A fuel tank anti-pipeline clearing system and its vessel

Abstract

This invention provides a fuel tank anti-pipeline clearing system, comprising a fuel oil clarification tank, a quick-connect coupling, a compressed air purging pipe, and an air compressor. The fuel oil clarification tank is used to hold heavy oil residue. The quick-connect coupling is located at the bottom of the fuel oil clarification tank. One end of the compressed air purging pipe is connected to the quick-connect coupling. The air compressor is connected to the other end of the compressed air purging pipe, enabling the air compressor to backflush the fuel oil clarification tank. By using the air compressor to backflush and thoroughly clean the heavy oil residue, this invention helps to solve the problem of the lack of a technical method in the prior art capable of effectively cleaning heavy oil residue.

Description

Technical fields:

[0001] This invention relates to the field of ship cleaning, and in particular to a fuel tank anti-pipeline cleaning system and its vessel. Background technology:

[0002] Currently, most domestic civilian ships still use heavy oil (HFO) as their main fuel. Due to its high viscosity and low fluidity, heavy oil is prone to clogging the fuel drain pipe. The conventional design of the drain pipe is to install a double valve, with the first valve on the tank wall being a shut-off valve and the second valve being a self-closing drain valve (as required by regulations). The drain valve is then connected to a short pipe to the drain funnel, which finally drains the fuel into the fuel drain tank or sludge tank. However, this method of draining is not clean and is still prone to clogging.

[0003] There is an urgent need for a fuel tank anti-pipeline cleaning system, which would help solve the problem of the lack of existing technology capable of cleaning heavy oil residues. Summary of the Invention:

[0004] In one embodiment, the present invention provides a fuel tank anti-pipeline unclogging system that thoroughly cleans heavy oil residue by backflushing with an air compressor, which helps to solve the problem of the lack of a technical method in the prior art that can clean heavy oil residue effectively.

[0005] The fuel tank anti-pipeline clearing system includes a fuel oil clarification tank, a quick-connect coupling, a compressed air purging pipe, and an air compressor;

[0006] The fuel oil clarification tank is used to hold heavy oil residue;

[0007] The quick-connector is located at the bottom of the fuel oil clarification tank;

[0008] One end of the compressed air blow-out pipe is connected to the quick-connect adapter.

[0009] The air compressor is connected to the other end of the compressed air blow-off pipe so that the air compressor back-blown the fuel oil clarifier.

[0010] In one embodiment, the fuel tank anti-pipeline clearing system further includes a self-closing relief valve;

[0011] The self-closing relief valve is located between the quick-connect fitting and the compressed air blow-out pipe.

[0012] In one embodiment, a fuel venting compartment is provided below the quick-connect fitting.

[0013] In one embodiment, residue is collected above the fuel spill chamber via a funnel.

[0014] In one embodiment, the present invention also provides a vessel employing a fuel tank anti-pipeline clearing system, the vessel being a heavy oil vessel, and employing the fuel tank anti-pipeline clearing system as described above.

[0015] In one embodiment, the vessel further includes a water pump and a compressor;

[0016] The pump is used to extract seawater;

[0017] The compressor is used to flush the fuel oil clarification tank after the seawater is compressed and pressurized.

[0018] In one embodiment, the vessel further includes a sewage outlet;

[0019] The drain outlet is located in the fuel oil clarification tank and connected to the bottom of the ship to discharge heavy oil residue.

[0020] In one embodiment, the vessel further includes a water-air mixing pressurization device;

[0021] The water-air mixing and pressurizing device mixes the seawater pumped by the pump with high-pressure air to form a water-air mixture medium, which is then pressurized and used to flush the fuel oil clarification tank.

[0022] In one embodiment, the vessel further includes a solvent addition device;

[0023] The solvent adding device is used to add dissolving solvent to the fuel oil clarification tank.

[0024] In one embodiment, the vessel further includes a centrifuge;

[0025] The centrifuge is located in the fuel oil clarification tank and is used to mix the solvent and heavy oil. Attached image description:

[0026] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of a fuel tank anti-pipeline clearing system according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0027] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of a ship structure applying a fuel tank anti-pipeline clearing system in another embodiment of the present invention.

