Liquefied Gas Carrier

Abstract

A liquefied gas transport vessel according to one embodiment of the present disclosure comprises: flammable gas equipment having a flammable gas therein; a work area in which the flammable gas in the flammable gas equipment is inspected; extraction piping through which the flammable gas is extracted from the flammable gas equipment; and connection piping that is connected to exhaust gas processing equipment. A connection port of the extraction piping and a connection port of the connection piping are located in the work area.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present application relates to a liquefied gas carrier. [Background technology]

[0002] A liquefied gas carrier is a ship that transports liquefied gas, which is made by liquefying flammable gas, from one land base to another land base (see Patent Document 1). A liquefied gas carrier has equipment such as tanks and piping that contain flammable gas (hereinafter referred to as "flammable gas equipment"). On the liquefied gas carrier, a gas inspection unit is used to inspect the properties, concentration, etc. of the flammable gas contained in the flammable gas equipment (hereinafter referred to as "gas inspection"). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2018-203106 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, when conducting gas testing, a problem arises as to how to dispose of the gas extracted for the gas testing (hereinafter referred to as "gas to be tested").

[0005] The present disclosure has been made in consideration of the above circumstances, and aims to provide a liquefied gas carrier that can properly dispose of test target gas extracted for gas testing. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A liquefied gas carrier according to one embodiment of the present disclosure comprises a flammable gas facility having flammable gas therein, a work area for inspecting the flammable gas contained in the flammable gas facility, an extraction piping for extracting flammable gas from the flammable gas facility, and a connection piping connected to an exhaust gas treatment facility, and a connection port of the extraction piping and a connection port of the connection piping are located in the work area. Effect of the Invention

[0007] According to the above configuration, a liquefied gas carrier can be provided that is capable of appropriately disposing of the test target gas extracted for gas testing. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of various facilities equipped on a liquefied gas carrier. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a flow diagram showing a gas inspection method. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of various facilities provided on a liquefied gas carrier, showing a state in which a gas inspection unit different from that shown in FIG. 1 is installed. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] (Liquefied Gas Carrier) First, a liquefied gas carrier 101 according to an embodiment will be described. The liquefied gas carrier 101 is a ship that transports liquefied gas obtained by liquefying flammable gas from one land base to another land base. Hydrogen gas, natural gas, etc. correspond to the above-mentioned flammable gas.

[0010] Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram of various facilities provided on a liquefied gas carrier 101. As shown in Fig. 1, the liquefied gas carrier 101 is provided with a flammable gas facility 102, a working area 104, an inert gas supplier 105, an inert gas pipe 106, an extractor 10, and a waste pipe 20. Below, these components will be described in order.

[0011] <Flammable gas equipment> The flammable gas facility 102 is a facility that has flammable gas therein. For example, a tank that stores liquefied gas corresponds to the flammable gas facility 102 because it has flammable gas therein. In addition, not only piping through which flammable gas flows, but also piping through which liquefied gas in which flammable gas may remain corresponds to the flammable gas facility 102. The liquefied gas carrier 101 according to the embodiment is equipped with multiple flammable gas facilities 102. Three flammable gas facilities 102 are illustrated in FIG. 1.

[0012] <Work area> The work area 104 is an area in the flammable gas facility 102 where flammable gas is inspected. The work area 104 may be indoors or outdoors. The liquefied gas carrier 101 according to the embodiment is provided with a plurality of work areas 104. Three work areas 104 are illustrated in FIG. 1. Note that the work areas 104 according to the embodiment do not overlap with each other, and are spaced apart from each other or separated by a wall or the like.

[0013] <Inert gas supply> The inert gas supplying device 105 is a device that supplies an inert gas to any facility. Examples of the inert gas include nitrogen gas and argon gas. The liquefied gas carrier 101 according to the embodiment is equipped with a plurality of inert gas supplying devices 105. FIG. 1 illustrates three inert gas supplying devices 105. Each inert gas supplying device 105 has an inert gas supplying pipe 107 and an inert gas supplying valve 108 provided on the inert gas supplying pipe 107. As shown in FIG. 1, the connection port of the inert gas supplying pipe 107 and the inert gas supplying valve 108 are located in each working area 104.

