Port cargo handling equipment and its control method

Abstract

Provided are a port cargo handling device and a control method therefor, whereby it is possible to suppress carbon dioxide emissions in a container terminal. A power generation mechanism 9 and an inverter 8 are connected by a cable 11 that carries direct current, and a storage battery 10 is connected to the cable 11. By disconnecting a first power generation mechanism 9a, which is mounted on this port cargo handling device as the power generation mechanism 9, from cable 11, and connecting a second power generation mechanism 9b, which has a different fuel than the first power generation mechanism 9a, to the cable 11, the power generation mechanism 9 is switched from the first power generation mechanism 9a to the second power generation mechanism 9b.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to port cargo handling equipment for performing cargo handling operations at a container terminal and a control method thereof, and more particularly to port cargo handling equipment capable of suppressing carbon dioxide emissions at a container terminal and a control method thereof.

Background Art

[0002] Various gantry cranes, which are port cargo handling equipment, have been proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 1). Patent Document 1 discloses a configuration of a gantry crane that operates by receiving electric power from a trolley line laid at a container terminal. By electrifying port cargo handling equipment such as a gantry crane, it is possible to suppress carbon dioxide emissions at a container terminal.

[0003] In a container terminal where a gantry crane equipped with a diesel generator performs cargo handling operations, in addition to laying a trolley line to promote electrification of the gantry crane, it is necessary to replace the gantry crane. In an existing container terminal, there has been a problem that the cost for electrification becomes large. In addition, long-term construction work is required for laying the trolley line and replacing the gantry crane, and during that period, the container terminal becomes inoperable. Therefore, it has been difficult to suppress carbon dioxide emissions in an existing container terminal.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object thereof is to provide a port cargo handling device capable of suppressing the amount of carbon dioxide emissions in a container terminal and a control method therefor.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] A port cargo handling device for achieving the above object is a port cargo handling device including a power generation mechanism for generating electricity and an inverter for receiving power supply from the power generation mechanism, and includes a cable connecting the power generation mechanism and the inverter to allow direct current electricity to flow, a storage battery connected to this cable, and a switching mechanism. The switching mechanism has a configuration in which the connection between the first power generation mechanism mounted on the port cargo handling device as the power generation mechanism and the cable is released, and the cable is connected to a second power generation mechanism having a fuel different from that of the first power generation mechanism, thereby switching the power generation mechanism from the first power generation mechanism to the second power generation mechanism. and only one of the first power generation mechanism or the second power generation mechanism is mounted It is characterized by this.

[0007] A control method for a port cargo handling device for achieving the above object is a control method for a port cargo handling device including a power generation mechanism for generating electricity and an inverter for receiving power supply from the power generation mechanism. A cable for allowing direct current electricity to flow connects the power generation mechanism and the inverter, and a storage battery is connected to the cable. The first power generation mechanism mounted on the port cargo handling device as the power generation mechanism is disconnected from the cable, and a second power generation mechanism having a fuel different from that of the first power generation mechanism is connected to the cable. and only the second power generation mechanism is mounted on the port cargo handling equipment By doing so, it is characterized in that the power generation mechanism is switched from the first power generation mechanism to the second power generation mechanism.

Effects of the Invention

[0008] According to the present invention, since the power generation mechanism can be switched from the first power generation mechanism to the second power generation mechanism having a different fuel by the switching mechanism, it is possible to switch the fuel of the port cargo handling device from, for example, light oil to hydrogen. This is advantageous for suppressing the amount of carbon dioxide emissions in the container terminal.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0009]

Figure 1

Figure 2

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Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0010] Hereinafter, a port cargo handling device and its control method will be described based on the embodiments shown in the drawings. In the drawings, the traveling direction of the port cargo handling device is indicated by arrow y, the traversing direction perpendicular to this traveling direction is indicated by arrow x, and the vertical direction is indicated by arrow z.

