Transport vehicle for transferring cryogenic liquefied gas

Abstract

To provide a transport vehicle for transferring low-temperature liquefied gas capable of imparting high heat insulating performance to a pipe in which the low-temperature liquefied gas supplied from a tank to an evaporator flows, and reducing vibration during traveling of the transport vehicle to the pipe.SOLUTION: A transport vehicle includes a tank configured to store a low-temperature liquefied gas, a liquid feeding line configured to supply the low-temperature liquefied gas from the tank to a supply destination, and a pressurization line including a first pipe and a second pipe and provided with an evaporator configured to vaporize the low-temperature liquefied gas supplied from the tank via the first pipe between the first pipe and the second pipe, the pressurization line being configured to supply a pressurized gas generated in the evaporator to an upper space in the tank via the second pipe. The first pipe includes a thermal-insulated multi-walled pipe portion constituted by a multi-walled pipe in which a thermal insulation layer is formed between an outer pipe and an inner pipe, and a single pipe portion constituted by a single pipe.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to vehicles for transporting cryogenic liquefied gases. [Background technology]

[0002] Cryogenic liquefied gas such as liquefied hydrogen is transported in a low-temperature liquid state from, for example, a cryogenic liquefied gas production facility to various destinations of cryogenic liquefied gas (hereinafter simply referred to as "destinations"). The transport of cryogenic liquefied gas is generally carried out by a transport vehicle equipped with a storage tank facility capable of storing the cryogenic liquefied gas in a liquid state. A tank truck is known as this type of transport vehicle, and is disclosed, for example, in Patent Document 1. As shown in FIG. 9, the tank truck of Patent Document 1 is equipped with at least a tank 101 for storing the cryogenic liquefied gas, a liquid transfer line 102, and a pressurization line 103 as a storage tank facility 100 for the cryogenic liquefied gas.

[0003] The liquid supply line 102 is a pipe for supplying the low-temperature liquefied gas in the tank 101 to a supply destination. The low-temperature liquefied gas in the tank 101 is supplied to the supply destination by flowing through the liquid supply line 102. When the low-temperature liquefied gas passes through a supply valve 104 provided on the liquid supply line 102 and is supplied to the supply destination via the liquid supply line 102, the liquid level 1 of the low-temperature liquefied gas in the tank 101 drops.

[0004] The low-temperature liquefied gas in the tank 101 is supplied to a destination via the liquid supply line 102 by maintaining the inside of the tank 101 at a set pressure. The pressurized line 103 is a pipe for maintaining the pressure inside the tank 101 at the set pressure by pressurizing the inside of the tank 101 so that the pressure inside the tank 101 does not drop when the liquid level 1 of the low-temperature liquefied gas in the tank 101 drops.

[0005] The pressurization line 103 includes at least an evaporator 105, a first pipe 106 and a second pipe 107 connecting the tank 101 and the evaporator 105, a pressurization valve 108 provided in the first pipe 106 and positioned on the inlet side of the evaporator 105, and a pressure adjustment valve 109 provided in the second pipe 107 and positioned on the outlet side of the evaporator 105. The evaporator 105 is, for example, a heat exchanger that uses outside air as a heat source. When the low-temperature liquefied gas in the tank 101 passes through the pressurization valve 108 and is supplied to the evaporator 105 via the first pipe 106, the low-temperature liquefied gas is vaporized by heat exchange with the outside air and becomes pressurized gas. The pressurized gas is sent to the upper space (gas phase) in the tank 101 via the second pipe 107. For example, when the liquid level 1 of the low-temperature liquefied gas in the tank 101 drops, the pressure adjustment valve 109 is opened to extract the low-temperature liquefied gas from the tank 101 and gasify it in the evaporator 105. Then, the valve opening of pressure control valve 109 is adjusted to send pressurized gas into tank 101 so that the pressure inside tank 101 is increased to the set pressure. This improves the efficiency of the operation of supplying low-temperature liquefied gas from the tank truck to the destination. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2011-1992 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] At the destination of the low-temperature liquefied gas, it is desirable that the low-temperature liquefied gas be supplied quickly from a transport vehicle such as a tank truck. However, in the storage tank facility 100 of the transport vehicle, if the low-temperature liquefied gas supplied from the tank 101 to the evaporator 105 vaporizes due to heat conduction from the outside as it flows through the first piping 106, the flow rate of the low-temperature liquefied gas supplied from the tank 101 to the evaporator 105 decreases. As a result, pressurized gas is not efficiently generated in the evaporator 105, and if it takes time to pressurize the inside of the tank 101, it takes time to supply the low-temperature liquefied gas from the transport vehicle to the destination. Therefore, the first piping 106 needs to have high thermal insulation properties to maintain the low-temperature liquefied gas in a low-temperature liquid state, and be able to suppress vaporization of the low-temperature liquefied gas due to heat conduction from the outside.

[0008] Furthermore, when the low-temperature liquefied gas is transported by a transport vehicle, various vibrations occur in the transport vehicle while it is traveling to the destination of the low-temperature liquefied gas. The vibrations of the transport vehicle are transmitted to the storage tank equipment 100 installed in the transport vehicle, and the evaporator 105, etc., are particularly subjected to large vibrations. If the first pipe 106 is repeatedly subjected to vibrations while the transport vehicle is traveling for a long period of time, there is a risk that fatigue failure will occur in the first pipe 106. Therefore, the first pipe 106 needs to have a structure that can mitigate vibrations while the transport vehicle is traveling.

