Ammonia-using equipment, method for starting up ammonia-using equipment

Abstract

This prevents ammonia gas from reliquefying within the buffer tank. [Solution] The ammonia-using equipment comprises an ammonia tank for storing liquid ammonia, a gasifier that heats the liquid ammonia from the ammonia tank to produce ammonia gas, a fuel-consuming device that operates using ammonia gas, a buffer tank provided between the gasifier and the fuel-consuming device for temporarily storing ammonia gas, an inert gas supply unit for supplying inert gas, and a heating device that heats the inert gas from the inert gas supply unit and supplies it to the buffer tank.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to ammonia-using equipment and a method for starting up ammonia-using equipment.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a configuration including a tank for storing ammonia, an evaporator for evaporating ammonia to generate ammonia gas, and ammonia utilization equipment operated by the ammonia gas. In the configuration of this Patent Document 1, a gas buffer chamber (buffer tank) capable of temporarily storing ammonia gas is provided between the evaporator and the ammonia utilization equipment.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In ammonia-using equipment as described in the above Patent Document 1, when ammonia gas is fed into the buffer tank in a state where the temperature of the gas buffer chamber is low at the start of use of the ammonia utilization equipment, the ammonia gas fed into the buffer tank may liquefy.

[0005] The present disclosure has been made to solve the above problems, and an object thereof is to provide ammonia-using equipment and a method for starting up ammonia-using equipment that can suppress the re-liquefaction of ammonia gas in the buffer tank.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] To solve the above problems, the ammonia-using equipment according to this disclosure comprises an ammonia tank, a gasifier, a fuel-consuming device, a buffer tank, an inert gas supply unit, and a heating device. The ammonia tank stores liquid ammonia. The gasifier heats the liquid ammonia from the ammonia tank to produce ammonia gas. The fuel-consuming device operates using the ammonia gas. The buffer tank is provided between the gasifier and the fuel-consuming device and can temporarily store the ammonia gas. The inert gas supply unit supplies inert gas. The heating device heats the inert gas from the inert gas supply unit and supplies it to the buffer tank.

[0007] The method for starting up an ammonia-using facility according to this disclosure is a method for starting up an ammonia-using facility as described above, and includes the steps of: heating a buffer tank; discharging an inert gas from the buffer tank; and supplying ammonia gas to the buffer tank. In the step of heating the buffer tank, the inert gas is heated and supplied to the buffer tank to heat the buffer tank. In the step of discharging the inert gas from the buffer tank, the inert gas is discharged from the buffer tank. In the step of supplying ammonia gas to the buffer tank, the liquid ammonia from the ammonia tank is heated to produce ammonia gas, which is then supplied to the buffer tank. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the ammonia usage equipment and the method for starting the ammonia usage equipment described herein, it is possible to suppress the reliquefaction of ammonia gas in the buffer tank. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] [Figure 1] This is a side view of a floating body equipped with ammonia utilization equipment according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 2]This figure shows the configuration of an ammonia-using facility according to the first embodiment of this disclosure. [Figure 3] This flowchart shows the procedure for starting up an ammonia-using facility according to the embodiment of this disclosure. [Figure 4] This figure shows the step of heating a buffer tank in the method for starting up an ammonia-using facility according to the first embodiment of this disclosure. [Figure 5] This figure shows the step of discharging inert gas from a buffer tank in the startup method for an ammonia-using facility according to the first embodiment of this disclosure. [Figure 6] This figure shows the step of supplying ammonia gas to a buffer tank in the method for starting up an ammonia-using facility according to the first embodiment of this disclosure. [Figure 7] This figure shows the configuration of an ammonia-using facility according to the second embodiment of this disclosure. [Figure 8] This figure shows the step of heating a buffer tank in the method for starting up an ammonia-using facility according to the second embodiment of this disclosure. [Figure 9] This figure shows the step of discharging inert gas from a buffer tank in the method for starting up an ammonia-using facility according to the second embodiment of this disclosure. [Figure 10] This figure shows the step of supplying ammonia gas to a buffer tank in a method for starting up an ammonia-using facility according to the second embodiment of this disclosure. [Figure 11] This figure shows the configuration of an ammonia-using facility according to a modified embodiment of the present disclosure. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0010] <First Embodiment> Hereinafter, an ammonia usage facility and a method for starting the ammonia usage facility according to the embodiments of this disclosure will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 11. In the following embodiments, the case in which the ammonia usage facility is installed on a floating body will be described as an example.

