In-tank pressure regulating device and tank system

Abstract

The purpose of the present invention is to provide an in-tank pressure regulating device and a tank system that provide safety measures against flames generated on the downstream side of a vent valve. This in-tank pressure regulating device is provided with: a main part (10) having a main flow path (110) connected to a tank (3), and a branch flow path (111) branched from the main flow path (110); an air suction part (20) having an air suction flow path (120) extending from the branch flow path (111); a discharge section (40) having a discharge flow path (140) extending from the main flow path (110); an intake valve mechanism (22); a discharge valve mechanism (42); and a flame suppression unit (30) which is provided in the main flow path (110), the suction valve mechanism (22) being capable of sucking in a fluid for suction from the outside by opening the suction flow path (120), the discharge valve mechanism (42) being capable of discharging the fluid to the outside by communicating the main flow path (110) and the discharge flow path (140), and the flame suppression unit (30) being capable of extinguishing a flame passing through the flame suppression unit (30).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a tank pressure regulating device for regulating the pressure in a tank and a tank system. Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, there is known a tank internal pressure regulating device such as a vent valve, which can discharge the fluid inside the fluid storage tank from the fluid storage tank and draw the fluid from the outside of the fluid storage tank into the fluid storage tank according to the internal pressure of the fluid storage tank (see Patent Document 1).

[0003] Prior art literature

[0004] Patent Literature

[0005] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2002-61766 Summary of the invention

[0006] Problem that the invention aims to solve

[0007] Fluid storage tanks often store flammable fluids and fluids harmful to the human body or the environment. In recent years, in consideration of the environment, it is required to reduce the flammability and harmfulness of the fluid discharged from the fluid storage tank. Therefore, a treatment mechanism capable of reducing the flammability and harmfulness of the fluid discharged from the fluid storage tank is provided downstream of the vent valve. However, since the treatment mechanism is arranged downstream of the vent valve, it is necessary to implement further safety measures for unexpected situations such as fires in the treatment mechanism and the piping connected to the treatment mechanism.

[0008] The present disclosure has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and an object of the present disclosure is to provide a tank internal pressure regulating device and a tank system that implement safety measures against flames generated on the downstream side of the tank internal pressure regulating device.

[0009] Solutions for solving problems

[0010] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the tank internal pressure regulating device of the present disclosure is connected to a tank storing a fluid and is capable of regulating the internal pressure of the tank. The tank internal pressure regulating device comprises:

[0011] a main portion having a main flow channel connected to the tank and branch flow channels branching from the main flow channel;

[0012] an air intake portion having an air intake flow channel extending from the branch flow channel;

[0013] a discharge portion having a discharge flow channel extending from the main flow channel;

[0014] an inhalation valve mechanism capable of opening and closing the inhalation flow passage;

[0015] a discharge valve mechanism capable of connecting or blocking the main flow channel with the discharge flow channel; and

[0016] a flame extinguishing portion, which is arranged on the main flow channel,

[0017] The intake valve mechanism opens the intake flow passage so as to allow the intake fluid to be sucked from the outside into the tank through the intake flow passage.

[0018] The discharge valve mechanism can discharge the fluid discharged from the interior of the tank to the downstream side of the discharge valve mechanism through the discharge flow channel by connecting the main flow channel with the discharge flow channel.

[0019] The flame extinguishing portion is capable of extinguishing the flame that is about to pass through the flame extinguishing portion.

[0020] The flame extinguishing section includes a backfire prevention device, a flame extinguishing section body supporting the backfire prevention device, and a pressure piece detachably mounted to an end portion of the flame extinguishing section body on the discharge portion side.

[0021] The discharge portion further includes a discharge portion body and a vent cover that is detachably mounted on the discharge portion body and supports the exhaust valve mechanism.

[0022] The backfire prevention device can be attached to and detached from the flame extinguishing section main body after the ventilation cover is removed from the exhaust section main body and the pressure plate is removed from the flame extinguishing section main body.

[0023] Furthermore, in order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the tank system of the present disclosure comprises: the tank internal pressure regulating device; the tank; and a processing mechanism connected to the discharge flow path to perform processing to reduce at least one of the flammability and harmfulness of the inflowing fluid.

[0024] Effects of the Invention

[0025] According to the tank internal pressure regulating device and the tank system of the present disclosure, it is possible to provide a tank internal pressure regulating device and a tank system that implement safety measures against a flame generated on the downstream side of the tank internal pressure regulating device. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0026] Figure 1 It is a schematic diagram showing a tank system according to an embodiment.

[0027] Figure 2 It is shown based on Figure 1 A table showing the status of the suction valve and discharge valve of the tank's internal pressure.

[0028] Figure 3 It is shown Figure 1 Schematic diagram of the suction state of the tank pressure regulating device.

[0029] Figure 4 It is shown Figure 1Schematic diagram of the discharge state of the tank pressure regulating device.

[0030] Figure 5 It is shown from Figure 1 A schematic diagram of a state in which a processing mechanism of the air filter produces a detonation toward the vent valve. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0031] The following is an explanation of the embodiments of the present disclosure with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be noted that the following schematically shows the description scope required to achieve the purpose of this disclosure, which is mainly the description scope required to explain the corresponding parts of the present disclosure, and the omitted description belongs to the known technology.

