Alcohol-based fuel storage tank with intelligent barrier explosion-proof function

Abstract

The utility model discloses a kind of alcohol-based fuel storage tanks with intelligent barrier explosion-proof function, including tank body, intelligent control system, oil inlet pipe, fire sprinkler system, fire damper, real-time liquid level meter, electronic lock filling box, oil outlet and emergency shut-off valve.The tank body is filled with barrier explosion-proof material.Intelligent control system is connected with liquid level meter, electronic lock, emergency shut-off valve and concentration and temperature sensor additionally added in tank.The utility model realizes the remote real-time monitoring of storage tank state, liquid level overrun alarm and automatic control, authorization management of filling process, and can automatically cut off oil outlet when detecting that vapor concentration or temperature in tank reaches dangerous threshold, integrates multiple active and passive safety protection functions, greatly improves the security of alcohol-based fuel storage and management intelligent level.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of fuel storage and transportation safety technology, specifically to an alcohol-based fuel storage tank with intelligent barrier and explosion-proof function. Background Technology

[0002] Alcohol-based fuels, as an environmentally friendly liquid fuel, are increasingly widely used in industrial and civilian sectors. However, alcohol-based fuels are highly volatile, have low flash points, and are flammable vapors, posing safety risks such as leakage, fire, and even explosion during storage. Traditional storage tanks often employ simple mechanical structures, lacking real-time sensing, intelligent early warning, and automatic response capabilities for the tank's internal environment. Especially in unattended or remotely managed scenarios, they cannot achieve accurate monitoring of liquid levels, authorized management of the filling process, or automatic emergency shut-off when hazardous parameters exceed limits, resulting in significant safety hazards. Summary of the Invention

[0003] (a) Technical problems to be solved To address the shortcomings of existing technologies, this utility model provides an alcohol-based fuel storage tank with intelligent barrier and explosion-proof function, solving the problems mentioned in the background art.

[0004] (II) Technical Solution To achieve the above objectives, this utility model provides the following technical solution: an alcohol-based fuel storage tank with intelligent barrier and explosion-proof function, comprising a tank body, an inlet pipe, an outlet, a fire sprinkler system, an electronic lock filling box, and an intelligent control system. The tank body is filled with honeycomb or mesh-structured metal or non-metal barrier and explosion-proof material to divide the internal space, suppress flame propagation, and prevent static electricity accumulation. A fire sprinkler system is connected to the tank body for cooling the tank body in case of external fire; a flame-arresting exhaust valve is also provided on the top of the tank body for safe pressure relief in case of abnormal internal pressure, while preventing external flames from entering; a real-time level gauge is installed on the tank body for continuous monitoring of the fuel level inside the tank.

[0005] One end of the oil inlet pipe is connected to an electronically locked filling box, which is a sealed structure that can only be opened by authorization. Its interior is connected to the inlet of the oil inlet pipe. The other end of the oil inlet pipe extends into the lower part of the tank's internal cavity to achieve a smooth liquid inlet and reduce static electricity generation. The oil outlet is located on one side of the bottom of the tank, facilitating fuel discharge under gravity, and an emergency shut-off valve is connected in series with the oil outlet.

[0006] It also includes an integrated intelligent control system. The real-time level gauge, the actuator of the electronic lock filling box (such as an electric lock), and the actuator of the emergency shut-off valve (such as an electromagnet or pneumatic actuator) are electrically connected to the intelligent control system via wired or wireless means, respectively, to receive control commands and feedback status signals.

[0007] Furthermore, the real-time level gauge has a built-in or external wireless transmission module (such as a 4G, 5G, NB-IoT, or LoRa module) that can transmit the collected level data to a cloud server or a designated computer or mobile terminal in real time. The intelligent control system can preset low level warning values ​​and high level limits. When the level is below the warning value, the system sends an alarm message to the administrator; when the level reaches or exceeds the high level limit, the intelligent control system can automatically cut off the power to the pumps or valves associated with the oil inlet pipe to prevent overflow.

[0008] Furthermore, to enhance the ability to detect abnormal conditions inside the tank, a concentration sensor and a temperature sensor are also installed in the upper part of the tank's inner cavity. The concentration sensor monitors the concentration of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in the alcohol-based fuel vapor, and the temperature sensor monitors the ambient temperature inside the tank. Both signals are connected to the intelligent control system. The intelligent control system has preset concentration thresholds (e.g., 20% LEL, i.e., 20% of the lower explosive limit) and temperature thresholds (e.g., 60°C). When the value detected by either sensor reaches or exceeds its corresponding threshold, the intelligent control system immediately issues a closing command to the emergency shut-off valve, quickly blocking the oil outlet pipeline and preventing fuel from continuing to flow out and exacerbating the danger.

