Oiling machine capable of recovering fuel steam

Abstract

The utility model discloses an oiling machine capable of recycling fuel steam. The oiling machine mainly solves the technical problems that in the prior art, the fuel steam recycling cost is high, and the recycling application range is limited. The refueling machine comprises a refueling machine body provided with a fuel filling unit and a steam recovery unit correspondingly arranged on one side of the refueling machine body through a vertical partition plate. The steam recovery unit comprises a pressurization module, a separation module and a cooling module which are correspondingly separated by transverse partition plates and are sequentially and vertically arranged from bottom to top; the pressurizing module comprises a pressurizing compressor which is used for pressurizing and conveying fuel steam correspondingly output by the fuel filling unit to the cooling module for heat exchange; the separating module comprises a membrane separator which is used for correspondingly separating air from an output object of the cooling module; and a fuel steam outlet of the membrane separator is correspondingly communicated with an air return port of the pressurizing compressor. According to the oiling machine, fuel steam generated in multiple processes can be recycled, the recycling cost is low, and the recycling efficiency is high.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of energy refueling technology, specifically to a fuel dispenser that can recover fuel vapor. Background Technology

[0002] A fuel dispenser is a liquid volume measurement system used to add fuel to motor vehicles. It mainly consists of a hydraulic system, an electronic control system, a frame structure, and external components. Specifically, a fuel dispenser comprises four main assemblies: a fuel pump, a fuel-air separator, a metering device, and a counter, as well as other components such as an electric motor and a fuel nozzle. These components work together to complete the delivery, metering, and dispensing of fuel.

[0003] Fuel vapor is inevitably generated during the transportation, storage, and refueling of fuel. For example, during the unloading process at a gas station, the fuel in the tanker truck flows into the fuel tank by gravity, displacing a large amount of oil vapor from the tank. Furthermore, during fuel storage, temperature changes can also cause oil vapor to be generated inside the fuel tank. Additionally, during refueling, oil vapor overflows when the fuel tank is opened. Simultaneously, the oil vapor displaced by the liquid fuel in the fuel tank during refueling also contributes to the oil vapor emission.

[0004] Fuel vapor is a volatile gaseous hydrocarbon compound, mainly composed of light hydrocarbons. When fuel vapor is directly emitted into the atmosphere, it not only wastes fuel resources but also poses safety risks such as fire and explosion, and pollutes the atmospheric environment. Therefore, it is necessary to recycle fuel vapor.

[0005] Typically, oil vapor recovery during unloading is called primary oil vapor recovery, oil vapor recovery during refueling is called secondary oil vapor recovery, and oil vapor recovery during storage is called tertiary oil vapor recovery. The commonly known oil vapor recovery method is adsorption, which utilizes the physical and chemical adsorption properties of adsorbents to remove oil vapor. However, in implementing the technical solutions in the embodiments of this application, the inventors discovered that the aforementioned adsorption recovery technology generally suffers from problems such as short adsorbent lifespan, high fuel vapor recovery cost, large equipment footprint, and complex recovery process pipelines and equipment. Furthermore, existing fuel vapor recovery equipment can only handle fuel vapor recovery in any single scenario of unloading, refueling, or storage, limiting its application scenarios and scope.

[0006] The information disclosed in this background section is intended only to enhance the understanding of the background technology of this disclosure and should not be construed as an admission or in any way implying that the information constitutes prior art known to those skilled in the art. Summary of the Invention

[0007] In view of at least one of the above technical problems, this disclosure provides a fuel dispenser that can recover fuel vapor, which mainly solves the technical problems of high cost and limited applicability of existing fuel vapor recovery.

[0008] According to one aspect of this disclosure, a fuel dispenser capable of recovering fuel vapor is provided, comprising a fuel dispenser body having a fuel dispensing unit and a vapor recovery unit disposed on one side of the fuel dispenser body via a vertical partition; the vapor recovery unit includes a pressurization module, a separation module, and a cooling module, which are vertically arranged sequentially from bottom to top and are correspondingly separated by a horizontal partition; the pressurization module includes a pressurization compressor for pressurizing and conveying the fuel vapor output from the fuel dispensing unit to the cooling module for heat exchange; the separation module includes a membrane separator for separating air from the output of the cooling module; the fuel vapor outlet of the membrane separator is correspondingly connected to the return air port of the pressurization compressor.