[0011] As exemplified in FIG. 1, the port cargo handling device 1 is constituted by, for example, a gantry crane. The port cargo handling device 1 is not limited to a gantry crane, and includes devices for performing cargo handling operations at a container terminal. Specifically, a top lifter, a forklift, a straddle carrier, a chassis, etc. are included in the port cargo handling device 1. Further, the port cargo handling device 1 may be constituted by a device used at a terminal or a steelworks etc. where the cargo to be handled is not limited to a container terminal with containers as the cargo to be handled, but bulk cargo such as iron ore is the cargo to be handled.

[0012] The gantry crane has an upper horizontal girder 2 extending in the transverse direction x, and legs 3 (a first leg 3a and a second leg 3b) that support both ends of the upper horizontal girder 2 respectively. The lower ends of a pair of first legs 3a arranged at intervals in the traveling direction y are connected by a first lower horizontal girder 4a extending in the traveling direction y. The lower ends of a pair of second legs 3b arranged at intervals in the traveling direction y are also connected by a second lower horizontal girder 4b extending in the traveling direction y. The first lower horizontal girder 4a and the second lower horizontal girder 4b may be collectively referred to as the lower horizontal girder 4. Traveling devices 5 having wheels are respectively arranged below the lower horizontal girder 4. The gantry crane also has a trolley 6 that travels along the upper horizontal girder 2, and a spreader 7 suspended from the trolley 6 by a wire rope. The port cargo handling equipment 1 may be constituted by a gantry crane in which the upper horizontal girder 2 is constituted by one instead of two.

[0013] The gantry crane includes an inverter 8 installed on the first lower horizontal girder 4a, a first power generation mechanism 9a installed on the second lower horizontal girder 4b, and a storage battery 10 arranged above the first power generation mechanism 9a and fixed to the second leg 3b. In this embodiment, the inverter 8 is arranged on the upper surface of the first lower horizontal girder 4a, but is not limited to this configuration. The inverter 8 may have a configuration directly installed on the first leg 3a. Also, in this embodiment, the first power generation mechanism 9a is installed on the upper surface of the second lower horizontal girder 4b, but may have a configuration directly installed on the second leg 3b. Further, the storage battery 10 is not limited to the configuration fixed to the second leg 3b. The storage battery 10 may be installed on the upper surface of the second lower horizontal girder 4b, or may be installed on the first leg 3a or the first lower horizontal girder 4a. The inverter 8 and the first power generation mechanism 9a are connected by a cable 11 stretched along the legs 3 and the upper horizontal girder 2. In FIG. 1, the cable 11 is shown by a dashed line for the sake of explanation.

[0014] The first power generation mechanism 9a has a diesel generator that generates electricity using light oil as fuel. The electricity generated by the first power generation mechanism 9a is sent to the inverter 8 via the cable 11. The inverter 8 has a configuration that supplies alternating current electricity to motors of the traveling device 5, the trolley 6, etc. after adjusting the current, voltage, and frequency.

[0015] The storage battery 10 is connected to the cable 11. The storage battery 10 has a configuration for storing electricity supplied from the first power generation mechanism 9a and supplying electricity to the inverter 8. The storage battery 10 may be fixed to the first leg 3a or installed on the lower horizontal girder 4.

[0016] The locations where the first power generation mechanism 9a and the inverter 8 are installed are not limited to the upper surface of the lower horizontal girder 4. Depending on the devices constituting the port cargo handling equipment 1, the locations where the first power generation mechanism 9a and the like are installed can be changed as appropriate.

[0017] As illustrated in FIG. 2, the first power generation mechanism 9a includes a diesel generator 12 and a rectifier 13 that converts the alternating current electricity generated by the diesel generator 12 into direct current electricity. Since the first power generation mechanism 9a has the rectifier 13, the electricity output from the first power generation mechanism 9a to the cable 11 is direct current. The diesel generator 12 is connected to a fuel tank (not shown) separately arranged on the lower horizontal girder 4 or the like. A fuel tank may be arranged inside the first power generation mechanism 9a. The fuel of the first power generation mechanism 9a is light oil.

[0018] The second power generation mechanism 9b has, for example, a fuel cell 14 that generates electricity using hydrogen as fuel. The second power generation mechanism 9b has a configuration for outputting direct current electricity to the cable 11. The fuel cell 14 is connected to a fuel tank (not shown) separately arranged on the lower horizontal girder 4 or the like. A fuel tank may be arranged inside the second power generation mechanism 9b. The fuel of the second power generation mechanism 9b is hydrogen.

