A LPG cylinder odorizing device

Abstract

The present application relates to liquefied petroleum gas odorization technical field, and relates to a kind of LPG cylinder odorization device, comprising: odorant storage tank, odorant pressure stabilizing unit, odorant metering unit;Wherein, odorant storage tank is connected with odorant pressure stabilizing unit, odorant metering unit respectively;Odorant pressure stabilizing unit and odorant metering unit are connected;Odorant metering unit injects LPG horizontal pipeline by odorant injection nozzle with odorant.The present application guarantees that odorant is kept in fixed temperature without boiling by odorant pressure stabilizing unit, so that the accuracy of odorization is higher with no gas into odorization pump;Meanwhile, odorant pressure stabilizing unit keeps the pressure of odorant storage tank at the set pressure value, avoid the long time work of odorization pump to cause odorant storage tank to be evacuated.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of odorization technology for liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), and more particularly to an odorization device for LPG cylinders. Background Technology

[0002] In order to provide users with gas with a strong warning odor, enabling them to detect and deal with leaks in a timely manner, and thus reduce the frequency of accidents during LPG (Liquefied Petroleum Gas) use, it is usually necessary to add odorant to LPG cylinders. Therefore, the accurate design of LPG cylinder odorization devices is crucial.

[0003] Tetrahydrothiophene is the most commonly used odorant. However, due to its low saturated vapor pressure, it is difficult for tetrahydrothiophene to vaporize along with bottled LPG during the liquid-to-gas transition. This results in delayed vaporization, uneven concentration distribution, with most of the odorant remaining in the residual liquid and a low concentration in the gas phase. Consequently, leaks are difficult to detect promptly, leading to wasted odorant. Therefore, a more suitable odorant, such as thiols, needs to be found. However, because thiols have different properties than tetrahydrothiophene, the LPG cylinder odorization system needs to be redesigned. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The purpose of this invention is to provide an LPG cylinder odorization device to solve the above-mentioned technical problems.

[0005] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention provides an LPG cylinder odorization device, comprising: an odorant storage tank, an odorant pressure stabilizing unit, and an odorant metering unit; wherein, the odorant storage tank is connected to the odorant pressure stabilizing unit and the odorant metering unit respectively; the odorant pressure stabilizing unit and the odorant metering unit are connected; the odorant metering unit injects the odorant into the LPG transverse pipeline through an odorant injection nozzle.

[0006] The technical effects and advantages of this invention are as follows:

[0007] 1. This invention ensures that the odorant is stored at a fixed temperature without boiling by setting an odorant pressure stabilizing unit, thereby preventing gas from entering the odorant pump and making the odorization more accurate; at the same time, the odorant pressure stabilizing unit keeps the pressure of the odorant storage tank at the set pressure value, avoiding the odorant storage tank from being vacuumed due to the long-term operation of the odorant pump.

[0008] 2. The output monitor in the odorant metering unit of this invention is used to monitor the working status of the odorant pump. A magnetic float signal is used to determine whether the pump is malfunctioning or functioning normally. In addition, remote signals such as pressure, temperature, and liquid level from the odorant storage tank are transmitted to the controller to continuously monitor the operating status of the odorant system and alert personnel to take necessary intervention measures when needed.

[0009] 3. The purpose of adding the odorant to the LPG horizontal pipeline in this invention is to ensure uniform odorization and prevent the odorant from accumulating at pipeline corners and bends.

[0010] Other features and advantages of the invention will be set forth in the description which follows, and will be apparent in part from the description, or may be learned by practicing the invention. Attached Figure Description

[0011] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention or the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are some embodiments of the present invention. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0012] Figure 1 Diagram of an odorization device for LPG cylinders;

[0013] Figure 2 This is a structural diagram of an odorant storage tank. Detailed Implementation

[0014] The technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present invention, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0015] It should be noted that the structures, proportions, sizes, etc., illustrated in the accompanying drawings are merely for illustrative purposes to aid those skilled in the art and to facilitate understanding and reading. They are not intended to limit the scope of the invention and therefore have no substantial technical significance. Any modifications to the structure, changes in proportions, or adjustments to size, without affecting the effectiveness and purpose of the invention, should still fall within the scope of the technical content disclosed herein. Furthermore, the terms "upper," "lower," "left," "right," "middle," and "one" used in this specification are merely for clarity and not intended to limit the scope of the invention. Changes or adjustments to their relative relationships, without substantially altering the technical content, should also be considered within the scope of the invention.

[0016] To address the shortcomings of existing technologies, this invention discloses an LPG cylinder odorization device, such as... Figure 1As shown. For ease of description, ethanethiol, a type of mercaptan, is used as an example of odorant, and the storage pressure of ethanethiol in the odorant storage tank should be 0.2 MPaG. Other odorants are also acceptable, as long as their characteristics meet the requirements of this device.

