Bunker Systems and Bunker Stations

Abstract

Disclosed is a bunker system that includes a container configured to contain an electrolyte for a battery system of the vessel, a charger configured to charge the electrolyte in the container, and a first port fluidly connectable between the container and the vessel to allow flow of electrolyte between the container and the vessel.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a bunker system, a bunker station and a method for bunkering and debunkering vessels, such as naval ships. [Background technology]

[0002] Ships, such as naval vessels, such as container ships, consume fuel in the ship's systems, such as in its engines and propulsion systems. The fuel is stored in fuel tanks, often referred to as bunkers. The ship also includes systems that consume electrical energy, such as the ship's control systems, heating and lighting systems, and fluid systems including hydraulic pumps, such as the fuel system for the ship's engines. Electricity for such systems is typically provided by the ship's power generators, by consuming onboard fuel, or by the power grid or by external power generators, such as during a port stay.

[0003] A bunker station for bunkering fuel to a ship is provided at the port. The bunker station is connected to a fuel storage tank of the ship when the ship is anchored at the port, and fuel is supplied to the fuel storage tank from a fuel reservoir of the bunker station. Summary of the Invention

[0004] A first aspect of the present invention provides a bunker system including a container configured to contain an electrolyte for a battery system of a marine vessel, a charger configured to charge the electrolyte in the container, and a first port fluidly connectable between the container and the marine vessel to allow flow of electrolyte between the container and the marine vessel.

[0005] In this manner, the electrolyte may be conveniently charged in the bunker system and bunkered aboard the vessel, such as for rapidly charging the vessel's battery system, without the need to electrically connect the vessel's battery system to a power source.

[0006] Optionally, the vessel's battery system includes a flow battery configured to extract electrical energy from the charged electrolyte to power the vessel's electrical system. In this manner, the electrical system may be powered without consuming engine fuel, thereby reducing the cost of operating the vessel, such as while at port and / or at sea, and / or reducing emissions from the vessel.

[0007] Optionally, the charger includes contacts configured to receive electrical energy from a power source.

[0008] In this manner, the charger may charge the electrolyte using electrical energy from a power source. Optionally, the power source is remote from the bunker system. Alternatively, the bunker system includes the power source.

[0009] Optionally, the power source includes a generator configured to generate electrical energy from another type of energy. Optionally, the generator is configured to generate electrical energy from a renewable source, such as sunlight, wind, rain, tides, waves, or geothermal heat. This may reduce the cost and / or improve the environmental impact of charging the electrolyte and ultimately powering the electrical system of the vessel.

[0010] Optionally, the bunker system includes a first fluid transfer device configured to transfer the electrolyte through the first port. The first fluid transfer device may be configured to transfer the electrolyte from the container towards the vessel through the first port and / or may be configured to transfer the electrolyte from the vessel to the container through the first port.

[0011] Optionally, the electrolyte electrolyte includes anolyte and catholyte. Optionally, the container includes a first container section configured to contain the anolyte and a second container section configured to contain the catholyte. Optionally, the first container section and the second container section are isolated from each other.

[0012] In this way, when subsequently charged by the charger, the anolyte can become more negatively charged and the catholyte can become more positively charged.

[0013] Optionally, the first port is fluidly connectable between the first container section and the vessel to allow a flow of anolyte between the first container section and the vessel. Optionally, the bunker system includes a second port fluidly connectable between the second container section and the vessel to allow a flow of catholyte between the second container section and the vessel.

[0014] In this manner, the anolyte and catholyte may be able to pass independently from the respective first and second container sections to the vessel and / or from the vessel to the first and second container sections, which may avoid mixing of charged and uncharged electrolytes.

[0015] Optionally, the bunker system includes a second fluid transfer device configured to transfer the electrolyte through the second port. The second fluid transfer device may be configured to transfer the electrolyte from the container towards the vessel through the second port and / or may be configured to transfer the electrolyte from the vessel to the container through the second port.

[0016] Optionally, the bunker system includes a flow battery including a container and a charger. Optionally, the first container section includes a first ion exchange chamber and the second container section includes a second ion exchange chamber, and the flow battery includes an ion exchange contact separating the first ion exchange chamber from the second ion exchange chamber. Optionally, the charger is configured to charge an electrolyte in the first ion exchange chamber and the second ion exchange chamber.

[0017] In other words, the charger is configured to, during use, provide a voltage difference across the first and second ion exchange chambers and the electrolyte contained therein or passing therethrough. The voltage difference may cause charged ions from the anolyte in the first ion exchange chamber to pass through the ion exchange membrane to the catholyte in the second ion exchange chamber. This may cause the anolyte to become more negatively charged and the catholyte to become more positively charged.

[0018] Optionally, the first container section includes a first reservoir configured to store anolyte. Optionally, the first port opens into the first reservoir. Optionally, the first reservoir is fluidly connected or connectable to the first ion exchange chamber. Optionally, the container includes a first loop including the first reservoir and the first ion exchange chamber. Optionally, the bunker system includes a first fluid transfer device configured to move anolyte between the first reservoir and the first ion exchange chamber, such as around the first loop.

[0019] Optionally, the second container section includes a second reservoir configured to store catholyte. Optionally, the second port opens into the second reservoir. Optionally, the second reservoir is fluidly connected or connectable to the second ion exchange chamber. Optionally, the container includes a second loop including the second reservoir and the second ion exchange chamber. Optionally, the bunker system includes a second fluid transfer device configured to transfer the catholyte between the second reservoir and the second ion exchange chamber, such as around the second loop. In this manner, the anolyte and catholyte can be gradually charged as they are repeatedly passed around the respective first and second loops.