[0009] In some embodiments of this disclosure, the vertical partition and the horizontal partition are respectively provided with through holes for passing cables or pipes, and the through holes are provided with sealing elements for maintaining the relative sealing and isolation between the two sides of the corresponding partition.

[0010] In some embodiments of this disclosure, the fuel filling unit includes a fuel pump for obtaining fuel from a fuel storage tank and at least one fuel vapor recovery nozzle connected to the fuel pump for fuel filling and fuel vapor recovery in the fuel tank.

[0011] In some embodiments of this disclosure, the air inlet of the pressurized compressor is connected to the oil vapor recovery gun, and the air outlet of the pressurized compressor is connected to the cooling module.

[0012] In some embodiments of this disclosure, the cooling module includes a refrigeration compressor connected in series to form a heat exchange loop, a heat exchanger for heat exchange with the outside air, a dryer, an expansion valve, and an evaporator for heat exchange with the fuel vapor delivered by the pressurization module; a refrigerant flows through the heat exchange loop.

[0013] In some embodiments of this disclosure, the refueling machine is provided with a heat exchange window at the housing of the cooling module for heat exchange between the heat exchanger and the outside air; the cooling module also includes a fan for accelerating the airflow around the heat exchanger.

[0014] In some embodiments of this disclosure, the separation module further includes a gas-liquid separator for separating the output of the cooling module into gas and liquid components; the exhaust port of the gas-liquid separator is connected to the air inlet of the membrane separator; and the liquid outlet of the gas-liquid separator is connected to the fuel storage tank or the fuel inlet of the fuel filling unit via a return oil pipe.

[0015] In some embodiments of this disclosure, a return liquid valve is connected in series in the return oil pipe, and the separation module further includes a level transmitter for detecting the liquid level height of the gas-liquid separator to control the opening and closing of the return liquid valve accordingly.

[0016] In some embodiments of this disclosure, the membrane separator includes a cylindrical separation membrane for separating air and fuel vapor; the central tube region corresponding to the inner side of the cylindrical separation membrane is connected to the return air port of the pressurized compressor.

[0017] In some embodiments of this disclosure, the air outlet of the membrane separator is provided with a concentration transmitter for detecting the concentration of exhaust gas; the air outlet of the membrane separator is connected to the atmosphere, or to a gas passage to the fuel filling unit, or to a gas passage to the fuel storage tank.

[0018] One or more technical solutions provided in this application embodiment have at least the following technical effects or advantages: Fuel vapor is recovered and reused through condensation and membrane separation processes. After the fuel vapor is compressed and pressurized by the pressurization module, it is directly transported to a cooling module at a certain distance for heat exchange and cooling. The cooled gas-liquid mixture is then separated by a gas-liquid separator, where liquefied gasoline is recovered and reused. The remaining fuel vapor is further separated by a membrane separator, where it dissolves and permeates in the membrane material and is transported to the pressurization compressor for recycling. Air molecules are either directly discharged as exhaust gas or reintroduced into the system for circulation, ensuring operational safety. Furthermore, the membrane separator and gas-liquid separator do not require cooling, greatly simplifying the cooling process, resulting in high refrigeration efficiency and low production costs. In addition, the rational layout of the modules in the vapor recovery unit reduces construction and equipment costs during station setup, resulting in high equipment integration, high processing efficiency, and good safety performance. Attached Figure Description

[0019] Figure 1 This is a front view of the structure of a refueling machine in one embodiment of this application.

[0020] Figure 2 This is a partial three-dimensional view of a refueling machine in one embodiment of this application.

[0021] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the refueling machine in one embodiment of this application.