[0017] The LPG cylinder odorization device includes: an odorant storage tank, an odorant pressure stabilizing unit, and an odorant metering unit; wherein, the odorant storage tank is connected to both the odorant pressure stabilizing unit and the odorant metering unit; the odorant pressure stabilizing unit and the odorant metering unit are connected; the odorant metering unit injects the odorant into the LPG transverse pipeline through the odorant injection nozzle.

[0018] The odorant storage tank is designed as a pressure vessel, with a pressure of 1.6 MPa, a temperature of 60°C, and a volume of 60 L.

[0019] The odorant pressure stabilizing unit includes: an inert gas pressure stabilizing module, an venting module, and a spraying module, which are installed above the odorant storage tank and connected to the odorant storage tank respectively.

[0020] Specifically, the inert gas pressure stabilizing module includes: a pressure stabilizing pipe, a pressure stabilizing valve, and an inert gas source (preferably a nitrogen cylinder); the odorant storage tank and the inert gas source are connected via the pressure stabilizing pipe, and a pressure stabilizing valve is installed on the pressure stabilizing pipe. The inert gas pressure stabilizing module serves three purposes: first, it provides inert gas sealing to prevent volatilization and make the odorant less prone to decomposition under oxygen; second, it provides pressurized storage, preventing the odorant from boiling; and third, it maintains positive pressure, ensuring that the storage tank cannot be drawn into negative pressure during odorization.

[0021] The specific logic is as follows: When the odorant is ethanethiol, the inert gas source is connected to the odorant storage tank via a self-regulating pressure regulator, ensuring that the pressure in the odorant storage tank is always maintained at 0.2 MPaG. Ethyl mercaptan is stored in a sealed environment at this pressure, which avoids decomposition caused by open-air storage, prevents ethanethiol from boiling at 35°C, and also prevents the odorant pump from creating a vacuum in the odorant storage tank.

[0022] It should be noted that when the odorant is a different substance, the pressure in the odorant storage tank will also change depending on the substance.

[0023] Specifically, the venting module includes: a venting pipe, a venting valve, a safety valve, and an absorber; the odorant storage tank and the absorber are connected via the venting pipe; the venting valve and the safety valve are sequentially installed on the venting pipe, with the venting valve located near the odorant storage tank. The venting module ensures timely pressure release from the odorant storage tank under high temperature and pressure conditions. The released waste gas enters the absorber, where the active ingredients absorb harmful components before being released into the atmosphere through the system's air-raid shelter.

[0024] Specifically, the spray module includes: a spray head, a water supply pipe, a water supply valve (preferably a solenoid valve), and a water source; the spray head is positioned above the odorant storage tank; the spray head and the water source are connected via a water supply pipe, and a water supply valve is installed on the water supply pipe. The specific logic is as follows: if the odorant is ethanethiol, when the temperature inside the odorant storage tank exceeds 35℃, the spray module will be used to cool the odorant storage tank to prevent the ethanethiol from overheating and boiling. Figure 2 As shown.

[0025] It should be noted that when the odorant is a different substance, the temperature inside the odorant storage tank will also change depending on the substance.

[0026] The odorant metering unit includes a connected odorant return module and an odorant transmission module.

[0027] The odorant reflux module includes: an odorization pump, a pressure gauge, an output monitor for monitoring the pump's operating status, a reflux valve, a reflux pipe, a discharge valve located below the odorant storage tank, and a filter. One end of the reflux pipe connects to the pressure stabilizing pipe between the pressure stabilizing valve and the odorant storage tank, while the other end connects to the bottom of the odorant storage tank. The discharge valve, filter, odorization pump, pressure gauge, output monitor, and reflux valve are sequentially installed on the reflux pipe. During maintenance and testing, the reflux valve is opened; it is closed during normal odorization. Upon restarting after maintenance, liquid is refluxed through the reflux valve to prevent the pump from cavitating.

[0028] It should be noted that when the output detector is under maintenance, the odorant is added through the bypass valve to ensure that odorization can still be performed normally even if the output detector malfunctions.

[0029] The odorant delivery module includes: an odorant delivery pipe, an odorant valve, and a check valve; one end of the odorant delivery pipe is connected to the return pipe between the output monitor and the return valve, and the other end of the odorant delivery pipe is connected to the LPG transverse pipeline; the odorant valve, the check valve, and the odorant injection nozzle are sequentially designed on the odorant delivery pipe.

[0030] It should be noted that the output monitor is connected to the single-board computer controller, which is used to output data or input the required flow signal.

[0031] It should be noted that there are multiple odor pumps, preferably two, so that if one fails, the other can continue to work as a backup.

[0032] The LPG cylinder odorization device also includes a feed valve, a drain valve, and a liquid level signal sensor, respectively installed above and below the odorant storage tank. The liquid level signal sensor is located between the drain valve and the single-board controller. The feed valve is used to replenish the odorant when the liquid level in the odorant storage tank is too low; the drain valve is used to empty the residual liquid in the tank during maintenance.

