Bunker facilities, bunker vessels, bunker systems, and methods for supplying liquefied gas.

Abstract

To provide a bunker facility, a bunker ship, a bunker system, and a supply method of a liquefied gas capable of achieving a smooth bunkering work and miniaturization.SOLUTION: A bunker facility comprises a first tank to store a liquefied gas to be supplied to a fuel ship as a fuel, a second tank of pressure container structure with higher pressure resistance than the first tank, a liquid line capable of supplying the liquefied gas in the first tank to the fuel tank of the fuel ship, and a gas line capable of introducing the gas discharged from the fuel tank into the second tank depending on supply of the liquefied gas.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to bunker equipment, a bunker ship, a bunker system, and a method for supplying liquefied gas. Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a so-called bunker ship that refuels a liquefied gas fuel vessel using liquefied gas as fuel at sea. Facilities for refueling vessels such as this bunker ship are provided with a storage tank that stores the liquefied gas used as fuel for the liquefied gas fuel vessel. In such facilities, when supplying liquefied gas from the storage tank, it is common to return the gas generated in the fuel tank to the storage tank. Prior Art Documents Patent Documents

[0003] Patent Document 1 Japanese National Publication of International Patent Application No. 2021-517878 Summary of the Invention Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] Incidentally, many liquefied gas fuel vessels such as container carriers that do not carry liquefied gas as cargo do not have engineers proficient in handling liquefied gas on board. For this reason, as fuel tanks for such liquefied gas fuel vessels, tanks such as Type-C tanks conforming to IMO (International Maritime Organization) standards, which have a high design pressure and are easy to handle, are often adopted. On the other hand, when returning gas from a liquefied gas-fueled vessel to a storage tank on a bunker vessel, it is necessary to equalize the internal pressure of the fuel tank and the storage tank before starting the supply of liquefied gas from the bunker vessel to the fuel vessel. However, if the storage tank on the bunker vessel is a membrane tank or a rectangular tank with a lower design pressure than the fuel tank on the liquefied gas-fueled vessel, then the above-mentioned pressure equalization requires work such as lowering the pressure on the fuel tank side, which presents various limitations on bunkering operations. Furthermore, tanks with high design pressure, such as Type-C tanks, generally have cylindrical or spherical shapes. Therefore, if these high-design-pressure tanks are used as storage tanks in order to match the design pressure of the storage tank and the fuel tank, the volumetric efficiency will be worse compared to membrane tanks or rectangular tanks, potentially leading to an increase in the overall size of the bunker vessel's equipment, including the storage tanks.

[0005] This disclosure was made to solve the above-mentioned problems and aims to provide bunker equipment, bunker vessels, bunker systems, and methods for supplying liquefied gas that can achieve smooth bunkering operations and miniaturization. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] To solve the above problems, the bunker facility according to this disclosure includes a first tank for storing liquefied gas as fuel to be supplied to a fuel ship, a second tank having a pressure vessel structure with higher pressure resistance than the first tank, a liquid line capable of supplying the liquefied gas from the first tank to the fuel tank of the fuel ship, and a gas line capable of introducing the gas discharged from the fuel tank in response to the supply of the liquefied gas into the second tank. A cooling device for cooling the gas in the second tank; a reliquefaction device provided in the first tank for liquefying the gas in the second tank cooled by the cooling device and storing it in the first tank as liquefied gas; and a reliquefaction line connecting the reliquefaction device and the second tank, capable of supplying the gaseous gas in the second tank to the reliquefaction device. It is equipped with.

[0007] The bunker vessel relating to this disclosure is equipped with the above-mentioned bunker facilities.

[0008] The bunker system according to this disclosure comprises the above-described bunker vessel and the fuel vessel having a fuel tank having a pressure vessel structure with higher pressure resistance than the first tank, wherein the fuel vessel includes a supply line connected to the liquid line that guides the liquefied gas supplied by the liquid line into the fuel tank, and a return line connected to the gas line that guides the gas discharged from the fuel tank in response to the supply of the liquefied gas from the first tank to the fuel tank to the gas line.

[0009] The method for supplying liquefied gas according to this disclosure is a method for supplying liquefied gas to a fuel ship using a bunker facility, wherein the bunker facility comprises a first tank for storing the liquefied gas, a second tank having a pressure vessel structure with higher pressure resistance than the first tank, a liquid line capable of supplying the liquefied gas from the first tank to the fuel tank of the fuel ship, and a gas line capable of introducing the gas discharged from the fuel tank in response to the supply of the liquefied gas into the second tank. A cooling device for cooling the gas in the second tank; a reliquefaction device provided in the first tank for liquefying the gas in the second tank cooled by the cooling device and storing it in the first tank as liquefied gas; and a reliquefaction line connecting the reliquefaction device and the second tank, capable of supplying the gaseous gas in the second tank to the reliquefaction device. The fuel vessel comprises a fuel tank having a pressure vessel structure with higher pressure resistance than the first tank, a supply line that guides the liquefied gas supplied by the liquid line into the fuel tank, and a return line that guides the gas discharged from the fuel tank in response to the supply of the liquefied gas from the first tank to the fuel tank to the gas line, and includes the steps of connecting the liquid line and the supply line, and connecting the gas line and the return line, equalizing the pressure between the second tank and the fuel tank, and supplying the liquefied gas in the first tank into the fuel tank. The steps include: reliquefying the gas in the second tank and storing the reliquefied liquefied gas in the first tank; Includes. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] The bunker equipment, bunker vessel, bunker system, and method of supplying liquefied gas described herein enable smooth bunkering operations and miniaturization. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0011] [Figure 1] This is a schematic diagram of a bunker vessel according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 2] This is a schematic diagram of a fuel ship according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 3] This diagram illustrates a state in which a bunker vessel and a fuel vessel are connected according to an embodiment of this disclosure. [Figure 4] This is a flowchart showing the procedure for a liquefied gas supply method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0012] Hereinafter, the bunker equipment 10, bunker vessel 1, bunker system 100, and method for supplying liquefied gas G1 according to the embodiments of this disclosure will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 4. The bunker system 100 is a system that supplies liquefied gas G1 as fuel to a fuel vessel 2 at sea. Examples of liquefied gas G1 supplied by the bunker system 100 include LPG (Liquefied Petroleum Gas) and liquefied ammonia. The bunker system 100 may also be used to supply LNG (Liquefied Natural Gas) to the fuel vessel 2. The bunker system 100 comprises a bunker vessel 1 and a fuel vessel 2.