[0014] <Inert gas piping> The inert gas piping 106 is a piping to which the above-mentioned multiple inert gas supply pipes 107 are connected and which supplies inert gas to each of the inert gas supply pipes 107. The inert gas piping 106 is laid over a wide area of ​​the liquefied gas carrier 101. FIG. 1 illustrates one inert gas piping 106. However, the liquefied gas carrier 101 may be equipped with multiple inert gas piping 106.

[0015] <Extractor> The extractor 10 is a device that extracts gas from a flammable gas facility 102. The extractor 10 is connected to each flammable gas facility 102. The extractor 10 of the embodiment has an extraction pipe 11 and an extraction valve 12 provided in the extraction pipe 11. As shown in FIG. 1, the connection port of the extraction pipe 11 and the extraction valve 12 are located in each work area 104. In addition, in FIG. 1, one extraction valve 12 is provided in each extraction pipe 11, but two or more extraction valves 12 may be provided in each extraction pipe 11. The extraction valve 12 may be one whose opening degree is adjusted manually, may be one whose opening degree is adjusted automatically, or may be one whose opening degree is adjustable both manually and automatically. This also applies to each valve described later.

[0016] <Disposal piping> The waste pipe 20 is a pipe connected to an exhaust gas treatment facility. The exhaust gas treatment facility includes a ship-side exhaust gas treatment facility 110 provided on the liquefied gas carrier 101 and a land-side exhaust gas treatment facility 111 provided on land. The ship-side exhaust gas treatment facility 110 also includes a liquefied gas combustion device that treats the liquefied gas, and a vent mast that suppresses an increase in pressure in a tank that contains the liquefied gas. The waste pipe 20 of the embodiment is connected to both the ship-side exhaust gas treatment facility 110 and the land-side exhaust gas treatment facility 111. The land-side exhaust gas treatment facility 111 can be connected to the waste pipe 20 via a pipe extending from the land-side exhaust gas treatment facility 111 when the liquefied gas carrier 101 is docked at a land base.

[0017] The waste pipe 20 has a plurality of connection pipes 21, a ship-side branch pipe 22, and a land-side branch pipe 23. A connection valve 24 is provided in each connection pipe 21. As shown in FIG. 1, the connection port and the connection valve 24 of the connection pipe 21 are located in each work area 104. The connection pipes 21 are gathered together, and the gathered pipe branches into a ship-side branch pipe 22 and a land-side branch pipe 23. The ship-side branch pipe 22 is a pipe that connects each connection pipe 21 to the ship-side exhaust gas treatment equipment 110. The land-side branch pipe 23 is a pipe that connects each connection pipe 21 to the land-side exhaust gas treatment equipment 111. The connection pipes 21 may not be gathered together, but may each branch into the ship-side branch pipe 22 and the land-side branch pipe 23. The ship-side branch pipe 22 is provided with a ship-side valve 25, and the land-side branch pipe 23 is provided with a land-side valve 26.

[0018] (Equipment used for gas testing) Next, the gas inspection unit 30 and the inert gas supply unit 50 used in the gas inspection performed on the liquefied gas carrier 101 according to the embodiment will be described in order.

[0019] <Gas inspection unit> The gas inspection unit 30 is a unit that performs gas inspection of the gas (gas to be inspected) extracted from the flammable gas facility 102 via the extractor 10. The gas inspection unit 30 is portable and can be detachably connected to each extractor 10. In FIG. 1, the gas inspection unit 30 is connected to the extractor 10 via the inert gas supply unit 50 and flexible piping 61 in the work area 104 located at the bottom of the drawing. Furthermore, the gas inspection unit 30 is connected to the connection piping 21 of the waste piping 20 via the flexible piping 62. In other words, the gas inspection unit 30 is detachably attached between the extractor 10 and the waste piping 20.

