Lubricating oil cleaning system and lubricating oil cleaning method

The lubricating oil purification system addresses the issue of ammonia contamination by using centrifugal separation and controlled water supply to remove ammonia gas and water, ensuring efficient and safe reuse of lubricating oil.

JP7783469B1Active Publication Date: 2025-12-09MITSUBISHI KAKOKI KAISHA LTD
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Patent Information

Application Number
JP2025558850
Authority / Receiving Office
JP · JP
Patent Type
Patents
Current Assignee / Owner
Priority Date
2024-09-03
Filing Date
2025-08-26
Publication Date
2025-12-09
Estimated Expiration
2045-08-26

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

The use of liquid ammonia as fuel in engines leads to unburned ammonia gas mixing with lubricating oil, causing corrosion and reducing the efficiency of lubricating oil purifiers due to changes in specific gravity, which can result in leaks and incomplete separation of heavy and light liquids.

Method used

A lubricating oil purification system and method that includes a centrifugal separation process, total discharge of contents, and controlled water supply to the separation chamber to remove ammonia gas and ammonia water, followed by additional water injection and spraying to ensure complete removal.

Benefits of technology

Effectively removes ammonia gas and ammonia water from lubricating oil, preventing corrosion and ensuring efficient separation and reuse of lubricating oil.

✦ Generated by Eureka AI based on patent content.

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Patent Text Reader

Abstract

The lubricant oil purification system (100) can purify ammonia-contaminated raw liquid (DO) into lubricant oil (LO). The lubricant oil purification system (100) includes an engine (200), a lubricant oil purifier (1) that separates the raw liquid (DO) containing the lubricant oil (LO) used in the engine (200) into a light liquid that is the purified lubricant oil (LO) and a heavy liquid that contains ammonia, a water supply means (110) that supplies water into a separation chamber (SZ) of the lubricant oil purifier (1), and a control means that performs a first control that discharges all of the contents of the separation chamber (SZ) and a second control that supplies water into the separation chamber by the water supply means after the first control.
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Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a lubricant oil purification system and method for purifying lubricant oil containing ammonia. [Background technology]

[0002] As a countermeasure against global warming, ammonia fuel, which does not emit carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas, when burned, has attracted attention as a promising energy source for realizing a carbon-neutral society. In recent years, progress has been made in the practical application of ammonia gas turbine engines and ammonia-compatible engines that can be operated using liquid ammonia as ship fuel. Furthermore, development is also underway for the operation of ammonia-fueled ships, so-called zero-emission ships, that use liquid ammonia as fuel (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 6934555 [Patent Document 2] Patent No. 6940727 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] When liquid ammonia is used in the engines of ships and the like, there are problems in that unburned ammonia gas in the engine gets mixed into the lubricating oil or dissolves in the water in the lubricating oil. To explain in more detail about dissolution of ammonia in water in lubricating oil, water gets mixed into the lubricating oil due to condensation during engine operation or after the engine has stopped. If the engine is operated without removing ammonia from the lubricating oil, the ammonia concentration inside the engine will increase. Ammonia is corrosive, so there is a problem in that materials exposed to ammonia water or an ammonia atmosphere will corrode.

[0005] In addition, in a lubricating oil purifier that separates a raw liquid containing used lubricating oil into a heavy liquid and a light liquid (lubricating oil), if ammonia is mixed into the raw liquid, the specific gravity of the heavy liquid will decrease, resulting in a decrease in the removal rate of the heavy liquid, and there is a risk of problems such as the light liquid (lubricating oil) leaking out from the heavy liquid side or the heavy liquid being mixed into the light liquid. In addition, in order to remove solid matter that has accumulated inside the lubricating oil purifier, the entire content of the separation chamber of the lubricating oil purifier may be discharged. However, if ammonia is mixed in the raw liquid, there is a possibility that ammonia gas or droplets of ammonia water may remain in the separation chamber after the entire content has been discharged (total discharge).

[0006] An object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned problems and to provide a lubricating oil purification system and a lubricating oil purification method that can remove ammonia gas or ammonia water remaining in a lubricating oil purifier after total discharge. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides a lubricating oil purification system capable of purifying a stock solution containing ammonia or ammonia water into lubricating oil, and includes an engine, a lubricating oil purifier that separates the stock solution containing the lubricating oil used in the engine into a light liquid that is the purified lubricating oil and a heavy liquid that contains ammonia, a water supply means that supplies water into a separation chamber of the lubricating oil purifier, and a control means that performs a first control to discharge all of the contents in the separation chamber and a second control to supply water into the separation chamber by the water supply means after the first control.

