Insulation material supply device for liquefied gas tanks and method for supplying insulation material for liquefied gas tanks

Abstract

To provide a thermal insulation material supply device of a liquefied gas tank and a thermal insulation material supply method of the liquefied gas tank capable of supplying a thermal insulation material while suppressing mixing of air, to a thermal insulation space filled with low-temperature gas.SOLUTION: A thermal insulation material supply device 60 supplies a thermal insulation material to a tank 1 having a first tank space 11 filled with low-temperature gas. The thermal insulation material supply device 60 has a thermal insulation material storage part 61 and a thermal insulation material supply pipe 64. The thermal insulation material storage part 61 mixes the thermal insulation material with high-pressure force-feeding gas of the same type as the low-temperature gas. The thermal insulation material supply pipe 64 is capable of being communicated with the thermal insulation material storage part 61 and the first tank space 11. The thermal insulation material is pressure-fed from the thermal insulation material storage part 61 to the first tank space 11 together with the force-feeding gas.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a heat insulation material supply device for supplying a heat insulation material to a liquefied gas tank that stores a low-temperature liquefied gas, and a method for supplying a heat insulation material to a liquefied gas tank.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, a tank for storing a low-temperature liquefied gas is known. Patent Document 1 discloses an LNG tank for storing liquefied natural gas. In this technology, the LNG tank has an inner tank for storing LNG and an outer tank covering the inner tank. A heat insulation space is formed between the inner tank and the outer tank, and the heat insulation space is filled with a heat insulation material such as perlite and nitrogen gas.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] When a low-temperature liquefied gas is stored in a tank as described above, the tank contracts, so the heat insulation material filled in the heat insulation space may settle. In such a case, by previously opening a filling hole in the outer tank, the heat insulation material can be replenished from the filling hole even if the heat insulation material settles. At this time, even if a little air flows in during the replenishment of the heat insulation material, no major problem occurs when the gas filled in the heat insulation space is nitrogen gas.

[0005] On the other hand, in a tank that stores an extremely low-temperature liquefied gas such as liquefied hydrogen as a storage substance, hydrogen gas or helium gas is enclosed in the heat insulation space instead of nitrogen gas to prevent condensation. At this time, when the heat insulation material is filled and replenished in the same manner as above, there is a risk that the air that has flowed into the heat insulation space will condense and the cold insulation performance will deteriorate.

[0006] The purpose of this disclosure is to provide an insulating material supply device for a liquefied gas tank and an insulating material supply method for a liquefied gas tank that can supply insulating material while suppressing the mixing of air into the insulating space. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] An insulating material supply device for a liquefied gas tank according to one aspect of the present disclosure is an insulating material supply device for a liquefied gas tank capable of supplying insulating material to the insulating space of a liquefied gas tank having an inner tank capable of storing low-temperature liquefied gas, an outer tank disposed to cover the inner tank, and an insulating space disposed between the inner tank and the outer tank and filled with low-temperature gas, comprising: a mixing unit for mixing insulating material with a high-pressure pumping gas consisting of the same type of gas as the low-temperature gas or an inert gas having a lower boiling point than the low-temperature gas; and an insulating material supply pipe that can communicate with the mixing unit and the insulating space, and through which the insulating material is pumped from the mixing unit toward the insulating space together with the pumping gas.

[0008] Furthermore, a method for supplying thermal insulation material to a liquefied gas tank relating to another aspect of this disclosure is a method for supplying thermal insulation material to a thermal insulation space of a liquefied gas tank having an inner tank capable of storing low-temperature liquefied gas, an outer tank arranged to cover the inner tank, and a thermal insulation space arranged between the inner tank and the outer tank and filled with low-temperature gas, comprising: mixing thermal insulation material with a high-pressure pumping gas consisting of the same type of gas as the low-temperature gas or an inert gas having a lower boiling point than the low-temperature gas; and pumping the thermal insulation material into the thermal insulation space by the pumping gas through a thermal insulation material supply pipe communicating with the thermal insulation space. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to this disclosure, it is possible to provide an insulating material supply device for a liquefied gas tank and an insulating material supply method for a liquefied gas tank that can supply insulating material while suppressing the mixing of air into the insulating space. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0010] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a schematic longitudinal cross-sectional view of a liquefied gas tank and an insulation material supply device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a schematic longitudinal cross-sectional view of a thermal insulation material supply device according to a modified embodiment of the present disclosure. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0011] Hereinafter, embodiments of the insulation material supply device and insulation material supply method for a liquefied gas tank according to this disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Below, a triple-walled tank 1 will be described as an example of a liquefied gas tank. The triple-walled tank 1 is a tank for storing low-temperature liquefied gas and is a flat-bottomed tank with a triple-walled structure that is installed on the ground.

