Liquefied hydrogen plant

Abstract

A liquefied hydrogen plant according to one embodiment of the present disclosure is provided with: a liquefied hydrogen tank for storing liquefied hydrogen; a gas pipe that is connected to the liquefied hydrogen tank and transfers hydrogen gas; and a gas-side discharge pipe, the inlet of which is connected to the gas pipe, the gas-side discharge pipe including a pressure relief valve that opens when the pressure at the inlet side reaches a set pressure.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to liquefied hydrogen equipment. Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a transportable loading and unloading facility for liquid hydrogen for transferring liquid hydrogen between a ship-side cryogenic tank and a land-side cryogenic tank.

[0003] Prior art literature

[0004] Patent Literature

[0005] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2022-102799 Summary of the Invention

[0006] Problems to be solved by the invention

[0007] In equipment for handling liquefied gas, such as that described in Patent Document 1, there are sometimes gas pipes for transferring vaporized gas in addition to liquid pipes for transferring liquefied gas. Generally, the rate of increase in volume due to heating of vaporized gas is smaller than the rate of increase in volume due to vaporization of liquefied gas.

[0008] However, in gas piping that transports hydrogen, particularly those connected to liquefied hydrogen tanks, the temperature of the hydrogen flowing inside is very low, close to the boiling point of liquid hydrogen, i.e., -253°C. Therefore, when the hydrogen in the piping is heated by external heat input, its volume increases significantly. Consequently, even gas piping connected to liquefied hydrogen tanks can be damaged by the expansion of hydrogen.

[0009] Therefore, an object of the present disclosure is to provide liquefied hydrogen equipment capable of preventing damage to a gas pipe connected to a liquefied hydrogen tank.

[0010] Means for solving problems

[0011] One embodiment of the present disclosure provides liquefied hydrogen equipment comprising: a liquefied hydrogen tank for storing liquefied hydrogen; a gas pipe connected to the liquefied hydrogen tank for transferring hydrogen gas; and a gas-side discharge pipe having an inlet connected to the gas pipe, the gas-side discharge pipe including a pressure relief valve that opens when the pressure on the inlet side reaches a set pressure.

[0012] Effects of the Invention

[0013] According to the above configuration, it is possible to prevent damage to the gas pipe connected to the liquefied hydrogen tank. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the liquefied hydrogen facility according to the first embodiment.

[0015] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of a liquefied hydrogen facility according to the second embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0016] (First embodiment)

[0017] The following describes an embodiment. Note that the embodiment is merely an example, and the equipment structure and piping connections are not limited to the following. First, a liquefied hydrogen facility 100 according to a first embodiment will be described. Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of a liquefied hydrogen facility 100 according to the first embodiment. The liquefied hydrogen facility 100 is a facility for processing liquefied hydrogen and may be located on land or on a ship.

[0018] like Figure 1 As shown, the liquefied hydrogen facility 100 of this embodiment includes a liquefied hydrogen tank 10, a liquid pipe 20, a gas pipe 30, a common return pipe 40, a liquid-side discharge pipe 50, and a gas-side discharge pipe 60. These components will be described below in order.

[0019] Liquefied hydrogen tank 10 is a tank that stores liquefied hydrogen. It includes a liquid phase 11 consisting of liquefied hydrogen and a gas phase 12 located above liquid phase 11 and consisting of hydrogen gas obtained by vaporizing the liquefied hydrogen. The temperature of the hydrogen gas in gas phase 12 is close to -253°C, the boiling point of liquid hydrogen.