[0008] The present invention also provides a lubricating oil purification method capable of purifying a stock solution containing ammonia or ammonia water into lubricating oil, comprising a centrifugal separation process for separating the stock solution containing the lubricating oil used in an engine into a light liquid which is the lubricating oil purified by a lubricating oil purifier and a heavy liquid which contains ammonia, a total discharge process for discharging all of the contents in the separation chamber of the lubricating oil purifier, and a water supply process for supplying cleaning water into the separation chamber. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] The lubricating oil cleaning system and lubricating oil cleaning method of the present invention can remove ammonia gas or ammonia water remaining in the lubricating oil cleaner after total discharge. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] 1 is a block diagram illustrating a lubricant cleaning system and a lubricant cleaning method according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a partial cross-sectional view showing a lubricant oil purifier. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a rotor of the lubricating oil purifier. [Figure 4] 1 is a process diagram showing the working steps of a lubricating oil cleaning method according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 5] 1 is a schematic diagram showing the state inside a separation chamber when ordinary lubricating oil is centrifuged in a lubricating oil purifier. FIG. [Figure 6] 1 is a schematic diagram showing the state inside a separation chamber when lubricating oil mixed with ammonia is centrifuged in a lubricating oil purifier. FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a lubricating oil cleaning method according to an embodiment of the present invention, and is a schematic diagram showing the state inside the separation chamber and the frame after total discharge. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a lubricating oil cleaning method according to an embodiment of the present invention, and is a schematic diagram showing a state in which cleaning water is injected into a separation chamber. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a lubricating oil cleaning method according to an embodiment of the present invention, and is a schematic diagram showing a state in which cleaning water in the separation chamber is re-totally discharged and cleaning water is sprayed into the frame. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] A lubricant oil cleaning system 100 and a lubricant oil cleaning method according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.

[0012] <Lubricant Oil Purification System> The lubricating oil purification system 100 shown in Figure 1 is a purifier that purifies lubricating oil LO (see Figure 3), fuel oil, bilge water, etc. used in engines 200, etc. installed on ships or in engines with limited installation space on land (for example, remote island power plants or existing power plants) to make them reusable. As an example of the lubricating oil purification system 100 according to the present invention, the following will explain the case where the lubricating oil LO used in an engine 200 that burns liquid ammonia as fuel is used as the target liquid to be purified (undiluted liquid DO). In the engine 200 that uses liquid ammonia as fuel, there is a possibility that the lubricating oil LO inside the engine 200 may be mixed with sludge SG, ammonia, aqueous ammonia AW, and the like to produce a raw liquid DO.

[0013] The lubricant oil purification system 100 includes a lubricant oil purifier 1 as shown in Figures 1 and 3. The lubricant oil purifier 1 separates a raw liquid DO containing lubricant oil LO mixed with ammonia water AW into a light liquid which is the purified lubricant oil LO, a heavy liquid which is ammonia water AW containing ammonia, and sludge SG (solids). The lubricant oil purifier 1 is, for example, a three-phase separation type separation plate type centrifuge. 1 or 3, the lubricant oil cleaning system 100 mainly includes a lubricant oil tank 300, a lubricant oil supply pump P1, a heater 400, a lubricant oil purifier 1, a sludge tank 700, a water supply line 110 (water supply means), a heavy liquid discharge line 120 (drainage means), a separator inlet line 130, a sludge discharge line 160, a working water and wash water discharge line (water discharge means) 190, and a control device 900. The lubricant oil cleaning system 100 is disposed in a ship. In the lubricant oil purification system 100, a path for supplying the raw liquid DO discharged from the engine 200 to the lubricant oil purifier 1 is formed by the lubricant oil discharge line 150, the lubricant oil tank 300, and the separator inlet line 130. In addition, a pressure sensor 810, a moisture detection sensor 820, and an ammonia sensor 830 may be arranged in the light liquid discharge line 140.

[0014] ≪Institution≫ The engine 200 shown in FIG. 1 is a marine diesel engine installed on a ship, which uses liquid ammonia as fuel, which has zero emissions of carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas, and may be a turbine engine. The engine 200 is composed of a mechanism in which the crankshaft and piston are connected only by a connecting rod. In the engine 200, side pressure, which is a lateral force, is generated on the piston, causing uneven wear in the cylinder. For this reason, the engine 200 uses lubricating oil LO to improve piston movement. The engine 200 may also be one that burns a mixture of liquid ammonia and a fossil fuel such as natural gas.

[0015] <Lubricant discharge line> 1 is a piping line for sending lubricating oil LO (undiluted liquid DO) used in the engine 200 to the lubricating oil tank 300. One end of the lubricating oil discharge line 150 is connected to the engine 200, and the other end is connected to the lubricating oil tank 300.

[0016] <Lubricating oil tank and lubricating oil> As shown in Fig. 1, the lubricating oil tank 300 is a tank for storing the stock solution DO containing the lubricating oil LO used by the engine 200. The stock solution DO supplied from the engine 200 to the lubricating oil tank 300 contains ammonia derived from the ammonia fuel. For this reason, the lubricating oil tank 300 is a tank with a lid (a sealed tank) that prevents ammonia vaporized from the stock solution DO from leaking out of the lubricating oil tank 300. The undiluted liquid DO also contains ammonia water AW that has been mixed in the engine 200. The specific gravity of the undiluted liquid DO is 0.90 to 0.96.