[0020] Optionally, the bunker system includes a third reservoir and a fourth reservoir connected or connectable to the respective first and second ion exchange chambers. Optionally, the third reservoir and the fourth reservoir are configured to store anolyte and catholyte, respectively. Optionally, the first reservoir and the third reservoir are independently fluidly connected or connectable to the first ion exchange chamber in the respective fluid loops. Optionally, the second reservoir and the fourth reservoir are independently fluidly connected or connectable to the second ion exchange chamber in the respective fluid loops. Optionally, the third reservoir and the fourth reservoir are fluidly connected or connectable to the vessel via respective third and fourth ports that open into the respective third and fourth reservoirs.

[0021] A second aspect of the present invention provides a bunker station including the bunker system of the first aspect.

[0022] Optionally, the banca station is on land. Alternatively, the banca station is not on land, such as being on water, such as provided in a banca bunker.

[0023] A third aspect of the present invention provides a bunker station including a bunker system including a container configured to contain charged electrolyte for a battery system of the ship, and a port fluidly connectable between the container and the ship to allow flow of the charged electrolyte from the container to the ship.

[0024] Optionally, the bunker station and / or the bunker system includes any of the optional features of the bunker system of the first aspect or the bunker station of the second aspect. Optionally, the bunker station and / or the bunker system includes a charger configured to charge the electrolyte in the container.

[0025] A fourth aspect of the invention provides a method of bunkering a vessel, the method comprising bunkering a charged electrolyte from a bunker station to the vessel.

[0026] Optionally, the marine vessel includes a flow battery configured to store electrical energy in the form of a charged electrolyte and / or extract electrical energy from the charged electrolyte for use in powering the marine vessel's electrical systems.

[0027] Optionally, the bunkering is performed during a voyage of the vessel or while on the vessel. Optionally, the charged electrolyte is bunkered onto the vessel from a container at a bunker station. Optionally, the bunker station is one of the bunker stations discussed above.

[0028] Optionally, the method includes connecting the vessel to a bunker station prior to bunkering the charged electrolyte to the vessel. Optionally, the method includes disconnecting the vessel from the bunker station after bunkering the charged electrolyte.

[0029] Optionally, the method includes charging the electrolyte to provide a charged electrolyte prior to bunkering the charged electrolyte to the vessel. Optionally, the charged electrolyte includes a charged anolyte and a charged catholyte, and the bunkering includes bunkering the charged anolyte to the vessel and bunkering the charged catholyte to the vessel separately from the charged anolyte.

[0030] Optionally, the bunker station includes the bunker system of the first aspect. Optionally, the method, when provided, includes charging electrolyte stored in the third and fourth reservoirs using a charger such that charged electrolyte is stored in the third and fourth reservoirs. Optionally, the method includes connecting the vessel to the third and fourth reservoirs via respective third and fourth ports that open into the respective third and fourth reservoirs. Optionally, the method includes bunkering the charged electrolyte from the third and fourth reservoirs to the vessel via the respective third and fourth ports. Optionally, the method, when provided, includes charging the electrolyte stored in the first and second reservoirs as the electrolyte flows through the first and second ion exchange chambers, when provided, via the respective first and second loops, before, during, or after bunkering the charged electrolyte from the third and fourth reservoirs to the vessel. Optionally, the method of the fourth aspect is a method of bunkering and debunkering a vessel. Optionally, the method includes connecting the vessel to the first and second reservoirs via respective first and second ports that open into the respective first and second reservoirs. Optionally, the method includes debunkering the electrolyte from the vessel to the first and second reservoirs to provide the electrolyte stored in the first and second reservoirs.

[0031] Optionally, the vessel includes a ballast tank defining a ballast tank chamber configured to store an electrolyte, and bunkering includes bunkering the electrolyte in the ballast tank chamber.

[0032] Optionally, the bunker station is a bunker station according to the second and / or third aspect. Optionally, the bunker station used in the method includes any of the optional features of the bunker station of the second and / or third aspect.

[0033] A fifth aspect of the invention provides a method of debunkering a vessel, the method comprising debunkering used electrolyte from the vessel to a bunker station.

[0034] Optionally, the marine vessel includes a flow battery configured to store electrical energy in the form of a charged electrolyte and / or extract electrical energy from the charged electrolyte for use in powering the marine vessel's electrical systems.

[0035] In this manner, used, discharged, and / or partially discharged electrolyte on board the vessel may be removed from the vessel. The debunkered electrolyte may be charged by the bunker station, such as for bunkering back to the vessel and / or to another vessel. In this manner, the electrolyte may be charged without the vessel having to be connected to an external power supply, such as during a port stay.

[0036] Optionally, the vessel includes a ballast tank defining a ballast tank chamber configured to store an electrolyte, and debunkering includes debunkering the electrolyte from the ballast tank chamber to a bunker station.

[0037] In this manner, the electrolyte may be used to control the stability and / or altitude of a vessel, such as by passing the electrolyte between two or more ballast tanks to control the trim of the vessel, which may also reduce the amount of cargo space that would otherwise be taken up by the vessel's storage tanks to store the electrolyte.

[0038] Optionally, the method includes bunkering the charged electrolyte from the bunker station to the vessel, and the debunkering is performed before, during or after bunkering the charged electrolyte to the vessel.

