Refueling facility, refueling ship, refueling system, and liquefied gas supply method

Abstract

A refueling facility is provided with: a first tank for storing liquefied gas as fuel to be supplied to a fuel tank; a second tank having a pressure vessel structure having a higher pressure resistance than the first tank; a liquid line capable of supplying the liquefied gas of the first tank to the fuel tank of the fuel tank; and a gas line capable of introducing gas discharged from the fuel tank into the second tank according to the supply of liquefied gas.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a refueling device, a refueling ship, a refueling system and a liquefied gas supply method.

[0002] This application claims priority based on patent application No. 2022-109885 filed in Japan on July 7, 2022, and the contents are incorporated herein by reference. Background Art

[0003] Patent Document 1 discloses a so-called refueling ship that refuels a liquefied gas fuel tank using liquefied gas as fuel at sea. In a facility such as a refueling ship for refueling a ship, a storage tank for storing liquefied gas that serves as fuel for the liquefied gas fuel tank is provided. In such a facility, when the liquefied gas is supplied from the storage tank, the gas generated in the fuel tank is usually returned to the storage tank.

[0004] Previous technical literature

[0005] Patent Literature

[0006] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application No. 2021-517878 Summary of the invention

[0007] Technical issues to be solved by the invention

[0008] In container ships and other vessels that transport liquefied gas as cargo rather than as cargo, technicians familiar with liquefied gas are usually not on board. Therefore, as fuel tanks for such liquefied gas fuel tanks, gas storage tanks such as Type-C tanks that meet the IMO (International Maritime Organization) standard with high design pressure and easy handling are generally used.

[0009] On the other hand, when returning gas from the liquefied gas fuel tank as described above to the storage tank of the refueling ship, it is necessary to equalize the internal pressure of the fuel tank and the internal pressure of the storage tank before the refueling ship starts supplying the liquefied gas to the fuel tank. However, there is a problem that when the storage tank of the refueling ship is a membrane tank or a rectangular tank with a lower design pressure than the fuel tank of the liquefied gas fuel tank, during the above-mentioned equalization, it is necessary to perform operations such as reducing the pressure on the fuel tank side, which leads to various restrictions in the refueling operation.

[0010] Furthermore, gas storage tanks with high design pressures, such as Type-C tanks, are usually cylindrical or spherical in shape, etc. Therefore, if the above-mentioned high design pressure storage tanks are used as storage tanks in order to make the design pressures of the storage tanks consistent with those of the fuel tanks, the volumetric efficiency is deteriorated compared to membrane tanks or rectangular tanks, and the overall equipment of the refueling ship including the storage tanks may be enlarged.

[0011] The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a refueling facility, a refueling ship, a refueling system, and a method for supplying liquefied gas that can realize smooth refueling operations and miniaturization.

[0012] Means for solving technical problems

[0013] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the refueling equipment involved in the present invention comprises: a first tank, which stores liquefied gas as fuel supplied to a fuel tank; a second tank, which is set to a pressure vessel structure with higher pressure resistance than the first tank; a liquid pipeline, which can supply the liquefied gas in the first tank to the fuel tank of the fuel tank; and a gas pipeline, which can introduce the gas discharged from the fuel tank according to the supply of the liquefied gas into the second tank.

[0014] The tanker ship according to the present invention includes the above-mentioned tanker equipment.

[0015] The refueling system involved in the present invention comprises: the above-mentioned refueling ship; and the fuel tank, the fuel tank having a pressure vessel structure with higher pressure resistance than the first tank, and the fuel tank comprising: a supply pipeline connected to the liquid pipeline and guiding the liquefied gas supplied through the liquid pipeline into the fuel tank; and a return pipeline connected to the gas pipeline and guiding the gas discharged from the fuel tank according to the supply of the liquefied gas from the first tank to the fuel tank to the gas pipeline.

[0016] The method for supplying liquefied gas involved in the present invention uses a refueling device for supplying liquefied gas as fuel to a fuel tank, the refueling device comprising: a first tank for storing the liquefied gas; a second tank configured as a pressure vessel structure having a higher pressure resistance than the first tank; a liquid pipeline capable of supplying the liquefied gas in the first tank to a fuel tank of the fuel tank; and a gas pipeline capable of introducing gas discharged from the fuel tank according to the supply of the liquefied gas into the second tank, the fuel tank comprising: the fuel tank configured as a pressure vessel structure having a higher pressure resistance than the first tank; a supply pipeline for guiding the liquefied gas supplied through the liquid pipeline into the fuel tank; and a return pipeline for guiding the gas discharged from the fuel tank according to the supply of the liquefied gas from the first tank to the fuel tank into the gas pipeline, the method for supplying liquefied gas comprising the steps of: connecting the liquid pipeline and the supply pipeline, and connecting the gas pipeline and the return pipeline; equalizing the pressures of the second tank and the fuel tank; and supplying the liquefied gas in the first tank into the fuel tank.

[0017] Effects of the Invention

[0018] According to the refueling equipment, refueling ship, refueling system and liquefied gas supply method of the present invention, smooth refueling operation and miniaturization can be achieved. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019] Figure 1 It is a schematic structural diagram of a tanker according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0020] Figure 2 It is a schematic structural diagram of a fuel tank involved in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0021] Figure 3 It is a diagram for explaining a state in which a tanker ship and a fuel tank according to an embodiment of the present invention are connected.

[0022] Figure 4 This is a flowchart showing the steps of a liquefied gas supply method according to an embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0023] Below, reference Figures 1 to 4 , a refueling facility 10, a refueling ship 1, a refueling system 100, and a method of supplying a liquefied gas G1 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described.

