Automatic methanol fuel discharging and purging system and ship

Abstract

The invention relates to the technical field of ships, in particular to an automatic methanol fuel discharging and purging system and a ship, the automatic methanol fuel discharging and purging system comprises a methanol supply pipeline, the methanol supply pipeline is sequentially provided with a first switch valve, a methanol circulation cabinet, a methanol pump and a second switch valve, and the second switch valve is communicated with a main engine; the host is communicated with the methanol fuel cabin; the methanol suction assembly comprises a first suction header pipe and a plurality of suction branch pipes which are communicated with each other; the nitrogen purging assembly comprises a main blowing pipe and a plurality of branch blowing pipes which are communicated with each other, the branch blowing pipes are communicated with a nitrogen source, and the branch blowing pipes are communicated with the first switch valve, the methanol circulation cabinet and the second switch valve in a one-to-one correspondence mode; the main machine purging assembly comprises a gas blowing pipe, and the gas blowing pipe is communicated with a fuel inlet of the main machine and a nitrogen source. According to the methanol supply system, methanol liquid in the methanol supply system can be effectively discharged to the methanol fuel cabin, and meanwhile, the consumption of nitrogen is reduced.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of ships, and in particular to a methanol fuel automatic discharge and purge system and a ship. Background Art

[0002] Methanol fuel is a new alternative fuel. Due to its toxicity, low flash point, and flammability and explosiveness, its supply system differs significantly from conventional fuel oil. To ensure safety in marine applications, methanol fuel requires that the methanol liquid within the supply system be discharged into the methanol fuel tank during long-term outages or equipment and piping maintenance.

[0003] The methanol remaining in the methanol supply system is clean methanol and needs to be discharged to the methanol fuel tank for reuse. During the layout of the methanol fuel tank, methanol is easily vaporized. To prevent cavitation of the methanol supply system pump, the methanol fuel tank is usually located higher than the methanol supply unit. Therefore, methanol fuel cannot be discharged back to the methanol fuel tank by gravity. If only nitrogen purge is used, it is difficult to purge the methanol supply unit due to its complex piping and numerous equipment, and nitrogen consumption is high.

[0004] Therefore, a methanol fuel automatic discharge and purge system and a ship are needed to solve the above problems. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The object of the present invention is to provide a methanol fuel automatic discharge and purge system and a ship, which can effectively discharge methanol liquid inside the methanol supply system into the methanol fuel tank while reducing nitrogen consumption.

[0006] To achieve this object, the present invention adopts the following technical solutions:

[0007] Methanol fuel automatic discharge and purge system, including:

[0008] A methanol supply pipeline is provided with a first switch valve, a methanol circulation cabinet, a methanol pump, and a second switch valve in sequence, wherein the second switch valve is connected to the main engine, and the main engine is connected to the methanol fuel tank;

[0009] a methanol suction assembly comprising a first suction main pipe and a plurality of suction branch pipes interconnected with each other, the plurality of suction branch pipes being in one-to-one communication with the methanol supply pipeline, the first on-off valve, the methanol circulation cabinet, and the second on-off valve; a first suction pump being provided on the first suction main pipe, which is in communication with the methanol fuel tank;

[0010] a nitrogen purge assembly comprising a main purge pipe and a plurality of branch purge pipes connected to each other, wherein the plurality of branch purge pipes are connected to a nitrogen source, and the plurality of branch purge pipes are connected to the first switch valve, the methanol circulation cabinet, and the second switch valve in a one-to-one correspondence; the main purge pipe is connected to the methanol fuel tank, and each branch purge pipe is provided with a first purge switch valve;

[0011] The main engine purge assembly comprises an air blowing pipe, which is connected to the fuel inlet and nitrogen source of the main engine, and is provided with a second air blowing switch valve.

[0012] In some embodiments, a suction switch valve is provided on the suction branch pipe.

[0013] In some embodiments, a manifold is further included, wherein the first suction main pipe and the plurality of suction branch pipes are all connected to the manifold, and the blowing main pipe is connected to the manifold.

[0014] In some embodiments, a first liquid detector is provided at the outlet end of the manifold.

[0015] In some embodiments, a second liquid detector is provided at the outlet of the host.

[0016] In some embodiments, a main air blowing switch valve is provided on the main air blowing pipe.

