Liquefied gas vaporizer unit

Abstract

The present invention comprises: a vertical container (2a) in which a heat exchange space K to which liquefied ammonia (X) is supplied has a horizontal cross-sectional area that is smaller than the vertical cross-sectional area thereof; a liquefied ammonia supply unit (3) that supplies the liquefied ammonia (X) to the heat exchange space (K) of the vertical container (2a); a heating fluid guide tubes (2d) that are inserted into the heat exchange space (K) of the vertical container (2a); a seawater supply unit (4) that supplies seawater (Y) to the heating fluid guide tubes (2d); a superheater (5b) that superheats vaporized gas which is to be discharged from the vertical container (2a); and a retained liquefied ammonia discharge unit (6) that uses the differential pressure between the heat exchange space (K) of the vertical container (2a) and a discharge destination to discharge the liquefied ammonia (X) which is accumulated in the heat exchange space (K) of the vertical container (2a).

Description

Liquefied Gas Vaporizer Unit

[0001] This disclosure relates to a liquefied gas vaporizer unit. This application claims priority to Japanese Patent Application No. 2024-002040, filed on January 10, 2024, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a low-temperature liquefied gas vaporizer that vaporizes a liquefied gas containing a main component and a high-boiling-point component having a boiling point higher than that of the main component. The low-temperature liquefied gas vaporizer disclosed in Patent Document 1 includes a horizontally long shell, and vaporizes the liquefied gas by heat exchange between the liquefied gas and a heating fluid inside the shell.

[0003] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2022-6152

[0004] Liquefied gases containing a high-boiling-point component mixed with the main component have a high boiling point, making them difficult to completely vaporize using a heat source with a low boiling-point temperature. For example, in the case of a liquefied gas containing liquefied ammonia as the main component and water as the high-boiling-point component, the boiling point of the liquefied gas approaches the temperature of the heating fluid, such as seawater, and the liquefied gas that cannot be vaporized accumulates at the bottom of the container, causing the liquid level of the liquefied gas to rise. For this reason, the low-temperature liquefied gas vaporizer disclosed in Patent Document 1 is equipped with a pump that draws the liquefied gas accumulated at the bottom of the container out of the container. However, the pump provided in the low-temperature liquefied gas vaporizer disclosed in Patent Document 1 is a rotating device. For this reason, a backup pump is required as a countermeasure against failure, and power is required to operate the pump.

[0005] The present disclosure has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned problems, and aims to prevent the liquid level of liquefied gas accumulating at the bottom of a container from rising when the liquefied gas is vaporized, and to enable the liquefied gas inside the container to be discharged without using a pump even if the liquid level rises.

[0006] The present disclosure employs the following configuration as a means for solving the above problems.

[0007] A first aspect of the present disclosure is a liquefied gas vaporizer unit that vaporizes liquefied gas, comprising: a vertical container having a horizontal cross-sectional area smaller than the vertical cross-sectional area of ​​an internal space to which the liquefied gas is supplied; a liquefied gas supply unit that supplies the liquefied gas to the internal space of the vertical container; a heating fluid guide pipe that is inserted into the internal space of the vertical container; a heating fluid supply unit that supplies a heating fluid to the heating fluid guide pipe; a superheater that superheats the vaporized gas discharged from the vertical container; and a stagnant liquefied gas discharge unit that discharges the liquefied gas accumulated in the internal space of the vertical container from the vertical container using a pressure difference between the internal space of the vertical container and a discharge destination.

[0008] In the present disclosure, the vertical container has a smaller horizontal cross-sectional area than the vertical cross-sectional area of ​​the internal space. Therefore, the flow path area when the vaporized gas rises in the internal space of the vertical container is smaller than that of a horizontally elongated container, increasing the average flow velocity of the vaporized gas. Therefore, the mist-like liquefied gas in the internal space can be entrained with the vaporized gas and discharged to the outside of the vertical container, where it can be vaporized in a superheater. Therefore, according to the present disclosure, the amount of liquefied gas accumulating inside the container (vertical container) can be reduced, and the rise in the liquid level of the liquefied gas accumulating at the bottom of the container can be suppressed. Furthermore, in the present disclosure, the accumulated liquefied gas discharge unit uses the differential pressure between the internal space of the vertical container and the discharge destination to discharge the liquefied gas accumulated in the internal space of the vertical container from the vertical container. Therefore, the liquefied gas accumulated in the internal space of the vertical container can be discharged from the vertical container without using a pump. Therefore, according to the present disclosure, when liquefied gas is vaporized, the liquid level of the liquefied gas accumulating at the bottom of the container can be prevented from rising, and even if the liquid level rises, the liquefied gas inside the container can be discharged without using a pump.