[0013] (Bunker ship) First, the configuration of the bunker vessel 1 will be described with reference to Figure 1. The bunker vessel 1 is a vessel that supplies liquefied gas G1 to the fuel vessel 2. As shown in Figure 1, the bunker vessel 1 comprises a bunker hull 3 and bunker equipment 10.

[0014] The bunker hull 3 is a structure that extends in one direction and floats on the ocean, having an internal space where various equipment and devices can be installed. Inside the bunker hull 3, there is a space for housing the first tank 11, which will be described later. The bunker hull 3 has an upper deck 4 and a superstructure 5 provided on the upper deck 4 on the stern side 3b. The superstructure 5 provides living quarters for the crew of the bunker ship 1, etc.

[0015] (Bunkering facility) A bunkering facility 10 is a facility for supplying liquefied gas G1 from a bunkering vessel 1 to a fuel vessel 2, and is provided on a bunkering hull 3. The bunkering facility 10 includes a first tank 11, a pump 12, a second tank 13, a liquid line 20, a gas line 30, a cooling device 40, a reliquefaction device 14, a reliquefaction line 15, a supply connection line 16, and a return connection line 17.

[0016] (First tank) The first tank 11 is a cargo tank that stores the liquefied gas G1 as fuel to be supplied to the fuel vessel 2. A plurality of (two in the present embodiment) first tanks 11 are arranged in the bunkering hull 3 on the bow 3a side. Only one first tank 11 may be provided on the bunkering hull 3, or three or more first tanks 11 may be provided. In the present embodiment, the two first tanks 11 are provided closer to the bow 3a side than the superstructure 5, and are aligned in the fore-aft direction of the hull.

[0017] The first tank 11 is a tank with lower design pressure and higher volume efficiency compared to the second tank 13 and the fuel tank 60 described later. Examples of the first tank 11 include a membrane tank and a rectangular tank. Further, in the first tank 11 of the present embodiment, Type-A and Type-B tanks according to IMO standards are employed. The maximum design pressure of the first tank 11 is, for example, approximately 0.07 MPa or 0.025 MPa.

[0018] (Pump) The pump 12 pressure-feeds the liquefied gas G1 in the first tank 11 to the fuel tank 60. In the present embodiment, the pump 12 is provided in the first tank 11. Note that the pump 12 may be provided in the liquid line 20 described later that extends from the first tank 11. Further, the pumps 12 may be respectively arranged in the first tank 11 and the liquid line 20 (two-stage type).

[0019] (Second tank) The second tank 13 is a tank for storing gas G2 returned from the fuel tank 60 of the fuel ship 2, which will be described later. In this embodiment, the second tank 13 is located on the upper deck 4. More specifically, the second tank 13 is located above the first tank 11 on the bow side 3a of the two first tanks 11. The second tank 13 may also be placed inside the bunker hull 3. The volume of the second tank 13 is smaller than the volume of the first tank 11.

[0020] The second tank 13 has a pressure vessel structure with higher pressure resistance than the first tank 11. The second tank 13 is a tank with a design pressure at least the same degree as the fuel tank 60 of the fuel ship 2. Examples of the second tank 13 include a spherical tank and a cylindrical tank. In addition, the second tank 13 in this embodiment is a tank of type C according to IMO standards. The maximum design pressure of the second tank 13 is, for example, between 0.4 MPa and 2.0 MPa.

[0021] The second tank 13 can be configured and designed to accommodate various temperatures and pressures. For example, the second tank 13 can be insulated to maintain a low temperature, and its internal pressure can be set to atmospheric pressure (full reflector type) or intermediate pressure (semi-reflector type). The tank capacity of the second tank 13 is determined based on the tank capacity and pressure setting of the fuel tank 60 of the assumed fuel vessel 2, the degree of freedom in placement on the bunker vessel 1 side, etc.

[0022] (Liquid line) The liquid line 20 is a line capable of supplying liquefied gas G1 from the first tank 11 to the fuel tank 60 of the fuel ship 2. The liquid line 20 extends from the first tank 11. The end of the liquid line 20 located in the first tank 11 is connected to a pump 12 installed in the first tank 11. Liquefied gas G1, pumped out of the first tank 11 by the pump 12, flows through the liquid line 20. The liquid line 20 includes a manifold pipe 21 and a liquid line pipe 22.