[0012] Figure 1 is a schematic longitudinal cross-sectional view of a liquefied gas tank and a triple-walled tank 1 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. The triple-walled tank 1 stores liquefied hydrogen LH2 as an example of a low-temperature liquefied gas. The triple-walled tank 1 includes an outer tank 2 made of a metal such as carbon steel, an intermediate tank 3 made of a metal such as SUS and enclosed within the outer tank 2, and an inner tank 4 made of a metal such as SUS and enclosed within the intermediate tank 3. The outer tank 2, intermediate tank 3, and inner tank 4 all have a circular shape when viewed from above and are arranged concentrically.

[0013] A predetermined gap is provided between the inner tank 4 and the intermediate tank 3 of the triple-walled tank 1, and between the intermediate tank 3 and the outer tank 2. The first gap 11, which is the gap between the inner tank 4 and the intermediate tank 3, and the second gap 12, which is the gap between the intermediate tank 3 and the outer tank 2, are filled with insulating material. As the insulating material, a powder insulating material such as perlite can be used. The first gap 11 is filled with a low-boiling-point gas equivalent to the liquefied hydrogen LH2 stored in the inner tank 4, for example, hydrogen gas GH2. The second gap 12 is filled with an inert gas with a higher boiling point than the gas filled in the first gap 11, for example, nitrogen gas GN2.

[0014] The triple-walled tank 1 further comprises a thermometer 13. The thermometer 13 is mounted on the outer surface of the intermediate tank 3 near the top of the triple-walled tank 1. The thermometer 13 detects the temperature of the first tank 11.

[0015] As described above, in this embodiment, the triple-walled tank 1 has a three-layer structure, with liquefied hydrogen LH2 at -253°C stored in the inner tank 4, hydrogen gas GH2 as a low-temperature gas being filled in the first tank section 11, and nitrogen gas GN2 being filled in the second tank section 12, thereby providing a gradual insulation function. The above insulation function is improved by filling the first tank section 11 and the second tank section 12 with an insulating material such as perlite. In such a triple-walled tank 1, if air is mixed in when supplying the insulating material to the first tank section 11, the air may condense and the cooling performance may deteriorate.

[0016] To solve these problems, this embodiment is provided with an insulating material supply device 60. Below, we will describe the case in which powdered perlite is used as the insulating material supplied to the first tank 11. Note that the above supply includes the concepts of filling and replenishment.

[0017] The insulation material supply device 60 is configured to pump perlite into the first chamber 11 of the triple-walled tank 1 using hydrogen gas. The insulation material supply device 60 includes an insulation material storage section 61, a gas storage section 62, a pump 63, an insulation material supply pipe 64, a gas supply pipe 65, a gas supply valve 71, an inlet valve 72, and an exhaust valve 73.

[0018] The insulation material storage section 61 is a storage tank for storing perlite in the insulation material supply device 60. The insulation material storage section 61 has an internal space isolated from the outside, and powdered perlite is stored in this internal space. The insulation material storage section 61 functions as a mixing section for mixing perlite and hydrogen gas.

[0019] The gas storage unit 62 stores hydrogen gas as a pressurized gas. For example, the gas storage unit 62 may be a tank or cylinder filled with compressed hydrogen gas.

