Ammonia receiving facility

Abstract

An ammonia receiving facility (1) for vaporizing an ammonia liquid (X) and delivering same to a boiler (B) as an ammonia gas (Y), comprising: a hydrogen gas generation unit (7) for cracking a portion of the ammonia gas (Y) delivered to the boiler (B) to generate hydrogen gas (H); and a hydrogen gas supply unit (8) for supplying the hydrogen gas (H) generated by the hydrogen gas generation unit (7) to a flare stack (F).

Description

Ammonia Receiving Facility

[0001] This disclosure relates to an ammonia receiving facility. This application claims priority to Japanese Patent Application No. 2024-006133, filed on January 18, 2024, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a flare stack. The flare stack disclosed in Patent Document 1 has an ignition torch provided at the top. The ignition torch forms a flame by combusting fuel supplied from the outside. The gas to be treated is supplied to the flame formed by the ignition torch, whereby it is combusted and treated.

[0003] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2001-289425

[0004] Receiving facilities that vaporize LNG (Liquefied Natural Gas) or LPG (Liquefied Petroleum Gas) and supply it to boilers, etc., are equipped with flare stacks such as those disclosed in Patent Document 1. Such receiving facilities use the flare stack to combust excess gas generated within the receiving facilities. Receiving facilities that handle ammonia instead of LNG or LPG also use the flare stack to combust excess ammonia gas. However, ammonia gas is less flammable than fossil fuels. Therefore, in flare stacks, fossil fuels must be used as an assist gas to assist the combustion of ammonia gas and as fuel for a pilot burner such as the ignition torch of the flare stack described in Patent Document 1. However, in order to meet the societal demand for decarbonization, it is preferable to reduce the use of fossil fuels in flare stacks.

[0005] The present disclosure has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned problems, and aims to reduce the use of fossil fuels in a flare stack in an ammonia receiving facility that combusts excess gas in a flare stack.

[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 an ammonia receiving facility that vaporizes ammonia liquid and delivers it to a destination as ammonia gas, and includes a hydrogen gas generation unit that cracks a portion of the ammonia gas delivered to the destination to produce hydrogen gas, and a hydrogen gas supply unit that supplies the hydrogen gas produced in the hydrogen gas generation unit to a flare stack.

[0008] According to the present disclosure, hydrogen gas can be generated by cracking ammonia gas and the generated hydrogen gas can be supplied to a flare stack. In other words, according to the present disclosure, combustion in the flare stack can be maintained by supplying hydrogen gas to the flare stack instead of fossil fuel. Therefore, it is possible to reduce or eliminate the use of fossil fuel in the flare stack. This disclosure can reduce the use of fossil fuel in an ammonia receiving facility that combusts excess gas in a flare stack.

[0009] It is a flow diagram showing a schematic configuration of an ammonia receiving facility according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure. It is a flow diagram showing a schematic configuration of an ammonia receiving facility according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure. It is a flow diagram showing a schematic configuration of an ammonia receiving facility according to a third embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0010] Hereinafter, an embodiment of an ammonia receiving facility according to the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0011] (First embodiment) Fig. 1 is a flow diagram showing a schematic configuration of an ammonia receiving facility 1 of this embodiment. The ammonia receiving facility 1 of this embodiment stores ammonia liquid X. The ammonia receiving facility 1 of this embodiment also vaporizes the stored ammonia liquid X to produce ammonia gas Y. The ammonia receiving facility 1 of this embodiment also supplies a required amount of ammonia gas Y to a boiler B (supply destination). Note that the supply destination of the ammonia gas Y from the ammonia receiving facility 1 is not limited to the boiler B.

[0012] As shown in FIG. 1 , the ammonia receiving facility 1 of this embodiment includes an ammonia tank 2, an ammonia gas delivery unit 3, a boil-off gas supply unit 4, a boil-off gas recovery facility 5, an excess gas discharge unit 6, a hydrogen gas generation unit 7, and a hydrogen gas supply unit 8.

[0013] The ammonia tank 2 is a tank that stores ammonia liquid X. The ammonia tank 2 stores the ammonia liquid X supplied from the outside while maintaining it at a low temperature. The ammonia tank 2 is, for example, a double-shell tank made of PC concrete, which has a metal inner shell and a PC concrete dike. The ammonia tank 2 has, for example, a cold insulation material filled between the dike and the inner shell, and stores the ammonia liquid X inside the inner shell at a low temperature. However, the structure of the ammonia tank 2 is not particularly limited.

