Marine modular methanol filling jack and safety interlock control system

Abstract

The utility model relates to ship cleaning fuel filling technical field, concretely relates to a ship modular methanol filling crowbar and safety interlock control system. The utility model discloses independently setting up filling crowbar and nitrogen crowbar, and filling crowbar includes a plurality of parallel filling pipeline, and the adjusting pipeline that links with filling pipeline, is provided with Y type filter and centrifugal pump on filling pipeline, is provided with turbine flowmeter and electric regulating valve on adjusting pipeline, nitrogen crowbar includes supply pipeline, and is connected through triplex spare pressure relief pipeline and reset pipeline, and supply pipeline includes nitrogen cylinder, switch ball valve and pressure regulator, pressure relief pipeline includes emergency stop valve and leakage alarm, reset pipeline includes manual reset button and lock valve. The utility model discloses filling crowbar and nitrogen crowbar are independent of each other and are connected through corrugated metal hose, and turbine flowmeter, electric regulating valve and other components are interlocked, and each component responds quickly and works cooperatively when the flow is abnormal, and the filling process is safe and controllable.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of clean fuel refueling technology for ships, specifically to a modular methanol refueling skid for ships and a safety interlock control system. Background Technology

[0002] In the field of methanol bunkering for ships, bunkering operations are typically completed using a bunkering skid. This involves reliably connecting the tanker truck to the bunkering skid's bunkering pipeline via a suitable interface, while ensuring correct alignment between the bunkering skid and the ship's bunkering interface, as shown in the technical solution illustrated in Chinese Patent Publication No. CN222780543U. However, traditional methanol bunkering methods have several problems. First, traditional bunkering equipment has a complex structure with highly integrated functional modules, making equipment maintenance extremely inconvenient. If any component malfunctions, a complete shutdown and overhaul are often required, severely impacting bunkering efficiency. Second, there is a lack of effective safety mechanisms. If methanol leaks or other abnormalities occur during bunkering, they are difficult to detect and handle in a timely manner, potentially leading to safety accidents and endangering personnel and ship safety. Third, the adaptability to different operating conditions is poor, making it difficult to meet diverse bunkering needs. Utility Model Content

[0003] The technical problem to be solved by this utility model is to overcome the shortcomings of the existing technology and provide a marine modular methanol refueling skid and safety interlock control system.

[0004] The technical solution adopted in this utility model is as follows: A modular marine methanol refueling skid and safety interlock control system includes independently installed refueling skids and nitrogen skids, which are connected by a corrugated metal hose. The refueling skid is used to refuel the ship with methanol from tank trucks. It includes several parallel refueling lines and regulating lines connected to the refueling lines. The refueling lines are equipped with Y-type filters and centrifugal pumps. The methanol from the tank trucks is filtered by the Y-type filters and then transported by the centrifugal pumps. The regulating lines are equipped with turbine flow meters and electric regulating valves. An interlocking control valve is installed between the turbine flow meters and the electric regulating valves. A nitrogen skid, used for nitrogen purging to create inertial protection, includes a supply line and a pressure relief line and a reset line connected by a triplet. The supply line includes a nitrogen cylinder, a switching ball valve, and a pressure regulator. The nitrogen in the cylinder is controlled by the switching ball valve and its pressure is regulated by the pressure regulator. The pressure relief line includes an emergency shut-off valve and a leak alarm. The emergency shut-off valve is connected to both the supply line and the leak alarm. The reset line includes a manual reset button and a locking valve. The locking valve is connected to the filling line through a nitrogen inlet. The manual reset button is used to reset the locking valve.

[0005] This technical solution separates the refueling and nitrogen functions through a modular design, and, in conjunction with a safety interlock control system, achieves safe and accurate methanol refueling to the vessel. Simultaneously, nitrogen purging provides inertial protection to prevent hazards during refueling. Specifically, the refueling skid and nitrogen skid are independently installed and connected by corrugated metal hoses, constructing a dual-skid modular architecture. Inside the refueling skid, methanol is filtered, transported, and its flow rate is monitored and regulated before refueling. In the nitrogen skid, nitrogen is controlled and pressure-regulated, and a pressure relief line triggers an alarm in case of abnormality, while a reset line resets and locks the valves upon normal operation. The safety interlock control system interlocks components such as the turbine flow meter, electric regulating valve, and emergency shut-off valve, responding in stages based on flow abnormalities to ensure a safe and controllable refueling process.