[0032] Implementation

[0033] Figure 1 1 is a schematic diagram showing a tank system 1 according to an embodiment. The tank system 1 includes a tank 3, a vent valve 4 as a pressure regulating device in the tank, a processing mechanism 5, an upstream flange 60 for connecting the tank 3 and the vent valve 4, and a downstream flange 61 for connecting the vent valve 4 and the processing mechanism 5. Figure 1 In FIG. 1 , the vent valve 4 , the upstream flange 60 , and the downstream flange 61 are shown in a cross section taken along a plane including the axis of the flow path.

[0034] The tank 3 stores a fluid such as a gas or liquid having flammability. In addition, the tank 3 also contains a fluid volatilized from the stored fluid. The flammable gas or liquid is, for example, a fluid such as a fossil fuel and a volatile gas. The shape of the tank 3 is a spherical shape, a rectangular parallelepiped shape, a cubic shape, and the like.

[0035] In this embodiment, the tank 3 has a shape in which the horizontal cross-sectional area of ​​the tank 3 decreases toward the upper end. A mounting portion 3a is provided at the upper end of the tank 3. The mounting portion 3a is formed with a through hole communicating with the inside of the tank 3. Thus, the fluid inside the tank 3 is efficiently discharged through the mounting portion 3a.

[0036] One end of the vent valve 4 is mounted on the mounting portion 3a via an upstream flange 60. The processing mechanism 5 is mounted on the other end of the vent valve 4 via a downstream flange 61. Here, the tank 3 is the upstream side of the vent valve 4, and the processing mechanism 5 is the downstream side of the vent valve 4. That is, the tank 3 is connected to the upstream side of the vent valve 4, and the processing mechanism 5 is connected to the downstream side of the vent valve 4.

[0037] The processing mechanism 5 is a mechanism for processing fluids such as gas or liquid discharged from the tank 3. The processing mechanism 5 can reduce at least one of the flammability and harmfulness of the fluid by processing the fluid. The processing mechanism 5 has a processing mechanism main body 50 and a processing mechanism piping portion 52 connected to the processing mechanism main body 50.

[0038] A storage unit 51 capable of temporarily storing a fluid is formed inside the treatment mechanism body 50. In the storage unit 51, the fluid stored in the storage unit 51 can be reduced in at least one of flammability and harmfulness by using methods such as combustion, catalyst, condensation, adsorption, and absorption.

[0039] The fluid whose flammability and harmfulness are reduced in the storage section 51 is discharged to the outside of the processing mechanism 5 through the processing mechanism main body 50 .

[0040] The processing mechanism piping part 52 is a piping member. A processing mechanism flange 52a is formed at one end of the processing mechanism piping part 52. The processing mechanism flange 52a is connected to the downstream flange 61.

[0041] The other end of the treatment mechanism piping section 52 is connected to the treatment mechanism body 50. The fluid flowing in from the treatment mechanism flange 52a flows into the storage section 51 of the treatment mechanism body 50 through the treatment mechanism piping section 52, is processed in the storage section 51, and then discharged to the outside of the treatment mechanism body 50.

[0042] The vent valve 4 is mounted on the mounting portion 3a of the tank 3 via the upstream flange 60. The vent valve 4 can discharge the fluid inside the tank 3 to the atmosphere according to the internal pressure of the tank 3, and allow the atmosphere as the suction fluid to flow into the inside of the tank 3. That is, the vent valve 4 can adjust the pressure inside the tank 3.

[0043] In the present embodiment, the tank system 1 is installed outdoors, and at least the vent valve 4 and the processing mechanism 5 are exposed to the atmosphere.

[0044] The vent valve 4 includes a main portion 10, an air intake portion 20, a flame extinguishing portion 30, and a discharge portion 40. The main portion 10 is a T-shaped piping component. The ends of the T-shaped piping component of the main portion 10 are an inlet opening end 10a opened vertically downward, an outlet opening end 10b opened vertically upward, and an air intake opening end 10c opened horizontally.

[0045] Therefore, the main part 10 is arranged in a posture with the inlet side opening end 10a at the lower side and the outlet side opening end 10b at the upper side. The flow path from the inlet side opening end 10a to the outlet side opening end 10b is referred to as the main flow path 110. The main part 10 is arranged so that the axis of the main flow path 110 is along the vertical direction. The main flow path 110 further extends toward the flame extinguishing part 30. The main flow path 110 extending to the flame extinguishing part 30 will be described later.

[0046] The flow channel branching from the main flow channel 110 and reaching the air intake side opening end 10c is referred to as a branch flow channel 111. The axis of the branch flow channel 111 is along the horizontal direction. The air intake section 20 is connected to the air intake side opening end 10c of the main section 10.

[0047] The air intake unit 20 includes an air intake unit body 21 and an air intake valve mechanism 22 provided on the air intake unit body 21. The air intake unit body 21 is a tubular member having two open ends.

[0048] One end of the air intake body 21 is a connection side opening end 21a opened in the horizontal direction. An air intake port 21b opened in the vertical direction is formed at the other end of the air intake body 21. The flow path connecting the connection side opening end 21a and the air intake port 21b is the air intake flow path 120.

[0049] The intake valve mechanism 22 includes an intake valve 23 as an on-off valve, an intake valve shaft 24 fixed to the intake valve 23, and an intake valve guide 25 disposed on the intake unit body 21. The intake valve 23 can open and close the intake port 21b. That is, the intake valve 23 can open and close the intake flow path 120.

[0050] The intake valve guide 25 supports the intake valve shaft 24 so as to be movable in the vertical direction. Thus, the intake valve 23 can move between the intake closing position and the intake opening position by the intake valve shaft 24 moving in the vertical direction. The intake valve 23 is an open valve. The intake valve 23 can move toward the intake closing position by falling along the intake valve guide 25 by the weight of the intake valve 23 and the intake valve shaft 24.

