Tank system and floating body

Abstract

This tank system comprises: a tank part that is capable of accommodating a liquid therein; a plurality of suction wells that are provided at the bottom of the tank part and are depressed downward from the bottom part; a connection pipe that connects the suction wells to each other; and a drawing-in part that is capable of drawing in, from at least one of the suction wells, the liquid therein.

Description

Tank systems, floating structures

[0001] This application claims priority to Japanese Patent Application No. 2023-203699, filed on December 1, 2023, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a configuration in which a suction well is provided at the bottom of a tank (liquid cargo tank) in which liquid is stored, and residual liquid (residual oil) in the suction well is sucked up using a suction system equipped with a vacuum pump and a straw tube.

[0003] JP 2009-279979 A

[0004] For example, if the tank is a multi-lobe type that combines multiple tank sections, residual liquid accumulates at the bottom of each of the multiple tank sections. For this reason, a suction well is provided in each of the multiple tank sections. If the configuration described in Patent Document 1 is applied to such a tank, a suction system would need to be installed in each of the suction wells of the multiple tank sections, which would increase equipment costs.

[0005] The present disclosure has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and aims to provide a tank system and a float that can realize a configuration that can suck up residual liquid in a suction well at low cost, even when multiple suction wells are provided.

[0006] In order to solve the above problems, the tank system according to the present disclosure includes a tank section, a plurality of suction wells, a connecting pipe, and a suction section. The tank section is capable of holding a liquid therein. The plurality of suction wells are provided at the bottom of the tank section and are recessed downward from the bottom. The connecting pipe connects the plurality of suction wells to each other. The suction section is capable of sucking the liquid in the suction well from at least one of the plurality of suction wells.

[0007] The floating body according to the present disclosure is equipped with the tank system described above.

[0008] According to the tank system and float of the present disclosure, even when multiple suction wells are provided, a configuration that can suck up residual liquid in the suction wells can be realized at low cost.

[0009] Fig. 1 is a side view of a float including a tank system according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure; Fig. 2 is a diagram showing the configuration of the tank system according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure, which is a cross-sectional view of the tank section viewed from a direction along the axis; Fig. 3 is a diagram showing the configuration of a tank system according to a modified example of the first embodiment of the present disclosure, which is a cross-sectional view of the tank section viewed from a direction along the axis; Fig. 4 is a diagram showing the configuration of a tank system and a float according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure; Fig. 5 is a diagram showing the configuration of the tank system according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure; Fig. 6 is a diagram showing the configuration of a tank system according to a third embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0010] First Embodiment A tank system and a float according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described below with reference to Figures 1 to 6. (Configuration of Floating Body) As shown in Figure 1, a float 1 according to this embodiment includes at least a float main body 2 and a tank system 10A. Examples of the float 1 include a carrier ship for liquefied gases such as carbon dioxide, liquefied natural gas (LNG), and ammonia, a cargo ship, a ferry, a roll-on / roll-off ship (RORO ship), a pure car and truck carrier (PCTC), a passenger ship, and an observation / research vessel.

[0011] (Configuration of the Floating Body) The floating body 2 has a pair of side walls 3A, 3B that form its outer hull, a bottom 4, and an upper deck 5. The side walls 3A, 3B have a pair of side shell plates that form the port and starboard sides, respectively. The bottom 4 has a bottom shell plate that connects the side walls 3A, 3B. A superstructure 7 with living quarters is formed on the upper deck 5, for example, on the stern 2b side of the floating body 2.

[0012] 2 is a diagram showing the configuration of a tank system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, and is a cross-sectional view of the tank unit as viewed from a direction along the axis. As shown in FIG. 2, the tank system 10A includes at least a tank unit 11, a suction well 12, a connecting pipe 15, and a suction unit 17.

[0013] The tank section 11 can store a liquid therein. Examples of the liquid stored in the tank section 11 include liquefied gases such as carbon dioxide, liquefied natural gas (LNG), and ammonia. The tank section 11 of this embodiment is housed, for example, in the floating body main body 2. The tank section 11 of this embodiment may store a liquid as fuel for a combustor of, for example, a main engine, an auxiliary engine, a generator engine (none of which are shown) housed in the floating body main body 2.

[0014] 1, in this first embodiment, for example, two tank systems 10A are provided side by side in a fore-and-aft direction FA. Note that the number and arrangement of the tank systems 10A are not limited in any way and can be changed as appropriate.