[0020] The heat insulating material supply pipe 64 is configured to be communicable with the heat insulating material storage section 61 and the first tank space 11 of the triple-shell tank 1. The heat insulating material supply pipe 64 is a pipe through which perlite is pumped by hydrogen gas from the heat insulating material storage section 61 toward the first tank space 11. The heat insulating material supply pipe 64 includes a communication pipe 64A, a receiving pipe 64B, and a branch pipe 64C. The communication pipe 64A is a pipe communicating with the heat insulating material storage section 61. The receiving pipe 64B is integrally formed with the triple-shell tank 1. The receiving pipe 64B is a pipe disposed at the top of the triple-shell tank 1 and is arranged to vertically penetrate the outer tank 2 and the intermediate tank 3 of the triple-shell tank 1 through a bellows or the like (not shown). One end of the receiving pipe 64B is located inside the first tank space 11, and the other end is located outside the triple-shell tank 1. The communication pipe 64A and the receiving pipe 64B are detachable. The branch pipe 64C is a pipe in which a part thereof branches at the tip of the communication pipe 64A. Note that, except for the receiving pipe 64B that is integrally formed with the triple-shell tank 1 in the heat insulating material supply device 60, the other parts of the heat insulating material supply device 60 are detachable from the triple-shell tank 1.

[0021] As a structure in which the heat insulating material supply device 60 is detachable from the triple-shell tank 1, the heat insulating material supply device 60 includes a joint portion including a supply port 66 on the communication pipe 64A side and a receiving port 67 on the receiving pipe 64B side. The joint portion may be, for example, a flange joint. FIG. 1 shows a state in which the supply port 66 and the receiving port 67 are connected. When the supply port 66 and the receiving port 67 are separated from each other, lid portions such as blind flanges are attached to both of them.

[0022] The gas supply pipe 65 is a pipe connecting the heat insulating material storage section 61 and the gas storage section 62. The pump 63 can suck the hydrogen gas stored in the gas storage section 62 and discharge the hydrogen gas toward the heat insulating material storage section 61. At this time, the hydrogen gas stored in the gas storage section 62 becomes a high-pressure gas for pumping through the pump 63 and is supplied to the heat insulating material storage section 61 through the gas supply pipe 65.

[0023] The gas supply valve 71 is arranged between the heat insulating material storage section 61 and the pump 63 in the gas supply pipe 65. The gas supply valve 71 opens and closes the flow path of the gas supply pipe 65.

[0024] The receiving valve 72 is arranged between the first tank section 11 and the receiving port 67 in the receiving pipe 64B. The receiving valve 72 opens and closes the flow path in the receiving pipe 64B. When the triple-shell tank 1 is in use, the receiving valve 72 is closed, and the hydrogen gas in the first tank section 11 has spread to the vicinity of the receiving valve 72.

[0025] The exhaust valve 73 is arranged in the branch pipe 64C. The exhaust valve 73 opens and closes the flow path in the branch pipe 64C. When the exhaust valve 73 opens, the flow path of the communication pipe 64A communicates with the atmosphere. A filter (not shown) for preventing the release of perlite is installed on the upstream side of the exhaust valve 73 in the branch pipe 64C. Also, the branch pipe 64C may not be provided in the communication pipe 64A, and an exhaust valve that can be opened and closed may be directly provided in the communication pipe 64A.

[0026] Next, the method for supplying perlite to the triple-shell tank 1 according to the present embodiment will be described. At the stage before supplying perlite, all of the gas supply valve 71, the receiving valve 72, and the exhaust valve 73 in FIG. 1 are closed. Also, the supply port 66 and the receiving port 67 are blocked with a blind flange or the like.

[0027] First, the worker connects the supply port 66 and the receiving port 67. As a result, the connecting pipe 64A and the receiving pipe 64B are connected. Next, the worker replaces the air in the connecting pipe 64A and the gas supply pipe 65 with hydrogen gas. Specifically, with the receiving valve 72 closed, the worker opens the gas supply valve 71 and the exhaust valve 73. Then, the pump 63 draws hydrogen gas from the gas storage section 62, and the hydrogen gas flows into the insulation material storage section 61 as a high-pressure pumping gas. The hydrogen gas passes through the perlite stored in the insulation material storage section 61 and flows into the connecting pipe 64A, pushing out the air in the connecting pipe 64A and discharging it from the exhaust valve 73. As a result, the air filling the pump 63, gas supply pipe 65, insulation material storage section 61, and connecting pipe 64A is pushed out to the outside through the branch pipe 64C, and the inside of the insulation material storage section 61 and the connecting pipe 64A are replaced with hydrogen gas. Furthermore, as mentioned above, since the supply port 66 and the receiving port 67 are connected in advance, the air between the receiving port 67 and the receiving valve 72 can also be discharged.