[0051] When the intake valve 23 is located at the intake closed position, the intake valve 23 closes the intake port 21b. That is, the intake flow passage 120 is closed, and the connection between the intake flow passage 120 and the outside of the vent valve 4 is blocked. When the intake valve 23 moves upward from the intake closed position to the intake open position against its own weight, a gap is generated between the intake valve 23 and the intake port 21b. That is, the intake flow passage 120 is opened, and the intake flow passage 120 is connected to the atmosphere outside the vent valve 4.

[0052] In a state where the air intake portion 20 is connected to the air intake side opening end 10c of the main portion 10, the air intake side opening end 10c is connected to the connection side opening end 21a. As a result, the air intake flow passage 120 inside the air intake portion main body 21 is connected to the branch flow passage 111 inside the main portion 10. That is, the air intake flow passage 120 extends from the branch flow passage 111 in the horizontal direction.

[0053] The flame extinguisher 30 is connected to the outlet opening end 10b of the main part 10. The flame extinguisher 30 includes a flame extinguisher body 31, a flame extinguisher cover 32, a pressure plate 33, a backfire prevention device 34 provided on the flame extinguisher body 31, and a pressure plate fixing member 35.

[0054] The flame extinguisher body 31 is a tubular member having a pair of open ends. A flame extinguisher cover 32 is disposed at the lower open end of the flame extinguisher body 31 so as to close the lower open end. The flame extinguisher cover 32 is a disc-shaped plate member.

[0055] A flame extinguisher inlet opening 31 a is formed at the center of the flame extinguisher cover 32. The inner diameter of the flame extinguisher inlet opening 31 a is smaller than the inner diameter of the flame extinguisher body 31.

[0056] A pressure plate 33 is arranged at the upper opening end of the flame extinguishing portion body 31 in a manner of blocking the upper opening end. The pressure plate 33 is a disc-shaped plate member. A flame extinguishing portion outlet opening 31b is formed at the center of the pressure plate 33. The inner diameter of the flame extinguishing portion outlet opening 31b is smaller than the inner diameter of the flame extinguishing portion body 31.

[0057] In this embodiment, the pressure plate fixing member 35 is a plurality of bolts. A plurality of through holes for the plurality of bolts to pass through are formed at the edge of the pressure plate 33. A plurality of threaded holes for screwing with the plurality of bolts are formed in the flame extinguishing portion body 31.

[0058] When the pressure plate 33 is arranged at the upper open end of the flame extinguishing portion body 31 , the bolts are screwed into the threaded holes through the through holes of the pressure plate 33 , thereby fixing the pressure plate 33 to the upper open end of the flame extinguishing portion body 31 .

[0059] In the flame extinguisher 30 connected to the main part 10, the main flow channel 110 of the main part 10 extends through the flame extinguisher inlet opening 31a toward the flame extinguisher outlet opening 31b. The flame extinguisher body 31 is configured so that the axis of the pipe, that is, the axis of the main flow channel 110 passing through the flame extinguisher 30, is along the vertical direction. In the flame extinguisher body 31, a backfire prevention device 34 is arranged on the main flow channel 110.

[0060] The backfire prevention device 34 can suppress the spread of the flame generated in the fluid flow channel and extinguish the flame. The backfire prevention device 34 has a shell and a flame extinguishing unit arranged inside the shell. The flame extinguishing unit can be appropriately selected from a variety of types such as a filter type, a corrugated plate type, a porous plate type, and a parallel plate type.

[0061] The flame extinguishing unit has a passage through which a fluid can pass but a flame generated in the fluid flow path cannot pass. Moreover, the flame extinguishing unit attenuates the speed of the flame reaching the flame extinguishing unit and cools it. By these effects, the flame reaching the flame extinguishing unit cannot pass through the flame extinguishing unit and be extinguished.

[0062] As shown in the present embodiment, by arranging the backfire prevention device 34 in the vent valve 4 , it is possible to prevent the flame generated due to some reason from propagating to the inside of the tank 3 .

[0063] The upper opening end of the flame extinguishing portion body 31 is connected to the discharge portion 40. The discharge portion 40 includes a discharge portion body 41, a discharge valve mechanism 42 provided on the discharge portion body 41, a vent cap 47, and a vent cap fixing member 48.

[0064] The discharge part body 41 is a T-shaped piping component. The ends of the T-shaped piping component of the discharge part body 41 are respectively a discharge part inlet side opening end 41a opened in the vertical direction downward, a discharge part outlet side opening end 41b opened in the vertical direction upward, and a processing side opening end 41c opened in the horizontal direction. Therefore, the discharge part body 41 is arranged in a posture with the discharge part inlet side opening end 41a at the lower side and the discharge part outlet side opening end 41b at the upper side.

[0065] The discharge part body 41 is arranged so that the axis of the flow path connecting the discharge part inlet side opening end 41a and the discharge part outlet side opening end 41b is along the vertical direction. In this state, the axis of the flow path branching from the flow path connecting the discharge part inlet side opening end 41a and the discharge part outlet side opening end 41b and reaching the processing side opening end 41c is along the horizontal direction.

[0066] The vent cover 47 is fixed to the discharge portion body 41 by a vent cover fixing member 48 so as to close the discharge portion outlet side opening end portion 41b. In the present embodiment, the vent cover fixing member 48 is a plurality of bolts.