[0015] Each tank section 11 is cylindrical and has an axis O extending horizontally. In this first embodiment, the axis O of the tank section 11 extends in the fore-aft direction FA. The tank sections 11 of each tank system 10A are arranged side by side in the fore-aft direction FA. As shown in FIG. 2 , the tank sections 11 exemplified in this first embodiment are of a so-called tri-lobe type, and each tank section 11 includes a first barrel section 111, a second barrel section 112, and a third barrel section 113.

[0016] The first barrel section 111 and the second barrel section 112 are provided in the lower part of the tank section 11. The first barrel section 111 and the second barrel section 112 are arranged side by side in a horizontal direction (ship width direction Dw) intersecting the axis O. The third barrel section 113 is provided in the upper part of the tank section 11. The third barrel section 113 is provided so as to straddle the upper parts of the first barrel section 111 and the second barrel section 112.

[0017] As shown in FIG. 1 , the first barrel section 111 includes a cylindrical section 114A and a head section 115A. The cylindrical section 114A is located in the middle of the first barrel section 111 in the fore-aft direction FA and has a shape that resembles a cylinder that is continuous in the fore-aft direction FA. Specifically, when viewed along the axis O, the cylindrical section 114A has a C-shaped (arcuate) cross section curved at a constant curvature. The head sections 115A are located at both ends of the cylindrical section 114A in the fore-aft direction FA. Each head section 115A is hemispherical and is formed to close the openings at both ends of the cylindrical section 114A in the fore-aft direction FA. An accommodation space S1 (see FIG. 2 ) is formed within the first barrel section 111.

[0018] The second barrel 112 includes a cylindrical portion 114B and a head portion 115B. The cylindrical portion 114B is located in the middle of the second barrel 112 in the fore-aft direction FA and has a shape that resembles a cylinder that is continuous in the fore-aft direction FA. Specifically, when viewed along the axis O, the cylindrical portion 114B has a C-shaped (arc-shaped) cross section curved at a constant curvature. One circumferential end of the cylindrical portion 114B is joined to one circumferential end of the cylindrical portion 114A. The head portions 115B are located at both ends of the cylindrical portion 114B in the fore-aft direction FA. Each head portion 115B is hemispherical and closes the openings at both ends of the cylindrical portion 114B in the fore-aft direction FA. An accommodation space S2 (see FIG. 2 ) is formed within the second barrel 112.

[0019] The third barrel section 113 includes a cylindrical section 114C and a head section 115C. The cylindrical section 114C is located in the middle of the third barrel section 113 in the fore-aft direction FA and has a shape that resembles a cylinder that is continuous in the fore-aft direction FA. Specifically, when viewed along the axis O, the cylindrical section 114C has a C-shaped (arcuate) cross section curved at a constant curvature. One circumferential end of the cylindrical section 114C is joined to the other circumferential end of the cylindrical section 114A. The other circumferential end of the cylindrical section 114C is joined to the other circumferential end of the cylindrical section 114B. The head sections 115C are located at both ends in the fore-aft direction FA. Each head section 115C is hemispherical and closes the openings at both ends of the cylindrical section 114C in the fore-aft direction FA. An accommodation space S3 (see FIG. 2) is formed inside the third body portion 113.

[0020] 2 , in this first embodiment, the storage space S1 in the first body portion 111, the storage space S2 in the second body portion 112, and the storage space S3 in the third body portion 113 are connected to each other. Note that the tank portion 11 may be provided with a partition wall (not shown) between the first body portion 111 and the third body portion 113 between the second body portion 112 and the tank portion 11 to separate the storage space S1 in the first body portion 111, the storage space S2 in the second body portion 112, and the storage space S3 in the third body portion 113.

[0021] The lower portions of the first barrel portion 111 and the second barrel portion 112 form the bottom of the tank portion 11. The lower portion of the first barrel portion 111 has a concave portion 111d that is concave downward in the up-down direction Dv. The concave portion 111d is formed at the bottom of a tubular portion 114A that is curved in a C-shape in cross section. As shown in FIG. 1 , in the tubular portion 114A that is continuous in the fore-aft direction FA, when viewed from a horizontal direction intersecting the axis O, the concave portion 111d is formed concave downward in the fore-aft direction FA so that the position where a suction well 12A (described later) is provided is the lowest part of the concave portion 111d.