[0028] Next, when the operator closes the exhaust valve 73 and opens the receiving valve 72, perlite is pumped to the first tank section 11 via the connecting pipe 64A and the receiving pipe 64B. As a result, perlite can be supplied to the first tank section 11.

[0029] The supply of perlite to the first chamber 11 of the triple-walled tank 1 may be performed before storing liquefied hydrogen in the triple-walled tank 1, or it may be performed after the start of liquefied hydrogen storage in the triple-walled tank 1. That is, after cooling down the first chamber 11 by filling it with hydrogen gas, the first chamber 11 may be filled and replenished with perlite, and then liquefied hydrogen may be stored in the inner tank 4, or after cooling down the first chamber 11 by filling it with hydrogen gas, liquefied hydrogen may be stored in the inner tank 4, and then perlite may be filled and replenished in the first chamber 11. In either case, it is desirable to fill the first chamber 11 with hydrogen gas in advance, and after the inner tank 4 has cooled sufficiently, fill and replenish with perlite using the insulation material supply device 60. In addition, in order to prevent a significant increase in the pressure in the first chamber 11 when pumping perlite with hydrogen gas, some of the hydrogen gas in the first chamber 11 may be released from a manhole (not shown) or the like.

[0030] Furthermore, after supplying perlite to the triple-walled tank 1, the worker may insert a fiberscope into a component that connects the outside of the triple-walled tank 1 to the first chamber 11, such as a receiving pipe 64B or a manhole (not shown), to confirm whether sufficient perlite has been filled to the roof of the triple-walled tank 1. Alternatively, if the triple-walled tank 1 is equipped with a thermometer 13 as shown in Figure 1, the worker may determine that sufficient perlite has been supplied when the temperature of the first chamber 11 has risen sufficiently. The fiberscope and thermometer 13 described above are examples of detection devices in this disclosure. In the insulation supply method using the insulation supply device 60 according to this disclosure, the detection device is used to detect a deficiency of perlite in the first chamber 11, and if a deficiency of perlite is detected, perlite can be pumped into the first chamber 11 using hydrogen gas.

[0031] As described above, in this embodiment, compressed hydrogen gas is sent from the gas storage section 62 to the insulation material storage section 61, where perlite and hydrogen gas are mixed, and the perlite is pressurized and sent to the first tank section 11 by the hydrogen gas. Therefore, when perlite is supplied to the first tank section 11, it is possible to prevent air from being mixed into the first tank section 11. As a result, it is possible to prevent air condensation and the resulting deterioration of cooling performance.

[0032] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the receiving pipe 64B, which is part of the insulation material supply pipe 64, is integrally formed with the triple-walled tank 1, and the supply port 66 of the connecting pipe 64A, which communicates with the insulation material storage section 61, and the receiving port 67 of the receiving pipe 64B are detachably configured. Therefore, there is no need to permanently install the device, which is advantageous in terms of space. In addition, most of the insulation material supply device 60 can be shared among multiple triple-walled tanks 1.

[0033] Furthermore, the insulation material supply device 60 has a receiving valve 72 and an exhaust valve 73. The receiving valve 72 is located in the receiving pipe 64B, and the exhaust valve 73 is located in the connecting pipe 64A. Therefore, by closing the receiving valve 72 and opening the exhaust valve 73 in advance, hydrogen gas can be introduced into the insulation material supply pipe 64, thereby discharging the air inside the insulation material supply pipe 64 and replacing it with hydrogen gas. After that, by closing the exhaust valve 73 and opening the receiving valve 72, perlite is pressurized and sent to the first tank section 11 by hydrogen gas, preventing air inside the insulation material supply pipe 64 from flowing into the first tank section 11.