[0009] The object of the present disclosure is to provide a transport vehicle for transporting low-temperature liquefied gas that has high insulation properties for the piping through which the low-temperature liquefied gas supplied from the tank to the evaporator flows and that can reduce vibrations to the piping while the transport vehicle is traveling. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] A transport vehicle for transporting cryogenic liquefied gas according to the present disclosure is used when transporting cryogenic liquefied gas to a supply destination of the cryogenic liquefied gas. The transport vehicle for transporting cryogenic liquefied gas according to the present disclosure comprises: a tank for storing the cryogenic liquefied gas; a liquid transfer line for supplying the cryogenic liquefied gas from the tank to the supply destination; and a pressurized line including a first pipe and a second pipe, the pressurized line having an evaporator between the first pipe and the second pipe for vaporizing the cryogenic liquefied gas supplied from the tank via the first pipe, for supplying pressurized gas generated in the evaporator to an upper space in the tank via the second pipe, wherein the first pipe includes an insulated multi-pipe section composed of a multi-pipe having an insulating layer formed between an outer pipe and an inner pipe, and a single-pipe section composed of a single pipe. [Effects of the Invention]

[0011] According to the transport vehicle for transporting low-temperature liquefied gas according to the present disclosure, it is possible to provide high thermal insulation to the first pipe through which the low-temperature liquefied gas flows to be supplied from the tank to the evaporator.

[0012] Furthermore, according to the transport vehicle for transporting low-temperature liquefied gas according to the present disclosure, it is possible to reduce vibrations that the first pipe receives while traveling. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0013] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a transport vehicle for transporting cryogenic liquefied gas according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 2A] FIG. 2A is a view of the tank and the first pipe as seen from the rear side of the transport vehicle. [Figure 2B] FIG. 2B is a view of the tank and the first pipe as seen from the left side of the transport vehicle. [Figure 2C] FIG. 2C is a view of the tank and the first pipe as seen from the right side of the transport vehicle. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a pipe having a highly heat-insulating structure. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a piping structure of a single pipe section. [Figure 5]FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing another example of the piping structure of the single pipe section. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the first elbow pipe. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the second elbow pipe. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the third elbow pipe. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram of a prior art transport vehicle for transporting cryogenic liquefied gas. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0014] [Outline of the embodiment] First, an overview of the transport vehicle for transporting low-temperature liquefied gas according to the present disclosure will be listed and explained.

[0015] A transport vehicle for transporting cryogenic liquefied gas according to the present disclosure is used when transporting cryogenic liquefied gas to a supply destination of the cryogenic liquefied gas. The transport vehicle for transporting cryogenic liquefied gas according to the present disclosure comprises: a tank for storing the cryogenic liquefied gas; a liquid transfer line for supplying the cryogenic liquefied gas from the tank to the supply destination; and a pressurized line including a first pipe and a second pipe, the pressurized line having an evaporator between the first pipe and the second pipe for vaporizing the cryogenic liquefied gas supplied from the tank via the first pipe, for supplying pressurized gas generated in the evaporator to an upper space in the tank via the second pipe, wherein the first pipe includes an insulated multi-pipe section composed of a multi-pipe having an insulating layer formed between an outer pipe and an inner pipe, and a single-pipe section composed of a single pipe.

[0016] Transport vehicles that transport low-temperature liquefied gas, such as liquefied hydrogen, to a destination are required to quickly supply the low-temperature liquefied gas from the transport vehicle to the destination. Therefore, before and during the supply of the low-temperature liquefied gas to the destination, the transport vehicle supplies the low-temperature liquefied gas stored in a tank to an evaporator to vaporize it, and then pressurizes the tank with the vaporized low-temperature liquefied gas (pressurized gas) to maintain a set pressure inside the tank. In order to efficiently pressurize the tank in a transport vehicle, the low-temperature liquefied gas needs to be supplied to the evaporator in a low-temperature liquid state without being vaporized by external heat conduction while being supplied from the tank to the evaporator. Therefore, the present inventors investigated the use of a highly insulating double pipe (a double pipe with an insulating layer formed between an outer pipe and an inner pipe) for the first pipe through which the low-temperature liquefied gas supplied from the tank to the evaporator flows, in order to suppress the vaporization of the low-temperature liquefied gas due to external heat conduction.

[0017] However, the inventors' investigations revealed that using a thermally insulated double pipe along the entire length of the first pipe poses the following problem. When a transport vehicle transports low-temperature liquefied gas to a destination, the vehicle generates various vibrations while traveling to the destination. The vibrations of the transport vehicle are transmitted to the tank, first pipe, evaporator, and other components of the storage tank equipment installed in the transport vehicle, and the storage tank equipment is repeatedly exposed to vibrations while the transport vehicle is traveling for a long period of time. From the perspective of achieving high thermal insulation, it is considered to use a thermally insulated double pipe along the entire length of the first pipe. However, if a thermally insulated double pipe is used along the entire length of the first pipe, the first pipe lacks flexibility and cannot absorb vibrations, which increases the risk of fatigue failure of the first pipe due to repeated exposure to vibrations while the transport vehicle is traveling for a long period of time. Therefore, the inventors' investigations revealed that the first pipe needs to have both a highly insulated structure that can suppress evaporation of the low-temperature liquefied gas and a structure that can absorb vibrations while the transport vehicle is traveling.

