Methanol fuel auto-bleed purge system and marine vessel

Abstract

The present application relates to the ship technical field, especially a kind of methanol fuel automatic leak blow purging system and ship, methanol fuel automatic leak blow purging system includes methanol supply pipeline, first switch valve, methanol circulation cabinet, methanol pump and second switch valve are sequentially provided on methanol supply pipeline, second switch valve is communicated with main engine, main engine is communicated with methanol fuel cabin;Methanol suction assembly, methanol suction assembly includes the first suction manifold and multiple suction branch pipes that are communicated with each other;Nitrogen purging assembly, including the gas blowing manifold and multiple gas blowing branch pipes that are communicated with each other, multiple gas blowing branch pipes are communicated with nitrogen source, multiple gas blowing branch pipes are communicated with first switch valve, methanol circulation cabinet and second switch valve one to one correspondence;Main engine purging assembly, including gas blowing pipe, gas blowing pipe is communicated with the fuel inlet of main engine and nitrogen source.The present application can effectively discharge methanol liquid inside methanol supply system to methanol fuel cabin, while reducing nitrogen consumption.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of marine technology, and in particular to an automatic methanol fuel release and purging system and a ship. Background Technology

[0002] Methanol fuel is a new type of alternative fuel. Due to the toxicity, low flash point, and flammability and explosiveness of methanol, methanol supply systems differ significantly from conventional fuel oil systems. In marine applications, to ensure safety, during long-term shutdowns or equipment and pipeline maintenance, the liquid methanol within the methanol supply system must be drained into the methanol fuel tank.

[0003] The methanol remaining in the methanol supply system is clean methanol and needs to be discharged to the methanol fuel tank for reuse. In the layout of the methanol fuel tank, because methanol is highly volatile, to avoid cavitation of the pumps in the methanol supply system, the methanol fuel tank is usually positioned higher than the methanol supply unit. Therefore, methanol fuel cannot be discharged back to the methanol fuel tank by gravity. If only nitrogen purging is used, it is difficult to completely purge due to the complex piping and numerous devices in the methanol supply unit, and the nitrogen consumption is also high.

[0004] Therefore, an automatic methanol fuel purging system and vessel are needed to solve the above problems. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The purpose of this invention is to provide an automatic methanol fuel purging system and a ship that can effectively discharge methanol liquid from the methanol supply system to the methanol fuel tank while reducing nitrogen consumption.

[0006] To achieve this objective, the present invention adopts the following technical solution:

[0007] The automatic methanol fuel purging system includes:

[0008] A methanol supply pipeline is provided with a first switching valve, a methanol circulation cabinet, a methanol pump, and a second switching valve in sequence. The second switching valve is connected to the main unit, and the main unit is connected to the methanol fuel tank.

[0009] The methanol suction assembly includes a first suction main pipe and multiple suction branch pipes that are interconnected. The multiple suction branch pipes are connected to the methanol supply pipeline, the first switch valve, the methanol circulation cabinet and the second switch valve in a corresponding manner. A first suction pump is installed on the first suction main pipe, and the first suction main pipe is connected to the methanol fuel tank.

[0010] The nitrogen purging assembly includes a main purging pipe and multiple branch purging pipes that are interconnected. The multiple branch purging pipes are connected to a nitrogen source and are connected to the first switching valve, the methanol circulation cabinet, and the second switching valve in a corresponding manner. The main purging pipe is connected to the methanol fuel tank, and each branch purging pipe is equipped with a first purging switching valve.

[0011] The main unit purging assembly includes a purging pipe, which is connected to the fuel inlet and nitrogen source of the main unit, and a second purging switch valve is provided on the purging pipe.

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

[0013] In some embodiments, a manifold is also 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, the methanol supply pipeline is provided with a filter, a first heat exchanger, and a second heat exchanger. The filter is located between the first switching valve and the methanol circulation tank. The first heat exchanger is located between the methanol circulation tank and the filter. The second heat exchanger is located between the methanol pump and the second switching valve. Both the first heat exchanger and the second heat exchanger are connected to the first suction main pipe through suction branch pipes.

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

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

[0020] The vessel includes a hull and an automatic methanol fuel release and purging system as described above, wherein the automatic methanol fuel release and purging system is disposed in the hull.