[0009] 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a liquefied ammonia vaporizer unit according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure, and FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram of a liquefied ammonia vaporizer unit according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0010] Hereinafter, an embodiment of a liquefied gas vaporizer unit according to the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0011] First Embodiment In this embodiment, an example will be described in which the liquefied gas vaporizer unit of the present disclosure is applied to a liquefied ammonia vaporizer unit. However, the liquefied gas vaporizer unit of the present disclosure is not limited to application to liquefied ammonia vaporizer units, and can also be applied to facilities that handle liquefied gases other than liquefied ammonia, such as LPG (Liquefied Petroleum Gas).

[0012] 1 is a schematic diagram of a liquefied ammonia vaporizer unit 1 of this embodiment. The liquefied ammonia vaporizer unit 1 of this embodiment vaporizes liquefied ammonia X (liquefied gas) by heat exchange with seawater Y (heating fluid). Note that the liquefied ammonia X is obtained by mixing, for example, pure liquefied ammonia X with a high boiling point liquid (water, etc.). However, in this embodiment, it will be simply referred to as liquefied ammonia X. Furthermore, the heating fluid that is heat exchanged with the liquefied ammonia X does not have to be seawater Y. For example, the heating fluid may be fresh water, or river water or lake water.

[0013] As shown in FIG. 1 , the liquefied ammonia vaporizer unit 1 of this embodiment includes a vaporizer body 2, a liquefied ammonia supply unit 3 (liquefied gas supply unit), a seawater supply unit 4 (heated fluid supply unit), a delivery unit 5, a retained liquefied ammonia discharge unit 6 (retained liquefied gas discharge unit), and a drainage pipe 7.

[0014] The vaporizer body 2 vaporizes liquefied ammonia X and seawater Y through heat exchange in a heat exchange space K (internal space). As shown in Fig. 1, the vaporizer body 2 includes a vertical container 2a, an upper partition wall 2b, a lower partition wall 2c, a heating fluid guide pipe 2d, and a plurality of baffle plates 2e.

[0015] The vertical container 2a is a container whose vertical length is greater than its horizontal length. In this embodiment, the vertical container 2a is a cylindrical container whose horizontal cross section is circular.

[0016] The interior of the vertical container 2a is provided with a heat exchange space K, an upper space KU, and a lower space KD. These heat exchange space K, upper space KU, and lower space KD are arranged in the vertical direction, and are arranged in the order of upper space KU, heat exchange space K, and lower space KD from top to bottom.

[0017] The heat exchange space K is a space into which liquefied ammonia X is supplied and where heat is exchanged between the liquefied ammonia X and seawater Y. In this embodiment, the heat exchange space K is formed in a vertically elongated shape in which the vertical length is greater than the horizontal diameter. In such a heat exchange space K, the horizontal cross-sectional area (cross-sectional area when cut in a horizontal plane) is smaller than the vertical cross-sectional area (cross-sectional area when cut in a vertical plane). The vaporized gas generated inside the heat exchange space K flows from below to above. At this time, since the horizontal cross-sectional area of ​​the heat exchange space K is smaller than the vertical cross-sectional area, the average flow velocity of the vaporized gas in the heat exchange space K is faster than when the horizontal cross-sectional area is larger than the vertical cross-sectional area.

[0018] The upper space KU is a space located above the heat exchange space K, and is a space into which seawater Y that exchanges heat with the liquefied ammonia X is supplied from outside the vertical container 2a. The lower space KD is a space located below the heat exchange space K, and is a space in which the seawater Y that has exchanged heat with the liquefied ammonia X and is discharged outside the vertical container 2a is temporarily stored.

[0019] As shown in FIG. 1, the vertical vessel 2a is provided with a liquefied ammonia supply port 2a1, a vaporized gas discharge port 2a2, a liquefied ammonia discharge port 2a3, a seawater supply port 2a4, and a seawater discharge port 2a5.

