4.

[0037] The control terminal has a built-in safety system, which includes a control module. The input of the control module is connected to an infrared positioning module, and the input of the infrared positioning module is connected to an infrared thermal imager 7. The output of the control module is connected to a shutdown module, an alarm module, and a display module. The output of the shutdown module is connected to multiple electrically controlled valves 402. The output of the alarm module is connected to a buzzer 9 installed on top of the control sub-cabinet 6. The output of the display module is connected to a touch screen 8 installed on the front face of the control sub-cabinet 6. The control module is also connected to a storage module.

[0038] Specifically, the safety system usage method during the operation of the source liquid tank includes the following steps;

[0039] Step 1: The control terminal starts the infrared thermal imager 7. The infrared thermal imager 7 performs real-time thermal imaging on the valve panel 4 and transmits the real-time thermal image to the control terminal.

[0040] Step 2: The control terminal extracts feature images from the real-time thermal imaging images and compares the extracted real-time feature images with the liquid leakage feature images stored in the storage module.

[0041] Step 3: When the difference between the real-time feature image and the stored liquid leakage feature image is less than the set threshold, the control terminal extracts the leakage location, and at the same time, the control terminal closes the electric control valve 402, starts the buzzer 9, and displays the infrared thermal image containing the leakage location on the touch screen 8.

[0042] It should be noted that you should refer to [link / reference]. Figure 8 and Figure 9 The control module includes a feature comparison unit and a location extraction unit. The feature comparison unit compares the images at each location in the real-time infrared thermal imaging with the liquid leakage images in the storage module one by one. The location extraction unit extracts the location of the image that matches the leakage characteristics in the entire thermal imaging, thereby determining the leakage location.

[0043] Compared to traditional methods that use gas or flame sensors to monitor liquid leaks, this application uses an infrared thermal imager 7 for real-time infrared thermal imaging and extracts features and location from the thermal images via a control terminal. This facilitates the rapid detection of liquid leaks and their locations, making subsequent maintenance easier.

[0044] It should be noted that the liquid chemicals are first stored in the source liquid tank 2. Then, inert gas is added to the source liquid tank 2 to compress the liquid chemicals so that they enter the buffer tank 3 through the valve panel 4. After the inert gas is removed through the degassing tank 5, the liquid chemicals are injected into the equipment in use. A heating device is provided on the valve panel 4 to prevent the liquid chemicals from sticking to the inner wall of the pipe.

[0045] Please see Figure 1 Cabinet 1 is a hollow box structure with a cabinet door at the front. A sealing strip is installed on the inside of the cabinet door. A manual emergency stop knob 10 is installed on the control sub-cabinet 6.

[0046] Specifically, this ensures that cabinet 1 is sealed to prevent chemicals or their irritating gases from leaking to the outside of cabinet 1. At the same time, the main valve is closed by a manual emergency stop knob 10, further improving safety.

[0047] Please see Figure 5-7 The cabinet 1 is also equipped with a spraying mechanism 11, which includes a mounting plate 12. A nozzle 13 is mounted on the mounting plate 12 and rotatably connected thereto. The nozzle 13 is connected to a rotating mechanism 14 that drives its rotation. The rotating mechanism 14 includes a rotating motor 1403. The upper end of the nozzle 13 is connected to a solenoid valve 16 through a rotary joint 15. The solenoid valve 16 is connected to a high-pressure carbon dioxide fire extinguishing tank 18 through a connecting pipe 17. The upper end of the mounting plate 12 is connected to a lifting mechanism 19, which includes a lead screw motor 1903. The input end of the control module is also connected to a nozzle positioning module. The input end of the nozzle positioning module is connected to a photoelectric encoder 20 and an infrared distance sensor 21, respectively. The photoelectric encoder 20 is mounted on the connecting shaft of the rotating motor 1403, and the infrared distance sensor 21 is mounted on the lifting mechanism 19 and is positioned opposite to the mounting plate 12. The output end of the control module is connected to a spraying module, and the output end of the spraying module is connected to the rotating motor 1403, the solenoid valve 16, and the lead screw motor 1903, respectively.