[0024] The refueling system 100 is a system for supplying liquefied gas G1 as fuel to a fuel tank 2 at sea. Examples of the liquefied gas G1 supplied by the refueling system 100 include LPG (Liquefied Petroleum Gas) and liquefied ammonia. In addition, the refueling system 100 can also be used to supply LNG (Liquefied Natural Gas) to the fuel tank 2. The refueling system 100 includes a refueling ship 1 and a fuel tank 2.

[0025] (Refueling ship)

[0026] First, refer to Figure 1 The structure of the refueling ship 1 is described below. The refueling ship 1 is a ship that supplies liquefied gas G1 to the fuel tank 2. Figure 1 As shown, the tanker ship 1 includes a tanker hull 3 and a tanker equipment 10 .

[0027] The refueling hull 3 is a structure having an internal space that extends in one direction and floats on the ocean and can be equipped with various equipment and devices. A space for accommodating a first tank 11 described later is formed inside the refueling hull 3. The refueling hull 3 has an upper deck 4 and a superstructure 5 provided on the upper deck 4 on the stern 3b side. The superstructure 5 is provided with a living area for the crew of the refueling ship 1, etc.

[0028] (Refueling equipment)

[0029] The refueling equipment 10 is a device for supplying liquefied gas G1 from the refueling ship 1 to the fuel tank 2, and is installed in the refueling ship 3. The refueling equipment 10 includes a first tank 11, a pump 12, a second tank 13, a liquid pipeline 20, a gas pipeline 30, a cooling device 40, a reliquefaction device 14, a reliquefaction pipeline 15, a supply connection pipeline 16, and a return connection pipeline 17.

[0030] (First can)

[0031] The first tank 11 is a cargo tank for storing liquefied gas G1 as fuel supplied to the fuel tank 2. A plurality of first tanks 11 (two in this embodiment) are arranged in the refueling hull 3 on the bow 3a side. In addition, only one first tank 11 may be provided in the refueling hull 3, or three or more first tanks 11 may be provided. In this embodiment, two first tanks 11 are provided on the bow 3a side of the superstructure 5, and are arranged in the bow and stern direction.

[0032] The first tank 11 is a gas storage tank with a low design pressure and high volumetric efficiency compared to the second tank 13 or the fuel tank 60 described later. As the first tank 11, for example, a membrane tank or a rectangular tank can be cited. In addition, in the first tank 11 of the present embodiment, a Type-A or Type-B gas storage tank in accordance with the IMO standard is used.

[0033] The maximum design pressure of the first tank 11 is, for example, approximately 0.07 MPa or 0.025 MPa.

[0034] (Pump)

[0035] The pump 12 pressurizes and delivers the liquefied gas G1 in the first tank 11 to the fuel tank 60. In the present embodiment, the pump 12 is provided on the first tank 11. Alternatively, the pump 12 may be provided on a liquid pipeline 20 (described later) extending from the first tank 11. Furthermore, the pump 12 may be provided on the first tank 11 and the liquid pipeline 20 (two-stage).

[0036] (Second can)

[0037] The second tank 13 is a gas storage tank for storing the gas G2 returned from the fuel tank 60 of the fuel tank 2 described later. In the present embodiment, the second tank 13 is arranged on the upper deck 4. More specifically, the second tank 13 is arranged above the first tank 11 on the bow 3a side of the two first tanks 11. In addition, the second tank 13 may also be placed inside the refueling hull 3. The volume of the second tank 13 is smaller than that of the first tank 11.

[0038] The second tank 13 is a pressure vessel structure having a higher pressure resistance than the first tank 11. The second tank 13 is a gas storage tank having at least the same design pressure as the fuel tank 60 of the fuel tank 2. As the second tank 13, for example, a spherical tank or a cylindrical tank can be cited. In addition, in the second tank 13 of the present embodiment, a Type-C gas storage tank in accordance with the IMO standard is adopted.

[0039] The maximum design pressure of the second tank 13 is, for example, 0.4 MPa or more and 2.0 MPa or less.

[0040] The second tank 13 can be set / designed to be suitable for various temperatures / pressures. For example, the second tank 13 can be heat-proofed to maintain a low temperature state, and the internal pressure of the second tank 13 can be set to atmospheric pressure (full heat type) or intermediate pressure (semi-heat type). The tank capacity of the second tank 13 is determined by the tank capacity or pressure setting of the fuel tank 60 of the predetermined fuel tank 2, the degree of freedom of configuration on the tanker 1 side, etc.

[0041] (Liquid pipeline)

[0042] The liquid pipeline 20 is a pipeline capable of supplying the liquefied gas G1 in the first tank 11 to the fuel tank 60 of the fuel tank 2. The liquid pipeline 20 extends from the first tank 11. The end of the liquid pipeline 20 disposed in the first tank 11 is connected to the pump 12 provided in the first tank 11. The liquefied gas G1 extracted from the first tank 11 by the pump 12 flows in the liquid pipeline 20. The liquid pipeline 20 has a manifold pipe 21 and a liquid pipeline pipe 22.

[0043] The manifold pipe 21 is a pipe extending in the ship width direction and has a manifold 23 at one end in the ship width direction. The manifold pipe 21 is disposed, for example, on the upper deck 4. In the present embodiment, the manifold pipe 21 is provided on the bow 3a side of the superstructure 5.