[0020] Gas inspection unit 30 has direct connection piping 31 , inlet piping 32 , outlet piping 33 , main piping 34 , and bypass piping 35 .

[0021] The direct connection pipe 31 is a pipe that connects the inlet and outlet of the gas inspection unit 30. The inlet pipe 32 branches off from the part of the direct connection pipe 31 closer to the inlet, and is a pipe through which the gas to be inspected flows in. The outlet pipe 33 is connected to the part of the direct connection pipe 31 closer to the outlet, and is a pipe through which the gas to be inspected flows out. The main pipe 34 connects the inlet pipe 32 and the outlet pipe 33, and is a pipe in which a gas inspection device 37, which will be described later, is provided. The bypass pipe 35 connects the inlet pipe 32 and the outlet pipe 33, and is a pipe provided in parallel to the main pipe 34.

[0022] The gas inspection unit 30 further includes a gas inspection device 37, a direct connection valve 38, a flow rate adjustment valve 39, a switching valve 40, a check valve 41, and a flow meter 42.

[0023] The gas inspection instrument 37 is provided in the main piping 34, and is an instrument for inspecting the inspection target gas extracted from the flammable gas equipment 102. The gas inspection instrument 37 in the embodiment is a concentration inspection instrument for inspecting the proportion of flammable gas in the inspection target gas. However, the gas inspection instrument 37 may be an instrument other than a concentration inspection instrument. The gas inspection instrument 37 may be detachably provided in the main piping 34. The direct connection valve 38 is provided in the direct connection piping 31, and is located between the part where the inlet piping 32 of the direct connection piping 31 branches off and the part where the outlet piping 33 is joined.

[0024] The flow rate control valve 39 is provided in the inlet pipe 32. The flow rate control valve 39 can adjust the flow rate of the test target gas in the inlet pipe 32, and therefore the flow rate of the test target gas flowing into the gas tester 37. The switching valve 40 is provided at the boundary between the inlet pipe 32, the main pipe 34, and the bypass pipe 35. The switching valve 40 is a so-called three-way valve, and can select whether the test target gas that has passed through the inlet pipe 32 is to be supplied to the main pipe 34 or the bypass pipe 35.

[0025] The check valve 41 is provided in the main pipe 34 and is located downstream of the gas testing device 37. The check valve 41 is a valve for preventing the gas to be tested from flowing back to the gas testing device 37. The flowmeter 42 is provided in the inlet pipe 32 and can measure the flow rate of the gas to be tested flowing through the inlet pipe 32. The flowmeter 42 in the embodiment is located downstream of the flow rate adjustment valve 39. However, the flowmeter 42 may be located upstream of the flow rate adjustment valve 39.

[0026] <Inert gas supply unit> The inert gas supply unit 50 is a unit that supplies an inert gas between the extractor 10 and the gas inspection unit 30. The inert gas supply unit 50 is portable and can be detachably attached between the extractor 10 and the gas inspection unit 30. In the embodiment, the inert gas supply unit 50 is connected to the gas inspection unit 30 via a flexible pipe 61.

[0027] The inert gas supply unit 50 has a direct connection pipe 51 connecting the inlet and outlet of the inert gas supply unit 50, a supply pipe 52 connected to the direct connection pipe 51, and a supply valve 53 provided on the supply pipe 52. In addition, the supply pipe 52 can be detachably connected to an inert gas supplier 105 via a flexible pipe 63.

[0028] In the embodiment, the inert gas is supplied to the gas inspection piping 70 using the inert gas supply unit 50, but the inert gas may be supplied to the gas inspection piping 70 by other methods. For example, the inert gas may be supplied to the gas inspection piping 70 by supplying the inert gas from the inert gas supply device 105 to the flammable gas facility 102. Also, the inert gas may be supplied to the gas inspection piping 70 from a cylinder containing the inert gas.

[0029] (Gas inspection method) Next, a gas inspection method according to an embodiment will be described. Here, the proportion of flammable gas in the gas inside the flammable gas facility 102 is inspected. The gas inspection is carried out in one of the multiple work areas 104 (the lowermost work area 104 in FIG. 1). FIG. 2 is a flow diagram showing the gas inspection method. The gas inspection method described below may be carried out manually or automatically.