[0020] The liquefied ammonia supply port 2a1 is a supply port connected to the bottom of the heat exchange space K, and is connected to the liquefied ammonia supply unit 3. The vaporized gas discharge port 2a2 is a discharge port connected to the top of the heat exchange space K, and is connected to the delivery unit 5.

[0021] Like the liquefied ammonia supply port 2a1, the liquefied ammonia discharge port 2a3 is a discharge port connected to the bottom of the heat exchange space K. For example, the liquefied ammonia discharge port 2a3 is provided at a position opposite to the liquefied ammonia supply port 2a1 with the heat exchange space K therebetween. The liquefied ammonia discharge port 2a3 is connected to the accumulated liquefied ammonia discharge section 6.

[0022] The seawater supply port 2a4 is a supply port connected to the top of the upper space KU and is provided at the upper end of the vertical container 2a. This seawater supply port 2a4 is connected to the seawater supply unit 4. The seawater discharge port 2a5 is a discharge port connected to the bottom of the lower space KD and is provided at the bottom end of the vertical container 2a. This seawater discharge port 2a5 is connected to the drainage pipe 7.

[0023] The upper partition wall 2b is a partition wall provided in the upper part of the interior of the vertical container 2a, and separates the interior of the vertical container 2a into a heat exchange space K and an upper space KU. In other words, the upper partition wall 2b is provided at the boundary between the heat exchange space K and the upper space KU.

[0024] The lower partition wall 2c is a partition wall provided in the lower part of the interior of the vertical container 2a, and separates the interior of the vertical container 2a into the heat exchange space K and the lower space KD. In other words, the lower partition wall 2c is provided at the boundary between the heat exchange space K and the lower space KD.

[0025] The heating fluid guide pipe 2d is inserted into the heat exchange space K and guides the seawater Y. As shown in Fig. 1, a plurality of heating fluid guide pipes 2d are provided. The upper end of each heating fluid guide pipe 2d is connected to the upper partition wall 2b and the lower end is connected to the lower partition wall 2c. These heating fluid guide pipes 2d guide the seawater Y supplied to the upper space KU to the lower space KD.

[0026] A plurality of baffle plates 2e are provided in the heat exchange space K of the vertical container 2a. These baffle plates 2e are plate-shaped members whose bases are fixed to the inner wall surface of the vertical container 2a and whose tips are positioned away from the inner wall surface of the vertical container 2a. Each baffle plate 2e is positioned so that its front and back surfaces face up and down. A heating fluid guide pipe 2d passes through each baffle plate 2e in the vertical direction.

[0027] As shown in Fig. 1, the multiple baffle plates 2e are arranged vertically. The base positions of the baffle plates 2e arranged vertically in this manner are alternately changed in the left-right direction. That is, for a baffle plate 2e whose base is on the left side in Fig. 1 and fixed to the inner wall surface of the upright container 2a, the baffle plate 2e adjacent in the vertical direction to the baffle plate 2e whose base is on the right side in Fig. 1 is fixed to the inner wall surface of the upright container 2a.

[0028] The lowest baffle plate 2e is located above liquefied ammonia supply port 2a1 and is arranged so that its base is fixed to the inner wall surface of vertical vessel 2a directly above liquefied ammonia supply port 2a1. The highest baffle plate 2e is located below vaporized gas discharge port 2a2 and is arranged so that its base is fixed to the inner wall surface of vertical vessel 2a directly below vaporized gas discharge port 2a2.

[0029] These baffle plates 2e make the flow path of the vaporized gas meander in the heat exchange space K, thereby narrowing the cross-sectional area of ​​the flow path of the vaporized gas. By making the flow path of the vaporized gas meander in this way using the baffle plates 2e, it is possible to further increase the average flow velocity of the vaporized gas.

[0030] The liquefied ammonia supply unit 3 supplies liquefied ammonia X to the heat exchange space K of the vertical vessel 2a. In this embodiment, the liquefied ammonia supply unit 3 is connected to a liquefied ammonia supply port 2a1. For example, as shown in FIG. 1 , the liquefied ammonia supply unit 3 includes a liquefied ammonia supply pipe 3a and a liquefied ammonia supply pump 3b.