[0048] Specifically, after the control module detects the location of the liquid leak, it activates the spray module based on the location. The spray module controls the rotating motor 1403 and the lead screw motor 1903 to direct the nozzle 13 toward the leak location. Then, the spray module activates the solenoid valve 16, and the compressed gas in the high-pressure carbon dioxide fire extinguishing tank 18 is injected into the nozzle 13 through the connecting pipe 17 and sprayed out to cool the area around the leak location, preventing the leaked liquid from flashing and burning due to high temperature. At the same time, it cools the leaking pipeline to reduce the fluidity of the liquid chemicals, thereby slowing down the leak and preventing the leak from escalating into a violent fire or flash explosion, further improving the safety of the source liquid tank.

[0049] Please see Figure 7 The rotating mechanism 14 includes a worm gear 1401 sleeved on the nozzle 13, the worm gear 1401 meshing with a worm 1402, the worm 1402 being connected to a rotating motor 1403, and a photoelectric encoder 20 mounted on the end of the worm 1402.

[0050] Specifically, the rotation angle of the rotating motor 1403 is detected by the photoelectric encoder 20, thereby monitoring the horizontal rotation angle of the nozzle 13.

[0051] Please see Figure 7 The lifting mechanism 19 includes a set of connecting rods 1901 hinged to the mounting plate 12. A bidirectional lead screw 1902 is hinged to the upper end of the connecting rod 1901. The bidirectional lead screw 1902 is rotatably connected to a sliding frame and has a lead screw motor 1903 connected to its end. An infrared distance sensor 21 is installed on the sliding frame. The sliding frame is fixedly connected to the top plate of the inner wall of the cabinet 1.

[0052] Specifically, it facilitates the height adjustment and height monitoring of nozzle 13.

[0053] The second implementation method:

[0054] Figure 10-13 A liquid chemical source tank is shown. Based on the first embodiment, a sleeve 22 is sleeved on the infusion pipeline 401. The sleeve 22 is a hollow cylindrical structure. The sleeve 22 is interference-fitted with the infusion pipeline 401. The sleeve 22 has equidistantly distributed annular expansion cavities 2201. The annular expansion cavities 2201 are connected to the axial cavity of the sleeve 22. The sleeve 22 is made of elastic rubber material.

[0055] Specifically, when a liquid leaks from the infusion pipeline 401, the leaked liquid enters the annular expansion chamber 2201. The leaked annular expansion chamber 2201 expands, making it easier for the infrared thermal imager 7 to capture the annular thermal radiation characteristics, thus improving the detection effect of small leak locations. At the same time, the equidistantly distributed annular expansion chambers 2201 can more easily contain and lock the leaked liquid chemicals, reducing the random flow of liquid chemicals and making it easier for subsequent maintenance personnel to quickly find the leak location.

[0056] Please see Figure 12 The annular expansion cavity 2201 includes an outer cavity 22011 with a cross-section that is narrower at the top and wider at the bottom and located on the outer side, and a connecting cavity 22012 that communicates with the outer cavity 22011.

[0057] Specifically, the outer cavity 22011, which has an isosceles trapezoidal cross-section that is narrower at the top and wider at the bottom and is located on the outside, makes it easier for the liquid chemicals filled in the annular expansion cavity 2201 to expand outward and less likely to diffuse and flow into the surrounding annular expansion cavities 2201, thereby improving the ability to lock in the liquid chemicals.

[0058] In light of current practical needs, the above-described embodiments adopted in this application are not limited to these. Any changes made within the scope of knowledge possessed by those skilled in the art without departing from the concept of this application still fall within the protection scope of this invention.

