Tank facility and floating body

Abstract

A tank facility comprising: a tank capable of storing liquefied carbon dioxide; a communication pipe which is connected to the tank and by which the interior of the tank communicates with the outside of the tank; a valve which is provided somewhere in the communication pipe so that the flow path inside the communication pipe can be blocked / unblocked; and a heating part capable of externally heating at least a downstream pipe portion of the communication pipe that is downstream from the valve along the passing direction of carbon dioxide discharged from the tank when the valve is opened.

Description

Tank facilities and floating structures

[0001] This application claims priority to Japanese Patent Application No. 2023-168977, filed on September 29, 2023, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] In ships and the like equipped with tanks for storing liquefied gas, if the pressure inside the tank rises excessively, it is necessary to release the pressure inside the tank to the outside of the tank. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a configuration in which a communication pipe connected to the outside of the tank is provided with a safety valve that connects the inside of the tank to the outside of the tank when the pressure inside the tank reaches a predetermined safety valve activation pressure.

[0003] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2022-76210

[0004] When liquefied carbon dioxide is stored in a tank, the carbon dioxide in the tank may be released into the atmosphere outside the tank through a safety valve or the like. In this case, the low-temperature carbon dioxide with reduced pressure flows through the connecting pipe, and if the temperature of the connecting pipe drops sufficiently, the carbon dioxide flowing through the connecting pipe may solidify, producing dry ice inside the connecting pipe. If dry ice is produced inside the connecting pipe, it may lead to clogging of the connecting pipe, malfunction of the safety valve, etc.

[0005] The present disclosure has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and aims to provide a tank facility and a floating body that can suppress the generation of dry ice in the communicating pipe and effectively release carbon dioxide outside the tank.

[0006] In order to solve the above problems, the tank facility according to the present disclosure includes a tank, a communicating pipe, a valve, and a heating unit. The tank is capable of storing liquefied carbon dioxide. The communicating pipe is connected to the tank and communicates the inside of the tank with the outside of the tank. The valve is provided midway through the communicating pipe and is capable of opening and closing a flow path within the communicating pipe. The heating unit is capable of externally heating at least a downstream pipe portion of the communicating pipe that is downstream of the valve in the flow direction of carbon dioxide discharged from the tank when the valve is open.

[0007] The float according to the present disclosure comprises a float body and the above-described tank equipment provided on the float body.

[0008] The tank facility according to the present disclosure includes a tank, a communicating pipe, a valve, and a pressure release unit. The tank is capable of storing liquefied carbon dioxide. The communicating pipe is connected to the tank and communicates the inside of the tank with the outside of the tank. The valve is provided midway along the communicating pipe and is capable of opening and closing a flow path within the communicating pipe. The pressure release unit closes the tip of the communicating pipe and releases the inside of the communicating pipe when the pressure within the communicating pipe reaches or exceeds a preset pressure.

[0009] The tank facility according to the present disclosure comprises a plurality of tanks, a piping system, a connecting pipe, and a safety valve. The plurality of tanks are capable of storing liquefied carbon dioxide. The piping system is connected to the plurality of tanks. One end of the connecting pipe is connected to the piping system, and the other end is connected to any one of the plurality of tanks. The safety valve is provided midway along the connecting pipe. The safety valve operates when the pressure in the connecting pipe exceeds a preset safety valve operating pressure.

[0010] The tank equipment and float disclosed herein can suppress the generation of dry ice in the communicating pipe and effectively release carbon dioxide outside the tank.

[0011] Fig. 4 is a side view of a floating body equipped with a tank equipment according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure. Fig. 5 is a diagram showing the configuration of a tank equipment according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure. Fig. 6 is a diagram showing the configuration of a tank equipment according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure. Fig. 7 is a diagram showing the configuration of a tank equipment according to a third embodiment of the present disclosure. Fig. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along the arrow A-A in Fig. 4. Fig. 9 is a diagram showing the configuration of a tank equipment according to a fourth embodiment of the present disclosure. Fig. 10 is a diagram showing the configuration of a tank equipment according to a fifth embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0012] First Embodiment A tank facility and a floating body according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described below with reference to Figures 1 to 7. (Configuration of Ship) As shown in Figure 1, in this embodiment, a floating body, a ship 1, transports liquefied carbon dioxide. The ship 1 includes at least a hull 2 ​​as a floating body main body and a tank facility 10A.

[0013] (Hull Configuration) The hull 2 ​​has a pair of side walls 3A, 3B, a bottom 6, and an upper deck 5 that form its outer shell. The side walls 3A, 3B have a pair of side shell plates that form the port and starboard sides, respectively. The bottom 6 has a bottom shell plate that connects the side walls 3A, 3B. The upper deck 5 illustrated in this embodiment is a full-length deck that is exposed to the outside. A superstructure 7 having accommodation areas is formed on the upper deck 5 on the stern 2b side of the hull 2. Note that the location of the superstructure 7 is merely an example, and it may be located, for example, on the bow 2a side of the hull 2. A cargo carrying compartment (hold) 8 is formed within the hull 2.

