Systems, programs, and methods

A system using predictive models for monitoring and managing storage facilities addresses the risk of hydrogen generation and ignition in reduced iron by providing real-time environmental data and proactive hazard mitigation.

JP2026105867APending Publication Date: 2026-06-26NIPPON YOOSEN KABUSHIKI KAISHA

Patent Information

Authority / Receiving Office
JP · JP
Patent Type
Applications
Current Assignee / Owner
NIPPON YOOSEN KABUSHIKI KAISHA
Filing Date
2026-03-10
Publication Date
2026-06-26

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

Existing systems fail to effectively monitor and manage the internal environment of storage facilities for reduced iron, which is prone to hydrogen generation and ignition risks due to moisture interaction, especially during transportation.

Method used

A system comprising computer devices that acquire and identify internal environmental information using predictive models based on physical, environmental, and sealing data, enabling real-time monitoring and response to potential hazards.

Benefits of technology

Enables accurate identification of internal environmental conditions and proactive management of storage facilities for reduced iron, reducing the risk of hydrogen generation and ignition through inert gas injection and route adjustments.

✦ Generated by Eureka AI based on patent content.

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Abstract

The present invention provides a system capable of performing predetermined information processing when measured or predicted values ​​regarding the environment inside a storage facility where reduced iron is stored meet predetermined conditions. [Solution] A system comprising at least one computer device, comprising determination means for determining whether predetermined conditions are met based on measured or predicted values ​​regarding the environment inside a storage facility in which reduced iron is stored, and execution means for performing predetermined information processing in response to the meeting of the predetermined conditions, wherein the predetermined information processing includes a process for outputting a notification to the user, a process for performing a step of injecting an inert gas into the storage facility, and / or a process for outputting instruction information indicating the execution of the step of injecting an inert gas into the storage facility or urging ventilation of the storage facility.
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Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a system, a program, and a method.

Background Art

[0002] In recent years, as a sustainable iron-making process that takes environmental considerations into account, the use of direct reduced iron (hereinafter referred to as "reduced iron") has attracted attention. Reduced iron is obtained by reducing iron ore with natural gas or the like, and is a steel raw material that can suppress carbon dioxide emissions compared to conventional iron-making methods. However, since reduced iron easily reacts with moisture to generate hydrogen, there is a risk of hydrogen explosion, and there is a risk of spontaneous ignition due to reaction with moisture. For example, in the transportation of reduced iron, measures are taken to prevent these risks.

[0003] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a nitrogen gas supply facility that purges nitrogen gas into the cargo hold of a bulk carrier to enable safe transportation of reduced iron. The nitrogen gas supply facility includes a gas supply pipe capable of supplying gas into the cargo hold, a fire extinguishing gas supply facility that supplies fire extinguishing gas to the gas supply pipe, and a fire extinguishing gas control valve that controls the amount of fire extinguishing gas supplied from the fire extinguishing gas supply facility to the gas supply pipe. In a bulk carrier equipped with a nitrogen gas generation device, a nitrogen gas supply pipe that connects the nitrogen gas generation device and the gas supply pipe, and a nitrogen gas control valve that controls the amount of nitrogen gas supplied from the nitrogen gas generation device to the gas supply pipe.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] Examples of problems that the present invention aims to address include the following: The first objective of the present invention is to provide a system capable of identifying internal environmental information regarding the environment inside a storage facility where reduced iron is stored at a second time, after a period of time has elapsed since the first time. A second objective of the present invention is to provide a system capable of performing predetermined information processing in response to whether measured or predicted values ​​regarding the environment inside a storage facility where reduced iron is stored satisfy predetermined conditions. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] According to the present invention, for example, the above problem is solved. [1] A system comprising at least one computer device, comprising: acquisition means for acquiring physical property information relating to the physical properties of reduced iron stored in a storage facility at a first time, environmental information relating to the environment near the reduced iron at a first time, and sealing information relating to the degree of sealing of the storage facility; and identification means for identifying internal environmental information at a second time, after a time has elapsed since the first time, that corresponds to the acquired physical property information, environmental information, and sealing information, based on the correspondence between the physical property information, environmental information, and sealing information at a reference time and internal environmental information relating to the environment inside the storage facility where the reduced iron is stored after a time has elapsed since the reference time; [2] The system according to [1], wherein the acquisition means acquires external environmental information relating to the environment outside the storage facility from the first time to the second time, and the identification means identifies the internal environmental information at the second time, which is after the first time, corresponding to the acquired physical property information, environmental information, and sealing information, based on the correspondence between the physical property information at the reference time, the environmental information at the reference time, sealing information, and external environmental information after the reference time and the internal environmental information after the time has elapsed from the reference time; [3] The system according to [2], wherein the storage facility is installed on a vessel and includes external environmental information identification means for identifying external environmental information from a first time to a second time based on operational information relating to the operation of the vessel; [4] The system according to any one of [1] to [3] above, wherein the storage facility is provided on the vessel, an acquisition means acquires internal environmental information during the operation of the vessel, and an identification means identifies internal environmental information at a second time after a period of time has elapsed from a first time, corresponding to the acquired physical property information, environmental information, sealing information, and internal environmental information during operation, based on the correspondence between physical property information, environmental information, sealing information, and sealing information at a reference time and internal environmental information after a period of time has elapsed from the reference time; [5] The system according to any one of [1] to [4] above, wherein the storage facility is installed on a ship and comprises a first computer device operated on board the ship and a second computer device operated on land, and comprises a first transmission means for transmitting specified internal environment information to the second computer device and a second transmission means for transmitting proposal information relating to a proposal for the ship to the first computer device in response to an operation on the second computer device; [6] A system according to any one of [1] to [5] above, comprising a display control means for controlling the display of internal environmental information identified by a specific means in a time-series correspondence; [7] At least one computer device comprising: acquisition means for acquiring physical property information relating to the physical properties of reduced iron stored in a storage facility at a first time, environmental information relating to the environment near the reduced iron at a first time, and sealing information relating to the degree of sealing of the storage facility; and identification means for identifying internal environmental information at a second time, after a time has elapsed since the first time, corresponding to the acquired physical property information, environmental information, and sealing information, based on the correspondence between the physical property information, environmental information, and sealing information at a reference time and internal environmental information relating to the environment inside the storage facility where the reduced iron is stored after a time has elapsed since the reference time. A program that makes something function as such; [8] A method to be performed in a system comprising at least one computer device, comprising: an acquisition step of acquiring property information relating to the physical properties of reduced iron stored in a storage facility at a first time, environmental information relating to the environment near the reduced iron at a first time, and sealing information relating to the degree of sealing of the storage facility; and an identification step of identifying internal environmental information at a second time, after a time has elapsed since the first time, that corresponds to the acquired property information, environmental information, and sealing information, based on the correspondence between the property information, environmental information, and sealing information at a reference time and internal environmental information relating to the environment inside the storage facility where the reduced iron is stored after a time has elapsed since the reference time; [9] A system comprising at least one computer device, comprising determination means for determining whether predetermined conditions are met based on measured or predicted values ​​of the environment inside a storage facility in which reduced iron is stored, and execution means for performing predetermined information processing in response to the meeting of the predetermined conditions, wherein the predetermined information processing includes a process for outputting a notification to a user, a process for performing a step of injecting an inert gas into the storage facility, and / or a process for outputting instruction information indicating the execution of the step of injecting an inert gas into the storage facility or urging ventilation of the storage facility;

[10] The system according to [9], comprising: a solution identification means for identifying a solution in accordance with the fact that the storage facility is installed on a ship and meets certain conditions; and an economic identification means for identifying an economic evaluation relating to an economic evaluation of the solution based on the correspondence between the solution and the cost and / or the time required to implement the solution, wherein the solution includes changing the ship's route, injecting inert gas, increasing the amount of inert gas injected, ventilating the storage facility, making port calls, and / or changing the ship;

[11] The system according to [9] or

[10] , wherein the storage facility is installed on a vessel and, in accordance with certain conditions, includes a route identification means that identifies a route different from the route the vessel was scheduled to operate;

[12] The system according to any one of [9] to

[11] above, wherein the storage facility is installed on a ship and comprises a first computer device operated on board the ship and a second computer device operated on land, and further comprises a first transmission means for transmitting the measured value or the predicted value to the second computer device and a second transmission means for transmitting proposal information relating to the proposal for the ship to the first computer device in response to the operation of the second computer device;

[13] A program comprising a computer device that functions as a determination means for determining whether predetermined conditions are met based on measured or predicted values ​​of the environment inside a storage facility where reduced iron is stored, and an execution means for performing predetermined information processing in response to the meeting of the predetermined conditions, wherein the predetermined information processing includes a process for outputting a notification to the user, a process for performing a step of injecting an inert gas into the storage facility, and / or a process for outputting instruction information indicating that the step of injecting an inert gas into the storage facility or ventilating the storage facility should be performed;

