Gas supply device and gas supply method

Abstract

To provide a gas supply device capable of supplying a gas obtained by vaporizing a liquefied gas without being affected by the temperature of the liquefied gas stored in a storage tank of the liquefied gas LG and suppressing the fluctuation of the generation amount of the gas.SOLUTION: A gas supply device according to the present disclosure includes a first pressure vessel in which a liquefied gas is stored, a second pressure vessel that generates a gas by vaporizing the liquefied gas supplied from the first pressure vessel, a liquefied gas supply path that selectively allows the liquefied gas to flow from the first pressure vessel toward the second pressure vessel, and a gas supply path that selectively allows the gas generated in the second pressure vessel to flow toward a gas using unit.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a gas supply apparatus and a gas supply method. [Background technology]

[0002] A liquefied hydrogen fuel supply system is known that includes a liquefied hydrogen tank for storing liquefied hydrogen and supplies boil-off gas generated from the liquefied hydrogen stored in the liquefied hydrogen tank to, for example, a fuel cell. Because the amount of boil-off gas generated from the liquefied hydrogen stored in the liquefied hydrogen tank depends on the thermal insulation treatment of the liquefied hydrogen tank, the amount of boil-off gas generated is small, and the pressure of the boil-off gas to be supplied to the fuel cell may not be sufficiently increased.

[0003] Patent Document 1 discloses a liquefied hydrogen fuel supply system that includes a liquefied hydrogen tank that stores liquefied hydrogen and generates boil-off gas, as well as three filling tanks that are filled with boil-off gas through communication passages that communicate with the liquefied hydrogen tank. The three filling tanks in the liquefied hydrogen fuel supply system of Patent Document 1 are set to different pressures at which boil-off gas is filled. Because different filling pressures are set, the number of filling tanks to be filled increases when the amount of boil-off gas generated is large, and decreases when the amount of boil-off gas generated is small. In this way, by changing the number of filling tanks to be filled with boil-off gas, the volume of boil-off gas that can be filled is changed, and the supply pressure of boil-off gas to the fuel cell is maintained. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2006-200563 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] In a gas supply system that supplies boil-off gas generated inside a storage tank in which liquefied gas is stored to a gas utilization unit, in order to maintain the liquefied gas in a liquid state inside the storage tank, for example, the lower part of the storage tank must be kept at a temperature below the boiling point. In a storage tank in which a part (lower part) is kept at a temperature below the boiling point, the amount of boil-off gas generated fluctuates due to the effect of the temperature of the liquefied gas stored in the storage tank.

[0006] Based on the above, an object of the present disclosure is to provide a gas supply device that can supply gas obtained by vaporizing liquefied gas without being affected by the temperature of the liquefied gas stored in a liquefied gas storage tank, and that can suppress fluctuations in the amount of gas generated. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The gas supply device according to the present disclosure comprises: a first pressure vessel in which liquefied gas is stored; a second pressure vessel that vaporizes the liquefied gas supplied from the first pressure vessel to generate gas; a liquefied gas supply line that selectively allows liquefied gas to flow from the first pressure vessel toward the second pressure vessel; and a gas supply path that selectively directs the gas generated in the second pressure vessel toward the gas utilization section.

[0008] The gas supply method of the present disclosure for supplying gas obtained by vaporizing a liquefied gas to a gas utilization unit includes: A first step of supplying liquefied gas from a first pressure vessel storing the liquefied gas to a second pressure vessel; Following the first step, a second step is provided in which the liquefied gas stored in the second pressure vessel is vaporized to generate gas, and the gas is supplied to the gas utilization section.

[0009] The gas supply method of the present disclosure for supplying gas obtained by vaporizing a liquefied gas to a gas utilization unit includes: A first step A in which liquefied gas is supplied from a first pressure vessel in which the liquefied gas is stored to a second pressure vessel A; Following the first step, a second step of vaporizing the liquefied gas stored in the second pressure vessel to generate gas and supplying the gas to the gas utilization unit; a first step B in which liquefied gas is supplied from a first pressure vessel to a second pressure vessel B while the second step A is being performed; Following the 1B step, a 2B step is provided in which the liquefied gas stored in the 2B pressure vessel is vaporized to generate gas, and the gas is supplied to the gas utilization section. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] According to the present disclosure, a gas supply device can be provided that can supply gas obtained by vaporizing liquefied gas without being affected by the temperature of the liquefied gas stored in a liquefied gas storage tank, and that can suppress fluctuations in the amount of gas generated. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram illustrating a gas supply device according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 2] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a control procedure of each valve by a control unit of the gas supply device according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 3] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a control procedure of each valve by a control unit of the gas supply device according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a control procedure of each valve by a control unit of the gas supply device according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 5] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a control procedure of each valve by a control unit of the gas supply device according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 6] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a gas supply device according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a control procedure of each valve by a control unit of a gas supply device according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 8]FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a control procedure of each valve by a control unit of a gas supply device according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a modified example of the gas supply device according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0012] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. This embodiment includes at least the first and second embodiments. <First embodiment: see Figs. 1 to 5> The gas supply device 1 according to this embodiment is, for example, a gas supply device that supplies gas obtained by vaporizing liquefied gas to a gas utilization unit. This gas supply device 1 can supply gas obtained by vaporizing liquefied gas without being affected by the temperature of the liquefied gas stored in a liquefied gas storage tank, thereby suppressing fluctuations in the amount of gas generated. Examples of liquefied gas include liquefied hydrogen, liquefied natural gas (LNG), and liquefied ammonia. The gas supply device 1 supplies gas obtained by vaporizing liquefied gas to, for example, an engine of an aircraft, an unmanned aerial vehicle, a drone, or the like, or a fuel cell.

[0013] [Gas supply device 1: See Figure 1] 1, the gas supply device 1 comprises a first pressure vessel 10 in which liquefied gas LG is stored, and a second pressure vessel in which the liquefied gas LG supplied from the first pressure vessel 10 is vaporized to produce gas G. The gas supply device 1 also comprises a liquefied gas supply path that selectively directs the liquefied gas LG from the first pressure vessel 10 to the second pressure vessel, a vent path that selectively directs the gas G produced in the second pressure vessel toward the internal space of the first pressure vessel 10 when the liquefied gas LG is supplied from the first pressure vessel 10 to the second pressure vessel, a gas supply path that selectively directs the gas G produced in the second pressure vessel toward the gas utilization unit 100, and a control unit 70 that controls the operation of each component of the gas supply device 1. The second pressure vessel comprises a second-A pressure vessel 20 and a second-B pressure vessel 40, each connected in parallel to the first pressure vessel 10 via a liquefied gas supply line. The second-A pressure vessel 20 and the second-B pressure vessel 40 are connected in parallel to the gas utilization section 100 via a gas supply line. The liquefied gas supply path includes a first liquefied gas supply path 31 that selectively flows liquefied gas LG from the first pressure vessel 10 toward the secondA pressure vessel 20, and a second liquefied gas supply path 51 that selectively flows liquefied gas LG from the first pressure vessel 10 toward the secondB pressure vessel 40. The gas supply path includes a first gas supply path 33 that selectively flows gas G generated in the second A pressure vessel 20 toward the gas utilization section 100, and a second gas supply path 53 that selectively flows gas G generated in the second B pressure vessel 40 toward the gas utilization section 100. The term "selectively allow fluid to flow" refers to the fact that the flow path allows fluid to flow at times and does not allow fluid to flow at other times by opening and closing the valve.

[0014] The vent passage includes a first vent passage 32 that selectively allows gas G generated in the secondA pressure vessel 20 to flow toward the internal void of the first pressure vessel 10 when liquefied gas LG is supplied from the first pressure vessel 10 to the secondA pressure vessel 20, and a second vent passage 52 that selectively allows gas G generated in the secondB pressure vessel 40 to flow toward the internal void of the first pressure vessel 10 when liquefied gas LG is supplied from the first pressure vessel 10 to the secondB pressure vessel 40.

[0015] After merging with each other, the first vent path 32 and the second vent path 52 allow the gas G to flow to the first pressure vessel 10 via a junction vent path 61. Alternatively, the gas G may flow directly to the first pressure vessel 10 without merging with each other. After merging with each other, the first gas supply path 33 and the second gas supply path 53 allow the gas G to flow to the gas utilization unit 100 via a junction gas supply path 62.

[0016] In Figure 1 and other figures, arrows shown between the pressure vessels indicate the direction in which the liquefied gas LG or the gas G flows. Also, in Figure 1 and other figures, the horizontal direction (H) and the vertical direction (V) are defined as shown. Furthermore, in the description of the embodiments, when referring to the upper or lower side, or to being high or low, this refers to the upper or lower side, or to being high or low, in the vertical direction (V).

[0017] [First pressure vessel 10: see Figure 1] The first pressure vessel 10 stores liquefied gas LG therein and alternately supplies the stored liquefied gas LG to the secondA pressure vessel 20 and the secondB pressure vessel 40. The first pressure vessel 10 is insulated to reduce heat input from the surroundings of the first pressure vessel 10 to the liquefied gas LG stored in the first pressure vessel 10, in order to maintain the liquefied gas LG in a liquid state. As an example, the first pressure vessel has a double-vessel structure consisting of an inner vessel and an outer vessel, and insulation is filled between the inner and outer vessels, and a vacuum is created between the inner and outer vessels to achieve insulation. As an example, a granular insulation material such as perlite, which has excellent low-temperature insulation properties, is used as the insulation material. 1, the first pressure vessel 10 comprises a pressure vessel body 11 storing liquefied gas LG therein, a first pressure detection unit 12 detecting the pressure of gas G inside the pressure vessel body 11, and a fill valve 13 switching between starting and stopping the filling of liquefied gas LG from a liquefied gas supply source (not shown) in order to fill the pressure vessel body 11 with liquefied gas LG from the outside. In addition, a liquid level detection unit (not shown) detects the amount of liquefied gas LG stored in the pressure vessel body 11, and the detection result is acquired by the control unit 70. The control unit 70, having received the detection result, determines whether the upper or lower limit of the liquefied gas LG filling amount into the first pressure vessel 10 has been reached.