[0028] Figure label:

[0029] Fuel oil clarification tank 1

[0030] Quick Adapter 2

[0031] Compressed air blow-off pipe 3

[0032] Air compressor 4

[0033] Self-closing relief valve 5

[0034] Fuel venting compartment 6

[0035] Funnel 7

[0036] Water pump 8

[0037] Compressor 9

[0038] 10 sewage outlets

[0039] Water-air mixing booster equipment 11

[0040] Solvent addition device 12

[0041] Centrifuge 13 Detailed implementation method:

[0042] To enable those skilled in the art to better understand the technical solution of the present invention, the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments.

[0043] Various embodiments and features of this application are described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0044] These and other features of this application will become apparent from the following description of preferred forms of embodiments given as non-limiting examples, with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0045] It should also be understood that although this application has been described with reference to some specific examples, those skilled in the art can certainly implement many other equivalent forms of this application, which have the features described in the claims and are therefore all within the scope of protection defined herein.

[0046] The above and other aspects, features and advantages of this application will become more apparent when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and in view of the following detailed description.

[0047] Specific embodiments of this application are described below with reference to the accompanying drawings; however, it should be understood that the claimed embodiments are merely examples of this application, which can be implemented in various ways. Well-known and / or repeated functions and structures are not described in detail to ascertain the true intent based on the user's historical operations, and to avoid unnecessary or redundant details that would obscure this application. Therefore, the specific structural and functional details claimed herein are not intended to be limiting, but merely serve as the basis and representative basis for the claims to teach those skilled in the art to use this application in various ways with substantially any suitable detailed structure.

[0048] This specification may use the phrases “in one embodiment,” “in another embodiment,” “in yet another embodiment,” or “in other embodiments,” all of which may refer to one or more of the same or different embodiments according to this application.

[0049] To enable those skilled in the art to better understand the technical solution of the present invention, the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments.

[0050] Various embodiments and features of this application are described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0051] These and other features of this application will become apparent from the following description of preferred forms of embodiments given as non-limiting examples, with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0052] It should also be understood that although this application has been described with reference to some specific examples, those skilled in the art can certainly implement many other equivalent forms of this application, which have the features described in the claims and are therefore all within the scope of protection defined herein.

[0053] The above and other aspects, features and advantages of this application will become more apparent when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and in view of the following detailed description.

[0054] Specific embodiments of this application are described below with reference to the accompanying drawings; however, it should be understood that the claimed embodiments are merely examples of this application, which can be implemented in various ways. Well-known and / or repeated functions and structures are not described in detail to ascertain the true intent based on the user's historical operations, and to avoid unnecessary or redundant details that would obscure this application. Therefore, the specific structural and functional details claimed herein are not intended to be limiting, but merely serve as the basis and representative basis for the claims to teach those skilled in the art to use this application in various ways with substantially any suitable detailed structure.

[0055] This specification may use the phrases “in one embodiment,” “in another embodiment,” “in yet another embodiment,” or “in other embodiments,” all of which may refer to one or more of the same or different embodiments according to this application.

[0056] Based on actual shipboard operations, ships using heavy fuel oil as their power fuel regularly vent their fuel tanks to remove water and residue. However, the heavy fuel oil used on board is a synthetic oil with high viscosity and low fluidity. Often, during venting, only a small amount of residue, or even none at all, is observed at the funnel. This indicates that there is blockage in the pipelines and valves. If a blockage is found, the shipyard or ship owner will arrange personnel to spend a lot of time and effort to inspect and clear the blockage, which can easily lead to oil spills and pollution, increase the workload of the ship's personnel, and thus increase costs.

[0057] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of a fuel tank anti-pipeline clearing system according to an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2This is a schematic diagram of a ship structure applying a fuel tank anti-pipeline clearing system in another embodiment of the present invention.