[0017] In some embodiments, a filter, a first heat exchanger and a second heat exchanger are provided on the methanol supply pipeline. The filter is located between the first switch valve and the methanol circulation cabinet, the first heat exchanger is located between the methanol circulation cabinet and the filter, and the second heat exchanger is located between the methanol pump and the second switch valve. The first heat exchanger and the second heat exchanger are both connected to the first suction main pipe through a suction branch pipe.

[0018] In some embodiments, a third switch valve and a fourth switch valve are provided on the methanol supply pipeline, the third switch valve and the fourth switch valve are located downstream of the second switch valve, and the blowing pipe is located between the third switch valve and the fourth switch valve.

[0019] In some embodiments, a second suction main pipe is further included, and the second suction main pipe is connected to the plurality of suction branch pipes and the methanol fuel tank respectively, and a second suction pump is provided on the second suction main pipe.

[0020] A ship comprises a hull and the above-mentioned automatic discharge and purge system for methanol fuel, wherein the automatic discharge and purge system for methanol fuel is arranged in the hull.

[0021] Beneficial effects of the present invention:

[0022] The present invention provides an automatic methanol fuel release and purge system, comprising a methanol supply pipeline provided with a first on-off valve, a methanol circulation cabinet, a methanol pump, and a second on-off valve, the second on-off valve being connected to the main engine, which in turn is connected to the methanol fuel tank. A methanol extraction assembly comprises a first suction main pipe and a plurality of suction branch pipes interconnected with each other, the plurality of suction branch pipes being connected in a one-to-one correspondence with the methanol supply pipeline, the first on-off valve, the methanol circulation cabinet, and the second on-off valve. A first suction pump is provided on the first suction main pipe, which is connected to the methanol fuel tank. A nitrogen purge assembly comprises a purge main pipe and a plurality of purge branch pipes interconnected with each other, the purge branch pipes being connected in a one-to-one correspondence with the first on-off valve, the methanol circulation cabinet, and the second on-off valve, the purge main pipe being connected to the methanol fuel tank. The main engine purge assembly includes a purge pipe, which is connected to the fuel inlet of the main engine. When discharging methanol fuel from the methanol supply line, the first suction pump draws most of the methanol fuel into the methanol fuel tank. The remaining methanol is then purged using the nitrogen purge assembly and the main engine purge assembly. This effectively discharges liquid methanol from the methanol supply system into the methanol fuel tank while reducing nitrogen consumption.

[0023] The present invention provides a ship comprising a hull and the above-mentioned automatic methanol fuel discharge and purge system, which can effectively discharge methanol liquid inside the methanol supply system into the methanol fuel tank while reducing nitrogen consumption. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0024] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention, the following briefly introduces the drawings required for describing the embodiments of the present invention, reducing the drawings required for use in describing the embodiments of the present invention. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present invention. For ordinary technicians in this field, other drawings can be obtained based on the contents of the embodiments of the present invention and these drawings without paying any creative work.

[0025] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of a methanol fuel automatic discharge and purge system according to the present invention.

[0026] In the picture:

[0027] 1. Methanol supply pipeline; 11. Methanol pump; 12. First on-off valve; 13. Methanol circulation cabinet; 14. Second heat exchanger; 15. Second on-off valve; 16. Filter; 17. First heat exchanger; 2. Methanol suction assembly; 21. Suction branch pipe; 22. Suction on-off valve; 23. First suction main pipe; 24. First suction pump; 25. Second suction main pipe; 26. Second suction pump; 3. Nitrogen purge assembly; 31. Blowing branch pipe; 32. First blow on-off valve; 33. Blowing main pipe; 34. Main blow on-off valve; 4. Main engine; 41. Third on-off valve; 42. Fourth on-off valve; 43. Second liquid detector; 5. Methanol fuel tank; 6. Manifold; 61. First liquid detector; 7. Main engine purge assembly; 71. Blowing pipe; 72. Second blow on-off valve. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0028] Before any embodiments of the present application are explained in detail, it is to be understood that the application is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the foregoing drawings.

[0029] In this application, the terms "comprises," "includes," "has," or any other variations thereof are intended to encompass non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that includes a list of elements includes not only those elements but also other elements not explicitly listed, or elements inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus. In the absence of further limitations, an element defined by the phrase "comprising a ..." does not preclude the presence of additional identical elements in the process, method, article, or apparatus that includes the element.

