Device and method for handling purged alcohol-based fuel

Abstract

1. An apparatus (100) and method for handling purged alcohol-based fuel resulting from an alcohol fuel system (108) configured to supply fuel to an alcohol-fueled engine (112), the apparatus (100) and method comprising: a boiler system (102) having a burner (104) and a fuel inlet (111) configured to selectively supply fuel to thereby selectively maintain a primary flame in the burner (104) for generating heat and / or steam in the boiler system (102); a purge connection (140) configured to receive a purge mixture purged from the alcohol fuel system (108) using an inert gas, the purge mixture being a mixture of the inert gas and the purged alcohol-based fuel; and a gas-liquid separator (141).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an apparatus for handling purged alcohol-based fuel resulting from an alcohol fuel system configured to supply fuel to an alcohol fuel engine.

[0002] The present invention also relates to a method for handling purged alcohol-based fuel resulting from an alcohol fuel system configured to supply fuel to an alcohol fuel engine.

Background Art

[0003] Marine engines powered by oil or gas are well known in the art. Oil and gas combustion boilers for marine steam generation are also well known in the art. Usually, the selection of fuel for boiler operation is made in relation to the fuel selected for marine engine operation. Thus, when a marine engine is powered by oil, the boiler is often also powered by oil. However, marine engines and boilers can be powered by different fuels.

[0004] One of the drawbacks of most marine engines today is marine air pollution, particularly carbon dioxide (CO2) emitted from marine engines when supplying propulsion. Generally, it is agreed that it is necessary to reduce CO2 emissions and other greenhouse gas emissions in view of the environment. As a solution, alternative fuels are attracting attention in the marine industry. This includes fuels such as methanol, hydrogen, ammonia, or the conversion of biomass materials. However, the introduction of alternative fuels can cause another problem.

[0005] However, it has been found that the combustion of a marine engine fueled with methanol can generate NOx emissions, namely nitrogen oxide and nitrogen dioxide emissions. To address this problem, mixing methanol with water reduces the combustion temperature in the engine, thereby reducing the amount of NOx.

[0006] However, this gives rise to another problem. Otherwise, when the methanol fuel ship engine stops, the methanol in the engine and in the fuel system close to the engine is returned to the methanol tank. Japanese Patent No. 6,262,076 (Patent Document 1) discloses a modification of such a setup. Methanol can be discharged or purged to a drain tank. Methanol in the drain can be returned to the methanol fuel tank.

[0007] However, this becomes difficult when the methanol is mixed with water.

[0008] Therefore, although alternative fuels may be more environmentally friendly with respect to greenhouse gas emissions compared to conventional fuels, other problems still exist that need to be overcome.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0009]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0010] An object of the present invention is to provide a configuration that appropriately addresses a series of design criteria that enable efficient use of alternative fuels.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0011] This object is achieved by an apparatus for handling purged alcohol-based fuel resulting from an alcohol fuel system configured to supply fuel to an alcohol fuel engine. The apparatus includes a burner, and a fuel inlet configured to selectively supply fuel and thereby selectively maintain a primary flame in the burner to generate heat and / or steam in a boiler system. A boiler system comprising, A purge connection configured to receive a purge mixture purged from an alcohol fuel system using an inert gas, wherein the purge mixture comprises a mixture of the inert gas and the purged alcohol-based fuel, A gas-liquid separator, Comprising, The apparatus selectively, When the boiler system is in a high temperature state and is ready to receive and burn the purge mixture, at least the vapor phase of the purge mixture is guided from the purge connection to the vapor phase purge mixture inlet of the boiler system, the vapor phase purge mixture inlet is configured to intermittently receive the vapor phase of the purge mixture from the alcohol fuel system, and is configured to supply the vapor phase of the purge mixture to a burner, and the burner is configured to burn the vapor phase of the purge mixture. Or, The purge mixture is guided from the purge connection to the gas-liquid separator, the purge mixture is separated into a vapor phase and a liquid phase, and then, until the boiler system reaches a high temperature state and is ready to receive and burn the liquid phase of the purge mixture, the liquid phase is configured to be stored in the gas-liquid separator and / or another tank.

[0012] Preferably, the alcohol fuel engine is a marine engine. The alcohol fuel engine is advantageous for using a more environmentally friendly fuel, i.e., alcohol, as the power of the engine compared to most of the fossil fuels currently in use, namely oil and gas. Preferably, the alcohol is methanol.

[0013] This apparatus is advantageous because it can efficiently and environmentally friendly process the purge mixture generated from the alcohol fuel system. The purge mixture can be generated when the alcohol fuel engine switches the fuel from alcohol to another fuel, or when the alcohol fuel engine stops as a result of a controlled method or an emergency.

[0014] At this stage, the purge mixture contains alcohol and is mixed with water as needed, so it is desirable not to simply discard it. Instead, the purge connection receives the purge mixture from the alcohol fuel system. In this context, it should also be noted that the purge mixture is in both the liquid phase and the vapor phase. As an example, at a temperature of about 30°C, the vapor phase of methanol is about 25%, and at a temperature of about 50°C, it is about 55% vapor phase, while the corresponding values for water are about 4% to 12%. The purge mixture, for example, has a temperature of about 25 - 40°C, so a significant portion is in the vapor phase.