[0006] In addition, the marine modular methanol refueling skid and safety interlock control system proposed above according to this utility model may also have the following additional technical features: According to one embodiment of the present invention, the methanol refueling path sequentially passes through: tank truck, Y-type filter, centrifugal pump, turbine flow meter, electric regulating valve, emergency shut-off valve and ship.

[0007] This technical solution uses tank trucks to store methanol, Y-type filters to remove impurities, and centrifugal pumps to provide power for delivery, sequentially delivering methanol to a turbine flow meter and an electric regulating valve. The turbine flow meter monitors the flow rate in real time and sends a feedback signal to the electric regulating valve, which adjusts the valve opening accordingly to achieve precise flow control. The methanol flows to the ship via an emergency shut-off valve. During refueling, the emergency shut-off valve is in standby mode; if an abnormality is detected, the refueling path is immediately cut off to ensure safety.

[0008] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the nitrogen purging path passes through the following in sequence: nitrogen cylinder, switching ball valve, pressure regulator, triple unit, locking valve and nitrogen injection port.

[0009] This technical solution provides a nitrogen source through a nitrogen cylinder, controls the start and stop of nitrogen delivery through a switching ball valve, adjusts the high-pressure nitrogen to a suitable pressure through a pressure regulator, and after passing through a triple unit, the locking valve controls the timing of nitrogen entering the nitrogen injection port according to the purging requirements. Finally, nitrogen enters the area to be purged from the nitrogen injection port to achieve the purging function.

[0010] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the filling skid and the nitrogen skid are modularly configured with dual skid bodies, and the size of a single skid is ≤15m×2.4m×2.4m.

[0011] In this technical solution, the two skids are independent of each other, yet connected and work together via corrugated metal hoses. Independent design facilitates individual optimization and maintenance, while the coordinated connection ensures the integrity of the overall system function, meeting the comprehensive requirements for marine methanol refueling and safety. The smaller size of each skid ensures sufficient installation space for the equipment within the skid while also complying with road transport regulations during transportation.

[0012] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the corrugated metal hose has a pressure resistance rating of ≥1.6MPa and an operating temperature range of -40℃ to +80℃; the length redundancy of the corrugated metal hose between the skids is ≥10%.

[0013] This technical solution ensures that the hose can be safely and reliably connected to the skid under different pressure and temperature conditions and when the skid is displaced, by setting the pressure resistance rating, operating temperature range, and hose length redundancy between the skids.

[0014] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the turbine flow meter detects an abnormal flow rate and responds in three levels: Level 1 response mode: Start the interlock control valve, interlock and close the electric regulating valve, stop the filling, and the response time is ≤2s; Level 2 response mode: Activate the leakage alarm, interlock and close the emergency shut-off valve to relieve pressure, with a response time of ≤10s; Level 3 response mode: Activate the locking valve, interlock the nitrogen skid, purge with nitrogen, and inject nitrogen until the oxygen concentration is ≤5%.

[0015] This technical solution monitors flow rate in real time using a turbine flow meter. Once an anomaly is detected, different response modes are activated based on the severity of the anomaly. The first-level response mode quickly activates the interlock control valve to close the electric regulating valve and stop refueling, containing potential risks as quickly as possible. The second-level response mode, in slightly more serious situations, activates the leak alarm and closes the emergency shut-off valve to relieve pressure. The third-level response mode, in the face of serious leaks or other dangers, activates the locking valve and interlocks the nitrogen skid to purge with nitrogen, reducing the oxygen concentration to a safe range, thus ensuring system safety in a progressive manner.

[0016] According to one embodiment of this utility model, the linearity error of the turbine flow meter is ≤ ±0.5%. A linearity error of ≤ ±0.5% allows the turbine flow meter to accurately measure fluid flow and avoids unnecessary subsequent responses due to mis-starting. The impeller of the centrifugal pump is made of 316L stainless steel with a hardness of HRC≥55. The electric regulating valve, turbine flow meter, and interlocking control valve constitute a closed-loop control system. The electric regulating valve controls the methanol flow rate in a closed loop, with a flow stability of ±1.5%. The pressure regulator adjusts the pressure to 0.4~0.7MPa.

[0017] Compared with the prior art, this utility model has the following advantages: (1) The refueling skid and the nitrogen skid are independent yet connected by a corrugated metal hose, achieving functional separation and coordination; the safety interlock control system interlocks components such as the turbine flow meter and electric regulating valve, and when the flow is abnormal, each component responds quickly and works in coordination to ensure that the refueling process is safe and controllable. (2) A three-level response mode is set according to the degree of abnormal flow, from quickly stopping the refueling to depressurization, and then to nitrogen purging to reduce the oxygen concentration, step by step; it can respond to different degrees of danger in a timely manner, avoid the expansion of accidents, and provide comprehensive safety protection for marine methanol refueling. Attached Figure Description

[0018] Figure 1 This is the electrical connection diagram of this utility model.