[14] A method performed in a system comprising at least one computer device, comprising: a determination step of determining whether predetermined conditions are met based on measured or predicted values ​​of the environment in a storage facility in which reduced iron is stored; and an execution step of performing predetermined information processing in accordance with whether the predetermined conditions are met, wherein the predetermined information processing includes a process of outputting a notification to a user, a process for performing a step of injecting an inert gas into the storage facility, and / or a process of outputting instruction information indicating that the step of injecting an inert gas into the storage facility or the ventilation of the storage facility should be performed; This can be resolved. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] Examples of the effects of the present invention include the following: The first effect of the present invention is to provide a system that can identify internal environmental information regarding the environment inside a storage facility where reduced iron is stored at a second time, after a period of time has elapsed since the first time. A second effect of the present invention is to provide a system that can perform predetermined information processing in response to whether measured or predicted values ​​regarding the environment inside a storage facility where reduced iron is stored satisfy predetermined conditions. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] This is a block diagram showing the configuration of a system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] This is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of a user terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] This is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of a server device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] This figure shows a flowchart of the predictive model generation process according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] This figure shows a flowchart of the external environment information identification process according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] This figure shows a flowchart of the internal environment information identification process according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] This figure shows a flowchart of the information display process according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] This figure shows an example of a display screen according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9] This figure shows an example of a display screen according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 10] This figure shows a flowchart of the support process according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described. However, the present invention is not limited to the following embodiments as long as it does not conflict with the gist of the present invention. Also, the description of the effects is one aspect of the effects of the embodiments of the present invention and is not limited to what is described herein. The order of each process constituting the flowchart described below can be in any order as long as there is no contradiction or inconsistency in the process content. Also, as long as there is no contradiction or inconsistency in the process content, a part of each process constituting the flowchart can be omitted, or a new process can be added to each process constituting the flowchart. Also, the device that is the main body for executing each process constituting the flowchart can be changed to another device as long as it does not conflict with the gist of the present invention. At that time, the process content can be changed so that there is no contradiction or inconsistency in the process content.

[0010] Reduced iron may generate hydrogen during storage or transportation, and there is a risk of ignition during storage or transportation. The system according to an embodiment of the present invention can identify internal environmental information regarding the environment inside the storage where reduced iron is stored. The storage where reduced iron is stored may be a warehouse installed on land, a ship's hold installed on a ship, or a tank installed on a vehicle such as an automobile or a train. The storage has a space that can be sealed. Hereinafter, mainly, the case where the storage is installed on a ship will be described.

[0011] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a system according to an embodiment of the present invention. The system 10 shown in FIG. 1 includes at least one computer device. The system 10 includes, for example, a user terminal 1 and a server device 2. The system 10 may include a land terminal 3.

[0012] User terminal 1, server device 2, and land terminal 3 may be able to communicate with each other via the communication network 4. User terminal 1, server device 2, and / or land terminal 3 can communicate data via, for example, a satellite communication network, a wireless communication access point compliant with a communication standard such as WiFi (registered trademark) installed in a port where the ship is anchored, or a mobile phone network when navigating along the coast. In the following description, the case in which communication between user terminal 1, server device 2, and / or land terminal 3 mainly utilizes a satellite communication network is described, but communication between user terminal 1, server device 2, and / or land terminal 3 is not limited to a satellite communication network and may use any of the above.

[0013] In system 10, user terminal 1, server device 2, and land terminal 3 can function as information processing devices. When user terminal 1, server device 2, or land terminal 3 functions as an information processing device, information is transmitted and received between at least two of these devices as needed.

[0014] The number of user terminals 1 and / or land terminals 3 provided by system 10 may be two or more. User terminals 1 and / or land terminals 3 are operated by the user. User terminal 1 may be operated on board the ship or on land. Different user terminals 1 may be installed on each ship. Also, on a single ship, user terminal 1 may consist of multiple computer devices. For example, in system 10, user terminal 1 and server device 2 may be configured as the same device. Land terminal 3 is preferably operated on land. User terminal 1 is an example of a first computer device, and land terminal is an example of a second computer device. User terminals 1 and / or land terminals 3 may be stationary or portable and can be carried by the user when moving. Examples of user terminals 1 and / or land terminals 3 include desktop and notebook personal computers, smartphones, tablet terminals, and conventional mobile phones.

[0015] Furthermore, the number of server devices 2 in system 10 may be two or more. For example, system 10 may include a system management server for managing system 10, a computing server for identifying internal environmental information, and a weather / oceanographic information distribution server for storing weather information such as temperature and / or oceanographic information such as wave height. Also, the server devices 2 may function in a distributed manner across multiple computer devices. For example, instead of server devices 2, distributed ledger technology such as blockchain may be used. Also, the server devices 2 may be installed on land. For example, user terminal 1 may communicate with server devices 2 via internet communication and be operated via a browser.

[0016] Figure 2 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of a user terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention. The user terminal 1 comprises a control unit 11, RAM 12, storage unit 13, input unit 14, display unit 15, and communication interface 16, each connected by a bus.

[0017] The control unit 11 consists of a CPU and ROM. The control unit 11 executes programs stored in the storage unit 13 and controls the user terminal 1. The RAM 12 is the work area of ​​the control unit 11. The storage unit 13 is a memory area for saving programs and data. In other words, the storage unit 13 functions as a recording medium that stores programs. The control unit 11 performs calculations based on the programs and data read from the RAM 12, as well as the data input by the input unit 14.

[0018] The display unit 15 has a display screen. The control unit 11 outputs a video signal for displaying an image on the display screen according to the result of the calculation processing. Here, the display screen of the display unit 15 may be a touch panel equipped with a touch sensor. In this case, the touch panel functions as an input unit 14.

[0019] The communication interface 16 can be connected to the communication network 4 wirelessly or via a wired connection, and can send and receive data with other computer devices via the communication network 4. Data received via the communication interface 16 is loaded into the RAM 12, and calculation processing is performed by the control unit 11.

[0020] The land terminal 3 can have the same configuration as the user terminal 1. The land terminal 3 may, for example, include a control unit, RAM, storage unit, input unit, display unit, and communication interface, each connected by an internal bus.

[0021] Figure 3 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of a server device according to an embodiment of the present invention. The server device 2 comprises at least a control unit 21, RAM 22, storage unit 23, and communication interface 24, each connected by an internal bus.

[0022] The control unit 21 consists of a CPU and ROM, and executes programs stored in the storage unit 23 to control the server device 2. The control unit 21 also has an internal timer for timing. The RAM 22 is the work area of ​​the control unit 21. The storage unit 23 is a memory area for saving programs and data. In other words, the storage unit 23 functions as a recording medium that stores programs. The control unit 21 reads programs and data from the RAM 22 and performs program execution processing based on information received from the user terminal 1 and / or land-based terminal 3.

[0023] The program may also be stored on a recording medium such as a CD-ROM. In this case, the program stored on the recording medium may be installed on user terminal 1, server device 2, and / or land terminal 3 to perform predetermined functions. Alternatively, the program may be distributed from a computer device outside the system. In this case, the program distributed from a computer device outside the system may be installed on user terminal 1, server device 2, and / or land terminal 3 to perform predetermined functions.

[0024] In this embodiment, the storage facility for the reduced iron is installed on a ship. The ship may have multiple storage facilities (also called cargo holds or holds). Inside and / or outside the storage facility, a hydrogen concentration meter for detecting the hydrogen concentration inside the storage facility, an oxygen concentration meter for detecting the oxygen concentration inside the storage facility, and / or a thermometer for detecting the temperature inside the storage facility are installed. The temperature inside the storage facility may be at least one of the following: the surface temperature of the reduced iron, the temperature around the reduced iron, and the room temperature inside the storage facility. The surface temperature of the reduced iron can be detected, for example, using a thermocouple.

[0025] A hygrometer for detecting humidity inside the storage facility, a concentration meter for detecting the concentration of inert gas inside the storage facility, etc. may be installed inside and / or outside the storage facility. Multiple water concentration meters, oxygen concentration meters, thermometers, hygrometers, and / or concentration meters (hereinafter also referred to as various sensors) may be installed in a single storage facility. In addition, the ship is equipped with a supply system for injecting inert gas into the storage facility. Examples of inert gases include nitrogen, argon, and helium.

[0026] In this embodiment, "exterior of the storage facility" refers to the outer surface of the structures constituting the storage facility and the space outside the storage facility. Also, in this embodiment, "interior of the storage facility" or "inside the storage facility" refers to the inner surface of the structures constituting the storage facility and the space inside the storage facility.