[0014] (Configuration of Tank Equipment) The tank equipment 10A is provided in the cargo loading section 8. In this embodiment, only one set of the tank equipment 10A is provided, but two or more sets of the tank equipment 10A may be provided.

[0015] Fig. 2 is a diagram showing the configuration of a tank facility according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in Fig. 2, the tank facility 10A includes at least a tank 11, a connecting pipe 15, a valve 20, and a heating unit 30A. In this first embodiment, the tank 11 is disposed in the hull 2. The tank 11 is capable of storing liquefied carbon dioxide. The tank 11 has a tank dome 11d that protrudes above the upper deck 5 in the vertical direction Dv. Here, the shape of the tank 11 is not limited to the shape shown in the figure. The tank 11 may be, for example, a cylindrical shape extending horizontally, a spherical shape, a rectangular shape, or the like.

[0016] The communicating pipe 15 communicates the inside of the tank 11 with the outside of the tank 11. One end 15a of the communicating pipe 15 is connected to the tank dome 11d of the tank 11 above the upper deck 5. In this embodiment, the other end 15b of the communicating pipe 15 is connected to a vent post 18. The vent post 18 extends upward from the upper deck 5. The other end 15b of the communicating pipe 15 is connected to a lower part of the vent post 18. When a valve 20 (described later) opens, the vent post 18 allows carbon dioxide from inside the tank 11 to circulate from below to above and releases it into the atmosphere. Note that the other end 15b of the communicating pipe 15 does not have to be connected to the vent post 18.

[0017] The valve 20 is provided midway through the communicating pipe 15. The valve 20 is configured to open and close the flow path within the communicating pipe 15. The valve 20 is a so-called safety valve or pressure relief valve. The valve 20 is normally closed, closing the flow path within the communicating pipe 15. The pressure within the upstream pipe section 15p, which is connected to the inside of the tank 11, acts on the tank 11 side of the valve 20. When the pressure within the upstream pipe section 15p reaches a predetermined pressure value, the valve 20 opens and opens the flow path within the communicating pipe 15. When the valve 20 is open, carbon dioxide within the tank 11 passes through the communicating pipe 15 and is released into the atmosphere via the vent post 18. Here, the carbon dioxide discharged from the tank 11 may be liquefied carbon dioxide or carbon dioxide gas generated by vaporization of the liquefied carbon dioxide within the tank 11.

[0018] (Configuration of Heating Unit) The heating unit 30A is configured to be able to externally heat at least the downstream pipe portion 15q of the communicating pipe 15, which is on the other end 15b side with respect to the valve 20. The downstream pipe portion 15q is provided closer to the vent post 18 than the valve 20.

[0019] In this embodiment, the heating unit 30A includes a water supply unit 31 that supplies water to the outer peripheral surface of the downstream pipe portion 15q. The water supply unit 31 includes, for example, a water supply pipe 311 and a plurality of nozzles 312. The water supply pipe 311 supplies water to be supplied to the outside of the downstream pipe portion 15q of the communicating pipe 15 to the plurality of nozzles 312. The water supply pipe 311 in this embodiment extends along the downstream pipe portion 15q. The water supply pipe 311 in this embodiment is arranged at a predetermined interval relative to the downstream pipe portion 15q and extends parallel to the downstream pipe portion 15q.

[0020] Water is supplied to the water supply pipe 311 from a water supply source. In this embodiment, seawater is supplied to the water supply pipe 311 from a pump 315 that serves as the water supply source and draws up water from outside the hull 2. In this embodiment, for example, the water supply pipe 311 is connected to a pipe 317 for a fire hydrant 316 provided on the upper deck 5. A plurality of fire hydrants 316 are provided on the upper deck 5. The pipe 317 is provided to connect the pump 315 to the plurality of fire hydrants 316. An on-off valve 314 is provided midway along the water supply pipe 311. By opening the on-off valve 314, seawater is supplied to the water supply pipe 311 from the pump 315 via the pipe 317.

[0021] Note that seawater may be supplied to the water supply pipe 311 directly from the pump 315 without going through the piping 317 for the fire hydrant 316. Alternatively, seawater or fresh water for other uses stored within the hull 2 ​​may be supplied to the water supply pipe 311. The water supplied by the water supply pipe 311 may be heated by a heat source such as a heater. When the water to be supplied is heated, the temperature may be adjusted based on the temperature, flow rate, etc. of the carbon dioxide released through the communicating pipe 15. The flow rate of the water supplied by the water supply pipe 311 may be adjusted based on the temperature, flow rate, etc. of the carbon dioxide released through the communicating pipe 15.