[0009] Furthermore, the emergency shut-off valve is preferably a normally open solenoid valve or a pneumatic valve, which has a fast drive response speed and high reliability, ensuring that it can act quickly when an emergency signal is received.

[0010] Furthermore, the tank can adopt a double-layer structure, consisting of an inner liner and an outer liner. The interlayer space can be vacuumed or filled with heat insulation materials, leakage detection media, etc., to provide additional heat insulation, heat preservation, and leakage early warning functions.

[0011] Beneficial effects This utility model provides an alcohol-based fuel storage tank with intelligent barrier and explosion-proof function, which has the following beneficial effects: First: The tank is filled with explosion-proof materials, which fundamentally reduces the risk of explosion; the flame arrestor and exhaust valve provides overpressure protection.

[0012] Second: Through real-time level gauges, concentration and temperature sensors, 24-hour uninterrupted monitoring and remote transmission of the core status parameters of the storage tank are achieved, facilitating centralized monitoring and early warning.

[0013] Third: The electronic lock refueling box ensures that only authorized personnel and equipment can refuel, avoiding misoperation and illegal addition, and strengthening process management.

[0014] Fourth: When the system detects that the liquid level is too high, the vapor concentration in the tank is close to the danger value, or the temperature rises abnormally, it can automatically perform operations such as power cut-off or oil circuit disconnection, realizing the upgrade from "passive protection" to "active handling". Attached Figure Description

[0015] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of this utility model; Figure 2 This is a cross-sectional view of the tank body of this utility model.

[0016] In the diagram: 1. Tank body; 2. Oil outlet; 3. Oil inlet pipe; 4. Fire sprinkler system; 5. Flame arrestor and exhaust valve; 6. Real-time level gauge; 7. Electronic lock filling box; 8. Emergency shut-off valve. Detailed Implementation

[0017] 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, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present utility model, all other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art without creative effort are within the protection scope of the present utility model.

[0018] In the description of this utility model, it should be understood that the terms "center", "longitudinal", "lateral", "length", "width", "thickness", "upper", "lower", "front", "rear", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inner", "outer", "clockwise", "counterclockwise", etc., indicating the orientation or positional relationship are based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings, and are only for the convenience of describing this utility model and simplifying the description, and are not intended to indicate or imply that the device or component referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be construed as a limitation of this utility model.

[0019] Furthermore, the terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of technical features indicated. Thus, a feature defined as "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of that feature. In the description of this utility model, "multiple" means two or more, unless otherwise explicitly specified.

[0020] Example like Figure 1 as well as Figure 2 As shown in the figure, this embodiment of an alcohol-based fuel storage tank with intelligent barrier and explosion-proof function has a vertical cylindrical tank body 1 as its main body. The inner cavity of the tank body 1 is filled with aluminum alloy mesh barrier and explosion-proof material. The top of the tank body 1 is equipped with a flame arrestor and exhaust valve 5 and a real-time liquid level gauge 6 probe. A ring pipe and nozzles of a fire sprinkler system 4 are arranged around the upper side wall of the tank body 1. An oil outlet 2 is provided on one side of the bottom of the tank body 1, and a normally open electromagnetic emergency shut-off valve 8 is installed on the pipe of the oil outlet 2.

[0021] One end of the oil inlet pipe 3 extends from the top of the tank body 1, with its inlet end located in the lower middle part of the inner cavity of the tank body 1. The inlet end of the oil inlet pipe 3 on the outside of the tank body 1 is connected to and sealed inside an electronic lock filling box 7 with an anti-theft shell. The door of the electronic lock filling box 7 is equipped with an electronic lock.

[0022] A concentration sensor (VOC sensor) and a temperature sensor are installed in the gas phase space at the top of the inner cavity of tank 1.

[0023] A waterproof and explosion-proof intelligent control system cabinet is installed near tank 1. The signal output terminal of the real-time level gauge 6, the electric lock control line of the electronic lock filling box 7, the solenoid valve control line of the emergency shut-off valve 8, and the signal output terminals of the concentration sensor and temperature sensor are all connected to the intelligent control system via explosion-proof cables.