[0018] Liquefied gas LG is stored below the pressure vessel body 11, and gas G obtained by vaporizing the liquefied gas LG is stored above the liquid level of the liquefied gas LG.

[0019] The pressure vessel body 11 has a bottom in the vertical direction (V) connected to a first liquefied gas supply path 31, a second liquefied gas supply path 51, and a filling path through which the liquefied gas LG filled from the filling valve 13 flows. In addition, the pressure vessel body 11 has a top in the vertical direction (V) connected to a confluence vent path 61 and a first pressure detection unit 12.

[0020] The first pressure vessel 10 is disposed at a higher position in the vertical direction (V) than the secondA pressure vessel 20, and at a higher position in the vertical direction (V) than the secondB pressure vessel 40. More specifically, it is sufficient that the liquid level of the liquefied gas LG stored in the pressure vessel body 11 is higher than the liquid level of the liquefied gas LG after a predetermined supply amount has been supplied to the secondA pressure vessel 20 and the secondB pressure vessel 40. This positional relationship allows gravity to be used to supply liquefied gas LG to the secondA pressure vessel 20 through the first liquefied gas supply line 31 connected to the bottom of the pressure vessel body 11, and to supply liquefied gas LG to the secondB pressure vessel 40 through the second liquefied gas supply line 51. Furthermore, the supply of liquefied gas LG from the first pressure vessel 10 may be performed by a pump provided in the middle of the first liquefied gas supply line 31 or the second liquefied gas supply line 51.

[0021] When liquefied gas LG is supplied to each pressure vessel, gas G inside the second A pressure vessel 20 is sent to the first pressure vessel 10 through the first vent path 32, and gas G inside the second B pressure vessel 40 is sent to the first pressure vessel 10 through the second vent path 52. However, when liquefied gas LG is supplied to the second-A pressure vessel 20 and the second-B pressure vessel 40, the temperature of the gas G inside the second-A pressure vessel 20 and the second-B pressure vessel 40 may decrease due to the supplied liquefied gas LG, causing the gas G to liquefy again. If this phenomenon occurs, the gas G inside the second-A pressure vessel 20 and the second-B pressure vessel 40 may not flow through the vent path toward the first pressure vessel 10. However, in order to supply liquefied gas LG from the first pressure vessel 10 to each pressure vessel without relying on the above-mentioned phenomenon, it is preferable to keep the first vent valve 23 and the second vent valve 43 open.

[0022] The first pressure detection unit 12 detects the pressure of the gas G inside the pressure vessel body 11. Specifically, it detects the pressure of a mixed gas of boil-off gas generated from the liquefied gas LG inside the pressure vessel body 11 and the gas G sent to the first pressure vessel 10 through the first vent path 32 or the second vent path 52. The detection result detected by the first pressure detection unit 12 is acquired by the control unit 70.

[0023] The filling valve 13 is closed except when the liquefied gas LG is being filled into the first pressure vessel 10. In this embodiment, the filling valve 13 is a manual valve, but it may also be a control valve controlled by the control unit 70.

[0024] In this embodiment, in order to supply gas G to the gas utilization section 100 over a long period of time, it is desirable that a large amount of liquefied gas LG be stored in the first pressure vessel 10. Therefore, the first pressure vessel 10 has a larger capacity than the second A pressure vessel 20 and the second B pressure vessel 40. Furthermore, since the first pressure vessel 10 does not actively vaporize the liquefied gas LG stored therein, the first pressure vessel 10 is maintained at a low pressure. Here, the low pressure is, for example, about 1 to 2 atmospheres in gauge pressure. The second-A pressure vessel 20 and the second-B pressure vessel 40 have small capacities in order to increase the pressure of the gas G obtained by vaporizing the small amount of liquefied gas LG supplied from the first pressure vessel 10 to a high pressure. Here, high pressure is, for example, about 10 to 50 atmospheres in gauge pressure.

[0025] [2A pressure vessel 20: see Figure 1] The second-A pressure vessel 20 vaporizes the liquefied gas LG supplied from the first pressure vessel 10 and supplies the vaporized gas G to the gas utilization unit 100. The second-A pressure vessel 20 is subjected to the same thermal insulation treatment as the first pressure vessel 10 to reduce the heat input to the second-A pressure vessel 20 in order to maintain the liquefied gas LG supplied from the first pressure vessel 10 in a liquid state. However, unlike the first pressure vessel 10, the second-A pressure vessel 20 allows heat input to the second-A pressure vessel 20 in order to vaporize the liquefied gas LG.

[0026] As shown in Figure 1, the second-A pressure vessel 20 includes a pressure vessel body 21 that vaporizes liquefied gas LG supplied from the first pressure vessel 10 via the first liquefied gas supply path 31. A liquid level detector (not shown) detects the amount of liquefied gas LG stored in the pressure vessel body 21, and the detection result is acquired by the control unit 70. The control unit 70 receives the detection result and determines whether a predetermined amount of liquefied gas LG has been supplied to the second-A pressure vessel 20, or whether all of the liquefied gas LG has been vaporized.

[0027] Furthermore, the second A pressure vessel 20 is provided with a first liquefied gas supply valve 22, which is provided in the middle of the first liquefied gas supply path 31 and switches between starting and stopping the supply of liquefied gas LG supplied from the first pressure vessel 10, a first vent valve 23, which is provided in the middle of the first vent path 32 and switches between starting and stopping the flow of gas G to the first pressure vessel 10, and a first gas supply valve 24, which is provided in the middle of the first gas supply path 33 and switches between starting and stopping the supply of gas G to the gas utilization section 100.

[0028] The second A pressure vessel 20 also includes a second pressure detection unit 25 that detects the pressure of the gas G inside the pressure vessel body 21 , and a first heat input unit 26 that inputs heat into the pressure vessel body 21 .

[0029] The pressure vessel body 21 stores the liquefied gas LG supplied from the first pressure vessel 10. In addition, above the liquid level of the liquefied gas LG in the pressure vessel body 21, gas G vaporized from the liquefied gas LG is stored.

[0030] A first liquefied gas supply passage 31 is connected to the bottom of the pressure vessel body 21. A first vent passage 32, a first gas supply passage 33, and a second pressure detection unit 25 are connected to the top of the pressure vessel body 21. A first heat input section 26 is provided in the barrel of the pressure vessel body 21.

[0031] In this embodiment, the first liquefied gas supply valve 22 is a control valve controlled by the control unit 70. When starting the supply of liquefied gas LG from the first pressure vessel 10 to the secondA pressure vessel 20, the first liquefied gas supply valve 22 is opened by the control unit 70. When stopping the supply of liquefied gas LG from the first pressure vessel 10 to the secondA pressure vessel 20, the first liquefied gas supply valve 22 is closed by the control unit 70.

[0032] In this embodiment, the first vent valve 23 is a control valve controlled by the control unit 70. The first liquefied gas supply valve 22 is opened by the control unit 70, and the first vent valve 23 is opened by the control unit 70. Furthermore, the first liquefied gas supply valve 22 is closed by the control unit 70, and the first vent valve 23 is closed by the control unit 70.

[0033] That is, the first liquefied gas supply valve 22 and the first vent valve 23 are opened when the supply of liquefied gas LG from the first pressure vessel 10 to the secondA pressure vessel 20 starts, and are closed when the supply stops.

[0034] In this embodiment, the first gas supply valve 24 is a control valve controlled by the control unit 70. The first liquefied gas supply valve 22 and the first vent valve 23 are opened by the control unit 70, and the first gas supply valve 24 is closed by the control unit 70. Furthermore, the first liquefied gas supply valve 22 and the first vent valve 23 are closed by the control unit 70, and the first gas supply valve 24 is opened by the control unit 70.

[0035] When the first gas supply valve 24 is opened, the supply of gas G, which is formed by vaporizing liquefied gas LG inside the pressure vessel body 21, to the gas usage section 100 begins, and when the first gas supply valve 24 is closed, the supply of gas G to the gas usage section 100 is stopped. The gas G is supplied to the gas usage section 100 through the first gas supply path 33 and the confluent gas supply path 62. Note that the gas G may be circulated directly to the gas usage section 100 without being confluent with the confluent gas supply path 62.

[0036] The second pressure detection unit 25 detects the pressure inside the pressure vessel body 21. Specifically, it detects the pressure of gas G obtained by vaporizing the liquefied gas LG inside the pressure vessel body 21. The detection result detected by the second pressure detection unit 25 is acquired by the control unit 70.

[0037] The first heat input section 26 inputs heat into the pressure vessel body 21, thereby increasing the amount of gas G generated when the liquefied gas LG vaporizes inside the pressure vessel body 21. Generally, liquefied gases are maintained in a liquid state by being maintained at temperatures far below zero degrees Celsius. For example, liquefied hydrogen is maintained at or below minus 253 degrees Celsius, liquefied natural gas (LNG) at or below minus 162 degrees Celsius, and liquefied ammonia at or below minus 33 degrees Celsius. When an object at a temperature of, for example, about 27 degrees Celsius is brought into contact with the pressure vessel body 21 in which such liquefied gas LG is stored, the amount of heat input to the pressure vessel body 21 becomes very large, and the amount of gas G generated can be increased.