[0044] The liquid pipeline pipe 22 connects the manifold pipe 21 and the first tank 11 to communicate with each other. In the present embodiment, one liquid pipeline pipe 22 is provided in each of the two first tanks 11. One end of the liquid pipeline pipe 22 is connected to the pump 12 of the first tank 11, and the other end of the liquid pipeline pipe 22 is connected to the manifold pipe 21.

[0045] When liquefied gas G1 is supplied from the first tank 11 to the fuel tank 60 through the liquid pipe 20, gas G2 in a gas phase corresponding to the volume of the supplied liquefied gas G1 is discharged from the fuel tank 60. The gas G2 discharged from the fuel tank 60 is guided to the second tank 13.

[0046] (Gas pipeline)

[0047] The gas line 30 is a line that can introduce the gas G2 discharged from the fuel tank 60 according to the supply of the liquefied gas G1 into the second tank 13. The gas line 30 extends from the second tank 13. The gas line 30 includes a manifold pipe 31 and a gas line pipe 32.

[0048] The manifold pipe 31 is a pipe extending in the ship width direction, and has a manifold 33 at one end in the ship width direction. The manifold 33 of the manifold pipe 31 is provided on the same side in the ship width direction as the manifold 23 of the manifold pipe 21. In the present embodiment, the manifold pipe 31 is provided between the superstructure 5 and the manifold pipe 21 in the bow and stern direction.

[0049] The gas pipeline pipe 32 connects the manifold pipe 31 and the second tank 13 to make them communicate with each other.

[0050] (Cooling device)

[0051] The cooling device 40 cools the gas G2 in the second tank 13. The cooling device 40 includes a spray unit 41 and a cooling water supply unit 42.

[0052] (Spraying Department)

[0053] The spray section 41 sprays the liquefied gas G1 in the first tank 11 into the second tank 13. In the present embodiment, the spray section 41 is provided in the liquid pipeline piping 22 on the bow 3a side of the two liquid pipeline pipings 22. In addition, the spray section 41 may be provided in each of the two liquid pipeline pipings 22. The spray section 41 includes a spray piping 43 and a spray section 44. The spray piping 43 branches off from the liquid pipeline piping 22 and connects the liquid pipeline piping 22 to the second tank 13. The spray piping 43 is formed to have a smaller diameter than the liquid pipeline piping 22. A portion of the liquefied gas G1 supplied from the first tank 11 toward the fuel tank 60 flows into the spray piping 43. One end of the spray piping 43 is provided in the second tank 13, and the spray section 44 is provided at the one end. The spray section 44 sprays the liquefied gas G1 guided into the spray piping 43 into the second tank 13.

[0054] (Cooling water supply unit)

[0055] The cooling water supply unit 42 supplies water W to the outer shell of the second tank 13 from the outside. In the present embodiment, the cooling water supply unit 42 includes a cooling water pipe 45 and a cooling water pump 46. One end of the cooling water pipe 45 opens to the seawater around the tanker 1, and the other end of the cooling water pipe 45 is arranged outside the second tank 13 and opens toward the second tank 13. In addition, a cooling water pump 46 is provided at one end of the cooling water pipe 45. The cooling water pump 46 sucks seawater and pressurizes and transports seawater from one end of the cooling water pipe 45 to the other end. In addition, the cooling water pump 46 can be located at any position in the ship. The seawater pressurized and transported by the cooling water pump 46 is sprayed toward the outer shell of the second tank 13. In addition, in the present embodiment, the cooling water supply unit 42 supplies seawater to the second tank 13, but is not limited to seawater. The cooling water supply unit 42 can be, for example, a structure that supplies fresh water to the second tank 13. In this case, the tanker 1 can be provided with a storage tank for storing fresh water for cooling the second tank 13.

[0056] In addition, the cooling device 40 may include only one of the spray unit 41 and the cooling water supply unit 42 .

[0057] (Reliquefaction unit)

[0058] The reliquefaction device 14 liquefies the gas G2 in the second tank 13 cooled by the cooling device 40, and stores it as liquefied gas G1 in the first tank 11. In the present embodiment, the reliquefaction device 14 is a device for the first tank 11, and is for reliquefying the gas G2 vaporized in the first tank 11. In addition, the reliquefaction device 14 may be a device provided separately from the first tank 11, rather than a device of the first tank 11.

[0059] (Reliquefaction pipeline)

[0060] The reliquefaction line 15 connects and communicates the reliquefaction device 14 and the second tank 13. The reliquefaction line 15 is a pipe for supplying the gaseous phase gas G2 in the second tank 13 to the reliquefaction device 14. The reliquefaction device 14 liquefies the gaseous phase gas G2 supplied from the second tank 13 through the reliquefaction line 15 and transfers it to the first tank 11.

[0061] (supply connection line and return connection line)

[0062] In addition, a supply connection pipeline 16 and a return connection pipeline 17 are provided on the refueling hull 3 (refer to Figure 3 The supply connection line 16 is a line that connects the liquid line 20 and the supply line 70 of the fuel tank 2 described later in order to supply the liquefied gas G1 in the first tank 11 to the fuel tank 2. In addition, the return connection line 17 is a line that connects the gas line 30 and the return line 80 of the fuel tank 2 described later in order to guide the gas G2 discharged from the fuel tank 2 into the second tank 13.

[0063] The supply connection line 16 and the return connection line 17 of the present embodiment are flexible hoses or loading arms, etc., and are mounted on the refueling hull 3 .

[0064] (Fuel tank)

[0065] Next, refer to Figure 2 An example of the fuel tank 2 to which the fuel is supplied from the above-mentioned tanker 1 will be described. The fuel tank 2 includes a fuel tank body 50, a fuel tank 60, a supply pipe 70, and a return pipe 80.