[0039] That is, discharged electrolyte in the vessel may be replaced with charged electrolyte using the bunker station. That is, the vessel's flow batteries may be rapidly and efficiently recharged by debunkering discharged electrolyte from the vessel and bunkering charged electrolyte to the vessel. Optionally, the method includes charging the electrolyte prior to bunkering the charged electrolyte to the vessel to provide a charged electrolyte. That is, the bunker system may charge electrolyte debunkered from the vessel or electrolyte from any other source, such as another vessel.

[0040] Optionally, the bunker station includes the bunker system of the first aspect. Optionally, the method includes connecting the vessel to the first and second reservoirs via respective first and second ports that open into the respective first and second reservoirs. Optionally, the method includes debunkering electrolyte from the vessel to the first and second reservoirs via the respective first and second ports. Optionally, the method includes, when provided, charging the electrolyte stored in the first and second reservoirs as the electrolyte flows through the first and second ion exchange chambers via the respective first and second fluid loops. Optionally, the method includes, when provided, charging the electrolyte stored in the third and fourth reservoirs using a charger before, during or after debunkering the charged electrolyte from the vessel to the first and second reservoirs. Optionally, a method of a fifth aspect is a method of debunkering and bunkering a vessel, the method comprising bunkering charged electrolyte from a third and fourth reservoir to the vessel via respective third and fourth ports. Optionally, bunkering charged electrolyte from the third and fourth reservoirs to the vessel comprises connecting the vessel to the third and fourth reservoirs via respective third and fourth ports that open into the respective third and fourth reservoirs.

[0041] Optionally, the vessel is a naval vessel, such as a container ship. Optionally, the banca station is a banca station according to the second and / or third aspect. Optionally, the banca station used in the method includes any of the optional features of the banca stations of the second and / or third aspect.

[0042] A sixth aspect of the present invention provides a bunker system including a container configured to contain an electrolyte for a battery system of a marine vessel, an electrode configured to pass electrical energy to the electrolyte in the container so as to charge the electrolyte in the container, and a first port fluidly connectable between the container and the marine vessel to allow a flow of electrolyte between the container and the marine vessel.

[0043] The bunker system includes any of the optional features of the bunker system of the first aspect. Optionally, the bunker system includes a charger configured to charge the electrolyte in the container, the charger including electrodes. Optionally, the bunker station of the second aspect includes the bunker system of the sixth aspect.

[0044] A seventh aspect of the present invention provides a bunker vessel including the bunker system of the first or sixth aspect, or the bunker station of the second or third aspect.

[0045] In this manner, the bunker vessel may be used to bunker and / or debunker electrolyte to and / or from the vessel during the vessel's voyage. The bunker vessel may also be configured to bunker and / or debunker fuel to the vessel during the vessel's voyage, such as before, after, or simultaneously with bunkering and / or debunkering electrolyte. That is, the bunker vessel may be advantageously used to refuel the vessel and recharge the vessel's flow batteries during the vessel's voyage. The bunker vessel may be a bunker bunker rage.

[0046] Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: [Brief description of the drawings]

[0047] [Figure 1] 1 shows a schematic diagram of an embodiment of a ship connected to a banca station.

[0048] [Diagram 2] 1 shows a schematic diagram of an embodiment of a battery system for a bunkering station.

[0049] [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 shows a schematic diagram of an example connection between a ship's storage tank and a bunker station storage.

[0050] [Figure 4] 2 shows a flowchart of a method according to an embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0051] 1 shows a schematic diagram of an embodiment of a ship 20 berthed at a port 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the ship is a naval vessel, in particular a container ship 1. In other embodiments, the ship is another type of cargo vessel, such as a tanker, a dry bulk carrier or reefer ship, a passenger vessel, a tugboat, or any other vessel. In other embodiments, the ship 20 is something other than a naval vessel, such as a riverboat.

[0052] The vessel 20 includes a battery system 200 that includes a vessel flow battery 210 including an ion exchange element 211, a first storage tank 220a, and a second storage tank 220b for storing electrolyte for the vessel flow battery 210. As described in more detail below, the vessel flow battery 210 is configured to store electrical energy in the form of a charged electrolyte and generate electricity by discharging the charged electrolyte using the ion exchange element 210. In this embodiment, the storage tanks 220a, 220b are first and second ballast tanks 220a, 220b of the vessel 20, such as provided in the vessel's hull 21. The first and second ballast tanks 220a, 220b define first and second ballast tank chambers (not shown), respectively, for storing electrolyte. In other embodiments, storage tanks 220a, 220b are other than ballast tanks, such as storage tanks located in any other suitable location within vessel 20.

[0053] The port 1 includes a bunker station 10 that includes a bunker system 100. The bunker station 10 in the illustrated embodiment is on land. In other embodiments, the bunker station 10 is not on land, such as on water, such as provided on a bunker vessel. In such embodiments, the element numbered 1 in FIG. 1 would be considered a bunker vessel, rather than a port.

[0054] 2 shows a schematic diagram of an embodiment of a bunker system 100. The bunker system 100 includes a first reservoir 120a and a second reservoir 120b that contain and / or are configured to contain an electrolyte for a vessel flow battery 210 of the vessel 20. The bunker system 100 also includes a first port 130a and a second port 130b that are each fluidly connected or connectable between the respective first reservoir 120a and second reservoir 120b and the vessel 20, in particular between the respective first storage tank 220a and second storage tank 220b of the vessel 20. This is to allow the flow of electrolyte between the respective first storage tank 120a and second reservoir 120b and the respective first storage tank 220a and second storage tank 220b. The bunker system also includes a station flow battery 110, as described further below, which includes a first reservoir 120a and a second reservoir 120b, as well as a charger 130 for charging the electrolyte in the reservoirs 120a, 120b.