[0027] [Predictive model generation process] First, we will explain the predictive model generation process, which generates a predictive model showing the correspondence between physical property information, environmental information, and sealing information at a reference time, and internal environmental information after a period of time has elapsed since the reference time. Figure 4 is a flowchart of the predictive model generation process according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0028] "Internal environmental information" refers to information about the environment inside the storage facility where the reduced iron is stored. This internal environmental information includes, for example, the hydrogen concentration, oxygen concentration, temperature, humidity, and inert gas concentration inside the storage facility.

[0029] The predictive model generation process is performed using various data from when at least one vessel transported reduced iron. The navigation data used in the predictive model generation process may include data from past voyages of the vessel targeted for the internal environment information identification process described later, as well as data from other vessels. The various data include actual measurements from sensors installed on the vessel, information stored in an external computer device, and information identified based on records during navigation. The predictive model generation process may be performed by processing the data all at once using navigation data for a predetermined period, or it may be performed each time actual measurement data is received sequentially from the vessel's user terminal 1.

[0030] First, the server device 2 receives input of physical property information at a reference time (step S11). "Physical property information" refers to information about the physical properties of reduced iron stored in the storage facility. The physical property information includes, for example, the water content of the reduced iron and the temperature of the reduced iron.

[0031] Here, the "reference time" can be set arbitrarily by the user, but in the case of a ship, it may be the time before the reduced iron is loaded into the storage, the time after the reduced iron is loaded into the storage, the time of the ship's departure, or a predetermined time after departure. The reference time for the various data entered in steps S11 to S14 may indicate a specific time, or it may indicate a predetermined period including a specific time. For example, the reference time for the data entered in steps S11 to S14 does not have to be a time that exactly matches for each piece of data.

[0032] Next, the server device 2 accepts input of ship information at the reference time (step S12). "Ship information" is information about the ship on which the storage facility will be installed. Ship information includes, for example, information about the weight that can be loaded onto the ship, such as deadweight tonnage; information about the size of the ship, such as length, width, and depth; information about the size of each storage facility, such as capacity; information about when the ship was built; and information about when the ship last underwent dry docking. Deadweight tonnage is the tonnage obtained by subtracting the weight of the ship itself from the total weight when cargo is loaded up to the limit of the full load waterline.

[0033] Next, the server device 2 receives input of environmental information at the reference time (step S13). "Environmental information" refers to information about the environment near the reduced iron. The concept of "near the reduced iron" includes both the inside of the storage facility where the reduced iron is stored and the outside of the storage facility. Environmental information includes, for example, information about the hydrogen concentration inside the storage facility, the oxygen concentration inside the storage facility, the temperature inside the storage facility, the humidity inside the storage facility, the concentration of inert gas inside the storage facility, the temperature outside the storage facility, the humidity outside the storage facility, and weather conditions.

[0034] Next, the server device 2 receives input of sealing information (step S14). In step S14, sealing information at a reference time may be input. "Sealing information" is information regarding the degree of sealing of a storage unit when it is sealed. Sealing information is input for each storage unit. A storage unit is sealed by closing the entrance to the storage unit with, for example, a hatch cover. However, the airtightness of a storage unit can change depending on the shape, material, deterioration, etc. of the closing member of the entrance to the storage unit. The sealing information is not particularly limited, but results obtained by known methods for testing the airtightness of a storage unit can be used. For example, the sealing information may be the magnitude of sound waves detected outside the storage unit when a predetermined sound source is placed inside an empty storage unit and the hatch cover is closed.

[0035] Furthermore, the sealing information at the reference time entered in step S14 only needs to be measured within a predetermined period (for example, within one month) from the reference time. Since the degree of sealing of a storage facility does not change significantly in a short period of time, sealing information measured within a predetermined period from the reference time can be considered as the sealing information at the reference time.

[0036] Next, the server device 2 accepts input of external environmental information from the reference time onward (step S15). "From the reference time onward" means any time after the reference time. The information accepted in step S15 may be one or more pieces of information from the reference time onward, may be continuous information acquired at predetermined intervals (e.g., 6 hours) from the reference time onward, or may be discontinuous information from the reference time onward. Furthermore, the information accepted in step S15 corresponds to the time from the reference time until an arbitrary time has elapsed. Similarly, the information accepted in steps S16 and S17 described later also corresponds to the time from the reference time until the aforementioned arbitrary time has elapsed.

[0037] "External environmental information" refers to information about the environment outside the storage facility. External environmental information includes, for example, information about the motion and / or acceleration of the vessel, and weather information. Information about the motion and / or acceleration of the vessel includes, for example, information about the acceleration of the vessel at a given time and location, the angular velocity of the vessel at a given time and location, and / or information about the inclination of the vessel at a given time and location. Weather information includes the temperature outside the vessel (outside air temperature), the humidity outside the vessel (outside air humidity), the seawater temperature, wind direction, wind speed, wave height, wave period, wave direction, etc., at a given time and location. External environmental information is entered in association with time information.

[0038] External environmental information may be actual measurements obtained from various sensors installed on the vessel, or it may be predicted values ​​identified by a computer system. External environmental information can be identified based on operational information related to the vessel's operation. The method for identifying external environmental information will be described later.

[0039] Next, the server device 2 receives input of response information after the reference time (step S16). "Response information" is information regarding measures taken to improve the environment inside the storage facility where reduced iron is stored. Response information includes, for example, measures to change the hydrogen concentration, oxygen concentration, temperature, humidity, and / or inert gas concentration inside the storage facility. Examples of such measures include injecting inert gas into the storage facility (also called inerting), ventilation, changing the operating route, and changing the operating speed. Response information is input in association with information regarding the measures taken and the time.

[0040] When inerting or ventilation is entered as corresponding information, information such as the storage facility where inerting or ventilation was performed, the start time of inerting or ventilation, and the end time of inerting or ventilation may be entered in association with it. In addition, when inerting is entered as corresponding information, the amount of inert gas injected, the yield rate related to the amount of inert gas leaked, etc., may be entered in association with it.

[0041] Next, the server device 2 accepts input of internal environmental information from the reference time onward (step S17). The internal environmental information utilizes actual measurements from various sensors installed inside and / or outside the storage facility. The internal environmental information is input in association with information regarding the location where the data was acquired and information regarding the time when the data was acquired. The information regarding the location where the data was acquired may include information regarding the location of the storage facility relative to the vessel, and information regarding the location where the sensors inside the storage facility are installed.

[0042] Next, the server device 2 generates a predictive model (step S18) based on the information received in steps S11 to S17, using the input information from steps S11 to S16 as explanatory variables and the internal environment information entered in step S17 as the target variable.

[0043] The predictive model should at least show the correspondence between environmental information and sealing information at the baseline time and internal environmental information after a period of time has elapsed from the baseline time. "After a period of time has elapsed from the baseline time" can be any time after the baseline time and can be designed as appropriate.

[0044] Furthermore, it is preferable that the prediction model shows the correspondence between physical property information, environmental information, and sealing information at the reference time, and internal environmental information after a period of time has elapsed from the reference time. Alternatively, the prediction model may show the correspondence between physical property information, ship information, environmental information, sealing information, external environmental information after the reference time, and correspondence information after the reference time, and internal environmental information after a period of time has elapsed from the reference time.

[0045] For example, the hydrogen concentration, oxygen concentration, temperature, humidity, and / or inert gas concentration inside the storage facility after a period of time has elapsed from the reference time (hereinafter also referred to as internal environmental information after a period of time has elapsed from the reference time) may change as reduced iron reacts with the surrounding gas, depending on the water content and temperature of the reduced iron at the reference time. Therefore, it is possible to generate a predictive model for the internal environmental information after a period of time has elapsed from the reference time based on the physical property information at the reference time.

[0046] Similarly, internal environmental information after a period of time has elapsed from the reference point may change due to the reaction of reduced iron with the surrounding gas, depending on the hydrogen concentration, oxygen concentration, temperature, humidity, and / or inert gas concentration inside the storage facility at the reference point, as well as the temperature and humidity outside the storage facility. Furthermore, internal environmental information after a period of time has elapsed from the reference point may change due to the movement of gases between the inside and outside of the storage facility, depending on the airtightness of the storage facility.

[0047] Furthermore, for example, internal environmental information after a period of time has elapsed from the reference point may change due to distortion of the structures constituting the storage facility caused by motion during operation, which could impair the airtightness of the storage facility. Also, internal environmental information after a period of time has elapsed from the reference point may change depending on the outside temperature and humidity from the reference point to the time elapsed. In addition, internal environmental information after a period of time has elapsed from the reference point may change due to measures taken from the reference point to the time elapsed, such as the injection of inert gases.