[0017] <Ammonia water and water> Ammonia water AW is an alkaline aqueous solution in which ammonia (NH3) is dissolved in water W. Ammonia water AW has a distinctive pungent odor. Ammonia water AW may corrode the fluororubber O-rings and copper alloy heavy and light liquid impellers used in the lubricating oil purifier 1. For this reason, it is preferable that these parts are made of corrosion-resistant materials.

[0018] Furthermore, the specific gravity of ammonia water AW is lighter than the specific gravity (1.0) of water W. For example, the specific gravity of ammonia water AW is 0.9 when the ammonia concentration is approximately 28%, and 0.88 when the concentration is approximately 35%. Since the specific gravity of ammonia water AW changes depending on the ammonia concentration, the position of the separation boundary surface SB in the separation chamber SZ of the lubricant oil purifier 1 moves in the radial direction, as shown in FIG.

[0019] <Concentrated solution supply line> The separator inlet line 130 shown in Figure 1 is a piping line for supplying the raw liquid DO (sludge SG, ammonia water AW, and lubricating oil LO mixed with ammonia) stored in the lubricating oil tank 300 to the lubricating oil purifier 1. The separator inlet line 130 is made up of a heater upstream line 131 from the lubricating oil tank 300 to the heater 400, and a heater downstream line 132 from the heater 400 to the lubricating oil purifier 1. A lubricating oil supply pump P1 is provided in the heater upstream line 131. A three-way valve 134 is provided in the heater downstream line 132. The switching of the three-way valve 134 is controlled by a control device 900. As shown in FIG. 3, the separator inlet line 130 may be provided with a water storage tank 139, a water supply line 136, an adding means 135, and a mixing means 137.

[0020] <Water tank and water supply line> The water storage tank 139 is a tank for storing water W to be supplied to the adding means 135. The water storage tank 139 is connected to the adding means 135 via a water supply line 136. The adding means 135 may be connected to the water supply line 110 instead of the water storage tank 139 and the water supply line 136, and water may be supplied from the water supply line 110.

[0021] ≪Addition means≫ The adding means 135 is a device for adding water W to the raw liquid DO in the separator inlet line 130. The adding means 135 is composed of, for example, a nozzle connected to the separator inlet line 130. The adding means 135 is installed downstream of the heater 400 in the separator inlet line 130. The raw liquid DO in the heater downstream line 132 downstream of the adding means 135 is mixed with ammonia water AW, ammonia, water W added from the adding means 135, etc. In the separator inlet line 130, downstream of the adding means 135 or in the adding means 135, a mixing means 137 is provided for mixing the water W and the raw liquid DO.

[0022] ≪Mixing means≫ The mixing means 137 is a mixer for mixing the raw liquid DO in the separator inlet line 130 with the water W added by the adding means 135. The mixing means 137 is made up of a static mixer (stationary mixer) provided in the separator inlet line 130. The static mixer disturbs the flow of liquid in the piping, thereby bringing the ammonia contained in the raw liquid DO into contact with the water W added by the adding means 135 and promoting the production of ammonia water AW, and is made up of piping equipped with stirring elements and impellers that divide, invert, rotate, etc. the fluid.

[0023] <Lubricating oil supply pump> The lubricant oil supply pump P1 is a pump for sending the raw liquid DO in the lubricant oil tank 300 to the lubricant oil purifier 1 via the separator inlet line 130. The lubricant oil supply pump P1 is installed between the lubricant oil tank 300 and the heater 400 on the heater upstream line 131, and the raw liquid DO in the lubricant oil tank 300 is supplied to the lubricant oil purifier 1 via the heater 400 and the three-way valve 134. As shown in FIG. 1, the raw liquid DO in the heater upstream line 131 is mixed with ammonia water AW and ammonia.

[0024] <Heater> The heater 400 is an oil heater that heats the lubricating oil LO (undiluted liquid DO) to be sent to the lubricating oil purifier 1. The heater 400 is provided between the lubricating oil supply pump P1 and the three-way valve 134 in the separator inlet line 130. The heater 400 heats the lubricating oil LO, for example, to about 90°C. The heater 400 heats the lubricating oil LO to reduce its viscosity, thereby increasing the efficiency of separation of either or both of the solids and moisture in the lubricating oil purifier 1.

[0025] <Undiluted liquid return line and three-way valve> The raw liquid return line 133 is a piping path for returning the raw liquid DO in the separator inlet line 130 to the lubricating oil tank 300. The raw liquid return line 133 can return the flow of raw liquid DO to the lubricating oil tank 300 by switching the three-way valve 134 when necessary for operating the lubricating oil purifier 1 when discharging sludge, when an alarm occurs, or when replacing water or sealing water is introduced.

[0026] <Light liquid discharge line> The light liquid discharge line 140 is a flow path for returning the lubricating oil LO (light liquid) purified by the lubricating oil purifier 1 to the lubricating oil tank 300. The light liquid discharge line 140 consists of a piping path from the discharge port of the lubricating oil purifier 1 to the lubricating oil supply port of the lubricating oil tank 300.