[0019] The configuration of the second power generation mechanism 9b is not limited to the above, and it may be configured by a power generation mechanism 9 that emits less carbon dioxide than the first power generation mechanism 9a. The second power generation mechanism 9b is not limited to a fuel cell, and may be configured by a combination of a hydrogen engine that uses hydrogen as fuel and a generator. Also, the fuel of the second power generation mechanism 9b is not limited to hydrogen. It may be ammonium or a hydrogen compound. Further, the fuel may be composed of alkanes with relatively few carbon atoms (4 or less carbon atoms) such as methane and ethane. Any fuel that emits less carbon dioxide than light oil may be used.

[0020] The port cargo handling equipment 1 is provided with a switching mechanism 15 that switches the power generation mechanism 9 connected to the inverter 8 via the cable 11 from the first power generation mechanism 9a to the second power generation mechanism 9b. The switching mechanism 15 is composed of, for example, a plug 15a that attaches and detaches the cable 11 to and from the power generation mechanism 9. With this switching mechanism 15, only one of the first power generation mechanism 9a or the second power generation mechanism 9b is connected to the inverter 8 via the cable 11. In FIG. 2, the switching mechanism 15 and the cable 11 when the second power generation mechanism 9b is in the connected state are shown by broken lines for explanation. The switching mechanism 15 may be configured by a switch that switches the electrical connection between the first power generation mechanism 9a and the second power generation mechanism 9b.

[0021] The storage battery 10 is connected to the cable 11 via the controller 16. The controller 16 has a configuration that controls the supply of electricity from the power generation mechanism 9 to the storage battery 10, the supply of regenerative electricity from the inverter 8 to the storage battery 10, and the supply of electricity from the storage battery 10 to the inverter 8. The controller 16 is not an essential requirement of the present invention. In the case of the storage battery 10 where the controller 16 is unnecessary, the storage battery 10 is directly connected to the cable 11.

[0022] The electricity supplied from the power generation mechanism 9 or the storage battery 10 is supplied to the motor 17 such as the traveling device 5 via the inverter 8. Also, the regenerative electricity generated by the motor 17 during unloading is stored in the storage battery 10 via the inverter 8 and the controller 16.

[0023] Next, the fuel switching of the port cargo handling equipment 1 will be described. Suppose there is a container terminal where a plurality of gantry cranes equipped with a first power generation mechanism 9a using light oil as fuel are performing cargo handling operations in the same manner as in the prior art. For example, the hydrogen supply system at the container terminal is gradually being constructed, such as by increasing the number of hydrogen tanks to be stocked. In accordance with this, the fuel of some of the port cargo handling equipment 1 can be switched from light oil to hydrogen. Specifically, the switching mechanism 15 disconnects the cable 11 from the first power generation mechanism 9a and then connects the cable 11 to the second power generation mechanism 9b.

[0024] The fuel of the port cargo handling equipment 1 at the container terminal can be sequentially switched to a fuel with a lower carbon dioxide emission amount. In accordance with the progress of the hydrogen supply system for the container terminal, the fuel of each port cargo handling equipment 1 can be sequentially switched from light oil to hydrogen. In an existing container terminal, operations such as the installation of hydrogen tanks can be carried out without stopping the cargo handling operations. Also, when switching the power generation mechanism 9, by giving priority to the port cargo handling equipment 1 that is resting without cargo handling operations, the impact on the cargo handling operations can be suppressed.

[0025] Since the port cargo handling equipment 1 that is not the target of fuel switching can continue the cargo handling operations, it is not necessary to stop the functions of the container terminal. The fuel of a plurality of port cargo handling equipment 1 at the container terminal can be switched from light oil to hydrogen one by one. Even when the port cargo handling equipment 1 with light oil as fuel and the port cargo handling equipment 1 with hydrogen as fuel are mixed in the container terminal, the cargo handling operations as a container terminal can continue. This is particularly advantageous for suppressing the carbon dioxide emissions in an existing container terminal.