[0031] The liquefied ammonia supply pipe 3a is, for example, a pipe connecting a storage tank T that stores liquefied ammonia X to the liquefied ammonia supply port 2a1. The liquefied ammonia supply pump 3b is installed at a midpoint of the liquefied ammonia supply pipe 3a. The liquefied ammonia supply pump 3b pressurizes the liquefied ammonia X and discharges the pressurized liquefied ammonia X toward the liquefied ammonia supply port 2a1.

[0032] Since the liquefied ammonia X pressurized by the liquefied ammonia supply pump 3b is supplied to the heat exchange space K of the vertical container 2a in this manner, the pressure in the heat exchange space K becomes higher than atmospheric pressure. Note that, when pressurized liquefied ammonia X is supplied to the liquefied ammonia supply unit 3, the liquefied ammonia supply unit 3 may be configured not to include the liquefied ammonia supply pump 3b.

[0033] The seawater supply unit 4 supplies seawater Y to the upper space KU of the vertical container 2a. In this embodiment, the seawater supply unit 4 is connected to the seawater supply port 2a4. For example, as shown in FIG. 1 , the seawater supply unit 4 includes a seawater supply pipe 4a and a seawater supply pump 4b.

[0034] The seawater supply pipe 4a is, for example, a pipe that connects the ocean and the seawater supply port 2a4. The seawater supply pump 4b is installed in the middle of the seawater supply pipe 4a. The seawater supply pump 4b pressurizes the seawater Y and discharges the pressurized seawater Y toward the seawater supply port 2a4.

[0035] In this way, the seawater Y pressurized by the seawater supply pump 4b is supplied to the upper space KU of the vertical container 2a, so the pressure in the upper space KU becomes higher than that in the lower space KD. Therefore, the seawater Y supplied to the upper space KU flows through the heating fluid guide pipe 2d toward the lower space KD. Note that when pressurized seawater Y is supplied to the seawater supply unit 4, the seawater supply unit 4 may be configured without including the seawater supply pump 4b.

[0036] The delivery unit 5 delivers the vaporized gas to the outside. In this embodiment, the delivery unit 5 is connected to the vaporized gas discharge port 2a2. For example, as shown in FIG. 1, the delivery unit 5 includes a delivery pipe 5a and a superheater 5b.

[0037] The delivery pipe 5a connects the delivery destination and the vaporized gas discharge port 2a2. The superheater 5b is provided in the middle of the delivery pipe 5a and superheats the vaporized gas to vaporize the mist contained in the vaporized gas. By superheating the vaporized gas with the superheater 5b, the vaporized gas from which the mist has been removed can be supplied to the delivery destination.

[0038] The accumulating liquefied ammonia discharge unit 6 is able to discharge the liquefied ammonia X accumulated in the heat exchange space K of the vertical container 2a from the vertical container 2a by using the pressure difference between the heat exchange space K of the vertical container 2a and the discharge destination. In this embodiment, the discharge destination to which the accumulating liquefied ammonia discharge unit 6 discharges the liquefied ammonia X is the storage tank T. The storage tank T stores the liquefied ammonia X in a cooled state, but the internal pressure is close to atmospheric pressure. On the other hand, since the heat exchange space K of the vertical container 2a is supplied with pressurized liquefied ammonia X as described above, the internal pressure is higher than atmospheric pressure. The accumulating liquefied ammonia discharge unit 6 discharges the liquefied ammonia X from the heat exchange space K to the storage tank T by using the pressure difference between the storage tank T and the heat exchange space K.

[0039] 1 , the accumulated liquefied ammonia discharge unit 6 includes a discharge pipe 6a, an on-off valve 6b, a liquid level detection unit 6c, and a valve control unit 6d. The discharge pipe 6a connects the storage tank T and the liquefied ammonia discharge port 2a3. The discharge pipe 6a is connected to the bottom of the heat exchange space K of the vertical container 2a via the liquefied ammonia discharge port 2a3. When liquefied ammonia X has accumulated at the bottom of the heat exchange space K and the discharge pipe 6a is open, the liquefied ammonia X flows into the storage tank T through the discharge pipe 6a.

[0040] The on-off valve 6b is installed at a midpoint of the discharge pipe 6a. The on-off valve 6b can change the open / close state of the discharge pipe 6a under the control of the valve control unit 6d. The liquid level detection unit 6c is a sensor that detects the liquid level of the liquefied ammonia X accumulated in the heat exchange space K of the upright container 2a. The liquid level detection unit 6c is not particularly limited, but a differential pressure level sensor, for example, can be used.