[0027] <Lubricant oil purifier> The lubricant oil purifier 1 is a device for separating and removing sludge SG (solids) and ammonia water AW contained in the raw liquid DO supplied from the lubricant oil tank 300 from the lubricant oil LO. The lubricant oil purifier 1 may be, for example, a separator plate-type centrifuge that separates the raw liquid DO into three phases: liquid (light liquid), liquid (heavy liquid), and solids, by the centrifugal force of a rotor 3 (see FIG. 2) rotating at high speed. Inside the ship, the lubricant oil purifier 1 is connected to a separator inlet line 130 and a light liquid discharge line 140.

[0028] Next, the lubricant oil purifier 1 comprising a disc-type centrifuge will be described in more detail with reference to FIGS. As shown in Figure 3, the lubricating oil purifier 1 is a centrifuge (centrifugal settler) in which a number of separation plates 13 made of thin, truncated cone-shaped plates are stacked at intervals in the axial direction of a guide cylinder 5 inside a rotor 3. The lubricating oil purifier 1 has a mechanism for discharging sludge SG accumulated on the inner wall of the rotor 3 to the outside by opening and closing a valve cylinder 6. The lubricating oil purifier 1 includes a rotating shaft 2, the rotor 3, a guide cylinder 5, a separation chamber SZ, a valve cylinder 6, a light liquid discharge section 9 (see Figure 2), and a heavy liquid discharge section 15.

[0029] <Rotation axis> As shown in FIG. 2, the rotating shaft 2 has a gear portion 2a that meshes with a speed-increasing gear 21 that is rotationally driven by an electric motor (not shown), and is rotated by the electric motor (not shown) via the speed-increasing gear 21.

[0030] <Rotating body> As shown in Figure 3, the rotor 3 is attached to the rotary shaft 2 and rotates at high speed around the rotary shaft 2. The rotor 3 has an integral shape consisting of an upper half that is roughly frusto-conical and a lower half that is a large-diameter cylindrical portion whose diameter is larger than the large diameter of the frusto-conical portion. The rotor 3 is fixed to the rotary shaft 2.

[0031] <Liquid inlet pipe> As shown in FIG. 3, the liquid inlet pipe 4 is a pipe for supplying the raw liquid DO (lubricating oil LO used in the engine 200) and water W into the interior of the rotor 3. The liquid inlet pipe 4 is provided above the center of the rotor 3. A water supply line 110 and a separator inlet line 130 (see FIG. 2) are connected to the upstream side of the liquid inlet pipe 4. The water W to be supplied to the separation chamber SZ of the lubricating oil purifier 1 is introduced into the rotor 3 from the water supply line 110 via the liquid inlet pipe 4.

[0032] <Guide tube> The guide tube 5 is a member for guiding the raw liquid DO and water W introduced into the rotor 3 from the liquid inlet pipe 4 to the separation chamber SZ from the lowest part of the rotor 3. The guide tube 5 is a cylindrical body with a flared shape and is located in the center of the rotor 3.

[0033] <Separation room> As shown in Figure 3, the separation chamber SZ is a chamber for separating the centrifugal-forced raw liquid DO into its individual components based on differences in specific gravity. The separation chamber SZ is a circular space in cross section. A number of stacked separation plates 13 are arranged in the separation chamber SZ. The separation chamber SZ includes a separation region where the stacked separation plates 13 are arranged and a sludge accumulation region at the outermost diameter of the rotor 3. As the raw liquid DO introduced into the separation chamber SZ flows upward through the gaps between the separation plates 13, the sludge SG, which has the highest specific gravity, accumulates in the outer sludge accumulation region. The heavy liquid (ammonia water AW or water W), which has a lower specific gravity than the sludge SG, moves to the region between the sludge accumulation region and the separation region. The light liquid (lubricating oil LO), which has the lowest specific gravity, moves toward the center of the rotor 3. The light liquid (purified lubricating oil LO) is discharged to the outside from the light liquid discharge section 9 (see Figure 2) located at the top of the rotor 3. The ammonia water (heavy liquid) AW separated in the separation chamber SZ is discharged from the heavy liquid discharge part 15 formed between the water collecting plate TD and the inner wall of the upper part of the rotor 3 through the heavy liquid discharge line 120 and the leak detector 840 to the outside.

[0034] <Valve cylinder> The valve cylinder 6 is a valve element that opens and closes the sludge discharge port 12 (the portion that presses against the valve packing 7). When the pilot valve V is opened to drain the water below the valve cylinder 6, the valve cylinder 6 descends, opening the sludge discharge port 12 and discharging the sludge SG. Below the valve cylinder 6, there is provided a working water supply port 61 that supplies working water WW for opening and closing the valve cylinder.

[0035] <Light liquid discharge section> 2, the light liquid discharge section 9 is a section for discharging the lubricating oil LO (light liquid) separated in the separation chamber SZ to the outside. A light liquid discharge line 140 is attached to the light liquid discharge section 9.

[0036] <Heavy liquid discharge part> 2, the heavy liquid discharge part 15 is a part for discharging the ammonia water (heavy liquid) separated in the separation chamber SZ to the outside. A heavy liquid discharge line 120 is attached to the heavy liquid discharge part 15.