[0022] In the above diagrams, 1 is the fuel filling unit, 10 is the fuel storage tank, 11 is the fuel pump, 12 is the fuel supply line, 13 is the fuel supply valve, 14 is the flow meter, 15 is the hose, 16 is the vapor recovery nozzle, 2 is the vapor recovery unit, 20 is the fuel vapor recovery pipe, 3 is the pressurization module, 31 is the pressurization compressor, 4 is the cooling module, 40 is the cooling line, 41 is the refrigeration compressor, 42 is the heat exchanger, 43 is the dryer, 44 is the expansion valve, 45 is the evaporator, 46 is the heat exchange window, 47 is the fan, 5 is the separation module, 51 is the gas-liquid separator, 52 is the return pipe, 53 is the return valve, 54 is the membrane separator, 55 is the return gas pipe, and 56 is the concentration transmitter. Detailed Implementation

[0023] In the description of this application, it should be understood that the terms "upper," "lower," "front," "rear," "left," "right," "top," "bottom," "inner," "outer," "vertical," "horizontal," "clockwise," and "counterclockwise," etc., indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. They are used only for the convenience of describing this application and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on this application. Furthermore, the terms "connection" and "linkage" in this application, unless otherwise specified, include both direct and indirect connections (linkages).

[0024] The programs involved or relied upon in the following embodiments are all conventional or simple programs in this technical field. Those skilled in the art can make conventional choices or adaptive adjustments according to specific application scenarios.

[0025] Unless otherwise specified, all devices and other components involved in the following embodiments are commercially available products.

[0026] To better understand the technical solution of this application, the above technical solution will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments.

[0027] To address the problems of high recovery costs and limited applicability to a single oil and gas recovery process resulting from existing fuel vapor adsorption methods, this example discloses a fuel dispenser capable of recovering fuel vapor. (See attached image.) Figure 1 The fuel dispenser includes a fuel dispenser body equipped with a fuel dispensing unit 1 and a vapor recovery unit 2 located on one side of the fuel dispenser body.

[0028] Fuel refueling unit 1 is used to refuel the vehicle to be refueled. See details below. Figure 3The fuel filling unit 1 includes a fuel pump 11, a fuel supply line 12, a fuel supply valve 13, a flow meter 14, a hose 15, and a vapor recovery nozzle 16. The fuel pump 11 draws and pumps fuel from the fuel storage tank 10 at the gas station and delivers it to the vapor recovery nozzle 16 via the fuel supply line 12 to complete the filling operation. Since there is at least one vapor recovery nozzle, a fuel supply branch is provided to match the number of nozzles. Each fuel supply branch is equipped with a fuel supply valve 13 and a flow meter 14 connected in series along the fuel flow direction. The vapor recovery nozzle 16 is connected to the corresponding fuel supply branch via the hose 15 to obtain fuel from the corresponding branch. Furthermore, the vapor recovery nozzle has a vapor recovery function to recover fuel vapor from the fuel tank. Each vapor recovery nozzle collects fuel vapor and delivers it to the vapor recovery unit 2 via a fuel vapor recovery pipe 20.

[0029] Vapor recovery unit 2 is used to separate and recover oil from fuel vapor. See details below. Figure 3 The steam recovery unit 2 includes a pressurization module 3, a cooling module 4, and a separation module 5. See also... Figure 1 The vapor recovery unit 2 is located on one side of the fuel dispenser body via a vertical partition. This reduces the complexity of the recovery system while increasing integration. It also reduces the need for fuel vapor recovery pipelines. Fuel vapor is collected by the vapor recovery nozzle and quickly transported to the vapor recovery unit 2 for recovery processing, greatly improving the convenience and cost of station construction. Furthermore, the significantly reduced length of the vapor recovery pipeline also results in higher fuel vapor processing efficiency and safety. The vertical partition isolates the vapor recovery unit from the fuel dispensing unit 1 inside the fuel dispenser body, preventing adverse interactions between the two. See also Figure 2 In this example, the pressurization module 3, separation module 5, and cooling module 4 are arranged vertically from bottom to top, with horizontal partitions separating each module to prevent mutual interference. Furthermore, to facilitate the routing of pipelines between units and modules, through-holes for cables or pipes are provided at corresponding positions on the vertical and horizontal partitions, and sealing elements are embedded in these through-holes to maintain a relatively sealed separation between the two sides of the corresponding partitions, thereby effectively isolating the explosion-proof area from the non-explosion-proof area. Additionally, placing the pressurization module 3 at the bottom and the cooling module 4 at the top increases the length of the cooling pipeline, thus facilitating the dissipation of heat from fuel vapors in the cooling pipeline.