[0026] It is desirable to set the rated outputs of the first power generation mechanism 9a and the second power generation mechanism 9b to be approximately the same. It is desirable that each power generation mechanism 9 is pre-designed such that the rated output of the second power generation mechanism 9b is in the range of 90% or more and 110% or less (within a range of ±10%) with respect to the rated output of the first power generation mechanism 9a. Specifically, for example, the rated output of the first power generation mechanism 9a is set to 70 kW, and the rated output of the second power generation mechanism 9b is set to 75 kW.

[0027] Since the rated outputs of the first power generation mechanism 9a and the second power generation mechanism 9b are approximately the same, the power generation mechanism 9 can be easily changed. For example, operations such as changing the capacity of the storage battery 10 become unnecessary. Based on the rated outputs of the first power generation mechanism 9a and the second power generation mechanism 9b, and the maximum power required for the operation of the port cargo handling equipment 1, etc., the capacity of the storage battery 10 is pre-designed. Therefore, the port cargo handling equipment 1 that can perform cargo handling operations using the electricity of the first power generation mechanism 9a can resume cargo handling operations only by switching the first power generation mechanism 9a to the second power generation mechanism 9b by the switching mechanism 15.

[0028] Also, both the first power generation mechanism 9a and the second power generation mechanism 9b are configured to output direct current electricity. Therefore, when changing the power generation mechanism 9, operations such as changing the cable 11, the storage battery 10, etc. from a configuration corresponding to alternating current to a configuration corresponding to direct current become unnecessary. Operations such as installing equipment for converting direct current to alternating current or equipment for converting alternating current to direct current become unnecessary.

[0029] The port cargo handling equipment 1 may be configured to be equipped with both the first power generation mechanism 9a and the second power generation mechanism 9b. In this case, the switching of the power generation mechanism 9 can be easily realized by switching the electrical connection between the power generation mechanism 9 and the cable 11. The first power generation mechanism 9a and the second power generation mechanism 9b are both installed on one lower horizontal girder 4, or each power generation mechanism 9 is installed on a different lower horizontal girder 4.

[0030] On the other hand, the port cargo handling equipment 1 may be pre-equipped with only the first power generation mechanism 9a, and may be configured to replace the first power generation mechanism 9a with the second power generation mechanism 9b when switching the power generation mechanism 9. By configuring the power generation mechanism 9 mounted on the port cargo handling equipment 1 to be switched from the first power generation mechanism 9a to the second power generation mechanism 9b, the weight of the port cargo handling equipment 1 can be suppressed. In addition, it is possible to avoid a state in which unnecessary equipment that is not used is mounted on the port cargo handling equipment 1.

[0031] As illustrated in FIG. 3, the switching mechanism 15 may have a connecting portion 15b that connects the first power generation mechanism 9a to the lower horizontal girder 4 or the like of the port cargo handling equipment 1. The connecting portion 15b has a configuration for fixing and releasing the fixing of the power generation mechanism 9 to the port cargo handling equipment 1. In this embodiment, the switching mechanism 15 is composed of a plug 15a that connects the cable 11 and the power generation mechanism 9, and a connecting portion 15b that connects the power generation mechanism 9 and the lower horizontal girder 4 or the like.

[0032] When changing the power generation mechanism 9, first, the cable 11 is disconnected from the first power generation mechanism 9a by disconnecting the connection of the plug 15a. In addition, the connection between the first power generation mechanism 9a and the lower horizontal girder 4 is released by the connecting portion 15b. The first power generation mechanism 9a is removed from the port cargo handling equipment 1.

[0033] As illustrated in FIG. 4, the second power generation mechanism 9b is installed at the location where the first power generation mechanism 9a was installed. The second power generation mechanism 9b and the lower horizontal girder 4 are connected by the connecting portion 15b. In addition, the cable 11 is connected to the second power generation mechanism 9b by the plug 15a. Thus, the power generation mechanism 9 mounted on the port cargo handling equipment 1 is switched from the first power generation mechanism 9a to the second power generation mechanism 9b.