[0018] In the transport vehicle for transporting cryogenic liquefied gas according to the present disclosure, the first pipe through which the cryogenic liquefied gas supplied from the tank to the evaporator flows includes an insulated multi-pipe section composed of a multi-pipe having an insulating layer formed between an outer pipe and an inner pipe, and a single-pipe section composed of a single pipe, and the insulated multi-pipe section provides high thermal insulation. Therefore, evaporation of the cryogenic liquefied gas due to heat conduction from the outside as it flows through the first pipe can be suppressed. Therefore, the cryogenic liquefied gas can be supplied to the evaporator in a low-temperature liquid state, allowing the tank to be quickly pressurized in the transport vehicle. As a result, the cryogenic liquefied gas can be quickly supplied from the transport vehicle to the destination.

[0019] Additionally, in the transport vehicle for transporting low-temperature liquefied gas according to the present disclosure, the first pipe includes a single pipe section that is more flexible than an insulated multi-pipe section. Therefore, the single pipe section can absorb vibrations that the first pipe receives while the transport vehicle is traveling. This can prevent fatigue failure or the like from occurring in the first pipe, which can lead to gas leakage or the like in the first pipe. As a result, the safety of the transport vehicle can be improved.

[0020] In the transport vehicle for transporting low-temperature liquefied gas according to the present disclosure, the single pipe section may be configured to include an elbow pipe. In a transport vehicle for transporting low-temperature liquefied gas having this configuration, the single pipe section includes an elbow pipe that is easily bent and easily absorbs deflection, thereby effectively mitigating vibrations that the first piping receives while the transport vehicle is traveling.

[0021] Furthermore, in the transport vehicle for transporting low-temperature liquefied gas according to the present disclosure, if the single pipe section is configured to include at least three elbow pipes, the vibrations that the first piping receives while the transport vehicle is traveling can be more effectively alleviated.

[0022] In a transport vehicle for transporting cryogenic liquefied gas according to the present disclosure, the single pipe section may be configured to include at least two of the following elbow pipes: a first elbow pipe that changes the flow of the cryogenic liquefied gas between a first direction parallel to a horizontal plane and a direction perpendicular to the horizontal plane, a second elbow pipe that changes the flow of the cryogenic liquefied gas between a second direction that is parallel to the horizontal plane and different from the first direction and a direction perpendicular to the horizontal plane, and a third elbow pipe that changes the flow of the cryogenic liquefied gas between two different directions parallel to the horizontal plane. A transport vehicle for transporting cryogenic liquefied gas having this configuration can effectively reduce vibrations that the first piping receives while the transport vehicle is traveling.

[0023] Furthermore, in the transport vehicle for transporting low-temperature liquefied gas according to the present disclosure, if the single pipe section is configured to include at least one of the first elbow pipe, the second elbow pipe, and the third elbow pipe as the elbow pipe, the vibrations received by the first piping while the transport vehicle is traveling can be more effectively alleviated.

[0024] In the vehicle for transporting cryogenic liquefied gas according to the present disclosure, the elbow pipe may be a long elbow pipe having a radius of curvature greater than the outer diameter of the end portion, which effectively reduces vibrations that the first piping receives while the vehicle is traveling.

[0025] In the transport vehicle for transporting low-temperature liquefied gas according to the present disclosure, the first piping may be configured such that the insulated multi-pipe section is disposed on the tank side and the single pipe section is disposed on the evaporator side. With this configuration of the transport vehicle for transporting low-temperature liquefied gas, the single pipe section, which has excellent flexibility, is disposed on the evaporator side, which is subject to significant vibrations while the transport vehicle is traveling, thereby effectively mitigating vibrations that the first piping receives while the transport vehicle is traveling.

[0026] In a transport vehicle for transporting cryogenic liquefied gas according to the present disclosure, the cryogenic liquefied gas may be a cryogenic liquefied gas that liquefies at atmospheric pressure a temperature of 20 K or less. Cryogenic liquefied gases, such as liquefied hydrogen and liquefied helium, have a lower liquefaction temperature (boiling point) than liquefied nitrogen, liquefied natural gas, etc., and are therefore more likely to vaporize due to external heat conduction while being supplied from the tank to the evaporator through the first pipe. Therefore, even if a pipe lacking high thermal insulation is used for the first pipe when transporting liquefied nitrogen, liquefied natural gas, etc., the amount of cryogenic liquefied gas vaporized in the first pipe is not large and a decrease in the flow rate of the cryogenic liquefied gas supplied to the evaporator is not a significant problem, transporting cryogenic liquefied gases, such as liquefied hydrogen and liquefied helium, by a transport vehicle will not be the same as transporting liquefied nitrogen, liquefied natural gas, etc. by a transport vehicle. Therefore, when transporting cryogenic liquefied gas by a transport vehicle, it is highly necessary to provide the first pipe with high thermal insulation. According to a transport vehicle for transporting low-temperature liquefied gas having this configuration, the cryogenic liquefied gas can be safely transported to the destination by the transport vehicle, and liquefied hydrogen can be quickly supplied from the transport vehicle to the destination.