[0015] When the boiler system is in a high-temperature state and is ready to receive and burn the purge mixture, at least the vapor phase of the purge mixture is led from the purge connection to the vapor-phase purge mixture inlet of the boiler system, and the burner burns the vapor phase of the purge mixture, thereby generating heat or steam. The purge mixture is preferably sent from the purge connection to a gas-liquid separator regardless of whether the boiler system is in a high-temperature state or a low-temperature state to separate the purge mixture into a vapor phase and a liquid phase. When the boiler system is in a high-temperature state, at least the vapor phase is directly led from the gas-liquid separator to the burner. In this context, it should be noted that the liquid phase of the purge mixture may be led to the burner through another liquid-phase inlet and burned by the burner. However, the concept of the present invention is most useful when the boiler system is in a high-temperature state and is ready to receive and burn the purge mixture and the vapor phase is processed quickly and directly. This is because it is considered more troublesome to handle the vapor phase of the purge mixture, which includes an inert gas, the vapor phase of alcohol, and optionally the vapor phase of water.

[0016] When the boiler system is not in a high-temperature state and is not ready to receive and burn the purge mixture, the purge mixture is sent from the purge connection to a gas-liquid separator to separate the purge mixture into a vapor phase and a liquid phase. Then, until the boiler system becomes hot and is ready to receive and burn the purge mixture, the liquid phase is stored in the gas-liquid separator and / or another tank.

[0017] Thus, according to the concept of the present invention, a configuration is provided that can often be directly and actively utilized rather than discharging the vapor phase of the purged mixture. When the boiler is in a high-temperature state, the vapor phase is discarded by direct combustion within the burner. As described above, the liquid phase can also be directly combusted or stored for later combustion.

[0018] When the boiler is in a low-temperature state, at least the liquid phase is stored for later combustion. Usually, only the liquid phase is stored for later combustion. In this case, the vapor phase is typically discharged into the atmosphere. However, the concept of the present invention does not preclude the vapor phase from being processed in a different way instead of being discharged. However, in the presently preferred embodiment, it is considered too cumbersome to store the pressurized vapor phase of the purge mixture, and therefore, the vapor phase is exhausted.

[0019] Since the liquid phase of the purge mixture, and often the vapor phase as well, can be combusted within the burner, the energy content of the alcohol is efficiently utilized even when the alcohol is purged from the fuel system. The burner can combust the purge mixture as is or with the assistance of a pilot flame. The pilot flame can be a separate pilot flame or, alternatively, the primary flame can be used as the pilot flame.

[0020] Thus, a more efficient and thereby more environmentally friendly marine device that uses an alternative fuel, namely alcohol, is achieved.

[0021] It should be noted that this device is particularly advantageous when an alcohol fuel engine operates with a mixture of alcohol and water. The latter usually applies when the engine is operating in an emission control area where the allowable amount of NOx emissions is limited. However, when a device is installed to process a purge mixture containing an alcohol-based fuel containing water, this device is considered to be usable also for processing a purge mixture resulting from a usage example in which an alcohol fuel engine operates with alcohol without mixing water into the alcohol. Therefore, in the above, the alcohol-based fuel may be a substantially pure alcohol fuel or a mixture of an alcohol fuel and water. The mixture may contain a significant amount of moisture, and in some cases, amounts close to a 50% to 50% mixture of water and alcohol fuel are also included.

[0022] The inert gas used to purge the fuel system is preferably nitrogen. The inert gas is preferably pressurized. Therefore, nitrogen is preferably pressurized nitrogen. However, it should be noted that other inert gases can be used as well.

[0023] In the present disclosure, the term "purge mixture" is used for the mixture purged from the fuel system regardless of whether the fuel is mixed with water.

[0024] In the present disclosure, the term "alcohol-based fuel" is used as a fuel both when the fuel is explicitly mixed with water and when it may be mixed with water.

[0025] It should be noted that the expression "when the boiler system is in a high-temperature state and is ready to receive and burn the purge mixture" can be related to both the case where the boiler system is in a production mode of generating steam and / or heat and the case where it is in a safety mode or purge mode where steam and / or heat is not substantially generated, but simply when the boiler system is in a high-temperature state and is ready to receive and burn the purge mixture.

[0026] Preferably, when the boiler operates to burn the purge mixture, the combustion itself or the auxiliary flame can be maintained by supplying fuel, and in this sense, it can operate at 15 - 50%, preferably 25 - 50% compared to full operation, or the auxiliary flame can be maintained by supplying fuel at a rate of 15 - 50%, preferably 25 - 50% compared to the rate of fuel supplied when the boiler is operating at full capacity. Thereby, even when the burner operates for the purpose of burning the purge mixture and is not operating in a full - capacity operation for generating heat, the purge mixture supplied to the burner is ensured to burn. It should be noted that in this context, heat generation may refer to the generation of steam, the heating of hot water, the heating of a heat - transfer fluid, or the heating of other media used in the boiler. When it is necessary to maintain an auxiliary flame, the auxiliary flame must generally be larger than what is typically shown as a pilot flame, which is usually related to the fact that the purge mixture is less likely to ignite compared to the primary fuel.