[0022] As shown in Fig. 2, the lower part of the second barrel section 112 has a concave surface 112d that is concave downward in the up-down direction Dv. The concave surface 112d is formed at the bottom of a tubular section 114B that is curved in a C-shape in cross section. As shown in Fig. 1, in the tubular section 114B that is continuous in the fore-aft direction FA, when viewed from a horizontal direction intersecting the axis O, the concave surface 112d is formed to be concave downward in the fore-aft direction FA so that the position where a suction well 12B (described later) is provided is the lowest part of the concave surface 112d.

[0023] As described above, the bottom of the tank portion 11 has a concave surface portion 111d formed in the first body portion 111 and a concave surface portion 112d formed in the second body portion 112. In other words, the bottom of the tank portion 11 has a plurality of concave surface portions 111d, 112d.

[0024] A plurality of suction wells 12 are provided in the bottom of the tank portion 11. In this first embodiment, the suction wells 12 include a suction well 12A provided in the first body portion 111 and a suction well 12B provided in the second body portion 112. The suction well 12A is provided at the bottom of the concave portion 111d. The suction well 12A is recessed downward from the bottom (bottom) of the concave portion 111d. The suction well 12B is provided at the bottom of the concave portion 112d. The suction well 12B is recessed downward from the bottom (bottom) of the concave portion 112d. In this first embodiment, the suction wells 12A and 12B have the same shape and are located at the same position in the vertical direction. However, this configuration is not limited thereto. For example, the suction well 12A provided with the suction portion 17 may be located slightly below the suction well 12B.

[0025] As shown in Figure 2, the connecting pipe 15 connects multiple suction wells 12 together. In this first embodiment, the connecting pipe 15 connects suction well 12A and suction well 12B. One end of the connecting pipe 15 is connected to suction well 12A so as to communicate with the interior of suction well 12A. The other end of the connecting pipe 15 is connected to suction well 12B so as to communicate with the interior of suction well 12B. Through this connecting pipe 15, the interior of suction well 12A communicates with the interior of suction well 12B.

[0026] The outer circumferential surface of the connecting pipe 15 is covered with a heat insulating material 152. The heat insulating material 152 is made of a heat insulating material such as polyurethane, and provides insulation between the connecting pipe 15 and the surrounding atmosphere when low-temperature liquefied gas flows in liquid form inside the connecting pipe 15.

[0027] Furthermore, the connecting pipe 15 of the first embodiment includes an opening / closing unit 153. The opening / closing unit 153 is provided midway along the connecting pipe 15. The opening / closing unit 153 is made up of a valve or the like that can open and close the flow path in the connecting pipe 15. The opening / closing unit 153 is opened and closed, for example, by remote control or manual operation by an operator. Note that the tank system 10A of the first embodiment may be configured without the opening / closing unit 153.

[0028] The suction unit 17 is capable of sucking liquid from at least one of the plurality of suction wells 12. In this first embodiment, the suction unit 17 is provided in the suction well 12A provided in the first body 111, out of the plurality of suction wells 12A, 12B. The suction unit 17 is capable of sucking liquid from the suction well 12A provided in the first body 111, for example.

[0029] The suction section 17 includes a suction pipe 18 and a pump 19. The suction pipe 18 passes through, for example, the top of the tank section 11 from the outside of the tank section 11 and extends toward the bottom inside the tank section 11. In this embodiment, the tip of the suction pipe 18 is inserted into the suction well 12A.

[0030] The pump 19 is provided midway along the suction pipe 18. In this first embodiment, the pump 19 is provided midway along the suction pipe 18, for example, outside the tank unit 11. The pump 19 may be provided, for example, at the tip of the suction pipe 18, i.e., within the suction well 12A. The suction unit 17 sends the liquid in the suction well 12A sucked up by the pump 19 to the outside of the tank unit 11 (outside the ship) through the suction pipe 18.

[0031] When the suction unit 17 sucks up the liquid in the suction well 12A, opening the opening / closing unit 153 allows the liquid in the suction well 12B to flow into the suction well 12A through the connecting pipe 15. This allows one suction unit 17 to suck out liquid from the suction well 12A provided in the first body 111 and the suction well 12B provided in the second body 112. As the suction unit 17 sucks the liquid in the tank 11 out of the tank 11, the liquid level in the tank 11 gradually drops. Ultimately, the liquid remaining in the tank 11 accumulates in the suction wells 12A and 12B recessed downward from the concave surfaces 111d and 112d. The liquid accumulated in the suction wells 12A and 12B is sent out of the tank 11 from the suction well 12A by the suction unit 17.