[0058] like Figures 1 to 2 As shown, in one embodiment, the present invention provides a fuel tank anti-pipeline clearing system, which includes a fuel oil clarification tank 1, a quick-connect coupling 2, a compressed air purging pipe 3, and an air compressor 4;

[0059] Fuel oil clarification tank 1, used to hold heavy oil residue;

[0060] Quick-connector 2 is located at the bottom of fuel oil clarification tank 1;

[0061] One end of the compressed air blow-out pipe 3 is connected to the quick-connect adapter 2;

[0062] The air compressor 4 is connected to the other end of the compressed air blow-out pipe 3 so that the air compressor 4 back-blown fuel oil clarifier 1.

[0063] This embodiment provides a specific structure for a fuel tank anti-pipeline clogging system. After heavy oil residue flows into the fuel oil clarifying tank 1 from the heavy oil tank, its viscosity causes it to accumulate there. At this point, high-pressure air is obtained through the compressed air blow-out pipe 3 using the air compressor 4, and is blown out in reverse from the quick-connect joint 2 in a jet manner. "Reverse" means that the air is sprayed from the quick-connect joint 2 into the fuel oil clarifying tank 1. This helps solve the problem of the lack of a technical method in the prior art capable of thoroughly cleaning heavy oil residue.

[0064] In addition, this embodiment also aims to provide a quick and effective method for handling heavy oil tank (HFO) venting blockages. By processing a quick-connect fitting and connecting it to a self-closing vent valve, and then connecting it to compressed air on the ship, the blocked vent valve and pipelines can be backflushed. Only one person is needed to operate this method, which is simple to implement, fundamentally reduces manpower and workload, reduces construction difficulty, thereby reducing costs, and can prevent fuel pollution on board the ship.

[0065] In one embodiment, the fuel tank anti-pipeline clearing system further includes a self-closing relief valve 5;

[0066] The self-closing relief valve 5 is located between the quick-connect fitting 2 and the compressed air blow-out pipe 3.

[0067] This embodiment provides a specific implementation with a self-closing relief valve 5. Its main function is to protect equipment and containers by quickly opening and discharging the medium when the medium pressure exceeds the normal value, thus avoiding overpressure operation or explosion.

[0068] In one embodiment, a fuel venting compartment 6 is provided below the quick-connect connector 2.

[0069] This embodiment provides a specific implementation where a fuel venting chamber 6 is provided below the quick-connect connector 2. The fuel venting chamber 6 is used to hold the fuel after it has been exposed to heavy oil.

[0070] In one embodiment, residue is collected above the fuel venting chamber 1 via a funnel 7.

[0071] This embodiment provides a specific implementation method for continuing to collect residue above the fuel spill chamber 1 via a funnel 7.

[0072] In one embodiment, the present invention also provides a vessel employing a fuel tank anti-pipeline clearing system, the vessel being a heavy oil vessel, and employing the fuel tank anti-pipeline clearing system as described above.

[0073] This embodiment provides a specific implementation method for a ship that applies a fuel tank anti-pipeline clearing system.

[0074] In one embodiment, the vessel further includes a water pump 8 and a compressor 9;

[0075] Pump 8 is used to pump seawater;

[0076] Compressor 9 is used to flush fuel oil clarification tank 1 after the seawater is compressed and pressurized.

[0077] In this embodiment, a method is provided to directly extract water from seawater using a water pump 8 for rinsing heavy oil residue. A compressor 9 can pressurize the extracted seawater, and use the pressurized seawater to rinse the heavy oil and the fuel oil clarification tank 1.

[0078] In one embodiment, the vessel further includes a sewage outlet 10;

[0079] The drain outlet 10 is located in the fuel oil clarification tank 1 and connected to the bottom of the ship to discharge heavy oil residue.

[0080] This embodiment provides a specific implementation method for heavy oil pollution discharge, which uses the ship's own sewage outlet 10 to achieve the discharge.

[0081] In one embodiment, the vessel further includes a water-air mixing pressurization device 11;

[0082] The seawater pumped by the pump is mixed with high-pressure air to form a water-air mixture, which is then pressurized and used to flush the fuel oil clarification tank 1.

[0083] This embodiment provides a specific implementation method for flushing by pressurizing a mixture of high-pressure air and seawater.