[0034] When the power generation mechanism 9 has a separate fuel tank, the light oil tank is removed from the port cargo handling equipment 1 and the hydrogen tank is mounted. When the light oil tank or the hydrogen tank is disposed inside the power generation mechanism 9, the light oil tank or the like is also replaced when the power generation mechanism 9 is replaced.

[0035] By replacing the power generation mechanism 9, the fuel of the port cargo handling equipment 1 can be easily switched. The port cargo handling equipment 1 having the switching mechanism 15 can easily cope with future fuel switching. For example, in a container terminal where fuel switching is expected in the future, such as from light oil to hydrogen, the port cargo handling equipment 1 such as a gantry crane having the first power generation mechanism 9a and the switching mechanism 15 in advance is introduced. As the supply amount of hydrogen increases, the first power generation mechanism 9a such as a gantry crane is sequentially replaced with the second power generation mechanism 9b. In a container terminal where the scale of the port cargo handling equipment 1 such as gantry cranes ranges from dozens to hundreds, while maintaining the cargo handling function as a container terminal, the fuel can be efficiently switched, for example, from light oil to hydrogen.

[0036] As illustrated in FIG. 2, since the rectifier 13 is included in the first power generation mechanism 9a, when the first power generation mechanism 9a is removed from the port cargo handling equipment 1 and the second power generation mechanism 9b is installed, the rectifier 13 can also be removed from the port cargo handling equipment 1 at the same time. Unnecessary equipment such as the rectifier 13 is not left in the port cargo handling equipment 1. This is advantageous for weight reduction of the port cargo handling equipment 1.

[0037] As illustrated in FIG. 5, the switching mechanism 15 may be configured to automatically connect and disconnect the cable 11. Further, the switching mechanism 15 may be configured to automatically fix and unfix the power generation mechanism 9 to the port cargo handling equipment 1. For example, the contact of the plug 15a may be incorporated into the connecting portion 15b.

[0038] By pulling up the first power generation mechanism 9a upward from the lower horizontal girder 4 or the like, the connecting portion 15b tilts about the lateral direction x as the central axis. Due to the tilting of the connecting portion 15b, the fixing of the first power generation mechanism 9a to the port cargo handling equipment 1 is automatically released, and the electrical connection between the first power generation mechanism 9a and the cable 11 is automatically released. When mounting the second power generation mechanism 9b on the lower horizontal girder 4 or the like, the connecting portion 15b tilts about the lateral direction x as the central axis due to contact with the second power generation mechanism 9b and enters a fixed state. When the connecting portion 15b is in a fixed state, the second power generation mechanism 9b can be fixed to the port cargo handling equipment 1. Along with the tilting of the connecting portion 15b, the plug 15a of the connecting portion 15b is electrically connected to the plug 15a of the second power generation mechanism 9b.

[0039] The replacement from the first power generation mechanism 9a to the second power generation mechanism 9b can be performed in a relatively short time. It hardly requires the waiting time of the port cargo handling equipment 1 such as a gantry crane. It becomes possible to switch the fuel of the port cargo handling equipment 1 without reducing the cargo handling efficiency at the container terminal. It is advantageous for popularizing hydrogen fuel or the like with a small carbon dioxide emission amount.

Explanation of Signs

[0040] 1 Port cargo handling equipment 2 Upper horizontal girder 3 Leg 3a First leg 3b Second leg 4 Lower horizontal girder 4a First lower horizontal girder 4b Second lower horizontal girder 5 Traveling device 6 Trolley 7 Sling 8 Inverter 9 Power generation mechanism 9a First power generation mechanism 9b Second power generation mechanism 10 Battery 11 Cable 12 Diesel generator 13 Rectifier 14 Fuel cell 15 Switching mechanism 15a Plug 15b Connecting part 16 Controller 17 Motor x Horizontal direction y Travel direction z Vertical direction

Claims

1. In a port cargo handling device comprising a power generation mechanism for generating electricity and an inverter that receives power supply from the power generation mechanism, it includes a cable that connects the power generation mechanism and the inverter to allow direct current electricity to flow, a storage battery connected to this cable, and a switching mechanism. The switching mechanism has a configuration in which it disconnects the connection between the first power generation mechanism mounted on the port cargo handling device as the power generation mechanism and the cable, and connects the cable to a second power generation mechanism with a different fuel from the first power generation mechanism, thereby switching the power generation mechanism from the first power generation mechanism to the second power generation mechanism. A port cargo handling device characterized in that only one of the first power generation mechanism or the second power generation mechanism is mounted.