[0030] See Figure 3In the vapor recovery unit 2, the pressurization module 3, cooling module 4, and separation module 5 are connected in series from upstream to downstream. During fuel refueling, the vapor generated by the fuel supply and the fuel vapor in the vehicle's fuel tank enter the fuel vapor recovery pipe 20 through the gas recovery port of the vapor recovery gun 16, and are then transported to the pressurization module 3. The pressurization module 3 pressurizes the vapor, driving it downstream along the pipeline. The cooling module 4 cools the fuel vapor, liquefying it as much as possible. The separation module 5 separates the fuel vapor from the oil-liquid mixture, further recovering the separated gas to ensure full utilization of the fuel vapor and that the separated gas emissions meet the relevant emission standards.

[0031] See Figure 3 In this embodiment, the pressurization module 3 includes a pressurization compressor 31. The air inlet of the pressurization compressor 31 is connected to the fuel vapor recovery pipe 20. The pressurization compressor 31 pressurizes the fuel vapor generated by the fuel supply and the fuel vapor in the vehicle's fuel tank, and delivers them to the cooling module 4 for heat exchange and cooling through the cooling pipe 40 connected to the air outlet of the pressurization compressor 31.

[0032] See Figure 3 In this embodiment, the cooling module 4 includes a refrigeration compressor 41 connected in series to form a heat exchange loop, a heat exchanger 42 for heat exchange with the outside air, a dryer 43, an expansion valve 44, and an evaporator 45 for heat exchange with fuel vapor; and the heat exchange loop is filled with refrigerant, and the heat in the fuel vapor is removed by the gas-liquid change of the refrigerant, so as to achieve the purpose of cooling the fuel vapor.

[0033] Specifically, when the cooling module 4 is working, the refrigeration compressor 41 in the heat exchange loop is started. After the refrigeration compressor 41 starts running, it compresses the low-pressure gaseous refrigerant in the heat exchange loop, converting it into high-pressure gaseous refrigerant. Under pressure, the high-pressure gaseous refrigerant circulates along the heat exchange loop to the heat exchanger 42, where heat exchange occurs. This causes the high-pressure gaseous refrigerant to condense into high-pressure liquid refrigerant. Furthermore, the high-pressure liquid refrigerant enters the dryer 43 along the heat exchange loop and passes through the expansion valve 44. The refrigerant is converted into a low-pressure gaseous refrigerant and delivered to the evaporator 45 for heat exchange. In this example, the evaporator 45 is connected to the heat exchange loop and the cooling pipe 40 that transports fuel vapor. The media in the two pipes in the evaporator 45 are independent of each other and only heat exchange occurs. The cooling capacity of the low-pressure gaseous refrigerant causes the fuel vapor to cool down and liquefy. The low-pressure gaseous refrigerant that has already participated in heat exchange at the evaporator 45 continues to enter the refrigeration compressor 41 along the heat exchange loop to repeat the above cycle, carrying the heat in the fuel vapor to the heat exchanger 42 for release.

[0034] In this embodiment, to facilitate heat dissipation at heat exchanger 42, see [reference needed]. Figure 1 The fuel dispenser has a heat exchange window 46 at the location of the heat exchanger 42 on its casing for heat exchange between the heat exchanger 42 and the outside air. In addition, the cooling module 4 in this example also includes a fan 47 for accelerating the airflow around the heat exchanger 42, so as to accelerate the heat dissipation at the heat exchanger 42 by blowing air through the fan 47, prevent heat from accumulating in the cooling module, and ensure high cooling efficiency.