[0084] In one embodiment, the vessel further includes a solvent addition device 12;

[0085] Solvent adding device 12 is used to add dissolving solvent to fuel oil clarification tank 1.

[0086] In this embodiment, a solvent is added to heavy oil via a solvent adding device 12 to better discharge the heavy oil from the fuel oil clarifying tank 1.

[0087] In one embodiment, the vessel further includes a centrifuge 13;

[0088] Centrifuge 13 is installed in the fuel oil clarification tank 1 for mixing the solvent and heavy oil.

[0089] This embodiment provides a specific implementation method for reseparating the solvent and heavy oil using a centrifuge 13, wherein the solvent is used for the next flush, and the heavy oil can be discharged from the hull.

[0090] Beneficial effects:

[0091] The design utilizes compressed air on board to backflush and unclog the drain valves and pipelines of heavy oil fuel tanks. This method is quick, effective, and convenient to implement, reducing labor costs, shortening the construction period, and lowering overall costs. It also reduces pollution caused by oil leaks on board and has been recognized by ship owners.

[0092] The above embodiments are merely exemplary embodiments of the present invention and are not intended to limit the present invention. The scope of protection of the present invention is defined by the claims. Those skilled in the art can make various modifications or equivalent substitutions to the present invention within its spirit and scope of protection, and such modifications or equivalent substitutions should also be considered to fall within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A fuel tank anti-pipeline clearing system, characterized in that, The fuel tank anti-pipeline unblocking system includes: A fuel oil clarification tank (1) is used to hold heavy oil residue; A quick-connector (2) is located at the bottom of the fuel oil clarifier (1); A compressed air blow-out pipe (3), one end of which is connected to the quick adapter (2); An air compressor (4) is connected to the other end of the compressed air blow-out pipe (3) so that the air compressor (4) back-blown the fuel oil clarifier (1). The fuel tank anti-pipeline unblocking system also includes: A self-closing relief valve (5) is disposed between the quick-connect fitting (2) and the compressed air blow-out pipe (3); A fuel venting compartment (6) is provided below the quick-connect connector (2); After the heavy oil residue in the heavy oil tank flows into the fuel oil clarification tank (1), it accumulates in it due to its viscosity. At this time, high-pressure air is obtained by the air compressor (4) through the compressed air blow-out pipe (3) and blown out in reverse from the quick-connect joint (2) in the form of a jet. Reverse means that the jet is injected from the quick-connect joint (2) into the fuel oil clarification tank (1).

2. The fuel tank anti-pipeline clogging system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The fuel venting chamber (1) collects residue through a funnel (7) above it.

3. A vessel employing a fuel tank anti-pipeline clearing system, characterized in that, The vessel is a heavy oil tanker and employs the fuel tank anti-pipeline clearing system as described in any one of claims 1 to 2.

4. The ship employing the fuel tank anti-pipeline clearing system according to claim 3, characterized in that, The vessel also includes: A water pump (8) is used to pump seawater; A compressor (9) is used to flush the fuel oil clarifier (1) after the seawater is compressed and pressurized.

5. The ship employing the fuel tank anti-pipeline clearing system according to claim 4, characterized in that, The vessel also includes: A drain outlet (10) is provided in the fuel oil clarifier (1) and connected to the bottom of the vessel to discharge heavy oil residue.

6. The ship employing the fuel tank anti-pipeline clearing system according to claim 5, characterized in that, The vessel also includes: A water-air mixing pressurization device (11) mixes the seawater pumped by the pump with high-pressure air to form a water-air mixture medium, pressurizes it, and then flushes the fuel oil clarification tank (1).

7. The ship employing the fuel tank anti-pipeline clearing system according to claim 6, characterized in that, The vessel also includes: A solvent adding device (12) is used to add a dissolving solvent to the fuel oil clarification tank (1).

8. The ship employing the fuel tank anti-pipeline clearing system according to claim 7, characterized in that, The vessel also includes: A centrifuge (13) is provided in the fuel oil clarification tank (1) for mixing the solvent and heavy oil.

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