[0055] The bunker station 10 can in turn be used to bunker electrolytes, such as charged electrolytes stored in the reservoirs 120a, 120b, to the vessel 20, such as in the respective first and second storage tanks 220a, 220b. Similarly, the bunker station 10 can be used to debunker electrolytes, such as discharged or partially discharged electrolytes, from the vessel 20 to the bunker system 100. In particular, the bunker station 10 can be configured to debunker electrolytes from the first and second storage tanks 220a, 220b to the respective first and second reservoirs 120a, 120b. The station flow battery 110 can then be used to charge the discharged electrolytes received from the vessel 20, such as for re-bunkering the vessel 20 or for bunkering another vessel.

[0056] 1 and 2, the fluid coupling between the bunker station 10 and the ship 20 will now be described in further detail.

[0057] 1, in this embodiment, the bunker station 10 and the vessel 20 are fluidly connected or connectable to each other by a first bunker conduit 180a and a second bunker conduit 180b. In particular, the first bunker conduit 180a and the second bunker conduit 180b are fluidly connected or connectable between the respective first and second reservoirs 120a and 120b and the respective first and second storage tanks 220a and 220b of the vessel 20 via the respective first and second ports 130a and 130b.

[0058] The first bunker conduit 180a and the second bunker conduit 180b each include a respective first station conduit 181a and a respective second station conduit 181b, which may be a pipe such as a telescopic pipe, and a respective first vessel conduit 182a and a respective second vessel conduit 182b, which may be a pipe such as a rigid pipe. The first station conduit 181a and the second station conduit 181b are part of the bunker system 100 and may include a respective first port 130a and a respective second port 130b or may be fluidly connected or connectable to the respective first port 130a and a respective second port 130b. The first vessel conduit 182a and the second vessel conduit 182b are provided on the vessel 20 and are fluidly connected or connectable to the respective first ballast tank 220a and a respective second ballast tank 220b. The first and second station conduits 181a and 181b are fluidly connected or connectable to the respective first and second ship conduits 182a and 182b by respective first and second bunker connections 183a and 183b to form the respective first and second bunker conduits 180a and 180b. The first and second bunker connections 183a and 183b may be located on the deck of the ship 20. Their illustrated positioning between the ship 20 and the bunker station 10 is only schematic and for purposes of clarity.

[0059] In some embodiments, the first bunker connection 183a and the second bunker connection 183b are each provided to, define, and / or are connectable to a vessel bunker manifold of the vessel 20. Such a vessel bunker manifold may include an arrangement of valves and conduits configured to receive electrolyte from the bunker station 10 and distribute the electrolyte to the storage tanks 220a, 220b of the vessel 20 and / or other storage tanks of the vessel 20, such as other storage tanks not shown in FIG. 1. It will be appreciated that the bunker manifold may also receive electrolyte from the storage tanks 220a, 220b of the vessel 20 and / or other storage tanks of the vessel 20 and pass the electrolyte towards the bunker system 100, such as in a debunkering process.

[0060] In some embodiments, the bunker system 100 includes a distributor (not shown). The distributor may include and / or be connectable to the first station conduit 181a and the second station conduit 181b. The distributor may be configured to receive electrolyte from the vessel 20, such as during a debunkering process, and distribute the electrolyte to the reservoirs 120a, 120b of the bunker system 100 and / or other containers of the bunker system 100, such as other reservoirs and / or containers not shown in FIG. 2. It will be appreciated that the distributor may also receive electrolyte from the reservoirs 120a, 120b of the bunker system 100 and / or other containers or reservoirs of the bunker system 100, such as during a bunkering process, and pass the electrolyte towards the vessel 20.

[0061] The bunker system 100 will now be described in further detail with reference to Fig. 2. In the illustrated embodiment, the bunker system 100 includes a first bunker pump 160a and a second bunker pump 160b, or other suitable fluid transfer device, configured to move electrolyte through the respective first and second ports 130a and 130b. In particular, the first bunker pump 160a and the second bunker pump 160b are configured to move electrolyte through the respective first and second ports 130a and 130b from the respective first and second reservoirs 120a and 120b towards the vessel 20 and / or from the vessel 20 towards the respective first and second reservoirs 120a and 120b. That is, the first bunker pump 160a and the second bunker pump 160b are each independently reversible to cause electrolyte to flow in either direction through the respective first bunker pump 160a and second bunker pump 160b, either toward the vessel 20 or toward the bunker system 100. In other embodiments, the first bunker pump 160a and the second bunker pump 160b are provided elsewhere, such as on the vessel 20 and / or in the respective first bunker conduit 180a and second bunker conduit 180b.

[0062] The flow battery 110 of this example bunker system 100 includes a charger 130, which includes an ion exchange element 131 and a first ion exchange chamber 133a and a second ion exchange chamber 133b within the ion exchange element 131. The first ion exchange chamber 133a and the second ion exchange chamber 133b are configured to receive, contain, and / or allow the passage of electrolyte therethrough. The charger 130 also includes a first electrode 132b and a second electrode 132a electrically connected or connectable to the respective first ion exchange chamber 133a and second ion exchange chamber 133b, or an electrolyte contained therein during use.

