LNG supply equipment for LNG-fueled ships

Abstract

To provide a LNG supply facility of a LNG fuel ship capable of continuing LNG supply without even temporarily interrupting LNG fuel supply from a plurality of LNG lorries, capable bunkering LNG in a short period of time.SOLUTION: The LNG supply facility of the LNG fuel ship includes a facility connected to a bunker manifold of the LNG fuel ship, having a receiving flange at one location on a discharge side and at two locations on a supply side, which quickly switches the receiving flanges of the two locations on the supply side. The receiving flanges of the two locations on the supply side are connected to two or more LNG lorries.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an LNG supply (bunkering) facility for an LNG-fueled ship, and in particular to a Truck-to-Ship (from an LNG lorry truck to a large LNG-fueled ship) LNG supply (bunkering) facility for a large LNG-fueled ship. [Background technology]

[0002] In order to supply LNG fuel to docked LNG-fueled ships, particularly large LNG-fueled ships, the LNG fuel is loaded from the quay into large LNG tanks on board the large LNG-fueled ship docked at the quay (LNG bunkering), and this type of LNG fuel loading is mainly carried out using LNG tanker trucks (hereinafter simply referred to as "LNG tankers").

[0003] However, due to restrictions imposed by the Road Traffic Act and other laws regarding loading weight, handling of hazardous materials, and tank structure standards, LNG tankers are limited in their loading capacity, and a single LNG tanker is not enough to supply fuel to large LNG-fueled ships, so multiple LNG tankers must be used in conjunction to load LNG fuel into the LNG fuel tanks of LNG-fueled ships.

[0004] This meant that every time an LNG tanker was replaced, it was necessary to disconnect the bunkering hose connecting the LNG tanker to the tank on the LNG-fueled ship and then reconnect the bunkering hose to the next LNG tanker. Even a temporary halt in the LNG supply would cause the supply line to heat up, and in order to maintain an adequate LNG supply, it was necessary to cool the line down each time. This caused problems.

[0005] A technology for dealing with the hot-up of the supply line when LNG bunkering of this type of LNG-fueled ship is temporarily stopped is disclosed, for example, in JP2011-503463A. The disclosure of JP2011-503463A relates to an invention entitled "Method for Operating an LNG-Fueled Marine Ship," which aims to "provide a faster flow rate in principle from the start of bunkering operation, and as a result provide a faster bunkering operation" (see paragraph 0008 of the specification of the same publication), and by adopting a configuration of a method for "cooling the bunkering line before the bunkering operation" (see the description of claim 1 of the same publication, etc.), it has the effect of "providing a rapid bunkering operation and a short port call time" (see paragraph 0054 of the specification of the same publication).

[0006] After much consideration, the inventors of the present application have come up with an LNG supply facility for an LNG-fueled ship that enables easy bunkering by shortening the bunkering time without having to temporarily suspend bunkering and by not equipping the bunkering line with special cooling equipment. In addition, with regard to the large amounts of LNG gas generated due to hot-up in the supply lines, BOG treatment (treatment of the LNG gas pressure generated to ensure that the pressure in the LNG tanks on board the ship does not exceed the design pressure) takes a long time if only the onboard treatment equipment is used, resulting in problems such as longer LNG supply operation times. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0007] [Patent Document 1] Special Publication No. 2011-503463 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0008] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide an LNG supply facility for an LNG fueled ship that can continue to supply LNG from multiple LNG tankers without any temporary interruption and can perform bunkering in a short period of time. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] In order to solve the above problems, the present invention according to claim 1 provides an LNG supply facility for an LNG fuelled ship, which is connected to a bunker manifold of the LNG fuelled ship and has one receiving flange on the outlet side and two receiving flanges on the supply side. and , receiving flanges from two points on the supply side The line connected to Quickly switch between Switching valve and Have Two receiving flanges on the supply side connect to two or more LNG tankers. Be Supply LNG by pumping only from LNG tankers without the use of pressure pumps. Characterized by . The invention according to claim 2 of the present application is characterized in that the LNG supply facility for the LNG-fueled ship according to claim 1 has a land-based BOG treatment facility for incinerating BOG generated in the LNG supply line. Effect of the Invention