[0035] However, considering that the cooling module 4 cannot instantly reach the set cooling temperature, and that fuel refueling demand has a certain degree of temporal randomness, to ensure that fuel vapor can obtain a good cooling effect through the cooling module at any time during fuel refueling, in this embodiment, a temperature transmitter connected to the control unit is installed at the evaporator 45 to detect whether the temperature inside the evaporator 45 meets the set cooling temperature, thereby activating the cooling module when the temperature exceeds the set cooling temperature. Furthermore, to avoid the situation where the cooling module has not reached the preset cooling temperature during fuel refueling, the power supply to the fuel refueling unit 1 and the vapor recovery unit 2 is independent in this example. This ensures that the power supply to the fuel refueling unit 1 is cut off when there is no refueling demand, while the cooling module in the vapor recovery unit 2 can continue to operate normally.

[0036] After being cooled by cooling module 4, the fuel vapor partially liquefies and enters separation module 5. See details below. Figure 3 The separation module 5 specifically includes a gas-liquid separator 51. Fuel vapor mixed with liquefied fuel, cooled by the evaporator 45, is transported to the gas-liquid separator 51 via the cooling pipe 40. In the gas-liquid separator 51, the liquefied fuel settles at the bottom, while the fuel vapor is separated and moved to the upper part of the gas-liquid separator 51. To achieve the recovery of liquefied fuel, in this example, the drain port at the bottom of the gas-liquid separator 51 is connected to the fuel inlet of the fuel pump 11 or the fuel tank via a return oil pipe 52, and a return valve 53 is connected in series in the return oil pipe 52 to control the opening and closing of the return oil pipe 52. In addition, in this embodiment, in order to ensure the orderliness and safety of the recycling system, the separation module 5 also includes a level transmitter for monitoring the liquid level in the gas-liquid separator 51. When the level transmitter detects that the liquid level in the gas-liquid separator 51 has reached the set liquid level, the control unit controls the return valve 53 in the return oil pipe 52 to open, and the liquefied fuel is transported to the fuel pump inlet or fuel storage tank through the return oil pipe.

[0037] Since the fuel vapor and air in the upper part of the gas-liquid separator 51 contain a certain volume of fuel, they do not meet the safety and environmental emission standards and cannot be directly discharged. Therefore, in this embodiment, the fuel vapor and air in the upper part of the gas-liquid separator 51 are transported to the membrane separator 54 for further separation.

[0038] Specifically, the gas-liquid separator 54 includes a cylindrical separation membrane for separating air and fuel vapor. This cylindrical separation membrane is specifically a gas separation membrane, which achieves separation by utilizing the different dissolution and diffusion rates of organic gases and air components in the membrane material. The exhaust port of the gas-liquid separator 51 is connected to the inlet of the membrane separator 54 to supply incompletely separated fuel vapor and air to the membrane separator 54, and a high-pressure zone is correspondingly formed on the outer side of the gas separation membrane. Meanwhile, the fuel vapor outlet of the membrane separator 54 is connected to the return port of the pressurized compressor 31 through the return pipe 55, where the return port is the vacuum side of the pressurized compressor 31. Thus, under the suction action of the pressurized compressor 31, a vacuum environment is formed between the return pipe 55 and the central tube area surrounded by the gas separation membrane of the membrane separator 54, resulting in a pressure difference between the two sides of the gas separation membrane. Driven by the pressure difference, the fuel vapor is quickly dissolved in the gas separation membrane and permeates through the gas separation membrane into the central tube area. Then, it is recovered through the return pipe to the pressurized compressor 31 and re-enters the vapor recovery unit until it re-enters the gas-liquid separator for recycling.

[0039] Furthermore, air molecules are repelled by the surface of the gas separation membrane on the positive pressure side, preventing them from dissolving in the membrane and exiting through the return port of membrane separator 54. Since fuel vapor has been largely separated and recovered, it can be directly discharged. Therefore, in this example, air that cannot pass through the gas separation membrane is discharged into the surrounding atmosphere through the exhaust port of membrane separator 54. To ensure safe and reliable emissions, a concentration transmitter 56 is installed at the exhaust port of membrane separator 54 to detect the concentration of exhaust gas, ensuring it meets safety and environmental standards. An alarm is triggered and the unit shuts down when the concentration exceeds the limit, guaranteeing the safety and reliability of fuel vapor recovery before discharge. In other embodiments, the exhaust port of membrane separator 54 is connected via a pipeline to the gas passage of the fuel pump or the vent pipe / gas recovery pipe of the fuel tank to improve safety.