[0019] Figure 2 This is the electrical connection diagram for the filling skid.

[0020] Figure 3 This is the electrical connection diagram for the nitrogen skid.

[0021] In the diagram: 1. Filling skid; 11. Tank truck; 12. Y-type filter; 13. Centrifugal pump; 14. Turbine flow meter; 15. Electric regulating valve; 16. Interlocking control valve; 2. Nitrogen skid; 21. Nitrogen cylinder; 22. Switching ball valve; 23. Pressure regulator; 24. Manual reset button; 25. Triple unit; 26. Emergency shut-off valve; 27. Leakage alarm; 28. Locking valve; 29. ​​Ship. Detailed Implementation

[0022] The technical solutions of the present utility model will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings of the embodiments. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present utility model, not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present utility model, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the protection scope of the present utility model.

[0023] Example 1 like Figures 1 to 3 As shown, this embodiment provides a marine modular methanol refueling skid and safety interlock control system, including independently installed refueling skid 1 and nitrogen skid 2. The refueling skid 1 and nitrogen skid 2 are connected by a corrugated metal hose, wherein: The refueling skid 1 is used to refuel the methanol from the tanker truck 11 onto the ship 29. It includes several parallel refueling pipelines and a regulating pipeline connected to the refueling pipelines. The refueling pipelines are equipped with a Y-type filter 12 and a centrifugal pump 13. The methanol on the tanker truck 11 is filtered by the Y-type filter 12 and then transported by the centrifugal pump 13. The regulating pipeline is equipped with a turbine flow meter 14 and an electric regulating valve 15. An interlocking control valve 16 is installed between the turbine flow meter 14 and the electric regulating valve 15. Nitrogen skid 2, used for nitrogen purging to form inertial protection, includes a supply line and a pressure relief line and a reset line connected by a triplet 25. The supply line includes a nitrogen cylinder 21, a switching ball valve 22, and a pressure regulator 23. The nitrogen in the nitrogen cylinder 21 is controlled by the switching ball valve 22 and the pressure is regulated by the pressure regulator 23. The pressure relief line includes an emergency shut-off valve 26 and a leak alarm 27. The emergency shut-off valve 26 is connected to both the supply line and the leak alarm 27. The reset line includes a manual reset button 24 and a locking valve 28. The locking valve 28 is connected to the filling line through a nitrogen injection port. The manual reset button 24 is used to reset the locking valve 28.

[0024] like Figures 1 to 3 As shown, this technical solution separates the refueling and nitrogen functions through modular design. Combined with a safety interlock control system, it achieves safe and precise methanol refueling to the vessel 29. Simultaneously, nitrogen purging provides inertial protection to prevent hazards during refueling. Specifically, a dual-skid modular architecture is constructed by independently setting up the refueling skid 1 and the nitrogen skid 2 and connecting them with corrugated metal hoses. In the refueling skid 1, methanol is filtered, transported, and its flow rate is monitored and regulated to complete the refueling process. In the nitrogen skid 2, nitrogen is controlled and pressure-regulated, and a pressure relief pipeline provides an alarm in case of abnormality, while a reset pipeline resets and locks valve 28 upon normal operation. The safety interlock control system interlocks components such as the turbine flow meter 14, the electric regulating valve 15, and the emergency shut-off valve 26, providing graded responses based on flow abnormalities to ensure a safe and controllable refueling process.

[0025] In addition, the marine modular methanol refueling skid and safety interlock control system proposed above according to this utility model may also have the following additional technical features: According to one embodiment of the present invention, the methanol refueling path passes through the following in sequence: tank truck 11, Y-type filter 12, centrifugal pump 13, turbine flow meter 14, electric regulating valve 15, emergency shut-off valve 26, and ship 29.

[0026] This technical solution uses a tank truck 11 to store methanol, a Y-type filter 12 to remove impurities, and a centrifugal pump 13 to provide power for conveying the methanol sequentially to a turbine flow meter 14 and an electric regulating valve 15. The turbine flow meter 14 monitors the flow rate in real time and sends a feedback signal to the electric regulating valve 15, which adjusts the valve opening accordingly to achieve precise flow control. The methanol flows to the ship 29 via an emergency shut-off valve 26. During the refueling process, the emergency shut-off valve 26 is in standby mode. If an abnormality is detected, the refueling path will be immediately cut off to ensure safety.