[0011] (Structure of the floating body) As shown in FIG. 1, the floating body 1 of the present embodiment includes a floating body main body 2 and an ammonia-using facility 10. The floating body 1 of the present embodiment is a ship that can navigate by a main engine or the like. The ship type of the floating body 1 is not limited to a specific one. Examples of the ship type of the floating body 1 include carriers for liquefied gases such as liquefied natural gas (LNG), carbon dioxide, ammonia, and methanol, ferries, RORO ships (Roll-on / Roll-off ships), PCTCs (Pure Car & Truck Carriers), passenger ships, and the like.

[0012] (Configuration of the floating body main body) The floating body main body 2 has a pair of side plates 3A and 3B forming its outer shell, a bottom plate 4, and an upper deck 5. The side plates 3A and 3B have a pair of ship side outer plates respectively forming the left and right sides. The bottom plate 4 has a bottom outer plate connecting these side plates 3A and 3B. The upper deck 5 illustrated in this embodiment is an all-through deck exposed to the outside. An upper structure 7 having a living area is formed on the stern 2b side of the floating body main body 2. Note that the arrangement of the upper structure 7 and the like provided above the upper deck 5 is an example and is not limited to the above arrangement.

[0013] (Configuration of the ammonia-using facility) The ammonia-using facility 10 in the present embodiment is provided on the floating body main body 2. The ammonia-using facility 10 includes a fuel-consuming device 11, an ammonia tank 13, and an ammonia treatment unit 14.

[0014] The fuel-consuming device 11 operates by ammonia gas. As an example of the fuel-consuming device 11, a combustion device that generates thermal energy by burning ammonia gas as fuel can be mentioned. Further, as a combustion device that burns ammonia gas as fuel, an Otto cycle type combustion device can be exemplified. Also, as an Otto cycle type combustion device, for example, an internal combustion engine used in a power generation facility that supplies electricity into the floating body 1 can be exemplified. The fuel-consuming device 11 of the present embodiment is provided inside the floating body main body 2 below the upper deck 5.

[0015] The floating body main body 2 of the present embodiment is provided with a main engine (not shown) as an internal combustion engine for propelling the floating body 1. Examples of the main engine include a diesel cycle combustion device that burns liquid ammonia. In addition, the floating body main body 2 may be provided with a combustion device such as a boiler (not shown) that generates steam as a working fluid. The internal combustion engine used for the main engine for propelling the floating body 1 and the boiler or the like that generates steam as a working fluid may be a fuel consumption device 11 that operates by means of ammonia gas.

[0016] The ammonia tank 13 stores liquid ammonia. The ammonia tank 13 of the present embodiment stores liquid ammonia for use as fuel for the fuel consumption device 11 provided on the floating body 1. For example, in the case of the floating body 1 that uses a part of the liquefied ammonia as the cargo as fuel, the ammonia tank 13 may store the liquid ammonia as the cargo. The ammonia tank 13 may be installed inside the floating body main body 2 or on the upper deck 5. In the present embodiment, the ammonia tank 13 is installed, for example, on the stern 2b side of the upper deck 5. The ammonia tank 13 is provided with a pump (not shown) for discharging the liquid ammonia in the ammonia tank 13 through the liquid supply line 101 described later.

[0017] (Ammonia treatment unit) FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the configuration of an ammonia-using facility according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 2, the ammonia treatment unit 14 includes an ammonia supply line 100, a vaporizer (gasification device, heating device) 15, a buffer tank 17, an inert gas supply unit 19, an ammonia decontamination device 21, a first discharge line 111, and a return line 113.

[0018] (Ammonia supply line) The ammonia supply line 100 is configured to supply ammonia as fuel from the ammonia tank 13 to the fuel-consuming equipment 11. The vaporizer 15 and the buffer tank 17 are located in the middle of the ammonia supply line 100, with the vaporizer 15 positioned between the buffer tank 17 and the ammonia tank 13. In the following description, the portion of the ammonia supply line 100 connecting the ammonia tank 13 and the vaporizer 15 will be referred to as the liquid supply line 101, the portion connecting the vaporizer 15 and the buffer tank 17 will be referred to as the gas supply line 103, and the portion connecting the buffer tank 17 and the fuel-consuming equipment 11 will be referred to as the fuel gas supply line 104.

[0019] (Vaporizer) The vaporizer 15 is connected to the ammonia tank 13 via a liquid supply line 101. Liquid ammonia stored in the ammonia tank 13 can be supplied to the vaporizer 15 via the liquid supply line 101. When liquid ammonia is supplied from the ammonia tank 13, the vaporizer 15 functions as a gasifier that gasifies the liquid ammonia. Specifically, as a gasifier, the vaporizer 15 heats the liquid ammonia to produce ammonia gas and sends this produced ammonia gas toward the buffer tank 17.