[0038] The first heat input section 26 is a metal body made of, for example, copper or aluminum, and can be brought into contact with and separated from the pressure vessel body 21 by a drive source (not shown). Copper or aluminum is used for the metal body because a metal with high thermal conductivity is required to increase the amount of heat input from the first heat input section 26 to the pressure vessel body 21. When the metal body constituting the first heat input section 26 is brought into contact with the pressure vessel body 21, heat is input, and when the metal body constituting the first heat input section 26 is separated from the pressure vessel body 21, the heat input stops. The pressure vessel body 21 may also have a double-vessel structure with a vacuum between the inner and outer vessels. In this case, the first heat input section 26 may input heat to the pressure vessel body 21 by selectively circulating gaseous carbon dioxide between the inner and outer vessels. The section between the inner and outer vessels through which gaseous carbon dioxide flows is called the carbon dioxide flow passage. When heat input by the first heat input section 26 begins, gaseous carbon dioxide at a temperature above its freezing point flows through the carbon dioxide flow passage. Heat energy is transferred from the carbon dioxide flowing through the carbon dioxide flow passage to the liquefied gas LG stored in the inner vessel, thereby inputting heat. When heat input by the first heat input section 26 is stopped, the flow of carbon dioxide stops, and the gaseous carbon dioxide remaining in the carbon dioxide flow passage is cooled and solidified by the liquefied gas LG supplied to the pressure vessel body 21. The gaseous carbon dioxide remaining in the carbon dioxide flow passage solidifies and its volume shrinks, restoring the vacuum state. When the heat input from the first heat input section 26 is stopped, a vacuum is created between the inner and outer vessels of the pressure vessel body 21, maintaining the vacuum insulation effect. When the heat input from the first heat input section 26 is started again, gaseous carbon dioxide at a temperature above its freezing point flows through the carbon dioxide flow passage, causing the carbon dioxide that has solidified midway through the carbon dioxide flow passage to be heated and vaporized. The carbon dioxide flowing through the carbon dioxide flow passage repeatedly solidifies and vaporizes, preventing clogging of the carbon dioxide flow passage.

[0039] The amount of gas G generated per unit time by vaporizing the liquefied gas LG stored in the first pressure vessel 10 varies because it is affected by the temperature of the liquefied gas LG itself. Furthermore, the amount of gas G generated per unit time is small. However, by inputting heat from the first heat input section 26 to the liquefied gas LG transferred to the second pressure vessel 20, it is possible to suppress fluctuations in the amount of gas G generated and increase the amount of gas G generated per unit time. Since the amount of gas G generated per unit time can be increased, the pressure of the gas G supplied to the gas utilization section 100 can be maintained at a high pressure. Although the high-pressure gas G is supplied directly from the second A pressure vessel 20 to the gas utilization section 100, the gas G may be supplied from the second A pressure vessel 20 to another large-capacity vessel, and the high-pressure gas G may be supplied to the gas utilization section 100 from the large-capacity vessel storing the gas G.

[0040] [Second B pressure vessel 40: see Figure 1] Similar to the second-A pressure vessel 20, the second-B pressure vessel 40 vaporizes the liquefied gas LG supplied from the first pressure vessel 10 and supplies the vaporized gas G to the gas utilization unit 100. The second-B pressure vessel 40 is thermally insulated similarly to the first pressure vessel 10 to reduce heat input to the second-B pressure vessel 40 in order to maintain the liquefied gas LG supplied from the first pressure vessel 10 in a liquid state. However, unlike the first pressure vessel 10, the second-B pressure vessel 40 allows heat input to the second-B pressure vessel 40 in order to vaporize the liquefied gas LG.

[0041] As shown in Figure 1, the second-B pressure vessel 40 includes a pressure vessel body 41 that vaporizes liquefied gas LG supplied from the first pressure vessel 10 via a second liquefied gas supply path 51. A liquid level detector (not shown) detects the amount of liquefied gas LG stored in the pressure vessel body 41, and the detection result is acquired by the control unit 70. The control unit 70 receives the detection result and determines whether a predetermined amount of liquefied gas LG has been supplied to the second-B pressure vessel 40, or whether all of the liquefied gas LG has been vaporized.

[0042] Furthermore, the second B pressure vessel 40 is provided with a second liquefied gas supply valve 42, which is provided in the middle of the second liquefied gas supply path 51 and switches between starting and stopping the supply of liquefied gas LG supplied from the first pressure vessel 10, a second vent valve 43, which is provided in the middle of the second vent path 52 and switches between starting and stopping the flow of gas G to the first pressure vessel 10, and a second gas supply valve 44, which is provided in the middle of the second gas supply path 53 and switches between starting and stopping the supply of gas G to the gas utilization section 100.

[0043] The second B pressure vessel 40 also includes a third pressure detection unit 45 that detects the pressure of the gas G inside the pressure vessel body 41 , and a second heat input unit 46 that inputs heat into the pressure vessel body 41 .

[0044] The pressure vessel body 41 stores the liquefied gas LG supplied from the first pressure vessel 10. In addition, above the liquid level of the liquefied gas LG in the pressure vessel body 41, gas G vaporized from the liquefied gas LG is stored.

[0045] A second liquefied gas supply passage 51 is connected to the bottom of the pressure vessel body 41. A second vent passage 52, a second gas supply passage 53, and a third pressure detection unit 45 are connected to the top of the pressure vessel body 41. A second heat input section 46 is provided in the barrel of the pressure vessel body 41.

[0046] In this embodiment, the second liquefied gas supply valve 42 is a control valve controlled by the control unit 70. When starting the supply of liquefied gas LG from the first pressure vessel 10 to the second-B pressure vessel 40, the second liquefied gas supply valve 42 is opened by the control unit 70. When stopping the supply of liquefied gas LG from the first pressure vessel 10 to the second-B pressure vessel 40, the second liquefied gas supply valve 42 is closed by the control unit 70.

[0047] In this embodiment, the second vent valve 43 is a control valve controlled by the control unit 70. The second liquefied gas supply valve 42 is opened by the control unit 70, and the second vent valve 43 is opened by the control unit 70. Furthermore, the second liquefied gas supply valve 42 is closed by the control unit 70, and the second vent valve 43 is closed by the control unit 70.

[0048] That is, the second liquefied gas supply valve 42 and the second vent valve 43 are opened when the supply of liquefied gas LG from the first pressure vessel 10 to the secondB pressure vessel 40 starts, and are closed when the supply stops.

[0049] In this embodiment, the second gas supply valve 44 is a control valve controlled by the control unit 70. The second liquefied gas supply valve 42 and the second vent valve 43 are opened by the control unit 70, and the second gas supply valve 44 is closed by the control unit 70. Furthermore, the second liquefied gas supply valve 42 and the second vent valve 43 are closed by the control unit 70, and the second gas supply valve 44 is opened by the control unit 70.

[0050] When the second gas supply valve 44 is opened, the supply of gas G, which is obtained by vaporizing the liquefied gas LG inside the pressure vessel body 41, to the gas usage section 100 begins, and when the second gas supply valve 44 is closed, the supply of gas G to the gas usage section 100 is stopped. The gas G is supplied to the gas usage section 100 through the second gas supply path 53 and the merged gas supply path 62.

[0051] The third pressure detection unit 45 detects the pressure inside the pressure vessel body 41. Specifically, it detects the pressure of gas G obtained by vaporizing the liquefied gas LG inside the pressure vessel body 41. The detection result detected by the third pressure detection unit 45 is acquired by the control unit 70.

[0052] The second heat input section 46 inputs heat into the pressure vessel body 41, thereby increasing the amount of gas G generated when the liquefied gas LG vaporizes inside the pressure vessel body 41. Generally, liquefied gas is maintained in a liquid state by being maintained at a temperature far below zero degrees Celsius. For example, when an object at an outside air temperature of approximately 27 degrees Celsius is brought into contact with the pressure vessel body 41, the amount of heat input to the pressure vessel body 41 becomes very large, and the amount of gas G generated can be increased.

[0053] The second heat input section 46, like the first heat input section 26, is a metal body made of, for example, copper or aluminum, and is configured to be able to come into contact with and separate from the pressure vessel body 41 by a drive source (not shown). Heat input begins when the metal body constituting the second heat input section 46 is brought into contact with the pressure vessel body 41, and heat input stops when the metal body constituting the second heat input section 46 is separated from the pressure vessel body 41. Similarly to the pressure vessel body 21, the pressure vessel body 41 may have a double-vessel structure with a vacuum between the inner and outer vessels. In this case, the second heat input unit 46 may input heat to the pressure vessel body 41 by selectively circulating gaseous carbon dioxide between the inner and outer vessels. The space between the inner and outer vessels through which gaseous carbon dioxide flows is referred to as the carbon dioxide flow passage. When heat input by the second heat input unit 46 is started, carbon dioxide begins to flow through the carbon dioxide flow passage. When heat input by the second heat input unit 46 is stopped, carbon dioxide flow through the carbon dioxide flow passage is stopped. When heat input by the second heat input unit 46 is stopped, the gaseous carbon dioxide remaining in the carbon dioxide flow passage is cooled and solidified by the liquefied gas LG supplied to the pressure vessel body 41. The gaseous carbon dioxide remaining in the carbon dioxide flow passage solidifies and its volume shrinks, restoring vacuum insulation. When the heat input from the second heat input section 46 is stopped, a vacuum state is created between the inner and outer vessels of the pressure vessel body 41, so that the vacuum insulation effect can be maintained.