[0067] A plurality of through holes through which a plurality of bolts are inserted are formed at the edge of the vent cover 47. A plurality of threaded holes into which the plurality of bolts are screwed are formed in the discharge portion body 41.

[0068] In a state where the vent cover 47 is disposed at the discharge portion outlet side opening end 41b on the upper side of the discharge portion main body 41, each bolt passes through each through hole formed in the vent cover 47 and is screwed into each threaded hole, thereby fixing the vent cover 47 to the discharge portion outlet side opening end 41b on the upper side of the discharge portion main body 41. That is, the vent cover 47 is detachably mounted on the exhaust portion main body 41 by means of the vent cover fixing member 48.

[0069] The breather cover fixing member 48 may be formed not only of a plurality of bolts but also of a known fixing mechanism such as a clamping mechanism.

[0070] The discharge section 40 is provided with a discharge flow passage 140 which is a flow passage from the flame extinguishing section outlet opening 31b to the discharge section outlet opening end 41b and the processing side opening end 41c. In the embodiment, the discharge section outlet opening end 41b is closed by a vent cap 47, so the discharge flow passage 140 is a flow passage from the flame extinguishing section outlet opening 31b to the processing side opening end 41c.

[0071] The discharge valve mechanism 42 includes a discharge valve 43 capable of closing the flame extinguishing portion outlet-side opening 31 b , a discharge valve shaft 44 fixed to the discharge valve 43 , and a discharge valve guide 45 disposed on the vent cover 47 .

[0072] The discharge valve guide 45 supports the discharge valve shaft 44 so as to be movable in the vertical direction. The discharge valve 43 can move between the discharge closed position and the discharge open position by the discharge valve shaft 44 moving in the vertical direction. The discharge valve 43 is an open valve. The discharge valve 43 can move toward the discharge closed position by falling along the discharge valve guide 45 due to the dead weight of the discharge valve 43 and the discharge valve shaft 44.

[0073] When the discharge valve 43 is located at the discharge closed position, the discharge valve 43 closes the flame extinguishing portion outlet opening 31b. That is, the main flow channel 110 extending from the inside of the flame extinguishing portion 30 and the discharge flow channel 140 are in a state of being blocked from communication. When the discharge valve 43 moves from the discharge closed position toward the discharge open position against its own weight, a gap is generated between the discharge valve 43 and the flame extinguishing portion outlet opening 31b. That is, the main flow channel 110 extending from the inside of the flame extinguishing portion 30 and the discharge flow channel 140 are in a state of being connected.

[0074] The downstream flange 61 is connected to the processing side opening end 41c. The processing mechanism flange 52a is connected to the end of the downstream flange 61 opposite to the processing side opening end 41c.

[0075] When the vent valve 4 is installed in the tank 3, the axis of the through hole formed in the mounting portion 3a, the axis of the main channel 110, the axis of the backfire prevention device 34 and the axis of the discharge channel 140 along the vertical direction exist on the same straight line.

[0076] Next, the operation of the vent valve 4 will be described. Figure 2 It is shown based on Figure 1 A table showing the states of the intake valve 23 and the discharge valve 43 of the internal pressure p of the tank 3. Figure 3 It is shown Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the tank pressure regulating device in the suction state. Figure 4 It is shown Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the tank pressure regulating device in the discharge state.

[0077] The vent valve 4 operates according to the internal pressure p of the tank 3. Here, when the internal pressure p of the tank 3 is between the first pressure P1 and the second pressure P2, the internal pressure p of the tank 3 is regarded as a normal pressure. The first pressure P1 is a pressure lower than the second pressure P2.

[0078] First, the case where the internal pressure p of the tank 3 is normal pressure is described. Figure 2As shown, when P1≤p≤P2, the intake valve 23 and the discharge valve 43 are both in the closed state. In this state, the intake valve 23 moves to the intake closed position due to its own weight.

[0079] As a result, the air intake port 21b is closed. The discharge valve 43 moves to the discharge closed position due to its own weight. As a result, the flame extinguishing portion outlet opening 31b is closed. That is, the inside of the tank 3 is isolated from the outside of the tank 3. Therefore, the fluid cannot be discharged from the inside of the tank 3, and the outside air cannot flow into the inside of the tank 3.

[0080] Next, the case where the internal pressure p of the tank 3 is lower than the first pressure P1 is described. Figure 2 As shown, when p<P1, the intake valve 23 is in an open state and the discharge valve 43 is in a closed state.

[0081] In this case, the internal pressures of the main part 10, the air intake part 20, and the flame extinguishing part 30 are also lower than the first pressure P1. In the air intake part 20, the internal pressure of the air intake part 20 becomes low, so the air intake valve 23 is pressed by the atmosphere. Therefore, the air intake valve 23 moves from the air intake closing position to the air intake opening position.

[0082] Specifically, the intake valve 23 is pressed by the atmosphere and rises against its own weight. The total weight of the intake valve 23 and the intake valve shaft 24 is set to a weight that is pressed by the atmosphere and rises when the internal pressure of the intake unit 20 becomes equal to or lower than the first pressure P1.

[0083] The air intake valve 23 rises against its own weight, thereby opening the air intake passage 120, and allowing the air to enter the air intake portion 20 from the air intake port 21b. Figure 3 As shown, the atmosphere flowing in from the air intake port 21b flows into the interior of the tank 3. That is, when the internal pressure of the air intake portion 20 is lower than the first pressure P1, the air intake valve mechanism 22 opens the air intake passage 120 to inhale the atmosphere.