[0048] Since the various data and the internal environmental information after a period of time has elapsed from the reference point are thought to have the relationships described above, in step S18, based on the information received in steps S11 to S17, it is possible to generate a predictive model using the input information from steps S11 to S16 as explanatory variables and the internal environmental information input in step S17 as the dependent variable. The predictive model can be generated using known methods, for example, physical simulation, multiple regression analysis, or artificial intelligence such as a machine learning model.

[0049] When a predictive model is generated by fitting using multiple regression analysis, for example, the following equation (1) is constructed as a predictive model for estimating the hydrogen concentration in a storage facility.

number

[0050] The airtightness information VA is calculated by multiplying the measurement results regarding the airtightness of the storage facility by a coefficient α. The external environmental information VF is expressed by the following equation (2), based on the risks during storage and transportation of reduced iron and the time HR from the reference time to predict the hydrogen concentration.

number

[0051] Correspondence information Inert is a variable that takes into account the effect of inerting, and is calculated by multiplying the start time of inerting, the end time of inerting, the amount of inert gas injected, the yield rate of inert gas, the storage capacity, etc., by a coefficient ε. Correspondence information Vent is a variable that takes into account the effect of ventilation, and is calculated by multiplying the time the storage was opened, the time the storage was closed, the storage capacity, etc., by a coefficient ζ. Note that correspondence information Inert and Vent may also be calculated as a single variable by multiplying the start time of the response, the end time of the response, and other parameters, etc., by a coefficient.

[0052] As shown in equation (1), the server device 2, based on the information received in steps S11 to S17, fits the coefficients α, β, γ, ε, and ζ to the reference hydrogen concentration, taking into account the corresponding information Inert, which is a positive factor that decreases the hydrogen concentration, and the sealing information VA, external environment information VF, and corresponding information Vent, which are negative factors that increase the hydrogen concentration. This generates a predictive model using multiple regression analysis.

[0053] Furthermore, the prediction model for the predicted hydrogen concentration (EstHc) is constructed for each storage facility on the ship. While the above describes the method for constructing the prediction model for the predicted hydrogen concentration (EstHc), prediction models for the oxygen concentration, temperature, humidity, and inert gas concentration in the storage facility predicted after a certain time has elapsed from the reference point are similarly generated based on the same logic. Note that the external environmental information (VF) can be a common value for all storage facilities if the vessel and voyage are identical.

[0054] When a predictive model is generated by machine learning, for example, the predictive model is stored with input data such as physical property information at a reference time, ship information at a reference time, environmental information at a reference time, sealing information, external environmental information after the reference time, and / or corresponding information after the reference time, and output data such as internal environmental information after a time has elapsed since the reference time. The machine learning algorithm is not particularly limited and publicly known algorithms can be used, such as linear regression, multiple regression analysis, support vector machines, decision trees, random forests, and deep learning using multilayer neural networks.

[0055] A multilayer neural network has an input layer, an output layer, and multiple hidden layers. Weights are assigned to the edges connecting the nodes in each layer. Each edge has a weight corresponding to each input to the node. The weights corresponding to each input are multiplied, and the resulting value is added to a bias. The resulting value is then subjected to a nonlinear transformation using an activation function to calculate the activation value. The calculated activation value becomes the input value passed to the node of the next layer. The number of hidden layers can be designed as appropriate. The weights are optimized using the above training data.

[0056] As described above, predictive models may be generated depending on the content of the internal environmental information and / or the storage facility. For example, predictive models may be generated for predicting hydrogen concentration, oxygen concentration, temperature, humidity, or inert gas concentration.

[0057] Server device 2 stores the generated prediction model in storage unit 23 (step S19). The prediction model generation process is completed by the processing in steps S11 to S19. The generated prediction model may be sent to user terminal 1 and stored in the storage unit 13 of user terminal 1.

[0058] Although the above describes a configuration in which the prediction model generation process is performed on server device 2, the prediction model generation process may be performed on an external computer device instead of server device 2. Furthermore, the processes from steps S11 to S17 may be executed in any order. Also, steps S12, S15, and / or S16 may be omitted.

[0059] [External Environment Information Identification Processing] Next, the process for identifying external environmental information will be described. The process for identifying external environmental information may be performed in step S15 described above, or in step S35 described later. Figure 5 is a flowchart of the process for identifying external environmental information according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0060] First, the server device 2 accepts input of operational information (step S21). "Operational information" is information relating to the operation of a vessel. Operational information may be, for example, the vessel's position information at a predetermined time (e.g., latitude and longitude), or route information connecting the departure point and the destination point (also called the operational route). Operational information may also include the number of days of sailing and information regarding when to perform inerting (also called the corresponding schedule). If an operational route is entered, the vessel's position information at a predetermined time is determined based on the number of days of sailing. Operational information may also include the vessel's speed over land and / or speed over water.

[0061] The flight information accepted in step S21 may be flight information for the entire journey from the departure point to the destination point, or it may be flight information corresponding to a predetermined flight section. For example, if the external environment information identification process is performed in the prediction model generation process, then in step S21, flight information for the section corresponding to the time elapsed from the reference time will be entered.

[0062] Next, the server device 2 acquires weather information based on the operational information (step S22). Weather information may also be acquired by communicating with an external computer device (for example, a weather and oceanographic information distribution server). The weather and oceanographic information distribution server is a device that transmits data indicating actual or predicted values ​​of weather information in response to requests from external devices. For example, the server device 2 transmits predetermined time and location information to the weather and oceanographic information distribution server. The weather and oceanographic information distribution server transmits the corresponding weather information to the server device 2 based on the received predetermined time and location information. In the server device 2, the weather information is associated with the predetermined time and location information.

[0063] Next, the server device 2 identifies information regarding the ship's motion and / or acceleration based on the weather information acquired in step S22 (step S23). In step S23, the server device 2 may also identify information regarding the ship's motion and / or acceleration based on the ship information entered in step S12, in addition to the weather information. The identification of information regarding the ship's motion and / or acceleration is performed by known methods.

[0064] Then, the server device 2 stores external environment information, including weather information acquired in step S22 and information regarding the motion and / or acceleration of the vessel identified in step S23, in the storage unit 23 (step S24). The external environment information may be stored in association with time information. The external environment identification process is completed by the processing of steps S21 to S24 described above.

[0065] [Internal Environment Information Identification Processing] Next, we will explain the internal environmental information identification process, which identifies the internal environmental information at a second time after a period of time has elapsed since the first time. The internal environmental information identification process may be performed when determining the vessel to transport the reduced iron before the start of sailing, or when determining the vessel's operating route and response schedule, or it may be performed while the reduced iron is being stored or transported. Figure 6 is a flowchart of the internal environmental information identification process according to an embodiment of the present invention. Below, we will describe an embodiment in which the internal environmental information identification process is performed on user terminal 1, but the internal environmental information identification process may also be performed on land terminal 3.

[0066] First, the user terminal 1 acquires physical property information at the first time (step S31). In this embodiment, acquiring information is a concept that includes receiving information input at the terminal, selecting arbitrary information from information stored in the storage unit, receiving arbitrary information in cooperation with other computer devices, and identifying arbitrary information from the input, selected, or received information.

[0067] Here, "the first time" can be set arbitrarily by the user, but in the case of a ship, it may be before the reduced iron is loaded into the storage, after the reduced iron is loaded into the storage, at the time of the ship's departure, or after a predetermined time has elapsed since departure.

[0068] The physical property information obtained in step S31 may be the measurement taken when the reduced iron was loaded into the storage facility, or it may be the actual measurement taken by a sensor after departure.

[0069] Next, user terminal 1 acquires ship information at the first time (step S32). Next, user terminal 1 acquires environmental information at the first time (step S33). The environmental information at the first time acquired in step S33 may be the measurement taken when the reduced iron was loaded into the storage facility, or it may be the actual measurement taken by a sensor after departure.

[0070] Next, user terminal 1 acquires sealing information (step S34). In step S14, sealing information for the first time may be acquired. The sealing information for the reference time acquired in step S34 only needs to be measured within a predetermined period (for example, within one month) from the reference time. Since the degree of sealing of a storage facility does not change significantly in a short period of time, sealing information measured within a predetermined period from the first time can be considered as the sealing information for the first time.

[0071] Next, user terminal 1 acquires external environment information from the first time to the second time (step S35). In step S35, external environment information identification processing is performed on user terminal 1 or server device 2, and user terminal 1 may acquire external environment information from the first time to the second time identified based on the flight information.

[0072] Next, user terminal 1 acquires response information from the first time to the second time (step S36). In step S36, the response information may be identified based on the flight information entered in the external environment information identification process. The response information may change depending on the flight route, flight speed, etc., including information on what kind of response to take and information on the time.