[0030] First, the gas inspection unit 30 and the inert gas supply unit 50 are attached between the extractor 10 and the waste pipe 20 (step S1). Specifically, the gas inspection unit 30 is attached to the extractor 10 via the inert gas supply unit 50 and the flexible pipe 61. Then, the gas inspection unit 30 is attached to the waste pipe 20 via the flexible pipe 62. At that time, the inert gas supply unit 50 is attached to the inert gas supplier 105 via the flexible pipe 63.

[0031] As a result, the extractor 10, the inert gas supply unit 50, the flexible piping 61, the gas inspection unit 30, the flexible piping 62, and the waste piping 20 are connected in this order from the upstream side, and these form the gas inspection piping 70. That is, the gas inspection piping 70 is formed between the flammable gas equipment 102 and the ship-side exhaust gas treatment equipment 110, and between the flammable gas equipment 102 and the land-side exhaust gas treatment equipment 111. When forming the gas inspection piping 70, all the valves 12, 24, 25, 26, 38, 39, and 53 except for the switching valve 40 are closed.

[0032] Next, the gas to be inspected is introduced from the flammable gas equipment 102 into the gas inspection piping 70 (step S2). Specifically, the extraction valve 12, the direct connection valve 38, the connection valve 24, and the ship-side valve 25 are opened. As a result, the gas to be inspected extracted from the flammable gas equipment 102 flows through the gas inspection piping 70 toward the ship-side exhaust gas treatment equipment 110. In other words, the gas to be inspected that has passed through the gas inspection piping 70 is discharged into the ship-side exhaust gas treatment equipment 110, rather than into the work area 104.

[0033] Next, the flow rate of the gas to be inspected is adjusted (step S3). Specifically, the direct valve 38 is closed, the flow rate adjustment valve 39 is opened, and the switching valve 40 is operated so that the gas to be inspected that has passed through the inlet pipe 32 flows into the bypass pipe 35. As a result, the gas to be inspected that has flowed into the gas inspection unit 30 passes through the bypass pipe 35 and flows out of the gas inspection unit 30. In this state, while checking the flow meter 42, the flow rate adjustment valve 39 is adjusted so that the gas to be inspected has a predetermined flow rate.

[0034] Next, gas inspection is performed on the gas to be inspected using the gas inspection device 37 of the gas inspection unit 30 (step S4). Specifically, the switching valve 40 is operated so that the gas to be inspected that has passed through the inlet pipe 32 flows into the main pipe 34. As a result, the gas to be inspected passes through the gas inspection device 37, and at that time, gas inspection is performed by the gas inspection device 37. As described above, the gas to be inspected is adjusted to a preset flow rate. Therefore, it is possible to prevent damage to the gas inspection device 37 that would occur if a large amount of the gas to be inspected flows into the gas inspection device 37. The gas to be inspected that has been inspected passes through the waste pipe 20 and is discharged to the ship-side exhaust gas treatment equipment 110.

[0035] Next, after the gas inspection of the gas to be inspected is completed, the inert gas is introduced into the gas inspection piping 70 (step S5). Specifically, the extraction valve 12 is closed, and the inert gas supply valve 108 and the supply valve 53 are opened. As a result, the gas to be inspected remaining in the gas inspection piping 70 is pushed out by the inert gas and discharged to the ship-side exhaust gas treatment equipment 110.

[0036] In the embodiment, when the inert gas is introduced into the gas inspection piping 70, the gas inspection device 37 is used to inspect the proportion of combustible gas in the gas in the gas inspection piping 70. Then, the inert gas is introduced into the gas inspection piping 70 until the proportion of combustible gas in the gas in the gas inspection piping 70 becomes equal to or less than a certain level (specifically, until the proportion becomes such that there is no risk of ignition). This inactivates the gas inspection piping 70. Note that the inert gas is also supplied to the direct connection piping 31 and the bypass piping 35 of the gas inspection unit 30, and the gas in these piping is also discharged to the ship-side exhaust gas treatment equipment 110.