[0084] On the other hand, in the flame extinguishing part 30, the internal pressure of the flame extinguishing part 30 becomes low, so the discharge valve 43 moves downward due to its own weight, and the discharge valve 43 stays in the discharge closed position. That is, the flame extinguishing part outlet opening 31b is maintained in a state closed by the discharge valve 43, and the communication between the main channel 110 and the discharge channel 140 is blocked.

[0085] As a result, the atmosphere flows in from the air intake port 21b, and soon the internal pressure p of the tank 3 reaches the first pressure P1. In this way, the air intake valve 23 moves to the air intake closing position due to its own weight, closing the air intake port 21b. As described above, the internal pressure p of the tank 3, which was once below the first pressure P1, becomes a normal pressure above the first pressure P1.

[0086] Next, the case where the internal pressure p of the tank 3 is higher than the second pressure P2 is described. Figure 2As shown, when P2<p, the intake valve 23 is in a closed state and the discharge valve 43 is in an open state.

[0087] In this case, the internal pressure of the main part 10, the air intake part 20, and the flame extinguishing part 30 increases. At this time, in the air intake part 20, the internal pressure of the air intake part 20 increases, so the air intake valve 23 stays in the air intake closing position by the internal pressure and self-weight of the air intake part 20. Therefore, the air intake port 21b is closed.

[0088] In the flame extinguishing part 30, the internal pressure of the tank 3, the main part 10, the air intake part 20, and the flame extinguishing part 30 increases, so the discharge valve 43 moves from the discharge closed position to the discharge open position. Specifically, the discharge valve 43 is pressed by the fluid inside the tank 3 and rises against its own weight. It should be noted that the total weight of the discharge valve 43 and the discharge valve shaft 44 is set to a weight that overcomes the rise of its own weight when the internal pressure of the flame extinguishing part 30 becomes equal to or higher than the second pressure P2.

[0089] Therefore, if Figure 4 As shown, the fluid in the tank 3 is discharged from the tank 3 toward the processing mechanism 5 through the main flow channel 110, the flame extinguishing portion outlet opening 31b, and the discharge flow channel 140. That is, when the internal pressure of the discharge portion 40 is higher than the second pressure P2, the discharge valve mechanism 42 connects the main flow channel 110 with the discharge flow channel 140. In this way, the fluid discharged from the inside of the tank 3 can be discharged to the downstream side of the discharge valve mechanism 42 through the discharge flow channel 140.

[0090] The fluid in the tank 3 is stored in the storage part 51 through the processing-side opening end 41c located on the downstream side of the discharge valve mechanism 42 via the processing mechanism piping part 52. The fluid stored in the storage part 51 is processed in the storage part 51 to reduce at least one of flammability and harmfulness. The fluid whose at least one of flammability and harmfulness is reduced is discharged to the atmosphere through the processing mechanism main body 50. When the state of the fluid being discharged to the atmosphere is maintained, the internal pressure p of the tank 3 becomes less than the second pressure P2 in a short time.

[0091] As a result, the discharge valve 43 moves to the discharge closed position due to its own weight, closing the flame extinguishing portion outlet opening 31b. As a result, the internal pressure p of the tank 3 becomes normal pressure. As described above, the vent valve 4 can maintain the pressure p in the tank 3 at normal pressure.

[0092] It should be noted that, among the fluids discharged to the downstream side of the exhaust valve mechanism 22, the fluids discharged from the interior of the tank 3 are discharged via the exhaust flow path 140. As described above, the fluids inside the tank 3 include the fluids inside the tank 3 and the fluids volatilized and gasified by the fluids. Therefore, the fluids discharged to the downstream side of the exhaust valve mechanism 22 also include the fluids inside the tank 3 and the fluids volatilized and gasified by the fluids.

[0093] Next, safety measures for the vent valve 4 will be described. Figure 5It is shown from Figure 1 A schematic diagram of a state in which a processing mechanism 5 generates a detonation toward a vent valve 4.

[0094] The fluid discharged from the tank 3 and flowing into the storage part 51 of the processing mechanism 5 may sometimes catch fire and cause detonation for some reason. When explosive combustion occurs due to the ignition of the combustible fluid, the propagation speed of the generated flame may reach about 2000m / s. Detonation refers to the phenomenon that a shock wave is generated by the flame exceeding the speed of sound. The subsonic flame that does not exceed the speed of sound is also called deflagration, but here, detonation and deflagration are collectively referred to as detonation.

[0095] Figure 5 The arrows in the figure show the propagation of the flame generated in the storage section 51 and the detonation generated therefrom. The shock wave of the detonation flows back from the storage section 51 in the processing mechanism piping section 52 and flows into the discharge section 40. The flame propagating at a high propagation speed together with the shock wave may propagate toward the tank 3 from the open discharge valve 43. When the flame flows into the tank 3 along with the shock wave caused by the detonation, there is a risk that the stored items in the tank 3 will catch fire.

[0096] In this embodiment, the flame extinguishing part 30 is provided between the main part 10 and the discharge part 40, and the backfire prevention device 34 is arranged inside the flame extinguishing part 30. Therefore, even if the flame spreads from the open discharge valve 43 to the flame extinguishing part 30, the flame can be extinguished in the flame extinguishing part 30.

[0097] Thus, even if flames are generated downstream of the flame extinguishing section 30 , the flames can be extinguished by the flame extinguishing section 30 , and the flames do not reach the inside of the tank 3 .