[0020] In this embodiment, the vaporizer 15 is supplied with a heat transfer medium through a heat transfer medium supply line 102. The vaporizer 15 is capable of heating liquid ammonia supplied from the ammonia tank 13 by exchanging heat with this heat transfer medium. Examples of heat transfer mediums used in the vaporizer 15 include glycol water heated by recovering waste heat from the floating body 2, and seawater surrounding the floating body 2. In addition, an on-off valve 101v is provided in the middle of the liquid supply line 101 in this embodiment. By opening and closing this on-off valve 101v, the supply of liquid ammonia from the ammonia tank 13 to the vaporizer 15 can be intermittently controlled.

[0021] (Buffer tank) The buffer tank 17 is connected to the vaporizer 15 via the gas supply line 103. Furthermore, the buffer tank 17 is connected to the fuel-consuming equipment 11 via the fuel gas supply line 104. In other words, the buffer tank 17 is located between the vaporizer 15 and the fuel-consuming equipment 11. The buffer tank 17 is capable of temporarily storing ammonia gas generated in the vaporizer 15 and supplied through the gas supply line 103. The ammonia gas temporarily stored in the buffer tank 17 can be supplied from the buffer tank 17 to the fuel-consuming equipment 11 via the fuel gas supply line 104. For example, the buffer tank 17 supplies an amount of ammonia gas to the fuel-consuming equipment 11 corresponding to the fuel consumption of the fuel-consuming equipment 11. In this embodiment, an on-off valve 104v is provided in the middle of the fuel gas supply line 104. By opening and closing this on-off valve 104v, the supply of ammonia gas from the buffer tank 17 to the fuel-consuming equipment 11 can be intermittently controlled.

[0022] (Inert gas supply unit) The inert gas supply unit 19 is equipped with an inert gas generator, an inert gas tank, etc., capable of supplying an inert gas such as nitrogen (N2) gas. The inert gas supply unit 19 is capable of supplying an inert gas to the buffer tank 17. In this embodiment, the inert gas supply unit 19 is connected to the liquid supply line 101 via an inert gas supply line 105. Specifically, the inert gas supply line 105 is connected to the liquid supply line 101 between the on-off valve 101v and the vaporizer 15.

[0023] A shut-off valve 105v is provided in the middle of the inert gas supply line 105. By opening and closing this shut-off valve 105v, the supply of inert gas from the inert gas supply unit 19 to the vaporizer 15 through the inert gas supply line 105 and the liquid supply line 101 can be intermittently controlled. In other words, the inert gas supply unit 19 can supply inert gas to the liquid supply line 101 that connects the ammonia tank 13 and the vaporizer 15.

[0024] Here, the vaporizer 15 described above is capable of heat exchange between the heat transfer medium and the inert gas when an inert gas is supplied from the inert gas supply unit 19. In other words, when an inert gas is supplied from the inert gas supply unit 19, the vaporizer 15 functions as a heating device that heats the inert gas. The inert gas heated by the vaporizer 15 is supplied to the buffer tank 17 via the gas supply line 103.

[0025] (First discharge line) The first discharge line 111 is connected to the buffer tank 17. The first discharge line 111 is capable of discharging the gas stored in the buffer tank 17 to the outside of the buffer tank 17. In this embodiment, the first end of the first discharge line 111 is connected to the buffer tank 17, and the second end of the first discharge line 111 is vented to the atmosphere via a funnel 9 (see Figure 1) or a vent post (not shown). The first discharge line 111 is configured to discharge ammonia gas and inert gas into the atmosphere when ammonia gas or inert gas is stored in the buffer tank 17. In this embodiment, an on-off valve 111v is provided in the middle of the first discharge line 111, and by opening and closing the on-off valve 111v, the discharge of ammonia gas from the buffer tank 17 through the first discharge line 111 can be intermittently controlled.

[0026] (Ammonia removal device) The ammonia abatement device 21 is installed in the middle of the first discharge line 111. The ammonia abatement device 21 abates ammonia gas contained in the gas discharged through the first discharge line 111. Examples of the ammonia abatement device 21 include a GCU (Gas Combustion Unit) and a configuration that absorbs ammonia in water. An example of a configuration that absorbs ammonia in water is a so-called dilution layer in which an absorbent liquid capable of absorbing ammonia, such as fresh water or seawater, is stored in a tank (not shown). In this case, the ammonia gas from the first discharge line 111 is brought into contact with the absorbent liquid in the tank, thereby absorbing and diluting the ammonia contained in the ammonia gas. The gas that has passed through the ammonia abatement device 21 is discharged into the atmosphere. In this embodiment, the first discharge line 111 is shown as being connected to the top of the buffer tank 17. However, the first discharge line 111 is not limited to the top of the buffer tank 17; it may also be connected to other parts of the buffer tank 17, such as the bottom or the side of the middle section.

