Container ship powered by ammonia fuel
By arranging an ammonia-fueled power system along the width between the engine room and cargo hold of a container ship, the problem of balancing cargo capacity and ammonia emission requirements is solved, achieving safe ammonia emissions and sufficient cargo space.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- CN202511011202.0
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Applications(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2025-07-22
- Publication Date
- 2025-09-23
AI Technical Summary
Existing container ships cannot simultaneously accommodate large cargo volumes and meet ammonia emission requirements, as ammonia can easily accumulate on board, endangering the safety of crew members.
An ammonia-fueled power system is installed along the width between the engine room and cargo hold of a container ship. This system includes an ammonia fuel tank, a refueling station, a residual liquid tank, an isolation compartment, a fuel connection compartment, a fuel preparation compartment, a second refueling station, and a bilge water tank. Ventilation vents and a ventilation mast are installed to exhaust ammonia gas, and a water mist system and gas detection device are provided.
It effectively prevents ammonia accumulation, ensures that cargo space is not affected, meets ammonia emission requirements, and improves safety.
Smart Images
Figure CN120681278A_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of container ships, and in particular to an ammonia fuel-powered container ship. Background Art
[0002] Container ships, which carry standard containers, can shorten loading and unloading times, minimize cargo damage and loss, and improve operational efficiency. Currently, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) has established carbon reduction targets, and governments around the world have issued carbon reduction legislation. The international community is working towards achieving net-zero carbon dioxide emissions. Existing container ships use traditional carbon (C)-based fuels, which produce large amounts of carbon dioxide (CO2) upon combustion and are unable to meet the IMO's carbon reduction targets.
[0003] Ammonia can be liquefied at atmospheric pressure of minus 33°C or at room temperature of 9 atmospheres. It is an inexpensive nitrogen-based compound that can be stored in ordinary liquefied gas cylinders. When burned, it only produces water (H2O) vapor and nitrogen (N2), making it a new type of carbon-free fuel. However, ammonia is a colorless, toxic gas with a pungent and foul odor. Its use as a ship fuel requires the elimination of its toxicity to the human body. On currently common container ships, if the cargo holds and decks can accommodate a large number of containers, the natural ventilation conditions in the cargo holds and decks will not meet the ammonia emission requirements, and ammonia will easily accumulate on board, posing a threat to the lives of the crew. Conversely, if the natural ventilation conditions in the cargo holds and decks can meet the ammonia emission requirements, the space that can be stacked in the cargo holds and decks will be greatly limited.
[0004] Therefore, there is an urgent need for a container ship that can solve the above problems. Summary of the Invention
[0005] The purpose of the present invention is to solve the technical problem that existing container ships cannot simultaneously have a large cargo capacity and meet ammonia emission requirements.
[0006] In order to solve the above technical problems, the present invention provides an ammonia fuel-powered container ship, which adopts the following technical solution:
[0007] The ammonia fuel-powered container ship includes an internal engine room and cargo hold arranged along the length of the container ship, and an ammonia fuel power system for preventing ammonia gas from accumulating inside the container ship. The ammonia fuel power system is located between the engine room and the cargo hold and is arranged along the width of the container ship.
[0008] Optionally, the length of the ammonia fuel power system is adapted to the width of the container ship, and the width of the ammonia fuel power system is smaller than the length of the ammonia fuel power system.
[0009] Optionally, the ammonia fuel power system includes an ammonia fuel tank located below the deck of the container ship and having an ammonia fuel tank, and a first filling station, a residual liquid tank, an isolation room, a fuel connection room, a fuel preparation room, a second filling station, and a bilge water tank located on the deck and arranged in sequence along the length direction of the container ship;
[0010] The ammonia gas produced by the first filling station, the residual liquid tank, the fuel connection room, the fuel preparation room, the second filling station and the bilge water tank all flows into the isolation room, the ammonia water produced by the first filling station and the second filling station flows into the residual liquid tank, and the ammonia water produced by the fuel connection room and the fuel preparation room flows into the bilge water tank.