[0027] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the nitrogen purging path passes through the following in sequence: nitrogen cylinder 21, switching ball valve 22, pressure regulator 23, triple unit 25, locking valve 28 and nitrogen injection port.

[0028] This technical solution provides a gas source through a nitrogen cylinder 21, and controls the start and stop of nitrogen delivery through a switching ball valve 22. The pressure regulator 23 adjusts the high-pressure nitrogen to a suitable pressure, and after passing through the triplet 25, the locking valve 28 controls the timing of nitrogen entering the nitrogen injection port according to the purging requirements. Finally, the nitrogen enters the area to be purged from the nitrogen injection port to achieve the purging function.

[0029] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the filling skid 1 and the nitrogen skid 2 are configured as a dual-skid modular structure, with the size of a single skid being ≤15m×2.4m×2.4m.

[0030] In this technical solution, the two skids are independent of each other, yet connected and work together via corrugated metal hoses. Independent design facilitates individual optimization and maintenance, while the coordinated connection ensures the integrity of the overall system function, meeting the comprehensive requirements for marine methanol refueling and safety. The smaller size of each skid ensures sufficient installation space for the equipment within the skid while also complying with road transport regulations during transportation.

[0031] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the corrugated metal hose has a pressure resistance rating of ≥1.6MPa and an operating temperature range of -40℃ to +80℃; the length redundancy of the corrugated metal hose between the skids is ≥10%.

[0032] This technical solution ensures that the hose can be safely and reliably connected to the skid under different pressure and temperature conditions and when the skid is displaced, by setting the pressure resistance rating, operating temperature range, and hose length redundancy between the skids.

[0033] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the turbine flow meter 14 detects an abnormal flow rate and responds in three levels: Level 1 response mode: Start interlock control valve 16, interlock close electric regulating valve 15, stop refueling, response time ≤ 2s; Level 2 response mode: Activate leakage alarm 27, interlock and close emergency shut-off valve 26 to relieve pressure, response time ≤10s; Level 3 response mode: Activate and lock valve 28, interlock nitrogen skid 2, purge with nitrogen, and inject nitrogen until the oxygen concentration is ≤5%.

[0034] This technical solution monitors the flow rate in real time using a turbine flow meter 14. Once an anomaly is detected, different response modes are activated based on the severity of the anomaly. The first-level response mode quickly activates the interlock control valve 16 to close the electric regulating valve 15 and stop refueling, containing potential risks as quickly as possible. The second-level response mode, in cases of slightly more serious situations, activates the leak alarm 27 and closes the emergency shut-off valve 26 to relieve pressure. The third-level response mode, in cases of serious leaks or other dangers, activates the locking valve 28 and interlocks the nitrogen skid 2 to purge with nitrogen, reducing the oxygen concentration to a safe range, thus ensuring system safety in a progressive manner.

[0035] According to one embodiment of this utility model, the linearity error of the turbine flow meter 14 is ≤ ±0.5%. A linearity error ≤ ±0.5% allows the turbine flow meter 14 to accurately measure fluid flow and avoids unnecessary subsequent responses due to mis-starting. The impeller of the centrifugal pump 13 is made of 316L stainless steel with a hardness HRC≥55. The electric regulating valve 15, the turbine flow meter 14, and the interlocking control valve 16 constitute a closed-loop control system. The electric regulating valve 15 controls the methanol flow rate in a closed loop, with a flow stability of ±1.5%. The pressure regulator 23 adjusts the pressure to 0.4~0.7MPa.

[0036] The usage process of the above embodiments is as follows: like Figures 1 to 3 As shown, during normal refueling, the methanol in tanker 11 first passes through a Y-type filter to remove impurities, and then is powered and transported by centrifugal pump 13; the methanol flows sequentially through turbine flow meter 14, electric regulating valve 15 and emergency shut-off valve 26 before being refueled into ship 29; turbine flow meter 14 monitors the flow rate in real time, and together with electric regulating valve 15 and interlock control valve 16, forms a closed-loop system to accurately control the methanol flow rate, with a flow stability of ±1.5%; like Figures 1 to 3 As shown, if the turbine flow meter 14 detects an abnormal flow, a graded response is initiated; in the first-level response (≤2s), the interlock control valve 16 is activated to close the electric regulating valve 15 and stop the injection; in the second-level response (≤10s), the leak alarm 27 is activated and the emergency shut-off valve 26 is closed to release pressure; in the third-level response, the locking valve 28 is activated, the nitrogen skid 2 is interlocked, and nitrogen enters from the nitrogen injection port through the nitrogen cylinder 21, the switching ball valve 22, the pressure regulator 23, etc., to purge the oxygen concentration to ≤5%; after the abnormality is resolved, the locking valve 28 is reset by the manual reset button 24; throughout the entire process, the two skids are connected by a corrugated metal hose and work together to ensure safety.