[0022] The multiple nozzles 312 are provided at intervals in the extension direction of the water supply pipe 311. Each of the multiple nozzles 312 sprays water supplied through the water supply pipe 311 toward the outer peripheral surface of the downstream pipe section 15q. The water sprayed from the multiple nozzles 312 comes into contact with the outer peripheral surface of the downstream pipe section 15q of the communicating pipe 15.

[0023] Here, low-temperature carbon dioxide (liquefied carbon dioxide, carbon dioxide gas) is normally present inside the tank 11 and in the upstream pipe section 15p of the communicating pipe 15, which is located closer to the tank 11 than the valve 20. For this reason, the tank 11 and the upstream pipe section 15p of the communicating pipe 15 are covered with a heat insulating material or the like. In contrast, low-temperature carbon dioxide is not normally present inside the downstream pipe section 15q of the communicating pipe 15. For this reason, the downstream pipe section 15q is not covered with a heat insulating material or the like and is exposed to the atmosphere. For this reason, the water sprayed from the multiple nozzles 312 directly contacts the outer peripheral surface of the downstream pipe section 15q.

[0024] The temperature of the downstream pipe section 15q of the communicating pipe 15 is normally close to atmospheric temperature (room temperature). For example, when the valve 20 is opened and carbon dioxide from the tank 11 flows into the flow path in the downstream pipe section 15q, the temperature of the downstream pipe section 15q drops rapidly. In response to this, the water supply section 31 of the heating section 30A supplies water to the outer circumferential surface of the downstream pipe section 15q, thereby heating the downstream pipe section 15q from the outer circumferential side and suppressing the temperature drop of the downstream pipe section 15q.

[0025] The supply of water from the water supply unit 31 may be performed, for example, by an operator opening the on-off valve 314 and starting the pump 315. The supply of water from the water supply unit 31 may also be performed automatically by a control device (not shown) that automatically controls the operation of the on-off valve 314 and the pump 315. In this case, the control device may be triggered by, for example, the opening of the valve 20 or the pressure in the upstream pipe portion 15p of the communicating pipe 15 reaching a reference value, to open the on-off valve 314 and start the pump 315.

[0026] (Operation and Effect) The tank facility 10A and the ship 1 of the first embodiment are provided with a heating unit 30A capable of externally heating at least the downstream pipe section 15q of the communicating pipe 15 downstream of the valve 20 in the flow direction of carbon dioxide discharged from the tank 11 when the valve 20 is open. When the valve 20 provided in the communicating pipe 15 opens, carbon dioxide is discharged from the tank 11 to the outside of the tank 11 through the communicating pipe 15. Here, the carbon dioxide discharged from the tank 11 is liquefied carbon dioxide or carbon dioxide gas generated by evaporation of liquefied carbon dioxide within the tank 11, and is lower in temperature than ambient temperature (room temperature). Therefore, the downstream pipe section 15q downstream of the valve 20 in the communicating pipe 15 is rapidly cooled by the flowing carbon dioxide. At this time, by externally heating the downstream pipe section 15q with the heating unit 30A, a temperature drop in the downstream pipe section 15q is suppressed. Therefore, the generation of dry ice in the communicating pipe 15 is suppressed, and carbon dioxide can be efficiently discharged to the outside of the tank 11.

[0027] In the first embodiment, the heating unit 30A includes a water supply unit 31. As a result, the water supply unit 31 supplies water having a higher temperature than the carbon dioxide flowing through the downstream pipe unit 15q to the outer peripheral surface of the downstream pipe unit 15q, thereby suppressing a decrease in the temperature of the downstream pipe unit 15q.

[0028] In the first embodiment, water is sprayed from multiple nozzles 312 toward the outer surface of the downstream pipe section 15q, but the water may be supplied to the downstream pipe section 15q in the form of a sprinkler using a hose, for example.

[0029] In the first embodiment, the downstream pipe section 15q of the communicating pipe 15 is heated by the water supply section 31 supplying water to the downstream pipe section 15q, but this is not limited to this. The water supply section 31 may supply water not only to the downstream pipe section 15q but also to the upstream pipe section 15p. However, as described above, if the upstream pipe section 15p is covered with a heat insulating material or the like, it is necessary to consider damage to the heat insulating material due to the supply of water.

[0030] Second Embodiment Next, a second embodiment of a tank facility and a float according to the present disclosure will be described. In the second embodiment described below, only the configuration of the heating unit of the tank facility differs from that of the first embodiment. Therefore, the same components as those in the first embodiment will be denoted by the same reference numerals and will not be described again. Figure 3 is a diagram showing the configuration of a tank facility according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in Figure 3, in a tank facility 10B provided on a ship 1 according to this embodiment, a heating unit 30B is configured to be able to externally heat at least the downstream pipe portion 15q of the communicating pipe 15 on the other end 15b side relative to the valve 20.