2. The port cargo handling device according to claim 1, wherein the second power generation mechanism has a configuration of being installed at the location where the first power generation mechanism was installed.

3. The switching mechanism has a plug that connects the first power generation mechanism or the second power generation mechanism and the cable, and a connecting portion that fixes and releases the fixing of the first power generation mechanism or the second power generation mechanism to the port cargo handling device. The port cargo handling device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the plug disconnects the connection between the first power generation mechanism and the cable, and the connecting portion releases the connection between the first power generation mechanism and the port cargo handling device, and then the plug connects the second power generation mechanism and the cable, and the connecting portion connects the second power generation mechanism and the port cargo handling device.

4. The first power generation mechanism has a diesel generator and a rectifier that converts alternating current electricity output from the diesel generator into direct current, and has a configuration of outputting direct current electricity. The port cargo handling device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the second power generation mechanism has a fuel cell and has a configuration of outputting direct current electricity.

5. The port cargo handling equipment according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the rated output of the second power generation mechanism is preset within a range of 90% or more and 110% or less with respect to the rated output of the first power generation mechanism.

6. The port cargo handling equipment is composed of a crane including an upper horizontal girder extending in a traversing direction that crosses the traveling direction at a right angle, a first leg supporting one end side of the upper horizontal girder, and a second leg arranged at an interval in the traversing direction with respect to the first leg and supporting the other end side of the upper horizontal girder. The port cargo handling equipment according to any one of claims 1 to 5, having a configuration in which the inverter is arranged on a first lower horizontal girder fixed to the lower end of the first leg and extending in the traveling direction, and the power generation mechanism and the storage battery are arranged on a second lower horizontal girder fixed to the lower end of the second leg and extending in the traveling direction, and having a configuration in which the cable is stretched in a state from the first leg through the upper horizontal girder to the second leg.

7. In a control method of port cargo handling equipment including a power generation mechanism for generating electricity and an inverter for receiving power supply from the power generation mechanism, the power generation mechanism and the inverter are connected by a cable through which direct current electricity flows, and a storage battery is connected to the cable. The control method of port cargo handling equipment is characterized in that the first power generation mechanism mounted on the port cargo handling equipment as the power generation mechanism is disconnected from the cable, a second power generation mechanism different in fuel from the first power generation mechanism is connected to the cable, and only the second power generation mechanism is mounted on the port cargo handling equipment, so that the power generation mechanism is switched from the first power generation mechanism to the second power generation mechanism.

8. The control method of port cargo handling equipment according to claim 7, wherein when the power generation mechanism is switched from the first power generation mechanism to the second power generation mechanism, the second power generation mechanism is installed at the location where the first power generation mechanism was installed.

9. When the power generation mechanism is switched from the first power generation mechanism to the second power generation mechanism, the connection of the first power generation mechanism connected to the cable via the plug is released, and the first power generation mechanism connected to the port cargo handling equipment via the connecting portion is disconnected from the port cargo handling equipment by releasing the connection by the connecting portion. Then, the second power generation mechanism is connected to the cable via the plug, and the second power generation mechanism is connected to the port cargo handling equipment via the connecting portion. The method for controlling port cargo handling equipment according to claim 7 or 8.

10. The first power generation mechanism includes a diesel generator and a rectifier that converts alternating current electricity output from the diesel generator into direct current electricity, and has a configuration that outputs direct current electricity. The second power generation mechanism includes a fuel cell and has a configuration that outputs direct current electricity. The method for controlling port cargo handling equipment according to any one of claims 7 to 9.

11. The rated output of the second power generation mechanism is preset within a range of 90% or more and 110% or less with respect to the rated output of the first power generation mechanism. The method for controlling port cargo handling equipment according to any one of claims 7 to 10.

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