[0020] The liquid pipe 20 is connected to the liquefied hydrogen tank 10 and is used to transfer liquefied hydrogen. Figure 1 In the figure, the liquid piping 20 is indicated by a solid line. The liquid piping 20 of this embodiment includes a first liquid piping 21 and a second liquid piping 22. One end of the first liquid piping 21 is located in the liquid phase portion 11 of the liquefied hydrogen tank 10, and a liquid piping joint 23 that can be connected to an external device is located at the other end of the first liquid piping 21. The first liquid piping 21 can transfer liquefied hydrogen from an external device connected to the liquid piping joint 23 to the liquefied hydrogen tank 10, or from the liquefied hydrogen tank 10 to an external device. When transferring liquefied hydrogen from the liquefied hydrogen tank 10 to an external device, a pump not shown in the figure is used. In addition, in Figure 1 In the embodiment, a plug 24 is attached to the liquid pipe joint 23. The plug 24 includes a plug such as a blank plug that closes the end of the pipe.

[0021] One end of the second liquid piping 22 is connected to the pump 25 located in the liquid phase portion 11 of the liquefied hydrogen tank 10, and the other end is connected to a device not shown in the figure, such as a boiler. The second liquid piping 22 transfers the liquefied hydrogen in the liquefied hydrogen tank 10 sucked by the pump 25 to a device not shown in the figure. In addition, a plurality of liquid piping valves 26 are located in the first liquid piping 21 and the second liquid piping 22, that is, the liquid piping 20. The liquid piping 20 includes a plurality of liquid piping partitions 27 divided by closing the flow path through these liquid piping valves 26 and the plug 24. The liquid piping partition 27 may not be divided by the liquid piping valve 26 at all ends. For example, it may be a partition in which at least one end is divided by the liquid piping valve 26, such as one end is divided by the plug 24.

[0022] The gas piping 30 is connected to the liquefied hydrogen tank 10 and is used to transfer hydrogen gas. Figure 1 In the figure, the gas piping 30 is indicated by a single dotted line. The gas piping 30 of this embodiment includes a first gas piping 31 and a second gas piping 32 connected to the first gas piping 31. One end of the first gas piping 31 is located in the gas phase portion 12 of the liquefied hydrogen tank 10, and a gas piping connector 33 that can be connected to an external device is located at the other end of the first gas piping 31. The first gas piping 31 can transfer hydrogen from an external device connected to the gas piping connector 33 to the liquefied hydrogen tank 10, or from the liquefied hydrogen tank 10 to an external device. In addition, in Figure 1 In FIG. 3 , a plug 34 is attached to the gas pipe joint 33 .

[0023] One end of the second gas piping 32 is connected to the first gas piping 31, and the other end is connected to an unillustrated device such as a boiler. The second gas piping 32 transfers the hydrogen gas in the liquefied hydrogen tank 10 flowing in through the first gas piping 31 toward an unillustrated device. In addition, a plurality of gas piping valves 36 are located on the first gas piping 31 and the second gas piping 32, i.e., the gas piping 30. The gas piping 30 includes a plurality of gas piping partitions 37 divided by closing the flow path through these gas piping valves 36 and the plug 34. The gas piping partition 37 may not be divided by the gas piping valve 36 at all ends. For example, it may be a partition in which at least one end is divided by the gas piping valve 36, such as one end being divided by the plug 34.

[0024] Furthermore, the gas piping partition 37 may have three or more ends, like the gas piping partition 37 including the connection portion between the first gas piping 31 and the second gas piping 32. This also applies to the liquid piping partition 27 described above.

[0025] The common return pipe 40 is a pipe connected to the liquefied hydrogen tank 10. Figure 1, the shared return pipe 40 is indicated by a double-dashed line. The shared return pipe 40 is capable of transferring hydrogen gas supplied from the liquid-side discharge pipe 50 and the gas-side discharge pipe 60 described later to the liquefied hydrogen tank 10. One end of the shared return pipe 40 is located in the gas phase portion 12 of the liquefied hydrogen tank 10. In addition, the other end of the shared return pipe 40 can be connected to the liquid-side discharge pipe 50, can be connected to the gas-side discharge pipe 60, or can be closed. In addition, the liquefied hydrogen equipment 100 of this embodiment has one shared return pipe 40. However, the liquefied hydrogen equipment 100 may also have a plurality of shared return pipes 40.