[0011] Optionally, the isolation room includes an upper partition and a lower partition, the lower partition is provided with a plurality of first air outlets and a plurality of second air outlets, the first air outlets are connected to exhaust pipes that pass through the upper partition to directly discharge ammonia outside the container ship, and the outlet ends of each exhaust pipe are provided with a fan, the second air outlets are connected to a ventilation pipe communicating with the upper partition, and the side wall of the upper partition is provided with air holes;
[0012] The first filling station, the fuel connection room, the fuel preparation room and the second filling station are respectively connected to the corresponding first air outlet, and the residual liquid tank and the bilge water tank are respectively connected to the corresponding second air outlet.
[0013] Optionally, a ventilation mast connected to the outside of the container ship is provided on the top of the upper partition, and a connecting unit is provided in the fuel connecting pipe room. The ammonia fuel tank is connected to the ventilation mast through the connecting unit, so that the ammonia gas in the ammonia fuel tank is discharged outside the container ship through the ventilation mast.
[0014] Optionally, the first filling station, the fuel connection room, the fuel preparation room and the second filling station are all provided with a water mist system and a gas detection device.
[0015] Optionally, the first filling station and the second filling station are both connected to the ammonia fuel tank, so that external ammonia fuel can be filled into the ammonia fuel tank through the first filling station and the second filling station.
[0016] Optionally, an ammonia fuel supply device is provided in the fuel preparation room, and the ammonia fuel supply device is connected to the ammonia fuel tank via the connecting unit.
[0017] Optionally, the first filling station and the second filling station are both adjacent to a buffer room.
[0018] Optionally, an auxiliary equipment room is provided between the residual liquid tank and the isolation room.
[0019] Compared with the prior art, the ammonia fuel-powered container ship provided by the present invention has the following major beneficial effects:
[0020] The interior of the ammonia fuel-powered container ship is provided with an engine room and a cargo hold along its length, and the ammonia fuel power system is located between the engine room and the cargo hold, and it is arranged along the width of the container ship so that the ammonia fuel power system as a whole only occupies a relatively narrow space of the entire hull of the container ship, thereby ensuring the cargo space of the container ship to a large extent; at the same time, the ammonia fuel power system can effectively prevent ammonia from accumulating in the container ship, so that the container ship can meet the ammonia emission requirements under natural ventilation conditions, avoid ammonia accumulation on board, and greatly improve safety. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0021] To more clearly illustrate the solutions of the present invention, the following briefly introduces the drawings required for describing the embodiments. Obviously, the drawings described below are some embodiments of the present invention. Those skilled in the art can also derive other drawings based on these drawings without inventive effort. Among them:
[0022] Figure 1 Schematic diagram of the layout of an ammonia fuel power system on the deck of a container ship according to one embodiment of the present invention;
[0023] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 Schematic diagram of longitudinal section of container ship;
[0024] Figure 3 yes Figure 1 Schematic diagram of the longitudinal section of the middle isolation room.
[0025] The reference numerals in the accompanying drawings are as follows:
[0026] 100. Container ship; 101. Deck;
[0027] 10. Engine room; 20. Cargo hold; 30. Ammonia fuel power system; 31. First filling station; 311. First air duct; 32. Residual liquid tank; 321. Fifth air duct; 33. Isolation room; 331. Upper compartment; 332. Lower compartment; 333. First air outlet; 334. Second air outlet; 335. Exhaust pipe; 336. Fan; 337. Ventilation pipe; 338. Ventilation mast; 34. Fuel connection room; 341. Second air duct; 342. Connection unit; 35. Fuel preparation room; 351. Third air duct; 36. Second filling station; 361. Fourth air duct; 37. Bilge water tank; 371. Sixth air duct; 38. Ammonia fuel tank; 381. Ammonia fuel tank; 39. Water mist system; 310. Gas detection device; 320. Buffer room; 330. Auxiliary equipment room. DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0028] Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meanings as commonly understood by those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains; the terms used in the specification herein are for the purpose of describing specific embodiments only and are not intended to limit the present invention; for example, the directions or positions indicated by the terms "length", "width", "up", "down", "left", "right", "front", "back", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inside", "outside", etc. are based on the directions or positions shown in the accompanying drawings and are for ease of description only and should not be construed as limiting the present technical solution.