[0027] In the transport vehicle for transporting low-temperature liquefied gas according to the present disclosure, the low-temperature liquefied gas may be liquefied hydrogen. With this configuration, the liquefied hydrogen can be safely transported to a destination by the transport vehicle, and the liquefied hydrogen can be quickly supplied from the transport vehicle to the destination.

[0028] [Specific example of embodiment] Next, a specific embodiment of a transport vehicle for transporting low-temperature liquefied gas (hereinafter simply referred to as a "transport vehicle") according to the present disclosure will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the present disclosure, the same or corresponding parts in the drawings will be designated by the same reference numerals, and their description will not be repeated.

[0029] <Low temperature liquefied gas> In this disclosure, cryogenic liquefied gas refers to a fluid that liquefies at a temperature of 120 K (approximately -153°C) or lower. Examples of cryogenic liquefied gas include liquefied natural gas, liquefied oxygen, liquefied nitrogen, liquefied hydrogen, and liquefied helium, but the cryogenic liquefied gas is not limited to these examples. The transport vehicle according to this disclosure is suitable for use in transporting cryogenic liquefied gas, among other cryogenic liquefied gases. In this disclosure, cryogenic liquefied gas refers to a fluid that liquefies at a temperature of 20 K (approximately -253°C) or lower. Examples of cryogenic liquefied gas include liquefied hydrogen and liquefied helium, but the cryogenic liquefied gas is not limited to these examples.

[0030] <Transport vehicle> FIG. 1 shows a schematic configuration of a transport vehicle 10 according to an embodiment of an example of the present disclosure. The transport vehicle 10 is equipped with a storage tank facility 1 for transporting low-temperature liquefied gas in a low-temperature liquid state to various supply destinations. The transport vehicle 10 is exemplified by a vehicle equipped with a tank such as a tank truck, or a vehicle carrying a tank container. Note that the transport vehicle 10 is not limited to the above-mentioned example, as long as it is equipped with the storage tank facility 1 and is capable of transporting low-temperature liquefied gas in a liquid state.

[0031] <Storage tank equipment> The storage tank facility 1 includes at least a tank 2 for storing low-temperature liquefied gas, a liquid transfer line 3 for supplying the low-temperature liquefied gas from the tank 2 to a supply destination, and a pressurized line 4 for supplying pressurized gas that pressurizes the inside of the tank 2 to the tank 2. The tank 2, the liquid transfer line 3, and the pressurized line 4 will be described below. In addition to the tank 2, the liquid transfer line 3, and the pressurized line 4, the storage tank facility 1 may also include a recovery line for recovering gas inside the inner tank 20 of the tank 2 at the supply destination, and a release line for releasing the gas inside the inner tank 20 to the atmosphere when the pressure inside the inner tank 20 of the tank 2 increases and reaches an abnormal value, but a description of these will be omitted in the present disclosure.

[0032] <Tank> The tank 2 is a sealed container capable of storing cryogenic liquefied gas in a liquid state at a low temperature. The tank 2 has a highly insulated structure in order to maintain the cryogenic liquefied gas in a liquid state. An example of a tank 2 with a highly insulated structure is a tank with a vacuum insulation structure that includes an inner tank 20 that stores the cryogenic liquefied gas and an outer tank 21 that stores the inner tank 20, with the space between the inner tank 20 and the outer tank 21 being a vacuum insulation layer 22. The space between the inner tank 20 and the outer tank 21 may be filled with an insulating material. The inner tank 20 is held in the center of the outer tank 21 using, for example, a band-shaped support made of FRP or the like that has low thermal conductivity and high strength. The cryogenic liquefied gas stored in the inner tank 20 is maintained in a liquid state by being insulated by the vacuum insulation layer 22 that covers the inner tank 20. In this disclosure, "inside the tank" basically means "inside the inner tank of the tank."

[0033] <Liquid transfer line> The liquid supply line 3 is a pipe through which the low-temperature liquefied gas flows when the low-temperature liquefied gas in the tank 2 is supplied to a destination. The material of the pipe is not particularly limited, and a material conventionally used for this type of pipe, such as stainless steel, can be used.

[0034] The liquid supply line 3 has one end, or first end 30, connected to the lower part of the inner tank 20 of the tank 2. The lower part of the inner tank 20 refers to a part of the inner tank 20 that is below the liquid level 1 of the low-temperature liquefied gas in the inner tank 20. The first end 30 of the liquid supply line 3 is connected, for example, to the bottom of the inner tank 20 of the tank 2. The other end, or second end 31 of the liquid supply line 3, is connected to a filling hose via a pipe joint at the supply destination. A supply valve 5 is provided between the first end 30 and the second end 31 of the liquid supply line 3. The supply valve 5 can switch the liquid supply line 3 between a communicating state (line open) and a closed state (line closed). When the low-temperature liquefied gas in the tank 2 passes through the supply valve 5 and is supplied to the supply destination via the liquid supply line 3, the liquid level 1 of the low-temperature liquefied gas in the tank 2 drops.

[0035] The liquid supply line 3 has a highly insulated structure so that the low-temperature liquefied gas can be supplied to the destination in a low-temperature liquid state. An example of a pipe with a highly insulated structure is a vacuum-insulated multi-layer pipe, such as a double pipe in which a vacuum insulation layer is formed between an outer pipe and an inner pipe. The space between the outer pipe and the inner pipe may be filled with a heat insulating material. The liquid supply line 3 is formed, for example, by connecting multiple straight pipes with a highly insulated structure with pipe joints such as elbow pipes and T-pipes with a highly insulated structure.