[0034] Furthermore, in this embodiment, since perlite and hydrogen gas are mixed in the insulation material storage section 61, the area surrounding the perlite stored in the insulation material storage section 61 can also be replaced by hydrogen gas. Therefore, the air contained within the perlite (between particles) can also be reliably replaced by hydrogen gas. As a result, the mixing of air and other contaminants into the first tank section 11 during the perlite supply operation can be further suppressed.

[0035] [Modified Embodiment] The multi-shell tank described above is not limited to the embodiments shown. For example, the following modified embodiments can be taken for the triple-shell tank 1 described above.

[0036] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of a thermal insulation material supply device 60 according to a modified embodiment of the present disclosure. In Figure 2, components having the same function as in the previous embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals as in Figure 1. Here, we will mainly explain the differences from the previous embodiment.

[0037] In this modified embodiment, the insulation material storage section 61 is located above the triple-walled tank 1. The insulation material supply pipe 64 is positioned to extend vertically between the insulation material storage section 61 and the first tank section 11. When the receiving port 67 and the supply port 66 are connected, a supply path for perlite is formed from the insulation material storage section 61 downwards to the first tank section 11.

[0038] In this modified embodiment, as in the previous embodiment, when the operator connects the supply port 66 and the receiving port 67, closes the receiving valve 72, and opens the exhaust valve 73, the air in the connecting pipe 64A can be replaced by hydrogen gas discharged by the pump 63. Subsequently, when the operator closes the exhaust valve 73 and opens the receiving valve 72, the perlite is pressurized into the first tank 11 by the hydrogen gas.

[0039] Thus, in this modified embodiment, arranging the insulation material storage section 61 above the triple-walled tank 1 is advantageous in terms of space around the triple-walled tank 1. In the configuration shown in Figure 2, the perlite may be introduced into the first chamber 11 of the triple-walled tank 1 using gravity, without pressurizing the perlite with hydrogen gas. In this case as well, the operator may replace the air in the connecting pipe 64A with hydrogen gas beforehand.

[0040] In the embodiments described above, a triple-walled tank 1 was used as the liquefied gas tank of this disclosure, but this disclosure is not limited thereto. The insulation material may be supplied to the second space between the intermediate tank 3 and the outer tank 2 12 by the insulation material supply device 60. The liquefied gas tank may also be a double-walled tank having one layer of insulation space. Furthermore, this disclosure may be applied to tanks with four or more walls. In other words, at least one of the inner tank and the outer tank in this disclosure may consist of multiple tanks with an insulation space between them. In addition, the insulation material supplied by the insulation material supply device 60 may be supplied when the first space between the tanks 11 is not filled with hydrogen gas.

[0041] Furthermore, the configuration for introducing high-pressure pressurized gas into the insulation material storage section 61 is not limited to the pump 63; the pressurized gas may be supplied by a driving force other than the pump 63. Also, if the pressure in the gas storage section 62 is sufficiently high, the pump 63 may be omitted.

[0042] Furthermore, in the embodiments described above, liquefied hydrogen, hydrogen gas, and perlite were used as the liquefied gas, cryogenic gas, and insulating material, respectively, but other liquefied gases, cryogenic gases, and insulating materials may be used. The high-pressure pumping gas is not limited to the same type of gas as the cryogenic gas, but may consist of an inert gas with a lower boiling point than the cryogenic gas. For example, if the cryogenic gas is hydrogen gas, the pumping gas may be helium gas.

[0043] Furthermore, although the above embodiment was described in which a part of the insulation material supply device 60 is detachably attached to the triple-walled tank 1, the insulation material supply device 60 may also be provided integrally with the triple-walled tank 1. In this case as well, it is desirable that the receiving valve 72 be provided on the triple-walled tank 1 side of the insulation material supply pipe 64 than the exhaust valve 73. The operator can close the receiving valve 72 and open the exhaust valve 73 to discharge the air in the connecting pipe 64A with hydrogen gas, and then close the exhaust valve 73 and open the receiving valve 72, thereby suppressing the inflow of air into the first tank section 11 while pressurizing the perlite into the first tank section 11 with hydrogen gas.