[0029] The terms "including," "having," and any variations thereof in the present specification, claims, and accompanying drawings are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusions. The terms "first," "second," and the like in the present specification, claims, and accompanying drawings are used to distinguish between different items, not to describe a particular order. "Multiple" means two or more, unless otherwise expressly specified.
[0030] In the specification and claims of the present invention and the above-mentioned description of the drawings, when an element is referred to as being “fixed to,” “mounted on,” “disposed on,” or “connected to” another element, it may be directly or indirectly located on the other element. For example, when an element is referred to as being “connected to” another element, it may be directly or indirectly connected to the other element.
[0031] Furthermore, references herein to "embodiments" mean that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiments may be included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. The appearance of this phrase in various places in the specification does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment, nor does it constitute a separate or alternative embodiment that is mutually exclusive of other embodiments. It is understood, both explicitly and implicitly, by those skilled in the art that the embodiments described herein may be combined with other embodiments.
[0032] It should be noted that the length direction of the ammonia fuel-powered container ship 100 mentioned in this specification is defined as the direction of the distance between the bow and the stern of the container ship 100, and the width direction is defined as the direction of the distance between the two sides of the container ship 100.
[0033] The embodiment of the present invention provides an ammonia fuel powered container ship 100, such as Figure 1 and Figure 2As shown, the ammonia-fueled container ship 100 includes an engine room 10 and a cargo hold 20 disposed within the interior of the container ship 100. The engine room 10 and cargo hold 20 may be arranged along the length of the container ship 100, with the engine room 10 located at the stern and the cargo hold 20 located near the bow. An ammonia-fueled power system 30 may be disposed between the engine room 10 and the cargo hold 20. A portion of the ammonia-fueled power system 30 may be located below the deck 101 of the container ship 100, while another portion may be located below the deck 101. The ammonia-fueled power system 30 may be arranged along the width of the container ship 100, concentrating the ammonia-fueled power system 30 in a smaller location in the middle of the container ship 100. This allows the ammonia-fueled power system 30 to occupy only a small space within the container ship 100. Furthermore, the ammonia-fueled power system 30 can prevent ammonia from accumulating within the container ship 100, allowing the container ship 100 to meet ammonia emission requirements even under natural ventilation conditions.
[0034] In summary, compared with the prior art, the ammonia fuel-powered container ship 100 has at least the following beneficial effects:
[0035] The interior of the ammonia fuel-powered container ship 100 is provided with an engine room 10 and a cargo hold 20 along its length, and the ammonia fuel power system 30 is located between the engine room 10 and the cargo hold 20, and is arranged along the width direction of the container ship 100, so that the ammonia fuel power system 30 as a whole only occupies a smaller space in the middle section of the entire hull of the container ship 100, thereby ensuring the cargo space of the container ship 100 to a large extent; at the same time, the ammonia fuel power system 30 can effectively prevent ammonia from accumulating in the container ship 100, so that the container ship 100 can meet the ammonia emission requirements under natural ventilation conditions, avoid ammonia accumulation on board, and greatly improve safety.
[0036] In order to make those skilled in the art better understand the present invention, Figures 1 to 3 , clearly and completely describe the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention.
[0037] In some embodiments, as Figure 2 As shown, the length of the ammonia fuel power system 30 can be adapted to the width of the container ship 100, and the width of the ammonia fuel power system 30 can be smaller than the length of the ammonia fuel power system 30, so that the ammonia fuel power system 30 is only concentrated in the smaller space in the middle section of the container ship 100, ensuring that the container ship 100 has sufficient cargo space to accommodate more containers.
[0038] It is understandable that ship hulls are typically long and narrow, meaning the length of a container ship 100 is much greater than its width. Based on this, the ammonia fuel power system 30 is arranged along the width of the container ship 100, making its overall length approximately equal to the width of the container ship 100, allowing the ammonia fuel power system 30 to maximize its use of the width of the container ship 100. The width of the ammonia fuel power system 30 is set to be smaller than its length, intersecting with the length of the container ship 100. The ammonia fuel power system 30 only occupies a small portion of the length of the container ship 100, freeing up more space for containers.