[0063] The charger 130 can be connected via the first electrode 132a and the second electrode 132b and the respective first electrical connection 151a and second electrical connection 151b to the electrical contacts 150, which in turn are connected or connectable to a "power source" 30, such as a power supply 30 (see FIG. 1) or an electrical grid 30, by a power supply line 152. That is, the electrical contacts 150 are configured to receive electrical energy from the power supply 30. The electrical contacts 150 are configured, in some embodiments, to convert the electrical current received from the power supply 30 into a suitable current for the charger 130 to charge the electrolyte.

[0064] In some embodiments, the charger 130 includes electrical contacts 150. In some such embodiments, the charger 130 includes (or consists of) only the electrical contacts 150 and the first and second electrodes 132a, 132b. It will be appreciated that in other embodiments, the charger may include only the first and second electrodes 132a, 132b, or any other electrical connection for charging the electrolyte in the ion exchange element 131. In some embodiments, there are no discrete electrical contacts 150, and the first and second electrodes 151a, 151b are electrically connected to the power supply 30 in any other suitable manner. In this case, the first and second electrodes 151a, 151b may be considered to define an electrical contact.

[0065] The power supply 30 is an external power supply 30, or power source 30, remote from the bunker system 100, the bunker station 10, and / or the port 1, as best shown in FIG. 1. In other embodiments, the power supply 30 is any other suitable power supply 30. In some embodiments, the bunker system 100 includes a power supply 30. In some embodiments, the power supply 30 includes a generator configured to generate electrical energy received by the electrical contacts 150 from another type of energy, such as fuel energy or chemical energy. In some embodiments, the generator is configured to generate electrical energy from a renewable source, such as sunlight, wind, rain, tides, waves, or geothermal heat. In this manner, the bunker system 100 may operate at reduced financial and / or environmental costs.

[0066] 2, the first ion exchange chamber 133a and the second ion exchange chamber 133b are fluidly connected or connectable to the respective first and second reservoirs 120a and 120b. More specifically, the flow battery 110 of the bunker system 100 includes a first fluid loop 140a and a second fluid loop 140b, which include the respective first and second reservoirs 120a and 120b and the respective first and second ion exchange chambers 133a and 133b.

[0067] In particular, the first fluid loop 140a includes a first feed conduit 141a that is fluidly connected or connectable between the first reservoir 120a and the first ion exchange chamber 133a. The first fluid loop 140a also includes a first return conduit 142a that is fluidly connected or connectable between the first reservoir 120a and the first ion exchange chamber 133a. The first loop 140a also includes a first loop pump 170a, or other fluid transfer device, configured to move electrolyte around the first fluid loop 140a from the first reservoir 120a to the first ion exchange chamber 133a via the first feed conduit 141a and from the first ion exchange chamber 133a to the first reservoir 120a via the first return conduit 142a. The first loop pump 170a is reversible to cause electrolyte to flow in either direction around the first fluid loop 140a, and in some embodiments, the first loop pump 170a may be located in any other suitable location, such as in the first return conduit 1a.

[0068] The second fluid loop 140b is of similar construction to the first fluid loop 140a and includes a second feed conduit 141b that is fluidly connected or connectable between the second reservoir 120b and the second ion exchange chamber 133b. The second fluid loop 140b also includes a second return conduit 142b that is fluidly connected or connectable between the second reservoir 120b and the second ion exchange chamber 133b. The second loop 140b also includes a second loop pump 170b, or other fluid transfer device, configured to move electrolyte around the second fluid loop 140b from the second reservoir 120b to the second ion exchange chamber 133b via the second feed conduit 141b and back to the second reservoir 120b via the second return conduit 142b. The second loop pump 170b is reversible to cause electrolyte to flow in either direction around the second fluid loop 140b, and in some embodiments, the second loop pump 170b may be located in any other suitable location, such as in the second return conduit 142b.

[0069] The first ion exchange chamber 133a and the second ion exchange chamber 133b are separated from each other by an ion exchange contact 134. In this embodiment, the ion exchange contact 134 is an ion exchange membrane 134 configured to allow electrically charged ions to flow from an electrolyte in one of the first ion exchange chamber 133a and the second ion exchange chamber 133b to an electrolyte in the other of the first ion exchange chamber 133a and the second ion exchange chamber 133b during use. In other embodiments, the ion exchange contact 134 is a fluid junction between two electrolytes flowing in a laminar flow region through the ion exchange element 131.

[0070] In the illustrated embodiment, the first reservoir 120a contains a positively charged electrolyte, or "catholyte," during use, and the second reservoir 120b contains a negatively charged electrolyte, or "anolyte," during use. In other embodiments, the first reservoir 120a contains an anolyte during use, and the second reservoir 120b contains a catholyte during use. In some embodiments, the first reservoir 120a and the second reservoir 120b contain electrolytes that have a low or no charge during use. That is, in some embodiments, the anolyte and catholyte have a low or no charge.