[0027] Regarding the inlet to the burner, the fuel inlet for the primary fuel and the inlet for the purge mixture can be separate inlets. This is usually the case, for example, when the primary fuel is gaseous. When the primary fuel is liquid, the fuel inlet for the primary fuel and the fuel inlet for the liquid phase of the purge mixture may be the same inlet.

[0028] The burner may be of a type configured to burn different types of fuel, a primary fuel and a secondary fuel. The secondary fuel may be an alternative to the primary fuel, and the selection of the primary fuel and the secondary fuel depends on, for example, availability, cost, environmental impact, etc. The secondary fuel is, for example, a fuel suitable for use in maintaining an auxiliary flame for the combustion of the purge mixture. The fuel inlet for the secondary fuel and the purge mixture inlet may be separate inlets. In this context, note that the term "purge mixture inlet" is a term used collectively to include a vapor-phase purge mixture inlet and / or a liquid-phase purge mixture inlet. Thus, the term "purge mixture inlet" is used mainly when there is a general discussion of various fuels and there is no need to directly distinguish between a vapor-phase purge mixture inlet and a liquid-phase purge mixture inlet.

[0029] The vapor-phase or liquid-phase purge mixture inlet and the fuel inlet for the secondary fuel can be the same inlet, depending on the secondary fuel in the vapor phase or liquid phase. This can be achieved by piping from the purge connection directly or via a gas-liquid separator to the fuel system associated with the secondary fuel. This common inlet to the burner can be used to supply only a specific phase of the purge mixture if the purge mixture is such that it can sustain a flame on its own. If the purge mixture cannot sustain a flame on its own, the secondary fuel can be added in an amount such that a mixture of the specific phase of the purge mixture and the secondary fuel can sustain a flame up to the inlet of the secondary fuel for the specific phase of the purge mixture introduced into the fuel system.

[0030] According to one embodiment, the boiler system is configured to ignite a self-sustaining flame of a purge mixture. This flame can be ignited by using spark ignition and / or a pilot flame. This can be used when the flame of the purge mixture is self-sustaining. This is the case, for example, when the purge mixture in question relates to a liquid phase and the liquid phase itself can sustain the flame, or when a secondary fuel, such as alcohol, and preferably the same alcohol, is used and the liquid phase can sustain the flame. The resulting mixture of the liquid phase of the purge mixture and the secondary fuel can be applied in an amount such that it can sustain the flame.

[0031] According to one embodiment, the boiler system is configured to ignite an auxiliary flame and use the auxiliary flame to burn the purge mixture, or to use a primary flame as the auxiliary flame to burn the purge mixture.

[0032] When the flame of the purge mixture is not self-sustaining, it is necessary to provide some auxiliary flame. This may be a separate auxiliary flame, or the primary flame may be used as the auxiliary flame. The boiler system can be configured to ignite the auxiliary flame by first igniting the pilot flame and then igniting the auxiliary flame from the pilot flame, or directly igniting the auxiliary flame from the pilot flame if the pilot flame persists. Even when the flame of the purge mixture is self-sustaining, it may be convenient to provide an auxiliary flame.

[0033] In one embodiment, the apparatus further comprises an alcohol fuel source for storing alcohol fuel and a fuel supply line configured to supply fuel from the alcohol fuel source to the burner to maintain the auxiliary flame. This can be used, for example, as a secondary fuel system provided specifically for this purpose, although not necessarily limited to providing the auxiliary flame. This system can also be used as the main fuel system when the ship is operating in an area where navigation using the fuel used as the main fuel is inappropriate due to emission requirements.

[0034] The burner may be, for example, either a steam atomizing type or a pressure atomizing type. Fuel may be supplied to provide a pilot flame for igniting the main fuel. This often occurs when the burner is of the steam spray type. Alternatively, it can also be ignited by an igniter such as a spark igniter configured to supply primary fuel and ignite the fuel supplied to the burner. This latter case is often applicable when the burner is of the pressure spray type.

[0035] In a preferred embodiment, the fuel inlet is connected to a fuel source via a fuel supply line, the fuel source is configured to supply fuel for the primary flame, and the fuel is selected from the group consisting of liquefied natural gas, i.e., LNG, distillate fuel, and residual fuel.