Claims

1. A liquid chemical source tank, characterized in that, The system includes a cabinet (1), which houses a source liquid tank (2) and a buffer tank (3) for storing liquid hazardous chemicals. A valve panel (4) connects the source liquid tank (2) and the buffer tank (3) to the top of each other. The valve panel (4) includes multiple infusion pipes (401), multiple electrically controlled valves (402), multiple pressure gauges (403), and a degassing tank (5). A control sub-cabinet (6) is installed on the upper part of the cabinet (1), containing a control terminal. An infrared thermal imager (7) is installed inside the cabinet (1) opposite to the valve panel (4). The control terminal has a built-in security system, which includes a control module. The input end of the control module is connected to an infrared positioning module, and the input end of the infrared positioning module is connected to an infrared thermal imager (7). The output end of the control module is connected to a shutdown module, an alarm module, and a display module. The output end of the shutdown module is connected to multiple electrically controlled valves (402). The output end of the alarm module is connected to a buzzer (9) installed on the top of the control sub-cabinet (6). The output end of the display module is connected to a touch screen (8) installed on the front face of the control sub-cabinet (6). The control module is also connected to a storage module. The cabinet (1) is also equipped with a spraying mechanism (11), which includes a mounting plate (12). A nozzle (13) is mounted on the mounting plate (12) and rotatably connected thereto. The nozzle (13) is connected to a rotating mechanism (14) that drives it to rotate. The rotating mechanism (14) includes a rotating motor (1403). The upper end of the nozzle (13) is connected to a solenoid valve (16) through a rotary joint (15). The solenoid valve (16) is connected to a high-pressure carbon dioxide fire extinguishing tank (18) through a connecting pipe (17). The upper end of the mounting plate (12) is connected to a lifting mechanism (19). 19) Includes a lead screw motor (1903); the input end of the control module is also connected to a nozzle positioning module, the input end of the nozzle positioning module is respectively connected to a photoelectric encoder (20) and an infrared distance sensor (21), the photoelectric encoder (20) is installed on the connecting shaft of the rotating motor (1403), and the infrared distance sensor (21) is installed on the lifting mechanism (19) and is set opposite to the mounting plate (12); the output end of the control module is connected to an injection module, the output end of the injection module is respectively connected to the rotating motor (1403), the solenoid valve (16), and the lead screw motor (1903).

2. The liquid chemical source tank according to claim 1, characterized in that, The method of using its security system includes the following steps; Step 1: The control terminal starts the infrared thermal imager (7), which performs real-time thermal imaging on the valve panel (4) and transmits the real-time thermal image to the control terminal. Step 2: The control terminal extracts feature images from the real-time thermal imaging images and compares the extracted real-time feature images with the liquid leakage feature images stored in the storage module. Step 3: When the difference between the real-time feature image and the stored liquid leakage feature image is less than the set threshold, the control terminal extracts the leakage location, and at the same time, the control terminal closes the electric control valve (402), starts the buzzer (9), and displays the infrared thermal image containing the leakage location on the touch screen (8).

3. The liquid chemical source tank according to claim 1, characterized in that, The control module includes a feature comparison unit and a location extraction unit.

4. A liquid chemical source tank according to claim 1, characterized in that, The cabinet (1) is a hollow box structure with a cabinet door at the front. A sealing strip is installed on the inside of the cabinet door. A manual emergency stop knob (10) is installed on the control sub-cabinet (6).

5. A liquid chemical source tank according to claim 1, characterized in that, The rotating mechanism (14) includes a worm gear (1401) sleeved on the nozzle (13), the worm gear (1401) meshing with a worm (1402), the worm (1402) being connected to a rotating motor (1403), and a photoelectric encoder (20) installed at the end of the worm (1402).

6. A liquid chemical source tank according to claim 1, characterized in that, The lifting mechanism (19) includes a set of connecting rods (1901) hinged to the mounting plate (12). A two-way lead screw (1902) is hinged to the upper end of the connecting rod (1901). The two-way lead screw (1902) is rotatably connected to a sliding frame and a lead screw motor (1903) is connected to its end. An infrared distance sensor (21) is installed on the sliding frame. The sliding frame is fixedly connected to the top plate of the inner wall of the cabinet (1).

7. A liquid chemical source tank according to claim 1, characterized in that, The infusion pipeline (401) is fitted with a sleeve (22), which is a hollow cylindrical structure. The sleeve (22) is press-fitted with the infusion pipeline (401). The sleeve (22) has equidistantly distributed annular expansion cavities (2201), which are connected to the axial cavity of the sleeve (22). The sleeve (22) is made of elastic rubber material.

8. A liquid chemical source tank according to claim 7, characterized in that, The annular expansion cavity (2201) includes an outer cavity (22011) with an isosceles trapezoidal cross-section that is narrower at the top and wider at the bottom and located on the outer side, and a connecting cavity (22012) that communicates with the outer cavity (22011).

Images