[0026] The liquid side discharge pipe 50 is a pipe for reducing the internal pressure of the liquid pipe 20. Figure 1 In the figure, the liquid-side discharge pipe 50 and the gas-side discharge pipe 60 (described later) are indicated by dotted lines. For example, if liquefied hydrogen in the liquid pipe 20 is converted into hydrogen gas due to external heat input, the internal pressure of the liquid pipe 20 increases, potentially damaging the liquid pipe 20. In such situations, the liquid-side discharge pipe 50 of this embodiment moves the hydrogen gas in the liquid pipe 20, thereby reducing the internal pressure of the liquid pipe 20 and preventing damage to the liquid pipe 20.

[0027] The liquefied hydrogen equipment 100 of this embodiment has a plurality of liquid-side discharge pipes 50. In the liquid-side discharge pipes 50 of this embodiment, the hydrogen gas inside flows in one direction. If the upstream end of the liquid-side discharge pipe 50 is used as the inlet, the inlet of each liquid-side discharge pipe 50 is connected to a different liquid pipe partition 27. On the other hand, if the downstream end of the liquid-side discharge pipe 50 is used as the outlet, the outlet of each liquid-side discharge pipe 50 is connected to the common return pipe 40. That is, the outlet of each liquid-side discharge pipe 50 is connected to the liquefied hydrogen tank 10 via the common return pipe 40. However, the outlet of each liquid-side discharge pipe 50 can also be directly connected to the liquefied hydrogen tank 10. In addition, when the liquefied hydrogen equipment 100 has a plurality of common return pipes 40, all or part of the outlets of the plurality of liquid-side discharge pipes 50 can also be connected to the same common return pipe 40.

[0028] Each liquid-side discharge pipe 50 includes a pressure relief valve 51. The pressure relief valve 51 is configured to open when the pressure on the inlet side of the pressure relief valve 51 reaches a preset set pressure. The set pressures of the pressure relief valves 51 may be the same or different.

[0029] The liquid-side discharge piping 50 is configured as described above. For example, when the internal pressure of the corresponding liquid piping section 27 increases and the pressure on the inlet side of the pressure relief valve 51 reaches the set pressure, the pressure relief valve 51 opens. This allows the hydrogen gas within the corresponding liquid piping section 27 to be discharged to the liquefied hydrogen tank 10 via the common return pipe 40. This prevents excessive increases in the internal pressure of the corresponding liquid piping section 27, preventing damage to the liquid piping 20.

[0030] The gas-side discharge pipe 60 is used to reduce the internal pressure of the gas pipe 30. In this embodiment, the gas pipe 30 is connected to the liquefied hydrogen tank 10, so the temperature of the hydrogen gas being transferred is very low. Therefore, if the hydrogen gas within the gas pipe 30 expands due to external heat input, for example, the internal pressure of the gas pipe 30 rises significantly, potentially damaging the gas pipe 30. The gas-side discharge pipe 60 of this embodiment prevents damage to the gas pipe 30 by moving the hydrogen gas within the gas pipe 30 in such situations.

[0031] The liquefied hydrogen equipment 100 of this embodiment has a plurality of gas-side discharge pipes 60. In the gas-side discharge pipes 60 of this embodiment, the hydrogen gas inside flows in one direction. If the upstream end of the gas-side discharge pipe 60 is used as the inlet, the inlet of each gas-side discharge pipe 60 is connected to a different gas pipe partition 37. On the other hand, if the downstream end of the gas-side discharge pipe 60 is used as the outlet, the outlet of each gas-side discharge pipe 60 is connected to the common return pipe 40. That is, the outlet of each gas-side discharge pipe 60 is connected to the liquefied hydrogen tank 10 via the common return pipe 40. However, the outlet of each gas-side discharge pipe 60 can also be directly connected to the liquefied hydrogen tank 10. In addition, in the case where the liquefied hydrogen equipment 100 has a plurality of common return pipes 40, all or part of the outlets of the plurality of gas-side discharge pipes 60 can also be connected to the same common return pipe 40. Furthermore, even when the liquefied hydrogen facility 100 includes a plurality of common return pipes 40 , the outlet of the gas-side discharge pipe 60 and the outlet of the liquid-side discharge pipe 50 may be connected to the same common return pipe 40 .