[0033] The LPG cylinder odorization device also includes a level gauge installed on the side of the odorant storage tank. One end of the level gauge is connected to the upper part of the odorant storage tank, and the other end is connected to the odorant treatment pipe between the discharge valve and the filter via a calibration valve. The level gauge is used to observe the amount of odorant remaining in the storage tank; the calibration valve is used to calibrate the output capacity of the odorization pump, such as 200mg or 400mg per pump.

[0034] To better understand this scheme, the operation method of the device is described below in general terms:

[0035] Odorant injection into LPG pipeline operation: Turn on the power of the single-board computer controller, check that the pressure and liquid level of the odorant storage tank are normal, open the inlet valve of the odorant pump, open the explosion-proof switch of the pump, close the discharge valve of the odorant storage tank, open the calibration valve, and observe whether the odorant in the liquid level glass tube drops. Under normal conditions, the pressure gauge will swing slightly every time the pump outputs.

[0036] Odor pump shutdown procedure: Turn off the odor pump explosion-proof switch, close the odor pump inlet valve, and check if the equipment pressure gauge has dropped or returned to zero.

[0037] Reflux operation: Close the odorizing valve, open the reflux valve, adjust the single output of the odorizing pump, and start the power supply of the odorizing pump controller. Close the discharge valve, open the calibration valve to observe the liquid level gauge, and observe the actual pump output and reflux effect.

[0038] Finally, it should be noted that the above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention and is not intended to limit the present invention. Although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, those skilled in the art can still modify the technical solutions described in the foregoing embodiments or make equivalent substitutions for some of the technical features. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc., made within the spirit and principles of the present invention should be included within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. An LPG cylinder odorization device, characterized in that, include: Odorant storage tank, odorant pressure stabilizing unit, odorant metering unit; The odorant storage tank is connected to the odorant pressure stabilizing unit and the odorant metering unit respectively; the odorant pressure stabilizing unit and the odorant metering unit are connected; the odorant metering unit injects the odorant into the LPG horizontal pipeline through the odorant injection nozzle.

2. The LPG cylinder odorization device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The odorant pressure stabilizing unit includes: an inert gas pressure stabilizing module, an venting module, and a spraying module, which are installed above the odorant storage tank and connected to the odorant storage tank respectively.

3. The LPG cylinder odorization device according to claim 2, characterized in that, The inert gas pressure regulating module includes: a pressure regulating tube, a pressure regulating valve, and an inert gas source; The odorant storage tank and the inert gas source are connected by a pressure stabilizing pipe, and a pressure stabilizing valve is installed on the pressure stabilizing pipe.

4. The LPG cylinder odorization device according to claim 2, characterized in that, The venting module includes: a vent pipe, a vent valve, a safety valve, and an absorber; The odorant storage tank and the absorber are connected by a drain pipe; a drain valve and a safety valve are installed in sequence on the drain pipe, with the drain valve located at the end closest to the odorant storage tank.

5. The LPG cylinder odorization device according to claim 2, characterized in that, The sprinkler module includes: sprinkler heads, water pipes, water valves, and a water source; The nozzle is positioned above the odorant storage tank; the nozzle and water source are connected via a water supply pipe, and a water supply valve is installed on the water supply pipe.

6. The LPG cylinder odorization device according to claim 3, characterized in that, The odorant metering unit includes a connected odorant return module and an odorant transmission module.

7. The LPG cylinder odorization device according to claim 6, characterized in that, The odorant reflux module includes: an odorant pump, a pressure gauge, an output monitor for monitoring the working status of the odorant pump, a reflux valve, a reflux pipe, a discharge valve located below the odorant storage tank, and a filter; One end of the return pipe is connected to the pressure stabilizing pipe between the pressure stabilizing valve and the odorant storage tank, and the other end of the return pipe is connected to the bottom of the odorant storage tank. A discharge valve, a filter, an odorizing pump, a pressure gauge, an output monitor and a return valve are installed sequentially on the return pipe.

8. The LPG cylinder odorization device according to claim 6, characterized in that, The odorant delivery module includes: an odorant delivery pipe, an odorant valve, and a check valve; One end of the odorant transmission pipe is connected to the return pipe between the output monitor and the return valve, and the other end of the odorant transmission pipe is connected to the LPG transverse pipeline; an odorant valve, a check valve and an odorant injection nozzle are designed sequentially on the odorant transmission pipe.

9. The LPG cylinder odorization device according to claim 7, characterized in that, There are multiple odor pumps.

10. The LPG cylinder odorization device according to claim 7, characterized in that, The device also includes: a feeding valve and a drain valve installed above and below the odorant storage tank, respectively, and a liquid level gauge installed on the side of the odorant storage tank; One end of the liquid level gauge is connected to the upper part of the odorant storage tank, and the other end of the liquid level gauge is connected to the return pipe between the discharge valve and the filter through the calibration valve.

11. The LPG cylinder odorization device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The odorant storage tank is a pressure vessel, and the odorant is a thiol-based odorant.

Images