[0023] The manifold piping 21 is a pipe that extends in the width direction of the ship and has a manifold 23 at one end in the width direction. The manifold piping 21 is located, for example, on the upper deck 4. In this embodiment, the manifold piping 21 is located on the bow 3a side of the superstructure 5.

[0024] The liquid line piping 22 connects and communicates the manifold piping 21 and the first tank 11. In this embodiment, one liquid line piping 22 is provided for each of the two first tanks 11. One end of the liquid line piping 22 is connected to the pump 12 of the first tank 11, and the other end of the liquid line piping 22 is connected to the manifold piping 21.

[0025] When liquefied gas G1 is supplied from the first tank 11 to the fuel tank 60 through the liquid line 20 described above, a gaseous gas G2 equivalent to the volume of the supplied liquefied gas G1 is discharged from the fuel tank 60. The gas G2 discharged from the fuel tank 60 is led to the second tank 13.

[0026] (Gas line) The gas line 30 is a line that can introduce gas G2, which is discharged from the fuel tank 60 in response to the supply of liquefied gas G1, into the second tank 13. The gas line 30 extends from the second tank 13. The gas line 30 has manifold piping 31 and gas line piping 32.

[0027] The manifold piping 31 is a pipe that extends in the width direction of the ship and has a manifold 33 at one end in the width direction. The manifold 33 of the manifold piping 31 is located on the same side in the width direction as the manifold 23 of the manifold piping 21. In this embodiment, the manifold piping 31 is located between the superstructure 5 and the manifold piping 21 in the bow-stern direction. The gas line piping 32 connects and communicates the manifold piping 31 and the second tank 13.

[0028] (cooling device) The cooling device 40 cools the gas G2 in the second tank 13. The cooling device 40 includes a spray unit 41 and a cooling water supply unit 42.

[0029] (Spray part) The spray unit 41 sprays the liquefied gas G1 from the first tank 11 into the second tank 13. In this embodiment, the spray unit 41 is provided on the liquid line pipe 22 on the bow 3a side of the two liquid line pipes 22. However, the spray unit 41 may be provided on each of the two liquid line pipes 22. The spray unit 41 has a spray pipe 43 and a spray unit 44. The spray pipe 43 branches off from the liquid line pipe 22 and connects the liquid line pipe 22 to the second tank 13. The spray pipe 43 is formed to have a smaller diameter than the liquid line pipe 22. A portion of the liquefied gas G1 supplied from the first tank 11 to the fuel tank 60 flows into the spray pipe 43. One end of the spray pipe 43 is provided inside the second tank 13, and a spray unit 44 is provided at this end. The spray unit 44 sprays the liquefied gas G1 guided into the spray pipe 43 into the second tank 13.

[0030] (Cooling water supply section) The cooling water supply unit 42 supplies water W to the outer hull of the second tank 13 from the outside. In this embodiment, the cooling water supply unit 42 includes a cooling water pipe 45 and a cooling water pump 46. One end of the cooling water pipe 45 opens into the seawater surrounding the bunker ship 1, and the other end of the cooling water pipe 45 is located outside the second tank 13 and opens toward the second tank 13. A cooling water pump 46 is also provided at one end of the cooling water pipe 45. The cooling water pump 46 pumps up seawater and pressurizes it from one end of the cooling water pipe 45 to the other. The cooling water pump 46 can be located anywhere inside the ship. The seawater pressurized by the cooling water pump 46 is sprayed toward the outer hull of the second tank 13. In this embodiment, the cooling water supply unit 42 supplies seawater to the second tank 13, but it is not limited to seawater. The cooling water supply unit 42 may be configured to supply, for example, freshwater to the second tank 13. In this case, the bunker vessel 1 may be equipped with a storage tank for storing fresh water to cool the second tank 13. The cooling device 40 may have only one of the spray unit 41 and the cooling water supply unit 42.

[0031] (Reliquefaction equipment) The reliquefaction device 14 liquefies the gas G2 in the second tank 13, which has been cooled by the cooling device 40, and stores it in the first tank 11 as liquefied gas G1. In this embodiment, the reliquefaction device 14 is a device for the first tank 11 and reliquefies the gas G2 that has vaporized in the first tank 11. However, the reliquefaction device 14 may not be a device for the first tank 11, but a device provided separately from the first tank 11.

[0032] (Reliquefaction line) The reliquefaction line 15 connects and maintains communication between the reliquefaction device 14 and the second tank 13. The reliquefaction line 15 is a piping system that supplies the gaseous gas G2 in the second tank 13 to the reliquefaction device 14. The reliquefaction device 14 liquefies the gaseous gas G2 supplied from the second tank 13 through the reliquefaction line 15 and sends it into the first tank 11.

[0033] (Supply connection line and return connection line) Furthermore, the bunker hull 3 is equipped with a supply connection line 16 and a return connection line 17 (see Figure 3). The supply connection line 16 connects the liquid line 20 to the supply line 70 of the fuel vessel 2 (described later) in order to supply the liquefied gas G1 in the first tank 11 to the fuel vessel 2. The return connection line 17 connects the gas line 30 to the return line 80 of the fuel vessel 2 (described later) in order to guide the gas G2 discharged from the fuel vessel 2 into the second tank 13.

[0034] In this embodiment, the supply connection line 16 and the return connection line 17 are flexible hoses, loading arms, etc., and are mounted on the bunker hull 3.