[0021] The beneficial effects of this invention are:

[0022] This invention provides an automatic methanol fuel purging system. The methanol supply pipeline is sequentially equipped with a first switching valve, a methanol circulation tank, a methanol pump, and a second switching valve. The second switching valve is connected to the main unit, and the main unit is connected to the methanol fuel tank. The methanol suction assembly includes a first suction main pipe and multiple suction branch pipes, each connected to a corresponding methanol supply pipeline, the first switching valve, the methanol circulation tank, and the second switching valve. A first suction pump is installed on the first suction main pipe, which is connected to the methanol fuel tank. The nitrogen purging assembly includes a main purging pipe and multiple purging branch pipes, each connected to a corresponding first switching valve, the methanol circulation tank, and the second switching valve. The main purging pipe is connected to the methanol fuel tank. The main unit purging assembly includes a purging pipe connected to the fuel inlet of the main unit. When discharging methanol fuel from the methanol supply pipeline, a first suction pump draws most of the methanol fuel into the methanol fuel tank. Then, a nitrogen purging assembly and a main engine purging assembly purge the remaining methanol. 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, including a hull and an automatic methanol fuel release and purging system as described above, which can effectively discharge methanol liquid inside the methanol supply system to the methanol fuel tank while reducing nitrogen consumption. Attached Figure Description

[0024] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention, the accompanying drawings used in the description of the embodiments of the present invention are reduced and briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present invention. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on the content of the embodiments of the present invention and these drawings without creative effort.

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

[0026] In the picture:

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

[0028] Before explaining any implementation of this application in detail, it should be understood that this application is not limited to its application to the structural details and component arrangements set forth in the following description or shown in the above drawings.

[0029] In this application, the terms "comprising," "including," "having," or any other variations thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements includes not only those elements but also other elements not expressly listed, or elements inherent to such a process, method, article, or apparatus. Without further limitation, an element defined by the phrase "comprising one..." does not exclude the presence of other identical elements in the process, method, article, or apparatus that includes that element.

[0030] In this application, the terms "connection," "combination," "coupling," and "installation" can 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 the need for an intermediary, while an indirect connection refers to two parts or components each being connected to at least one intermediary, with the connection achieved through the intermediary. Furthermore, "connection" and "coupling" are not limited to physical or mechanical connections or couplings, but can also include electrical connections or couplings.

[0031] In this application, those skilled in the art will understand that the function performed by a component can be performed by one component, multiple components, one part, or multiple parts. Similarly, the function performed by a part can also be performed by one part, one component, or a combination of multiple parts.

[0032] In this application, the directional terms "upper," "lower," "left," "right," "front," and "rear" are used to describe the orientation and positional relationships shown in the accompanying drawings and should not be construed as limiting the embodiments of this application. Furthermore, in the context, it should be understood that when an element is mentioned as being connected "upper" or "lower" to another element, it can be directly connected to the other element "upper" or "lower," or indirectly connected through an intermediate element. It should also be understood that directional terms such as upper side, lower side, left side, right side, front side, and rear side not only represent positive orientation but can also be understood as lateral orientation. For example, "below" can include directly below, lower left, lower right, lower front, and lower rear.

[0033] When overhauling or permanently shutting down a ship's methanol fuel supply system, in order to effectively drain the liquid methanol from the system to the methanol fuel tank while minimizing nitrogen consumption, such as... Figure 1 As shown, the present invention provides an automatic methanol fuel release and purging system. The automatic methanol fuel release and purging system includes a methanol supply pipeline 1, a methanol suction assembly 2, a nitrogen purging assembly 3, and a main unit purging assembly 7.

[0034] The methanol supply pipeline 1 is sequentially equipped with a first switching valve 12, a methanol circulation cabinet 13, a methanol pump 11, and a second switching valve 15. The second switching valve 15 is connected to the main unit 4, and the main unit 4 is connected to the methanol fuel tank 5. The methanol suction assembly 2 includes a first suction main pipe 23 and multiple suction branch pipes 21 that are interconnected. The multiple suction branch pipes 21 are connected to the methanol supply pipeline 1, the first switching valve 12, the methanol circulation cabinet 13, and the second switching valve 15 in a corresponding manner. The first suction main pipe 23 is equipped with a first suction pump 24 and is connected to the methanol fuel tank 5. The nitrogen purging assembly 3 includes a main purging pipe 33 and multiple branch purging pipes 31 that are interconnected. Each branch purging pipe 31 is connected to a nitrogen source and is correspondingly connected to a first switching valve 12, a methanol circulation tank 13, and a second switching valve 15. The main purging pipe 33 is connected to the methanol fuel tank 5. Each branch purging pipe 31 is equipped with a first purging switching valve 32. The main engine purging assembly 7 includes a purging pipe 71 that is connected to the fuel inlet and nitrogen source of the main engine 4. A second purging switching valve 72 is installed on the purging pipe 71.