[0027] (Return line) The return line 113 allows the ammonia gas discharged from the buffer tank 17 to be returned to the ammonia tank 13. In this embodiment, the first end of the return line 113 is connected to the first discharge line 111 between the buffer tank 17 and the ammonia abatement device 21, and the second end of the return line 113 is connected to the ammonia tank 13. An on-off valve 113v is provided in the middle of the return line 113, and by opening and closing the on-off valve 113v, the return of ammonia gas from the buffer tank 17 to the ammonia tank 13 can be intermittently controlled. Note that this return line 113 is not an essential component and may be omitted.

[0028] (How to start up ammonia-using equipment) Next, we will explain how to start up the ammonia-using equipment described above. Figure 3 is a flowchart showing the procedure for starting up an ammonia-using facility according to an embodiment of this disclosure. As shown in Figure 3, the startup method S10 for the ammonia-using equipment 10 includes the steps of heating the buffer tank 17 (S11), discharging inert gas from the buffer tank 17 (S12), and supplying ammonia gas to the buffer tank 17 (S13). The opening and closing operations of the on-off valves 101v, 104v, 105v, 111v, and 113v in each of the following steps S11 to S13 are performed manually by the crew of the floating body 1 or by automatic control.

[0029] Figure 4 shows the step of heating the buffer tank in the startup method for an ammonia-using facility according to the first embodiment of this disclosure. As shown in Figures 3 and 4, in step S11, which heats the buffer tank 17, valves 101v, 104v, 111v, and 113v are closed, and valve 105v is opened. As a result, inert gas is supplied from the inert gas supply unit 19 to the vaporizer 15 through the inert gas supply line 105 and the liquid supply line 101. The vaporizer 15, acting as a heating device, heats the inert gas by heat exchange with the heat transfer medium passing through the heat transfer medium supply line 102. The inert gas heated in the vaporizer 15 is supplied to the buffer tank 17 through the gas supply line 103. The buffer tank 17 is heated by the supply of heated inert gas to the buffer tank 17.

[0030] Here, the vaporizer 15 heats the inert gas from the inert gas supply unit 19 to a temperature above which the liquid ammonia under the internal pressure of the buffer tank 17 becomes a dry gas (superheated gas) rather than a gas-liquid mixture. The internal pressure of the buffer tank 17 when the ammonia-using equipment 10 is started is, for example, 0.5 to 0.7 MPaG, and the boiling point of 100% concentration liquefied ammonia under this internal pressure is approximately 10 to 18°C. When the internal pressure of the buffer tank 17 is, for example, 0.5 to 0.7 MPaG, the temperature at which the liquid ammonia becomes sufficiently dry is, for example, approximately 15°C to 25°C. Therefore, in this embodiment, it is preferable for the vaporizer 15 to heat the inert gas from the inert gas supply unit 19 to, for example, about 40°C. Here, if the ammonia contains water, the boiling point temperature will rise. For example, if ammonia contains 0.5 wt% water, the temperature at which it dries is approximately 55°C, so it is desirable to heat the inert gas to approximately 60°C. Furthermore, heating the buffer tank 17 with heated inert gas may be performed, for example, by detecting the temperature inside the buffer tank 17 with a temperature sensor (not shown) and proceeding to step S12 when a preset temperature is reached. Alternatively, for example, the process may be performed by supplying inert gas heated to a preset temperature or higher into the buffer tank 17 for a predetermined time using the vaporizer 15, and then proceeding to step S12.

[0031] Figure 5 shows the step of discharging inert gas from a buffer tank in the startup method of an ammonia-using facility according to the first embodiment of this disclosure. As shown in Figures 3 and 5, in step S12, in which the inert gas is discharged from the buffer tank 17, valves 105v, 104v, and 113v are closed and valves 101v and 111v are opened. As a result, liquid ammonia in the ammonia tank 13 is supplied to the vaporizer 15 through the liquid supply line 101 by a pump (not shown). The vaporizer 15, as a gasification device, heats the liquid ammonia by heat exchange with a heat transfer medium passing through the heat transfer medium supply line 102 to generate ammonia gas.