[0031] In the second embodiment, the heating unit 30B includes a heater 33 provided along the outer circumferential surface of the downstream pipe section 15q. The heater 33 heats the downstream pipe section 15q from the outside. Examples of such a heater 33 include a so-called heat trace heater using hot water or steam, an electric heater, and the like. The heater 33 is provided to heat at least the outer circumferential surface of the downstream pipe section 15q. The heater 33 may be provided to heat the valve 20 and the upstream pipe section 15p in addition to the downstream pipe section 15q. In this second embodiment, since the heater 33 is provided as the heating unit 30B, the downstream pipe section 15q and the heater 33 may be covered with a heat insulating material or the like.

[0032] In the tank facility 10B and the ship 1 of the second embodiment, similarly to the first embodiment, the downstream pipe section 15q is heated from the outside by the heating unit 30B, thereby suppressing a decrease in the temperature of the downstream pipe section 15q. Therefore, the generation of dry ice in the communicating pipe 15 can be suppressed, and carbon dioxide can be efficiently released to the outside of the tank 11.

[0033] In the second embodiment, the heating unit 30B includes the heater unit 33. As a result, the heater unit 33 heats the outer peripheral surface of the downstream pipe unit 15q, thereby suppressing a decrease in temperature of the downstream pipe unit 15q due to the flow of carbon dioxide.

[0034] Third Embodiment Next, a third embodiment of a tank system and a float according to the present disclosure will be described. In the third embodiment described below, only the configuration of the heating unit of the tank system differs from the first and second embodiments. Therefore, the same components as those in the first and second embodiments will be denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description will be omitted. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the configuration of a tank system according to the third embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 4 , in a tank system 10C provided on a ship 1 according to the third embodiment, the communicating pipe 15 is not connected to a vent post 18, as in the first and second embodiments. In the third embodiment, the distal end 15s of the communicating pipe 15 is configured to open toward the outside of the hull 2. The communicating pipe 15 is provided with a heating unit 30A (see FIG. 2; not shown in FIG. 4 ), as in the first embodiment. The communicating pipe 15 may also be provided with a heating unit 30B, as in the second embodiment.

[0035] A nozzle 40 is detachably attached to the tip 15s of the communicating pipe 15. The nozzle 40 is a Jettison nozzle, and is attached to the tip 15s of the communicating pipe 15 when carbon dioxide (e.g., liquefied carbon dioxide) in the tank 11 is to be released in an emergency. By attaching this nozzle 40 to the tip 15s of the communicating pipe 15, the carbon dioxide released through the communicating pipe 15 is sprayed far outside the hull 2, thereby preventing the adhesion of low-temperature carbon dioxide to the ship 1.

[0036] Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line A-A in Figure 4. As shown in Figures 4 and 5, in the third embodiment, the nozzle 40 integrally includes a nozzle main body 41 and a plurality of fins 42. The nozzle main body 41 is detachably attached to the tip 15s of the communicating pipe 15. The nozzle main body 41 is cylindrical and has a nozzle flow path 41r therein through which carbon dioxide discharged from the tip 15s of the communicating pipe 15 flows.

[0037] 5, a plurality of fins 42 are provided on the outer peripheral surface of the nozzle body 41. The plurality of fins 42 are provided, for example, at intervals in the circumferential direction around the nozzle body 41. Each fin 42 extends from the outer peripheral surface of the nozzle body 41 so as to protrude radially outward from the nozzle body 41. Note that there are no limitations on the shape, number, etc. of the fins 42, and configurations other than those shown in the drawings can be appropriately adopted.

[0038] In the tank facility 10C and the ship 1 according to the third embodiment, similarly to the first embodiment, the downstream pipe section 15q is heated from the outside by the heating unit 30A, thereby suppressing a decrease in the temperature of the downstream pipe section 15q. Therefore, the generation of dry ice in the communicating pipe 15 can be suppressed, and carbon dioxide can be efficiently released to the outside of the tank 11.

[0039] Furthermore, in the third embodiment, the nozzle 40, which is detachable from the tip 15s of the communicating pipe 15, is provided with fins 42 on the outer peripheral surface of the nozzle body 41. Carbon dioxide discharged from the tank 11 passes through the communicating pipe 15 and then through the nozzle body 41 provided at the tip 15s to be released to the outside. At this time, the nozzle body 41 is rapidly cooled by the circulating carbon dioxide. In contrast, the fins 42 provided on the outer peripheral surface of the nozzle body 41 can efficiently exchange heat with the atmosphere to heat the fins 42 and the nozzle body 41, thereby suppressing a decrease in the temperatures of the fins 42 and the nozzle body 41. This suppresses the generation of dry ice within the nozzle body 41, allowing for efficient release of carbon dioxide to the outside through the nozzle 40.