[0036] This includes, for example, diesel, marine gas oil, ultra-low sulfur fuel oil, and heavy fuel oil. The fuel may be a biofuel. Note that other types of fuels such as ammonia, hydrogen, and methanol can also be used as fuel. Note that the fuel may include two types of fuel. The two types of fuel may be premixed with each other and supplied from the same fuel source, or may be held separately and supplied from two different fuel sources. The fuel source is, for example, a tank. When the fuel includes two types of fuel supplied from two different fuel sources, there may be one supply line each from each fuel tank to the burner, but they can also be shared. When the two types of fuel are supplied from two different fuel sources each with its own supply line, a fuel inlet can be provided for each. Alternatively, there may be one fuel inlet connected to two different supply lines, and the two different fuel sources can be introduced into the burner from a common inlet. Other fuel sources may be configured to supply fuel selected from the group consisting of liquefied natural gas, distillate fuel, and residual fuel. This includes, for example, diesel, marine gas oil, ultra-low sulfur fuel oil, and heavy fuel oil. The fuel may be a biofuel. Note that other types of fuels such as ammonia, hydrogen, and methanol can also be used as fuel.

[0037] When the main fuel is liquefied natural gas (LNG), typically, the boiler system is preferably a multi-fuel burner system or at least a dual-fuel burner system capable of burning fuels in different phases, namely the vapor phase and the liquid phase. When the primary fuel is distillate fuel and typically liquid residual fuel, the boiler system can be a single-fuel burner system in the sense that it is sufficient if the fuel can be burned in the liquid phase.

[0038] For example, when operating a marine boiler system with conventional ISO8217 fuel oils such as MDO / MGO / HFO, this system takes a predetermined liquid such as oil from the fuel tank and uses a pump to supply fuel to the burner system of the boiler. Depending on the fuel, heating or cooling may be required.

[0039] Since LNG is supplied in gaseous form, the operation with LNG is different. It is carried out, for example, as follows. 1: The boil-off gas (BOG) can be guided through a compressor to a gas valve train (GVT) and from the GVT to the burner. 2: When BOG is not available, LNG can be pumped directly from the LNG tank, evaporated by a heater before going to the gas compressor, and then sent from there to the boiler burner system.

[0040] As described above, this system is particularly useful when the alcohol-based fuel supplied to the alcohol fuel engine contains an alcohol fuel mixed with water. It should be noted that preferably, a separate storage tank for alcohol and a separate storage tank for water are provided, and the mixing is carried out within the fuel system.

[0041] This device can further comprise an alcohol fuel system, and the alcohol fuel system includes an alcohol fuel source for storing alcohol fuel, an alcohol fuel engine, a fuel supply system configured to supply alcohol fuel from the alcohol fuel source to the alcohol fuel engine. A purge source containing an inert gas, configured to purge alcohol-based fuel from an alcohol fuel system to a purge connection by flowing the inert gas through the alcohol fuel system, and is provided.

[0042] The alcohol fuel in the alcohol fuel source is preferably in a substantially pure alcohol form. If an alcohol-based fuel containing water is desired, water is added through the fuel supply system after the fuel supply system obtains the alcohol from the alcohol fuel source and before it is introduced into the alcohol fuel engine.

[0043] This device further includes a water source, and the fuel supply system is configured to mix water from the water source and alcohol fuel from the alcohol fuel source, thereby supplying an alcohol-based fuel containing a mixture of alcohol and water to the alcohol fuel engine.

[0044] As described above, the burner can be a multi-fuel burner system. For example, it can be configured to burn at least two different fuels, such as two different liquid fuels, preferably one at a time. It may also be configured to burn one or more liquid fuels in combination with the combustion of one or more gaseous fuels, and one or more liquid fuels, preferably one liquid fuel at a time, are burned simultaneously with the combustion of one or more gaseous fuels, preferably one gaseous fuel at a time.

[0045] The above object is also achieved by a method of treating the purged alcohol-based fuel resulting from an alcohol fuel system configured to supply fuel to an alcohol fuel engine, the method comprising selectively supplying fuel to selectively maintain a primary flame in a burner to generate heat and / or steam within a boiler system, and optionally, Guiding at least the vapor phase of the purge mixture from the purge connection to the vapor phase purge mixture inlet of the boiler system, wherein the purge connection is configured to receive a purge mixture purged from the alcohol fuel system using an inert gas, the purge mixture includes a mixture of the inert gas and the purged alcohol-based fuel, the vapor phase purge mixture inlet is configured to intermittently receive the vapor phase of the purge mixture from the alcohol fuel system, and is configured to supply the vapor phase of the purge mixture to the burner of the boiler system, and the burner is configured to burn the vapor phase of the purge mixture; Or, Guiding the purge mixture from the purge connection to a gas-liquid separator, wherein the purge connection is configured to receive a purge mixture purged from the alcohol fuel system using an inert gas, the purge mixture includes a mixture of the inert gas and the purged liquid alcohol-based fuel, the gas-liquid separator separates the purge mixture into a vapor phase and a liquid phase, and further, until the boiler system reaches a high temperature state and is ready to receive and burn the liquid phase of the purge mixture, storing the liquid phase in the gas-liquid separator and / or another tank; Comprising.

[0046] The advantages associated with various features and their modifications have been described in detail with reference to the apparatus, and that description is also applicable to this method. Similarly, both what is explicitly described and what is not explicitly described have been described in detail with reference to the apparatus for different preferred embodiments. The corresponding preferred embodiments are also applicable to this method, and that description is also applicable to this method. For clarity, some of these preferred embodiments are explicitly stated below.