[0044] Furthermore, as a variation of the mixing section, the insulating material supplied from the insulating material storage section 61 and the hydrogen gas supplied from the gas storage section 62 may be mixed in a section different from the insulating material storage section 61 and then pumped towards the first tank section 11.

[0045] Furthermore, although the above embodiment describes a method in which the air in the insulation supply pipe 64 is directly replaced with hydrogen gas, it is more desirable to replace the air, nitrogen gas, and then hydrogen gas in that order. In this case, hydrogen is filled into the insulation supply pipe 64 while oxygen from the air remains, which prevents the creation of an environment that could explode. On the other hand, when helium gas is used as the pumping gas, since helium gas is inert, it is sufficient to replace the air in the insulation supply pipe 64 with helium gas in that order.

[0046] [Summary of this disclosure] The specific embodiments described above include disclosures having the following configurations.

[0047] An insulating material supply device for a liquefied gas tank according to the first aspect of the present disclosure is an insulating material supply device for a liquefied gas tank capable of supplying insulating material to the insulating space of a liquefied gas tank having an inner tank capable of storing low-temperature liquefied gas, an outer tank disposed to cover the inner tank, and an insulating space disposed between the inner tank and the outer tank and filled with low-temperature gas, comprising: a mixing unit for mixing insulating material with a high-pressure pumping gas consisting of the same type of gas as the low-temperature gas or an inert gas having a lower boiling point than the low-temperature gas; and an insulating material supply pipe that can communicate with the mixing unit and the insulating space, and through which the insulating material is pumped from the mixing unit toward the insulating space together with the pumping gas.

[0048] According to this configuration, the insulation material and the pressurized gas are mixed in the mixing section of the insulation material supply device, and the insulation material can be supplied to the insulated space by pressurizing it with the pressurized gas. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the mixing of air when supplying the insulation material to the insulated space.

[0049] A liquefied gas tank insulation supply device according to a second aspect of the present invention further comprises, in the liquefied gas tank insulation supply device according to a first aspect, an openable and closable receiving valve arranged in the insulation supply pipe, and an openable and closable exhaust valve arranged in the insulation supply pipe between the mixing section and the receiving valve.

[0050] According to this configuration, by closing the receiving valve and opening the exhaust valve beforehand, and then introducing pressurized gas into the insulation material supply pipe, the air inside the insulation material supply pipe can be discharged and replaced with the pressurized gas. Subsequently, by closing the exhaust valve and opening the receiving valve, and pressurizing the insulation material into the insulated space with the pressurized gas, it is possible to prevent the air inside the insulation material supply pipe from flowing into the insulated space.

[0051] A third aspect of the present invention relates to a liquefied gas tank insulation supply device, which is a liquefied gas tank insulation supply device according to the first or second aspect, wherein the insulation supply pipe includes a receiving pipe that communicates with the insulation space and is integrated with the liquefied gas tank, and a connecting pipe that communicates with the mixing section and is detachable from the receiving pipe.

[0052] With this configuration, when it is necessary to supply insulation material to a liquefied gas tank, the insulation material supply device can be connected to the liquefied gas tank to perform the supply work. In addition, a portion of the insulation material supply device can be shared among multiple liquefied gas tanks.

[0053] The fourth aspect of the present invention relates to a liquefied gas tank insulation material supply device, wherein, in the first to third aspects of the present invention, the mixing section is an insulation material storage section for storing the insulation material.

[0054] With this configuration, the insulation material and the pressurized gas are mixed within the insulation material storage section, so the area surrounding the insulation material stored in the storage section can also be replaced by the pressurized gas. As a result, the intrusion of air and other substances into the insulated space during the insulation material supply process can be further suppressed.

[0055] Furthermore, a method for supplying thermal insulation material to a liquefied gas tank relating to another aspect of this disclosure is a method for supplying thermal insulation material to a thermal insulation space of a liquefied gas tank having an inner tank capable of storing low-temperature liquefied gas, an outer tank arranged to cover the inner tank, and a thermal insulation space arranged between the inner tank and the outer tank and filled with low-temperature gas, comprising: mixing thermal insulation material with a high-pressure pumping gas consisting of the same type of gas as the low-temperature gas or an inert gas having a lower boiling point than the low-temperature gas; and pumping the thermal insulation material into the thermal insulation space by the pumping gas through a thermal insulation material supply pipe communicating with the thermal insulation space.