[0032] (Operation and Effect) In the tank system 10A and the floating body 1 of the first embodiment, the multiple suction wells 12 provided at the bottom of the tank section 11 are connected to each other by the connecting pipes 15. The suction section 17 is capable of sucking liquid in at least one of the multiple suction wells 12. This allows liquid accumulated in the multiple suction wells 12 to be sucked through the connecting pipes 15 from at least one suction well 12 provided with the suction section 17. Therefore, it is not necessary to provide a suction section 17 for each of the multiple suction wells 12. As a result, even when multiple suction wells 12 are provided, a configuration that can suck residual liquid in the suction wells 12 can be realized at low cost.

[0033] In the above embodiment, a suction well 12 is provided in each of the plurality of concave portions 111d, 112d. This allows the liquid remaining in the tank portion 11 to flow into the suction well 12 in each of the plurality of concave portions 111d, 112d. The liquid accumulated in the plurality of suction wells 12 can then be sucked through the connecting pipe 15 from at least one suction well 12 provided with the suction portion 17.

[0034] Furthermore, the first embodiment further includes a heat insulating material 152 that covers the connecting pipe 15. As a result, the liquefied gas, which is at a lower temperature than the atmosphere, flows as a liquid inside the connecting pipe 15 that connects the multiple suction wells 12 together, and the connecting pipe 15 is cooled by the liquefied gas, which is at a lower temperature than the atmosphere, and the occurrence of condensation or freezing on the outer circumferential surface of the connecting pipe 15 can be suppressed.

[0035] In the first embodiment, the suction section 17 is provided with a suction pipe 18 and a pump 19. This allows liquid that has flowed in from another suction well 12 through the connecting pipe 15 to be sucked out by the pump 19 through the suction pipe 18. This eliminates the need to provide suction pipes 18 and pumps 19 for all of the multiple suction wells 12, and allows a configuration that can suck out residual liquid in the suction wells 12 to be realized at low cost.

[0036] Furthermore, in the first embodiment, an opening / closing unit 153 is provided that opens and closes the inside of the connecting pipe 15. As a result, when liquid is not being sucked out by the suction unit 17, the opening / closing unit 153 can be closed to prevent liquid from flowing between the multiple suction wells 12 through the connecting pipe 15. On the other hand, when liquid is being dispensed from the inside of the tank unit 11, the opening / closing unit 153 can be opened to suck the liquid accumulated in the multiple suction wells 12 through the connecting pipe 15 from the suction well 12 of at least one tank unit 11 provided with the suction unit 17.

[0037] <Modification of First Embodiment> In the first embodiment, the tank portion 11 is a trilobe type, but the configuration of the tank portion 11 is not limited to this. For example, the tank portion 11 may be a bilobe type having two body portions, or a multilobe type having four or more body portions.

[0038] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the suction unit 17 is provided in the suction well 12A provided in the first body 111, but this is not limited thereto. The suction unit 17 may also be provided in the suction well 12B provided in the second body 112. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the configuration of a tank system according to a modified example of the first embodiment of the present disclosure, and is a cross-sectional view of the tank unit as viewed from the axial direction. As shown in FIG. 3, the suction unit 17 may also be provided in both the suction well 12A provided in the first body 111 and the suction well 12B provided in the second body 112. In this case, when sucking out liquid from the tank unit 11, both the suction unit 17A provided in the suction well 12A and the suction unit 17B provided in the suction well 12B are used. If one of the pumps 19 of the suction section 17A or suction section 17B cannot be used due to a malfunction, maintenance, or the like, the other pump 19 of the suction section 17A or suction section 17B sucks out the liquid from the tank section 11. In other words, by providing a suction section 17 in all of the multiple suction wells 12, the liquid in the tank section 11 can be efficiently sucked out under normal circumstances. Furthermore, in the event of a malfunction or maintenance, the redundancy of the suction section 17 can be increased by sucking out the liquid using the suction pipe 18 and pump 19 provided in at least one of the multiple suction wells 12.

[0039] Second Embodiment Next, a second embodiment of the tank system and the float according to the present disclosure will be described. In the second embodiment described below, only the configuration of the tank system is different from the first embodiment, and therefore the same parts as in the first embodiment will be denoted by the same reference numerals and will not be described again.