[0014] The ammonia gas delivery unit 3 vaporizes the ammonia liquid X and delivers it toward the boiler B. As shown in FIG. 1 , the ammonia gas delivery unit 3 includes a delivery pump 3a, a delivery pipe 3b, a vaporization facility 3c, and a gas delivery pipe 3d.

[0015] The discharge pump 3a is disposed inside the ammonia tank 2, and pressure-feeds the ammonia liquid X stored in the ammonia tank 2 to the outside of the ammonia tank 2. The discharge pump 3a is connected to, for example, a control unit (not shown), and discharges a designated amount of ammonia liquid X to the outside of the ammonia tank 2 based on the control of the control unit.

[0016] The discharge pipe 3b is a pipe that connects the ammonia tank 2 and the vaporization equipment 3c. The upstream end of the discharge pipe 3b is connected to the ammonia tank 2, and the downstream end of the discharge pipe 3b is connected to the vaporization equipment 3c. The discharge pipe 3b guides the ammonia liquid X discharged by the discharge pump 3a from the ammonia tank 2 to the vaporization equipment 3c.

[0017] The vaporization equipment 3c heats and vaporizes the ammonia liquid X. The vaporization equipment 3c vaporizes the ammonia liquid X supplied from the ammonia tank 2 via the discharge pipe 3b. For example, a heating fluid supply unit (not shown) is connected to the vaporization equipment 3c, and a heating fluid such as seawater is supplied to the vaporization equipment 3c. The vaporization equipment 3c vaporizes the ammonia liquid X by exchanging heat between the ammonia liquid X and the heating fluid such as seawater.

[0018] The gas supply pipe 3d is a pipe that connects the vaporization equipment 3c and the boiler B. The upstream end of the gas supply pipe 3d is connected to the vaporization equipment 3c, and the downstream end of the gas supply pipe 3d is connected to the boiler B. The downstream end of the gas supply pipe 3d does not have to be directly connected to the boiler B. In other words, the downstream end of the gas supply pipe 3d may be connected to the boiler B via another device or the like. The gas supply pipe 3d guides the ammonia gas Y discharged from the vaporization equipment 3c from the vaporization equipment 3c to the boiler B.

[0019] The vaporization equipment 3c may include a superheater at a midpoint of the gas supply pipe 3d. The superheater vaporizes the mist-like ammonia liquid X contained in the ammonia gas Y flowing through the gas supply pipe 3d.

[0020] The boil-off gas supply unit 4 is capable of supplying the boil-off gas G generated in the ammonia tank 2 to the ammonia gas delivery unit 3. As shown in Fig. 1 , the boil-off gas supply unit 4 includes a boil-off gas main pipe 4a, a first on-off valve 4b, a boil-off gas treatment facility connection pipe 4c, a second on-off valve 4d, and a boil-off gas compressor 4e.

[0021] The boil-off gas main pipe 4a is a pipe connected to the ammonia gas delivery unit 3. The upstream end of the boil-off gas main pipe 4a is connected to the ammonia tank 2, and the downstream end of the boil-off gas main pipe 4a is connected to the ammonia gas delivery unit 3. The downstream end of the boil-off gas main pipe 4a is connected to the gas delivery pipe 3d of the ammonia gas delivery unit 3. The boil-off gas main pipe 4a guides the boil-off gas G generated inside the ammonia tank 2 from the ammonia tank 2 to the gas delivery pipe 3d.

[0022] The first on-off valve 4b is an on-off valve installed at an intermediate position of the boil-off gas main pipe 4a. The first on-off valve 4b is opened and closed under the control of, for example, a control unit (not shown). The first on-off valve 4b is located at an intermediate position of the boil-off gas main pipe 4a, near the downstream end of the boil-off gas main pipe 4a. The first on-off valve 4b is located downstream of the portion of the boil-off gas main pipe 4a where the boil-off gas treatment facility connection pipe 4c is connected. The boil-off gas G is supplied to the gas transmission pipe 3d when the first on-off valve 4b is open. Furthermore, when the first on-off valve 4b is closed, the supply of the boil-off gas G to the gas transmission pipe 3d is stopped.