[0098] The maintenance and replacement of the backfire prevention device 34 can be performed as follows: First, the operator releases the fixing of the breather cover 47 by the breather cover fixing member 48 and removes the breather cover 47 from the discharge portion main body 41 .

[0099] By removing the vent cover 47 and the discharge valve mechanism 42 from the discharge section body 41, the operator can visually observe the plurality of pressure sheet fixing bolts serving as the pressure sheet fixing member 35 through the inside of the discharge section body 41. The pressure sheet 33 can be detachably mounted to the end portion of the flame extinguishing section body 31 on the discharge section 40 side by means of the pressure sheet fixing member 35. The operator can remove the plurality of pressure sheet fixing bolts to remove the pressure sheet 33.

[0100] The operator can take out the removed pressure plate 33 through the inside of the discharge section body 41. Thus, the operator can directly visually check the backfire prevention device 34. In addition, the operator can take out the backfire prevention device 34 through the inside of the discharge section body 41, for example, to install a new backfire prevention device 34. As described above, the backfire prevention device 34 can be detached from the flame extinguishing section body 31 after the vent cap 47 is removed from the exhaust section body 41 and the pressure plate 33 is removed from the flame extinguishing section body 31.

[0101] The operator can complete the work by installing the backfire prevention device 34 , the pressure plate 33 , the discharge valve mechanism 42 , and the vent cap 47 as they are.

[0102] It should be noted that in the vent valve 4 of this embodiment, the air flows into the air intake portion 20 from the air intake port 21b. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the air intake portion 20 may be connected to a device storing an air intake fluid. The air intake fluid may also use an appropriate fluid other than the air.

[0103] In the vent valve 4 of this embodiment, flanges are used to connect the tank 3 and the main part 10 and the discharge part 40 and the processing mechanism 5. However, this is not limiting. For example, a known connection method such as welding can be used.

[0104] In addition, in the vent valve 4 of the present embodiment, the discharge portion outlet side opening end 41b is closed by the vent cap 47. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. Instead of the vent cap 47, an opening and closing mechanism that can open the discharge portion outlet side opening end 41b to the atmosphere may be provided. The opening and closing mechanism may also use a known opening and closing mechanism such as a check valve or a gate.

[0105] In addition, the vent valve 4 of this embodiment uses the intake valve 23 and the discharge valve 43 as the open valve. However, it is not limited to this. For example, a known opening and closing mechanism such as a gate can be used instead of the intake valve 23 and the discharge valve 43. It should be noted that the intake valve 23 and the discharge valve 43 are preferably a check valve.

[0106] In addition, the vent valve 4 of the present embodiment is formed by combining the individual main part 10, the air intake part 20, the flame extinguishing part 30 and the discharge part 40. However, it is not limited to this. For example, the main part 10 and the air intake part 20, the main part 10 and the flame extinguishing part 30, the flame extinguishing part 30 and the discharge part 40, or the main part 10, the air intake part 20, the flame extinguishing part 30 and the discharge part 40 may be formed as one body.

[0107] In addition, the vent valve 4 of the present embodiment is connected to the processing mechanism 5 downstream. However, it is not limited to this. For example, the processing mechanism 5 may be replaced by a mechanism having a different function. Moreover, for example, the processing mechanism 5 and other mechanisms may not be connected downstream of the vent valve 4. The vent valve 4 of the present embodiment can discharge the fluid in the tank 3 directly to the outside of the tank 3 and the vent valve 4 from the discharge portion 40. The vent valve 4 of the present embodiment can not only deal with the fire of the mechanism connected to the downstream of the vent valve 4, but also deal with the flame generated in the discharge portion 40 that spreads due to the burning of the outside of the vent valve 4.

[0108] The vent valve 4 in the embodiment is connected to the tank 3 storing the fluid, so that the internal pressure of the tank 3 can be adjusted. In addition, it is provided with: a main part 10, which has a main flow channel 110 connected to the tank 3 and a branch flow channel 111 branched from the main flow channel 110; an air intake part 20, which has an air intake flow channel 120 extending from the branch flow channel 111; and a discharge part 40, which has a discharge flow channel 140 extending from the main flow channel 110. In addition, it is provided with: an air intake valve mechanism 22, which can open and close the air intake flow channel 120; a discharge valve mechanism 42, which can connect or block the main flow channel 110 and the discharge flow channel 140; and a flame extinguishing part 30, which is provided on the main flow channel 110. In addition, the air intake valve mechanism 22 can suck the intake fluid from the outside into the tank 3 through the air intake flow channel 120 by opening the air intake flow channel 120. Furthermore, the discharge valve mechanism 42 can discharge the fluid discharged from the inside of the tank 3 to the downstream side of the discharge valve mechanism 42 via the discharge flow path 140 by connecting the main flow path 110 with the discharge flow path 140. Furthermore, the flame extinguishing portion 30 can extinguish the flame that is about to pass through the flame extinguishing portion 30. Thus, the flame generated in the discharge flow path 140 is extinguished by the flame extinguishing portion 30 before propagating to the tank 3. Therefore, the vent valve 4 that implements a safety measure against the flame generated on the downstream side of the vent valve 4 can be provided.