[0030] In this application, the terms "connect," "combine," "couple," and "install" may refer to direct connection, combination, coupling, or installation, or indirect connection, combination, coupling, or installation. For example, a direct connection refers to two parts or components being connected together without an intermediary, and an indirect connection refers to two parts or components being connected to at least one intermediary, with the two parts or components being connected via the intermediary. Furthermore, "connect" and "couple" are not limited to physical or mechanical connections or couplings and may include electrical connections or couplings.

[0031] In this application, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the function performed by an assembly can be performed by one assembly, multiple assemblies, one part, or multiple parts. Similarly, the function performed by a part can also be performed by one part, one assembly, or a combination of multiple parts.

[0032] In the present application, the terms "upper", "lower", "left", "right", "front", "back" and other directional words are described based on the orientation and positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings, and should not be understood as limiting the embodiments of the present application. In addition, in the context, it is also necessary to understand that when it is mentioned that an element is connected to another element "upper" or "lower", it can not only be directly connected to the other element "upper" or "lower", but also be indirectly connected to the other element "upper" or "lower" through an intermediate element. It should also be understood that directional words such as upper side, lower side, left side, right side, front side, back side, etc. not only represent the positive orientation, but can also be understood as the lateral orientation. For example, below can include directly below, lower left, lower right, lower front and lower back, etc.

[0033] When the methanol fuel supply system on a ship is under maintenance or shut down for a long time, in order to effectively discharge the methanol liquid inside the methanol supply system to the methanol fuel tank and reduce nitrogen consumption, such as Figure 1 As shown, the present invention provides a methanol fuel automatic discharge and purge system. The methanol fuel automatic discharge and purge system includes a methanol supply pipeline 1, a methanol suction component 2, a nitrogen purge component 3 and a main engine purge component 7.

[0034] The methanol supply line 1 is sequentially provided with a first on-off valve 12, a methanol circulation cabinet 13, a methanol pump 11, and a second on-off valve 15. The second on-off valve 15 is connected to the main engine 4, which is in turn connected to the methanol fuel tank 5. The methanol extraction assembly 2 includes a first suction main pipe 23 and multiple suction branch pipes 21, which are interconnected. The multiple suction branch pipes 21 are connected to the methanol supply line 1, the first on-off valve 12, the methanol circulation cabinet 13, and the second on-off valve 15 in a one-to-one correspondence. A first suction pump 24 is provided on the first suction main pipe 23, which is in communication with the methanol fuel tank 5. The nitrogen purge assembly 3 includes a main purge pipe 33 and multiple branch purge pipes 31 that are interconnected. The branch purge pipes 31 are connected to the nitrogen source and are in one-to-one communication with the first on-off valve 12, the methanol circulation cabinet 13, and the second on-off valve 15. The main purge pipe 33 is connected to the methanol fuel tank 5, and each branch purge pipe 31 is provided with a first purge on-off valve 32. The main engine purge assembly 7 includes a purge pipe 71 that is connected to the fuel inlet of the main engine 4 and the nitrogen source. The purge pipe 71 is provided with a second purge on-off valve 72.

[0035] When discharging methanol fuel from the methanol supply line 1, the first suction pump 24 draws the majority of the methanol fuel into the methanol fuel tank 5. The remaining methanol is then purged using the nitrogen purge assembly 3 and the main engine purge assembly 7. This effectively discharges the methanol liquid within the methanol supply system into the methanol fuel tank 5 while reducing nitrogen consumption. Furthermore, because the suction branch pipe 21 is connected to the methanol supply line 1, the first on-off valve 12, the methanol circulation cabinet 13, and the second on-off valve 15 in a one-to-one correspondence, the methanol fuel contained in these three areas can be effectively discharged. By connecting the purge branch pipe 31 to the first on-off valve 12, the methanol circulation cabinet 13, and the second on-off valve 15 in a one-to-one correspondence, these three areas can be effectively purged, ensuring efficient discharge of the methanol fuel.

[0036] In some embodiments, a suction on-off valve 22 is provided on the suction branch pipe 21. This provides control over the on-off status of the suction branch pipe 21. When the methanol supply pipeline 1 is normally supplying methanol fuel to the main engine 4, the suction on-off valve 22 is closed, ensuring smooth methanol fuel supply. To discharge the methanol fuel from the methanol supply pipeline 1, the suction on-off valve 22 is opened.