[0010] As configured as described above, the present invention has the effect of enabling truck-to-ship (from an LNG tanker truck to a large LNG-fueled ship) operation to the LNG-fueled ship without temporarily stopping the supply of LNG fuel to the LNG-fueled ship by sequentially replacing the bunkering hoses from a plurality of LNG tankers, thereby shortening the time required for LNG supply operations. In addition, even if LNG gas is generated due to hot-up (heat rise) during the supply line stoppage caused by removing the bunkering hose from the LNG tanker, BOG treatment can be performed in conjunction with the onboard equipment, which also shortens the BOG treatment time, and as a result, has the effect of shortening the LNG supply time. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a first embodiment of an LNG supply system for an LNG fuelled ship for implementing the LNG supply system for an LNG fuelled ship according to the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0012] An embodiment for implementing an LNG supply system for an LNG fueled ship according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. EXAMPLES

[0013] Fig. 1 is a diagram showing a first embodiment of an LNG supply facility for an LNG fuelled ship for implementing the LNG supply facility for an LNG fuelled ship according to the present invention. In Fig. 1, 1a and 1b are LNG tankers, 2a and 2b are connection flanges to which the LNG tankers 1a and 1b are connected, 3 is a nitrogen girdle in which nitrogen gas is stored, 4a and 4b are nitrogen filling valves for filling nitrogen into the lines, 5a and 5b are sampling seats for checking the condition of the LNG fuel in the lines, 6a and 6b are diffusion valves for line purging, 7 is a buffer tank, and 8 is an atmospheric diffusion pipe for line purging and safety valve operation.

[0014] In addition, 9a and 9b are safety valves that reduce the pressure when the pressure exceeds a certain level, 10a and 10b are switching valves that switch between the LNG tanker 1a side and the LNG tanker 1b side, 11 is an adjustment valve for adjusting the flow rate, 12 is a 2-inch socket weld flange, 13 is a BAC (Break Away Coupling: a valve that has the ability to automatically cut off and close at a certain tension), 14 is a 2-inch flat seat socket weld flange, 15 is an LNG supply line, 16 is a bunker station, 16a and 16b are ANSI (American National Standards Institute) 150 class 8-inch and 2-inch conversion flanges (butt weld type pipe fittings) that are connected to the bunker manifold (not shown) of the LNG fuel ship, and the flange 16a is connected to the LNG tanker side line and the flange 16b is connected to the line on the land-based BOG treatment facility side.

[0015] And, reference numeral 17 denotes a BOG line for BOG treatment (treatment of LNG gas pressure generated so that the pressure in the LNG tank on board the ship does not exceed the design pressure), 18 denotes a 2-inch flat seat socket weld flange, 19 denotes a BAC (Break Away Coupling: a valve with automatic disconnection and closing performance at a certain tension), 20 denotes a 2-inch socket weld flange, 21 denotes a water tank equipped with a heater for heating the cryogenic BOG formed by vaporizing LNG to room temperature, 22 denotes a GVU (GAS VALVE UNIT), 23 denotes a GCU (GAS COMBUSTATION UNIT: BOG incinerator) for treating BOG, 24 denotes an oil tank for burning BOG, and 25 denotes an FI (FLOW METER: flow meter) for checking the LNG flow rate.

[0016] As is clear from Figure 1, the LNG supply equipment of the LNG-fueled ship in this embodiment 1 has two 2-inch conversion flanges 2a, 2b connected to the lines of two LNG tankers 1a, 1b, respectively, and is characterized in that these two conversion flanges 2a, 2b are arranged in the same line or in parallel, and by switching between the corresponding flanges 10a, 10b between these two flanges, the connection between the line on the LNG tanker 1a side and the line on the LNG tanker 1b side can be instantly switched.

[0017] That is, for example, while one LNG tanker 1a is connected to the connecting flange 2a and the LNG fuel loaded on the LNG tanker 1a is being supplied to the LNG fueled ship from the line on the LNG tanker 1a side, the other LNG tanker 1b is connected to the connecting flange 2b, and when one LNG tanker 1a becomes empty and LNG supply is no longer possible, the lines are switched using the switching valves 10a, 10b, so that LNG fuel can be supplied without any delay.