[0039] In some embodiments, as Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the ammonia fuel power system 30 includes an ammonia fuel tank 38, which can be located below deck 101, and a first filling station 31, a residual liquid tank 32, an isolation room 33, a fuel connection room 34, a fuel preparation room 35, a second filling station 36, and a bilge tank 37, all located on deck 101. The ammonia fuel tank 38 can include an ammonia fuel tank 381, and the ammonia fuel in the ammonia fuel tank 381 can serve as the power source for the container ship 100. The first filling station 31, the residual liquid tank 32, the isolation room 33, the fuel connection room 34, the fuel preparation room 35, the second filling station 36, and the bilge tank 37 can be arranged sequentially along the length of the container ship 100, either from left to right or from right to left, depending on the actual design of the container ship 100 and not limited herein.
[0040] Ammonia gas generated in the first filling station 31, the residual liquid tank 32, the fuel connection room 34, the fuel preparation room 35, the second filling station 36, and the bilge tank 37 can all flow into the isolation room 33, thereby preventing ammonia gas generated in the aforementioned compartments from being unable to be discharged or from flowing to other locations within the container ship 100. Ammonia water generated in the first filling station 31 and the second filling station 36 can all flow into the residual liquid tank 32, and ammonia water generated in the fuel connection room 34 and the fuel preparation room 35 can all flow into the bilge tank 37. In other words, both the residual liquid tank 32 and the bilge tank 37 can collect ammonia water, thereby preventing ammonia water from freely flowing on the container ship 100 and causing ammonia pollution.
[0041] In some embodiments, as Figure 3As shown, the isolation room 33 includes an upper partition 331 and a lower partition 332. The lower partition 332 may be provided with a plurality of first air vents 333 and a plurality of second air vents 334. The first air vents 333 may be connected to exhaust pipes 335 that pass through the upper partition 331 to allow ammonia to be directly discharged outside the container ship 100. Specifically, the exhaust pipes 335 extend from the lower partition 332 through the upper partition 331. The exhaust pipes 335 are relatively closed to the upper partition 331. The outlet end of the exhaust pipes 335 extends from the top of the upper partition 331, allowing ammonia to flow from the lower partition 332 through the exhaust pipes 335 and then be discharged outside the container ship 100 from the outlet end outside the top of the upper partition 331. A fan 336 may be provided at the outlet end of each exhaust pipe 335 to extract the ammonia in the exhaust pipes 335 out of the container ship 100. The second air outlet 334 may be connected to a ventilation pipe 337 that communicates with the upper partition 331. The side wall of the upper partition 331 may be provided with air holes (not shown in the figure) to discharge the ammonia gas flowing into the second air outlet 334 to the upper partition 331 through the ventilation pipe 337, and then discharged to the outside of the container ship 100 through the air holes in the upper partition 331.
[0042] The first filling station 31, the fuel connection room 34, the fuel preparation room 35, and the second filling station 36 can be respectively connected to the corresponding first air vents 333, and the residual liquid tank 32 and the bilge tank 37 can be respectively connected to the corresponding second air vents 334. Specifically, the first filling station 31 is connected to its first air vent 333 via the first air duct 311, the fuel connection room 34 is connected to its first air vent 333 via the second air duct 341, the fuel preparation room 35 is connected to its first air vent 333 via the third air duct 351, the second filling station 36 is connected to its first air vent 333 via the fourth air duct 361, the residual liquid tank 32 is connected to its second air vent 334 via the fifth air duct 321, and the bilge tank 37 is connected to its second air vent 334 via the sixth air duct 371.
[0043] In some embodiments, as Figure 3 As shown, a vent mast 338 communicating with the exterior of the container ship 100 may be installed on the top of the upper compartment 331. A pressure relief valve may be installed on the vent mast 338. A connecting unit 342 may be integrated into the top of the fuel connecting unit 34. The ammonia fuel tank 381 may be connected to the vent mast 338 via the connecting unit 342. When the ammonia gas pressure in the ammonia fuel tank 38 exceeds the set value of the pressure relief valve, the pressure relief valve opens, allowing the gas to be discharged from the vent mast 338 to the exterior of the container ship 100.