[0035] When discharging methanol fuel from methanol supply pipeline 1, the first suction pump 24 draws most of the methanol fuel into the methanol fuel tank 5. Then, the nitrogen purging assembly 3 and the main unit purging assembly 7 are used to purge the remaining methanol. This effectively discharges the liquid methanol from the methanol supply system into the methanol fuel tank 5 while reducing nitrogen consumption. Furthermore, since the suction branch pipe 21 is connected to methanol supply pipeline 1, the first switching valve 12, the methanol circulation tank 13, and the second switching valve 15, it effectively discharges the methanol fuel contained in these components. By connecting the purging branch pipe 31 to the first switching valve 12, the methanol circulation tank 13, and the second switching valve 15, it effectively purges these components, ensuring efficient discharge of methanol fuel.

[0036] In some embodiments, a suction switch valve 22 is provided on the suction branch pipe 21. By providing the suction switch valve 22, the on / off state of the suction branch pipe 21 can be controlled. When the methanol supply pipeline 1 normally supplies methanol fuel to the main unit 4, the suction switch valve 22 is closed to ensure smooth methanol fuel supply. When it is necessary to discharge the methanol fuel in the methanol supply pipeline 1, the suction switch valve 22 is opened.

[0037] In some embodiments, the automatic methanol fuel release and purging system further includes a manifold 6, to which the first suction main pipe 23 and multiple suction branch pipes 21 are connected, and the purging main pipe 33 is connected. By setting the manifold 6, it is convenient to arrange the methanol suction assembly 2 and the nitrogen purging assembly 3, and it can save on pipelines.

[0038] In some embodiments, a first liquid detector 61 is provided at the outlet end of the manifold 6. This configuration allows for real-time detection of the presence of methanol liquid in the manifold 6, enabling control over whether continuous pumping or purging of the methanol fuel is required.

[0039] In some embodiments, a second liquid detector 43 is provided at the outlet of the main unit 4. By providing the second liquid detector 43, it is possible to detect whether there is residual methanol fuel in the main unit 4, and thus determine whether to continue purging the main unit 4 as needed.

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

[0041] In some embodiments, the methanol supply pipeline 1 is equipped with a filter 16, a first heat exchanger 17, and a second heat exchanger 14. The filter 16 is located between the first switching valve 12 and the methanol circulation tank 13. The first heat exchanger 17 is located between the methanol circulation tank 13 and the filter 16. The second heat exchanger 14 is located between the methanol pump 11 and the second switching valve 15. Both the first heat exchanger 17 and the second heat exchanger 14 are connected to the first suction main pipe 23 via suction branch pipes 21. With the above configuration, when methanol fuel is suctioned out, the methanol fuel located in the first heat exchanger 17 and the second heat exchanger 14 can be effectively discharged. By setting the filter 16, the methanol fuel can be filtered, thereby effectively intercepting impurities in the methanol fuel.

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

[0043] In some embodiments, the automatic methanol fuel discharge and purging system further includes a second suction main pipe 25, which is connected to multiple suction branch pipes 21 and the methanol fuel tank 5. A second suction pump 26 is installed on the second suction main pipe 25. This design provides redundancy in the methanol fuel suction function, allowing the second suction pump 26 to quickly replace the first suction pump 24 in case of failure, ensuring effective discharge of the methanol fuel.

[0044] The working process of this automatic methanol fuel release and purging system is as follows:

[0045] Fuel suction and discharge

[0046] Close the first switch valve 12 and the second switch valve 15, open all suction switch valves 22, and start the first suction pump 24 and / or the second suction pump 26 to discharge the residual methanol fuel in the methanol supply pipeline 1 to the methanol fuel tank 5. By default, each suction lasts for 5 seconds, for a total of 5 suctions. The number of suctions can be automatically adjusted according to the status of the first liquid detector 61 until the first liquid detector 61 can no longer detect liquid.