[0054] The amount of gas G generated per unit time by vaporizing the liquefied gas LG stored in the first pressure vessel 10 varies because it is affected by the temperature of the liquefied gas LG itself. Furthermore, the amount of gas G generated per unit time is small. However, by inputting heat from the second heat input section 46 to the liquefied gas LG transferred to the second-B pressure vessel 40, the fluctuation in the amount of gas G generated can be suppressed, and the amount of gas G generated per unit time can be increased. Since the amount of gas G generated per unit time can be increased, the pressure of the gas G supplied to the gas utilization section 100 can be maintained at a high pressure. Although the high-pressure gas G is supplied directly from the second B pressure vessel 40 to the gas utilization section 100, the gas G may be supplied from the second B pressure vessel 40 to another large-capacity container, and the high-pressure gas G may be supplied to the gas utilization section 100 from the large-capacity container storing the gas G.

[0055] [Control unit 70: see Figure 1] The control unit 70 controls the operation of each device in the gas supply device 1. The control unit 70 controls the opening and closing of each of the first liquefied gas supply valve 22, the second liquefied gas supply valve 42, the first vent valve 23, the second vent valve 43, the first gas supply valve 24, and the second gas supply valve 44. The control unit 70 also receives the detection results of the first pressure detection unit 12, the second pressure detection unit 25, and the third pressure detection unit 45. The control unit 70 may control the opening and closing of each of the valves based on the detection results of the first pressure detection unit 12, the second pressure detection unit 25, and the third pressure detection unit 45. The control unit 70 includes an output unit (not shown) that notifies an operator of the state of the gas supply device 1. For example, the output unit notifies an operator that the upper limit filling amount of the liquefied gas LG in the first pressure vessel 10 has been reached.

[0056] [Gas generation and supply procedure: see Figures 2-5] The procedure for generating and supplying the gas G in the gas supply device 1 will be described below with reference to FIGS. The procedure for generating and supplying gas G, which will be described below, is carried out in accordance with instructions from the control unit 70. Prior to the start of this procedure, the interiors of the first pressure vessel 10, the second-A pressure vessel 20, and the second-B pressure vessel 40 are replaced with gas G obtained by vaporizing liquefied gas LG, for example. Alternatively, the interiors of the first pressure vessel 10, the second-A pressure vessel 20, and the second-B pressure vessel 40 may be in a medium vacuum (JIS Z 8126-1) of less than 100 Pa and greater than or equal to 0.1 Pa. Prior to the start of this procedure, the first pressure vessel 10 is assumed to be filled with liquefied gas LG, and all valves are assumed to be closed. In the drawings, the open state of the valve is indicated by a white mark and the symbol is marked "ON," and the closed state of the valve is indicated by a black mark and the symbol is marked "OFF." The heat input state of the first heat input section 26 and the second heat input section 46 is indicated by a white mark and the symbol is marked "ON," and the heat input stop state is indicated by a black mark and the symbol is marked "OFF."

[0057] In this procedure, the supply of liquefied gas LG from the first pressure vessel 10 to the secondA pressure vessel 20 (step 1A) and the supply of liquefied gas LG from the first pressure vessel 10 to the secondB pressure vessel 40 (step 2A) are alternately repeated. Also, in this procedure, while liquefied gas LG is being supplied to the secondA pressure vessel 20, the supply of gas G from the secondB pressure vessel 40 to the gas usage section 100 (step 2B) is alternately repeated, and while liquefied gas LG is being supplied to the secondB pressure vessel 40, the supply of gas G from the secondA pressure vessel 20 to the gas usage section 100 is alternately repeated (step 1B). In other words, the supply of liquefied gas LG is alternately carried out to the two pressure vessels 20, 40, and while liquefied gas LG is being supplied to one pressure vessel, gas G is being supplied to the gas usage section 100 from the other pressure vessel. In this way, by alternately supplying liquefied gas LG to the two pressure vessels 20, 40 and alternately supplying the gas from the pressure vessel to which liquefied gas LG is not being supplied to the gas utilization section 100, continuous gas supply is possible.

[0058] [Step 1A: See Figure 2 ST1A] In the 1A step, the first liquefied gas supply valve 22 and the first vent valve 23 are opened. As a result, the liquefied gas LG is supplied from the first pressure vessel 10 to the secondA pressure vessel 20 via the first liquefied gas supply path 31, and the gas G stored inside the secondA pressure vessel 20 is circulated to the first pressure vessel 10 via the first vent path 32.

[0059] The open / closed states of the valves are summarized below. Open (ON): First liquefied gas supply valve 22, first vent valve 23 Closed (OFF): First gas supply valve 24, second liquefied gas supply valve 42, second vent valve 43, second gas supply valve 44, filling valve 13

[0060] [Step 2A, Step 1B: See Figure 2 ST2A, Figure 3 ST1B] Step 1A is followed by steps 2A and 1B. In the 2A step, the first liquefied gas supply valve 22 and the first vent valve 23 are closed, thereby stopping the supply of liquefied gas from the first pressure vessel 10 to the 2A pressure vessel 20 and also stopping the supply of gas G to the first pressure vessel 10 via the first vent path 32. In the 2A step, heat is input from the first heat input section 26 to vaporize the liquefied gas LG stored in the 2A pressure vessel 20.

[0061] In the 2A step, the first gas supply valve 24 is opened, whereby the gas G is supplied from the 2A pressure vessel 20 to the gas usage section 100 via the first gas supply path 33 and the junction gas supply path 62. The first gas supply valve 24 may be opened based on the detection result of the second pressure detection section 25. For example, the first gas supply valve 24 may be opened after the pressure of the gas G detected by the second pressure detection section 25 reaches the pressure required for the gas usage section 100. The first gas supply valve 24 is opened, whereby the gas G is supplied to the gas usage section 100.

[0062] In the 1B step, the second liquefied gas supply valve 42 and the second vent valve 43 are opened. As a result, the liquefied gas LG is supplied from the first pressure vessel 10 to the secondB pressure vessel 40 via the second liquefied gas supply path 51, and the gas G stored inside the secondB pressure vessel 40 is circulated to the first pressure vessel 10 via the second vent path 52.

[0063] The open / closed states of the valves in Step 2A and Step 1B are summarized below. Open (ON): First gas supply valve 24, second liquefied gas supply valve 42, second vent valve 43 Closed (OFF): First liquefied gas supply valve 22, first vent valve 23, second gas supply valve 44, filling valve 13

[0064] 3 ST1B, for example, the supply of gas G to the gas usage unit 100 is continued until all of the liquefied gas LG stored inside the second-A pressure vessel 20 is vaporized. Note that the supply of gas G to the gas usage unit 100 may be continued until the pressure of gas G detected by the second pressure detection unit 25 can maintain the required pressure of the gas usage unit 100. While the supply of gas G from the second-A pressure vessel 20 to the gas usage unit 100 continues, the supply of liquefied gas LG to the second-B pressure vessel 40 is completed.

[0065] [Step 1A, Step 2B: See Figure 3 ST1A, Figure 4 ST2B] Steps 2A and 1B are followed by steps 1A and 2B. In step 1A, when the first gas supply valve 24 is closed, the supply of gas G from the second-A pressure vessel 20 to the gas utilization unit 100 is stopped. In addition, heat input to the first heat input unit 26 is stopped. The supply of gas G to the gas utilization unit 100 is stopped, and the first liquefied gas supply valve 22 and the first vent valve 23 are opened. This causes liquefied gas LG to be supplied from the first pressure vessel 10 to the second-A pressure vessel 20 via the first liquefied gas supply path 31. By opening the first vent valve 23, the gas G stored inside the second-A pressure vessel 20 is circulated to the first pressure vessel 10 via the first vent path 32.

[0066] In the 2B step, when the second liquefied gas supply valve 42 and the second vent valve 43 are closed, the supply of liquefied gas from the first pressure vessel 10 to the 2B pressure vessel 40 is stopped. In addition, heat is input from the second heat input section 46 to vaporize the liquefied gas LG stored in the 2B pressure vessel 40.

[0067] In the 2B step, the second gas supply valve 44 is opened, thereby starting the supply of gas G from the 2B pressure vessel 40 to the gas usage section 100. The second gas supply valve 44 may also be opened based on the detection result of the third pressure detection section 45. For example, the second gas supply valve 44 may be opened after the pressure of gas G detected by the third pressure detection section 45 reaches the pressure required for the gas usage section 100. The second gas supply valve 44 is opened, thereby supplying gas G to the gas usage section 100.

[0068] The open / closed states of the valves in Step 1A and Step 2B are summarized below. Open (ON): second gas supply valve 44, first liquefied gas supply valve 22, first vent valve 23 Closed (OFF): Second liquefied gas supply valve 42, second vent valve 43, first gas supply valve 24, filling valve 13

[0069] 4, in step 2B, as an example, the supply of gas G to the gas usage unit 100 is continued until all of the liquefied gas LG stored inside the second-B pressure vessel 40 is vaporized. Note that the supply of gas G to the gas usage unit 100 may be continued until the pressure of gas G detected by the third pressure detection unit 45 can maintain the required pressure of the gas usage unit 100. While the supply of gas G from the second-B pressure vessel 40 to the gas usage unit 100 continues, the supply of liquefied gas LG to the second-A pressure vessel 20 is completed.