[0041] The valve control unit 6d is connected to the liquid level detection unit 6c and the on-off valve 6b. The valve control unit 6d controls the on-off valve 6b based on the liquid level detected by the liquid level detection unit 6c. Specifically, when the liquid level of the liquefied ammonia X in the heat exchange space K rises and exceeds a predetermined opening liquid level, the valve control unit 6d controls the on-off valve 6b so that the discharge pipe 6a is opened. Furthermore, when the liquid level of the liquefied ammonia X in the heat exchange space K decreases and falls below a predetermined closing liquid level, the valve control unit 6d controls the on-off valve 6b so that the discharge pipe 6a is closed.

[0042] The drain pipe 7 is a pipe for discharging the seawater Y from the lower space KD of the upright container 2 a to the outside of the upright container 2 a. In this embodiment, the drain pipe 7 is connected to the seawater discharge port 2 a 5 and guides the seawater Y discharged from the seawater discharge port 2 a 5.

[0043] In the liquefied ammonia vaporizer unit 1 of this embodiment, for example, liquefied ammonia X stored in a storage tank T is supplied to the heat exchange space K by the liquefied ammonia supply unit 3. Meanwhile, seawater Y from the ocean is supplied to the upper space KU of the vertical vessel 2a by the seawater supply unit 4. The seawater Y supplied to the upper space KU flows through the heating fluid guide pipe 2d and is discharged to the lower space KD.

[0044] The liquefied ammonia X supplied to the liquefied ammonia supply unit 3 is vaporized by heat exchange with seawater Y flowing through the heating fluid guide pipe 2d. The vaporized gas thus produced is supplied to the supply destination via the delivery unit 5. In this embodiment, the horizontal cross-sectional area of ​​the heat exchange space K is smaller than the vertical cross-sectional area, so the average flow velocity of the vaporized gas is high. Therefore, the mist present in the heat exchange space K is entrained in the vaporized gas and delivered to the delivery unit 5. The mist delivered to the delivery unit 5 is vaporized in the superheater 5b and delivered to the supply destination.

[0045] However, for example, when the supply destination requires less vaporized gas than usual, the flow rate of the liquefied ammonia X supplied to the heat exchange space K by the liquefied ammonia supply unit 3 is low. This reduces the average flow rate of the vaporized gas in the heat exchange space K, making it difficult to discharge mist. This may cause the liquid level of the liquefied ammonia X accumulated in the heat exchange space K to rise.

[0046] When the liquid level of the liquefied ammonia X accumulated in the heat exchange space K rises, the on-off valve 6b of the accumulated liquefied ammonia discharge part 6 is opened, and the accumulated liquefied ammonia X is discharged via the discharge pipe 6a into the storage tank T. When the liquid level of the liquefied ammonia X accumulated in the heat exchange space K drops as a result, the on-off valve 6b is closed.

[0047] The liquefied ammonia vaporizer unit 1 of this embodiment as described above vaporizes liquefied ammonia X. The liquefied ammonia vaporizer unit 1 of this embodiment also includes a vertical vessel 2a, a liquefied ammonia supply unit 3, a heating fluid guide pipe 2d, a seawater supply unit 4, a superheater 5b, and a stagnant liquefied ammonia discharge unit 6. The vertical vessel 2a has a smaller horizontal cross-sectional area than the vertical cross-sectional area of ​​a heat exchange space K to which liquefied ammonia X is supplied. The liquefied ammonia supply unit 3 supplies liquefied ammonia X to the heat exchange space K of the vertical vessel 2a. The heating fluid guide pipe 2d is inserted into the heat exchange space K of the vertical vessel 2a. The seawater supply unit 4 supplies seawater Y to the heating fluid guide pipe 2d. The superheater 5b superheats the vaporized gas discharged from the vertical vessel 2a. The accumulated liquefied ammonia discharge section 6 discharges the liquefied ammonia X accumulated in the heat exchange space K of the vertical container 2a from the vertical container 2a by using the differential pressure between the heat exchange space K of the vertical container 2a and the discharge destination.