[0037] In some embodiments, the methanol fuel automatic discharge and purge system further includes a manifold 6, to which the first suction manifold 23 and the plurality of suction branch pipes 21 are all connected, and the purge manifold 33 is also connected. The provision of the manifold 6 facilitates the arrangement of the methanol suction assembly 2 and the nitrogen purge assembly 3, and saves piping.

[0038] In some embodiments, a first liquid detector 61 is provided at the outlet end of the manifold 6. With the above arrangement, whether there is methanol liquid in the manifold 6 can be detected in real time, thereby controlling whether to continuously pump or purge the methanol fuel as needed.

[0039] In some embodiments, a second liquid detector 43 is provided at the outlet of the main engine 4. By providing the second liquid detector 43, it is possible to detect whether methanol fuel remains in the main engine 4, thereby determining whether to continue purging the main engine 4 as needed.

[0040] In some embodiments, a main air blow valve 34 is provided on the main air blow pipe 33. This arrangement facilitates on / off control of the main air blow pipe 33. When nitrogen purge is required, the main air blow valve 34 is opened; when nitrogen purge is not required, the main air blow valve 34 is simply closed.

[0041] In some embodiments, the methanol supply pipeline 1 is provided with a filter 16, a first heat exchanger 17, and a second heat exchanger 14. The filter 16 is located between the first on-off valve 12 and the methanol circulation cabinet 13. The first heat exchanger 17 is located between the methanol circulation cabinet 13 and the filter 16. The second heat exchanger 14 is located between the methanol pump 11 and the second on-off valve 15. Both the first heat exchanger 17 and the second heat exchanger 14 are connected to the first suction main pipe 23 via a suction branch pipe 21. With this arrangement, when the methanol fuel is pumped out, the methanol fuel in the first heat exchanger 17 and the second heat exchanger 14 can be effectively discharged. The provision of the filter 16 allows the methanol fuel to be filtered, thereby effectively intercepting impurities in the methanol fuel.

[0042] In some embodiments, a third on-off valve 41 and a fourth on-off valve 42 are provided on the methanol supply line 1. The third on-off valve 41 and the fourth on-off valve 42 are located downstream of the second on-off valve 15, and the air blowing pipe 71 is located between the third on-off valve 41 and the fourth on-off valve 42. When the main engine 4 needs to be purged, the third on-off valve 41 is directly controlled to close and the fourth on-off valve 42 is opened. Nitrogen enters the main engine 4 through the fourth on-off valve 42, blowing the residual methanol liquid in the main engine 4 into the methanol fuel tank 5.

[0043] In some embodiments, the methanol fuel automatic discharge and purge system further includes a second suction manifold 25, which is respectively connected to the plurality of suction branch pipes 21 and the methanol fuel tank 5. A second suction pump 26 is provided on the second suction manifold 25. This arrangement provides a redundant design for the methanol fuel suction function. If the first suction pump 24 fails, the second suction pump 26 can quickly replace it, ensuring that the methanol fuel can be effectively discharged.

[0044] The working process of the methanol fuel automatic discharge and purge system is as follows:

[0045] Fuel suction and discharge

[0046] Close first on-off valve 12 and second on-off valve 15, open all suction on-off valves 22, and start first suction pump 24 and / or second suction pump 26 to drain residual methanol fuel in methanol supply line 1 into methanol fuel tank 5. By default, each suction cycle lasts 5 seconds, for a total of 5 suction cycles. The number of suction cycles can be automatically adjusted based on the status of first liquid detector 61 until first liquid detector 61 detects no more liquid.

[0047] Nitrogen purge

[0048] Close the first on-off valve 12 and the second on-off valve 15, open the main air blowing on-off valve 34 and all the first air blowing on-off valves 32 and the suction on-off valve 22, and purge with nitrogen until the first liquid detector 61 detects no liquid.

[0049] Host 4 purge

[0050] Close second on-off valve 15, open third on-off valve 41, fourth on-off valve 42, second purge on-off valve 72, and suction on-off valve 22 on suction branch pipe 21 connected to methanol supply line 1, and purge any remaining methanol fuel in main engine 4 and a portion of methanol supply line 1 back into methanol fuel tank 5. By default, each purge lasts 5 seconds, for a total of 5 purges. The number of purges is automatically adjusted based on the status of second liquid detector 43 until second liquid detector 43 detects no more liquid, indicating complete methanol fuel release.