[0037] Although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings and preferred embodiments, it is not limited thereto. Various equivalent modifications or substitutions can be made to the embodiments of the present invention by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and essence of the present invention, and such modifications or substitutions should all be within the scope of the present invention. Any variations or substitutions that can be easily conceived by those skilled in the art within the technical scope disclosed in the present invention should also be included within the protection scope of the present invention. Therefore, the protection scope of the present invention should be determined by the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A marine modular methanol refueling skid and safety interlock control system, characterized in that, It includes a separately configured filling skid (1) and a nitrogen skid (2), which are connected by a corrugated metal hose, wherein: A refueling skid (1) is used to refuel methanol from a tanker truck (11) onto a ship (29). It includes several parallel refueling pipelines and a regulating pipeline connected to the refueling pipelines. A Y-type filter (12) and a centrifugal pump (13) are installed on the refueling pipelines. The methanol on the tanker truck (11) is filtered by the Y-type filter (12) and transported by the centrifugal pump (13). A turbine flow meter (14) and an electric regulating valve (15) are installed on the regulating pipeline. An interlock control valve (16) is installed between the turbine flow meter (14) and the electric regulating valve (15). The nitrogen skid (2), used for nitrogen purging to form inertial protection, includes a supply line and a pressure relief line and a reset line connected by a triplet (25). The supply line includes a nitrogen cylinder (21), a switching ball valve (22), and a pressure regulator (23). The nitrogen in the nitrogen cylinder (21) is controlled by the switching ball valve (22) and the pressure is regulated by the pressure regulator (23). The pressure relief line includes an emergency shut-off valve (26) and a leak alarm (27). The emergency shut-off valve (26) is connected to the supply line and the leak alarm (27) respectively. The reset line includes a manual reset button (24) and a locking valve (28). The locking valve (28) is connected to the filling line through the nitrogen injection port. The manual reset button (24) is used to reset the locking valve (28).

2. The marine modular methanol refueling skid and safety interlock control system as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The methanol refueling route passes through the following in sequence: tank truck (11), Y-type filter (12), centrifugal pump (13), turbine flow meter (14), electric regulating valve (15), emergency shut-off valve (26), and ship (29).

3. The marine modular methanol refueling skid and safety interlock control system as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The nitrogen purging path passes through the following in sequence: nitrogen cylinder (21), switching ball valve (22), pressure regulator (23), triple unit (25), locking valve (28) and nitrogen injection port.

4. The marine modular methanol refueling skid and safety interlock control system as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The filling skid (1) and the nitrogen skid (2) are modularly designed with dual skid bodies, and the size of a single skid is ≤15m×2.4m×2.4m.

5. The marine modular methanol refueling skid and safety interlock control system as described in claim 4, characterized in that, The corrugated metal hose has a pressure resistance rating of ≥1.6MPa and an operating temperature range of -40℃ to +80℃; the length redundancy of the corrugated metal hose between the skids is ≥10%.

6. The marine modular methanol refueling skid and safety interlock control system as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The turbine flow meter (14) detected an abnormal flow rate and responded in three modes: Level 1 response mode: Start the interlock control valve (16), interlock close the electric regulating valve (15), stop the injection, and the response time is ≤2s; Level 2 response mode: Activate the leakage alarm (27), interlock and close the emergency shut-off valve (26) to release pressure, with a response time of ≤10s; Level 3 response mode: Activate the locking valve (28), interlock the nitrogen skid (2), purge with nitrogen, and inject nitrogen until the oxygen concentration is ≤5%.

7. The marine modular methanol refueling skid and safety interlock control system as described in claim 1 or 6, characterized in that, The linearity error of the turbine flow meter (14) is ≤ ±0.5%.

8. The marine modular methanol refueling skid and safety interlock control system as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The impeller of the centrifugal pump (13) is made of 316L stainless steel with a hardness of HRC≥55.

9. The marine modular methanol refueling skid and safety interlock control system as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The electric regulating valve (15), turbine flow meter (14) and interlock control valve (16) constitute a closed-loop control system. The electric regulating valve (15) controls the flow rate of methanol in a closed loop, with a flow rate stability of ±1.5%.

10. The marine modular methanol refueling skid and safety interlock control system as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The pressure of the pressure regulator (23) is adjusted to 0.4~0.7MPa.

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