[0023] The boil-off gas treatment equipment connecting pipe 4c is a pipe that connects the boil-off gas main pipe 4a and the boil-off gas recovery equipment 5. The upstream end of the boil-off gas treatment equipment connecting pipe 4c is connected to the boil-off gas main pipe 4a, and the downstream end of the boil-off gas treatment equipment connecting pipe 4c is connected to the boil-off gas recovery equipment 5. The upstream end of the boil-off gas treatment equipment connecting pipe 4c is connected to the boil-off gas main pipe 4a at a position upstream of the first on-off valve 4b. In other words, the boil-off gas treatment equipment connecting pipe 4c connects the boil-off gas main pipe 4a at a position upstream of the first on-off valve 4b and the boil-off gas recovery equipment 5. The boil-off gas treatment equipment connecting pipe 4c guides the boil-off gas G from the boil-off gas main pipe 4a to the boil-off gas recovery equipment 5. The downstream end of the boil-off gas treatment equipment connecting pipe 4c is connected to a condenser 5a (described later) of the boil-off gas recovery equipment 5.

[0024] The second on-off valve 4d is an on-off valve installed at a midpoint of the boil-off gas treatment facility connecting pipe 4c. The second on-off valve 4d is opened and closed, for example, under the control of a control unit (not shown). The boil-off gas G is supplied to the boil-off gas recovery facility 5 when the second on-off valve 4d is open. When the second on-off valve 4d is closed, the supply of the boil-off gas G to the boil-off gas recovery facility 5 is stopped.

[0025] The boil-off gas compressor 4e is a compressor that pressurizes the boil-off gas G flowing through the boil-off gas main pipe 4a, and is installed at a midpoint of the boil-off gas main pipe 4a. The boil-off gas compressor 4e is located upstream of the portion of the boil-off gas main pipe 4a where the boil-off gas treatment facility connection pipe 4c is connected. The boil-off gas compressor 4e compresses and pressurizes the boil-off gas G to a pressure that allows the boil-off gas G to be supplied to the gas transmission pipe 3d and the boil-off gas recovery facility 5.

[0026] The boil-off gas recovery facility 5 is capable of reliquefying the boil-off gas G. As shown in FIG. 1 , the boil-off gas recovery facility 5 includes a condenser 5a. When the boil-off gas G is supplied from the boil-off gas supply unit 4, the condenser 5a condenses the boil-off gas G. When the second on-off valve 4d is opened, the boil-off gas G is supplied from the boil-off gas supply unit 4 to the condenser 5a. The boil-off gas G is condensed inside the condenser 5a and liquefied to become ammonia liquid X.

[0027] The surplus gas discharge unit 6 discharges surplus boil-off gas G from the ammonia tank 2. As shown in Fig. 1 , the surplus gas discharge unit 6 includes a discharge pipe 6a and a relief valve 6b. The discharge pipe 6a connects the ammonia tank 2 and the flare stack F. The upstream end of the discharge pipe 6a is connected to the ammonia tank 2, and the downstream end of the discharge pipe 6a is connected to the flare stack F.

[0028] The relief valve 6b is provided midway through the discharge pipe 6a and opens when the internal pressure of the ammonia tank 2 exceeds a predetermined pressure. When the relief valve 6b opens, a portion of the boil-off gas G inside the ammonia tank 2 is discharged as excess gas Z (gas to be abatement) through the discharge pipe 6a. As shown in Fig. 1, a bypass line may be provided to release the boil-off gas G to the discharge pipe 6a before the relief valve 6b operates.

[0029] The hydrogen gas generator 7 cracks a portion of the ammonia gas Y delivered to the boiler B to generate hydrogen gas H. As shown in Fig. 1, the hydrogen gas generator 7 includes a supply pipe 7a, a pressure reducing valve 7b (ammonia gas pressure adjusting unit), a catalyst 7c, a discharge pipe 7d, a mixed gas compressor 7e, and a separation device 7f.

[0030] The supply pipe 7a connects the boil-off gas main pipe 4a of the boil-off gas supply unit 4 and the catalyst 7c. The upstream end of the supply pipe 7a is connected to the boil-off gas main pipe 4a via the gas delivery pipe 3d of the ammonia gas delivery unit 3, and the downstream end of the supply pipe 7a is connected to the catalyst 7c. The supply pipe 7a supplies ammonia gas Y to the catalyst 7c.