[0066] The fuel tank 50 is a structure having an internal space, which extends in one direction and floats on the ocean and can be equipped with various equipment and devices. The fuel tank 50 has an upper deck 51 and an upper structure 52 provided on the upper deck 51 on the stern 50b side. The upper structure 52 is provided with a living area for the crew of the fuel tank 2, etc.

[0067] (Fuel tank)

[0068] The fuel tank 60 is a gas storage tank that stores liquefied gas G1 used as fuel for the fuel tank 2. The fuel tank 60 is loaded on the fuel tank body 50. In addition, the fuel tank 60 can be arranged inside the fuel tank body 50 or on the upper deck 51. In the present embodiment, the fuel tank 60 is provided at a position closer to the bow 50a side than the upper structure 52.

[0069] The fuel tank 60 illustrated in this embodiment is a pressure vessel structure having a higher pressure resistance than the first tank 11. As the fuel tank 60, for example, a spherical tank or a cylindrical tank can be cited. In addition, in the fuel tank 60 of this embodiment, a Type-C gas tank in accordance with the IMO standard is used.

[0070] The maximum design pressure of the fuel tank 60 is, for example, 0.4 MPa or more and 2.0 MPa or less.

[0071] (Supply line)

[0072] The supply line 70 is connected to the liquid line 20 and guides the liquefied gas G1 supplied from the liquid line 20 into the fuel tank 60. The supply line 70 extends from the fuel tank 60 and communicates with the fuel tank 60. The supply line 70 is connected to the liquid line 20 of the refueling ship 1 via the supply connection line 16. The liquefied gas G1 supplied from the first tank 11 of the refueling ship 1 flows in the supply line 70. The supply line 70 includes a manifold pipe 71 and a supply line pipe 72.

[0073] The manifold pipe 71 is a pipe extending in the ship width direction and has manifolds 73 at both ends in the ship width direction. The manifold pipe 71 is disposed, for example, on the upper deck 51. In the present embodiment, the manifold pipe 71 is provided on the bow 50a side of the fuel tank 60.

[0074] The supply line pipe 72 connects the manifold pipe 71 and the fuel tank 60 to make them communicate with each other.

[0075] (Return line)

[0076] The return line 80 is a line connected to the gas line 30, and guides the gas G2 discharged from the fuel tank 60 according to the supply of the liquefied gas G1 from the first tank 11 to the fuel tank 60 to the gas line 30. The return line 80 is connected to the liquid line 20 of the tanker 1 via the return connection line 17. The gas G2 in the gas phase discharged from the fuel tank 60 flows in the return line 80. The return line 80 has a manifold pipe 81 and a return line pipe 82.

[0077] The manifold pipe 81 is a pipe extending in the ship width direction and has manifolds 83 at both ends in the ship width direction. The manifold pipe 81 is disposed, for example, on the upper deck 51. In the present embodiment, the manifold pipe 81 is provided between the superstructure 52 and the manifold pipe 71 in the bow and stern direction.

[0078] The return line pipe 82 connects the manifold pipe 81 and the fuel tank 60 to make them communicate with each other.

[0079] (Connection between bunkering vessel and fuel tank)

[0080] Next, refer to Figure 3 , the connection between the refueling ship 1 and the fuel tank 2 is explained.

[0081] When the fuel in the fuel tank 2 is reduced and the liquefied gas G1 needs to be supplied to the fuel tank 60, as shown in FIG. Figure 3 As shown, the refueling ship 1 is moved so that the side of the refueling ship 1 is close to the side of the anchored fuel tank 2. In this embodiment, the following example is shown: the refueling ship 1 is moved and stopped in such a way that the forward direction of the refueling ship 1 is aligned with the forward direction of the fuel tank 2. In this case, the refueling ship 1 needs to be configured as

[0082] The manifold 23 of the manifold pipe 21 and the manifold 33 of the manifold pipe 31 of the refueling ship 1 are directed toward the fuel tank 2. At this time, the refueling ship 1 is preferably moved so that the manifold 23 of the manifold pipe 21 and the manifold 73 of the manifold pipe 71 are aligned in the ship width direction, and the manifold 33 of the manifold pipe 31 and the manifold 83 of the manifold pipe 81 are aligned in the ship width direction.

[0083] In this state, the tanker 1 is moored, and the liquid pipeline 20 of the tanker 1 and the supply pipeline 70 of the fuel tank 2 are connected via the supply connection pipeline 16. More specifically, the manifold 23 of the manifold pipe 21 and the manifold 73 of the manifold pipe 71 are connected via the supply connection pipeline 16.

[0084] The gas pipeline 30 of the tanker 1 and the return pipeline 80 of the fuel tank 2 are connected via the return connection pipeline 17. More specifically, the manifold 33 of the manifold pipe 31 and the manifold 83 of the manifold pipe 81 are connected via the return connection pipeline 17.

[0085] (Method of supplying liquefied gas)

[0086] Next, refer to Figure 4 , a method of supplying the liquefied gas G1 from the refueling ship 1 to the fuel tank 2 will be described.

[0087] When the liquefied gas G1 needs to be supplied to the fuel tank 60, the remaining amount of the liquefied gas G1 in the fuel tank 60 is small. Then, the remaining portion of the fuel tank 60 except for the storage portion of the liquefied gas G1 is filled with the gas G2 in the gas phase generated by evaporation of the liquefied gas G1. When this state is reached, in order to supply the liquefied gas G1 to the fuel tank 60, the fuel tank 2 and the tanker 1 are moved so that their sides are close to each other as described above (refer to Figure 3 ). In this state, the supply of liquefied gas G1 starts.