[0032] The ammonia gas generated in the vaporizer 15 is supplied to the buffer tank 17 through the gas supply line 103. This pushes the inert gas in the buffer tank 17 out to the first discharge line 111. The pushed-out inert gas is then discharged into the atmosphere through the first discharge line 111 via the funnel 9, vent post, etc. If the inert gas pushed out from the buffer tank 17 contains ammonia gas, the ammonia component is removed by the ammonia abatement device 21.

[0033] After the inert gas is discharged from the buffer tank 17, the process proceeds to step S13, in which ammonia gas is supplied to the buffer tank 17. The completion of the discharge of the inert gas from the buffer tank 17 can be determined by the elapsed time or by detecting an increase in the ammonia concentration contained in the discharged inert gas.

[0034] Figure 6 shows the step of supplying ammonia gas to a buffer tank in the startup method of an ammonia-using facility according to the first embodiment of this disclosure. As shown in Figures 3 and 6, in step S13, which supplies ammonia gas to the buffer tank 17, the on-off valve 111v is closed and the on-off valve 104v is opened from the state in step S12. As a result, the ammonia gas generated in the vaporizer 15 and temporarily stored in the buffer tank 17 via the gas supply line 103 is supplied to the fuel consumption equipment 11.

[0035] (Effects and Benefits) In the ammonia utilization equipment 10 of the first embodiment described above, the buffer tank 17 can be heated by using the vaporizer 15 to heat the inert gas supplied from the inert gas supply unit 19 and supplying it to the buffer tank 17. As a result, even if the temperature of the buffer tank 17 is lower than the temperature at which ammonia dries when the ammonia utilization equipment 10 is started to be used, the temperature of the buffer tank 17 can be raised to a level above the temperature at which ammonia dries by heating the buffer tank 17. Therefore, when the liquid ammonia from the ammonia tank 13 is heated in the vaporizer 15 to generate ammonia gas and the generated ammonia gas is sent to the buffer tank 17, the reliquefaction of the ammonia gas in the buffer tank 17 is suppressed.

[0036] Furthermore, in the first embodiment described above, the inert gas is heated to a temperature above which the liquid ammonia at the internal pressure of the buffer tank 17 becomes dry. This configuration suppresses the reliquefaction of ammonia gas within the buffer tank 17 when ammonia gas is supplied to the buffer tank 17.

[0037] Furthermore, in the first embodiment described above, the inert gas supplied from the inert gas supply unit 19 to the liquid supply line 101 is heated by the vaporizer 15. With this configuration, heated inert gas can be supplied to the buffer tank 17. In this way, the vaporizer 15, which acts as a gasification device to generate ammonia gas by heating liquid ammonia, also heats the inert gas as a heating device, so there is no need to provide a separate gasification device and heating device, which suppresses an increase in the number of parts of the ammonia usage equipment 10 and helps to save space.

[0038] Furthermore, in the first embodiment described above, the ammonia-using equipment 10 includes a fuel gas supply line 104 and a first discharge line 111. With this configuration, when ammonia gas is temporarily stored in the buffer tank 17, the ammonia gas in the buffer tank 17 can be supplied to the fuel-consuming equipment 11 through the fuel gas supply line 104. Also, when the buffer tank 17 is heated by heated inert gas, the inert gas in the buffer tank 17 can be discharged into the atmosphere through the first discharge line 111.

[0039] In the startup method S10 of the ammonia-using equipment 10 of the first embodiment described above, the buffer tank 17 is heated by heating an inert gas and supplying it to the buffer tank 17, after which ammonia gas is generated, and the generated ammonia gas is supplied to the buffer tank 17. This configuration makes it possible to suppress the reliquefaction of ammonia gas within the buffer tank 17.

[0040] <Second Embodiment> Next, a second embodiment of the ammonia-using equipment and the method for starting the ammonia-using equipment according to this disclosure will be described. In the second embodiment described below, the only difference from the first embodiment is the configuration which includes a second discharge line. Therefore, we will use Figure 3 as a reference, denoting the same parts as in the first embodiment with the same reference numerals, and omitting redundant explanations. Figure 7 shows the configuration of an ammonia-using facility according to the second embodiment of this disclosure. As shown in Figure 7, the ammonia usage equipment 10B of this embodiment includes a second discharge line 112 in addition to the configuration of the ammonia usage equipment 10 shown in the above embodiment. The second discharge line 112 is provided branched off from the fuel gas supply line 104. The first end of the second discharge line 112 is connected to the fuel gas supply line 104 at a position as close as possible to the fuel consumption equipment 11. The second end of the second discharge line 112 is connected to the first discharge line 111 between the on-off valve 111v and the ammonia abatement device 21.