[0035] (fuel ship) Next, with reference to Figure 2, an example of a fuel vessel 2 supplied with fuel by the bunker vessel 1 will be described. The fuel vessel 2 comprises a fuel hull 50, a fuel tank 60, a supply line 70, and a return line 80.

[0036] The fuel hull 50 is a structure that extends in one direction and floats on the ocean, having an internal space where various equipment and devices can be installed. The fuel hull 50 has an upper deck 51 and a superstructure 52 provided on the upper deck 51 on the stern side 50b. The superstructure 52 provides living quarters for the crew of the fuel ship 2, etc.

[0037] (Fuel tank) The fuel tank 60 is a tank for storing liquefied gas G1 used as fuel for the fuel ship 2. The fuel tank 60 is mounted on the fuel ship hull 50. The fuel tank 60 may be located inside the fuel ship hull 50 or on the upper deck 51. In this embodiment, the fuel tank 60 is located on the bow 50a side of the superstructure 52.

[0038] The fuel tank 60 illustrated in this embodiment has a pressure vessel structure with higher pressure resistance than the first tank 11. Examples of fuel tanks 60 include spherical tanks and cylindrical tanks. Furthermore, the fuel tank 60 in this embodiment uses a tank of type C according to IMO standards. The maximum design pressure of this fuel tank 60 is, for example, between 0.4 MPa and 2.0 MPa.

[0039] (Supply line) The supply line 70 is connected to the liquid line 20 and guides the liquefied gas G1 supplied by the liquid line 20 into the fuel tank 60. The supply line 70 extends from the fuel tank 60 and communicates with the fuel tank 60. The supply line 70 is connected to the liquid line 20 of the bunker vessel 1 via the supply connection line 16. Liquefied gas G1 supplied from the first tank 11 of the bunker vessel 1 flows through the supply line 70. The supply line 70 has a manifold pipe 71 and a supply line pipe 72.

[0040] The manifold piping 71 is a pipe that extends in the width direction of the ship and has manifolds 73 at both ends in the width direction. The manifold piping 71 is located, for example, on the upper deck 51. In this embodiment, the manifold piping 71 is located on the bow 50a side of the fuel tank 60. The supply line piping 72 connects and maintains communication between the manifold piping 71 and the fuel tank 60.

[0041] (Return line) The return line 80 is connected to the gas line 30 and is a line that guides the gas G2 discharged from the fuel tank 60 in response to the supply of liquefied gas G1 from the first tank 11 to the fuel tank 60 to the gas line 30. The return line 80 is connected to the liquid line 20 of the bunker vessel 1 via the return connection line 17. The gas phase gas G2 discharged from the fuel tank 60 flows through the return line 80. The return line 80 has manifold piping 81 and return line piping 82.

[0042] The manifold piping 81 is a pipe that extends in the width direction of the ship and has manifolds 83 at both ends in the width direction. The manifold piping 81 is located, for example, on the upper deck 51. In this embodiment, the manifold piping 81 is provided between the superstructure 52 and the manifold piping 71 in the bow-stern direction. The return line piping 82 connects and maintains communication between the manifold piping 81 and the fuel tank 60.

[0043] (Connection between bunker vessel and fuel vessel) Next, referring to Figure 3, we will explain the connection between bunker vessel 1 and fuel vessel 2. When the fuel in the fuel vessel 2 decreases and it becomes necessary to supply liquefied gas G1 to the fuel tank 60, the bunker vessel 1 is moved so that its side approaches the side of the moored fuel vessel 2, as shown in Figure 3. In this embodiment, an example is given in which the bunker vessel 1 is moved and stopped so that its direction of travel aligns with the direction of travel of the fuel vessel 2. At this time, it is necessary to position the bunker vessel 1 so that the manifold 23 of the manifold piping 21 and the manifold 33 of the manifold piping 31 face the fuel vessel 2. Furthermore, it is preferable to move the bunker vessel 1 so that the manifold 23 of the manifold piping 21 and the manifold 73 of the manifold piping 71 are aligned in the width direction of the vessel, and the manifold 33 of the manifold piping 31 and the manifold 83 of the manifold piping 81 are aligned in the width direction of the vessel.

[0044] In this state, the bunker vessel 1 is moored, and the liquid line 20 of the bunker vessel 1 and the supply line 70 of the fuel vessel 2 are connected by the supply connection line 16. More specifically, the manifold 23 of the manifold piping 21 and the manifold 73 of the manifold piping 71 are connected by the supply connection line 16. Furthermore, the gas line 30 of bunker vessel 1 and the return line 80 of fuel vessel 2 are connected by a return connection line 17. More specifically, the manifold 33 of manifold piping 31 and the manifold 83 of manifold piping 81 are connected by a return connection line 17.

[0045] (Method of supplying liquefied gas) Next, referring to Figure 4, the method for supplying liquefied gas G1 from bunker vessel 1 to fuel vessel 2 will be explained.

[0046] When it becomes necessary to supply liquefied gas G1 to the fuel tank 60, the amount of liquefied gas G1 remaining in the fuel tank 60 is low. The remaining portion of the fuel tank 60, excluding the portion where the liquefied gas G1 is stored, is filled with gaseous gas G2, which is produced when the liquefied gas G1 evaporates. When this situation occurs, in order to supply liquefied gas G1 to the fuel tank 60, the bunker ship 1 is moved so that its sides are close to the fuel ship 2, as described above (see Figure 3). In this state, the supply of liquefied gas G1 is started.