[0047] This method may further include the step of igniting a self-sustaining flame of the purge mixture.

[0048] This method may further include the step of igniting an auxiliary flame and the step of using the auxiliary flame to burn the purge mixture.

[0049] This method may further include the step of using the primary flame as an auxiliary flame to burn the purge mixture.

[0050] This method further includes the step of mixing water from a water source and alcohol fuel from an alcohol fuel source, and the step of supplying an alcohol-based fuel containing water to an alcohol fuel engine. and further includes The purge mixture resulting from the purge of the alcohol fuel system contains an alcohol-based fuel containing water and an inert gas. In this context, the step of including both a vapor phase and a liquid phase in the purge mixture may be repeated.

[0051] This method may further include the step of purging the alcohol fuel system in response to the shutdown of the alcohol fuel engine.

[0052] Preferably, the purge mixture forced out of the engine's alcohol fuel system should be discharged from the system rather than being forced to other parts within the alcohol fuel system. The alcohol fuel system may include one or more valves configured to control the flow of the purge mixture when the alcohol fuel is pushed out of the alcohol fuel system.

[0053] This device may further include a fuel valve train and a recirculation section for treating alcohol that does not need to be purged. This is, for example, typically the alcohol present in parts of the alcohol fuel system relatively close to the fuel tank. This part may also be referred to as a low flash point fuel system. The alcohol in this part of the fuel system usually does not trap much dirt and is not mixed with water, so it can usually be returned to the fuel tank.

[0054] This device is preferably installed on board a ship. This method is preferably carried out on board a ship. However, it should be noted that neither this device nor this method is limited to use on board a ship. This device and method may also be useful for other applications where an engine and a boiler are located in close proximity to each other. This is the case, for example, for marine applications other than ships. For example, it may be a platform such as a similar platform used for oil or gas drilling. This device and method may also be useful for onshore applications. This device and method may be used, for example, in logging or mining applications.

[0055] Briefly stated, a device for treating purged alcohol-based fuel resulting from an alcohol fuel system configured to supply fuel to an alcohol fuel engine comprises a boiler system having a burner and a fuel inlet configured to selectively supply fuel and thereby selectively maintain a primary flame within the burner to generate heat and / or steam within the boiler system, and a purge connection configured to receive a purge mixture purged from the alcohol fuel system using an inert gas, the purge mixture comprising a mixture of the inert gas and a purged liquid alcohol-based fuel, and a gas-liquid separator.

[0056] In general, all terms used in the claims should be construed according to their ordinary meaning in the art, unless explicitly defined herein. All references to "elements, devices, components, means, steps, etc." should be construed openly as referring to at least one example of the said elements, devices, components, means, steps, etc., unless explicitly stated otherwise. The steps of any method disclosed herein need not be performed in the order disclosed, unless explicitly stated. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0057] Referring to the accompanying drawings in which like reference numerals are used to designate like elements, the above as well as additional objects, features and advantages of the present disclosure will be better understood through the following illustrative and non-limiting detailed description of preferred embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0058]

Figure 1

Figure 2

[0059] The present invention will now be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which presently preferred embodiments of the invention are shown. However, the present disclosure can be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided for thoroughness and completeness and to fully convey the scope of the present disclosure to those skilled in the art.

[0060] Referring to FIG. 1, an apparatus 100 for processing a purged alcohol-based fuel resulting from an alcohol fuel system 108 that supplies fuel to an alcohol fuel engine 112 is disclosed. The apparatus 100 includes a boiler system 102 and an alcohol fuel system 108. The alcohol fuel system 108 can be said to include an alcohol fuel engine 112. Alternatively, the alcohol fuel system 108 can be said to supply an alcohol fuel or an alcohol-based fuel to the engine 112.

[0061] When the alcohol fuel engine 112 stops, either in a controlled manner or as a result of an emergency, there may be a desire to purge the alcohol-based fuel within the fuel system 108 from the fuel system 108. This is particularly true when alcohol is mixed with water.

[0062] The boiler system 102 includes a burner 104 and a fuel inlet 111 configured to selectively supply fuel and thereby selectively maintain a primary flame within the burner 104 to generate heat and / or steam within the boiler system 102.

[0063] The burner 104 can be a multi-fuel burner configured to burn two different fuels at once or simultaneously. The burner 104 can be of the pressure spray type. Alternatively, the burner 104 can be of the steam spray type.

[0064] The fuel inlet 111 can be connected to a fuel source 115, i.e., a fuel tank, via a fuel supply line 113. The fuel can be liquefied natural gas (LNG), distillate fuel, and residual fuel. This can include, for example, diesel, marine gas oil (MGO), very low sulfur fuel oil (VLSFO), heavy fuel oil (HFO). The fuel can be biofuel. However, it should be noted that the fuel can be other fuels. The fuel can include one or more types of fuel.