[0041] A gas valve unit 120 is provided at the connection point between the fuel gas supply line 104 and the second discharge line 112. The gas valve unit 120 can switch the gas path in three ways: to shut off the flow of inert gas sent from the buffer tank 17 to the fuel gas supply line 104; to discharge the inert gas sent from the buffer tank 17 to the fuel gas supply line 104 to the second discharge line 112; and to supply liquid ammonia sent from the buffer tank 17 to the fuel gas supply line 104 to the fuel consuming equipment 11. The gas valve unit 120 has multiple on-off valves (not shown) at the connection point between the fuel gas supply line 104 and the second discharge line 112, and the gas path is switched by opening and closing these multiple on-off valves.

[0042] (How to start up ammonia-using equipment) Figure 8 shows the step of heating the buffer tank in the startup method for an ammonia-using facility according to the second embodiment of this disclosure. As shown in Figures 3 and 8, in step S11 of the startup method S10 for the ammonia-using equipment 10 in this embodiment, the buffer tank 17 is heated, and valves 101v, 111v, and 113v are closed, and valve 105v is opened. The gas valve unit 120 is also switched to shut off the flow of inert gas sent from the buffer tank 17 to the fuel gas supply line 104. As a result, inert gas is supplied from the inert gas supply unit 19 to the vaporizer 15 through the inert gas supply line 105 and the liquid supply line 101. The vaporizer 15 heats the inert gas as a heating device. The inert gas heated in the vaporizer 15 is supplied to the buffer tank 17 through the gas supply line 103, heating the buffer tank 17. Furthermore, the inert gas that has passed through the buffer tank 17 flows into the fuel gas supply line 104, heating the fuel gas supply line 104 between the gas valve unit 120 and the buffer tank 17.

[0043] Figure 9 shows the step of discharging inert gas from a buffer tank in the startup method for an ammonia-using facility according to the second embodiment of this disclosure. As shown in Figures 3 and 9, in step S12, which involves discharging inert gas from the buffer tank 17, valves 105v, 111v, and 113v are closed, and valve 101v is opened. The gas valve unit 120 also switches the inert gas sent from the buffer tank 17 to the fuel gas supply line 104 to be discharged to the second discharge line 112. As a result, liquid ammonia is supplied from the ammonia tank 13 to the vaporizer 15 through the liquid supply line 101. The vaporizer 15, acting as a gasification device, heats the liquid ammonia to produce ammonia gas. The ammonia gas produced in the vaporizer 15 is supplied to the buffer tank 17 through the gas supply line 103, pushing the inert gas in the buffer tank 17 through the fuel gas supply line 104 to the second discharge line 112. The pushed-out inert gas is discharged into the atmosphere through the funnel 9 via the second discharge line 112 and the first discharge line 111. If the inert gas pushed out to the second discharge line 112 and the first discharge line 111 contains ammonia gas, the ammonia component is removed by the ammonia abatement device 21.

[0044] Figure 10 shows the step of supplying ammonia gas to a buffer tank in the startup method of an ammonia-using facility according to the second embodiment of this disclosure. As shown in Figures 3 and 10, in step S13, which supplies ammonia gas to the buffer tank 17, the gas valve unit 120 is switched from the state in step S12 to supply liquid ammonia sent from the buffer tank 17 to the fuel gas supply line 104 to the fuel consuming equipment 11. As a result, the ammonia gas generated in the vaporizer 15 and temporarily stored in the buffer tank 17 is supplied to the fuel consuming equipment 11 through the fuel gas supply line 104.

[0045] (Effects and Benefits) The ammonia-using equipment 10 of the second embodiment described above includes, in addition to the first embodiment, a second discharge line 112 that branches off from the fuel gas supply line 104 and can discharge the inert gas from the fuel gas supply line 104 into the atmosphere. As a result, when heated inert gas is supplied to the buffer tank 17, the heated inert gas can heat the fuel gas supply line 104. Therefore, the reliquefaction of ammonia gas within the fuel gas supply line 104 can be suppressed. Furthermore, the inert gas that has heated the fuel gas supply line 104 can be discharged into the atmosphere through the second discharge line 112.

[0046] In the ammonia usage equipment 10 and the starting method S10 of the ammonia usage equipment 10 of the second embodiment described above, similar to the first embodiment, heating the buffer tank 17 suppresses the reliquefaction of ammonia gas within the buffer tank 17 when ammonia gas is supplied to the buffer tank 17.