[0088] like Figure 4 As shown, first, the liquid pipeline 20 and the supply pipeline 70 are connected, and the gas pipeline 30 and the return pipeline 80 are connected (step S1). In step S1, the manifold 23 of the manifold piping 21 and the manifold 73 of the manifold piping 71 are connected through the supply connection pipeline 16. In step S1, the manifold 33 of the manifold piping 31 and the manifold 83 of the manifold piping 81 are connected through the return connection pipeline 17. At this time, the connection between the liquid pipeline 20 and the supply pipeline 70 and the connection between the gas pipeline 30 and the return pipeline 80 are respectively blocked by valves, etc., which are not shown in the figure.

[0089] Next, the passage between the liquid line 20 and the supply line 70 and the passage between the gas line 30 and the return line 80 are opened, and the pressures of the second tank 13 and the fuel tank 60 are equalized (step S2 ).

[0090] After the pressure of the second tank 13 and the fuel tank 60 is equalized, the pump 12 is operated to supply the liquefied gas G1 in the first tank 11 to the fuel tank 60 (step S3). During the operation of the pump 12, the liquefied gas G1 is smoothly supplied from the first tank 11 to the fuel tank 60 through the liquid pipe 20 and the supply pipe 70. As a result, the internal pressure of the fuel tank 60 becomes higher than the internal pressure of the second tank 13, and the gas G2 in the gas phase corresponding to the volume of the liquefied gas G1 supplied to the fuel tank 60 is about to be discharged from the fuel tank 60. The gas G2 discharged from the fuel tank 60 is guided to the second tank 13 through the return pipe 80 and the gas pipe 30.

[0091] By supplying the gas G2 into the second tank 13, the pressure of the second tank 13 increases, and the temperature inside the second tank 13 increases. As a countermeasure, the cooling device 40 cools the gas G2 in the second tank 13 (step S4). Specifically, the cooling device 40 sprays a portion of the liquefied gas G1 transferred from the first tank 11 to the fuel tank 60 into the second tank 13 through the spray unit 41, thereby cooling the gas G2 in the second tank 13. Alternatively, the cooling device 40 can cool the gas G2 in the second tank 13 by supplying water W from the outside to the outer shell of the second tank 13 through the cooling water supply unit 42. In this embodiment, the cooling water supply unit 42 draws seawater through the cooling water pump 46 and sprays it to the outer shell of the second tank 13. In step S4, the gas G2 in the second tank 13 can be cooled by using either the spray unit 41 or the cooling water supply unit 42, or the gas G2 in the second tank 13 can be cooled by using both the spray unit 41 and the cooling water supply unit 42.

[0092] When it is confirmed that the liquefied gas G1 is sufficiently supplied to the fuel tank 60 , the pump 12 is stopped while the liquid line 20 and the supply line 70 and the gas line 30 and the return line 80 are blocked, and the supply of the liquefied gas G1 to the fuel tank 60 is stopped (step S5 ).

[0093] Then, the supply connecting pipe 16 and the return connecting pipe 17 are removed, and the liquid pipe 20, the supply pipe 70, the gas pipe 30, and the return pipe 80 are cut (step S6). In addition, the liquefied gas G1 remaining in the supply connecting pipe 16 and the gas G2 remaining in the return connecting pipe 17 can be recovered by a recovery device (not shown).

[0094] After step S6, the gas G2 in the second tank 13 is reliquefied by the reliquefaction device 14 (step S7). In step S7, the reliquefied liquefied gas G1 is stored in the first tank 11. In addition, step S7 may be omitted.

[0095] In this way, the supply of the liquefied gas G1 is completed.

[0096] (Effect)

[0097] According to the refueling equipment 10 of the present embodiment, the following effects are achieved.

[0098] In the present embodiment, the refueling equipment 10 includes a first tank 11, a second tank 13, a liquid pipeline 20, and a gas pipeline 30. The first tank 11 stores a liquefied gas G1 as a fuel supplied to the fuel tank 2. The second tank 13 is configured as a pressure vessel structure having a higher pressure resistance than the first tank 11. The liquid pipeline 20 can supply the liquefied gas G1 of the first tank 11 to the fuel tank 60 of the fuel tank 2. The gas pipeline 30 can introduce the gas G2 discharged from the fuel tank 60 according to the supply of the liquefied gas G1 to the second tank 13.

[0099] Thus, the refueling equipment 10 can recover the gas G2 discharged from the fuel tank 60 by the second tank 13 having a pressure vessel structure with high pressure resistance. Therefore, when recovering the gas G2 from the fuel tank 60, it is not necessary to equalize the pressure of the fuel tank 60 and the first tank 11, but only the fuel tank 60 and the second tank 13 can be equalized, so it is not necessary to select the first tank 11 according to the design pressure of the fuel tank 60. Therefore, as the first tank 11, a gas storage tank with high volumetric efficiency such as a membrane tank or a rectangular tank can be used. Therefore, a smooth refueling operation from the first tank 11 to the fuel tank 60 can be achieved, and the refueling equipment 10 can be miniaturized.

[0100] In the present embodiment, the volume of the second tank 13 is smaller than the volume of the first tank 11 .

[0101] Thus, the second tank 13 can be made smaller in size compared to a case where the volume of the second tank 13 is equal to or larger than the volume of the first tank 11. Therefore, the refueling equipment 10 can be designed to be more compact.