[0032] Each gas-side discharge pipe 60 includes a pressure relief valve 61. The pressure relief valve 61 is configured to open when the pressure on the inlet side of the pressure relief valve 61 reaches a preset set pressure. The set pressures of the pressure relief valves 61 can be the same or different. Furthermore, the set pressure of the pressure relief valve 51 of the liquid-side discharge pipe 50 can be the same as or different from the set pressure of the pressure relief valve 61 of the gas-side discharge pipe 60.

[0033] Since the gas-side discharge piping 60 is configured as described above, for example, when the internal pressure of the corresponding gas piping section 37 increases and the pressure on the inlet side of the pressure relief valve 61 reaches the set pressure, the pressure relief valve 61 opens. As a result, the hydrogen gas within the corresponding gas piping section 37 is discharged to the liquefied hydrogen tank 10 via the common return piping 40. This suppresses excessive increases in the internal pressure of the corresponding gas piping section 37, preventing damage to the gas piping 30.

[0034] Furthermore, the liquid pipe 20 and the gas pipe 30 are multi-layer pipes, so that the liquefied hydrogen can be suppressed from being vaporized or the hydrogen gas can be suppressed from expanding in these pipes.

[0035] (Second embodiment)

[0036] Next, the liquefied hydrogen facility 200 according to the second embodiment will be described. Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of a liquefied hydrogen facility 200 according to a second embodiment. While the outlet of the gas-side discharge piping 60 of the liquefied hydrogen facility 100 according to the first embodiment is connected to the liquefied hydrogen tank 10 via a shared return piping, the liquefied hydrogen facility 200 according to the second embodiment differs in that the outlet of the gas-side discharge piping 60 is not connected to the liquefied hydrogen tank 10. Other than this, the two liquefied hydrogen facilities 100 and 200 have essentially the same structure.

[0037] In the liquefied hydrogen facility 200 of this embodiment, the outlet of each gas-side discharge pipe 60 is connected to a gas piping partition 37 different from the gas piping partition 37 to which the inlet of that gas-side discharge pipe is connected. In other words, the inlet and outlet of each gas-side discharge pipe 60 are connected to different gas piping partitions 37. Because the internal pressures of each gas piping partition 37 differ, even with this configuration, excessive pressure increases in each gas piping partition 37 can be suppressed, preventing damage to the gas piping 30. Furthermore, according to this embodiment, each gas-side discharge pipe 60 can be shortened, thereby simplifying the liquefied hydrogen facility 200.

[0038] (Summarize)

[0039] The first item disclosed in this specification is a liquefied hydrogen facility comprising: a liquefied hydrogen tank for storing liquefied hydrogen; a gas pipe connected to the liquefied hydrogen tank and for transferring hydrogen gas; and a gas-side discharge pipe having an inlet connected to the gas pipe, the gas-side discharge pipe including a pressure relief valve that opens when the pressure on the inlet side reaches a set pressure.

[0040] According to this configuration, it is possible to prevent damage to the gas pipe connected to the liquefied hydrogen tank.

[0041] A second aspect disclosed in this specification is the liquefied hydrogen equipment according to the first aspect, wherein an outlet of the gas-side discharge pipe is connected to the liquefied hydrogen tank.

[0042] According to this configuration, the hydrogen gas exhausted from the gas pipe can be reused.

[0043] Item 3 disclosed in this specification is the liquefied hydrogen equipment according to Item 1 or 2, wherein the gas pipe is a multi-layer pipe.

[0044] According to this configuration, it is possible to suppress expansion of hydrogen gas in the gas pipe.