[0040] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of a tank system and a float according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of a tank system according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 , a tank system 10B provided on a float 1 includes at least a tank section 21, a suction well 12, a connecting pipe 15, and a suction section 17. The tank system 10B of this second embodiment includes multiple tank sections 21 within a float body 2. In this second embodiment, the tank system 10B includes, for example, two tank sections 21A and 21B. Note that in this second embodiment, the two tank sections 21A and 21B are arranged side by side in the fore-stern direction FA, but this is not limited thereto. The two tank sections 21A and 21B may also be arranged side by side in the ship's width direction Dw, for example.

[0041] As shown in FIG. 5 , in the second embodiment, each of the tank sections 21A, 21B is formed in a cylindrical shape that continues in the fore-aft direction FA. Each of the tank sections 21A, 21B includes a tubular section 214 and a head section 215. The tubular section 214 is provided in the middle of the tank sections 21A, 21B in the fore-aft direction FA and is formed in a cylindrical shape that continues in the fore-aft direction FA. The tubular section 214 has a circular cross section when viewed from the direction along the axis O. The head sections 215 are provided at both ends of the tubular section 214 in the fore-aft direction FA. Each head section 215 is hemispherical and closes the openings of the tubular section 214 at both ends in the fore-aft direction FA. An accommodation space S21 is formed within each of the tank sections 21A, 21B.

[0042] A concave surface 211d that is concave downward in the up-down direction Dv is provided at the bottom of each of the tank sections 21A, 21B. That is, the tank sections 21A, 21B have a plurality of concave surfaces 211d. In each of the tank sections 21A, 21B, the concave surface 211d is formed at the bottom of a cylindrical section 214 that has a circular cross section. Note that in the cylindrical section 214 that is continuous in the fore-aft direction FA, when viewed from a horizontal direction intersecting the axis O, the concave surface 211d may be slightly inclined in the fore-aft direction FA and formed concave downward so that the position where a suction well 12 (described later) is provided is the lowest part of the concave surface 211d.

[0043] A plurality of suction wells 12 are provided in each of the tank portions 21A and 21B. The suction wells 12 include a suction well 12C provided in the tank portion 21A and a suction well 12D provided in the tank portion 21B. The suction well 12C is provided at the lowermost portion of the concave portion 211d of the tank portion 21A. The suction well 12C is recessed downward from the lowermost portion (bottom) of the concave portion 211d. The suction well 12D is provided at the lowermost portion of the concave portion 211d of the tank portion 21B. The suction well 12D is recessed downward from the lowermost portion (bottom) of the concave portion 211d. In this second embodiment, the suction wells 12C and 12D have the same shape and are located at the same position in the vertical direction. However, the present invention is not limited to this configuration, and for example, the suction well 12C provided with the suction portion 17 may be disposed slightly below the suction well 12D.

[0044] The connecting pipe 15 connects the multiple suction wells 12 together. In this second embodiment, the connecting pipe 15 connects the suction well 12C and the suction well 12D. One end of the connecting pipe 15 communicates with the inside of the suction well 12C. The other end of the connecting pipe 15 communicates with the inside of the suction well 12D. Through this connecting pipe 15, the inside of the suction well 12C communicates with the inside of the suction well 12D.

[0045] The suction unit 17 is capable of sucking liquid from at least one of the plurality of suction wells 12. In this second embodiment, the suction unit 17 is provided in, for example, the suction well 12C provided in the tank unit 21A, of the plurality of suction wells 12C, 12D. The suction unit 17 is capable of sucking liquid from the suction well 12C provided in the tank unit 21A. Note that the suction unit 17 in this second embodiment is not limited to being provided in one of the plurality of suction wells. For example, as in the modified example of the first embodiment, suction units 17 may be provided in multiple suction wells to increase redundancy (the same applies to the third embodiment below).

[0046] When the suction unit 17 sucks up liquid in the suction well 12C provided in the tank unit 21A, opening the opening / closing unit 153 allows the liquid in the suction well 12D to flow into the suction well 12C through the connecting pipe 15. This allows one suction unit 17 to suck liquid from the suction well 12C provided in one tank unit 21A and the suction well 12D provided in the other tank unit 21B. As the suction unit 17 sucks the liquid in the tank units 21A and 21B out of the tank units 21A and 21B, the liquid level in the tank units 21A and 21B gradually drops. Ultimately, any liquid remaining in the tank units 21A and 21B accumulates in the suction wells 12C and 12D of the tank units 21A and 21B. The liquid accumulated in the suction wells 12C and 12D is discharged from the suction well 12C to the outside of the tank portion 21A by the suction portion 17.