[0070] [Step 2A, Step 1B: See Figure 4 ST2A, Figure 4 ST1B] Steps 1A and 2B are followed by steps 2A and 1B. In the 2A step, the first liquefied gas supply valve 22 and the first vent valve 23 are closed. This stops the supply of liquefied gas from the first pressure vessel 10 to the secondA pressure vessel 20, and also stops the supply of gas G to the first pressure vessel 10 via the first vent path 32. In addition, heat input by the first heat input section 26 begins, and vaporization of the liquefied gas LG stored in the secondA pressure vessel 20 begins.

[0071] In step 2A, the first gas supply valve 24 is opened, thereby supplying gas G from the second A pressure vessel 20 to the gas usage section 100. The first gas supply valve 24 may also be opened based on the detection result of the second pressure detection section 25. As described in ST1A of FIG. 2, the first gas supply valve 24 may be opened after the pressure of gas G detected by the second pressure detection section 25 reaches the pressure required for the gas usage section 100. The first gas supply valve 24 is opened, thereby supplying gas G to the gas usage section 100.

[0072] In the 1B step, the second liquefied gas supply valve 42 and the second vent valve 43 are opened. As a result, the liquefied gas LG is supplied from the first pressure vessel 10 to the secondB pressure vessel 40 via the second liquefied gas supply path 51, and the gas G stored inside the secondB pressure vessel 40 is circulated to the first pressure vessel 10 via the second vent path 52.

[0073] The open / closed states of the valves in Step 2A and Step 1B are summarized below. Open (ON): First gas supply valve 24, second liquefied gas supply valve 42, second vent valve 43 Closed (OFF): First liquefied gas supply valve 22, first vent valve 23, second gas supply valve 44, filling valve 13

[0074] [Third step: See Figure 5 ST3] When the liquefied gas LG stored in the first pressure vessel 10 falls below the lower limit filling amount, the third step is carried out following the first A step and the second B step, or following the second A step and the first B step.

[0075] In the third step, once all of the liquefied gas LG inside the second-A pressure vessel 20 has been vaporized in the second-A step, the first gas supply valve 24, the second liquefied gas supply valve 42, and the second vent valve 43 are closed. This stops the supply of liquefied gas LG to the second-B pressure vessel 40, and stops the supply of gas G from the second-A pressure vessel 20 to the gas utilization section 100. Alternatively, in the third step, once all of the liquefied gas LG inside the second-B pressure vessel 40 has been vaporized in the second-B step, the second gas supply valve 44, the first liquefied gas supply valve 22, and the first vent valve 23 are closed. This stops the supply of liquefied gas LG to the second-A pressure vessel 20, and stops the supply of gas G from the second-B pressure vessel 40 to the gas utilization section 100. Whether the liquefied gas LG is equal to or lower than the lower limit filling amount is determined by the control unit 70 upon receiving the detection result detected by a liquid level detection unit (not shown).

[0076] The open / closed states of the valves in the third step are summarized below. Open (ON): None Closed (OFF): First liquefied gas supply valve 22, first vent valve 23, first gas supply valve 24, second liquefied gas supply valve 42, second vent valve 43, second gas supply valve 44, filling valve 13

[0077] [Fourth step: See Figure 5 ST4] The third step is followed by the fourth step. In a fourth step, an operator opens the fill valve 13 connected to a supply source of liquefied gas LG (not shown), thereby starting the filling of liquefied gas LG into the first pressure vessel 10. When the liquefied gas LG in the first pressure vessel 10 reaches the upper limit filling amount, the operator closes the fill valve 13, thereby stopping the filling of liquefied gas LG into the first pressure vessel 10. Whether the upper limit filling amount has been reached is determined by the control unit 70, which receives the detection result detected by a liquid level detection unit (not shown), and when the filling amount of liquefied gas LG has reached the upper limit filling amount, an output unit provided in the control unit 70 issues a warning to the operator.

[0078] After the filling of the liquefied gas LG into the first pressure vessel 10 is completed, the supply of the liquefied gas LG is resumed alternately to the second A pressure vessel 20 and the second B pressure vessel 40, and the supply of the gas G to the gas utilization section 100 is resumed alternately from the second A pressure vessel 20 and the second B pressure vessel 40.

[0079] [effect] The gas supply device 1 according to this embodiment described above has the following advantages. [First effect] The gas supply device 1 vaporizes the liquefied gas LG transferred to the second-A pressure vessel 20 and the second-B pressure vessel 40, which are pressure vessels separate from the first pressure vessel 10 that stores the liquefied gas LG maintained at a low temperature. The gas supply device 1 can supply gas obtained by vaporizing the liquefied gas without being affected by the temperature of the liquefied gas LG stored in the first pressure vessel 10, and can suppress fluctuations in the amount of gas generated. [Second effect] Furthermore, by closing the first liquefied gas supply valve 22 and the first vent valve 23, the secondA pressure vessel 20 in which the gas G that has become high pressure after the liquefied gas LG has evaporated is stored can be brought into a non-communicative state from the first pressure vessel 10, thereby preventing backflow of the high-pressure gas G into the first pressure vessel 10 in which the liquefied gas LG is stored. Also, by closing the second liquefied gas supply valve 42 and the second vent valve 43, the secondB pressure vessel 40 in which the gas G that has become high pressure after the liquefied gas LG has evaporated is stored can be brought into a non-communicative state from the first pressure vessel 10, thereby preventing backflow of the high-pressure gas G into the first pressure vessel 10 in which the liquefied gas LG is stored. [Third effect] The supply of liquefied gas LG from the first pressure vessel 10 to the secondA pressure vessel 20 and the supply of liquefied gas LG from the first pressure vessel 10 to the secondB pressure vessel 40 are alternately repeated, and also the supply of gas G from the secondB pressure vessel 40 to the gas usage section 100 while liquefied gas LG is being supplied to the secondA pressure vessel 20, and the supply of gas G from the secondA pressure vessel 20 to the gas usage section 100 while liquefied gas LG is being supplied to the secondB pressure vessel 40 are alternately repeated. By alternately supplying liquefied gas LG to the two pressure vessels 20, 40 and alternating the supply of liquefied gas LG from the pressure vessel not receiving the supply of liquefied gas LG to the gas usage section 100, a continuous gas supply is possible.

[0080] [Fourth effect] In the gas supply device 1, the second A pressure vessel 20 is provided with a first heat input section 26 for inputting heat into the second A pressure vessel 20, and the second B pressure vessel 40 is provided with a second heat input section 46 for inputting heat into the second B pressure vessel 40. According to such a gas supply device 1, the vaporization of the liquefied gas LG can be promoted by heat input in the secondA pressure vessel 20 and the secondB pressure vessel 40, which are separate from the first pressure vessel 10 in which the liquefied gas LG is stored, thereby increasing the amount of gas G generated per unit time.

[0081] [5th ​​effect] In the gas supply device 1, the first pressure vessel 10 is arranged at a higher position in the vertical direction (V) than the secondA pressure vessel 20, and the first pressure vessel 10 is arranged at a higher position in the vertical direction (V) than the secondB pressure vessel 40. By arranging them in this manner, gravity can be used to supply liquefied gas LG to the secondA pressure vessel 20 through a first liquefied gas supply line 31 connected to the first pressure vessel 10, and to supply liquefied gas LG to the secondB pressure vessel 40 through a second liquefied gas supply line 51 connected to the first pressure vessel 10.

[0082] <Second embodiment: see Figs. 6-9> The gas supply device 2 according to this embodiment differs from the gas supply device 1 of the first embodiment in that it does not include the secondB pressure vessel 40. The gas supply device 1 of the first embodiment includes the secondA pressure vessel 20 and the secondB pressure vessel 40, so that gas G can be continuously supplied to the gas utilization unit 100 until the liquefied gas LG inside the first pressure vessel 10 reaches its lower limit storage amount. However, the gas supply device 2 of the second embodiment does not include the secondB pressure vessel 40, so that gas G can be intermittently supplied to the gas utilization unit 100 until the liquefied gas LG inside the first pressure vessel 10 reaches its lower limit storage amount. In Figure 6 and other figures, the same elements as those of the first embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals as in Figure 1, and detailed descriptions thereof will be omitted. In the gas supply device 2 of this embodiment, the gas obtained by vaporizing the liquefied gas LG stored in the first pressure vessel 10 can be supplied to the gas utilization section 100 without being affected by the temperature of the liquefied gas LG stored in the first pressure vessel 10, thereby suppressing fluctuations in the amount of gas generated.

[0083] [Gas supply device 2: See Figure 6] The gas supply device 2 comprises a first pressure vessel 10 in which liquefied gas LG is stored, a second pressure vessel 20 that vaporizes the liquefied gas LG supplied from the first pressure vessel 10 to generate gas G, a liquefied gas supply path 31 that selectively flows the liquefied gas LG from the first pressure vessel 10 toward the second pressure vessel 20, a gas supply path 33 that selectively flows the gas G generated in the second pressure vessel 20 toward the gas utilization section 100, and a control section 70 that controls the operation of each device in the gas supply device 2.

[0084] The gas supply device 2 also includes a vent passage 32 that selectively directs the gas G generated in the second pressure vessel 20 toward the internal void of the first pressure vessel 10 when the liquefied gas LG is supplied from the first pressure vessel 10 to the second pressure vessel 20.

[0085] In Figure 6 and other figures, arrows shown between the pressure vessels indicate the direction in which the liquefied gas LG or the gas G flows. Also, in Figure 6 and other figures, the horizontal direction (H) and the vertical direction (V) are defined as shown. Furthermore, in the description of the embodiments, when referring to the upper or lower side, or to being high or low, this refers to the upper or lower side, or to being high or low, in the vertical direction (V).