[0048] In the liquefied ammonia vaporizer unit 1 of this embodiment, the vertical container 2a has a smaller horizontal cross-sectional area than the vertical cross-sectional area of ​​the heat exchange space K. Therefore, the flow path area when the vaporized gas vaporized in the heat exchange space K of the vertical container 2a rises is smaller than that of a horizontally long container, and the average flow velocity of the vaporized gas increases. Therefore, the mist-like liquefied ammonia X in the heat exchange space K can be entrained with the vaporized gas and discharged to the outside of the vertical container 2a, and can be vaporized in the superheater 5b. Therefore, according to the liquefied ammonia vaporizer unit 1 of this embodiment, the amount of liquefied ammonia X accumulating inside the container (vertical container 2a) can be reduced, and the rise in the liquid level of liquefied ammonia X accumulating in the heat exchange space K can be suppressed.

[0049] Furthermore, in the liquefied ammonia vaporizer unit 1 of this embodiment, the accumulated liquefied ammonia discharge section 6 discharges the liquefied ammonia X accumulated in the heat exchange space K of the vertical container 2a from the vertical container 2a by using the differential pressure between the heat exchange space K of the vertical container 2a and the discharge destination. Therefore, the liquefied ammonia X accumulated in the heat exchange space K of the vertical container 2a can be discharged from the vertical container 2a without using a pump.

[0050] Therefore, according to the liquefied ammonia vaporizer unit 1 of the present embodiment, when liquefied ammonia X is vaporized, the liquid level of the liquefied ammonia X that accumulates in the lower part of the container is prevented from rising, and even if the liquid level rises, the liquefied ammonia X inside the vertical container 2a can be discharged without using a pump.

[0051] The liquefied ammonia vaporizer unit 1 of this embodiment also includes a plurality of baffle plates 2e. These baffle plates 2e are provided in the heat exchange space K of the vertical vessel 2a and cause the flow path of the vaporized gas to meander.

[0052] According to the liquefied ammonia vaporizer unit 1 of this embodiment, the baffle plate 2e causes the flow path of the vaporized gas to meander in the heat exchange space K, thereby narrowing the cross-sectional area of ​​the flow path of the vaporized gas. By causing the flow path of the vaporized gas to meander in this way using the baffle plate 2e, it is possible to further increase the average flow velocity of the vaporized gas. Therefore, according to the liquefied ammonia vaporizer unit 1 of this embodiment, the average flow velocity of the vaporized gas can be further increased, and more mist-like liquefied ammonia X can be entrained in the vaporized gas and discharged to the outside of the vertical container 2a.

[0053] In the liquefied ammonia vaporizer unit 1 of this embodiment, the accumulated liquefied ammonia discharge unit 6 includes a liquid level detection unit 6c. The liquid level detection unit 6c detects the liquid level of the liquefied ammonia X accumulated in the heat exchange space K of the vertical container 2a.

[0054] According to the liquefied ammonia vaporizer unit 1 of this embodiment, it is possible to determine whether or not to discharge the liquefied ammonia X from the accumulated liquefied ammonia discharge unit 6, depending on the amount of liquefied ammonia X accumulated in the heat exchange space K. However, it is also possible to determine whether or not to discharge the liquefied ammonia X from the accumulated liquefied ammonia discharge unit 6, depending on the time or the operation mode, without providing the liquid level detection unit 6c.

[0055] Furthermore, in the liquefied ammonia vaporizer unit 1 of this embodiment, the accumulated liquefied ammonia discharge section 6 includes a discharge pipe 6a, an on-off valve 6b, and a valve control section 6d. The discharge pipe 6a is connected to the bottom of the heat exchange space K of the vertical container 2a. The on-off valve 6b is installed at a midpoint of the discharge pipe 6a. The valve control section 6d controls the on-off valve 6b based on the detection result of the liquid level detection section 6c.

[0056] According to the liquefied ammonia vaporizer unit 1 of this embodiment, the opening and closing of the on-off valve 6 b can be automatically controlled in accordance with the detection result of the liquid level detector 6 c. Therefore, according to the liquefied ammonia vaporizer unit 1 of this embodiment, when the amount of liquefied ammonia X accumulated in the heat exchange space K increases, the liquefied ammonia X accumulated in the heat exchange space K can be automatically discharged.