[0037] Finally, the gas inspection unit 30 and the inert gas supply unit 50 are removed from between the extractor 10 and the waste pipe 20 (step S6). At this time, all the valves 12, 24, 25, 26, 38, 39, and 53 except for the switching valve 40 are closed. By removing each unit 30 and 50, a part of the gas in the gas inspection unit 30, the inert gas supply unit 50, and each flexible pipe 61, 62, and 63 is released into the work area 104. However, since the ratio of flammable gas in the gas released as described above is equal to or less than a certain level, the flammable gas will not ignite in the work area.

[0038] In the above-described gas inspection method, the gas that has passed through the gas inspection piping 70 is discharged to the ship-side exhaust gas treatment equipment 110, but the gas that has passed through the gas inspection piping 70 may be discharged to the land-side exhaust gas treatment equipment 111 by closing the ship-side valve 25 and opening the land-side valve 26. Also, the gas that has passed through the gas inspection piping 70 may be discharged to both the ship-side exhaust gas treatment equipment 110 and the land-side exhaust gas treatment equipment 111 by opening both the ship-side valve 25 and the land-side valve 26. The gas discharged to the ship-side exhaust gas treatment equipment 110 and the land-side exhaust gas treatment equipment 111 is appropriately treated by burning, for example.

[0039] (Modification) Next, a gas inspection unit 30 according to a modified example will be described. Fig. 3 is a schematic diagram of various facilities provided on a liquefied gas carrier 101, showing a state in which a gas inspection unit 30 according to a modified example is attached. The gas inspection unit 30 according to the modified example differs in configuration from the gas inspection unit 30 shown in Fig. 1 in that it has a sampling balloon 45. In other respects, it basically has the same configuration as the gas inspection unit 30 shown in Fig. 1.

[0040] The sampling balloon 45 is provided upstream of the flow rate control valve 39 of the inlet pipe 32 via a balloon pipe 46. A balloon valve 47 is provided on the balloon pipe 46. The sampling balloon 45 is made of an expandable material, and can temporarily store the test target gas taken in from the inlet pipe 32 and discharge the stored test target gas to the inlet pipe 32. By opening and closing the balloon valve 47, the timing of storing and discharging gas in the sampling balloon 45 can be adjusted.

[0041] In this way, in gas inspection unit 30 according to the modified example, the gas to be inspected can be temporarily stored in sampling balloon 45, so that gas inspection can be performed in a state where introduction of the gas to be inspected from flammable gas equipment 102 to gas inspection piping 70 is stopped. Therefore, gas inspection unit 30 according to the modified example improves the degree of freedom in gas inspection.

[0042] (Action and effect) The present disclosure (1) is a liquefied gas carrier comprising a flammable gas facility having flammable gas therein, a work area for inspecting the flammable gas contained in the flammable gas facility, an extraction pipe for extracting flammable gas from the flammable gas facility, and a connection pipe connected to an exhaust gas treatment facility, wherein a connection port of the extraction pipe and a connection port of the connection pipe are located in the work area.

[0043] In this configuration, the test gas used in the gas inspection can be discharged to the exhaust gas treatment facility. Therefore, according to the above configuration, the test gas extracted for the gas inspection can be safely disposed of.

[0044] The present disclosure (2) is a liquefied gas carrier of the present disclosure (1), further comprising an extraction valve provided in the extraction piping and a connection valve provided in the connection piping, the extraction valve and the connection valve being located within the work area.

[0045] According to this configuration, various valve operations can be performed in the work area, thereby reducing the workload of gas testing.

[0046] The present disclosure (3) is a liquefied gas carrier comprising a flammable gas facility having flammable gas therein, a plurality of work areas for inspecting the flammable gas contained in the flammable gas facility, a plurality of extraction pipes for extracting flammable gas from the flammable gas facility, a plurality of connection pipes connected to an exhaust gas treatment facility, and a plurality of inert gas supply pipes for supplying inert gas, wherein the plurality of work areas respectively have a connection port for the extraction pipe, a connection port for the connection pipe, and a connection port for the inert gas supply pipe located therein.