[0086] [First pressure vessel 10: see Figure 6] As in the first embodiment, the first pressure vessel 10 stores liquefied gas LG therein and supplies the stored liquefied gas LG to the second pressure vessel 20. The first pressure vessel 10 is thermally insulated to reduce heat input to the first pressure vessel 10 so as to maintain the liquefied gas LG in a liquid state. 6, the first pressure vessel 10 comprises a pressure vessel body 11 for storing liquefied gas LG therein, a first pressure detection unit 12 for detecting the pressure inside the pressure vessel body 11, and a fill valve 13 connected to a liquefied gas supply source (not shown) for filling the pressure vessel body 11 with liquefied gas LG from the outside. A liquid level detection unit (not shown) detects the amount of liquefied gas LG stored in the pressure vessel body 11, and the detection result is received by the control unit 70. In the vertical direction (V), the first pressure vessel 10 is disposed at a higher position than the second pressure vessel 20.

[0087] [Second pressure vessel 20: see Figure 6] As in the first embodiment, the second pressure vessel 20 vaporizes the liquefied gas LG supplied from the first pressure vessel 10 and supplies the vaporized gas G to the gas utilization section 100. As with the second-A pressure vessel 20 and the second-B pressure vessel 40, the second pressure vessel 20 is thermally insulated to allow heat input. As shown in Figure 6, the second pressure vessel 20 includes a pressure vessel body 21 that vaporizes the liquefied gas LG supplied from the first pressure vessel 10 via the liquefied gas supply path 31. A liquid level detector (not shown) detects the amount of liquefied gas LG stored in the pressure vessel body 21, and the detection result is acquired by the control unit 70. The control unit 70 receives the detection result and determines whether a predetermined amount of liquefied gas LG has been supplied to the second pressure vessel 20, or whether all of the liquefied gas LG has been vaporized.

[0088] Furthermore, the second pressure vessel 20 is equipped with a first liquefied gas supply valve 22 connected to the liquefied gas supply path 31 and switching between starting and stopping the supply of liquefied gas LG supplied from the first pressure vessel 10, a vent valve 23 connected to the first vent path 32 and switching between starting and stopping the flow of gas G to the first pressure vessel 10, and a gas supply valve 24 provided midway through the gas supply path 33 and switching between starting and stopping the supply of gas G to the gas utilization section 100.

[0089] The second A pressure vessel 20 also includes a second pressure detection unit 25 that detects the pressure of the gas G inside the pressure vessel body 21 , and a heat input unit 26 that inputs heat into the pressure vessel body 21 .

[0090] [Control unit 70: see FIG. 6] The control unit 70 controls the operation of each device in the gas supply device 1. The control unit 70 controls the switching between opening and closing of each of the liquefied gas supply valve 22, the vent valve 23, and the gas supply valve 24. The control unit 70 also receives the detection results of the first pressure detection unit 12 and the second pressure detection unit 25. The control unit 70 may control the switching between opening and closing of each of the valves based on the detection results of the first pressure detection unit 12 and the second pressure detection unit 25. The control unit 70 includes an output unit (not shown) that notifies an operator of the state of the gas supply device 1. For example, the output unit notifies an operator that the upper limit filling amount of the liquefied gas LG in the first pressure vessel 10 has been reached.

[0091] [Gas generation and supply procedure: see Figures 7 and 8] Hereinafter, a procedure for generating and supplying the gas G in the gas supply device 2 will be described with reference to FIGS. The procedure for generating and supplying gas G, which will be described below, is carried out in accordance with instructions from the control unit 70. Before starting this procedure, the inside of the first pressure vessel 10 and the second pressure vessel 20 is replaced with gas G obtained by vaporizing liquefied gas LG, for example. Alternatively, the inside of the first pressure vessel 10 and the second pressure vessel 20 may be in a medium vacuum state (JIS Z 8126-1) of less than 100 Pa and equal to or greater than 0.1 Pa. Before starting this procedure, the first pressure vessel 10 is filled with liquefied gas LG, and all valves are closed. In the drawings, the open state of the valve is indicated by a white mark and the symbol is marked "ON," the closed state of the valve is indicated by a black mark and the symbol is marked "OFF." The heat input state of the first heat input section 26 is indicated by a white mark and the symbol is marked "ON," and the heat input stop state is indicated by a black mark and the symbol is marked "OFF."

[0092] In this procedure, the supply of liquefied gas LG from the first pressure vessel 10 to the second pressure vessel 20 (first step) and the supply of gas G from the second pressure vessel 20 to the gas usage section 100 (second step) are alternately repeated. In other words, when liquefied gas LG is being supplied from the first pressure vessel 10 to the second pressure vessel 20, the supply of gas G from the second pressure vessel 20 to the gas usage section 100 is stopped. When the supply of liquefied gas LG from the first pressure vessel 10 to the second pressure vessel 20 is stopped, gas G is supplied from the second pressure vessel 20 to the gas usage section 100. The gas G can be intermittently supplied to the gas utilization section 100 until the liquefied gas LG inside the first pressure vessel 10 reaches the lower limit storage amount.

[0093] [First step: See Figure 7 ST1A] In the first step, the liquefied gas supply valve 22 and the vent valve 23 are opened. As a result, the liquefied gas LG is supplied from the first pressure vessel 10 to the second pressure vessel 20 via the liquefied gas supply path 31, and the gas G stored inside the second pressure vessel 20 is circulated to the first pressure vessel 10 via the vent path 32.

[0094] The open / closed states of the valves in the first step are summarized below. Open (ON): Liquefied gas supply valve 22, vent valve 23 Closed (OFF): Gas supply valve 24, filling valve 13

[0095] [Second step: See Figure 7 ST2A] The first step is followed by the second step. In the second step, the liquefied gas supply valve 22 and the vent valve 23 are closed, thereby stopping the supply of liquefied gas from the first pressure vessel 10 to the second pressure vessel 20 and also stopping the supply of gas G to the first pressure vessel 10 via the vent path 32. In the second step, heat is input from the heat input section 26 to vaporize the liquefied gas LG stored in the second pressure vessel 20.

[0096] In the second step, gas supply valve 24 is opened, and gas G is supplied from second pressure vessel 20 to gas utilization unit 100 via gas supply path 33. Gas supply valve 24 may be opened based on the detection result of second pressure detection unit 25. For example, gas supply valve 24 may be opened after the pressure of gas G detected by second pressure detection unit 25 reaches the pressure required for gas utilization unit 100.

[0097] The open / closed states of the valves in the second step are summarized below. Open (ON): Gas supply valve 24 Closed (OFF): Liquefied gas supply valve 22, vent valve 23, filling valve 13

[0098] [Third step: See Figure 8 ST3] When the liquefied gas LG stored in the first pressure vessel 10 falls to or below the lower limit filling amount, the third step is carried out following the second step.

[0099] In the third step, once all of the liquefied gas LG inside the second pressure vessel 20 has been vaporized in the second step, the gas supply valve 24 is closed, thereby stopping the supply of gas G from the second pressure vessel 20 to the gas utilization section 100. Whether the amount is equal to or less than the lower limit filling amount is determined by the control unit 70 upon receiving the detection result detected by a liquid level detection unit (not shown).

[0100] The open / closed states of the valves in the third step are summarized below. Open (ON): None Closed (OFF): Liquefied gas supply valve 22, vent valve 23, gas supply valve 24, filling valve 13

[0101] [Fourth step: See Figure 8 ST4] The third step is followed by the fourth step. In a fourth step, an operator opens the fill valve 13 connected to a supply source of liquefied gas LG (not shown), thereby starting the filling of liquefied gas LG into the first pressure vessel 10. When the liquefied gas LG in the first pressure vessel 10 reaches its upper limit filling amount, the operator closes the fill valve 13, thereby stopping the filling of liquefied gas LG into the first pressure vessel 10. Whether the upper limit filling amount has been reached is determined by the control unit 70, which receives the detection result detected by a liquid level detection unit (not shown), and when the filling amount of liquefied gas LG has reached the upper limit filling amount, an output unit provided in the control unit 70 issues a warning to the operator.

[0102] After the filling of the first pressure vessel 10 with the liquefied gas LG is completed, the supply of the liquefied gas LG to the second pressure vessel 20 is resumed, and after the supply of the liquefied gas LG to the second pressure vessel 20 is stopped, the supply of the gas G from the second pressure vessel 20 to the gas utilization section 100 is resumed.

[0103] [effect] As described above, the gas supply device 2 according to this embodiment has the same effects as the first, second, fourth and fifth effects.

[0104] [Modification of the gas supply device 2: see FIG. 9] As a modified example of the gas supply device 2, for example, a gas supply device 3 will be described in which a plurality of gas supply units each having the configuration of the first pressure vessel 10 and the second pressure vessel 20 of the gas supply device 2 are provided in parallel. The gas supply unit is an example of the gas supply device of the present disclosure.

[0105] The gas supply device 2 only supplies gas G intermittently. However, the gas supply device 3, which includes multiple gas supply units 110, 120, 130, and 140 connected in parallel to the gas usage section 100, can continuously supply gas G by switching between the gas supply units 110, 120, 130, and 140 that supply gas G. The gas supply device 1 of the first embodiment has one first pressure vessel 10 that stores liquefied gas LG, and two pressure vessels that vaporize the liquefied gas LG and supply gas G to the gas usage section 100. The two pressure vessels 20 and 40 are connected in parallel to the gas usage section 100. Furthermore, the two pressure vessels 20 and 40 are connected in parallel to the first pressure vessel 10.