[0073] Next, user terminal 1 acquires internal environmental information during operation (step S37). Operation refers to the time period from the time the ship loads reduced iron into the storage facility until it is transported from the departure point to the destination. In step S37, actual measured values ​​of internal environmental information detected by various sensors installed in the storage facility from the first time until the internal environmental information identification process is executed may be input.

[0074] Next, the user terminal 1 identifies internal environment information at a second time, after a certain amount of time has elapsed since the first time, based on the prediction model generated in step S18 (step S38). The "second time" can be set arbitrarily by the user and is not particularly limited as long as it is a time after a certain amount of time has elapsed since the first time. For example, in the case of a ship, it may be when it arrives at its destination, or it may be after a predetermined amount of time has elapsed since the ship departed.

[0075] Once the identified internal environment information is stored in the storage unit 13 (step S39), the internal environment information is terminated. The contents of the internal environment information output from the prediction model in step S38 (e.g., hydrogen concentration and oxygen concentration) may be output in association with the ship's storage facility, its location within the ship's storage facility, the predicted time, and / or the accuracy of the predicted values ​​(range of predicted values). Therefore, in step S39, the internal environment information may be stored in association with the above information.

[0076] Furthermore, the internal environment information identified in step S38 may correspond to multiple times that have elapsed since the first time. These multiple times may be divided into predetermined intervals (for example, every 6 hours). In this case, for example, the external environment information and corresponding information identified in steps S35 and S36 may be acquired to correspond to multiple times.

[0077] In step S38, based on the prediction model generated in step S18, information necessary to identify the internal environment information from the acquired information is input. By inputting the necessary information into the prediction model, the internal environment information at a second time, after a time has elapsed since the first time, is output. For example, if the prediction model used in step S38 shows a correspondence between the physical property information, environmental information, and sealing information at the reference time and the internal environment information regarding the environment inside the storage facility where the reduced iron is stored after a time has elapsed since the reference time, then in step S38, the user terminal 1 can identify the internal environment information at a second time, after a time has elapsed since the first time, which corresponds to the acquired physical property information, environmental information, and sealing information, based on the above correspondence relationship.

[0078] For example, the processes in steps S32, S33, S35, S36, and / or S37 may be omitted. Depending on the prediction model used in step S38, the process of obtaining the necessary information from steps S32, S33, S35, S36, and S37 is adopted.

[0079] For example, if the prediction model used in step S38 shows a relationship between the physical property information, environmental information, sealing information, and external environmental information from the time elapsed from the time elapsed, and the internal environmental information regarding the environment inside the storage facility where the reduced iron is stored after the time elapsed from the time elapsed, then the process in step S35 is executed and the external environmental information from the first time to the second time is acquired. In step S38, the server device 2 identifies the internal environmental information at the second time that corresponds to the acquired physical property information, environmental information, sealing information, and external environmental information, based on the above correspondence relationship.

[0080] For example, if the prediction model used in step S38 shows a relationship between physical property information, environmental information, and sealing information at a reference time and internal environmental information after a period of time has elapsed from the reference time, the processing in step S37 may be executed to obtain internal environmental information during the operation of the vessel. In step S38, the server device 2 identifies internal environmental information at a second time that corresponds to the acquired physical property information, environmental information, sealing information, and internal environmental information during operation, based on the above-mentioned relationship.

[0081] Furthermore, if the internal environmental information identification process is performed before actually storing or transporting the reduced iron, such as when determining the vessel to transport the reduced iron or determining the vessel's operating route and response schedule, the process in step S37 is omitted.

[0082] [Information display processing] Next, we will describe the information display process, which includes the process of displaying the internal environment information predicted in step S38 or the internal environment information detected by various sensors. The information display process may be performed after the internal environment information identification process, or while the reduced iron is being stored or transported. Figure 7 is a flowchart of the information display process according to an embodiment of the present invention. Below, we will describe the mode in which the information display process is performed on the user terminal 1, but the information display process may also be performed on the land terminal 3.

[0083] First, user terminal 1 acquires internal environmental information (step S41). The internal environmental information may be predicted values ​​identified in the internal environmental information identification process, actual measured values ​​detected on the vessel obtained by the same process as in step S37, or both predicted and measured values.

[0084] Next, user terminal 1 determines whether or not predetermined conditions are met based on the acquired internal environment information (step S42).

[0085] The predetermined conditions may include the internal environmental information exceeding a pre-set threshold, the upper limit of the range of predicted values ​​identified as internal environmental information exceeding the threshold, or the internal environmental information not being within the predetermined range. The predetermined conditions may be set for each type of internal environmental information. For example, when specifying hydrogen concentration, oxygen concentration, temperature, humidity, and / or inert gas concentration as internal environmental information, it is preferable to set a threshold as a predetermined condition for each of them. The predetermined conditions may be pre-set or selected by the user's operation on the user terminal 1. Furthermore, multiple thresholds may be set as predetermined conditions.

[0086] If the predetermined conditions are met (YES in step S42), user terminal 1 outputs a notification (step S43) and displays the internal environment information acquired in step S41 (step S44).

[0087] The notification in step S43 is information to inform the user that the acquired internal environment information meets predetermined conditions. The output of the notification in step S43 may be displayed on the display screen of user terminal 1, or it may be an output of sound from user terminal 1 or it may be a vibration of user terminal 1. Furthermore, the output of the notification may be performed not only on user terminal 1 but also on an external terminal. For example, an external light may be turned on as an output of the notification.

[0088] In step S44, the manner in which the internal environment information is displayed can be arbitrarily designed, but for example, the system 10 can be controlled to display the internal environment information identified in step S38 in a time-series manner. An example of the display screen will be described later.

[0089] When internal environmental information is displayed, user terminal 1 obtains a proposed solution in response to an operation on user terminal 1 (step S45). System 10 can identify a proposed solution depending on whether predetermined conditions are met. The proposed solution is not particularly limited, but may include, for example, changing the ship's route, injecting inert gas, increasing the amount of inert gas injected, ventilating the storage area, calling at a port, and / or changing the ship. The process in step S45 may also be performed by inputting an icon such as "Get Proposed Solution" displayed on the display screen.

[0090] The proposed solutions may be stored in the storage unit 13 in association with internal environment information that meets predetermined conditions. Therefore, in step S42, the user terminal 1 can identify the corresponding solution based on the internal environment information that meets the predetermined conditions. Alternatively, one or more operational information sets may be pre-configured as solutions.

[0091] In step S45, if a change in the ship's route is identified as a possible solution, the user terminal 1 can further identify a route different from the route the ship was scheduled to operate, depending on whether predetermined conditions are met. Route identification may be performed by selecting a different route from pre-set routes, or by generating a new route from the starting point and destination point, with the ship's position as the starting point.

[0092] The number of proposed solutions identified in step S45 is not particularly limited; it may be one, multiple, or predetermined.

[0093] Next, user terminal 1 identifies an economic evaluation regarding the economic evaluation of a given countermeasure based on the correspondence between the proposed countermeasure and the cost and / or time required to implement the countermeasure (step S46).

[0094] The economic evaluation is a value that shows how much the costs associated with a voyage will increase or decrease if the sailing route, response schedule, and / or voyage duration change. User terminal 1 identifies the sum of costs such as fuel costs required for the ship's voyage, response costs associated with inerting, labor costs for crew members associated with ventilation work, and costs due to an increase in the number of voyage days as the economic evaluation.

[0095] The correspondence between proposed solutions and the costs and / or time required to implement them may be stored in the storage unit 13. Therefore, in step S46, the user terminal 1 can identify the costs and / or time required to implement the proposed solutions based on the solutions identified in step S45.

[0096] Once a proposed solution is identified in step S45, user terminal 1 re-identifies the internal environment information corresponding to the proposed solution (step S47). Step S47 is executed by the internal environment information identification process. At this time, the external environment information obtained in step S35 and the solution information obtained in step S36 will change according to the proposed solution.

[0097] User terminal 1 displays the information identified in steps S45 to S47 on its display screen (step S48). Details of the display screen will be described later.

[0098] Furthermore, if certain conditions are met (YES in step S42), the following processing may be performed. User terminal 1 outputs instruction information prompting the user to take a predetermined action (step S51). Examples of predetermined actions include performing a process to inject inert gas into the storage room or prompting the user to ventilate the storage room. The output of instruction information may also be performed in the same manner as the output of notifications.

[0099] Furthermore, user terminal 1 may display the internal environment information acquired in step S41 (step S52). Step S52 is the same process as step S44. User terminal 1 may also accept input of a response execution request that requests the execution of a predetermined response to the instruction information output in step S51 (step S53). When system 10 receives a response execution request, it executes a process on the ship to inject inert gas into the storage area or to ventilate the storage area.