[0102] In the present embodiment, the refueling equipment 10 includes a cooling device 40 . The cooling device 40 cools the gas G2 in the second tank 13 .

[0103] Thus, when the second tank 13 recovers the gas G2 from the fuel tank 60 and the temperature of the gas G2 in the second tank 13 rises, the refueling equipment 10 can cool the second tank 13 by the cooling device 40 to reduce the internal pressure of the second tank 13. Therefore, the refueling equipment 10 can prevent the second tank 13 from becoming more pressurized than the fuel tank 60 and can smoothly guide the gas G2 from the fuel tank 60 to the second tank 13.

[0104] In the present embodiment, the cooling device 40 includes a spray unit 41 . The spray unit 41 sprays the liquefied gas G1 in the first tank 11 into the second tank 13 .

[0105] Thus, the refueling equipment 10 can quickly cool the gas G2 in the second tank 13 returned from the fuel tank 60 by the cryogenic liquefied gas G1 injected into the second tank 13. Therefore, the refueling equipment 10 can return the gas G2 from the fuel tank 60 to the second tank 13 more smoothly.

[0106] In the present embodiment, the cooling device 40 includes a cooling water supply unit 42. The cooling water supply unit 42 supplies water W to the outer shell of the second tank 13 from the outside.

[0107] Thus, the refueling equipment 10 can cool the gas G2 in the second tank 13 by supplying water W such as surrounding seawater to the outer shell of the second tank 13. In this way, the gas G2 in the second tank 13 can be cooled by a simple device. In addition, when seawater is used as the water W for cooling the second tank 13, since a large amount of seawater exists around the fuel tank 2, the refueling equipment 10 can supply seawater to the second tank 13 without restriction, so that the gas G2 in the second tank 13 can be sufficiently cooled.

[0108] In the present embodiment, the refueling facility 10 includes a reliquefaction device 14. The reliquefaction device 14 liquefies the gas G2 in the second tank 13 cooled by the cooling device 40, and stores the liquefied gas G1 in the first tank 11.

[0109] Thus, the refueling facility 10 can liquefy the gas G2 in the second tank 13 by the reliquefaction device 14. Therefore, the gas G2 returned from the fuel tank 60 to the second tank 13 can be reused as fuel. Therefore, the usage amount of the liquefied gas G1 can be reduced.

[0110] In the present embodiment, the tanker ship 1 includes a tanker facility 10 .

[0111] This can improve the volumetric efficiency of the first tank 11 mounted on the tanker ship 1, thereby suppressing an increase in the size of the ship.

[0112] In the present embodiment, the refueling system 100 includes a refueling ship 1 and a fuel tank 2, wherein the fuel tank 2 includes a fuel tank 60 having a pressure vessel structure having a higher pressure resistance than the first tank 11. The fuel tank 2 includes a supply line 70 and a return line 80. The supply line 70 is connected to the liquid line 20, and guides the liquefied gas G1 supplied from the liquid line 20 into the fuel tank 60. The return line 80 is connected to the gas line 30, and guides the gas G2 discharged from the fuel tank 60 in response to the supply of the liquefied gas G1 from the first tank 11 to the fuel tank 60, to the gas line 30.

[0113] In this way, by refueling the fuel tank 2 including the fuel tank 60 having a pressure vessel structure with higher pressure resistance than the first tank 11, the refueling ship 1 including the first tank 11 and the second tank 13 can smoothly refuel while suppressing the enlargement of the refueling ship 1.

[0114] In this embodiment, the method for supplying liquefied gas G1 includes the following steps: S1, connecting the liquid pipeline 20 to the supply pipeline 70, and connecting the gas pipeline 30 to the return pipeline 80; S2, equalizing the pressure of the second tank 13 and the fuel tank 60; and S3, supplying the liquefied gas G1 in the first tank 11 to the fuel tank 60.

[0115] Thus, the gas G2 discharged from the fuel tank 60 can be recovered by the second tank 13 having a pressure vessel structure with high pressure resistance. Therefore, when recovering the gas G2 from the fuel tank 60, it is not necessary to equalize the pressure of the fuel tank 60 and the first tank 11, but only the fuel tank 60 and the second tank 13 can be equalized, so it is not necessary to select the first tank 11 according to the design pressure of the fuel tank 60. Therefore, as the first tank 11, a gas storage tank with high volumetric efficiency such as a membrane tank or a rectangular tank can be used. Therefore, a smooth refueling operation from the first tank 11 to the fuel tank 60 can be achieved, and the refueling equipment 10 can be miniaturized.

[0116] In the present embodiment, the second tank 13 is disposed above the first tank 11 .

[0117] This makes it possible to effectively utilize the vacant space in the refueling facility 10. In other words, the layout efficiency in the refueling facility 10 can be improved.

[0118] (Other Implementations)

[0119] As mentioned above, although the embodiment of the present invention is described in detail with reference to the drawings, the specific structure is not limited to this embodiment, and design changes and the like within the scope not departing from the gist of the present invention are also included.

[0120] In the above embodiment, the case where the refueling ship 1 is provided with the refueling equipment 10 is described, but the present invention is not limited thereto. The refueling equipment 10 may be provided, for example, on a tank truck that supplies the liquefied gas G1 parked at the pier to the fuel tank 2 parked at the pier. Furthermore, the refueling equipment 10 may also be a land terminal for supplying the liquefied gas G1 to the fuel tank 2 parked at the pier or the wharf.