[0106] The gas supply device 3 is different in that it has a one-to-one correspondence between first pressure vessels 10A, 10B, 10C, and 10D in which liquefied gas LG is stored and second pressure vessels 20A, 20B, 20C, and 20D that vaporize the liquefied gas LG and supply gas G to the gas utilization section 100, whereas the gas supply device 1 has a secondA pressure vessel 20 and a secondB pressure vessel 40 for one first pressure vessel 10, i.e., a one-to-two correspondence. The gas supply device 1 is capable of continuous gas supply by including the second A pressure vessel 20 and the second B pressure vessel 40. To enable continuous supply of gas G to the gas utilization section 100, the gas supply device 3 includes at least two gas supply units 110, 120. For example, the gas supply device 3 includes two large-capacity first pressure vessels 10A, 10B and two large-capacity second pressure vessels 20A, 20B. In addition, the gas supply device 1 can reduce the number of large-capacity first pressure vessels 10 by one, and therefore the volume occupied by the gas supply device 1 is smaller than that of the gas supply device 3.

[0107] 9, the gas supply apparatus 3 includes a control unit 70 that controls the operation of each component of the gas supply apparatus 3. The gas supply apparatus 3 includes a first gas supply unit 110 that includes a first pressure vessel 10A that stores liquefied gas LG, a second pressure vessel 20A that vaporizes the liquefied gas LG supplied from the first pressure vessel 10A to generate gas G, a liquefied gas supply path 31A that selectively flows the liquefied gas LG from the first pressure vessel 10A toward the second pressure vessel 20A, a vent path 32A that selectively flows the gas G generated in the second pressure vessel 20A toward a space inside the first pressure vessel 10A when the liquefied gas LG is supplied from the first pressure vessel 10A to the second pressure vessel 20A, and a gas supply path 33A that selectively flows the gas G generated in the second pressure vessel 20A toward the gas utilization section 100.

[0108] The gas supply device 3 comprises a second gas supply unit 120 including a first pressure vessel 10B in which liquefied gas LG is stored, a second pressure vessel 20B in which the liquefied gas LG supplied from the first pressure vessel 10B is vaporized to produce gas G, a liquefied gas supply path 31B that selectively flows the liquefied gas LG from the first pressure vessel 10B toward the second pressure vessel 20B, a vent path 32B that selectively flows the gas G produced in the second pressure vessel 20B toward a void inside the first pressure vessel 10B when the liquefied gas LG is supplied from the first pressure vessel 10B to the second pressure vessel 20B, and a gas supply path 33B that selectively flows the gas G produced in the second pressure vessel 20B toward the gas utilization section 100.

[0109] The gas supply device 3 also includes a third gas supply unit 130 which includes a first pressure vessel 10C in which liquefied gas LG is stored, a second pressure vessel 20C which vaporizes the liquefied gas LG supplied from the first pressure vessel 10C to generate gas G, a liquefied gas supply path 31C which selectively flows the liquefied gas LG from the first pressure vessel 10C toward the second pressure vessel 20C, a vent path 32C which selectively flows the gas G generated in the second pressure vessel 20C toward a void inside the first pressure vessel 10C when the liquefied gas LG is supplied from the first pressure vessel 10C to the second pressure vessel 20C, and a gas supply path 33C which selectively flows the gas G generated in the second pressure vessel 20C toward the gas utilization section 100.

[0110] The gas supply device 3 further comprises a fourth gas supply unit 140 including a first pressure vessel 10D in which liquefied gas LG is stored, a second pressure vessel 20D in which the liquefied gas LG supplied from the first pressure vessel 10D is vaporized to produce gas G, a liquefied gas supply path 31D that selectively flows the liquefied gas LG from the first pressure vessel 10D toward the second pressure vessel 20D, a vent path 32D that selectively flows the gas G produced in the second pressure vessel 20D toward the internal void of the first pressure vessel 10D when the liquefied gas LG is supplied from the first pressure vessel 10D to the second pressure vessel 20D, and a gas supply path 33D that selectively flows the gas G produced in the second pressure vessel 20D toward the gas utilization section 100. The gas supply device 3 includes a confluent gas supply path 200 that is connected to the gas utilization unit 100 after the gas supply paths 33A, 33B, 33C, and 33D converge with one another.

[0111] The gas supply device 3 includes multiple gas supply units 110, 120, 130, and 140 connected in parallel to the gas usage section 100. For example, while the fourth gas supply unit 140 supplies gas G to the gas usage section 100, the other three gas supply units 110, 120, and 130 can supply liquefied gas LG from the first pressure vessels 10A, 10B, and 10C to the second pressure vessels 20A, 20B, and 20C. Alternatively, the liquefied gas LG can be vaporized in the second pressure vessels 20A, 20B, and 20C. The gas supply device 3 can continuously supply gas G to the gas usage section 100 by, for example, sequentially switching the supply of gas G to the gas usage section 100 among the multiple gas supply units 110, 120, 130, and 140 connected in parallel to the gas usage section 100.

[0112] For example, when all of the liquefied gas LG inside the second pressure vessel 20D of the fourth gas supply unit 140 has evaporated, the supply of gas G from the fourth gas supply unit 140 to the gas usage section 100 is stopped. With the supply of gas G from the fourth gas supply unit 140 stopped, the supply of gas G to the gas usage section 100 is started from one of the other gas supply units, for example, the gas supply unit with the highest pressure of gas G inside the second pressure vessels 20A, 20B, 20C.

[0113] The gas supply units 110, 120, 130, and 140 from which the gas G is to be supplied are determined based on, for example, gas supply conditions set in the control unit 70. The gas supply conditions may be based on the pressure of the gas G inside the second pressure vessels 20A, 20B, 20C, and 20D described above. Alternatively, the gas G may be supplied in ascending order starting from the first gas supply unit 110.

[0114] [effect] As described above, the gas supply device 3 according to this embodiment has the same effects as the first to fifth effects.

[0115] [Note] The gas supply device according to the present disclosure can be understood as follows. [Appendix 1] The gas supply device (1, 2) according to the present disclosure includes: a first pressure vessel (10) for storing liquefied gas; a second pressure vessel (20, 40) for vaporizing the liquefied gas (LG) supplied from the first pressure vessel (10) to generate a gas (G); a liquefied gas supply path (31, 51) for selectively flowing the liquefied gas (LG) from the first pressure vessel (10) toward the second pressure vessel (20, 40); and a gas supply path (33, 53) for selectively flowing the gas (G) generated in the second pressure vessel (20, 40) toward the gas-using section (100).

[0116] [Appendix 2] In Appendix 1, preferably, The second pressure vessel (20, 40) The system comprises a second A pressure vessel (20) and a second B pressure vessel (40), The liquefied gas supply passage (31, 51) a first liquefied gas supply path (31) connecting the first pressure vessel (10) and the secondA pressure vessel (20), and a second liquefied gas supply path (51) connecting the first pressure vessel (10) and the secondB pressure vessel (40), The gas supply passages (33, 53) The gas supply system includes a first gas supply path (33) that allows the gas (G) generated in the second A pressure vessel (20) to flow toward the gas utilization section (100), and a second gas supply path (53) that allows the gas (G) generated in the second B pressure vessel (40) to flow toward the gas utilization section (100).

[0117] [Appendix 3] In Appendix 1, preferably, a liquefied gas supply valve (22, 42) provided in the liquefied gas supply path (31, 51) for switching between starting and stopping the supply of the liquefied gas (LG) supplied from the first pressure vessel (10); The gas supply valve (24, 44) is provided midway along the gas supply path (33, 53) and switches between starting and stopping the supply of the gas (G) to the gas utilization part (100).

[0118] [Appendix 4] In Appendix 2, preferably, a first liquefied gas supply valve (22) provided in the first liquefied gas supply path (31) and configured to start and stop the supply of the liquefied gas (LG) supplied from the first pressure vessel (10); a first gas supply valve (24) provided in the first gas supply path (33) and configured to start and stop supply of the gas (G) to the gas utilization unit (100); a second liquefied gas supply valve (42) provided in the second liquefied gas supply path (51) for switching between starting and stopping the supply of the liquefied gas (LG) supplied from the first pressure vessel (10); The gas supply system further includes a second gas supply valve (44) that is provided midway along the second gas supply path (53) and switches between starting and stopping the supply of the gas (G) to the gas utilization part (100).

[0119] [Appendix 5] In Supplementary Note 1 or Supplementary Note 3, preferably A heat input section (26) is provided for inputting heat into the second pressure vessel (20, 40).

[0120] [Appendix 6] In Supplementary Note 2 or Supplementary Note 4, preferably a first heat input section (26) for inputting heat into the second A pressure vessel (20); and a second heat input section (46) for inputting heat into the second B pressure vessel (40).

[0121] [Appendix 7] In any of Appendix 1, Appendix 3 or Appendix 5, preferably In the vertical direction, the first pressure vessel (10) is disposed at a higher position than the second pressure vessels (20, 40).

[0122] [Appendix 8] In any of Appendix 2, Appendix 4 or Appendix 6, preferably In the vertical direction, the first pressure vessel (10) is disposed at a higher position than the second A pressure vessel (20) and the second B pressure vessel (40).