[0047] (Action and effect) According to the tank system 10B and the floating body 1 of the second embodiment, in a configuration having a plurality of tank sections 21 (21A, 21B) each having a suction well 12, the suction well 12 of one tank section 21 is connected to the suction well 12 of another tank section 21 by a connecting pipe 15, so that liquid accumulated in the plurality of suction wells 12 of the plurality of tank sections 21 can be sucked through the connecting pipe 15 from the suction well 12 of one tank section 21 provided with a suction section 17.

[0048] Furthermore, in the second embodiment, similarly to the first embodiment, the multiple suction wells 12 provided at the bottoms of the tank portions 21A and 21B are connected to each other by the connecting pipes 15. The suction portion 17 is capable of sucking liquid from at least one of the multiple suction wells 12. Therefore, liquid accumulated in the multiple suction wells 12 can be sucked through the connecting pipes 15 from at least one suction well 12 provided with the suction portion 17. Therefore, it is not necessary to provide a suction portion 17 for each of the multiple suction wells 12. As a result, even when multiple suction wells 12 are provided, a configuration capable of sucking residual liquid from the suction wells 12 can be realized at low cost.

[0049] 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 tank system differs from the first embodiment. Therefore, the same components as those in the first embodiment 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 third embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 6, a tank system 10C provided on a float 1 includes at least a tank section 31, a suction well 12, a connecting pipe 15, and a suction section 17. In this third embodiment, if the float 1 is provided with multiple tank sections 31, a tank system 10C is provided for each tank section 31. In this third embodiment, the tank section 31 is formed in a cylindrical shape that is continuous in the bow-stern direction FA. A concave surface 311d that is concave downward in the up-down direction Dv is provided at the bottom of the cylindrical section 214 that has a circular cross section. In addition, in the cylindrical portion 214 continuing in the fore-and-aft direction FA, when viewed from a horizontal direction intersecting the axis O, the concave portions 311d may be inclined in the fore-and-aft direction FA and formed concavely downward so that the position where the suction well 12 described below is provided is the lowest part of the concave portion 311d.

[0050] A plurality of suction wells 12 are provided in one tank portion 31. The suction wells 12 include a suction well 12E provided below the concave surface portion 311d and a suction well 12F provided below the concave surface portion 312d. The suction well 12E is provided at the lowermost portion of the concave surface portion 311d. The suction well 12E is recessed downward from the lowermost portion (bottom) of the concave surface portion 311d. The suction well 12F is provided at the lowermost portion of the concave surface portion 312d. The suction well 12F is recessed downward from the lowermost portion (bottom) of the concave surface portion 312d. Note that in this third embodiment, the suction wells 12E and 12F have the same shape and are illustrated as being located at the same position in the up-down direction.

[0051] The connecting pipe 15 connects the plurality of suction wells 12 together. In this third embodiment, the connecting pipe 15 connects the suction well 12E and the suction well 12F provided in one tank portion 31. In this embodiment, the opening / closing portion 153 may be omitted.

[0052] The suction unit 17 is capable of sucking liquid from at least one of the plurality of suction wells 12. In this third embodiment, the suction unit 17 is provided in, for example, one of the plurality of suction wells 12E, 12F, the suction unit 17. The suction unit 17 is capable of sucking liquid from the suction well 12E.

[0053] When the suction unit 17 sucks up liquid in the suction wells 12E and 12F provided in the tank unit 31, opening the opening / closing unit 153 allows the liquid in the suction well 12F to flow into the suction well 12E through the connecting pipe 15. This allows one suction unit 17 to suck out liquid accumulated in one suction well 12E and the other suction well 12F. As the suction unit 17 sucks the liquid in the tank unit 31 out of the tank unit 31, the liquid level in the tank unit 31 gradually drops. Ultimately, the liquid remaining in the tank unit 31 accumulates in the suction wells 12E and 12F of the tank unit 31. The liquid accumulated in the suction wells 12E and 12F is sent out of the tank unit 31 by the suction unit 17.