[0109] With the vent valve 4 in the embodiment, the flame extinguisher 30 is provided between the position where the main flow channel 110 in the main part 10 branches to the branch flow channel 111 and the discharge flow channel 140. Thus, the flame extinguisher 30 is provided on the downstream side of the branch point between the main flow channel 110 and the branch flow channel 111, so that the operator can easily perform maintenance work, inspection work, etc. of the flame extinguisher 30. In addition, the flame extinguisher 30 is provided on the downstream side of the branch point between the main flow channel 110 and the branch flow channel 111, so that the pressure loss of the intake flow channel is not caused by the flame extinguisher 30, and the intake valve mechanism can efficiently suck the intake fluid into the tank through the intake flow channel.

[0110] According to the embodiment, the flame extinguishing part 30 includes the backfire prevention device 34. This can further improve the flame extinguishing ability of the backfire prevention device 34. In addition, in the replacement operation as the maintenance operation of the flame extinguishing part 30, it is only necessary to replace the backfire prevention device 34 of the flame extinguishing part 30. Therefore, the maintenance operability of the flame extinguishing part 30 can be improved.

[0111] By adopting the vent valve 4 in the embodiment, the flame extinguishing section 30 also includes a flame extinguishing section body 31 supporting a backfire prevention device 34 and a pressure plate 33 that can be freely detachably mounted on the end of the flame extinguishing section body 31 on the discharge section 40 side. In addition, the discharge section 40 also includes a discharge section body 41 and a vent cover 47 that can be freely detachably mounted on the exhaust section body 41 and supports the exhaust valve mechanism 42. In addition, the backfire prevention device 34 can be detached relative to the flame extinguishing section body 31 after the vent cover 47 is removed from the exhaust section body 41 and the pressure plate 33 is removed from the flame extinguishing section body 31. Thus, the vent cover 47 and the pressure plate 33 can be removed in sequence, thereby removing the backfire prevention device 34. Therefore, the operator can easily carry out the replacement operation of the backfire prevention device 34 as part of the maintenance operation.

[0112] With the vent valve 4 in the embodiment, when the internal pressure p of the tank 3 is lower than the first pressure P1, the intake valve mechanism 22 opens the intake flow channel 120, and the discharge valve mechanism 42 blocks the communication between the main flow channel 110 and the discharge flow channel 140. In addition, when the internal pressure p of the tank 3 is higher than the second pressure P2, the intake valve mechanism 22 closes the intake flow channel 120, and the discharge valve mechanism 42 connects the main flow channel 110 with the discharge flow channel 140, and the first pressure P1 is lower than the second pressure P2. Thus, the vent valve 4 can appropriately adjust the internal pressure p of the tank 3, so that a preferred intake and discharge system of the tank 3 can be constructed.

[0113] According to the vent valve 4 of the embodiment, the intake valve mechanism 22 includes the intake valve 23, which opens the intake flow path 120 by being pressed by the atmosphere. In addition, the discharge valve mechanism 42 includes the discharge valve 43, which communicates the main flow path 110 with the discharge flow path 140 by being pressed by the fluid discharged from the inside of the tank 3. Thus, the intake valve 23 and the discharge valve 43 can be mechanically operated by the internal pressure p of the tank 3, so that the internal pressure p of the tank 3 can be adjusted. Therefore, the failure frequency of the vent valve 4 can be reduced.

[0114] The tank system 1 in the embodiment includes: the vent valve 4; the tank 3; and the processing mechanism 5, which is connected to the discharge flow path 140 and performs processing to reduce at least one of the flammability and harmfulness of the fluid flowing in. It is thus possible to provide the tank system 1 having the vent valve 4, which implements a safety measure against a flame generated on the downstream side of the vent valve 4. In addition, it is possible to reduce the discharge of the flammable fluid in the tank 3 to the atmosphere, and contribute to the countermeasures against global warming.

[0115] Each aspect of the present disclosure is summarized and described below in the form of notes.

[0116] (Note 1)

[0117] A tank internal pressure regulating device is connected to a tank storing a fluid and is capable of regulating the internal pressure of the tank, wherein the device comprises:

[0118] a main portion having a main flow channel connected to the tank and branch flow channels branching from the main flow channel;

[0119] an air intake portion having an air intake flow channel extending from the branch flow channel;

[0120] a discharge portion having a discharge flow channel extending from the main flow channel;

[0121] an inhalation valve mechanism capable of opening and closing the inhalation flow passage;

[0122] a discharge valve mechanism capable of connecting or blocking the main flow channel with the discharge flow channel; and

[0123] a flame extinguishing portion, which is arranged on the main flow channel,

[0124] The intake valve mechanism opens the intake flow passage so as to allow the intake fluid to be sucked from the outside into the tank through the intake flow passage.

[0125] The discharge valve mechanism can discharge the fluid discharged from the interior of the tank to the downstream side of the discharge valve mechanism through the discharge flow channel by connecting the main flow channel with the discharge flow channel.

[0126] The flame extinguishing portion is capable of extinguishing the flame that is about to pass through the flame extinguishing portion.

[0127] The flame extinguishing section includes a backfire prevention device, a flame extinguishing section body supporting the backfire prevention device, and a pressure piece detachably mounted to an end portion of the flame extinguishing section body on the discharge section side.

[0128] The discharge portion further includes a discharge portion body and a vent cover that is detachably mounted on the discharge portion body and supports the exhaust valve mechanism.

[0129] The backfire prevention device can be attached to and detached from the flame extinguishing section main body after the ventilation cover is removed from the exhaust section main body and the pressure plate is removed from the flame extinguishing section main body.

[0130] (Note 2)

[0131] The tank pressure regulating device according to Note 1, wherein:

[0132] The flame extinguishing portion is provided between a position where the main flow channel in the main portion branches to the branch flow channel and the discharge flow channel.