[0037] <Sludge discharge line> As shown in Figure 3, the sludge discharge line (sludge discharge means) 160 is a discharge path for discharging the sludge SG centrifuged in the lubricant oil purifier 1 to the outside of the lubricant oil purifier 1. The upstream side of the sludge discharge line 160 is connected to the sludge discharge port 12, and the downstream side is connected to a sludge tank 700 (see Figure 1). The sludge SG in the lubricant oil purifier 1 is released into the sludge discharge line 160, stored in the sludge tank 700, and then disposed of.

[0038] <Working water and cleaning water discharge line> 2, the working water and cleaning water discharge line (water discharge means) 190 is a discharge path for discharging cleaning water injected into the frame 3A of the lubricating oil purifier 1. The working water and cleaning water discharge line 190 is connected on the upstream side to the lubricating oil purifier 1 and on the downstream side to the sludge tank 700 (see FIG. 1).

[0039] <Sludge tank> The sludge tank 700 is a tank for storing the waste liquid SW and sludge SG discharged from the lubricant oil purifier 1. A vent 710 is provided at the top of the sludge tank 700 to discharge ammonia gas and the like vaporized from the waste liquid SW to the outside of the sludge tank 700. If the waste liquid SW in the sludge tank 700 is at 40°C or higher, a cooling device for cooling the waste liquid SW may be installed.

[0040] <Water supply line> As shown in FIG. 3, the water supply line 110 is a water supply means for supplying water W (sealing water / displacement water) into the separation chamber SZ (inside the rotor 3). During operation of the lubricant oil purifier 1 (during the process of separating ammonia water AW from the stock solution DO), it is preferable to intermittently or continuously supply water W into the separation chamber SZ to adjust the specific gravity of the ammonia water AW (heavy liquid), thereby controlling the position of the separation boundary surface SB. During maintenance or cleaning of the lubricant oil purifier 1, the water supply line 110 supplies cleaning water into the separation chamber SZ. The water supply line 110 is provided with a valve SV3 (not shown) for adjusting the supply of water W into the separation chamber SZ (inside the rotor 3). Alternatively, the water supply line 110 adjusts the supply of water W by controlling the valve SV3 using a control unit 910 and a timer 920 based on the measured values ​​of a pressure sensor 810, a moisture detection sensor 820, an ammonia sensor 830, or a leak detector 840 (described later).

[0041] <Nozzle water supply line> As shown in FIG. 2, the nozzle water supply line 111 is a water supply means for supplying water W to the nozzle 112.

[0042] <Nozzle> Nozzle 112 is attached to nozzle water supply line 111 and sprays water W in a shower-like manner into frame 3A surrounding rotor 3. Droplets of ammonia water AW or ammonia gas discharged into frame 3A together with sludge SG from sludge discharge port 12 are washed away by water W sprayed (sprayed) into frame 3A, and ammonia gasified in frame 3A dissolves in water W sprayed (sprayed) into frame 3A. Nozzle 112 is inserted into the upper part of frame 3A (above sludge discharge port 12).

[0043] <Heavy liquid discharge line> 3, the heavy liquid discharge line 120 (drainage means) is a flow path through which the ammonia water AW (separated water) centrifuged in the lubricant oil purifier 1 is discharged, and is connected to the heavy liquid discharge section 15 of the lubricant oil purifier 1. The ammonia water AW (heavy liquid) in the lubricant oil purifier 1 overflows from the heavy liquid discharge section 15, is released into the heavy liquid discharge line 120, is stored in the sludge tank 700, and is then discarded. A leak detector 840 may be provided on the heavy liquid discharge line 120.

[0044] <Pressure sensor> The pressure sensor 810 is a measuring instrument that measures the pressure of the light liquid discharged from the light liquid discharge part 9 of the lubricant oil purifier 1. The pressure sensor 810 is electrically connected to the control part 910.

[0045] <Moisture detection sensor> The moisture detection sensor 820 is a measuring instrument that measures the amount of moisture in the light liquid discharged from the light liquid discharge section 9 of the lubricant oil purifier 1. The moisture detection sensor 820 is electrically connected to the control section 910. The moisture detection sensor 820 may be omitted depending on the condition of the lubricant oil LO.

[0046] <Ammonia sensor> The ammonia sensor 830 is a measuring instrument that measures the ammonia concentration of the ammonia water AW discharged from the light liquid discharge unit 9 of the lubricant oil purifier 1. The ammonia sensor 830 is electrically connected to the control unit 910. The ammonia sensor 830 may be omitted depending on the condition of the lubricant oil LO.

[0047] <Leak detector> The leak detector 840 is a measuring instrument that mechanically measures the heavy liquid discharged from the heavy liquid discharge unit 15 of the lubricant oil purifier 1. The leak detector 840 is electrically connected to the control unit 910. The leak detector 840 may be omitted depending on the condition of the lubricant oil LO.