[0054] (Effects) In the tank system 10C and the floating body 1 of the third embodiment described above, in a configuration in which multiple suction wells 12 are provided at the bottom of one tank section 31, liquid accumulated in the multiple suction wells 12 can be sucked through the connecting pipe 15 from at least one suction well 12 provided with a suction section 17.

[0055] Furthermore, in the third embodiment, similarly to the first and second embodiments, the multiple suction wells 12 provided at the bottom of the tank portion 31 are connected to one another by connecting pipes 15. This allows liquid accumulated in the multiple suction wells 12 to be sucked through the connecting pipes 15 from at least one suction well 12 provided with a suction portion 17. Therefore, it is not necessary to provide a suction portion 17 for each of the multiple suction wells 12. As a result, even when multiple suction wells 12 are provided, a configuration that can suck residual liquid from the suction wells 12 can be realized at low cost.

[0056] Other Embodiments While the embodiments of the present disclosure have been described above in detail with reference to the drawings, the specific configuration is not limited to these embodiments, and design modifications and the like are also included within the scope of the present disclosure. For example, while the above-described embodiments illustrate the case where two suction wells 12 are connected by the connecting pipe 15, if three or more suction wells 12 are provided, the three or more suction wells 12 may be connected to each other by the connecting pipe 15. Furthermore, while the third embodiment described above includes two suction wells 12 in one tank section 31, three or more suction wells 12 may be provided. Furthermore, the tank systems 10A to 10C may be provided not only in the floating body 2 of the floating body (ship) 1 but also in the floating body of an offshore floating facility, an onshore LNG storage facility, etc.

[0057] <Additional Notes> The tank systems 10A, 10B, and 10C and the floating body 1 described in each embodiment can be understood, for example, as follows.

[0058] (1) The tank systems 10A, 10B, and 10C according to the first aspect comprise tank sections 11, 21, and 31 capable of holding liquid therein, a plurality of suction wells 12 provided at the bottom of the tank sections 11, 21, and 31 and recessed downward from the bottom, connecting pipes 15 connecting the plurality of suction wells 12 to each other, and a suction section 17 capable of sucking the liquid in the suction well 12 from at least one of the plurality of suction wells 12.

[0059] This allows liquid accumulated in multiple suction wells 12 to be sucked through at least one suction well 12 provided with a suction part 17 via the connecting pipe 15. Therefore, there is no need to provide a suction part 17 for each of the multiple suction wells 12. As a result, even when multiple suction wells 12 are provided, a configuration that can suck residual liquid from the suction wells 12 can be realized at low cost.

[0060] (2) The tank systems 10A and 10B according to the second aspect are the tank systems 10A and 10B of (1), in which the bottoms of the tank sections 11, 21, and 31 have a plurality of concave sections 111d and 112d that are concave downward, and the suction well 12 is provided in each of the plurality of concave sections 111d and 112d.

[0061] As a result, in each of the plurality of concave portions 111d, 112d, the liquid remaining in the tank flows into the suction well 12. In this way, the liquid accumulated in the plurality of suction wells 12 can be sucked through the connecting pipe 15 from at least one suction well 12 provided with the suction portion 17.

[0062] (3) The tank system 10B according to the third aspect is the tank system 10B of (1), which includes a plurality of tank sections 21 each equipped with the suction well 12, and the connecting pipe 15 connects the suction well 12 of one of the tank sections 21 to the suction well 12 of another of the tank sections 21.

[0063] This allows liquid accumulated in the multiple suction wells 12 of the multiple tank parts 21 to be sucked through the connecting pipe 15 from the suction well 12 of at least one tank part 21 provided with the suction part 17.

[0064] (4) A tank system 10C according to a fourth aspect is the tank system 10C of (1), in which a plurality of the suction wells 12 are provided in one of the tank parts 31.

[0065] As a result, in a configuration in which multiple suction wells 12 are provided at the bottom of one tank section 31, liquid accumulated in the multiple suction wells 12 can be sucked through the connecting pipe 15 from at least one suction well 12 provided with a suction section 17.

[0066] (5) The tank system 10A, 10B, 10C according to the fifth aspect is any one of the tank systems 10A, 10B, 10C according to (1) to (4), in which the liquid is a liquefied gas and further includes a heat insulating material 152 covering the connecting pipe 15.