[0057] In the liquefied ammonia vaporizer unit 1 of this embodiment, the destination of the liquefied ammonia X from the accumulated liquefied ammonia discharge part 6 is the storage tank T for storing the liquefied ammonia X.

[0058] According to the liquefied ammonia vaporizer unit 1 of this embodiment, the liquefied ammonia X accumulated in the heat exchange space K can be stored again in the storage tank T. Therefore, the liquefied ammonia X accumulated in the heat exchange space K can be effectively utilized.

[0059] Second Embodiment Next, a second embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to Fig. 2. In the description of this embodiment, the description of the same parts as those in the first embodiment will be omitted or simplified.

[0060] Fig. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram of a liquefied ammonia vaporizer unit 1A of this embodiment. Note that Fig. 2 omits the baffle plate 2e, the liquefied ammonia supply section 3, the delivery section 5, and the accumulated liquefied ammonia discharge section 6. As shown in this figure, in the liquefied ammonia vaporizer unit 1A of this embodiment, a plurality of heating fluid guide pipes 2d are inserted horizontally into the heat exchange space K.

[0061] For example, as shown in Fig. 2, the inlet end of each of the heating fluid guide pipes 2d may be connected to a supply header pipe 2f. In such a case, the seawater supply unit 4 distributes and supplies seawater Y to each of the heating fluid guide pipes 2d via the supply header pipe 2f.

[0062] Furthermore, the outlet end of each of the heating fluid guide pipes 2d may be connected to the discharge header pipe 2g. In such a case, the drainage pipe 7 receives the seawater Y discharged from each of the heating fluid guide pipes 2d via the discharge header pipe 2g.

[0063] In the liquefied ammonia vaporizer unit 1A of this embodiment having such a configuration, the horizontal cross-sectional area of ​​the vertical container 2a is smaller than the vertical cross-sectional area of ​​the heat exchange space K. This makes it possible to increase the average flow rate of the vaporized gas and suppress an increase in the liquid level of the liquefied ammonia X that accumulates in the heat exchange space K. Furthermore, in the liquefied ammonia vaporizer unit 1A of this embodiment as well, the liquefied ammonia X that has accumulated in the heat exchange space K of the vertical container 2a can be discharged from the vertical container 2a without using a pump by using the differential pressure between the heat exchange space K of the vertical container 2a and the discharge destination.

[0064] While the preferred embodiments of the present disclosure have been described above with reference to the accompanying drawings, it goes without saying that the present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments. The shapes and combinations of the components shown in the above-described embodiments are merely examples, and various modifications can be made based on design requirements, etc., without departing from the spirit of the present disclosure.

[0065] For example, in the above embodiment, an example has been described in which the liquefied ammonia X discharged from the vertical container 2a by the accumulated liquefied ammonia discharge unit 6 is supplied to the storage tank T. However, the present disclosure is not limited to this. For example, a configuration in which the liquefied ammonia X discharged from the vertical container 2a is supplied to a dedicated tank may also be employed. Furthermore, the liquefied ammonia X discharged from the vertical container 2a may also be supplied to abatement equipment such as a flare stack.

[0066] The above embodiment can also be described as follows, for example:

[0067] (Supplementary Note 1) A liquefied gas vaporizer unit for vaporizing liquefied gas, comprising: a vertical container having a horizontal cross-sectional area smaller than the vertical cross-sectional area of ​​an internal space to which the liquefied gas is supplied; a liquefied gas supply unit for supplying the liquefied gas to the internal space of the vertical container; a heated fluid guide pipe inserted into the internal space of the vertical container; a heated fluid supply unit for supplying a heated fluid to the heated fluid guide pipe; a superheater for superheating the vaporized gas discharged from the vertical container; and a retained liquefied gas discharge unit for discharging the liquefied gas accumulated in the internal space of the vertical container from the vertical container by using a pressure difference between the internal space of the vertical container and a discharge destination.

[0068] (Supplementary Note 2) The liquefied gas vaporizer unit according to Supplementary Note 1, further comprising a plurality of baffle plates provided in the internal space of the vertical container and causing the flow path of the vaporized gas to meander.

[0069] (Supplementary Note 3) The liquefied gas vaporizer unit according to Supplementary Note 1 or 2, wherein the stagnant liquefied gas discharge unit includes a liquid level detection unit that detects the liquid level of the liquefied gas accumulated in the internal space of the vertical container.