[0040] Emission monitoring of the steam recovery unit disclosed herein shows that its oil and gas removal rate can reach over 98%, and it can stably maintain the exhaust gas concentration at 5 g / m³ for a long period of time. 3 The exhaust emission concentration is far below the environmental protection standards required, and the fuel vapor treatment and recovery effect is excellent.

[0041] Although some preferred embodiments of this application have been described, those skilled in the art, upon learning the basic inventive concept, can make other changes and modifications to these embodiments. Therefore, the appended claims are intended to be interpreted as including the preferred embodiments as well as all changes and modifications falling within the scope of this application.

[0042] Obviously, those skilled in the art can make various modifications and variations to this application without departing from the spirit and scope of its inventive concept. Therefore, if such modifications and variations to this disclosure fall within the scope of the claims of this application and their equivalents, this application also intends to include such modifications and variations.

Claims

1. A fuel dispenser that recovers fuel vapor, characterized by, The oil dispenser includes an oil dispenser body provided with a fuel filling unit, and a vapor recovery unit corresponding to the fuel filling unit and provided on one side of the oil dispenser body by a vertical partition; the vapor recovery unit includes a pressurization module, a separation module, and a cooling module corresponding to and vertically arranged from bottom to top by a horizontal partition; the pressurization module includes a pressurization compressor for pressurizing and conveying fuel vapor output by the fuel filling unit to the cooling module for heat exchange; the separation module includes a membrane separator for separating air from the output of the cooling module.

2. The recoverable fuel vapor dispenser of claim 1 wherein, The vertical partition and the horizontal partition are provided with through holes for passing cables or pipelines, and the through holes are embedded with sealing members for maintaining the relative sealing isolation of the two sides of the corresponding partition.

3. The recoverable fuel vapor dispenser of claim 1 wherein, The fuel filling unit includes a fuel pump for obtaining oil from a fuel tank, and at least one oil vapor recovery gun corresponding to the fuel pump and used for fuel filling and fuel vapor recovery in a fuel tank.

4. The recoverable fuel vapor dispenser of claim 3 wherein, The air inlet of the pressurization compressor is in communication with the oil vapor recovery gun, and the air outlet of the pressurization compressor is in communication with the cooling module.

5. The recoverable fuel vapor dispenser of claim 1 wherein, The cooling module includes a refrigeration compressor, a heat exchanger, a dryer, an expansion valve, and an evaporator corresponding to and connected in series to form a heat exchange loop; the heat exchange loop is provided with a refrigerant.

6. The recoverable fuel vapor dispenser of claim 5 wherein, The oil dispenser is provided with a heat exchange window for heat exchange between the heat exchanger and the outside air at the shell of the cooling module; the cooling module further includes a fan for accelerating the air flow around the heat exchanger.

7. The recoverable fuel vapor dispenser of claim 1 wherein, The separation module further includes a gas-liquid separator for separating the output of the cooling module; the gas outlet of the gas-liquid separator is in communication with the air inlet of the membrane separator; the liquid outlet of the gas-liquid separator is in communication with the fuel inlet of the fuel filling unit or the fuel tank through an oil return pipe.

8. The recoverable fuel vapor dispenser of claim 7 wherein, The oil return pipe is provided with a liquid return valve in series; the separation module further includes a liquid level transmitter for detecting the liquid level of the gas-liquid separator to correspondingly control the on-off of the liquid return valve.

9. The recoverable fuel vapor dispenser of claim 1 wherein, The membrane separator includes a cylindrical separation membrane for separating air and fuel vapor; the center pipe area on the inner side of the cylindrical separation membrane is in communication with the air return port of the pressurization compressor.

10. The recoverable fuel vapor dispenser of claims 1 or 9, wherein, The membrane separator is provided with a concentration transmitter for detecting the concentration of tail gas at the air outlet of the membrane separator; the air outlet of the membrane separator is in communication with the atmosphere, or in communication with a gas passage of the fuel filling unit, or in communication with a gas passage of the fuel tank.

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