[0048] <Control device> The control device 900 (control means) shown in Fig. 3 has a function of supplying water W to the lubricant oil purifier 1 intermittently or continuously at a preset timing or at any timing, thereby maintaining the specific gravity of the ammonia water AW (heavy liquid) in the separation chamber SZ at a predetermined value or higher. The control device 900 is configured to include a control unit 910 and a timer 920. The control unit 910 is connected to the timer 920, a pressure sensor 810, a moisture detection sensor 820, an ammonia sensor 830, and a leak detector 840. The control device 900 also controls the opening and closing of various on-off valves and switching valves (such as the three-way valve 134 and valve SV3), and also controls the opening and closing (up and down movement of the valve cylinder 6) of the sludge discharge port 12. The control device 900 can perform partial discharge control, which intermittently discharges the contents in the separation chamber SZ, as well as total discharge control (first control), which discharges all of the contents in the separation chamber SZ, and further performs second control, which supplies water (washing water) W into the separation chamber SZ using a water supply means after total discharge, and re-total discharge control (third control), which discharges all of the water W in the separation chamber SZ after the second control.

[0049] <Clean lubricating oil> The cleaned lubricating oil is the lubricating oil LO that has been purified by the lubricating oil purifier 1. The cleaned lubricating oil is stored again in the lubricating oil tank 300 from the lubricating oil purifier 1 via the light liquid discharge line 140, and then supplied to the engine or auxiliary machinery (e.g., generator, boiler, etc.) of the ship.

[0050] ≪Effect≫ Next, the operation of the lubricant oil cleaning system 100 and the lubricant oil cleaning method according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 4 is a process diagram showing the steps of the lubricating oil cleaning method according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[0051] 1 and 4, lubricating oil LO (undiluted DO) used in the engine 200 is stored in the lubricating oil tank 300 (lubricating oil storage step S1). The undiluted DO stored in the lubricating oil tank 300 is introduced into the lubricating oil purifier 1 from the separator inlet line 130 via the heater 400 and the three-way valve 134 (lubricating oil introduction step S2).

[0052] In the separator inlet line 130, a heating step S3 is performed in which the raw liquid DO in the separator inlet line 130 is heated by a heater 400. When the raw liquid DO (lubricant oil LO) is heated, the viscosity of the raw liquid DO decreases, thereby improving the efficiency of separation of solids and moisture in the lubricant oil purifier 1. In addition, when the lubricant oil LO is heated, the ammonia captured in the lubricant oil LO is gasified, making it easier to come into contact with the moisture in the raw liquid DO.

[0053] FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing the state inside the rotor 3 when ordinary lubricating oil LO is centrifuged in the lubricating oil purifier 1. When normal lubricating oil LO (lubricating oil LO that does not contain ammonia) used in an engine that does not use liquid ammonia as fuel is centrifuged in the lubricating oil purifier 1, it is separated into lubricating oil LO, water W, and sludge SG, as shown in FIG. 5.

[0054] Fig. 6 is a schematic diagram showing the state inside the rotor 3 when the lubricating oil LO mixed with ammonia is centrifuged in the lubricating oil purifier 1. That is, Fig. 6 is a schematic diagram showing the centrifugal separation step S4. In the centrifugal separation step S4, the lubricating oil LO mixed with ammonia is centrifuged in the lubricating oil purifier 1, and is separated into the lubricating oil LO, ammonia water AW, and sludge SG, as shown in FIG.

[0055] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a lubricant oil cleaning method according to an embodiment of the present invention, and is a schematic diagram showing a state when the contents in the separation chamber SZ (rotating body 3) have been totally discharged (fully discharged). The total discharge step S5 is a step in which the entire amount (including the case where a small amount remains) of the contents (lubricating oil LO, ammonia water AW, and sludge SG) in the separation chamber SZ (rotating body 3) is discharged from the sludge discharge port 12 (see FIG. 2). When performing the total discharge, the control device 900 stops the supply of the raw solution DO into the separation chamber SZ (switching the three-way valve 134 to send the raw solution DO to the raw solution return line 133), and pressurizes the working water WW (see FIG. 2) to lower the valve cylinder 6, opening the sludge discharge port 12 (see FIG. 2).

[0056] When total discharge is performed, the entire contents (lubricating oil LO, ammonia water AW, sludge SG, etc.) are discharged from the separation chamber SZ (rotating body 3), but droplets of ammonia gas AG and ammonia water AW may remain in the separation chamber SZ. In addition, droplets of ammonia gas AG and ammonia water AW may remain in the space between the frame 3A and the rotating body 3. It is preferable to completely remove the droplets of ammonia gas AG and ammonia water AW from the rotating body 3 and frame 3A.

[0057] Fig. 8 is a diagram showing the lubricant oil cleaning method according to the embodiment of the present invention, and is a schematic diagram showing a state in which cleaning water is poured into the separation chamber SZ (rotating body 3). That is, Fig. 8 is a schematic diagram showing the water supply step S6. In the water supply step S6, cleaning water is supplied into the separation chamber SZ by the control device 900. More specifically, after the total discharge step S5, a predetermined amount of cleaning water (for example, about 50 to 80% of the capacity of the separation chamber SZ) is supplied from the water supply line 110 through the liquid inlet pipe 4 into the rotor 3, as shown in FIG. In this way, the ammonia gas AG remaining in the separation chamber SZ dissolves in the cleaning water, and the water droplets of the ammonia water AW can be taken into the cleaning water.