[0100] Furthermore, if the predetermined conditions are not met (NO in step S42), user terminal 1 displays the internal environment information acquired in step S41 (step S61). Step S61 is the same process as step S44. The information display process is completed by the processing in steps S41 to S61. After the processing in step S48, if the user terminal 1 is operated to select option 1, the selected option is stored in user terminal 1.

[0101] Here, an example of a display screen shown in step S44, S52, or S61 will be described. Figure 8 shows an example of display screens 100A and 100B according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0102] Display screen 100A displays the predicted results of the internal environmental information for each storage unit (also called a hold). Display screen 100A displays the hydrogen concentration 101, oxygen concentration 102, temperature 103, and alternative 104 associated with each hold 111 to 115, which represent "Hold 1" to "Hold 5". The hydrogen concentration 101, oxygen concentration 102, and temperature 103 are examples of the internal environmental information obtained in step S41.

[0103] On display screen 100A, the hydrogen concentration 101, oxygen concentration 102, and temperature 103 values ​​for hold 111, hold 113-115 do not meet the predetermined conditions, and "OK" is displayed to indicate that there are no problems. For example, if the identified internal environmental information does not meet the predetermined conditions even once from departure to arrival at the destination, "OK" can be displayed.

[0104] On the other hand, in hold 112, the hydrogen concentration 101 is displayed as "Warning," and the oxygen concentration 102 and temperature 103 are displayed as "Caution." In addition, the regions for hydrogen concentration 101, oxygen concentration 102, and temperature 103 in hold 112 are colored, and the region for hydrogen concentration 101 in hold 112 is colored in a darker shade than the regions for oxygen concentration 102 and temperature 103 in hold 112.

[0105] The "Warning" and "Caution" labels, as well as the coloring of the oxygen concentration 102 and the oxygen concentration 102 and temperature 103 areas, are examples of notifications to the user. For example, if the identified internal environmental information does not meet predetermined conditions between departure and arrival at the destination, a notification can be displayed. Furthermore, "Warning" indicates to the user that the situation requires more attention than "Caution." The notification output in step S43 may change its display mode depending on the degree of danger of the internal environmental information (e.g., the extent to which a threshold has been exceeded). The display mode is not particularly limited, but the text may be changed, the color may be changed, or the lighting pattern may be changed.

[0106] Display screen 100B is the display screen that appears after selecting hold 112. Display screen 100B displays the measured and predicted values ​​of hydrogen concentration, oxygen concentration, or temperature of hold 112 in a time series. Display screen 100B includes a hydrogen concentration graph 121, an oxygen concentration graph 122, and a storage chamber temperature graph 123.

[0107] The hydrogen concentration graph 121 is a graph with concentration 131 on the vertical axis and time 132 on the horizontal axis. The threshold 133 is displayed on the concentration 131 vertical axis. The threshold 133 may be the same as the predetermined condition determined in step S42, or it may be a different threshold. Icons 141 and 142 are displayed on the time 132 horizontal axis. Icon 141 indicates that nitrogen was injected into the hold 112 at the time indicated by the icon. Icon 142 indicates that the ship departed at the time indicated by the icon.

[0108] The hydrogen concentration graph 121 displays the measured value 151, the predicted values ​​152-154, the upper limit of the predicted value 161, and the lower limit of the predicted value 162. The measured value 151 and the predicted values ​​152-154 represent the hydrogen concentration at each time point. The measured value 151 and the predicted values ​​152-154 are displayed in different colors. Furthermore, the predicted values ​​152-154 are displayed in different colors depending on the extent to which the upper limit of the predicted value 161 exceeds the threshold 133. Note that the display method is not limited to the above, and for example, system 10 may change the display method of the internal environment information according to the difference between the specified internal environment information and a predetermined threshold. For example, the display method of the internal environment information may be different colors, different icons, different sizes, or different patterns.

[0109] Note that the information displayed in the oxygen concentration graph 122 and the storage chamber temperature graph 123 is the same as that displayed in the hydrogen concentration graph 121, so no explanation is provided. When the oxygen concentration graph 122 is selected on the user terminal 1, the oxygen concentration graph 122 is displayed in the foreground, and when the storage chamber temperature graph 123 is selected, the storage chamber temperature graph 123 is displayed in the foreground. Alternatively, the hydrogen concentration graph 121, the oxygen concentration graph 122, and the storage chamber temperature graph 123 may be displayed side by side on the same screen.

[0110] Next, an example of the display screen shown in step S48 will be described. Figure 9 shows an example of display screens 200A and 200B according to an embodiment of the present invention. Note that the description of a configuration similar to the above display screen may be omitted.

[0111] Display screen 200A is the screen that appears after selecting alternative 104 for hold 112 on display screen 100A. Display screen 200A displays the proposed solution for hold 112, the economic evaluation, and the predicted results of the internal environmental information based on the solution. Display screen 200A displays the predicted cost 203, hydrogen concentration 204, oxygen concentration 205, and temperature 206 in relation to alternative 202.

[0112] Alternative 202 represents the proposed solution obtained in step S45. Predicted cost 203 represents the economic assessment identified in step S46. Hydrogen concentration 204, oxygen concentration 205, and temperature 206 represent the internal environmental information identified in step S47.

[0113] Alternative 202 displays plans 211 through 214. Each plan contains a specific iteration. For example, plan 211 is "route change," and displays plan 211a (Plan R-1) and plan 211b (Plan R-2). Similarly, plan 213 is "port call for nitrogen gas injection," and displays plan 213a (Plan P-1) and plan 213b (Plan P-2).

[0114] On display screen 200A, the values ​​for hydrogen concentration 204, oxygen concentration 205, and temperature 206 in plans 211a and 213 do not meet the predetermined conditions, and "OK" is displayed, indicating that there is no problem. On the other hand, in plans 211b and parts of plans 212 and 214, the values ​​for hydrogen concentration 204, oxygen concentration 205, and / or temperature 206 meet the predetermined conditions, indicating that there is a problem. In other words, the information output in step S48 may change in display mode depending on the degree of danger of the internal environment information identified in step S47. The display mode is not particularly limited, but the text may be changed, the color may be changed, or the lighting pattern may be changed.

[0115] Display screen 200B is the screen that appears after selecting plan 213a. Display screen 200B displays the measured and predicted values ​​of hydrogen concentration, oxygen concentration, or temperature of hold 112 in chronological order when plan 213a is executed, and also displays detailed information of the plan. Display screen 100B includes a hydrogen concentration graph 221, an oxygen concentration graph 222, a storage chamber temperature graph 223, and plan contents 224.

[0116] The hydrogen concentration graph 221 is a graph with concentration 231 on the vertical axis and time 232 on the horizontal axis. The threshold 233 is displayed on the concentration 231 vertical axis. The threshold 233 may be the same as the predetermined threshold determined in step S42, or it may be a different threshold. Icons 241 to 243 are displayed on the time 232 horizontal axis. Icons 241 and 242 have the same meaning as icons 141 and 142. Icon 243 indicates that nitrogen gas should be injected at the time indicated by that icon.

[0117] The hydrogen concentration graph 221 displays the measured value 251, the predicted values ​​252-254, the upper limit of the predicted value 261, and the lower limit of the predicted value 262. The measured value 251, the predicted values ​​252-254, the upper limit of the predicted value 261, and the lower limit of the predicted value 262 are the same as the measured value 151, the predicted values ​​152-154, the upper limit of the predicted value 161, and the lower limit of the predicted value 162.

[0118] On display screen 200B, it can be seen that nitrogen gas is injected into hold 112 at the time of icon 243, and accordingly, the predicted value 254 is expected to decrease.

[0119] Plan details 224 displays the details of the selected plan. For example, Plan details 224 shows that if you "call at Port X and inject N2", the inerting cost will be The cost is $45,000, port call costs are $35,000, and the additional sailing days are 2.5 days. Based on this information, users can consider which option to adopt.

[0120] Display screens 100B and 200B may be displayed in separate windows, or they may be superimposed on display screens 100A and 200A.

[0121] Note that the information displayed in the oxygen concentration graph 222 and the storage chamber temperature graph 223 is the same as that displayed in the hydrogen concentration graph 221, so no explanation is provided. The hydrogen concentration graph 221, oxygen concentration graph 222, and storage chamber temperature graph 223 can be displayed in the same way as the hydrogen concentration graph 121, oxygen concentration graph 122, and storage chamber temperature graph 123.