[0071] Catholyte stored in the station flow battery 110 can flow through one of the first ion exchange chamber 133a and the second ion exchange chamber 133b, such as through one of the respective first and second fluid loops 140a and 140b, and anolyte stored in the flow battery 110 can flow through the other of the first ion exchange chamber 133a and the second ion exchange chamber 133b, such as through the other of the first and second fluid loops 140a and 140b. As electrolyte flows through the respective first and second ion exchange chambers 133a and 133b during use, a voltage difference is applied across the charger 130 via the first and second electrodes 132a and 132b, which are each in electrical contact with one of the anolyte and catholyte in the ion exchange element. That is, each of the first electrode 132a and the second electrode 132b is either an anode or a cathode depending on whether it is in contact with the anolyte or catholyte during use. A voltage difference applied across the ion exchange element 131 causes charged ions from the respective electrolytes to exchange across the ion exchange contacts 134. The exchange of charged ions across the ion exchange contacts 134 causes the anolyte to become more negatively charged and the catholyte to become more positively charged. The flow battery 110 thereby stores electrical energy in the form of charged electrolytes stored in the first and second fluid reservoirs 120a and 120b.

[0072] It will be appreciated that the flow battery 110, and in particular the charger 130, may instead be electrically connected to an electrical load as the electrolyte passes through the respective first and second fluid loops 140a and 140b, thereby discharging the electrolyte and generating electrical energy to be supplied to the electrical load. Indeed, the ship flow battery 210 has a similar structure to the station flow battery 110 in that the ship flow battery 210 includes a ship ion exchange element 211 that is fluidly connected or connectable to the respective first and second storage tanks 220a and 220b in the respective fluid loops. The ion exchange element 211 is electrically connected or connectable to the electrical systems of the ship 20, such as a heating system, a lighting system, a propulsion system, an air conditioning system, and / or a control system. In this manner, the ship battery system 200 is capable of supplying electrical energy stored in the positively and negatively charged electrolytes in the first and second storage tanks 220a and 220b to the electrical systems.

[0073] In this embodiment, the electrolyte stored in the first and second reservoirs 120a and 120b (and / or the first and second storage tanks 220a and 220b) during use comprises vanadium, such as vanadium in a solution of sulfuric acid. Thus, each of the first and second reservoirs comprises an electrically insulating interior defining a respective first and second reservoir chamber (not shown) for storing the electrolyte. This may reduce the risk of charge build-up between the electrolyte and the interior of each of the first and second reservoirs 120a and 120b, and / or may reduce the risk of corrosion of the interior of each of the first and second reservoirs 120a and 120b. In this embodiment, the electrically insulating interior of each of the first and second reservoirs 120a and 120b is a polymeric interior. In particular, each of the first and second reservoirs 120a and 120b is constructed from a polymeric material. In other embodiments, each of the first and second reservoirs 120a, 120b is constructed from any other suitable material and includes an electrically insulating inner coating, such as an epoxy-based coating. It will be appreciated that the storage tanks 220a, 220b of the vessel 20 may have a similar construction as the first and second reservoirs 120a, 120b of the bunker station 10. In other embodiments, the electrolyte is any other suitable electrolyte for a flow battery, such as a zinc-based electrolyte and / or a bromine-based electrolyte.

[0074] It will be appreciated from the foregoing description that the bunker system 100 is capable of charging the electrolyte using the charger 130, storing the charged electrolyte in the first and second reservoirs 120a, 120b, and bunkering the charged electrolyte to the ship 20 via the first and second ports 130a, 130b. In this manner, the bunker station 10 may be used to "charge" the ship flow battery 210 of the ship 20, such as without the need to connect the battery system 200 to a power supply.

[0075] In other embodiments, the electrolyte is charged off-site, such as at a location remote from the bunker station 10 and / or port 1, and transported to the bunker station 10 and / or port 1. That is, the electrolyte may be transported to individual storage tanks using trucks, such as tanker trucks, or on any other truck. In other embodiments, the remotely charged electrolyte may be transferred to the bunkering station 10 using any suitable pipe network. In some such embodiments, the port 1 may include one or more centralized flow batteries for charging the electrolyte, and the charged electrolyte is passed to multiple bunker stations 10 at the port 1. In some such embodiments, the bunker station 10 may not include a charger 130. For example, the bunker station 10 may include reservoirs, such as a first reservoir 120a and a second reservoir 120b, configured to store already charged electrolyte for bunkering the vessel 20.

[0076] In an alternative embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, the bunker station 10, and in particular the bunker system 100, includes a first reservoir 120a and a second reservoir 120b, and a third reservoir 121a and a fourth reservoir 121b. Although not shown here, the third reservoir 121a and the fourth reservoir 121b are connected or connectable to the first ion exchange chamber 133a and the second ion exchange chamber 133b, respectively, of the flow battery 110. In some such embodiments, the first reservoir 120a and the third reservoir 121a are independently fluidly connected or connectable to the first ion exchange chamber 133a in the respective fluid loops, such as via any suitable arrangement of conduits and / or valves. That is, in some embodiments, the third reservoir 121a is fluidly connected or connectable to the first ion exchange chamber 133a in the third fluid loop. The second reservoir 120b and the fourth reservoir 121b may be independently fluidly connected or connectable to the second ion exchange chamber 133b in a similar manner. That is, in some embodiments, the fourth reservoir 121b may be fluidly connected or connectable to the first ion exchange chamber 133a in a third fluid loop. In this manner, the electrolyte in the first reservoir 120a and the second reservoir 120b may be charged or simply stored, and the electrolyte in the third reservoir 121a and the fourth reservoir 121b may be bunkered and / or debunkered to / from the vessel 20. Alternatively, the electrolyte in the third reservoir and the fourth reservoir may be charged or simply stored, and the electrolyte in the first reservoir and the second reservoir may be bunkered and / or debunkered to / from the vessel 20 in any suitable manner.