[0058] Fig. 9 is a diagram showing a lubricant oil cleaning method according to an embodiment of the present invention, and is a schematic diagram showing a state in which cleaning water is sprayed (sprayed) into the space between the rotor 3 and the frame 3A and the cleaning water is totally discharged (fully discharged) from inside the rotor 3. That is, Fig. 9 is a schematic diagram showing a cleaning step S7 and a total re-discharge step S8. If ammonia gas AG or the like remains in the space between the rotor 3 and the frame 3A, a cleaning step S7 is performed as shown in FIG. 9. In the cleaning step S7, the control device 900 causes cleaning water to be sprayed (sprayed) from the nozzle 112 toward the outer surface of the rotor 3. The ammonia gas AG present in the space between the rotor 3 and the frame 3A is taken up by the cleaning water and discharged to the sludge tank 700 through at least one of the sludge discharge line 160 and the working water and cleaning water discharge line 190. Furthermore, in the re-total discharge step S8, a control means (not shown) performs a total discharge (discharge of the entire amount) of the cleaning water (cleaning water containing ammonia) in the separation chamber SZ (rotor 3). The cleaning water discharged from the separation chamber SZ in the re-total discharge step S8 is discharged to the sludge tank 700 through the sludge discharge line 160.

[0059] In this way, after the contents in the separation chamber SZ are completely discharged, the separation chamber SZ is filled with cleaning water, and then completely discharged again, thereby discharging the ammonia remaining in the separation chamber SZ outside the system.Furthermore, by spraying (spraying) cleaning water between the rotating body 3 and the frame 3A, the ammonia gas AG remaining in the frame 3A can be discharged outside the system. After the re-total discharge step S8, the control device 900 switches the three-way valve 134 to resume the supply of the raw solution DO into the separation chamber SZ. In principle, the washing step S7 is carried out after the water supply step S6 or the re-total discharge step S8, but may also be carried out simultaneously with any of the centrifugation step S4, the total discharge step S5, the water supply step S6, or the re-total discharge step S8.

[0060] As described above, according to this embodiment, the ammonia (ammonia water AW) mixed in the raw liquid DO is removed in the lubricant oil purifier 1, and purified lubricant oil LO is obtained.

[0061] The lubricant oil purification system 100 of this embodiment, as shown in, for example, FIG. 1 or FIG. 8, purifies ammonia-contaminated raw liquid DO into lubricant oil LO, and includes an engine 200, a lubricant oil purifier 1 that separates the raw liquid DO containing the lubricant oil LO used in the engine 200 into a light liquid that is the purified lubricant oil LO and a heavy liquid that contains ammonia, a water supply means (water supply line 110) that supplies water W into a separation chamber SZ of the lubricant oil purifier 1, and a control device 900 that performs a first control that discharges all of the contents in the separation chamber SZ and a second control that supplies water W into the separation chamber SZ after the first control.

[0062] With this configuration, the lubricant oil purifier 1 can separate the lubricant oil LO, the sludge SG, and the ammonia water AW from the raw liquid DO. Furthermore, the lubricant oil purification system 100 can supply water W into the separation chamber SZ during total discharge (after the entire amount is discharged), so that the water W can capture the droplets of ammonia gas AG and ammonia water AW remaining in the separation chamber SZ.

[0063] Furthermore, after the second control, the control device 900 can perform a third control to discharge all of the water W in the separation chamber SZ. When the third control is performed, the water droplets of the ammonia gas AG and the ammonia water AW remaining in the separation chamber SZ can be discharged from the separation chamber SZ together with the water W in the separation chamber SZ, as shown in Fig. 3 or 9.

[0064] That is, with this configuration, it is possible to reliably remove the ammonia gas AG and ammonia water AW remaining in the separation chamber SZ after the total discharge.

[0065] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the frame 3A covering the rotor 3 of the lubricant oil purifier 1 is provided with one or more nozzles 112 for spraying cleaning water (water W) into the frame 3A.

[0066] According to this configuration, cleaning water (water W) is sprayed from the nozzle 112 into the frame 3A that covers the rotating body 3 of the lubricating oil purifier 1, so that the ammonia gas AG floating in the space between the rotating body 3 and the frame 3A can be dissolved in the cleaning water (water W).

[0067] In addition, as shown in FIG. 2, a working water and cleaning water discharge line 190 is provided for discharging the cleaning water injected into the frame 3A, so that the cleaning water that has absorbed the ammonia gas AG in the frame 3A can be suitably discharged outside the system.