[0065] When the fuel includes multiple types of fuel, the fuel inlet 111 can be connected to multiple fuel sources. Alternatively, there may be a parallel system with a second fuel source 115b, a second fuel line 113b, and a second fuel inlet 111b. The other fuel can be any of the fuels described above with respect to the fuel. Different fuels can be, for example, two or more different liquid oils. In such a setup, they typically share the same inlet 111a to the burner 104. Alternatively, when the fuel includes two types of fuel, one type can be a liquid fuel and the other type can be a gaseous fuel. In the latter case, one inlet is used for the liquid fuel and a different inlet is used for the gaseous fuel.

[0066] In a preferred embodiment, for example, there is a system such as a second system for supplying alcohol to the burner 104, and the same alcohol as that used in the alcohol fuel engine 112 is preferred. This additional system can be utilized to maintain a primary flame for heat and / or steam generation. The additional system can be utilized to provide an auxiliary flame that aids in the combustion of the alcohol-based fuel purged from the fuel system 108.

[0067] Thus, when the fuel comprises two types of fuel, one type of fuel can be supplied from the fuel source 115 and the other type of fuel can be supplied from another fuel source 115b. Generally, the fuel is supplied to the burner 104 one at a time. Generally, the fuel supply lines 113, 113b operate such that, as shown in FIG. 1, different fuels are supplied one at a time using the same inlet 111 but at different times. However, typically there is one inlet 111 designed for the fuel flow typically associated with heat and / or steam generation, and it is also conceivable that there is an additional separate inlet 111b. Such an additional separate inlet 111b is usually necessary, for example, when the burner 104 is configured to be able to burn both liquid fuel and gaseous fuel. Such an additional separate inlet 111b can be designed for a lower flow rate of fuel, further, or instead, when the burner 104 is configured to operate in a specific mode in which it mainly burns purged alcohol fuel or alcohol-based fuel, which is interesting. However, in this context, note that such a separate inlet 111b is not usually a single nozzle selectively used in the liquid phase or the vapor phase. Usually, one or more nozzles of one type are provided for the liquid phase, and one or more nozzles of a different type are provided for the vapor phase.

[0068] The alcohol fuel system 108 includes an alcohol fuel source 155, a low flash point fuel supply system 110a, a fuel valve train 110b, and an alcohol fuel engine 112. The alcohol fuel system 108 may include a purge source 165 or may be connected to a purge source 165. The alcohol fuel source 155 may be an alcohol tank and is configured to store alcohol before being supplied to the alcohol fuel engine 112. The fuel supply systems 110a, 110b are configured to supply alcohol within the alcohol fuel system 108. The alcohol fuel engine 112 is configured to be powered by alcohol supplied from the alcohol fuel source 155. A connection to a water source 175 is provided between the low flash point fuel supply system 110a and the fuel valve train 110b. The addition of water from the water source 175 can be controlled by a separate valve or as part of the fuel valve train 110b. When the supply from the water source 175 is controlled by a separate valve, the addition of water to the alcohol can be provided before or after the fuel valve train 110b.

[0069] The purge source 165 is typically a gas tank containing an inert gas. The inert gas from the purge source 165 is configured to purge alcohol fuel or alcohol-based fuel from the alcohol fuel system 108 to a purge connection 140. The portion of the fuel system 108 after the low flash point fuel system 110a is typically the portion to be flashed or purged. The inert gas may be nitrogen. Note that the inert gas may be another inert gas or a mixture of inert gases.

[0070] In a preferred embodiment, the purge mixture purged from the fuel system 108 to the purge connection 140 is sent to a gas-liquid separator 141 regardless of whether the boiler is in a hot state or a cold state. In the gas-liquid separator 141, the vapor phase of the purge mixture is separated from the liquid phase of the purge mixture. The gas-liquid separator 141 can be, for example, a so-called knock-out drum.

[0071] When the boiler 102 is in a high-temperature state, the vapor phase of the purged mixture can be led from the gas-liquid separator 141 to another inlet 121d and to the burner 104 via another connection 141d. Thus, the vapor phase of the purge mixture can be recovered by burning it in the burner 104. The liquid phase is stored in the gas-liquid separator 141, and if considered appropriate, the liquid phase is led from the gas-liquid separator 141 to the storage tank 142 via the liquid outlet 141b, or to the fuel pump 143 via the liquid outlet 141c. This is, that is, initiated by the decision to store part or all of the liquid phase in the tank 142 instead because the gas-liquid separator 141 can no longer store more liquid phase, or can be initiated when the boiler system 102 can also receive the liquid phase of the purge mixture simultaneously with the vapor phase or after the vapor phase has been led to the burner 104. Note that the liquid outlets 141b, 141c may be a single outlet, and a valve serves to direct the liquid phase to either the storage tank 142 or the fuel pump 143.

[0072] When the burner boiler is in a low-temperature state, in this embodiment, the vapor phase is discharged from the gas-liquid separator 141 via the gas outlet 141a. The liquid phase is led from the gas-liquid separator 141 to the storage tank 142 via the liquid outlet 141b, or to the fuel pump 143 via the liquid outlet 141c.