[0133] (Note 3)

[0134] The tank pressure regulating device according to Note 1 or Note 2, wherein:

[0135] When the internal pressure of the tank is lower than the first pressure, the intake valve mechanism opens the intake flow channel, and the discharge valve mechanism blocks the communication between the main flow channel and the discharge flow channel.

[0136] When the internal pressure of the tank is equal to or higher than a second pressure, the intake valve mechanism closes the intake flow passage, and the discharge valve mechanism connects the main flow passage with the discharge flow passage.

[0137] The first pressure is lower than the second pressure.

[0138] (Note 4)

[0139] The tank pressure regulating device according to any one of Notes 1 to 3, wherein:

[0140] The intake valve mechanism includes an intake valve, and the intake valve opens the intake flow path by being pressed by the intake fluid.

[0141] The discharge valve mechanism includes a discharge valve that communicates the main flow channel with the discharge flow channel by being pressed by the fluid discharged from the interior of the tank.

[0142] (Note 5)

[0143] A tank system, comprising:

[0144] A tank pressure regulating device as described in any one of Notes 1 to 4;

[0145] said tank; and

[0146] A treatment mechanism is connected to the discharge flow path and performs treatment to reduce at least one of flammability and harmfulness of the inflowing fluid.

[0147] Description of Reference Numerals

[0148] 1. Tank system; 3. Tank; 3a. Mounting part; 4. Ventilation valve (tank pressure regulating device); 5. Processing mechanism; 10. Main part; 10a. Inlet opening end; 10b. Outlet opening end; 10c. Intake opening end; 20. Intake part; 21. Intake part body; 21a. Connection opening end; 21b. Intake port; 22. Intake valve mechanism; 23. Intake valve; 24. Intake valve shaft; 25. Intake valve guide; 30. Flame extinguisher; 31. Flame extinguisher body; 31a. Flame extinguisher inlet opening; 31b. Flame extinguisher outlet opening; 32. Flame extinguisher cover; 33. Pressure plate; 34. Backfire prevention device; 35. Pressure plate fixing Fixed piece; 40, discharge part; 41, discharge part body; 41a, discharge part inlet side opening end; 41b, discharge part outlet side opening end; 41c, treatment side opening end; 42, discharge valve mechanism; 43, discharge valve; 44, discharge valve shaft; 45, discharge valve guide; 47, ventilation cover; 48, ventilation cover fixing piece; 50, treatment mechanism body; 51, storage part; 52, treatment mechanism piping part; 52a, treatment mechanism flange; 60, upstream side flange; 61, downstream side flange; 110, main flow channel; 111, branch flow channel; 120, suction flow channel; 140, discharge flow channel; p, internal pressure; P1, first pressure; P2, second pressure.

Claims

1. A tank internal pressure regulating device, which is connected to a tank storing a fluid and is capable of regulating the internal pressure of the tank, comprising: a main portion having a main flow channel connected to the tank and branch flow channels branching from the main flow channel; an air intake portion having an air intake flow channel extending from the branch flow channel; a discharge portion having a discharge flow channel extending from the main flow channel; an inhalation valve mechanism capable of opening and closing the inhalation flow passage; a discharge valve mechanism capable of connecting or blocking the main flow channel with the discharge flow channel; and a flame extinguishing portion, which is arranged on the main flow channel, The intake valve mechanism opens the intake flow passage so as to allow the intake fluid to be sucked from the outside into the tank through the intake flow passage. The discharge valve mechanism can discharge the fluid discharged from the interior of the tank to the downstream side of the discharge valve mechanism through the discharge flow channel by connecting the main flow channel with the discharge flow channel. The flame extinguishing portion is capable of extinguishing the flame that is about to pass through the flame extinguishing portion. The flame extinguishing section includes a backfire prevention device, a flame extinguishing section body supporting the backfire prevention device, and a pressure piece detachably mounted to an end portion of the flame extinguishing section body on the discharge section side. The discharge portion further includes a discharge portion body and a vent cover that is detachably mounted on the discharge portion body and supports the exhaust valve mechanism. The backfire prevention device can be attached to and detached from the flame extinguishing section main body after the ventilation cover is removed from the exhaust section main body and the pressure plate is removed from the flame extinguishing section main body.

2. The tank pressure regulating device according to claim 1, wherein: The flame extinguishing portion is provided between a position where the main flow channel in the main portion branches to the branch flow channel and the discharge flow channel.

3. The tank pressure regulating device according to claim 1, wherein: When the internal pressure of the tank is lower than the first pressure, the intake valve mechanism opens the intake flow channel, and the discharge valve mechanism blocks the communication between the main flow channel and the discharge flow channel. When the internal pressure of the tank is equal to or higher than a second pressure, the intake valve mechanism closes the intake flow passage, and the discharge valve mechanism connects the main flow passage with the discharge flow passage. The first pressure is lower than the second pressure.

4. The tank pressure regulating device according to claim 1, wherein: The intake valve mechanism includes an intake valve, and the intake valve opens the intake flow path by being pressed by the intake fluid. The discharge valve mechanism includes a discharge valve that communicates the main flow channel with the discharge flow channel by being pressed by the fluid discharged from the interior of the tank.

5. A tank system, wherein: have: The tank pressure regulating device according to any one of claims 1 to 4; said tank; and A treatment mechanism is connected to the discharge flow path and performs treatment to reduce at least one of flammability and harmfulness of the inflowing fluid.

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