[0068] As shown in FIG. 1 or 8, this is a lubricant oil purification method capable of purifying ammonia-contaminated stock solution DO into lubricant oil LO, and includes a centrifugation step S4 in which the stock solution DO containing the lubricant oil LO used in the engine 200 is separated into a light liquid, which is the lubricant oil LO purified by the lubricant oil purifier 1, and a heavy liquid containing ammonia, a total discharge step S5 in which, after the centrifugation step S4, the entire content of the separation chamber SZ of the lubricant oil purifier 1 is discharged, and a water supply step S6 in which water W (cleaning water) is supplied into the separation chamber SZ after the total discharge step S5.

[0069] According to this lubricating oil purification method, it is possible to separate lubricating oil LO, sludge SG, and ammonia water AW from the raw liquid DO. In addition, it is possible to dissolve (capture) the ammonia gas AG and the droplets of ammonia water AW remaining in the separation chamber SZ after total discharge in water W.

[0070] Furthermore, after the water supply step S6, a total re-discharge step S8 is performed in which the entire amount of cleaning water in the separation chamber SZ is discharged, so that the ammonia remaining in the separation chamber SZ can be reliably discharged.

[0071] Also, as shown in Figure 2 or Figure 9, after the re-total discharge step S8 or after the water supply step S6, a cleaning step S7 is included in which cleaning water (water W) is sprayed into the frame 3A covering the rotor 3 of the lubricant oil purifier 1.

[0072] According to this lubricating oil cleaning method, the ammonia gas AG remaining in the frame 3A can be washed away.

[0073] [Variations] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications and changes are possible within the scope of the technical concept thereof. It goes without saying that the present invention also covers such modified and changed inventions.

[0074] In the above embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, the case where only one lubricant oil purifier 1 is installed has been described, but a configuration in which a plurality of lubricant oil purifiers 1 are arranged in parallel may also be used.

[0075] In the above embodiment, the lubricant oil purifier 1 is a three-phase separation type separation plate centrifuge, but a two-phase separation type separation plate centrifuge may also be used. In this case, the lubricant oil purifier 1 separates the raw liquid DO, which is the lubricant oil LO mixed with ammonia water AW, into a sludge SG containing a heavy liquid containing ammonia water AW and a light liquid, which is the purified lubricant oil LO. When a two-phase separation type separation plate centrifuge is used as the lubricant oil purifier 1, it is preferable to discharge the lubricant oil when the measurement value of any of the pressure sensor 810, moisture detection sensor 820, ammonia sensor 830, and leak detector 840 of the lubricant oil purifier 1 reaches a threshold value. The moisture detection sensor 820, the ammonia sensor 830, and the leak detector 840 may be omitted depending on the condition of the lubricating oil LO.

[0076] 2 and 9, the case where one nozzle 112 is provided on the frame 3A has been described, but the nozzle 112 may be provided at two or more locations on the side or bottom surface of the frame 3A as appropriate. [Explanation of symbols]

[0077] 1 Lubricating Oil Purifier 3 Rotating body 3A Frame 100 Lubricant Oil Purification System 110 Water supply line (water supply means) 112 nozzle 160 Sludge discharge line (total discharge means) 190 Working water and cleaning water discharge line 200 institutions 900 Control device (control means) AW Ammonia water DO stock solution LO lubricant SZ separation chamber S4 Centrifugation process S5 Total discharge process S6 Water supply process S7 Cleaning process S8 Re-total discharge process W Water (cleaning water) WW Working Water

Claims

1. A lubricating oil purification system capable of purifying ammonia-contaminated raw solution into lubricating oil, Institutions and a lubricating oil purifier that separates the raw liquid containing the lubricating oil used in the engine into a light liquid that is the purified lubricating oil and a heavy liquid that contains ammonia; a water supply means for supplying water into the separation chamber of the lubricating oil purifier; a control means for performing a first control for discharging all of the contents in the separation chamber and a second control for supplying water into the separation chamber by the water supply means after the first control; Equipped with Lubricant oil purification system.

2. The control means performs a third control to discharge all of the water in the separation chamber after the second control. The lubricant cleaning system of claim 1 .

3. a frame covering a rotating body of the lubricating oil purifier; one or more nozzles for spraying cleaning water into the frame; Equipped with The lubricant cleaning system of claim 1 .

4. and a working water and flushing water discharge line for discharging flushing water injected into the frame. The lubricant cleaning system of claim 3.

5. A lubricating oil purification method capable of purifying a stock solution containing ammonia into lubricating oil, comprising: a centrifugal separation step of separating the stock solution containing the lubricating oil used in an engine into a light liquid which is the lubricating oil purified by a lubricating oil purifier and a heavy liquid containing ammonia; a total discharge step of discharging the entire content of the separation chamber of the lubricating oil purifier after the centrifugal separation step; a water supplying step of supplying cleaning water into the separation chamber after the total discharge step, Lubricating oil cleaning method.

6. a total re-discharge step of discharging the entire amount of cleaning water in the separation chamber after the water supply step; The method for cleaning lubricating oil according to claim 5.

7. After the re-total discharge step or the water supply step, a cleaning step of spraying cleaning water into a frame covering the rotating body of the lubricating oil purifier is included. The method for cleaning lubricating oil according to claim 6.

Citation Information

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