[0077] This process will be described in further detail with reference to an example method 400 of bunkering and / or debunkering a vessel 20, shown as a flow chart in Figure 4. The method 400 includes connecting (410) the vessel 20, in particular the first and second storage tanks 220a and 220b, to the bunker station 10, in particular the first and second reservoirs 120a and 120b. The connecting (410) may be performed in any suitable manner as previously described, such as using the first and second bunker conduits 180a and 180b. The resulting connection is shown as a solid connecting line in Figure 3.

[0078] The method 400 includes debunkering (420) electrolyte stored in the first and second storage tanks 220a and 220b, such as discharged or partially discharged electrolyte, into the respective first and second reservoirs 120a and 120b. The first and second fluid reservoirs may initially be empty or may contain some charged and / or partially charged electrolyte.

[0079] The method 400 then includes disconnecting (430) the first and second storage tanks 220a, 220b from the first and second reservoirs 120a, 120b.

[0080] In some embodiments, the method 400 includes charging (440) the electrolyte stored in the third reservoir 121a and the fourth reservoir 121b, such as by using a charger 130 as previously described. It will be appreciated that in some embodiments, charging (440) the electrolyte in the third reservoir 121a and the fourth reservoir 121b may be performed any time before, during, or after any of the actions labeled 410, 420, and 430 in FIG. 4. Charging (440) the electrolyte results in a charged electrolyte being stored in the third reservoir 121a and the fourth reservoir 121b. In particular, one of the third reservoir 121a and the fourth reservoir 121b contains a positively charged electrolyte and the other of the third reservoir 121a and the fourth reservoir 121b contains a negatively charged electrolyte.

[0081] The method 400 further includes connecting (450) the vessel 20, in particular the first and second storage tanks 220a and 220b, which may now be at least partially empty, to the bunker station 10, in particular the third and fourth reservoirs 121a and 121b. The connecting (450) of the vessel 20 to the third and fourth reservoirs 121a and 121b is performed in any suitable manner as previously described, such as by using the first and second bunker conduits 180a and 180b. That is, in some embodiments, the first and second bunker conduits 180a and 180b can be connected to the third and fourth reservoirs 121a and 121b, such as via respective third and fourth ports (not shown) that open into the respective third and fourth reservoirs 121a and 121b. The resulting connection is indicated by the dashed connecting line in FIG. 3.

[0082] The method 400 includes bunkering (460) the charged electrolyte from the bunker station 10 to the vessel 20, specifically from the third reservoir 121a and the fourth reservoir 121b to the first storage tank 220a and the second storage tank 220b, respectively. In this manner, the battery system 200 of the vessel 20 is charged by receiving the charged electrolyte during the bunkering (460).

[0083] Finally, the method 400 includes disconnecting (470) the first and second storage tanks 220a, 220b from the third and fourth reservoirs 121a, 121b.

[0084] In some examples, the method 400 includes charging (480) the electrolyte stored in the first reservoir 120a and the second reservoir 120b, such as by previously using the charger 130. It will be appreciated that in some examples, charging (480) the electrolyte in the first reservoir 120a and the second reservoir 120b can be performed any time before, during, or after any of the actions labeled 450, 460, and 470 in FIG. 3. Charging (480) the electrolyte results in a charged electrolyte being stored in the first reservoir 120a and the second reservoir 120b. In particular, following charging (480), one of the first reservoir 120a and the second reservoir 120b contains a positively charged electrolyte and the other of the first reservoir 120a and the second reservoir 120b contains a negatively charged electrolyte.

[0085] It will be appreciated that method 400 includes two main steps that may be performed independently of one another. That is, in some embodiments, method 400 is a method 400a of debunkering a vessel 20, where method 400a includes actions labeled 410, 420, and 430 in FIG. 4. In other embodiments, method 400a of debunkering a vessel 410 also includes the "charging" action labeled 480 in FIG. 4. In other embodiments, method 400a of debunkering a vessel may include only the action labeled 420 in FIG. 5.

[0086] In another embodiment, the method 400 is a method 400b of bunkering a vessel 20, where the method 400b includes the actions labeled 450, 460, and 470 in Figure 4. In another embodiment, the method 400b of bunkering a vessel 410 also includes the "charging" action labeled 440 in Figure 4. In another embodiment, the method 400b of bunkering a vessel may only include the action labeled 460 in Figure 4.

[0087] It will be appreciated that the arrangement shown in Figure 3 and / or the method 400 described with reference to Figure 4 may be accomplished in any other suitable manner. For example, in some embodiments, the method 400 may include debunkering (420) electrolyte from the vessel 10 to the first and second reservoirs 120a, 120b, charging (480) the electrolyte in the first and second reservoirs 120a, 120b, and bunkering (460) the charged electrolyte in the first and second reservoirs 120a, 120b to the vessel 20. In some such embodiments, the third and fourth reservoirs 121a, 121b may not be present.

[0088] In other embodiments, the flow battery 110 may be the first flow battery 110, and the bunker system 100 may include a second flow battery including a second ion exchange element (not shown). In some such embodiments, the third reservoir 121a and the fourth reservoir 121b are instead included in the second flow battery and / or are connected or connectable to the second ion exchange element. In some embodiments, the bunker system 100 includes any number of flow batteries and respective reservoirs.

[0089] In some embodiments, the battery system 100 is a first battery system 100 and the bunker station 10 includes a second battery system 100. In some such embodiments, the first battery system 100 includes a first flow battery and the second battery system includes a second flow battery.