[0121] In the above embodiment, the cooling device 40 is provided with at least one of the spray unit 41 and the cooling water supply unit 42, but the present invention is not limited thereto. The cooling device 40 may cool the gas G2 in the second tank 13 by a method other than the method of supplying the liquefied gas G1 into the second tank 13 and the method of supplying the water W to the outer shell of the second tank 13.

[0122] <Note>

[0123] The refueling facility 10, the refueling ship 1, the refueling system 100, and the method of supplying the liquefied gas G1 described in each embodiment can be understood, for example, as follows.

[0124] (1) The refueling equipment 10 involved in the first embodiment includes: a first tank 11, which stores liquefied gas G1 as fuel supplied to the fuel tank 2; a second tank 13, which is set as a pressure vessel structure with higher pressure resistance than the first tank 11; a liquid pipeline 20, which can supply the liquefied gas G1 of the first tank 11 to the fuel tank 60 of the fuel tank 2; and a gas pipeline 30, which can introduce the gas G2 discharged from the fuel tank 60 according to the supply of the liquefied gas G1 into the second tank 13.

[0125] Thus, the refueling equipment 10 can recover the gas G2 discharged from the fuel tank 60 by the second tank 13 having a pressure vessel structure with high pressure resistance. Therefore, when recovering the gas G2 from the fuel tank 60, it is not necessary to equalize the pressure of the fuel tank 60 and the first tank 11, but only the fuel tank 60 and the second tank 13 need to be equalized, so it is not necessary to select the first tank 11 according to the design pressure of the fuel tank 60. Therefore, as the first tank 11, a gas storage tank with high volumetric efficiency, such as a membrane tank or a rectangular tank, can be used.

[0126] (2) Refueling Equipment 10 According to Second Embodiment In the refueling equipment 10 according to the first embodiment, the volume of the second tank 13 may be smaller than the volume of the first tank 11 .

[0127] Thus, compared with a case where the volume of the second tank 13 is equal to or larger than the volume of the first tank 11 , the second tank 13 can be reduced in size.

[0128] (3) The refueling facility 10 according to the third aspect may include the refueling facility 10 according to the first aspect or the second aspect, further comprising a cooling device 40 for cooling the gas G2 in the second tank 13 .

[0129] Thus, when the second tank 13 recovers the gas G2 from the fuel tank 60 and the temperature of the gas G2 in the second tank 13 rises, the refueling facility 10 can cool the second tank 13 using the cooling device 40 to reduce the internal pressure of the second tank 13 .

[0130] (4) Refueling Equipment 10 According to Fourth Embodiment In the refueling equipment 10 according to the third embodiment, the cooling device 40 may include a spraying unit 41 that sprays the liquefied gas G1 in the first tank 11 into the second tank 13 .

[0131] Thus, the refueling facility 10 can rapidly cool the gas G2 in the second tank 13 that is returned from the fuel tank 60 by the low-temperature liquefied gas G1 injected into the second tank 13 .

[0132] (5) Refueling Equipment 10 According to Fifth Embodiment In the refueling equipment 10 according to the third embodiment or the fourth embodiment, the cooling device 40 may include a cooling water supply unit 42 that supplies water W to the outer shell of the second tank 13 from the outside.

[0133] Thus, the refueling facility 10 can cool the gas G2 in the second tank 13 by supplying water W such as surrounding seawater to the outer shell of the second tank 13 .

[0134] (6) The refueling equipment 10 of the sixth aspect may include the refueling equipment 10 of any one of the third to fifth aspects, further comprising a reliquefaction device 14 that liquefies the gas G2 in the second tank 13 cooled by the cooling device 40 and stores the gas in the first tank 11 as the liquefied gas G1.

[0135] Thus, the refueling facility 10 can liquefy the gas G2 in the second tank 13 by the reliquefaction device 14. Therefore, the gas G2 returned from the fuel tank 60 to the second tank 13 can be reused as fuel.

[0136] (7) A tanker ship 1 according to a seventh aspect includes the tanker equipment 10 according to any one of the first to sixth aspects.

[0137] This can improve the volumetric efficiency of the first tank 11 mounted on the tanker ship 1, thereby suppressing an increase in the size of the ship.

[0138] (8) The refueling system 100 of the eighth embodiment comprises: the refueling ship 1 of the seventh embodiment; and the fuel tank 2, which comprises the fuel tank 60 having a pressure vessel structure having a higher pressure resistance than the first tank 11, and the fuel tank 2 comprises: a supply pipeline 70 connected to the liquid pipeline 20 and guiding the liquefied gas G1 supplied through the liquid pipeline 20 into the fuel tank 60; and a return pipeline 80 connected to the gas pipeline 30 and guiding the gas G2 discharged from the fuel tank 60 according to the supply of the liquefied gas G1 from the first tank 11 to the fuel tank 60, to the gas pipeline 30.

[0139] In this way, by refueling the fuel tank 2 including the fuel tank 60 having a pressure vessel structure with higher pressure resistance than the first tank 11, the refueling ship 1 including the first tank 11 and the second tank 13 can smoothly refuel while suppressing the enlargement of the refueling ship 1.