[0040] Fourth Embodiment Next, a fourth embodiment of a tank system and a float according to the present disclosure will be described. In the fourth embodiment described below, only the configuration of the tank system differs from the first to third embodiments. Therefore, the same components as those in the first to third embodiments will be denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description will be omitted. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the configuration of a tank system according to the fourth embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 6, in a tank system 10D provided on a ship 1 according to the fourth embodiment, the communicating pipe 15 is not connected to a vent post 18. The communicating pipe 15 may be provided with a heating unit 30A (see FIG. 2), as in the first embodiment. The communicating pipe 15 may be provided with a heating unit 30B (see FIG. 3), as in the second embodiment.

[0041] In the fourth embodiment, a pressure release section 50 is provided at the tip 15s of the communicating pipe 15. The pressure release section 50 closes the tip 15s of the communicating pipe 15 and releases the inside of the communicating pipe 15 when the pressure inside the communicating pipe 15 reaches or exceeds a preset pressure. As such a pressure release section 50, for example, a rupture disk (bursting disc) can be used. As the pressure release section 50, for example, a safety valve can also be used. In the fourth embodiment, the set pressure of the pressure release section 50 is set to be equal to or higher than the triple point pressure of carbon dioxide.

[0042] (Operation and Effect) In the tank facility 10D and the ship 1 of the fourth embodiment, the tip 15s of the communicating pipe 15 is blocked by the pressure release section 50. As a result, when the valve 20 provided in the communicating pipe 15 opens and carbon dioxide from the tank 11 flows into the downstream pipe section 15q downstream of the valve 20 in the communicating pipe 15, the downstream pipe section 15q is initially blocked by the pressure release section 50. As a result, the pressure in the downstream pipe section 15q of the communicating pipe 15 gradually increases. When the pressure of carbon dioxide in the communicating pipe 15 increases, dry ice is less likely to be generated in the communicating pipe 15. Even if dry ice is generated in the downstream pipe section 15q immediately after the valve 20 opens, the pressure in the downstream pipe section 15q subsequently increases, causing the generated dry ice to evaporate or liquefy. When the pressure inside the communicating pipe 15 reaches or exceeds the set pressure, the pressure release section 50 opens the communicating pipe 15, thereby allowing carbon dioxide to be released outside the tank 11 under conditions that make it difficult for dry ice to be generated inside the communicating pipe 15.

[0043] In the fourth embodiment, the set pressure of the pressure release section 50 is set to be equal to or higher than the triple point pressure of carbon dioxide. As a result, just before the pressure release section 50 is opened, the pressure of carbon dioxide in the communicating pipe 15 is equal to or higher than the triple point pressure. As a result, when the pressure release section 50 opens the communicating pipe 15, carbon dioxide can be released to the outside of the tank 11 without dry ice being generated in the communicating pipe 15.

[0044] Fifth Embodiment Next, a fifth embodiment of a tank facility and a float according to the present disclosure will be described. In the fifth embodiment described below, only the configuration of the tank facility differs from the first to fourth embodiments. Therefore, the same components as those in the first to fourth embodiments will be denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description will be omitted. (Configuration of Ship) FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the configuration of a tank facility according to a fifth embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 7, in the fifth embodiment, a ship 1, which is a floating body, is equipped with a tank facility 10E.

[0045] 2, the tank facility 10E includes a plurality of tanks 11, a piping system 60, and a connecting pipe 70. In the fifth embodiment, for example, four tanks 11 are provided. Each of the plurality of tanks 11 includes a communicating pipe 15 and a heating unit 30A or 30B having the configurations shown in the first and second embodiments. Each of the plurality of tanks 11 may also include a nozzle 40 and a pressure release unit 50 as shown in the third and fourth embodiments.

[0046] The piping system 60 is connected to the plurality of tanks 11. The piping system 60 is used, for example, to load liquefied carbon dioxide into each tank 11, unload liquefied carbon dioxide from each tank 11, etc. The piping system 60 has, for example, a main pipe 61 extending from a pipe connection portion (not shown) to which piping from outside the ship can be connected, and a plurality of branch pipes 62 branching off and extending from the main pipe 61. Each of the plurality of branch pipes 62 is connected to the plurality of tanks 11. In addition, the main pipe 61 is provided with an on-off valve 61v. Each of the plurality of branch pipes 62 is provided with an on-off valve 62v. The piping system 60 appropriately opens and closes the on-off valves 61v, 62v when loading liquefied carbon dioxide into each tank 11 or unloading liquefied carbon dioxide from each tank 11.

[0047] One end 70a of the connecting pipe 70 is connected to the piping system 60. The other end 70b of the connecting pipe 70 is connected to one of the plurality of tanks 11. In this fifth embodiment, the case where the connecting pipe 70 is connected to one tank 11A among the four tanks 11 is exemplified.