[0056] According to this method, the pressurizing gas and the insulating material are mixed in advance, and the insulating material can be pressurized into the insulated space using the pressurizing gas. Therefore, it is possible to prevent air from being mixed into the insulated space when the insulating material is supplied.

[0057] The above method may further include detecting a deficiency of the insulating material in the insulating space using a detection device, and, if there is a deficiency of the insulating material in the insulating space, pumping the insulating material into the insulating space using the pressurized gas.

[0058] This method allows for the detection of insufficient insulation material in an insulated space and enables the efficient supply of insulation material. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0059] 1 Triple-walled tank 2 Outer tank 3 Intermediate tank 4 Inner tank 11 Between the first tanks 12 Between the 2nd tanks 13 Thermometer 14 Outer feed section 60 Insulation material supply device 61 Insulation material storage section 62 Gas storage section 63 pumps 64 Insulation supply pipe 64A communication pipe 64B Receiving tube 64C Branch pipe 65 Gas supply pipe 66 supply ports 67 Inlet 71 Gas supply valve 72 Receiving valve 73 Exhaust valve

Claims

1. A liquefied gas tank insulation material supply device capable of supplying insulation material to the insulated space of a liquefied gas tank having an inner tank capable of storing low-temperature liquefied gas, an outer tank arranged to cover the inner tank, and an insulated space arranged between the inner tank and the outer tank and filled with low-temperature gas, A mixing unit for mixing an insulating material with a high-pressure pumping gas consisting of the same type of gas as the low-temperature gas or an inert gas with a lower boiling point than the low-temperature gas, An insulating material supply pipe that can communicate with the mixing section and the insulating space, and through which the insulating material is pumped from the mixing section toward the insulating space together with the pressurizing gas, A receiving valve that can be opened and closed is placed in the aforementioned insulation material supply pipe, A branch pipe that branches off from the portion of the insulation material supply pipe between the receiving valve and the mixing section, An exhaust valve, which can be opened and closed, is placed in the aforementioned branch pipe. An insulation material supply device for a liquefied gas tank, equipped with the following features.

2. The aforementioned insulation material supply pipe is The receiving valve is located in a receiving pipe that is in communication with the insulated space and is integrated with the liquefied gas tank, The branch pipe and the exhaust valve are arranged, and a connecting pipe is provided that communicates with the mixing section and is detachable from the receiving pipe, An insulating material supply device for a liquefied gas tank according to claim 1, including the following:

3. The insulating material supply device for a liquefied gas tank according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the mixing section is an insulating material storage section for storing the insulating material.

4. A method for supplying insulating material to an insulating space of a liquefied gas tank, which has an inner tank capable of storing low-temperature liquefied gas, an outer tank arranged to cover the inner tank, and an insulating space arranged between the inner tank and the outer tank and filled with low-temperature gas, wherein insulating material is supplied to the insulating space, The insulating material and a high-pressure pumping gas consisting of the same type of gas as the low-temperature gas or an inert gas with a lower boiling point than the low-temperature gas are mixed in a mixing section. The process involves closing the receiving valve located in the insulation material supply pipe connecting the insulation space and the mixing section, opening the exhaust valve located in the branch pipe branching off from the portion of the insulation material supply pipe between the receiving valve and the mixing section, supplying the pressurizing gas, discharging the air in the insulation material supply pipe through the branch pipe, then closing the exhaust valve and opening the receiving valve, and pressurizing the insulation material into the insulation space through the insulation material supply pipe using the pressurizing gas. A method for supplying insulation material to a liquefied gas tank, comprising the following:

5. A detection device is used to detect the deficiency of the insulating material in the insulating space, When the detection device detects that there is a shortage of the insulating material in the insulating space, the insulating material is pumped into the insulating space using the pressurized gas. The method for supplying thermal insulation material to a liquefied gas tank according to claim 4, further comprising the above.

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