[0036] The liquid feed line 3 can also be used as a pipe (filling line) for filling the tank 2 with low-temperature liquefied gas in a low-temperature liquefied gas manufacturing facility or the like when the low-temperature liquefied gas in the tank 2 decreases due to the supply of the low-temperature liquefied gas in the tank 2 to a supply destination. The low-temperature liquefied gas can be filled into the inner vessel 20 of the tank 2 through the liquid feed line 3 until the liquid level l reaches a predetermined position. The position of the liquid level l of the low-temperature liquefied gas in the tank 2 is measured by a liquid level gauge. It is not necessary to use the liquid feed line 3 for both the supply of low-temperature liquefied gas and the filling of low-temperature liquefied gas, and a filling line may be configured to be connected to the tank 2 separately from the liquid feed line 3.

[0037] <Pressure line> The pressurized line 4 is a pipe for maintaining the pressure inside the tank 2 at a set pressure by pressurizing the inside of the tank 2 so that the pressure inside the tank 2 does not decrease. By maintaining the pressure inside the tank 2 at the set pressure, the low-temperature liquefied gas inside the tank 2 is quickly supplied to the supply destination via the liquid supply line 3.

[0038] One end, or first end 40, of the pressurized line 4 is connected to the lower part of the inner tank 20 of the tank 2, and the other end, or second end 41, is connected to the upper part of the inner tank 20 of the tank 2. The upper part of the inner tank 20 refers to the part of the inner tank 20 that is above the liquid level 1 of the low-temperature liquefied gas in the inner tank 20. For example, the first end 40 of the pressurized line 4 is connected to the bottom of the inner tank 20 of the tank 2, and the second end 41 of the pressurized line 4 is connected to the top of the inner tank 20 of the tank 2 and communicates with the gas phase in the inner tank 20. A pressurizing valve 6, an evaporator 7, and a pressure regulating valve 8 are provided between the first end 40 and the second end 41 of the pressurized line 4, in that order.

[0039] The pressurizing valve 6 can switch between a communicating state (line open) and a closed state (line closed) of the pressurizing line 4. The low-temperature liquefied gas in the tank 2 is supplied to the evaporator 7 through the pressurizing valve 6.

[0040] The evaporator 7 is a heat exchanger that uses, for example, outside air as a heat source. At least one evaporator 7 is provided in the pressurized line 4, and in this embodiment, two evaporators 7 are provided in parallel in the pressurized line 4. The evaporator 7 may be disposed behind the tank 2 in the transport vehicle 10, or may be disposed further forward, below the tank 2, as shown in Figures 2A to 2C. When two evaporators 7 are provided in parallel in the pressurized line 4, the two evaporators 7 are disposed below the tank 2, one on each of the left and right sides of the tank 2. The evaporator 7 vaporizes the low-temperature liquefied gas through heat exchange with the outside air, thereby generating pressurized gas. The pressurized gas generated in the evaporator 7 is sent to the gas phase in the tank 2.

[0041] As shown in Figure 1, the pressure control valve 8 can adjust the flow rate of the pressurized gas supplied from the evaporator 7 to the tank 2. By adjusting the valve opening of the pressure control valve 8 to send a predetermined flow rate of pressurized gas into the gas phase in the tank 2, the inside of the tank 2 is pressurized so that the pressure inside the tank 2 is maintained at the set pressure. This improves the efficiency of supplying low-temperature liquefied gas from the tank 2 to the destination. The pressure inside the tank 2 is measured by a pressure gauge.

[0042] 1, the pressurized line 4 includes a first pipe 42 and a second pipe 43, and an evaporator 7 is provided between the first pipe 42 and the second pipe 43. The first pipe 42 is connected to a lower part of the tank 2 and a connection part 70 on the inlet side of the evaporator 7. The second pipe 43 is connected to a connection part 71 on the outlet side of the evaporator 7 and to an upper part of the tank 2.

[0043] In this embodiment, two evaporators 7 are provided in the pressurized line 4. Therefore, a portion of the first pipe 42 on the side of the end connected to the evaporator 7 branches into two, and each of the two branches is connected to a corresponding connection 70 of the evaporator 7. In addition, a portion of the second pipe 43 on the side of the end connected to the evaporator 7 branches into two, and each of the two branches is connected to a corresponding connection 71 of the evaporator 7.

[0044] <First piping> The first pipe 42 constitutes the portion of the pressurized line 4 through which the low-temperature liquefied gas supplied from the tank 2 to the evaporator 7 flows. If the first pipe 42 has a highly insulated structure over its entire length, the low-temperature liquefied gas can be most effectively supplied in a low-temperature liquid state from the tank 2 to the evaporator 7. However, in the transport vehicle 10 according to the present disclosure, the first pipe 42 is intended to achieve both a highly insulated structure that can suppress evaporation of the low-temperature liquefied gas and a structure that can reduce vibrations while the transport vehicle 10 is traveling.