[0047] As shown in Figure 4, first, the liquid line 20 and the supply line 70 are connected, and the gas line 30 and the return line 80 are connected (step S1). In step S1, the manifold 23 of manifold piping 21 and the manifold 73 of manifold piping 71 are connected by the supply connection line 16. Also in step S1, the manifold 33 of manifold piping 31 and the manifold 83 of manifold piping 81 are connected by the return connection line 17. At this time, the gaps between the liquid line 20 and the supply line 70, and between the gas line 30 and the return line 80 are closed by valves or the like (not shown).

[0048] Next, the connections between the liquid line 20 and the supply line 70, and between the gas line 30 and the return line 80 are opened, and the pressures of the second tank 13 and the fuel tank 60 are equalized (step S2).

[0049] After the pressure equalization between the second tank 13 and the fuel tank 60 is completed, the pump 12 is activated to supply the liquefied gas G1 in the first tank 11 to the fuel tank 60 (step S3). While the pump 12 is operating, the liquefied gas G1 is smoothly supplied from the first tank 11 to the fuel tank 60 through the liquid line 20 and the supply line 70. As a result, the internal pressure of the fuel tank 60 becomes higher than the internal pressure of the second tank 13, and gas G2 in the gas phase equivalent to the volume of liquefied gas G1 supplied to the fuel tank 60 is discharged from the fuel tank 60. The gas G2 discharged from the fuel tank 60 is guided to the second tank 13 through the return line 80 and the gas line 30.

[0050] When gas G2 is supplied into the second tank 13, the pressure in the second tank 13 increases, and the temperature inside the second tank 13 rises. To counteract this, the cooling device 40 cools the gas G2 inside the second tank 13 (step S4). Specifically, the cooling device 40 cools the gas G2 inside the second tank 13 by spraying a portion of the liquefied gas G1 transferred from the first tank 11 to the fuel tank 60 into the second tank 13 via the spray unit 41. Alternatively, the cooling device 40 may cool the gas G2 inside the second tank 13 by supplying water W from the outside to the outer shell of the second tank 13 via the cooling water supply unit 42. In this embodiment, the cooling water supply unit 42 pumps up seawater using the cooling water pump 46 and sprays it onto the outer shell of the second tank 13. In step S4, the gas G2 inside the second tank 13 may be cooled using either the spray unit 41 or the cooling water supply unit 42, or both the spray unit 41 and the cooling water supply unit 42 may be used to cool the gas G2 inside the second tank 13.

[0051] Once it is confirmed that sufficient liquefied gas G1 has been supplied to the fuel tank 60, the pump 12 is stopped with the connections between the liquid line 20 and the supply line 70, and between the gas line 30 and the return line 80 blocked, thereby stopping the supply of liquefied gas G1 to the fuel tank 60 (step S5).

[0052] Subsequently, the supply connection line 16 and the return connection line 17 are removed, and the liquid line 20 and the supply line 70, and the gas line 30 and the return line 80 are cut (step S6). The liquefied gas G1 remaining in the supply connection line 16 and the gas G2 remaining in the return connection line 17 may be recovered by a recovery device (not shown).

[0053] After step S6, the gas G2 in the second tank 13 is reliquefied in the reliquefaction device 14 (step S7). In step S7, the reliquefied liquefied gas G1 is stored in the first tank 11. Step S7 may be omitted. In this way, the supply of liquefied gas G1 is completed.

[0054] (Effects and Benefits) The bunker equipment 10 of this embodiment provides the following effects and benefits. In this embodiment, the bunker facility 10 includes a first tank 11, a second tank 13, a liquid line 20, and a gas line 30. The first tank 11 stores liquefied gas G1 as fuel to be supplied to the fuel ship 2. The second tank 13 has a pressure vessel structure with higher pressure resistance than the first tank 11. The liquid line 20 is capable of supplying the liquefied gas G1 from the first tank 11 to the fuel tank 60 of the fuel ship 2. The gas line 30 is capable of introducing gas G2 discharged from the fuel tank 60 in response to the supply of liquefied gas G1 into the second tank 13.

[0055] As a result, the bunker facility 10 can recover the gas G2 discharged from the fuel tank 60 using the second tank 13, which has a highly pressure-resistant pressure vessel structure. Therefore, when recovering gas G2 from the fuel tank 60, it is not necessary to equalize the pressure between the fuel tank 60 and the first tank 11, but rather to equalize the pressure between the fuel tank 60 and the second tank 13. This eliminates the need to select the first tank 11 to match the design pressure of the fuel tank 60. For this reason, a tank with high volumetric efficiency, such as a membrane tank or a rectangular tank, can be used as the first tank 11. Thus, it is possible to achieve a smooth bunkering operation from the first tank 11 to the fuel tank 60 while also achieving a smaller bunker facility 10.

[0056] In this embodiment, the volume of the second tank 13 is smaller than the volume of the first tank 11.

[0057] This allows the second tank 13 to be made smaller compared to the case where the volume of the second tank 13 is greater than or equal to the volume of the first tank 11. Therefore, it can be designed to be even smaller than the bunker equipment 10.

[0058] In this embodiment, the bunker equipment 10 is equipped with a cooling device 40. The cooling device 40 cools the gas G2 in the second tank 13.