[0024] The core controller of the intelligent control system has an embedded wireless communication module. Administrators can remotely log in to the system via a mobile app or a web-based computer. On the app, they can view the real-time liquid level, temperature, and concentration data inside the tank; they can remotely click the "unlock" button to authorize the opening of the electronic lock filling tank 7 for filling; and they can set liquid level alarm thresholds (e.g., low liquid level 15%, high liquid level 90%) and emergency shut-off thresholds (concentration 20% LEL, temperature 60℃).

[0025] Example of work process: Normal refueling: After verifying their identity on the mobile app, the administrator clicks "Open Refueling Tank". The intelligent control system sends an unlocking signal to the electronic lock of the refueling tank 7, and the tank door opens. The refueling vehicle connects to the fuel nozzle and begins refueling. The real-time liquid level gauge 6 reads and rises, dynamically displayed on the app. When the liquid level reaches 90%, the intelligent control system automatically sends a "power off" command to the on-site fuel pump or the upstream power control cabinet to stop refueling, and displays "High liquid level, automatically stopped" on the app.

[0026] Abnormal Handling: Suppose a fire occurs around tank 1, causing the temperature inside the tank to rise to 60°C due to heat conduction from the outer wall of tank 1. Temperature sensor 11 detects this signal and transmits it to the intelligent control system. The system immediately compares it with the preset threshold, determines it to be an emergency, and then sends a closing command to emergency shut-off valve 8. The electromagnet of emergency shut-off valve 8 is energized, the valve quickly closes, cutting off the passage to oil outlet 2. At the same time, the system sends an alarm message "Temperature exceeds limit, emergency shut-off valve 8 has activated" to multiple administrators via APP and SMS. If the fire sprinkler system 4 is an automatic linkage type, the intelligent control system can also simultaneously activate the sprinklers to cool tank 1.

[0027] The above description is merely a preferred embodiment of this utility model, but the protection scope of this utility model is not limited thereto. Any equivalent substitutions or modifications made by those skilled in the art within the technical scope disclosed in this utility model, based on the technical solution and inventive concept of this utility model, should be included within the protection scope of this utility model.

[0028] It should be noted that, in this document, relational terms such as "first" and "second" are used only to distinguish one entity or operation from another, and do not necessarily require or imply any such actual relationship or order between these entities or operations. Furthermore, the terms "comprising," "including," or any other variations thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements includes not only those elements but also other elements not expressly listed, or elements inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus.

[0029] Although embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes, modifications, substitutions and alterations can be made to these embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of the present invention, the scope of which is defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. An alcohol-based fuel storage tank with intelligent barrier and explosion-proof function, comprising a tank body (1), an oil inlet pipe (3), and an oil outlet (2), characterized in that: The tank (1) is filled with explosion-proof material; a fire sprinkler system (4), a flame arrestor and exhaust valve (5), and a real-time level gauge (6) are connected to the tank (1); one end of the oil inlet pipe (3) is connected to an electronic lock filling box (7), and the other end of the oil inlet pipe (3) is connected to the inner cavity of the tank (1); the oil outlet (2) is located on one side of the bottom of the tank (1), and an emergency shut-off valve (8) is provided on the oil outlet (2); it also includes an intelligent control system, and the real-time level gauge (6), the electronic lock filling box (7), and the emergency shut-off valve (8) are electrically connected to the intelligent control system respectively.

2. The alcohol-based fuel storage tank according to claim 1, characterized in that: The real-time liquid level gauge (6) has a wireless transmission module, which can remotely transmit liquid level information to a computer or mobile terminal and realize low liquid level alarm and high liquid level automatic power cut-off.

3. The alcohol-based fuel storage tank according to claim 1, characterized in that: The tank (1) is also equipped with a concentration sensor and a temperature sensor, both of which are connected to the intelligent control system. When the concentration sensor detects that the concentration reaches 20% or the temperature sensor detects that the temperature reaches 60°C, the intelligent control system controls the emergency shut-off valve (8) to close.

4. The alcohol-based fuel storage tank according to claim 1, characterized in that: The emergency shut-off valve (8) is a solenoid valve or a pneumatic valve.

5. The alcohol-based fuel storage tank according to claim 1, characterized in that: The tank (1) has a double-layer structure.

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