[0045] Therefore, in the transport vehicle 10 according to the present disclosure, the first piping 42 is not a piping having a highly insulated structure over its entire length, but includes an insulated multi-pipe section 44, which is a section having a highly insulated structure, and a single-pipe section 47, which is a section not having a highly insulated structure.

[0046] 1, the first piping 42 is configured so that the heat-insulating multi-pipe section 44 is disposed on the tank 2 side and the single pipe section 47 is disposed on the evaporator 7 side. In this configuration, one end of the heat-insulating multi-pipe section 44 is connected to the lower part of the tank 2, and the single pipe section 47 is connected to the other end of the heat-insulating multi-pipe section 44 and a connection section 70 on the inlet side of the evaporator 7. Note that the first piping 42 may also be configured so that the heat-insulating multi-pipe section 44 is disposed on the evaporator 7 side and the single pipe section 47 is disposed on the tank 2 side.

[0047] <Insulated multi-pipe section> The insulated multi-pipe section 44 is a pipe having a high thermal insulation structure. The material of the pipe is not particularly limited, and a material conventionally used for this type of pipe, such as stainless steel, can be used. An example of a pipe having a high thermal insulation structure is a vacuum-insulated multi-pipe, such as a double pipe in which a vacuum insulation layer 442 is formed between an outer pipe 440 and an inner pipe 441, as shown in FIG. 3. The space between the outer pipe 440 and the inner pipe 441 may be filled with a thermal insulating material. The outer diameter r1 of the outer pipe 440 is, for example, 75 mm or more and 165 mm or less. The inner diameter r2 of the inner pipe 441 is, for example, 28 mm or more and 43 mm or less.

[0048] 2A to 2C, the heat-insulating multi-pipe section 44 is configured by connecting a plurality of straight pipes 45 of a multi-pipe structure with pipe joints 46 of a high heat-insulating structure, such as elbow pipes (including bend pipes) of a multi-pipe structure or T-pipes of a multi-pipe structure. Note that in the first piping 42, the form of the heat-insulating multi-pipe section 44 (the combination of the straight pipes 45 and the pipe joints 46) is not limited to the examples shown in FIGS. 2A to 2C.

[0049] <Single pipe section> The single pipe section 47 is a pipe made up of a single pipe. The material of the pipe is not particularly limited, and materials conventionally used for this type of pipe, such as stainless steel, can be used. The single pipe section 47 is inferior in thermal insulation to the insulated multi-pipe section 44, but is superior in flexibility. The outer diameter of the single pipe section 47 is, for example, 34 mm or more and 50 mm or less. The inner diameter of the single pipe section 47 is, for example, 28 mm or more and 43 mm or less.

[0050] 4 and 5, the single pipe section 47 is configured by connecting a plurality of straight pipes 48 of a single pipe structure with pipe fittings of a non-highly insulated structure, such as elbow pipes 49 (including bend pipes) of a single pipe structure. In this embodiment, the single pipe section 47 includes at least three elbow pipes 49. Note that the single pipe section 47 may include pipe fittings 50 of a single pipe structure other than the elbow pipes 49.

[0051] <Elbow pipe> The elbow pipe 49 is an L-shaped pipe joint for connecting, for example, two straight pipes 48 while changing their orientation. The angle α of the elbow pipe 49 is, for example, 90°, as shown in Figures 6 to 8. The angle α of the elbow pipe 49 is the angle formed by the intersection of a first central axis C1 perpendicular to the opening surface at one end of the elbow pipe 49 and a second central axis C2 perpendicular to the opening surface at the other end of the elbow pipe 49. Note that the angle α of the elbow pipe 49 is not limited to 90°.

[0052] The elbow pipe 49 is more flexible than the straight pipe 48 when subjected to vibrations while the transport vehicle 10 is traveling, and is therefore more likely to absorb deflection. Because the elbow pipe 49 has good flexibility, the first pipe 42, which has fixed ends, includes a single pipe section 47 equipped with at least three elbow pipes 49, thereby effectively mitigating the vibrations that the first pipe 42 receives while the transport vehicle 10 is traveling.

[0053] In particular, when the highly flexible single pipe section 47 is arranged on the evaporator 7 side, which is subject to significant vibrations while the transport vehicle 10 is traveling, the vibrations that the first piping 42 receives while the transport vehicle 10 is traveling can be effectively alleviated.

[0054] In addition, the elbow pipe 49 absorbs the expansion and contraction of the pipe. Therefore, even if thermal stress occurs in the first pipe 42, which has both ends fixed, due to temperature changes or the like, and the first pipe 42 expands and contracts due to the thermal stress, the elbow pipe 49 deforms to absorb the expansion and contraction. This prevents the first pipe 42 from being damaged by the thermal stress.

[0055] As shown in Figures 6 to 8, a long type elbow pipe is used for the elbow pipe 49, which has a large radius of curvature R of the curved portion and a long curved length. In a long elbow type elbow pipe, the radius of curvature R of the curved portion is larger than the outer diameter D of the end, and preferably the radius of curvature R is 1.5 times or more the outer diameter D. By using a long elbow type elbow pipe for the elbow pipe 49, it is possible to effectively reduce vibrations that the first pipe 42 receives while the transport vehicle 10 is traveling. Furthermore, the elbow pipe 49 can effectively absorb expansion and contraction of the first pipe 42 due to thermal stress. Alternatively, a short type elbow pipe, whose radius of curvature R is equal to or approximately equal to the outer diameter D, may be used for the elbow pipe 49.