[0123] [Appendix 9] In any of Appendix 1, Appendix 3, Appendix 5 or Appendix 7, preferably a vent passage (32, 52) for selectively directing a portion of the gas (G) generated in the second pressure vessel (20, 40) toward an internal space of the first pressure vessel (10); a first step of flowing the liquefied gas (LG) from the liquefied gas supply path (31, 51) toward the second pressure vessel (20, 40) and flowing the gas (G) stored in the second pressure vessel (20, 40) through the vent path (32, 52); a second step of supplying the gas (G) to the gas utilization part (100) through the gas supply path (33, 53) while vaporizing the liquefied gas (LG) stored in the second pressure vessel (20, 40) to generate the gas (G);

[0124] [Appendix 10] In any of Appendix 2, Appendix 4, Appendix 6 or Appendix 8, preferably a first vent passage (32) for selectively directing a portion of the gas (G) generated in the second pressure vessel (20) toward an internal space of the first pressure vessel (10); a second vent passage (52) for selectively directing a portion of the gas (G) generated in the second pressure vessel (40) toward a space inside the first pressure vessel (10); a first step of flowing the liquefied gas (LG) from the first liquefied gas supply passage (31) toward the second-A pressure vessel (20) and flowing the gas (G) stored in the second-A pressure vessel (20) through the first vent passage (32); a second A step following the first A step of vaporizing the liquefied gas (LG) stored in the second A pressure vessel (20) to generate the gas (G) and supplying the gas (G) to the gas utilization part (100) through the first gas supply path (33); a first step (1B) of flowing the liquefied gas (LG) from the second liquefied gas supply path (51) toward the second-B pressure vessel (40) and flowing the gas (G) stored in the second-B pressure vessel (40) through the second vent path (52) while the second-A step is being performed; Following the first step B, a second step B is carried out in which the liquefied gas (LG) stored in the second pressure vessel (40) is vaporized to generate the gas (G), and the gas (G) is supplied to the gas utilization section (100) via the second gas supply path (53).

[0125] [Appendix 11] In Appendix 1, preferably, At least two gas supply devices (2) according to Supplementary Note 1 are provided, and the gas supply devices (2) are connected in parallel to the gas utilization section (100).

[0126] [Appendix 12] The gas supply method of the present disclosure for supplying gas (G) obtained by vaporizing liquefied gas (LG) to a gas utilization unit (100) includes the steps of: a first step in which the liquefied gas (LG) is supplied from a first pressure vessel (10) in which the liquefied gas (LG) is stored to a second pressure vessel (20, 40); Following the first step, a second step is provided in which the liquefied gas (LG) stored in the second pressure vessel (20, 40) is vaporized to generate the gas (G), and the gas (G) is supplied to the gas utilization section (100).

[0127] [Appendix 13] The gas supply method of the present disclosure for supplying gas (G) obtained by vaporizing liquefied gas (LG) to a gas utilization unit (100) includes the steps of: a first step in which the liquefied gas (LG) is supplied from a first pressure vessel (10) in which the liquefied gas (LG) is stored to a second pressure vessel (20); a second A step following the first A step of vaporizing the liquefied gas (LG) stored in the second A pressure vessel (20) to generate the gas (G) and supplying the gas (G) toward the gas utilization section (100); a first step B in which the liquefied gas (LG) is supplied from the first pressure vessel (10) to a second pressure vessel (40) while the second step A is being performed; Following the first step B, there is a second step B in which the liquefied gas (LG) stored in the second pressure vessel (40) is vaporized to generate the gas (G), and the gas (G) is supplied to the gas utilization section (100).

[0128] In addition to the above, it is possible to select and discard the configurations given in the above embodiments, or to change them to other configurations as appropriate. [Explanation of symbols]

[0129] 1, 2, 3 Gas supply device 10, 10A, 10B, 10C, 10D First pressure vessel 11 Pressure vessel body 12 First pressure detection unit 13 Filling valve 20. Pressure Vessel No. 2A 20, 20A, 20B, 20C, 20D Second pressure vessel 21 Pressure vessel body 22 Liquefied gas supply valve, first liquefied gas supply valve 23 Vent valve, first vent valve 24 Gas supply valve, first gas supply valve 25 Second pressure detection unit 26 Heat input section, 1st heat input section 31 Liquefied gas supply line, first liquefied gas supply line 31A, 31B, 31C, 31D Liquefied gas supply line 32 Bent Road, 1st Bent Road 32A, 32B, 32C, 32D Vent Road 33 Gas supply path, first gas supply path 33A, 33B, 33C, 33D Gas supply path 40 Second pressure vessel, second B pressure vessel 41 Pressure vessel body 42 Second liquefied gas supply valve 43 Second vent valve 44 Second gas supply valve 45 Third pressure detection unit 46 2nd heat input section 51 Second liquefied gas supply line 52 Second Bend Road 53 Second gas supply line 61 Confluence Bent Road 62 Confluent gas supply line 70 Control Unit 100 Gas User Section 110 First gas supply unit 120 Second gas supply unit 130 Third gas supply unit 140 4th Gas Supply Unit 200 Confluent gas supply line G Gas H horizontal direction LG liquefied gas V vertical direction

Claims

1. a first pressure vessel in which liquefied gas is stored; a second pressure vessel that vaporizes the liquefied gas supplied from the first pressure vessel to generate gas; a liquefied gas supply path that selectively flows the liquefied gas from the first pressure vessel toward the second pressure vessel; a gas supply path that selectively flows the gas generated in the second pressure vessel toward a gas utilization section, Gas supply equipment.

2. The second pressure vessel is A second A pressure vessel and a second B pressure vessel, The liquefied gas supply path is a first liquefied gas supply line connecting the first pressure vessel and the second A pressure vessel, and a second liquefied gas supply line connecting the first pressure vessel and the second B pressure vessel, The gas supply path is a first gas supply path that allows the gas generated in the second A pressure vessel to flow toward the gas use portion, and a second gas supply path that allows the gas generated in the second B pressure vessel to flow toward the gas use portion, The gas supply device according to claim 1 .

3. a liquefied gas supply valve provided midway through the liquefied gas supply path and configured to start and stop the supply of the liquefied gas supplied from the first pressure vessel; a gas supply valve provided in the gas supply path and configured to start and stop the supply of the gas to the gas use unit; The gas supply device according to claim 1 .

4. a first liquefied gas supply valve provided in the first liquefied gas supply path and configured to start and stop the supply of the liquefied gas from the first pressure vessel; a first gas supply valve provided in the first gas supply path and configured to start and stop supplying the gas to the gas use unit; a second liquefied gas supply valve provided in the second liquefied gas supply path and configured to start and stop the supply of the liquefied gas from the first pressure vessel; a second gas supply valve provided in the second gas supply path and configured to start and stop supplying the gas to the gas use unit; The gas supply device according to claim 2 .

5. a heat input section for inputting heat into the second pressure vessel; The gas supply device according to claim 1 or 3.

6. a first heat input section for inputting heat into the second A pressure vessel; A second heat input unit that inputs heat into the second B pressure vessel. The gas supply device according to claim 2 or 4.

7. The first pressure vessel is disposed at a higher position than the second pressure vessel in the vertical direction. The gas supply device according to claim 1 .

8. In the vertical direction, the first pressure vessel is disposed at a higher position than the second A pressure vessel and the second B pressure vessel. The gas supply device according to claim 2 .

9. a vent passage for selectively directing a portion of the gas generated in the second pressure vessel toward a space inside the first pressure vessel; a first step of flowing the liquefied gas from the liquefied gas supply path toward the second pressure vessel and flowing the gas stored in the second pressure vessel through the vent path; a second step of supplying the gas to the gas utilization unit through the gas supply path while vaporizing the liquefied gas stored in the second pressure vessel to generate the gas; The gas supply device according to claim 1 or 7.

10. a first vent passage for selectively directing a portion of the gas generated in the second pressure vessel toward a space within the first pressure vessel; a second vent passage for selectively directing a portion of the gas generated in the second pressure vessel toward a space inside the first pressure vessel; a first step of flowing the liquefied gas from the first liquefied gas supply path toward the second A pressure vessel and flowing the gas stored in the second A pressure vessel through the first vent path; Following the first A step, a second A step is performed in which the liquefied gas stored in the second A pressure vessel is vaporized to generate the gas, and the gas is supplied to the gas utilization unit via the first gas supply path. a first step B, during which the second step A is performed, of flowing the liquefied gas from the second liquefied gas supply path toward the second-B pressure vessel and flowing the gas stored in the second-B pressure vessel through the second vent path; Following the first step B, a second step B is carried out in which the liquefied gas stored in the second pressure vessel is vaporized to generate the gas, and the gas is supplied to the gas use unit via the second gas supply path.

9. The gas supply device according to claim 2 or 8.

11. At least two gas supply devices according to claim 1 are provided, and the gas supply devices are connected in parallel to the gas utilization unit. Gas supply equipment.

12. A gas supply method for supplying gas obtained by vaporizing a liquefied gas to a gas utilization unit, comprising: a first step of supplying the liquefied gas from a first pressure vessel storing the liquefied gas to a second pressure vessel; Following the first step, a second step of vaporizing the liquefied gas stored in the second pressure vessel to generate the gas and supplying the gas to the gas utilization unit. Gas supply method.

13. A gas supply method for supplying gas obtained by vaporizing a liquefied gas to a gas utilization unit, comprising: a first step A in which the liquefied gas is supplied from a first pressure vessel in which the liquefied gas is stored to a second pressure vessel A; Following the first step, a second step of vaporizing the liquefied gas stored in the second pressure vessel to generate the gas and supplying the gas toward the gas utilization unit; a first step B in which the liquefied gas is supplied from the first pressure vessel to a second pressure vessel B while the second step A is being carried out; Following the first step B, a second step B is provided in which the liquefied gas stored in the second pressure vessel is vaporized to generate the gas, and the gas is supplied to the gas utilization unit. Gas supply method.

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