[0048] A safety valve 75 is provided midway along the connecting pipe 70. The safety valve 75 operates when the pressure within the piping system 60, more specifically, the pressure within the connecting pipe 70 near the end 70a communicating with the piping system 60, exceeds a preset safety valve operating pressure. For example, if the on-off valves 61v and 62v are closed and the piping system 60 is closed, and the temperature of the carbon dioxide present in the piping system 60 rises due to heat input from the outside, the carbon dioxide may expand, causing an increase in pressure within the piping system 60. As a result, when the safety valve 75 opens, the carbon dioxide within the piping system 60 flows into the tank 11A through the connecting pipe 70. The tank 11A is pressure-managed so that liquefied carbon dioxide can be stored therein. In other words, the pressure within the tank 11A is managed to be equal to or higher than the triple point pressure. Therefore, the carbon dioxide flowing into the tank 11A through the connecting pipe 70 exceeds the triple point pressure, suppressing the generation of dry ice.

[0049] (Operation and Effect) In the tank facility 10E and the ship 1 of the fifth embodiment, when the pressure of carbon dioxide rises in the piping system 60 connected to the plurality of tanks 11, the carbon dioxide pressure acts on the safety valve 75 through the connecting pipe 70, one end 70a of which is connected to the piping system 60. When the pressure in the connecting pipe 70 exceeds the safety valve activation pressure and the safety valve 75 activates, the carbon dioxide from the piping system 60 flows through the connecting pipe 70 into the tank 11, to which the other end 70b of the connecting pipe 70 is connected. Because the pressure inside the tank 11 is managed so that liquefied carbon dioxide can be stored, the generation of dry ice from the carbon dioxide in the connecting pipe 70 can be suppressed.

[0050] (Other Embodiments) Although the embodiments of the present disclosure have been described above in detail with reference to the drawings, the specific configuration is not limited to this embodiment, and design changes and the like are also included within the scope of the gist of the present disclosure. Note that, although the ship 1 is exemplified as the floating body in each of the above embodiments, this is not limiting. The floating body may be an offshore floating facility that does not have a propulsion mechanism.

[0051] <Additional Notes> The tank equipment 10A and the floating body 1 described in each embodiment can be understood, for example, as follows.

[0052] (1) The tank equipment 10A according to the first aspect comprises a tank 11 capable of storing liquefied carbon dioxide, a communicating pipe 15 connected to the tank 11 and communicating the inside of the tank 11 with the outside of the tank 11, a valve 20 provided midway along the communicating pipe 15 and capable of opening and closing the flow path within the communicating pipe 15, and a heating unit 30A capable of externally heating at least a downstream pipe section 15q of the communicating pipe 15 that is downstream of the valve 20 in the flow direction of carbon dioxide discharged from the tank 11 when the valve 20 is opened.

[0053] The carbon dioxide discharged from the tank 11 is liquefied carbon dioxide or carbon dioxide gas generated by the evaporation of liquefied carbon dioxide within the tank 11, and is lower in temperature than the atmospheric temperature (room temperature). Therefore, in the communicating pipe 15, the downstream pipe section 15q downstream of the valve 20 is rapidly cooled by the flowing carbon dioxide. At this time, the downstream sensing section is heated from the outside by the heating unit 30A, thereby suppressing the temperature drop of the downstream pipe section 15q. Therefore, the generation of dry ice within the communicating pipe 15 is suppressed, and the carbon dioxide can be efficiently released to the outside of the tank 11.

[0054] (2) The tank equipment 10A according to the second aspect is the tank equipment 10A of (1), in which the heating section 30A includes a water supply section 31 that supplies water to the outer peripheral surface of the downstream pipe section 15q.

[0055] This allows the water supply section 31 to supply water having a higher temperature than the carbon dioxide circulating within the downstream pipe section 15q to the outer surface of the downstream pipe section 15q, thereby preventing a drop in the temperature of the downstream pipe section 15q.

[0056] (3) The tank equipment 10B according to the third aspect is the tank equipment 10B of (1), in which the heating section 30B includes a heater section 33 provided along the outer peripheral surface of the downstream pipe section 15q.

[0057] This allows the heater section 33 to heat the outer peripheral surface of the downstream pipe section 15q, thereby suppressing a decrease in temperature of the downstream pipe section 15q due to the flow of carbon dioxide.

[0058] (4) The tank equipment 10C according to the fourth aspect is any one of the tank equipment 10C of (1) to (3), and further includes a nozzle 40 that is detachable from the tip 15s of the communicating pipe 15, and the nozzle 40 includes a nozzle body 41 having a nozzle flow path 41r through which carbon dioxide discharged from the tip 15s of the communicating pipe 15 flows, and fins 42 that protrude radially outward from the outer peripheral surface of the nozzle body 41.