[0044] In some embodiments, as Figure 2As shown, the first refueling station 31, the fuel connection room 34, the fuel preparation room 35, and the second refueling station 36 can all be equipped with a water mist system 39 and a gas detection device 310. The water mist system 39 combines ammonia gas with water to form ammonia water, liquefying the ammonia gas. The gas detection device 310 can detect whether there is any ammonia leak in the compartment.
[0045] Understandably, if the gas detection device 310 at the first filling station 31 detects an ammonia leak, it will issue a warning signal and feedback, triggering the water mist system 39 to operate, causing the ammonia gas to combine with water to form ammonia water, which is then collected and transported to the residual liquid tank 32 for storage. The second filling station 36 operates similarly to the first filling station 31 and will not be further described here.
[0046] If the gas detector 310 in the fuel connection room 34 detects an ammonia leak, it will generate a warning signal and feedback, triggering the water mist system 39 to operate. This combines the ammonia with water to form ammonia water, which is then collected and transported to the bilge tank 37 for storage. The fuel preparation room 35 is similar to the fuel connection room 34 and will not be further described here.
[0047] In some embodiments, the first filling station 31 and the second filling station 36 can both be connected to the ammonia fuel tank 38 so that external ammonia fuel (ammonia fuel is filled at the dock) can be filled into the ammonia fuel tank 381 through the first filling station 31 and the second filling station 36.
[0048] In some embodiments, as Figure 2 As shown, the fuel preparation room 35 may be provided with an ammonia fuel supply device, which may be connected to the ammonia fuel tank 381 through the connecting unit 342, so that the ammonia fuel supply device can obtain ammonia fuel from the ammonia fuel tank 381 and deliver it to the ammonia fuel host to provide it with a power source.
[0049] In some embodiments, as Figure 2 As shown, both the first filling station 31 and the second filling station 36 are adjacent to a buffer room 320. Workers can enter the ammonia fuel tank 38 from the buffer room 320 to inspect and maintain the ammonia fuel tank 381. A platform is also provided between the buffer room 320 and the ammonia fuel tank 38 for workers to rest.
[0050] In some embodiments, as Figure 2As shown, an auxiliary equipment room 330 may be provided between the residual liquid tank 32 and the isolation room 33. Workers can enter the top of the upper partition 331 of the isolation room 33 from the auxiliary equipment room 330 to perform maintenance and repairs on the fans 336 on the exhaust pipes 335. Conversely, they can return to the auxiliary equipment room 330 from the top of the upper partition 331 of the isolation room 33 and then leave through the escape door of the auxiliary equipment room 330, thus playing an emergency shelter role and providing safety.
[0051] In order to better understand how the container ship 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention achieves ammonia emission requirements under natural ventilation conditions, the following briefly describes the ammonia treatment working principle and overall process of the ammonia fuel power system 30:
[0052] Ammonia fuel is added from the dock through the first filling station 31 and the second filling station 36 to the ammonia fuel tank 381 for storage. If the gas detection device 310 detects a leak of ammonia fuel during the filling process, it will trigger the water mist system 39 to combine the ammonia gas with water to form ammonia water and collect it. After collection, it is directly transported to the residual liquid tank 32 for storage. The residual ammonia gas in the first filling station 31 and the second filling station 36 is directly discharged outside the container ship 100 through the first air duct 311 and the fourth air duct 361 respectively. The residual ammonia gas in the residual liquid tank 32 is discharged to the upper partition 331 of the isolation room 33 through the fifth air duct 321, and then flows out of the container ship 100 through the air holes in the upper partition 331.