[0018] In the LNG supply facility of the LNG fuelled ship according to the first embodiment, a switching valve is provided to quickly switch the LNG supply line between the LNG tanker 1a side and the LNG tanker 1b side. The operation of each part of the LNG supply facility of the LNG fuelled ship according to the first embodiment, such as the connection of the LNG tanker 1a, 1b and nitrogen filling, will be described in detail below. (1) Connection of LNG tanker The first LNG tanker 1a is connected to the connection flange 2a to prepare for the supply of LNG fuel to the LNG-fueled ship, and LNG fuel supply is performed. Next, while the first LNG tanker 1a is supplying LNG fuel to the LNG-fueled ship, the second LNG tanker 1b is connected to the connection flange 2b, and as soon as the supply from the first LNG tanker 1a is completed, the second LNG tanker 1b starts supplying LNG fuel.

[0019] (2) Nitrogen filling operation After the LNG fuel supply is completed, nitrogen replacement is performed as a safety measure between the LNG tanker 1a and the switching valve 10a, and between the LNG tanker 1b and the switching valve 10b. (3) Sampling operation Measures gas concentration and dew point inside pipes. (4) Operation of switching valves 10a, 10b / regulating valve 11 Switches supply lines from LNG tanker 1a and LNG tanker 1b and adjusts the LNG supply flow rate to the ship.

[0020] In the LNG supply facility of the LNG fuelled ship according to the first embodiment, an LNG bunkering system as shown in Fig. 1 is configured, so that LNG is received and collected at two locations on the supply side from two LNG tank trucks 1a and 1b, and by switching between the LNG tank trucks 1a and 1b, the outlet side is connected to the bunker manifold of the LNG fuelled ship at one location. This makes it possible to switch tank trucks without stopping the supply of LNG.

[0021] Next, the BOG treatment facility equipment to be added to the LNG supply facility of the LNG fuelled ship according to the first embodiment will be described. The BOG treatment equipment in the LNG supply facility of the LNG fuelled ship according to this embodiment 1 is equipment consisting of a BAC 19, a water supply tank 21, a GVU 22, a GCU 23, etc., which are installed on land in addition to the LNG supply line described above, and are connected to the vapor manifold of the LNG fuelled ship by a BOG line 17.

[0022] In the case of LNG supply (bunkering) of an LNG fueled ship, if the LNG fuel is stopped even temporarily, the LNG will vaporize due to hot-up (heat rise) of the supply line, and a large amount of LNG gas will be generated. The generated LNG gas is usually incinerated by a BOG treatment facility installed on board the LNG fueled ship, but in the LNG supply facility of the LNG fueled ship according to the first embodiment, the BOG treatment is added to the onboard BOG treatment facility equipment and, together with the onboard facility, the BOG treatment is added to the above-mentioned LNG supply line and treated by the onshore BOG treatment facility installed on land, so that BOG treatment can be performed promptly even when BOG is generated, the treatment time for BOG treatment can be shortened as much as possible, and the LNG supply operation time can be prevented from being extended.

[0023] For this reason, when bunkering the LNG-fueled ship, the BOG line 17 of the LNG supply facility of the LNG-fueled ship according to the first embodiment is connected to a BOG line (not shown) inside the ship. As a result of this, the BOG generated during LNG bunkering is sent from the LNG fueled ship to the land facility via the BOG line 17, the cryogenic BOG is heated to room temperature in the water supply tank 21, and then is incinerated and released in the GCU 23.

[0024] In other words, the BOG (LNG vaporized gas) that is generated by hotting up the supply line and returned from the LNG-fueled ship is a cryogenic gas and cannot be incinerated in the BOG treatment facility as is. Therefore, a water supply tank 21, which acts as a heater to warm the gas to room temperature, is installed, and after heating, the gas is incinerated using oil from an oil tank in the GCU 23, a BOG incineration facility located on land, and then discharged into the atmosphere.