[0059] The nozzle body 41 is rapidly cooled by the circulating carbon dioxide. The fins 42 provided on the outer peripheral surface of the nozzle body 41 allow efficient heat exchange with the atmosphere to heat the fins 42 and the nozzle body 41, thereby suppressing a decrease in the temperatures of the fins 42 and the nozzle body 41. This suppresses the generation of dry ice within the nozzle body 41, and allows for efficient release of carbon dioxide to the outside through the nozzle 40.

[0060] (5) The tank equipment 10D according to the fifth aspect is the tank equipment 10D of (1), further comprising a pressure release section 50 that blocks the tip 15s of the communicating pipe 15 and opens the inside of the communicating pipe 15 when the pressure inside the communicating pipe 15 reaches or exceeds a predetermined set pressure.

[0061] As a result, valve 20 provided in communicating pipe 15 opens, and carbon dioxide from tank 11 flows into downstream pipe section 15q of communicating pipe 15 downstream of valve 20, increasing the pressure inside downstream pipe section 15q of communicating pipe 15. As the pressure of carbon dioxide inside communicating pipe 15 increases, it becomes more difficult for dry ice to be generated inside communicating pipe 15. Therefore, when the pressure inside communicating pipe 15 reaches or exceeds a set pressure, pressure release section 50 opens communicating pipe 15, allowing carbon dioxide to be released to the outside of tank 11 under conditions in which dry ice is less likely to be generated inside communicating pipe 15.

[0062] (6) A tank facility 10D according to a sixth aspect is the tank facility 10D of (5), in which the set pressure is set to be equal to or higher than the triple point pressure of carbon dioxide.

[0063] As a result, just before the pressure release section 50 is opened, the pressure of carbon dioxide in the communicating pipe 15 is equal to or higher than the triple point pressure. Therefore, when the pressure release section 50 opens the inside of the communicating pipe 15, the carbon dioxide can be released to the outside of the tank 11 without dry ice being generated inside the communicating pipe 15.

[0064] (7) The tank equipment 10E according to the seventh aspect is any one of the tank equipment 10Es (1) to (6), and includes a piping system 60 having a plurality of the tanks 11 and connected to the plurality of the tanks 11, a connecting pipe 70 having one end 70a connected to the piping system 60 and the other end 70b connected to any one of the plurality of the tanks 11, and a safety valve 75 provided midway along the connecting pipe 70 and activated when the pressure in the connecting pipe 70 exceeds a predetermined safety valve activation pressure.

[0065] As a result, when the pressure of carbon dioxide rises in the piping system 60 connected to the plurality of tanks 11, the carbon dioxide pressure acts on the safety valve 75 through the connecting pipe 70, one end 70a of which is connected to the piping system 60. When the pressure in the connecting pipe 70 exceeds the safety valve activation pressure and the safety valve 75 activates, the carbon dioxide from the piping system 60 flows through the connecting pipe 70 into the tank 11, to which the other end 70b of the connecting pipe 70 is connected. Because the pressure inside the tank 11 is managed so that liquefied carbon dioxide can be stored, the generation of dry ice from the carbon dioxide inside the connecting pipe 70 can be suppressed.

[0066] (8) A floating body 1 according to an eighth aspect includes a floating body main body 2 and any one of the tank facilities 10A of (1) to (7) provided on the floating body main body 2. Examples of the floating body 1 include a ship and an offshore floating facility. Examples of the floating body main body 2 include a ship hull 2 ​​and a floating body main body of an offshore floating facility.

[0067] This makes it possible to provide a floating body 1 equipped with a tank facility 10A that can suppress the generation of dry ice in the communicating pipe 15 and effectively release carbon dioxide to the outside of the tank 11.

[0068] (9) The tank equipment 10D according to the ninth aspect includes a tank 11 capable of storing liquefied carbon dioxide, a communicating pipe 15 connected to the tank 11 and communicating the inside of the tank 11 with the outside of the tank 11, a valve 20 provided midway along the communicating pipe 15 and capable of opening and closing the flow path within the communicating pipe 15, and a pressure release section 50 that blocks the tip 15s of the communicating pipe 15 and releases the inside of the communicating pipe 15 when the pressure within the communicating pipe 15 exceeds a predetermined set pressure.

[0069] As a result, valve 20 provided in communicating pipe 15 opens, and when carbon dioxide from tank 11 flows into communicating pipe 15, the pressure inside communicating pipe 15 increases. When the pressure of carbon dioxide inside communicating pipe 15 increases, dry ice is less likely to be generated inside communicating pipe 15. In this way, when the pressure inside communicating pipe 15 reaches or exceeds the set pressure, pressure release section 50 opens communicating pipe 15, thereby allowing carbon dioxide to be released to the outside of tank 11 under conditions that make it less likely for dry ice to be generated inside communicating pipe 15. Therefore, the generation of dry ice inside communicating pipe 15 is suppressed, and carbon dioxide can be successfully released to the outside of tank 11.