[0047] (Other embodiments) Although embodiments of this disclosure have been described in detail above with reference to the drawings, the specific configuration is not limited to these embodiments and may include design changes and the like that do not depart from the gist of this disclosure. In the first and second embodiments described above, the inert gas supply unit 19 is connected to the liquid supply line 101 between the on-off valve 101v and the vaporizer 15 via the inert gas supply line 105, but the invention is not limited to this configuration. Figure 11 shows the configuration of an ammonia-using facility according to a modified embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in Figure 11, the inert gas supply unit 19B may be connected to the gas supply line 103 between the vaporizer 15 and the buffer tank 17 via the inert gas supply line 105B. In this case, a heating device 20 is provided in the middle of the inert gas supply line 105B to heat the inert gas from the inert gas supply unit 19B.

[0048] Furthermore, as another modification, a heating device 20 for heating the inert gas from the inert gas supply unit 19 may be added in the middle of the inert gas supply line 105B shown in the first and second embodiments above, in the same manner as the above modifications. This allows the inert gas to be heated using both the heating device 20 and the vaporizer 15, thus providing redundancy and enabling more efficient heating of the inert gas.

[0049] Furthermore, the buffer tank 17 shown in each of the above embodiments may be subjected to heat-insulating measures, such as covering it with a heat-insulating material. When this heat-insulating measure is applied, it becomes possible to heat the buffer tank 17 more quickly.

[0050] Furthermore, the lower part of the buffer tank 17 as shown in each of the above embodiments may be provided with a drain outlet for discharging any liquid, such as liquid ammonia, that accumulates in the buffer tank 17.

[0051] Furthermore, a mist separator or the like may be provided in the gas supply line 103 between the vaporizer 15 and the buffer tank 17 to prevent liquid ammonia from entering the buffer tank 17.

[0052] Furthermore, although the ammonia usage equipment 10 in each of the above embodiments was installed on the floating body 1, the ammonia usage equipment 10 may also be installed on land or other locations besides the floating body 1.

[0053] <Note> The ammonia-using equipment 10 and the method for starting the ammonia-using equipment 10 described in each embodiment can be understood, for example, as follows.

[0054] (1) The ammonia-using equipment 10 according to the first embodiment comprises an ammonia tank 13 for storing liquid ammonia, a gasifier 15 for heating the liquid ammonia from the ammonia tank 13 to produce ammonia gas, a fuel-consuming device 11 that operates using the ammonia gas, a buffer tank 17 provided between the gasifier 15 and the fuel-consuming device 11 for temporarily storing the ammonia gas, an inert gas supply unit 19 for supplying inert gas, and a heating device 15 for heating the inert gas from the inert gas supply unit 19 and supplying it to the buffer tank 17.

[0055] In this ammonia-using equipment 10, the inert gas from the inert gas supply unit 19 is heated by the heating device 15 and supplied to the buffer tank 17, thereby heating the buffer tank 17. As a result, even if the temperature of the buffer tank 17 is lower than the temperature at which ammonia dries when the fuel-consuming equipment 11 is put into use, the temperature of the buffer tank 17 can be raised to a level above the temperature at which ammonia dries by heating the buffer tank 17. Therefore, when the gasifier 15 heats the liquid ammonia from the ammonia tank 13 to generate ammonia gas and sends the generated ammonia gas to the buffer tank 17, it is possible to suppress the reliquefaction of the ammonia gas in the buffer tank 17.

[0056] (2) The ammonia-using equipment 10 according to the second embodiment is the ammonia-using equipment 10 of (1), wherein the heating device 15 heats the inert gas from the inert gas supply unit 19 to a temperature above which the liquid ammonia under the internal pressure of the buffer tank 17 becomes dry.

[0057] This method heats the inert gas to a temperature above the temperature at which liquid ammonia becomes dry under the internal pressure of the buffer tank 17, thereby suppressing the reliquefaction of ammonia gas within the buffer tank 17 when ammonia gas is introduced into the buffer tank 17.

[0058] (3) The ammonia-using equipment 10 according to the third embodiment is the ammonia-using equipment 10 of (1) or (2), wherein the inert gas supply unit 19 is capable of supplying the inert gas to a liquid supply line 101 connecting the ammonia tank 13 and the gasifier 15, and the gasifier 15 is capable of heating the inert gas supplied to the buffer tank 17 as the heating device 15.

[0059] As a result, the gasification device 15, which generates ammonia gas by heating liquid ammonia, can be used as a heating device 15 for heating inert gas. Therefore, there is no need to separately provide the gasification device 15 and the heating device 15, which suppresses an increase in the number of parts of the ammonia-using equipment 10 and helps to save space.