[0073] The fuel pump 143 is configured to supply the liquid phase resulting from the purge mixture to the burner 104. This can be done via the liquid purge inlet 121. The liquid purge inlet 121 is preferably separated from the fuel inlet 111. If a second fuel source 115b and a related fuel inlet 111b designed for alcohol are provided, that fuel inlet 111b can also be used as an inlet for the liquid phase of the purge mixture, but it is not necessarily required to be used.

[0074] Referring to FIG. 2, a flowchart 200 showing a method 200 for processing a purged alcohol-based fuel resulting from an alcohol fuel system 108 configured to supply fuel to an alcohol fuel engine 112 is shown as an example.

[0075] The boiler system 102 is configured to selectively generate heat and / or steam. This is provided by selectively supplying fuel and thereby selectively maintaining a primary flame in the burner 104 to generate heat and / or steam within the boiler system 102. The fact that the boiler system 102 is configured to selectively generate heat and / or steam broadens different options and sets different limitations regarding the method of processing the purge mixture. The decision of whether to selectively generate heat and / or steam is mainly based on the actual need for heat and / or steam. The alcohol fuel engine 112 is also selectively operated. In the case of a ship, this is based on, for example, the need for propulsion or power generation in an auxiliary engine. As described above, it is sometimes necessary to purge the fuel system 108 of the alcohol fuel engine 112. This selective operation of the boiler system 102, as well as the selective operation and occasional purge of the engine 112, can be regarded as starting points that enable different routes for processing the purge mixture purged from the fuel system 108.

[0076] When the boiler system 102 is in a hot state and is ready to receive and burn the purged alcohol-based fuel, at least the vapor phase of the purge mixture, and optionally also the liquid phase, are sent directly from the purge connection 140 through the liquid-vapor separator 141 and then directly to the vapor-phase purge inlet 121d of the boiler system 102. The burner 104 is configured to burn the vapor phase of the purge mixture. The vapor phase from the gas-liquid separator 141 can be directly guided to the burner 104 through the connection 141d and the inlet 121d. That the boiler system 102 is in a hot state and is ready to receive and burn the purged alcohol-based fuel can be, for example, that the boiler system 102 is operating in a mode of generating heat and / or steam based on primary combustion. Alternatively, the boiler system 102 may be operating in a purge mode or a safety mode in which the purged alcohol is burning. This route is shown on the left side of FIG. 2. The solid line before the gas-liquid separator 141 relates to the purged mixture containing both the vapor phase and the liquid phase. After the gas-liquid separator 141, the solid line indicates the liquid phase and the dotted line indicates the vapor phase. It should be noted that the liquid phase may be directly burned simultaneously with the vapor phase, or the liquid phase may be temporarily stored for combustion at different timings.

[0077] When the boiler system 102 is not in a hot state and thus not ready to receive and burn the purged alcohol-based fuel, the purge mixture is guided from the purge connection 140 to the liquid-vapor separator 141. The liquid-vapor separator 141 separates the purge mixture into a liquid phase and a vapor phase. The liquid phase of the purged mixture is stored in the liquid-vapor separator 141 and / or a separate tank 142 until the boiler system 102 is in a hot state and ready to receive and burn the purged alcohol-based fuel. In this case, the vapor phase is discharged to the atmosphere (141a). This route is shown on the right side of FIG. 2.

[0078] It should be noted that in this context, heat generation may refer to steam generation, hot water heating, hot fluid heating, or heating of other media used in the boiler.

[0079] Those skilled in the art will understand that the present disclosure is in no way limited to the preferred embodiments described above. On the contrary, many modifications and variations are possible within the scope of the appended claims.

Description of Reference Numerals

[0080] 100 Device 102 Boiler system 104 Burner 108 Alcohol fuel system 110a Fuel supply system, low flash point fuel system 110b Fuel supply system, fuel valve train 111 Fuel inlet 112 Alcohol fuel engine 113 Fuel supply line 115 Fuel source 121d Inlet 140 Purge connection 141 Gas-liquid separator 141b, 141c Liquid outlet 141d Connection 142 Storage tank 143 Fuel pump 155 Alcohol fuel source 165 Purge source 175 Water source

Claims

1. An apparatus (100) for handling purged alcohol-based fuel resulting from an alcohol fuel system (108) configured to supply fuel to an alcohol fuel engine (112), comprising: a burner (104), and a fuel inlet (111) configured to selectively supply fuel and thereby selectively maintain a primary flame in the burner (104) to generate heat and / or steam within a boiler system (102), a boiler system (102) comprising; a purge connection (140) configured to receive a purge mixture purged from the alcohol fuel system (108) using an inert gas, the purge mixture comprising a mixture of the inert gas and the purged alcohol-based fuel, a gas-liquid separator (141), wherein the apparatus (100) further comprises: when the boiler system (102) is in a high temperature state and is ready to receive and burn the purge mixture, at least a vapor phase of the purge mixture is guided from the purge connection (140) to a vapor phase purge mixture inlet (121d) of the boiler system (102), the vapor phase purge mixture inlet (121d) being configured to intermittently receive the vapor phase of the purge mixture from the alcohol fuel system (108) and supply the vapor phase of the purge mixture to the burner (104), the burner (104) being configured to burn the vapor phase of the purge mixture; and and the purge mixture is guided from the purge connection (140) to the gas-liquid separator (141) to separate the purge mixture into a vapor phase and a liquid phase, and then the liquid phase is stored in the gas-liquid separator (141) and / or another tank (142) until the boiler system (102) reaches a high temperature state and is ready to receive and burn the liquid phase of the purge mixture. The apparatus (100) is characterized by this configuration.