[0090] In another embodiment, the bunker station 10 includes a single flow battery 110, such as the flow battery 110 previously described with reference to FIG. 2, and the third and fourth reservoirs 121a and 121b are fluidly connected or connectable to the first and second reservoirs 120a and 120b. In this manner, electrolyte in the first and second reservoirs 120a and 120b, already charged by the charger 130, can be passed to the third and fourth reservoirs 121a and 121b for storage. That is, the third and fourth reservoirs 121a and 121b can be for long-term storage of charged electrolyte, for reserve storage of charged electrolyte, and / or for increasing the storage capacity of the bunker station.

[0091] It will be appreciated that any two or more of the above-described embodiments may be combined in any suitable manner, and / or any feature of one embodiment may be combined with any feature of one or more other embodiments in any suitable manner.

[0092] Additionally, embodiments of the present invention have been discussed with particular reference to illustrated embodiments, and it will be recognized that variations and modifications can be made to the described embodiments within the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. a container configured to contain an electrolyte for a battery system of the marine vessel; a charger configured to charge the electrolyte in the container; a first port fluidly connectable between the container and the vessel to permit flow of the electrolyte between the container and the vessel; A banker system equipped with

2. The bunker system of claim 1 , wherein the charger includes contacts configured to receive electrical energy from a power source.

3. the electrolyte comprises an anolyte and a catholyte; the container includes a first container section configured to contain the anolyte and a second container section configured to contain the catholyte, the first container section and the second container section being isolated from each other. The bunker system according to claim 1 or 2.

4. the first port is fluidly connectable between the first container section and the vessel to permit flow of the anolyte between the first container section and the vessel; the bunker system including a second port fluidly connectable between the second container section and the vessel to allow flow of the catholyte between the second container section and the vessel. The bunker system according to claim 3.

5. a flow battery including the container and the charger; the first container section includes a first ion exchange chamber, the second container section includes a second ion exchange chamber, and the flow battery includes an ion exchange contact separating the first ion exchange chamber from the second ion exchange chamber; the charger is configured to charge the electrolyte in the first ion exchange chamber and the second ion exchange chamber. The bunker system according to claim 3.

6. 6. The bunker system of claim 5, wherein the first container section includes a first reservoir configured to store the anolyte, the second container section includes a second reservoir configured to store the catholyte, and the container includes a first loop including the first reservoir and the first ion exchange chamber, and a second loop including the second reservoir and the second ion exchange chamber.

7. The bunker system of claim 6 comprising a third reservoir and a fourth reservoir connected or connectable to the respective first and second ion exchange chambers.

8. 8. The bunker system of claim 7, wherein the first reservoir and the third reservoir are independently fluidly connected or connectable to the first ion exchange chamber within their respective fluid loops, and the second reservoir and the fourth reservoir are independently fluidly connected or connectable to the second ion exchange chamber within their respective fluid loops.

9. 9. The bunker system of claim 8, wherein the first port opens into the first reservoir and the second port opens into the second reservoir.

10. 10. The bunker system of claim 9, wherein the third reservoir and the fourth reservoir are fluidly connected or connectable to the vessel via respective third and fourth ports that open into the respective third and fourth reservoirs.

11. A bunker station including a bunker system, a container configured to contain a charged electrolyte for a battery system of the marine vessel; a port fluidly connectable between the container and the vessel to permit flow of the charged electrolyte from the container to the vessel; Including, banca station.

12. 1. A method of bunkering a vessel, comprising the steps of: bunkering a charged electrolyte from a bunker station to the vessel.

13. The bunker station includes a battery system according to claim 7, The method comprises: charging the electrolyte stored in the third reservoir and the fourth reservoir using a charger such that the charged electrolyte is stored in the third reservoir and the fourth reservoir; connecting the vessel to the third and fourth reservoirs via respective third and fourth ports opening into the respective third and fourth reservoirs; bunkering the charged electrolyte from the third and fourth reservoirs to the vessel via the third and fourth ports, respectively; charging the electrolyte stored in the first and second reservoirs as the electrolyte flows through the first and second ion exchange chambers via the first and second loops, respectively, before, during, or after bunkering the charged electrolyte from the third and fourth reservoirs to the vessel; The method of claim 12, comprising:

14. The method is a method for bunkering and debunkering the vessel, The method comprises: debunkering the electrolyte from the vessel to the first and second reservoirs to provide the electrolyte stored in the first and second reservoirs. The method of claim 13.

15. 13. The method of claim 12, comprising charging an electrolyte prior to the bunkering of the charged electrolyte on the vessel to provide the charged electrolyte.

16. 1. A method of debunkering a vessel, comprising the steps of: debunkering used electrolyte from said vessel to a bunker station.

17. The bunker station includes the bunker system according to claim 7, The method comprises: connecting the vessel to the first and second reservoirs via respective first and second ports opening into the respective first and second reservoirs; debunkering the electrolyte from the vessel into the first and second reservoirs via the first and second ports, respectively; charging the electrolyte stored in the first and second reservoirs as the electrolyte flows through the first and second ion exchange chambers via the respective first and second loops; charging electrolyte stored in a third and fourth reservoir using a charger before, during or after the debunkering of the charged electrolyte from the vessel to the first and second reservoirs; 17. The method of claim 16, comprising:

18. 17. The method of claim 16, comprising bunkering a charged electrolyte from the bunker station to the vessel, and wherein the debunkering is performed before, during, or after bunkering the charged electrolyte to the vessel.

Images