[0045] Item 4 disclosed in this specification is the liquefied hydrogen equipment according to any one of items 1 to 3, wherein the liquefied hydrogen equipment has at least one common return pipe connected to the liquefied hydrogen tank, and the gas-side discharge pipe includes a plurality of gas-side discharge pipes, and the outlets of all or part of the plurality of gas-side discharge pipes are connected to the liquefied hydrogen tank via the same common return pipe.

[0046] According to this configuration, the piping for guiding hydrogen gas to the liquefied hydrogen tank can be simplified.

[0047] Item 5 disclosed in this specification is the liquefied hydrogen equipment according to any one of items 1 to 4, wherein the liquefied hydrogen equipment comprises: a liquid piping connected to the liquefied hydrogen tank and transferring liquefied hydrogen; a liquid-side discharge piping having an inlet connected to the liquid piping, the liquid-side discharge piping including a pressure relief valve that opens when the pressure on the inlet side reaches a set pressure; and at least one common return piping connected to the liquefied hydrogen tank, the outlet of the gas-side pressure relief valve and the outlet of the liquid-side discharge piping being connected to the liquefied hydrogen tank via the same common return piping.

[0048] According to this configuration, the piping for guiding hydrogen gas to the liquefied hydrogen tank can be simplified.

[0049] Item 6 disclosed in this specification is the liquefied hydrogen equipment according to any one of items 1 to 3, wherein the gas piping includes a plurality of gas piping partitions each having at least one end divided by a gas piping valve, and the inlet and outlet of the gas-side discharge piping are connected to different gas piping partitions.

[0050] According to this configuration, the gas-side discharge piping can be shortened, and thus the liquefied hydrogen equipment can be simplified.

[0051] Label Description

[0052] 10: Liquefied hydrogen tank; 20: Liquid piping; 23: Liquid piping joint; 26: Liquid piping valve; 27: Liquid piping partition; 30: Gas piping; 36: Gas piping valve; 37: Gas piping partition; 40: Common return piping; 50: Liquid side discharge piping; 51: Pressure relief valve; 60: Gas side discharge piping; 61: Pressure relief valve; 100: Liquefied hydrogen equipment; 200: Liquefied hydrogen equipment.

Claims

1. A liquefied hydrogen device comprising: a liquefied hydrogen tank, which stores liquefied hydrogen; a gas pipe connected to the liquefied hydrogen tank and transferring hydrogen gas; and A gas-side discharge pipe has an inlet connected to the gas pipe and includes a pressure relief valve that opens when the pressure on the inlet side reaches a set pressure.

2. The liquefied hydrogen equipment according to claim 1, wherein: The outlet of the gas-side discharge pipe is connected to the liquefied hydrogen tank.

3. The liquefied hydrogen equipment according to claim 1, wherein: The gas piping is a multi-layer piping.

4. The liquefied hydrogen equipment according to claim 1, wherein: The liquefied hydrogen equipment has at least one common return pipe connected to the liquefied hydrogen tank. The gas side exhaust pipe includes a plurality of gas side exhaust pipes, All or part of the outlets of the plurality of gas-side discharge pipes are connected to the liquefied hydrogen tank via the same common return pipe.

5. The liquefied hydrogen equipment according to claim 1, wherein: The liquefied hydrogen equipment has: a liquid pipe connected to the liquefied hydrogen tank and transferring liquefied hydrogen; a liquid-side discharge piping having an inlet connected to the liquid piping, the liquid-side discharge piping including a pressure relief valve that opens when the pressure on the inlet side reaches a set pressure; as well as at least one common return pipe connected to the liquefied hydrogen tank, An outlet of the gas-side pressure relief valve and an outlet of the liquid-side discharge pipe are connected to the liquefied hydrogen tank via the same common return pipe.

6. The liquefied hydrogen equipment according to claim 1, wherein: The gas piping includes a plurality of gas piping partitions, at least one end of which is divided by a gas piping valve. The inlet and outlet of the gas-side exhaust pipe are connected to different gas pipe sections.

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