[0059] As a result, when the second tank 13 recovers gas G2 from the fuel tank 60 and the temperature of gas G2 in the second tank 13 rises, the bunker equipment 10 can cool the second tank 13 with the cooling device 40 to lower the internal pressure of the second tank 13. Therefore, the bunker equipment 10 can prevent the second tank 13 from becoming more pressure than the fuel tank 60 and smoothly guide gas G2 from the fuel tank 60 to the second tank 13.

[0060] In this embodiment, the cooling device 40 has a spray unit 41. The spray unit 41 sprays the liquefied gas G1 in the first tank 11 into the second tank 13.

[0061] As a result, the bunker equipment 10 can rapidly cool the gas G2 in the second tank 13 that has been returned from the fuel tank 60 by spraying the low-temperature liquefied gas G1 into the second tank 13. Therefore, the bunker equipment 10 can make the return of gas G2 from the fuel tank 60 to the second tank 13 even smoother.

[0062] In this embodiment, the cooling device 40 has a cooling water supply unit 42. The cooling water supply unit 42 supplies water W to the outer shell of the second tank 13 from the outside.

[0063] As a result, the bunker equipment 10 can supply W, such as surrounding seawater, to the outer hull of the second tank 13 to cool the gas G2 inside the second tank 13. In this way, the gas G2 inside the second tank 13 can be cooled with simple equipment. Furthermore, if seawater is used as the water W to cool the second tank 13, a vast amount of seawater exists around the fuel ship 2, so the bunker equipment 10 can supply seawater to the second tank 13 inexhaustibly and sufficiently cool the gas G2 inside the second tank 13.

[0064] In this embodiment, the bunker facility 10 includes a reliquefaction device 14. The reliquefaction device 14 liquefies the gas G2 in the second tank 13, which has been cooled by the cooling device 40, and stores it in the first tank 11 as liquefied gas G1.

[0065] As a result, the bunker facility 10 can liquefy the gas G2 in the second tank 13 using the reliquefaction device 14. Therefore, the gas G2 returned from the fuel tank 60 to the second tank 13 can be reused as fuel. Thus, the amount of liquefied gas G1 used can be reduced.

[0066] In this embodiment, the bunker vessel 1 is equipped with bunker facilities 10.

[0067] This improves the volumetric efficiency of the first tank 11 installed on the bunker ship 1, thereby suppressing the need to increase the size of the ship's hull.

[0068] In this embodiment, the bunker system 100 comprises a bunker vessel 1 and a fuel vessel 2 equipped with a fuel tank 60 having a pressure vessel structure with higher pressure resistance than the first tank 11. The fuel vessel 2 comprises a supply line 70 and a return line 80. The supply line 70 is connected to a liquid line 20 and guides the liquefied gas G1 supplied by the liquid line 20 into the fuel tank 60. The return line 80 is connected to a gas line 30 and guides the gas G2 discharged from the fuel tank 60 in response to the supply of liquefied gas G1 from the first tank 11 to the fuel tank 60 to the gas line 30.

[0069] In this way, by using the bunker ship 1, which is equipped with a first tank 11 and a second tank 13, to refuel the fuel ship 2, which is equipped with a fuel tank 60 having a pressure vessel structure with higher pressure resistance than the first tank 11, refueling can be carried out smoothly while suppressing the need to increase the size of the bunker ship 1.

[0070] In this embodiment, the method for supplying liquefied gas G1 includes step S1 of connecting the liquid line 20 and the supply line 70, and connecting the gas line 30 and the return line 80; step S2 of equalizing the pressure between the second tank 13 and the fuel tank 60; and step S3 of supplying the liquefied gas G1 in the first tank 11 into the fuel tank 60.

[0071] As a result, the second tank 13, which has a highly pressure-resistant pressure vessel structure, can recover the gas G2 discharged from the fuel tank 60. Therefore, when recovering gas G2 from the fuel tank 60, it is not necessary to equalize the pressure between the fuel tank 60 and the first tank 11, but rather to equalize the pressure between the fuel tank 60 and the second tank 13, thus eliminating the need to select the first tank 11 to match the design pressure of the fuel tank 60. For this reason, a tank with high volumetric efficiency, such as a membrane tank or a rectangular tank, can be used as the first tank 11. Thus, it is possible to achieve a smooth bunkering operation from the first tank 11 to the fuel tank 60 while also achieving a smaller bunker facility 10.

[0072] In this embodiment, the second tank 13 is located above the first tank 11.

[0073] This allows for effective use of the available space within the bunker facility 10. In other words, it improves the layout efficiency within the bunker facility 10.

[0074] (Other embodiments) Although embodiments of this disclosure have been described in detail above with reference to the drawings, the specific configuration is not limited to these embodiments and may include design changes and the like that do not depart from the gist of this disclosure.

[0075] In the above embodiment, the case in which the bunker equipment 10 is installed on the bunker vessel 1 has been described, but it is not limited to this. The bunker equipment 10 may be installed, for example, on a tank truck for supplying liquefied gas G1 parked at a quay to a fuel vessel 2 that is moored at a quay. Alternatively, the bunker equipment 10 may be a land-based terminal for supplying liquefied gas G1 to a fuel vessel 2 that is moored at a quay or pier.

[0076] In the above embodiment, the cooling device 40 is assumed to have at least one of a spray unit 41 and a cooling water supply unit 42, but it is not limited thereto. The cooling device 40 may cool the gas G2 in the second tank 13 by a method other than supplying liquefied gas G1 into the second tank 13 or supplying water W to the outer shell of the second tank 13.