[0025] The BOG treatment facility equipment added to the LNG supply facility of the LNG fueled ship according to the first embodiment detects the generation of BOG with a pressure gauge installed in the LNG fuel tank of the LNG fueled ship, and starts incineration when the pressure exceeds a predetermined value. The generated BOG is made to permeate the feed water tank in order to heat the cryogenic gas. In the LNG supply facility of the LNG-fueled ship in this embodiment 1, the BOG treatment equipment is installed on land as well. Therefore, even if BOG (vaporized LNG gas) is generated due to a hot-up of the supply line caused by a temporary stop of the LNG fuel supply during LNG bunkering, the BOG can be quickly sent from the LNG-fueled ship via the BOG line 17 to the BOG treatment equipment installed on land as well, heated in the water supply tank 21, and then incinerated and released in the GCU 23.

[0026] In this way, in the LNG supply equipment of the LNG fuelled ship according to this embodiment 1, by having a plurality of LNG tankers 1a, 1b connectable, it is possible to supply LNG quickly without even temporarily stopping the supply of LNG, and to avoid supply line hot-up that would occur if the supply of LNG fuel were to be temporarily stopped. In this respect, it is also possible to shorten the bunkering work time. Furthermore, even if a supply line hot-up does occur and vaporized LNG gas is generated, it is possible to quickly carry out BOG treatment using the ground-mounted BOG treatment equipment installed alongside the LNG supply equipment of the LNG fuelled ship according to this embodiment 1.

[0027] That is, because of the above configuration, in the LNG supply equipment for the LNG fueled ship according to the first embodiment, by successively replacing the bunkering hoses from the multiple LNG tankers, truck-to-ship (from the LNG tanker truck to the large LNG fueled ship) can be performed to the LNG fueled ship without temporarily stopping the LNG fuel supply to the LNG fueled ship, and the LNG supply work time can be shortened. Also, during the supply line stoppage caused by removing the bunkering hoses from the LNG tanker, BOG treatment (treatment of the LNG gas pressure generated so that the pressure in the LNG tank on the ship does not exceed the design pressure) of the large amount of LNG gas generated due to hot-up (heat rise) hardly occurs, and even if LNG gas is generated, BOG treatment equipment is also provided on land and BOG treatment is performed in combination with the onboard equipment, so that the BOG treatment time can be shortened from this point of view as well, and as a result, the LNG supply time can be shortened. [Industrial Applicability]

[0028] The present invention is used for LNG supply (bunkering) to LNG-fueled ships. [Explanation of symbols]

[0029] 1a, 1b LNG tanker 2a, 2b LNG tanker connection flange 3. Nitrogen girdle 4a, 4b Nitrogen filling valve 5a, 5b Sampling points 6a, 6b... Ventilator 7. Buffer tank 8. Atmospheric diffusion tube 9a, 9b: Safety valve 10a, 10b...Switching valve 11...Flow control valve 12···2 inch socket weld flange 13...BAC(Break Away Coupling) 14···2 inch raised seat socket weld flange 15 LNG supply line 16. Bunker Station 17. BOG Line 18···2 inch raised seat socket weld flange 19...BAC(Break Away Coupling) 20···2 inch socket weld flange 21. A water tank equipped with a heater to warm the cryogenic BOG produced by vaporizing LNG to room temperature. 22···GVU(GAS VALVE UNIT) 23...GCU(GAS COMBUSTATION UNIT) 24. Oil tank 25...FI(FLOW METER)

Claims

1. An LNG supply facility for an LNG fuelled ship, characterized in that the facility is connected to a bunker manifold of the LNG fuelled ship and has one receiving flange on the outlet side and two on the supply side, and a switching valve that quickly switches the lines connected to the receiving flanges from the two locations on the supply side, the two receiving flanges on the supply side being connected to two or more LNG tankers, and LNG is supplied only by pressure from the LNG tanker without the use of a pressure pump.

2. 2. The LNG supply facility for an LNG fueled ship according to claim 1, further comprising a land-based BOG treatment facility for incinerating BOG generated in the LNG supply line.

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