[0051] This embodiment also provides a ship, including a hull and the above-mentioned methanol fuel automatic discharge and purge system. The methanol fuel automatic discharge and purge system is arranged in the hull, which can effectively discharge the methanol liquid inside the methanol supply system to the methanol fuel tank 5 while reducing nitrogen consumption.

[0052] Obviously, the above embodiments of the present invention are merely examples for the purpose of clearly illustrating the present invention, and are not intended to limit the embodiments of the present invention. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that other variations or modifications can be made based on the above description. It is not necessary and impossible to enumerate all embodiments here. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, and improvements made within the spirit and principles of the present invention shall be included within the scope of protection of the claims of the present invention.

Claims

1. Methanol fuel automatic discharge and purge system, characterized by: include: A methanol supply pipeline (1), wherein a first switch valve (12), a methanol circulation cabinet (13), a methanol pump (11) and a second switch valve (15) are sequentially arranged on the methanol supply pipeline (1), wherein the second switch valve (15) is connected to a main engine (4), and the main engine (4) is connected to a methanol fuel tank (5); A methanol suction assembly (2), the methanol suction assembly (2) comprising a first suction main pipe (23) and a plurality of suction branch pipes (21) that are interconnected, the plurality of suction branch pipes (21) being connected in a one-to-one correspondence with the methanol supply pipeline (1), the first switch valve (12), the methanol circulation cabinet (13), and the second switch valve (15), the first suction main pipe (23) being provided with a first suction pump (24), and the first suction main pipe (23) being connected to the methanol fuel tank (5); A nitrogen purge assembly (3) comprises a main blowing pipe (33) and a plurality of blowing branch pipes (31) that are interconnected, wherein the plurality of blowing branch pipes (31) are connected to a nitrogen source, and the plurality of blowing branch pipes (31) are connected to the first switch valve (12), the methanol circulation cabinet (13), and the second switch valve (15) in a one-to-one correspondence, the main blowing pipe (33) is connected to the methanol fuel tank (5), and each of the blowing branch pipes (31) is provided with a first blowing switch valve (32); The main engine purge assembly (7) comprises an air blowing pipe (71), the air blowing pipe (71) is connected to the fuel inlet of the main engine (4) and the nitrogen source, and a second air blowing switch valve (72) is provided on the air blowing pipe (71).

2. The methanol fuel automatic discharge and purge system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The suction branch pipe (21) is provided with a suction switch valve (22).

3. The methanol fuel automatic discharge and purge system according to claim 1, characterized in that: It also includes a manifold (6), the first suction main pipe (23) and the plurality of suction branch pipes (21) are all in communication with the manifold (6), and the blowing main pipe (33) is in communication with the manifold (6).

4. The methanol fuel automatic discharge and purge system according to claim 3, characterized in that: A first liquid detector (61) is provided at the outlet end of the manifold (6).

5. The methanol fuel automatic discharge and purge system according to claim 1, characterized in that: A second liquid detector (43) is provided at the outlet of the main unit (4).

6. The methanol fuel automatic discharge and purge system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The main air blowing pipe (33) is provided with a main air blowing switch valve (34).

7. The methanol fuel automatic discharge and purge system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The methanol supply pipeline (1) is provided with a filter (16), a first heat exchanger (17) and a second heat exchanger (14); the filter (16) is located between the first switch valve (12) and the methanol circulation cabinet (13); the first heat exchanger (17) is located between the methanol circulation cabinet (13) and the filter (16); the second heat exchanger (14) is located between the methanol pump (11) and the second switch valve (15); the first heat exchanger (17) and the second heat exchanger (14) are both connected to the first suction main pipe (23) through a suction branch pipe (21).

8. The methanol fuel automatic discharge and purge system according to claim 1, characterized in that: A third switch valve (41) and a fourth switch valve (42) are provided on the methanol supply pipeline (1), wherein the third switch valve (41) and the fourth switch valve (42) are located downstream of the second switch valve (15), and the air blowing pipe (71) is located between the third switch valve (41) and the fourth switch valve (42).

9. The methanol fuel automatic discharge and purge system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The invention also includes a second suction main pipe (25), which is respectively connected to the plurality of suction branch pipes (21) and the methanol fuel tank (5), and a second suction pump (26) is provided on the second suction main pipe (25).

10. A vessel, characterized in that It comprises a hull and the automatic discharge and purge system for methanol fuel according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the automatic discharge and purge system for methanol fuel is arranged in the hull.

Images