[0047] Nitrogen purging

[0048] Close the first switch valve 12 and the second switch valve 15, open the main air purging switch valve 34 and all the first air purging switch valves 32 and suction switch valves 22, and purge with nitrogen until the first liquid detector 61 can no longer detect liquid.

[0049] Main unit 4 purge

[0050] Close the second switch valve 15, and open the third switch valve 41, the fourth switch valve 42, the second purging switch valve 72, and the suction switch valve 22 on the suction branch pipe 21 connected to the methanol supply pipeline 1 to purge the residual methanol fuel in the main unit 4 and part of the methanol supply pipeline 1 back to the methanol fuel tank 5. Each purging session lasts 5 seconds by default, for a total of 5 purgings. The number of purgings can be automatically adjusted according to the status of the second liquid detector 43 until the second liquid detector 43 detects no liquid, indicating that the methanol fuel has been completely released.

[0051] This embodiment also provides a ship, including a hull and the above-mentioned automatic methanol fuel release and purging system. The automatic methanol fuel release and purging system is installed in the hull and 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 clearly illustrating the present invention, and are not intended to limit the implementation of the present invention. Those skilled in the art can make other variations or modifications based on the above description. It is neither necessary nor possible to exhaustively describe all embodiments here. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, and improvements made within the spirit and principles of the present invention should be included within the scope of protection of the claims of the present invention.

Claims

1. An automatic methanol fuel release and purging system, characterized in that, include: A methanol supply pipeline (1) is provided with a first switch valve (12), a methanol circulation cabinet (13), a methanol pump (11), and a second switch valve (15) in sequence. The second switch valve (15) is connected to the main unit (4), and the main unit (4) is connected to the methanol fuel tank (5). The methanol suction assembly (2) includes a first suction main pipe (23) and multiple suction branch pipes (21) that are interconnected. The multiple suction branch pipes (21) are connected to the methanol supply pipeline (1), the first switch valve (12), the methanol circulation cabinet (13), and the second switch valve (15) in a corresponding manner. A first suction pump (24) is provided on the first suction main pipe (23), and the first suction main pipe (23) is connected to the methanol fuel tank (5). The nitrogen purging assembly (3) includes a main purging pipe (33) and multiple purging branch pipes (31) that are interconnected. The multiple purging branch pipes (31) are connected to a nitrogen source. The multiple purging 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 purging pipe (33) is connected to the methanol fuel tank (5). Each purging branch pipe (31) is equipped with a first purging switch valve (32). The main unit purging assembly (7) includes a purging pipe (71), which is connected to the fuel inlet and nitrogen source of the main unit (4), and a second purging switch valve (72) is provided on the purging pipe (71).

2. The automatic methanol fuel release and purging system according to claim 1, characterized in that, A suction switch valve (22) is provided on the suction branch pipe (21).

3. The automatic methanol fuel release and purging system according to claim 1, characterized in that, It also includes a manifold (6), the first suction main pipe (23) and multiple suction branch pipes (21) are all connected to the manifold (6), and the blowing main pipe (33) is connected to the manifold (6).

4. The automatic methanol fuel release and purging system according to claim 3, characterized in that, The outlet end of the manifold (6) is provided with a first liquid detector (61).

5. The automatic methanol fuel release and purging system according to claim 1, characterized in that, A second liquid detector (43) is provided at the outlet of the host (4).

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

7. The automatic methanol fuel release and purging system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The methanol supply pipeline (1) is equipped 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 automatic methanol fuel release and purging system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The methanol supply pipeline (1) is equipped with a third switch valve (41) and a fourth switch valve (42). The third switch valve (41) and the fourth switch valve (42) are located downstream of the second switch valve (15). The air blowing pipe (71) is located between the third switch valve (41) and the fourth switch valve (42).

9. The automatic methanol fuel release and purging system according to claim 1, characterized in that, It also includes a second suction main pipe (25), which is connected to multiple 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 ship, characterized in that, It includes a hull and an automatic methanol fuel release and purging system as described in any one of claims 1-9, wherein the automatic methanol fuel release and purging system is disposed in the hull.

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