[0070] (10) The tank equipment 10E according to the tenth aspect includes a plurality of tanks 11 capable of storing liquefied carbon dioxide, a piping system 60 connected to the plurality of tanks 11, a connecting pipe 70 having one end 70a connected to the piping system 60 and the other end 70b connected to any one of the plurality of tanks 11, and a safety valve 75 provided midway along the connecting pipe 70 and activated when the pressure in the connecting pipe 70 exceeds a predetermined safety valve activation pressure.

[0071] As a result, when the pressure inside the connecting pipe 70 exceeds the safety valve activation pressure and the safety valve 75 activates, carbon dioxide from the piping system 60 flows through the connecting pipe 70 into the tank 11 to which the other end 70b of the connecting pipe 70 is connected. Since the pressure inside the tank 11 is controlled so that liquefied carbon dioxide can be stored, it is possible to prevent dry ice from being produced from the carbon dioxide inside the connecting pipe 70.

[0072] The tank equipment and float disclosed herein can suppress the generation of dry ice in the communicating pipe and effectively release carbon dioxide outside the tank.

[0073] DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1... Ship (floating body) 2... Hull (floating body main body) 2a... Bow 2b... Stern 3A, 3B... Side 5... Upper deck 6... Bottom of ship 7... Superstructure 8... Cargo carrying compartment 10A to 10E... Tank equipment 11, 11A... Tank 15... Connecting pipe 15a... One end 15b... Other end 15p... Upstream pipe section 15q... Downstream pipe section 15s... Tip 18... Vent post 20... Valve 30A, 30B... Heating section 31... Water supply section 33... Heater section 40... Nozzle 41... Nozzle main body 41r... Nozzle flow path 42... Fin 50... Pressure release section 60... Piping system 61... Main pipe 61v... On-off valve 62... Branch pipe 62v... On-off valve 70... Connecting pipe 70a... One end 70b... Other end 75...Safety valve 311...Water supply pipe 312...Nozzle 314...Open / close valve 315...Pump 316...Fire hydrant 317...Pipe

Claims

1. A tank facility comprising: a tank capable of storing liquefied carbon dioxide; a communicating pipe connected to the tank and communicating the inside of the tank with the outside of the tank; a valve provided midway through the communicating pipe and capable of opening and closing a flow path within the communicating pipe; and a heating unit capable of externally heating at least a downstream pipe section of the communicating pipe that is downstream of the valve in the flow direction of carbon dioxide discharged from the tank when the valve is opened.

2. The tank equipment according to claim 1, wherein the heating section is provided with a water supply section that supplies water to the outer peripheral surface of the downstream pipe section.

3. The tank equipment according to claim 1, wherein the heating section comprises a heater section provided along the outer circumferential surface of the downstream pipe section.

4. The tank equipment according to claim 2 or 3, further comprising a detachable nozzle attached to the tip of the communicating pipe, the nozzle comprising: a nozzle body having a nozzle flow path through which carbon dioxide discharged from the tip of the communicating pipe flows; and fins protruding radially outward from the outer circumferential surface of the nozzle body.

5. The tank equipment as described in claim 1, further comprising a pressure release section which closes the tip of the communicating pipe and releases the inside of the communicating pipe when the pressure inside the communicating pipe reaches or exceeds a preset pressure.

6. The tank facility according to claim 5, wherein the set pressure is set to be equal to or higher than the triple point pressure of carbon dioxide.

7. The tank equipment as described in claim 1, comprising: a plurality of the tanks; a piping system connected to the plurality of tanks; a connecting pipe having one end connected to the piping system and the other end connected to any one of the plurality of tanks; and a safety valve provided midway along the connecting pipe and operable when the pressure within the connecting pipe reaches or exceeds a predetermined safety valve operating pressure.

8. A float comprising: a float body; and a tank facility according to claim 1 provided on the float body.

9. A tank facility comprising: a tank capable of storing liquefied carbon dioxide; a communicating pipe connected to the tank and communicating the inside of the tank with the outside of the tank; a valve provided midway through the communicating pipe and capable of opening and closing a flow path within the communicating pipe; and a pressure release section that blocks the tip of the communicating pipe and releases the inside of the communicating pipe when the pressure within the communicating pipe reaches or exceeds a predetermined set pressure.

10. A tank facility comprising: a plurality of tanks capable of storing liquefied carbon dioxide; a piping system connected to the plurality of tanks; a connecting pipe having one end connected to the piping system and the other end connected to any one of the plurality of tanks; and a safety valve provided midway along the connecting pipe and operable when the pressure inside the connecting pipe reaches or exceeds a predetermined safety valve operating pressure.

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