[0122] Furthermore, the display screen 200A may be controlled to show the user an appropriate alternative. The system 10 can identify as an appropriate alternative a plan (e.g., plan 212a) that shows the lowest predicted cost 203 without the hydrogen concentration 204, oxygen concentration 205, and temperature 206 ever meeting predetermined conditions.

[0123] In addition, while the display methods described for internal environmental information on display screens 100B and 200B have been described, the display methods are not limited to these. For example, internal environmental information may be displayed as text in association with time. In this case, the internal environmental information may display multiple predicted values ​​and / or actual values ​​corresponding to the time series.

[0124] In addition, in steps S45 and S46, the user terminal 1 may transmit internal environment information to an external computer device and receive proposed solutions and economic evaluations from the external computer device.

[0125] Furthermore, if the information display process is met (YES in step S42), any of the processes in steps S43-S48 or steps S51-S53 may be executed. Also, the processes in steps S45-S48 and S53 may be omitted, as they can be executed by operations on user terminal 1. In addition, the process in step S53 may be executed after the process in step S48.

[0126] Furthermore, depending on the result of the determination in step S42, it may be specified whether either steps S43 to S48 or steps S51 to S53 will be executed. For example, a predetermined first condition for executing steps S43 to S48 and a predetermined second condition for executing steps S51 to S53 may be set. For example, the second condition may be set to be stricter than the first condition. For example, the first condition may be a threshold of 0.18% for the hydrogen concentration of the internal environmental information, and the second condition may be a threshold of 0.2% for the hydrogen concentration of the internal environmental information. If the first condition is met in step S42, the processes from step S43 onwards may be executed, and if the second condition is met in step S42, the processes from step S51 onwards may be executed.

[0127] In the information display process, if the predetermined conditions are not met in step S42, the processes in steps S43 to S48 and / or steps S51 to S53 may be executed. In this case, the predetermined conditions may be that the internal environment information is below a predetermined threshold, that the upper limit of the range of predicted values ​​identified as internal environment information is below the threshold, or that the internal environment information is within a predetermined range. The predetermined conditions may be set for each content of the internal environment information, as described above. The predetermined conditions may be set in advance, or they may be selected by the user's operation on the user terminal 1. In addition, multiple thresholds may be set as predetermined conditions.

[0128] As described in steps S43, S51, and S53 above, the system 10 can perform predetermined information processing when predetermined conditions are met. The predetermined information processing includes, for example, a process to output a notification to the user, a process to perform a process to inject inert gas into the storage, and / or a process to output instruction information indicating the execution of the process to inject inert gas into the storage or to encourage ventilation of the storage.

[0129] [Support Processing] Next, we will describe support processing, which includes the process of transmitting information from land to users on ships transporting reduced iron. It is preferable that the support processing be performed while the reduced iron is being stored or transported. Figure 10 is a flowchart of the support processing according to an embodiment of the present invention. The following describes how the support processing is performed in the user terminal 1, server device 2, and land terminal 3.

[0130] User terminal 1 transmits the internal environment information identified in step S38 or S41 to land terminal 3 (step S71). The internal environment information transmitted in step S71 may be a predicted value identified in the internal environment information identification process, or it may be an actual measured value detected on the vessel obtained by a process similar to that in step S37, or it may be both a predicted value and an actual measured value. Furthermore, the predicted value may be not only a value identified in the internal environment information identification process, but also a value predicted based on the experience of the crew, etc.

[0131] In step S71, user terminal 1 can transmit internal environment information to land terminal 3 via the server device 2 through the satellite communication line. In step S71, identification information that can identify the vessel may be transmitted in association with the internal environment information, and information for identifying the internal environment information (e.g., physical property information, vessel information, environmental information, sealing information, external environment information, correspondence information) may also be transmitted.

[0132] When the land terminal 3 receives internal environmental information, it is operated to perform a process to update the prediction model (step S72). The prediction model update may be performed if the received internal environmental information is actual measured values. The prediction model update may also be performed by executing the processes in steps S11 to S17 on the generated prediction model.

[0133] Furthermore, the land-based terminal 3 displays the received internal environment information. For example, the land-based terminal 3 may display a screen similar to that in step S44 or S61. In addition to the internal environment information, the proposed solution, information on the identified economic evaluation, and / or the re-identified internal environment information may be displayed, similar to step S48.

[0134] The user operating the land-based terminal 3 can review the displayed internal environment information, proposed solutions, and / or economic evaluations, and input proposal information regarding the corresponding vessel into the land-based terminal 3. On land, the user can compare the managed business information and consider safety measures that take economics into account.

[0135] The input suggestion information is transmitted to the user terminal 1 in response to an operation on the land terminal 3 and displayed on the user terminal 1 (step S73). In step S73, the suggestion information may also be transmitted to the user terminal 1 via the server device 2 and the satellite communication network. The support process is completed by the processing in steps S71 to S71.

[0136] [Other embodiments] The system 10 according to the embodiment of the present invention is not limited to the above and can be modified within the scope of its gist. Furthermore, the configuration of the system 10 described above and the following configurations may be combined in any way.

[0137] Furthermore, when identifying the internal environmental information of reduced iron stored in a warehouse located on land, the above-mentioned prediction model generation process, external environmental information identification process, internal environmental information identification process, information display process, and support process can be performed by substituting a ship's storage facility with a warehouse located on land, to the extent that no inconsistencies arise. More specifically, for example, the above processes can be performed by substituting the following information.

[0138] For example, system 10 may use warehouse information instead of ship information. Warehouse information is information about the warehouse, including, for example, information about the size of the warehouse such as its capacity, and information about when the warehouse was built. Also, for example, information about the storage schedule may be entered instead of operation information. Also, for example, system 10 may use information about vibrations acting on the warehouse at a predetermined time instead of information about the ship's motion and / or acceleration. Weather information includes the temperature outside the warehouse, the humidity outside the warehouse, the wind direction, the wind speed, etc., at a predetermined time.

[0139] Similarly, when identifying the internal environmental information of reduced iron stored in a tank installed in a vehicle, the above-mentioned predictive model generation process, external environmental information identification process, internal environmental information identification process, information display process, and support process can be performed by substituting the ship's storage facility with the tank installed in the vehicle, to the extent that no inconsistencies arise. More specifically, for example, the above processes can be performed by substituting the following information.

[0140] For example, system 10 may use vehicle information instead of ship information. Vehicle information is information about the vehicle, including, for example, information about the size of the tank such as its capacity, information about when the vehicle was manufactured, and information about when the vehicle last underwent a vehicle inspection. Also, for example, system 10 may use information about the vehicle's acceleration at a predetermined time and location, the vehicle's vibration at a predetermined time and location, etc., instead of information about the ship's motion and / or acceleration. Weather information includes the temperature outside the vehicle, the humidity outside the vehicle, the wind direction, the wind speed, etc., at a predetermined time and location.

[0141] In addition, the above-described external environment information identification process, internal environment information identification process, and information display process were explained in a manner in which they are executed on user terminal 1 or land terminal 3 (standalone type). However, they may also be executed by one or more server devices 2 and one or more user terminals 1 or land terminal 3 communicating with each other (client-server type).

[0142] In this embodiment, we have described a method for identifying the internal environmental information of a storage facility where reduced iron is stored, but the items stored in the storage facility are not limited to this. The system 10 according to this embodiment can suitably identify the conditions inside a storage facility when storing or transporting hazardous materials. For example, the items may be explosives, flammable substances, oxidizing substances, or corrosive substances.

[0143] Thus, a system can be provided that identifies internal environmental information at a second time, provided that the system comprises at least one computer device, and includes acquisition means for acquiring physical property information relating to the physical properties of reduced iron stored in a storage facility at a first time, environmental information relating to the environment near the reduced iron at a first time, and sealing information relating to the degree of sealing of the storage facility, and identification means for identifying internal environmental information at a second time, which is time after the first time, based on the correspondence between the physical property information, environmental information, and sealing information at a reference time and internal environmental information relating to the environment inside the storage facility where the reduced iron is stored after time has elapsed since the reference time, corresponding to the acquired physical property information, environmental information, and sealing information. This makes it possible to provide a system for identifying internal environmental information at a second time. This makes it possible to support the safe storage and transportation of reduced iron.

[0144] Furthermore, in this manner, the acquisition means acquires external environmental information relating to the environment outside the storage facility from the first time to the second time, and the identification means identifies the internal environmental information at the second time, which is after time has elapsed from the first time, based on the correspondence between the physical property information, environmental information, and sealing information at the reference time, the environmental information, sealing information at the reference time, and the external environmental information from the reference time until time has elapsed, and the internal environmental information after time has elapsed from the reference time, thereby improving the accuracy of identifying the internal environmental information at the second time.