[0053] The pump tower of ammonia fuel tank 381 transfers the ammonia fuel stored in ammonia fuel tank 381 to the connecting unit 342 in the fuel connecting room 34. The fuel is then transported through the pipeline of connecting unit 342 to the fuel supply station in the fuel preparation room 35, where it is then supplied to the ammonia fuel main engine. During this transfer process, if the gas detection device 310 in the fuel tank connecting room detects an ammonia fuel leak, it triggers the water mist system 39 to combine the ammonia gas with water to form ammonia water, which is then collected and directly transferred to the bilge tank 37 for storage. Any remaining ammonia gas in the fuel preparation room 35 is discharged directly out of the container ship 100 through the third air duct 351, while any remaining ammonia gas in the fuel connecting room 34 is discharged directly out of the container ship 100 through the second air duct 341. Any remaining ammonia gas in the bilge tank 37 is discharged through the sixth air duct 371 to the upper compartment 331 of the isolation room 33, where it then flows out of the container ship 100 through the air holes in the upper compartment 331.
[0054] The foregoing description is merely a preferred embodiment of the present invention and is not intended to limit the present invention. Those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that various modifications and variations of the present invention are possible. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, or improvements made within the spirit and principles of the present invention are intended to be included within the scope of the claims of the present invention.
Claims
1. An ammonia fuel-powered container ship, characterized in that: It includes an ammonia fuel power system arranged in the internal engine room and cargo hold along the length direction of the container ship, and is used to prevent ammonia gas from accumulating in the container ship. The ammonia fuel power system is located between the engine room and the cargo hold and is arranged along the width direction of the container ship.
2. The container ship according to claim 1, characterized in that: The length of the ammonia fuel power system is adapted to the width of the container ship, and the width of the ammonia fuel power system is smaller than the length of the ammonia fuel power system.
3. The container ship according to claim 2, characterized in that: The ammonia fuel power system includes an ammonia fuel tank located below the deck of the container ship and having an ammonia fuel tank, and a first filling station, a residual liquid tank, an isolation room, a fuel connection room, a fuel preparation room, a second filling station, and a bilge water tank located on the deck and arranged in sequence along the length of the container ship; The ammonia gas produced by the first filling station, the residual liquid tank, the fuel connection room, the fuel preparation room, the second filling station and the bilge water tank all flows into the isolation room, the ammonia water produced by the first filling station and the second filling station flows into the residual liquid tank, and the ammonia water produced by the fuel connection room and the fuel preparation room flows into the bilge water tank.
4. The container ship according to claim 3, characterized in that: The isolation room includes an upper partition and a lower partition, the lower partition is provided with a plurality of first air vents and a plurality of second air vents, the first air vents are connected to exhaust pipes that pass through the upper partition to directly discharge ammonia outside the container ship, and the outlet end of each exhaust pipe is provided with a fan, the second air vents are connected to a ventilation pipe communicating with the upper partition, and the side wall of the upper partition is provided with air holes; The first filling station, the fuel connection room, the fuel preparation room and the second filling station are respectively connected to the corresponding first air outlet, and the residual liquid tank and the bilge water tank are respectively connected to the corresponding second air outlet.
5. The container ship according to claim 4, characterized in that: A ventilation mast connected to the outside of the container ship is provided on the top of the upper partition. A connecting pipe unit is provided in the fuel connecting pipe room. The ammonia fuel tank is connected to the ventilation mast through the connecting pipe unit, so that the ammonia gas in the ammonia fuel tank is discharged outside the container ship through the ventilation mast.
6. The container ship according to claim 3, characterized in that: The first filling station, the fuel connection room, the fuel preparation room and the second filling station are all equipped with a water mist system and a gas detection device.
7. The container ship according to claim 3, characterized in that: The first filling station and the second filling station are both connected to the ammonia fuel tank, so that external ammonia fuel can be filled into the ammonia fuel tank through the first filling station and the second filling station.
8. The container ship according to claim 5, characterized in that: The fuel preparation room is provided with an ammonia fuel supply device, and the ammonia fuel supply device is connected to the ammonia fuel tank through the connecting unit.
9. The container ship according to claim 3, characterized in that: The first filling station and the second filling station are both adjacent to a buffer room.
10. The container ship according to claim 3, characterized in that: An auxiliary equipment room is provided between the residual liquid tank and the isolation room.