2. The fuel inlet (111) is connected to a fuel source (115, 115b) via a fuel supply line (113, 113b), the fuel source (115, 115b) being configured to supply fuel for the primary flame, and the fuel is selected from the group consisting of liquefied natural gas (LNG), distillate fuel, and residual fuel. The apparatus (100) according to Claim 1.

3. ​ The apparatus (100) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the boiler system (102) is configured to ignite a self-sustaining flame of the purge mixture.

4. The boiler system (102) is configured to ignite an auxiliary flame and use the auxiliary flame to burn the purge mixture, or The apparatus (100) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a primary flame is used as an auxiliary flame to burn the purge mixture.

5. An alcohol fuel source (115b) for storing alcohol fuel, and A fuel supply line (113b) configured to supply fuel from the alcohol fuel source (115b) to the burner (104) to maintain an auxiliary flame. The apparatus (100) according to claim 4, further comprising.

6. The apparatus (100) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the alcohol-based fuel supplied to the alcohol fuel engine includes an alcohol fuel mixed with water.

7. Further comprising an alcohol fuel system (108), The alcohol fuel system (108) An alcohol fuel source (155) for storing alcohol fuel, An alcohol fuel engine (112), A fuel supply system (110a, 110b) configured to supply alcohol fuel from the alcohol fuel source (155) to the alcohol fuel engine (112), A purge source (165) including an inert gas and configured to purge an alcohol-based fuel from the alcohol fuel system (108) to the purge connection (140) by flushing the inert gas through the alcohol fuel system (108). The apparatus (100) according to claim 1 or 2, comprising.

8. Further comprising a water source (175), wherein the fuel supply system (110a, 110b) is configured to mix water from the water source (175) and alcohol fuel from the alcohol fuel source (155), thereby supplying an alcohol-based fuel containing a mixture of alcohol and water to the alcohol fuel engine (112). The apparatus (100) according to claim 7.

9. The burner (104) is a multi-fuel burner system configured to burn at least two different fuels, preferably one at a time, or to burn one or more liquid fuels in combination with the combustion of one or more gaseous fuels, wherein one or more liquid fuels, preferably one liquid fuel at a time, are burned simultaneously with the combustion of one or more gaseous fuels, preferably one gaseous fuel at a time, the apparatus (100) according to claim 1 or 2.

10. The apparatus (100) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the inert gas is nitrogen.

11. A method (200) for handling a purged alcohol-based fuel resulting from an alcohol fuel system (108) configured to supply fuel to an alcohol fuel engine (112), comprising: Selectively supplying fuel to selectively maintain a primary flame in a burner (104) to generate heat and / or steam within a boiler system (102); Directing at least a vapor phase of the purge mixture from a purge connection (140) to a vapor phase purge mixture inlet (121d) of the boiler system (102), wherein the purge connection (140) is configured to receive a purge mixture purged from the alcohol fuel system (108) using an inert gas, the purge mixture comprising a mixture of the inert gas and the purged alcohol-based fuel, the vapor phase purge mixture inlet (121d) is configured to intermittently receive the vapor phase of the purge mixture from the alcohol fuel system (108) and supply the vapor phase of the purge mixture to a burner (104) of the boiler system (102), and the burner (104) is configured to burn the vapor phase of the purge mixture; and A step of guiding a purge mixture from a purge connection part (140) to a gas-liquid separator (141), wherein the purge connection part (140) is configured to receive a purge mixture purged from the alcohol fuel system (108) using an inert gas, the purge mixture includes a mixture of an inert gas and a purged liquid alcohol-based fuel, the gas-liquid separator (141) separates the purge mixture into a vapor phase and a liquid phase, and further, until the boiler system (102) reaches a high temperature state and is ready to receive and burn the liquid phase of the purge mixture, storing the liquid phase in the gas-liquid separator (141) and / or another tank (142). A method (200), characterized by comprising the above steps.

12. The method (200) according to claim 11, further comprising a step of igniting a self-sustaining flame of the purge mixture.

13. A step of igniting an auxiliary flame and burning the purge mixture using the auxiliary flame, or The method (200) according to claim 11, further comprising a step of burning the purge mixture using a primary flame as an auxiliary flame.

14. A step of mixing water from a water source (175) and alcohol fuel from an alcohol fuel source (155); A step of supplying an alcohol-based fuel containing water to the alcohol fuel engine (112); Further comprising The method (200) according to claim 11 or 12, wherein the purge mixture resulting from the purge of the alcohol fuel system (108) includes an alcohol-based fuel containing water and an inert gas.

15. The method (200) according to claim 11 or 12, wherein the alcohol fuel system (108) is purged in response to the stop of the alcohol fuel engine (112).

Images