[0140] (9) The ninth embodiment of the method for supplying liquefied gas G1 uses a refueling device 10 for supplying liquefied gas G1 as fuel to a fuel tank 2, wherein the refueling device 10 comprises: a first tank 11 for storing the liquefied gas G1; a second tank 13 for being a pressure vessel structure having a higher pressure resistance than the first tank 11; a liquid pipeline 20 for supplying the liquefied gas G1 in the first tank 11 to a fuel tank 60 in the fuel tank 2; and a gas pipeline 30 for introducing gas G2 discharged from the fuel tank 60 in response to the supply of the liquefied gas G1 into the second tank 13; the fuel tank 2 comprises: a fuel tank 60 for being a pressure vessel structure having a higher pressure resistance than the first tank 11 ; a supply pipeline 70, which guides the liquefied gas G1 supplied through the liquid pipeline 20 into the fuel tank 60; and a return pipeline 80, which guides the gas G2 discharged from the fuel tank 60 according to the supply of the liquefied gas G1 from the first tank 11 to the fuel tank 60, to the gas pipeline 30. The supply method of the liquefied gas G1 includes the following steps: S1, connecting the liquid pipeline 20 and the supply pipeline 70, and connecting the gas pipeline 30 and the return pipeline 80; S2, equalizing the pressure of the second tank 13 and the fuel tank 60; and S3, supplying the liquefied gas G1 in the first tank 11 into the fuel tank 60.

[0141] Thus, the gas G2 discharged from the fuel tank 60 can be recovered by the second tank 13 having a pressure vessel structure with high pressure resistance. Therefore, when recovering the gas G2 from the fuel tank 60, it is not necessary to equalize the pressure of the fuel tank 60 and the first tank 11, but only the fuel tank 60 and the second tank 13 can be equalized, so it is not necessary to select the first tank 11 according to the design pressure of the fuel tank 60. Therefore, as the first tank 11, a gas storage tank with high volumetric efficiency, such as a membrane tank or a rectangular tank, can be used.

[0142] Industrial Applicability

[0143] According to the refueling equipment, refueling ship, refueling system and liquefied gas supply method of the present invention, smooth refueling operation and miniaturization can be achieved.

[0144] Explanation of symbols

[0145] 1-tanker, 2-fuel tank, 3-tanker hull, 3a-bow, 3b-stern, 4-upper deck, 5-superstructure, 10-tanker equipment, 11-first tank, 12-pump, 13-second tank, 14-reliquefaction device, 15-reliquefaction pipeline, 16-supply connection pipeline, 17-return connection pipeline, 20-liquid pipeline, 21-manifold piping, 22-liquid pipeline piping, 23-manifold, 30-gas pipeline, 31-manifold piping, 32-gas pipeline piping, 33-manifold, 40-cooling device, 4 1-spraying section, 42-cooling water supply section, 43-spraying piping, 44-injection section, 45-cooling water piping, 46-cooling water pump, 50-fuel tank, 50a-bow, 50b-stern, 51-upper deck, 52-superstructure, 60-fuel tank, 70-supply pipeline, 71-manifold piping, 72-supply pipeline piping, 73-manifold, 80-return pipeline, 81-manifold piping, 82-return pipeline piping, 83-manifold, 100-refueling system, G1-liquefied gas, G2-gas, W-water.

Claims

1. A refueling device, comprising: a first tank storing liquefied gas as fuel supplied to the fuel tank; The second tank is configured as a pressure vessel structure having a higher pressure resistance than the first tank; a liquid pipeline capable of supplying the liquefied gas in the first tank to a fuel tank in the fuel tank; and The gas line can introduce the gas discharged from the fuel tank in response to the supply of the liquefied gas into the second tank.

2. The refueling equipment according to claim 1, wherein: The volume of the second tank is smaller than the volume of the first tank. 3 . The refueling equipment according to claim 1 , further comprising a cooling device for cooling the gas in the second tank.

4. The refueling equipment according to claim 3, wherein: The cooling device includes a spray unit that sprays the liquefied gas in the first tank into the second tank.

5. The refueling equipment according to claim 3, wherein: The cooling device includes a cooling water supply unit that supplies water from the outside to the outer shell of the second tank.

6. The refueling equipment according to claim 3, comprising: The reliquefaction device liquefies the gas in the second tank cooled by the cooling device and stores the liquefied gas in the first tank.

7. A refueling ship comprising the refueling equipment according to claim 1 or 2.

8. A refueling system comprising: The bunkering ship and the fuel tank according to claim 7; and The fuel tank comprises the fuel tank having a pressure vessel structure having a higher pressure resistance than the first tank. The fuel tank has: a supply pipeline connected to the liquid pipeline and guiding the liquefied gas supplied through the liquid pipeline into the fuel tank; and The return pipe is connected to the gas pipe and guides the gas discharged from the fuel tank in response to the supply of the liquefied gas from the first tank to the fuel tank to the gas pipe.

9. A method for supplying liquefied gas, using a refueling device for supplying liquefied gas as fuel to a fuel tank, The refueling equipment has: A first tank storing the liquefied gas; The second tank is configured as a pressure vessel structure having a higher pressure resistance than the first tank; a liquid pipeline capable of supplying the liquefied gas in the first tank to a fuel tank in the fuel tank; and a gas pipeline capable of introducing the gas discharged from the fuel tank in response to the supply of the liquefied gas into the second tank, The fuel tank has: The fuel tank is configured as a pressure vessel structure having a higher pressure resistance than that of the first tank; a supply pipeline for guiding the liquefied gas supplied through the liquid pipeline into the fuel tank; and a return pipe for guiding the gas discharged from the fuel tank in accordance with the supply of the liquefied gas from the first tank to the fuel tank to the gas pipe, The liquefied gas supply method comprises the following steps: connecting the liquid pipeline with the supply pipeline, and connecting the gas pipeline with the return pipeline; equalizing the pressure of the second tank and the fuel tank; and The liquefied gas in the first tank is supplied to the fuel tank.

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