[0077] <Note> The bunker equipment 10, bunker vessel 1, bunker system 100, and method of supplying liquefied gas G1 described in each embodiment can be understood, for example, as follows.

[0078] (1) The bunker facility 10 according to the first embodiment includes a first tank 11 for storing liquefied gas G1 as fuel to be supplied to the fuel ship 2, a second tank 13 having a pressure vessel structure with higher pressure resistance than the first tank 11, a liquid line 20 capable of supplying the liquefied gas G1 from the first tank 11 to the fuel tank 60 of the fuel ship 2, and a gas line 30 capable of introducing gas G2 discharged from the fuel tank 60 in response to the supply of liquefied gas G1 into the second tank 13.

[0079] As a result, the bunker facility 10 can recover the gas G2 discharged from the fuel tank 60 using the second tank 13, which has a highly pressure-resistant pressure vessel structure. Therefore, when recovering gas G2 from the fuel tank 60, it is not necessary to equalize the pressure between the fuel tank 60 and the first tank 11, but rather to equalize the pressure between the fuel tank 60 and the second tank 13. This eliminates the need to select the first tank 11 to match the design pressure of the fuel tank 60. For this reason, a tank with high volumetric efficiency, such as a membrane tank or a rectangular tank, can be used as the first tank 11.

[0080] (2) The bunker equipment 10 of the second embodiment is the bunker equipment 10 of (1), wherein the volume of the second tank 13 may be smaller than the volume of the first tank 11.

[0081] This allows the second tank 13 to be made smaller compared to the case where the volume of the second tank 13 is greater than or equal to the volume of the first tank 11.

[0082] (3) The bunker facility 10 of the third embodiment is the bunker facility 10 of (1) or (2), which may be equipped with a cooling device 40 for cooling the gas G2 in the second tank 13.

[0083] As a result, when the second tank 13 recovers gas G2 from the fuel tank 60 and the temperature of gas G2 in the second tank 13 rises, the bunker equipment 10 can cool the second tank 13 with the cooling device 40 to reduce the internal pressure of the second tank 13.

[0084] (4) The bunker equipment 10 of the fourth embodiment is the bunker equipment 10 of (3), wherein the cooling device 40 may have a spray unit 41 that sprays the liquefied gas G1 in the first tank 11 into the second tank 13.

[0085] As a result, the bunker equipment 10 can rapidly cool the gas G2 in the second tank 13 that has been returned from the fuel tank 60 by spraying the low-temperature liquefied gas G1 into the second tank 13.

[0086] (5) The bunker equipment 10 of the fifth embodiment is the bunker equipment 10 of (3) or (4), wherein the cooling device 40 may have a cooling water supply unit 42 that supplies water W from the outside to the outer shell of the second tank 13.

[0087] This allows the bunker equipment 10 to supply water W, such as surrounding seawater, to the outer shell of the second tank 13 to cool the gas G2 inside the second tank 13.

[0088] (6) The bunker facility 10 of the sixth embodiment is any of the bunker facilities 10 of (3) to (5), and may include a reliquefaction device 14 that liquefies the gas G2 in the second tank 13 cooled by the cooling device 40 and stores it in the first tank 11 as the liquefied gas G1.

[0089] As a result, the bunker facility 10 can liquefy the gas G2 in the second tank 13 using the reliquefaction device 14. Therefore, the gas G2 returned from the fuel tank 60 to the second tank 13 can be reused as fuel.

[0090] (7) The bunker vessel 1 of the seventh embodiment is equipped with any of the bunker facilities 10 described in (1) to (6).

[0091] This improves the volumetric efficiency of the first tank 11 installed on the bunker ship 1, thereby suppressing the need to increase the size of the ship's hull.

[0092] (8) The bunker system 100 of the eighth embodiment comprises the bunker vessel 1 of (7) and the fuel vessel 2 having the fuel tank 60 having a pressure vessel structure that is more pressure resistant than the first tank 11, wherein the fuel vessel 2 comprises a supply line 70 connected to the liquid line 20 and guiding the liquefied gas G1 supplied by the liquid line 20 into the fuel tank 60, and a return line 80 connected to the gas line 30 and guiding the gas G2 discharged from the fuel tank 60 in response to the supply of the liquefied gas G1 from the first tank 11 to the fuel tank 60 to the gas line 30.

[0093] In this way, by using the bunker ship 1, which is equipped with a first tank 11 and a second tank 13, to refuel the fuel ship 2, which is equipped with a fuel tank 60 having a pressure vessel structure with higher pressure resistance than the first tank 11, refueling can be carried out smoothly while suppressing the need to increase the size of the bunker ship 1.

[0094] (9) A method for supplying liquefied gas G1 according to the ninth embodiment is a method for supplying liquefied gas G1 using a bunker facility 10 that supplies liquefied gas G1 as fuel to a fuel ship 2, wherein the bunker facility 10 comprises a first tank 11 for storing the liquefied gas G1, a second tank 13 having a pressure vessel structure with higher pressure resistance than the first tank 11, a liquid line 20 capable of supplying the liquefied gas G1 from the first tank 11 to the fuel tank 60 of the fuel ship 2, and a gas line 30 capable of introducing gas G2 discharged from the fuel tank 60 in response to the supply of liquefied gas G1 into the second tank 13, and the fuel ship 2 having a pressure vessel structure with higher pressure resistance than the first tank 11. The system includes a fuel tank 60, a supply line 70 that guides the liquefied gas G1 supplied by the liquid line 20 into the fuel tank 60, and a return line 80 that guides the gas G2 discharged from the fuel tank 60 in response to the supply of the liquefied gas G1 from the first tank 11 to the fuel tank 60 to the gas line 30. The system includes a step S1 of connecting the liquid line 20 and the supply line 70, and connecting the gas line 30 and the return line 80, a step S2 of equalizing the pressure between the second tank 13 and the fuel tank 60, and a step S3 of supplying the liquefied gas G1 in the first tank 11 into the fuel tank 60.