[0056] The at least three elbow pipes 49 included in the single pipe portion 47 include at least two of a first elbow pipe 49A, a second elbow pipe 49B, and a third elbow pipe 49C shown in FIGS.

[0057] As shown in Fig. 6, the first elbow pipe 49A is bent in an L shape so as to change the flow of the low-temperature liquefied gas between a first direction parallel to a horizontal plane and a direction perpendicular to the horizontal plane. The first elbow pipe 49A is a vertical elbow pipe installed vertically so that a plane including the central axis C of the L-shaped bent pipe is a first vertical plane (XY plane). The first elbow pipe 49A is bent in an L shape in the first vertical plane (XY plane), and can effectively reduce vibrations that the first piping 42 receives while the transport vehicle 10 is traveling, particularly vibration components in a direction along the first vertical plane (XY plane).

[0058] As shown in FIG. 7 , the second elbow pipe 49B is bent in an L shape so as to change the flow of the low-temperature liquefied gas between a second direction that is parallel to the horizontal plane and different from the first direction, and a direction perpendicular to the horizontal plane. The second elbow pipe 49B is a vertical elbow pipe installed vertically so that a plane including a central axis C of the L-shaped bent pipe is a second vertical plane that is different from the first vertical plane (XY plane). In this embodiment, the first direction parallel to the horizontal plane and the second direction are orthogonal to each other, and the second vertical plane is a plane (YZ plane) that is orthogonal to the first vertical plane (XY plane). The second elbow pipe 49B is bent in an L shape in the second vertical plane (YZ plane), and can effectively reduce vibrations that the first piping 42 receives while the transport vehicle 10 is traveling, particularly vibration components along the second vertical plane (YZ plane).

[0059] As shown in FIG. 8 , the third elbow pipe 49C is bent in an L shape so as to change the flow of the cryogenic liquefied gas between two different directions parallel to a horizontal plane. The third elbow pipe 49C is a horizontal elbow pipe installed sideways so that a plane including the central axis C of the L-shaped bent pipe is the horizontal plane (XZ plane). In this embodiment, the third elbow pipe 49C changes the flow of the cryogenic liquefied gas between the first direction parallel to the horizontal plane and the second direction perpendicular to the first direction. The third elbow pipe 49C is bent in an L shape in the horizontal plane (XZ plane), and can effectively reduce vibrations that the first piping 42 receives while the transport vehicle 10 is traveling, particularly vibration components along the horizontal plane (XZ plane).

[0060] As shown in Fig. 4, the single pipe section 47 may be configured to include only two types of vertical elbow pipes, a first elbow pipe 49A and a second elbow pipe 49B. Alternatively, the single pipe section 47 may be configured to include only one type of vertical elbow pipe and horizontal elbow pipe, either the first elbow pipe 49A or the second elbow pipe 49B and the third elbow pipe 49C. In these configurations, the single pipe section 47 includes two types of elbow pipes, the first elbow pipe 49A, the second elbow pipe 49B, and the third elbow pipe 49C. However, if the single pipe section 47 includes two or more of each type, vibration can be effectively reduced.

[0061] Alternatively, the single pipe section 47 may be configured to include all of the first elbow pipe 49A, the second elbow pipe 49B, and the third elbow pipe 49C, as shown in Fig. 5. This effectively reduces vibration components in the direction along the first vertical plane (XY plane), the second vertical plane (YZ plane), and the horizontal plane (XZ plane) that are applied to the first piping 42 while the transport vehicle 10 is traveling. In this configuration, the single pipe section 47 includes all types of elbow pipes, the first elbow pipe 49A, the second elbow pipe 49B, and the third elbow pipe 49C. However, if the single pipe section 47 includes at least one type of elbow pipe out of the three types, or better at least two types, or better two or more of each of the three types, vibration can be effectively reduced.

[0062] The single pipe portion 47 may be configured to include only one of the first elbow pipe 49A, the second elbow pipe 49B, and the third elbow pipe 49C.

[0063] In the first piping 42, the form of the single pipe section 47 (the combination of the straight pipe 48 and the elbow pipe 49) is not limited to the example shown in Figures 4 and 5. As long as the single pipe section 47 can connect the insulated multi-pipe section 44 and the evaporator 7 and includes at least three elbow pipes 49, various combinations of the straight pipes 48 and the elbow pipes 49 that make up the single pipe section 47 can be used. For single pipe sections 47 other than those shown in Figures 4 and 5, if the single pipe section 47 is configured to include at least one each of a first elbow pipe 49A, a second elbow pipe 49B, and a third elbow pipe 49C, the vibrations that the first piping 42 receives while the transport vehicle 10 is traveling can be effectively reduced.

[0064] <Pipe length of the insulated multi-pipe section and single-pipe section in the first piping>

[0065] The length of the first pipe 42 is, for example, 3 m or more and 4 m or less. In the first pipe 42, the proportion of the heat-insulating multi-pipe section 44 is greater than the proportion of the single pipe section 47. This provides higher thermal insulation to the first pipe 42, and effectively prevents the low-temperature liquefied gas supplied from the tank 2 to the evaporator 7 from vaporizing due to heat conduction from the outside when the low-temperature liquefied gas flows through the first pipe 42. Note that the proportion of the heat-insulating multi-pipe section 44 in the first pipe 42 may be smaller than the proportion of the single pipe section 47, as long as it is possible to prevent the low-temperature liquefied gas from vaporizing due to heat conduction from the outside when the low-temperature liquefied gas flows through the first pipe 42.