[0067] When liquefied gas flows through the connecting pipe 15 that connects multiple suction wells 12, the connecting pipe 15 is cooled by the liquefied gas, which is at a lower temperature than the atmosphere. However, by covering the connecting pipe 15 with heat insulating material 152, condensation and freezing on the outer surface of the connecting pipe 15 can be suppressed.

[0068] (6) The tank system 10A, 10B, 10C relating to the sixth aspect is any one of the tank systems 10A, 10B, 10C of (1) to (5), in which the suction section 17 is provided with a suction pipe 18 whose lower end is inserted into the suction well 12, and a pump 19 that sucks the liquid in the suction well 12 through the suction pipe 18.

[0069] This allows liquid that has flowed in from other suction wells 12 through the connecting pipes 15 to be sucked out by the pump 19 through the suction pipes 18. In this way, there is no need to provide suction pipes 18 and pumps 19 for all of the multiple suction wells 12, and a configuration that can suck out residual liquid from the suction wells 12 can be realized at low cost. Furthermore, when all of the multiple suction wells 12 are provided with suction units 17, under normal circumstances, liquid is sucked out using the suction pipes 18 and pumps 19 provided for at least one of the multiple suction wells 12, and the suction pipes 18 and pumps 19 provided for the other suction wells 12 can be operated as spare suction units 17. This increases the redundancy of the suction units 17.

[0070] (7) The tank system 10A, 10B, 10C according to the seventh aspect is any one of the tank systems 10A, 10B, 10C of (1) to (6), and further includes an opening / closing unit 153 for opening and closing the inside of the connecting pipe 15.

[0071] As a result, when liquid is not being sucked out by the suction unit 17, the opening / closing unit 153 can be closed to prevent liquid from flowing between the multiple suction wells 12 through the connecting pipe 15. As a result, for example, in a case where multiple tank units 11 are provided, the opening / closing unit 153 can be closed and the multiple tank units 11 can be operated individually when liquid is not being dispensed from the tank units 11. When liquid is being dispensed from the tank units 11, the opening / closing unit 153 can be opened to suck the liquid accumulated in the multiple suction wells 12 through the connecting pipe 15 from the suction well 12 of at least one tank unit 11 provided with the suction unit 17.

[0072] (8) The floating body 1 according to the eighth aspect is equipped with any one of the tank systems 10A, 10B, and 10C described in (1) to (7).

[0073] This makes it possible to provide a floating body 1 equipped with tank systems 10A, 10B, and 10C that can realize a configuration that can suck up residual liquid in the suction wells 12 at low cost, even when multiple suction wells 12 are provided.

[0074] According to the tank system and float of the present disclosure, even when multiple suction wells are provided, a configuration that can suck up residual liquid in the suction wells can be realized at low cost.

[0075] DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Floating body 2 Floating body main body 2b Stern 3A, 3B Side 4 Ship bottom 5 Upper deck 7 Superstructure 10A to 10C Tank system 11, 21, 21A, 21B, 31 Tank section 12, 12A to 12F Suction well 15 Connecting pipe 17, 17A, 17B Suction section 18 Suction pipe 19 Pump 111 First body section 111d, 112d, 211d, 311d Concave section 112 Second body section 113 Third body section 114A to 114C, 214 Cylindrical section 115A to 115C, 215 Head section 152 Heat insulation material 153 Opening and closing section S1 to S3, S21 Storage space

Claims

1. A tank system comprising: a tank section capable of storing liquid therein; a plurality of suction wells provided at the bottom of the tank section and recessed downward from the bottom; connecting pipes connecting the plurality of suction wells together; and a suction section capable of sucking in the liquid in the suction well from at least one of the plurality of suction wells.

2. The tank system according to claim 1, wherein the bottom of the tank section has a plurality of concave sections that are concave downward, and the suction well is provided in each of the plurality of concave sections.

3. The tank system according to claim 1, comprising a plurality of tank sections each having the suction well, and the connecting pipe connects the suction well of one tank section to the suction well of another tank section.

4. The tank system according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of the suction wells are provided in one of the tank sections.

5. The tank system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the liquid is a liquefied gas, and further comprising a heat insulating material covering the connecting pipe.

6. The tank system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the suction section comprises: a suction pipe whose lower end is inserted into the suction well; and a pump that sucks the liquid in the suction well through the suction pipe.

7. The tank system according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising an opening / closing section for opening and closing the inside of the connecting pipe.

8. A floating body comprising the tank system according to claim 1 or 2.

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