[0070] (Appendix 4) The liquefied gas vaporizer unit described in Appendix 3, wherein the stagnant liquefied gas discharge section comprises a discharge pipe connected to the bottom of the internal space of the vertical container, an on-off valve installed at a midpoint of the discharge pipe, and a valve control section that controls the on-off valve based on the detection result of the liquid level detection section.

[0071] (Supplementary Note 5) The liquefied gas vaporizer unit according to any one of Supplementary Notes 1 to 4, wherein the discharge destination of the liquefied gas from the retained liquefied gas discharge section is a storage tank that stores the liquefied gas.

[0072] In the present disclosure, the vertical container has a smaller horizontal cross-sectional area than the vertical cross-sectional area of ​​the internal space. Therefore, the flow path area when the vaporized gas rises in the internal space of the vertical container is smaller than that of a horizontally elongated container, increasing the average flow velocity of the vaporized gas. Therefore, the mist-like liquefied gas in the internal space can be entrained with the vaporized gas and discharged to the outside of the vertical container, where it can be vaporized in a superheater. Therefore, according to the present disclosure, the amount of liquefied gas accumulating inside the container (vertical container) can be reduced, and the rise in the liquid level of the liquefied gas accumulating at the bottom of the container can be suppressed. Furthermore, in the present disclosure, the accumulated liquefied gas discharge unit uses the differential pressure between the internal space of the vertical container and the discharge destination to discharge the liquefied gas accumulated in the internal space of the vertical container from the vertical container. Therefore, the liquefied gas accumulated in the internal space of the vertical container can be discharged from the vertical container without using a pump. Therefore, according to the present disclosure, when liquefied gas is vaporized, the liquid level of the liquefied gas accumulating at the bottom of the container can be prevented from rising, and even if the liquid level rises, the liquefied gas inside the container can be discharged without using a pump.

[0073] 1... Liquefied ammonia vaporizer unit (liquefied gas vaporizer unit), 1A... Liquefied ammonia vaporizer unit (liquefied gas vaporizer unit), 2... Vaporizer body, 2a... Vertical vessel, 2d... Heated fluid guide pipe, 2e... Baffle plate, 3... Liquefied ammonia supply section (liquefied gas supply section), 4... Seawater supply section (heated fluid supply section), 5... Delivery section, 5b... Superheater, 6... Retained liquefied ammonia discharge section, 6a... Discharge pipe, 6b... On-off valve, 6c... Liquid level detection section, 6d... Valve control section, 7... Drain pipe, K... Heat exchange space (internal space), T... Storage tank (discharge destination), X... Liquefied ammonia (liquefied gas), Y... Seawater (heated fluid)

Claims

1. A liquefied gas vaporizer unit for vaporizing liquefied gas, comprising: a vertical container having a horizontal cross-sectional area smaller than a vertical cross-sectional area of an internal space to which the liquefied gas is supplied; a liquefied gas supply unit for supplying the liquefied gas to the internal space of the vertical container; a heating fluid guide pipe inserted into the internal space of the vertical container; a heating fluid supply unit for supplying a heating fluid to the heating fluid guide pipe; a superheater for superheating the vaporized gas discharged from the vertical container; and a stagnant liquefied gas discharge unit for discharging the liquefied gas accumulated in the internal space of the vertical container from the vertical container using a differential pressure between the internal space of the vertical container and a discharge destination.

2. The liquefied gas vaporizer unit according to claim 1, further comprising a plurality of baffle plates provided in the internal space of the vertical container and causing the flow path of the vaporized gas to meander.

3. The liquefied gas vaporizer unit according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the stagnant liquefied gas discharge unit includes a liquid level detection unit for detecting a liquid level of the liquefied gas accumulated in the internal space of the vertical container.

4. The liquefied gas vaporizer unit according to claim 3, wherein the stagnant liquefied gas discharge unit includes: a discharge pipe connected to a bottom portion of the internal space of the vertical container; an on-off valve installed in an intermediate portion of the discharge pipe; and a valve control unit for controlling the on-off valve based on a detection result of the liquid level detection unit.

5. The liquefied gas vaporizer unit according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a discharge destination of the liquefied gas of the stagnant liquefied gas discharge unit is a storage tank for storing the liquefied gas.

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