[0066] In the first piping 42, the piping length of the single pipe section 47 is preferably 0.5 m or more and 1.5 m or less on one side, and more preferably 0.5 m or more and 1.0 m or less on one side. This provides higher thermal insulation to the first piping 42 and reduces vibrations that the first piping 42 receives while the transport vehicle 10 is traveling.

[0067] <Second piping> As shown in FIG. 1 , the second pipe 43 constitutes the portion of the pressurized line 4 through which the pressurized gas generated in the evaporator 7 flows. The second pipe 43 is formed by connecting multiple straight pipes with pipe fittings such as elbow pipes (including bent pipes) and T-shaped pipes. The second pipe 43 may be a pipe with a high thermal insulation structure such as a vacuum insulated multi-layer pipe, or may be a pipe with a single pipe structure without a high thermal insulation structure. If the second pipe 43 is a pipe with a single pipe structure, vibrations that the second pipe 43 receives while the transport vehicle 10 is traveling can be reduced. The material of the pipe is not particularly limited, and a material conventionally used for this type of pipe, such as stainless steel, can be used. The outer diameter of the second pipe 43 is, for example, 48 mm or more and 77 mm or less. The inner diameter of the second pipe 43 is, for example, 43 mm or more and 72 mm or less.

[0068] In the above-described embodiment, in addition to the above-described valves, various valves such as automatic adjustment valves, manual valves, and safety valves may be provided in appropriate locations on the liquid supply line 3 and the pressure line 4 as needed.

[0069] The embodiments disclosed herein are illustrative in all respects and should not be construed as limiting. The scope of the present invention is defined by the claims rather than the above description, and it is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope of the claims.

[0070] In the above-described embodiment, the single pipe section 47 is configured to include at least three elbow pipes 49, but the single pipe section 47 may be configured to include one or two elbow pipes 49. Alternatively, the single pipe section 47 may be configured to include no elbow pipes 49. [Explanation of symbols]

[0071] 1 Storage tank equipment 2 Tanks 3 Liquid delivery line 4 Pressure lines 7. Evaporator 10 Transport Vehicles 42 First piping 43 Second piping 49 Elbow Pipe 49A First Elbow Pipe 49B Second elbow pipe 49C Third elbow pipe 440 Outer tube 441 Inner tube 442 Vacuum insulation layer D Elbow pipe outer diameter R: Radius of curvature of elbow pipe

Claims

1. A transport vehicle that transports low-temperature liquefied gas to a supply destination of the low-temperature liquefied gas, a tank for storing the low-temperature liquefied gas; a liquid transfer line for supplying the low-temperature liquefied gas from the tank to the supply destination; a pressurized line including a first pipe and a second pipe, and an evaporator that vaporizes the low-temperature liquefied gas supplied from the tank through the first pipe between the first pipe and the second pipe, the pressurized line supplying the pressurized gas generated in the evaporator to an upper space in the tank through the second pipe; Equipped with The first piping includes an insulated multi-pipe section made up of multiple pipes with an insulating layer formed between an outer pipe and an inner pipe, and a single pipe section made up of a single pipe, in a transport vehicle for transporting low-temperature liquefied gas.

2. 2. The transport vehicle for transporting low-temperature liquefied gas according to claim 1, wherein the single pipe section includes an elbow pipe.

3. 3. The transport vehicle for transporting low-temperature liquefied gas according to claim 2, wherein the single pipe section includes at least three of the elbow pipes.

4. A transport vehicle for transporting cryogenic liquefied gas as described in claim 3, wherein the single pipe section includes at least two types of elbow pipes: a first elbow pipe that changes the flow of the cryogenic liquefied gas between a first direction parallel to a horizontal plane and a direction perpendicular to the horizontal plane; a second elbow pipe that changes the flow of the cryogenic liquefied gas between a second direction that is parallel to the horizontal plane and different from the first direction and a direction perpendicular to the horizontal plane; and a third elbow pipe that changes the flow of the cryogenic liquefied gas between two different directions parallel to the horizontal plane.

5. 5. The transport vehicle for transporting low-temperature liquefied gas according to claim 4, wherein the single pipe section includes at least one of the first elbow pipe, the second elbow pipe, and the third elbow pipe as the elbow pipes.

6. 3. The vehicle for transporting low-temperature liquefied gas according to claim 2, wherein the elbow pipe is a long type elbow pipe having a radius of curvature larger than the outer diameter of the end portion.

7. 2. The transport vehicle for transporting low-temperature liquefied gas according to claim 1, wherein in the first piping, the heat-insulating multi-pipe section is arranged on the tank side, and the single pipe section is arranged on the evaporator side.

8. 8. A transport vehicle for transporting low-temperature liquefied gas according to claim 1, wherein the low-temperature liquefied gas is an extremely low-temperature liquefied gas that liquefies at a temperature of 20 K or less under atmospheric pressure.

9. 9. The vehicle for transporting low-temperature liquefied gas according to claim 8, wherein the low-temperature liquefied gas is liquefied hydrogen.

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