[0031] The pressure reducing valve 7b is provided at a midpoint of the supply pipe 7a. The pressure reducing valve 7b reduces the pressure of the ammonia gas Y flowing through the supply pipe 7a. The pressure reducing valve 7b reduces the pressure of the ammonia gas Y to a pressure at which the ammonia gas Y can be suitably decomposed by the catalyst 7c. In other words, the pressure reducing valve 7b is an ammonia gas pressure adjusting unit that adjusts the pressure of the ammonia gas Y supplied to the catalyst 7c to a pressure suitable for decomposition. However, if there is no need to adjust the pressure of the ammonia gas Y supplied to the supply pipe 7a, the pressure reducing valve 7b can be omitted.

[0032] The catalyst 7c is disposed inside the furnace of the boiler B, which is a heat source. The catalyst 7c is heated by heat (radiation or convection) from the boiler B. For example, the catalyst 7c decomposes ammonia gas Y into hydrogen gas H and nitrogen gas N in this heated state. However, the gas generated by the catalyst 7c is a mixed gas K in which the hydrogen gas H and the nitrogen gas N are mixed. In other words, the mixed gas K is a hydrogen-containing gas that contains the hydrogen gas H.

[0033] The catalyst 7c may be made of, for example, a non-metallic material that can decompose almost 100% of the ammonia gas Y into hydrogen gas H and nitrogen gas N at 600°C or higher and a pressure of 0.1 to 0.6 MPa. However, the material for forming the catalyst 7c is not particularly limited as long as it can decompose the ammonia gas Y in a heated state.

[0034] The discharge pipe 7d is a pipe for discharging the mixed gas K generated by the catalyst 7c from the catalyst 7c. The upstream end of the discharge pipe 7d is connected to the catalyst 7c, and the downstream end of the discharge pipe 7d is connected to the mixed gas compressor 7e. The discharge pipe 7d guides the mixed gas K from the catalyst 7c to the mixed gas compressor 7e.

[0035] The mixed gas compressor 7e compresses the mixed gas K supplied from the discharge pipe 7d. The mixed gas compressor 7e pressurizes the mixed gas K to a pressure suitable for the separation device 7f. Note that if the pressure of the mixed gas K in the discharge pipe 7d is suitable for the separation device 7f, the mixed gas compressor 7e may be omitted.

[0036] The separation device 7f separates hydrogen gas H from the mixed gas K supplied from the mixed gas compressor 7e. For example, the separation device 7f can be a pressure swing adsorption (PSA) type device. The mixed gas K (mainly nitrogen gas N) from which the hydrogen gas H has been separated is discharged from the separation device 7f, treated as necessary, and then released to the atmosphere, for example.

[0037] The hydrogen gas supply unit 8 supplies the hydrogen gas H generated in the hydrogen gas generation unit 7 to the flare stack F. As shown in FIG. 1 , the hydrogen gas supply unit 8 includes a pilot burner connection pipe 8 a and an assist fuel pipe 8 b.

[0038] The pilot burner connection pipe 8a is connected to the pilot burner F1 of the flare stack F. The pilot burner F1 of the flare stack F uses hydrogen gas H supplied from the hydrogen gas supply unit 8 as fuel to maintain a flame.

[0039] The assist fuel pipe 8b is a pipe for mixing hydrogen gas H as an assist fuel with the surplus gas Z supplied from the discharge pipe 6a to the flare stack F. When it is difficult to combust the surplus gas Z supplied from the discharge pipe 6a to the flare stack F using only the surplus gas Z, hydrogen gas H is supplied to the flare stack F via the assist fuel pipe 8b.

[0040] However, if combustion is possible using only the surplus gas Z, it is not necessary to supply hydrogen gas H from the assist fuel pipe 8b to the flare stack F. For example, a flow rate control valve (not shown) may be provided in the middle of the assist fuel pipe 8b, and the flow rate of hydrogen gas H supplied from the assist fuel pipe 8b to the flare stack F can be adjusted.

[0041] The flare stack F incinerates the boil-off gas G supplied from the excess gas discharge unit 6. The flare stack F uses hydrogen gas H supplied from the pilot burner connection pipe 8a of the hydrogen gas generation unit 7 as fuel for the pilot burner F1. The flare stack F can also mix hydrogen gas H supplied from the assist fuel pipe 8b of the hydrogen gas generation unit 7 as assist fuel with the boil-off gas G.