[0060] (4) The ammonia-using equipment 10 according to the fourth embodiment is any one of the ammonia-using equipment 10 of (1) to (3), further comprising a fuel gas supply line 104 capable of supplying the ammonia gas from the buffer tank 17 to the fuel-consuming equipment 11, and a first discharge line 111 capable of discharging the inert gas from the buffer tank 17 into the atmosphere.

[0061] This allows the ammonia gas in the buffer tank 17 to be supplied to the fuel-consuming equipment 11 via the fuel gas supply line 104 when ammonia gas is temporarily stored in the buffer tank 17. Furthermore, when the buffer tank 17 is heated by the heated inert gas, the inert gas in the buffer tank 17 can be discharged into the atmosphere via the first discharge line 111.

[0062] (5) The ammonia-using equipment 10 according to the fifth embodiment is any one of the ammonia-using equipment 10 from (1) to (4), further comprising a fuel gas supply line 104 that supplies the ammonia gas from the buffer tank 17 to the fuel-consuming equipment 11, and a second discharge line 112 that branches off from the fuel gas supply line 104 and can discharge the inert gas from the fuel gas supply line 104 into the atmosphere.

[0063] This allows the ammonia gas in the buffer tank 17 to be supplied to the fuel-consuming equipment 11 through the fuel gas supply line 104 when ammonia gas is temporarily stored in the buffer tank 17. Furthermore, when heated inert gas is supplied to the buffer tank 17, passing the heated gas through the fuel gas supply line 104 heats the fuel gas supply line 104, thereby suppressing the reliquefaction of ammonia gas within the fuel gas supply line 104. The inert gas that has heated the fuel gas supply line 104 can be discharged into the atmosphere through the second discharge line 112.

[0064] (6) A method S10 for starting up an ammonia-using equipment 10 according to the sixth embodiment is a method S10 for starting up an ammonia-using equipment 10 according to any one of (1) to (5), comprising: a step S11 of heating the inert gas and supplying it to the buffer tank 17 to heat the buffer tank 17; a step S12 of discharging the inert gas from the buffer tank 17; and a step S13 of heating the liquid ammonia from the ammonia tank 13 to generate ammonia gas and supplying it to the buffer tank 17.

[0065] This prevents the ammonia gas from reliquefying in the buffer tank 17. [Explanation of symbols]

[0066] 10, 10B Ammonia-using equipment 11 Fuel consuming equipment 13 Ammonia tank 15. Vaporizer (gasification device, heating device) 17 Buffer Tank 19, 19B Inert gas supply unit 20 Heating device 101 Liquid supply line 104 Fuel gas supply line 111 First discharge line 112 Second discharge line

Claims

1. an ammonia tank for storing liquid ammonia, A gasification apparatus that heats the liquid ammonia from the ammonia tank to produce ammonia gas, A fuel-consuming device that operates using the aforementioned ammonia gas, A buffer tank is provided between the gasification device and the fuel consumption device, and is capable of temporarily storing the ammonia gas. An inert gas supply unit that supplies inert gas, The system includes a heating device that heats the inert gas from the inert gas supply unit and supplies it to the buffer tank. Ammonia-using equipment.

2. The heating device heats the inert gas from the inert gas supply unit to a temperature above which the liquid ammonia becomes dry under the internal pressure of the buffer tank. The ammonia-using equipment according to claim 1.

3. The inert gas supply unit is capable of supplying the inert gas to the liquid supply line connecting the ammonia tank and the gasification device. The gasification device is capable of heating the inert gas supplied to the buffer tank as the heating device. Ammonia-using equipment according to claim 1 or 2.

4. A fuel gas supply line capable of supplying the ammonia gas from the buffer tank to the fuel consuming equipment, The system further includes a first discharge line that can discharge the inert gas from the buffer tank into the atmosphere. Ammonia-using equipment according to claim 1 or 2.

5. A fuel gas supply line that supplies the ammonia gas from the buffer tank to the fuel consuming equipment, The system further includes a second discharge line that branches off from the fuel gas supply line and is capable of discharging the inert gas from the fuel gas supply line into the atmosphere. Ammonia-using equipment according to claim 1 or 2.

6. A method for starting an ammonia-using facility according to claim 1 or 2, A step of heating the inert gas and supplying it to the buffer tank, and heating the buffer tank, A step of discharging the inert gas from the buffer tank, The process includes heating the liquid ammonia from the ammonia tank to generate ammonia gas and supplying it to the buffer tank. How to start up ammonia-using equipment.

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