[0145] Furthermore, by providing the storage facility on the vessel and the system with external environmental information identification means that identifies external environmental information from the first time to the second time based on operational information relating to the operation of the vessel, the external environmental information can be identified.

[0146] Furthermore, in this manner, if the storage facility is provided on the vessel, the acquisition means acquires internal environmental information during the vessel's operation, and the identification means identifies the internal environmental information at a second time, which is a time elapsed from the first time, based on the correspondence between the physical property information, environmental information, and sealing information at a reference time and the internal environmental information after a time has elapsed from the reference time, thereby allowing the identification of the internal environmental information at a second time, taking into account the internal environmental information during operation.

[0147] Furthermore, since the system comprises a first computer device operated on board the vessel and a second computer device operated on land, and includes a first transmission means for transmitting identified internal environment information to the second computer device, and a second transmission means for transmitting proposal information regarding proposals for the vessel to the first computer device in response to operations on the second computer device, it is possible to provide support to users at sea from land. In addition, by including a display control means for controlling the display of the internal environment information identified by the identification means in accordance with a time series, the user can visually perceive changes in the internal environment information over time.

[0148] Thus, a system comprising at least one computer device includes a determination means for determining whether predetermined conditions are met based on measured or predicted values ​​regarding the environment inside the storage facility where reduced iron is stored, and an execution means for performing predetermined information processing in response to the meeting of the predetermined conditions. The predetermined information processing includes a process for outputting a notification to the user, a process for performing a step of injecting an inert gas into the storage facility, and / or a process for outputting instruction information indicating the execution of the step of injecting an inert gas into the storage facility or urging ventilation of the storage facility, thereby enabling information processing according to the conditions inside the storage facility. This makes it possible to prevent fires and other incidents that may occur when storing or transporting reduced iron in advance.

[0149] Furthermore, the system includes a means for identifying a solution when the storage facility is installed on a ship and the system meets predetermined conditions, and an economic evaluation means for identifying an economic evaluation of the solution based on the relationship between the solution and the cost and / or time required to implement the solution. The solution can include changing the ship's route, injecting inert gas, increasing the amount of inert gas injected, ventilating the storage facility, making port calls, and / or changing the ship, thereby allowing the user to be presented with a cost-effective solution.

[0150] Furthermore, by installing the storage facility on a ship and providing a route identification means that identifies a route different from the route the ship was scheduled to take when certain conditions are met, it is possible to identify a route for safely transporting reduced iron. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0151] 10 Systems 1. User terminal 2. Server device 3. Land terminal 4. Communication network 11 Control Unit 12 RAM 13 Storage Unit 14 Input section 15 Display section 16 Communication interface 21 Control unit 22 RAM 23 Storage unit 24 Communication Interfaces 100A, 100B display screen 101 Hydrogen concentration 102 Oxygen concentration 103 Temperature 104 Alternative 111-115 Hold 121 Hydrogen concentration graph 122 Oxygen concentration graph 123 Storage room temperature graph 131 Concentration 132 Time 133 Threshold Icons 141 and 142 151 Actual value 152~154 Predicted value 161 Upper limit of predicted value 162 Lower limit of predicted value 200A, 200B display screen 202 Alternatives 203 Estimated Costs 204 Hydrogen concentration 205 Oxygen concentration 206 Temperature Plans 211-214 221 Hydrogen concentration graph 222 Oxygen concentration graph 223 Storage room temperature graph 224 Plan details 231 Concentration 232 Time 233 Threshold Icons 241-243 251 Actual value 252~254 Predicted value 261 Upper limit of predicted value 262 Lower limit of predicted value

Claims

1. A system comprising at least one computer device, A determination means for determining whether predetermined conditions are met based on actual or predicted values ​​regarding the environment inside a storage facility installed on a ship where reduced iron is stored, A means for identifying a proposed solution, which identifies a proposed solution in accordance with the fulfillment of predetermined conditions, An economic feasibility identification means for identifying the economic feasibility of an economic evaluation of a proposed solution, based on the correspondence between the proposed solution and the costs and / or time required to implement the proposed solution, An execution means that performs predetermined information processing in accordance with the fulfillment of predetermined conditions. Equipped with, The proposed response includes changing the ship's route, injecting inert gas into the storage facility, increasing the amount of inert gas injected into the storage facility, ventilating the storage facility, making port calls, and / or changing the ship. A system in which predetermined information processing includes a process for outputting a notification to a user, a process for performing a step of injecting an inert gas into the storage facility, and / or a process for outputting instruction information indicating the execution of the step of injecting an inert gas into the storage facility or prompting ventilation of the storage facility.

2. A system comprising at least one computer device, A determination means for determining whether predetermined conditions are met based on actual or predicted values ​​regarding the environment inside a storage facility installed on a ship where reduced iron is stored, An execution means that performs predetermined information processing in accordance with the fulfillment of predetermined conditions, A route identification means that identifies a route different from the route the vessel was scheduled to operate on, depending on whether certain conditions are met. Equipped with, A system in which predetermined information processing includes a process for outputting a notification to a user, a process for performing a step of injecting an inert gas into the storage facility, and / or a process for outputting instruction information indicating the execution of the step of injecting an inert gas into the storage facility or prompting ventilation of the storage facility.

3. The aforementioned storage facility is installed on the ship. The system comprises a first computer device operated on board the ship and a second computer device operated on land. A first transmission means for transmitting the measured value and / or the predicted value to a second computer device, A second transmission means transmits proposal information regarding the proposal for the vessel to the first computer device in response to an operation on the second computer device. The system according to claim 1 or 2, comprising:

4. At least one computer device, A determination means for determining whether predetermined conditions are met based on actual or predicted values ​​regarding the environment inside a storage facility installed on a ship where reduced iron is stored, A means for identifying a proposed solution, which identifies a proposed solution in accordance with the fulfillment of predetermined conditions, An economic feasibility identification means for identifying the economic feasibility of an economic evaluation of a proposed solution, based on the correspondence between the proposed solution and the costs and / or time required to implement the proposed solution, Execution means that perform predetermined information processing in accordance with the fulfillment of predetermined conditions To make it function as, The proposed response includes changing the ship's route, injecting inert gas into the storage facility, increasing the amount of inert gas injected into the storage facility, ventilating the storage facility, making port calls, and / or changing the ship. A program whose predetermined information processing includes a process for outputting a notification to a user, a process for performing a step of injecting an inert gas into the storage unit, and / or a process for outputting instruction information indicating the execution of the step of injecting an inert gas into the storage unit or prompting ventilation of the storage unit.

5. At least one computer device, A determination means for determining whether predetermined conditions are met based on actual or predicted values ​​regarding the environment inside a storage facility installed on a ship where reduced iron is stored, An execution means that performs predetermined information processing in accordance with the fulfillment of predetermined conditions, Route identification means that identifies a route different from the route the vessel was scheduled to take, depending on whether certain conditions are met. To make it function as, A program whose predetermined information processing includes a process for outputting a notification to a user, a process for performing a step of injecting an inert gas into the storage unit, and / or a process for outputting instruction information indicating the execution of the step of injecting an inert gas into the storage unit or prompting ventilation of the storage unit.

6. A method performed in a system comprising at least one computer device, A determination step that determines whether predetermined conditions are met based on actual or predicted values ​​regarding the environment inside a storage facility installed on a ship where reduced iron is stored, A step to identify a solution, in which a solution is identified based on whether the specified conditions are met, An economic feasibility identification step to identify the economic feasibility assessment of the proposed solution based on the relationship between the proposed solution and the costs and / or time required to implement the proposed solution, An execution step in which predetermined information processing is performed in accordance with the fulfillment of predetermined conditions. It has, The proposed response includes changing the ship's route, injecting inert gas into the storage facility, increasing the amount of inert gas injected into the storage facility, ventilating the storage facility, making port calls, and / or changing the ship. A method comprising predetermined information processing including a process for outputting a notification to a user, a process for performing a step of injecting an inert gas into the storage facility, and / or a process for outputting instruction information indicating the execution of the step of injecting an inert gas into the storage facility or prompting ventilation of the storage facility.

7. A method performed in a system comprising at least one computer device, A determination step that determines whether predetermined conditions are met based on actual or predicted values ​​regarding the environment inside a storage facility installed on a ship where reduced iron is stored, An execution step in which predetermined information processing is performed in accordance with the fulfillment of predetermined conditions, A route identification step in which, depending on whether certain conditions are met, a route different from the route that the vessel was scheduled to operate on is identified. It has, A method comprising predetermined information processing including a process for outputting a notification to a user, a process for performing a step of injecting an inert gas into the storage facility, and / or a process for outputting instruction information indicating the execution of the step of injecting an inert gas into the storage facility or prompting ventilation of the storage facility.