[0095] As a result, the second tank 13, which has a highly pressure-resistant pressure vessel structure, can recover the gas G2 discharged from the fuel tank 60. Therefore, when recovering gas G2 from the fuel tank 60, it is not necessary to equalize the pressure between the fuel tank 60 and the first tank 11, but rather to equalize the pressure between the fuel tank 60 and the second tank 13. This eliminates the need to select the first tank 11 to match the design pressure of the fuel tank 60. For this reason, a tank with high volumetric efficiency, such as a membrane tank or a rectangular tank, can be used as the first tank 11. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0096] 1...Bunker ship 2...Fuel ship 3...Bunker hull 3a...Bow 3b...Stern 4...Upper deck 5...Superstructure 10...Bunker equipment 11...First tank 12...Pump 13...Second tank 14...Reliquefaction unit 15...Reliquefaction line 16...Supply connection line 17...Return connection line 20...Liquid line 21...Manifold piping 22...Liquid line piping 23...Manifold 30...Gas line 31...Manifold piping 32...Gas line piping 33...Manifold 40...Cooling system 41...Spray unit 42...Cooling water supply unit 43...Spray piping 44...Atomization unit 45...Cooling water piping 46...Cooling water pump 50...Fuel hull 50a...Bow 50b...Stern 51...Upper deck 52...Superstructure 60...Fuel tank 70...Supply line 71...Manifold piping 72…Supply line piping 73…Manifold 80…Return line 81…Manifold piping 82…Return line piping 83…Manifold 100…Bunker system G1…Liquefied gas G2…Gas W…Water

Claims

1. The first tank stores liquefied gas as fuel to be supplied to the fuel ship, A second tank, which has a pressure vessel structure with higher pressure resistance than the first tank, A liquid line capable of supplying the liquefied gas from the first tank to the fuel tank of the fuel ship, A gas line that can introduce the gas discharged from the fuel tank in response to the supply of the liquefied gas into the second tank, A cooling device for cooling the gas in the second tank, A re-liquefaction device is provided in the first tank and liquefies the gas in the second tank, which has been cooled by the cooling device, and stores the liquefied gas in the first tank. A reliquefaction line is provided that connects the reliquefaction device and the second tank, and is capable of supplying the gaseous gas in the second tank to the reliquefaction device. A bunker facility equipped with the following features.

2. The bunker facility according to claim 1, wherein the volume of the second tank is smaller than the volume of the first tank.

3. The bunker equipment according to claim 1, wherein the cooling device has a spray unit that sprays the liquefied gas in the first tank into the second tank.

4. The bunker equipment according to claim 1, wherein the cooling device has a cooling water supply unit that supplies water from the outside to the outer shell of the second tank.

5. A bunker vessel equipped with the bunker facilities described in claim 1 or 2.

6. The bunker vessel described in claim 5, A bunker system comprising: a fuel vessel having a fuel tank having a pressure vessel structure with higher pressure resistance than the first tank, The aforementioned fuel ship, A supply line connected to the liquid line, which guides the liquefied gas supplied by the liquid line into the fuel tank, A return line connected to the gas line, which guides the gas discharged from the fuel tank in response to the supply of the liquefied gas from the first tank to the fuel tank back to the gas line, A bunker system equipped with [features / equipment].

7. A method for supplying liquefied gas to a fuel ship using bunker equipment, The aforementioned bunker facilities are A first tank for storing the aforementioned liquefied gas, A second tank, which has a pressure vessel structure with higher pressure resistance than the first tank, A liquid line capable of supplying the liquefied gas from the first tank to the fuel tank of the fuel ship, A gas line that can introduce the gas discharged from the fuel tank in response to the supply of the liquefied gas into the second tank, A cooling device for cooling the gas in the second tank, A re-liquefaction device is provided in the first tank and liquefies the gas in the second tank, which has been cooled by the cooling device, and stores the liquefied gas in the first tank. A reliquefaction line is provided that connects the reliquefaction device and the second tank, and is capable of supplying the gaseous gas in the second tank to the reliquefaction device. Equipped with, The aforementioned fuel ship, The fuel tank has a pressure vessel structure that is more pressure-resistant than the first tank, A supply line that guides the liquefied gas supplied by the liquid line into the fuel tank, A return line that guides the gas discharged from the fuel tank in response to the supply of the liquefied gas from the first tank to the fuel tank to the gas line, Equipped with, The steps include connecting the liquid line and the supply line, and connecting the gas line and the return line, The steps of equalizing the pressure between the second tank and the fuel tank, The steps include supplying the liquefied gas in the first tank into the fuel tank, The steps include: reliquefying the gas in the second tank and storing the reliquefied liquefied gas in the first tank; A method for supplying liquefied gas, including [the specified element].

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