[0047] According to this configuration, by using a portable gas testing unit, gas testing can be performed without providing a gas testing unit in each work area.

[0048] The present disclosure (4) is the liquefied gas carrier of the present disclosure (3), wherein the multiple connection pipes are gathered together and connected to the exhaust gas treatment equipment.

[0049] According to this configuration, the connecting piping can be simplified.

[0050] The present disclosure (5) is a liquefied gas carrier of the present disclosure (3) or (4), further comprising an inert gas pipe to which the plurality of inert gas supply pipes are connected and which supplies inert gas to the plurality of inert gas supply pipes.

[0051] According to this configuration, the inert gas can be easily supplied to each inert gas supply line.

[0052] The present disclosure (6) is a liquefied gas carrier according to any of the present disclosures (3) to (5), wherein the exhaust gas treatment equipment includes a ship-side exhaust gas treatment equipment installed on the liquefied gas carrier and a land-side exhaust gas treatment equipment installed on land, and the liquefied gas carrier further includes a ship-side branch pipe connecting the multiple connecting pipes to the ship-side exhaust gas treatment equipment, and a land-side branch pipe connecting the multiple connecting pipes to the land-side exhaust gas treatment equipment.

[0053] According to this configuration, the gas to be inspected that is extracted for gas inspection can be discharged to either an exhaust gas treatment facility installed on the liquefied gas carrier or an exhaust gas treatment facility installed on land, thereby improving the flexibility of disposal of the gas to be inspected. [Explanation of symbols]

[0054] 11 Extraction piping 12 Extraction valve 21 Connection piping 22 Ship side branch piping 23 Land side branch piping 24 Connection valve 101 Liquefied gas carrier 102 Flammable gas equipment 104 Work Area 106 Inert gas piping 107 Inert gas supply piping 108 Inert gas supply valve 110 Ship-side exhaust gas treatment equipment (exhaust gas treatment equipment) 111 Land-side exhaust gas treatment equipment (exhaust gas treatment equipment)

Claims

1. A flammable gas facility having flammable gas therein; A work area for inspecting flammable gas in the flammable gas facility; An extraction pipe for extracting flammable gas from the flammable gas facility; and a connection pipe connected to an exhaust gas treatment facility; A liquefied gas carrier, wherein a connection port of the extraction pipe and a connection port of the connection pipe are located in the work area.

2. An extraction valve provided in the extraction pipe; A connection valve provided in the connection pipe, 2. The liquefied gas carrier of claim 1, wherein the extraction valve and the connection valve are located within the working area.

3. A flammable gas facility having flammable gas therein; A plurality of work areas for inspecting flammable gas in the flammable gas facility; A plurality of extraction pipes for extracting flammable gas from the flammable gas facility; A plurality of connecting pipes connected to an exhaust gas treatment facility; a plurality of inert gas supply pipes for supplying an inert gas; A liquefied gas carrier, wherein a connection port for the extraction pipe, a connection port for the connection pipe, and a connection port for the inert gas supply pipe are located in each of the plurality of work areas.

4. The liquefied gas carrier according to claim 3 , wherein the plurality of connection pipes are joined together and connected to the exhaust gas treatment facility.

5. The liquefied gas carrier according to claim 3 , further comprising an inert gas pipe connected to the plurality of inert gas supply pipes and supplying inert gas to the plurality of inert gas supply pipes.

6. The exhaust gas treatment equipment includes a ship-side exhaust gas treatment equipment provided on the liquefied gas carrier and a land-side exhaust gas treatment equipment provided on land, The liquefied gas carrier is: A ship side branch pipe connecting the plurality of connection pipes and the ship side exhaust gas treatment equipment; The liquefied gas carrier according to claim 3 , further comprising a land-side branch pipe connecting the plurality of connection pipes to the land-side exhaust gas treatment facility.

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