[0042] As shown in Fig. 1, the pilot burner F1 is disposed at the top of the flare stack F. The pilot burner F1 is connected to a pilot burner connection pipe 8a of the hydrogen gas generator 7. The flare stack F is also connected at its bottom to an exhaust pipe 6a and an assist fuel pipe 8b.

[0043] Next, the operation of the ammonia receiving facility 1 of this embodiment will be described. As shown in Fig. 1, ammonia liquid X stored in an ammonia tank 2 is discharged from the ammonia tank 2 by a discharge pump 3a and supplied to a vaporization facility 3c. The ammonia liquid X supplied to the vaporization facility 3c is vaporized to become ammonia gas Y. The ammonia gas Y discharged from the vaporization facility 3c is sent to a boiler B.

[0044] On the other hand, the boil-off gas G generated inside the ammonia tank 2 is compressed by the boil-off gas compressor 4e after being discharged from the ammonia tank 2. The pressurized boil-off gas G is supplied to the ammonia gas delivery unit 3 and mixed with the ammonia gas Y.

[0045] For example, when the demand for ammonia in the boiler B is low, the pressurized boil-off gas G is supplied to the boil-off gas recovery facility 5. The boil-off gas G supplied to the boil-off gas recovery facility 5 is condensed in the condenser 5a to become ammonia liquid X. The ammonia liquid X produced in the condenser 5a is discharged from the condenser 5a and returned to the ammonia tank 2 via, for example, an economizer (not shown).

[0046] The surplus gas Z discharged from the ammonia tank 2 by the surplus gas discharge unit 6 is supplied to the flare stack F via the discharge pipe 6a. As shown in FIG. 1 , the surplus gas Z is supplied to the lower part of the flare stack F and mixed with the hydrogen gas H inside the flare stack F as needed.

[0047] In this embodiment, a portion of the ammonia gas Y supplied to the boiler B flows into the supply pipe 7a of the hydrogen gas generator 7. The ammonia gas Y that has flowed into the supply pipe 7a is reduced in pressure by the pressure reducing valve 7b and then supplied to the catalyst 7c. The catalyst 7c is disposed inside the boiler B and is heated using the boiler B as a heat source. Therefore, the ammonia gas Y supplied to the catalyst 7c is cracked by the catalyst 7c in a heated state.

[0048] By cracking the ammonia gas Y in this manner, a mixed gas K containing hydrogen gas H and nitrogen gas N is generated. The mixed gas K is supplied from the catalyst 7c via an exhaust pipe 7d to a mixed gas compressor 7e and pressurized. The pressurized mixed gas K is supplied to a separation device 7f. In the separation device 7f, hydrogen gas H is separated from the mixed gas K. The hydrogen gas H separated from the mixed gas K is supplied to a flare stack F by a hydrogen gas supply unit 8.

[0049] Hydrogen gas H supplied to the pilot burner F1 of the flare stack F via the pilot burner connection pipe 8a of the hydrogen gas supply unit 8 is used as fuel in the pilot burner F1. Also, hydrogen gas H supplied to the flare stack F via the assist fuel pipe 8b of the hydrogen gas supply unit 8 is mixed with the surplus gas Z as assist fuel. The surplus gas Z and hydrogen gas H are ignited and combusted by the flame formed by the pilot burner F1.

[0050] The ammonia receiving equipment 1 of this embodiment as described above vaporizes ammonia liquid X and delivers it to boiler B as ammonia gas Y. The ammonia receiving equipment 1 also includes a hydrogen gas generator 7 and a hydrogen gas supply unit 8. The hydrogen gas generator 7 cracks a portion of the ammonia gas Y delivered to boiler B to produce hydrogen gas H. The hydrogen gas supply unit 8 supplies the hydrogen gas H produced in the hydrogen gas generator 7 to flare stack F.

[0051] According to the ammonia receiving facility 1 of this embodiment, hydrogen gas H can be generated by cracking ammonia gas Y, and the generated hydrogen gas H can be supplied to the flare stack F. That is, according to the ammonia receiving facility 1 of this embodiment, combustion in the flare stack F can be maintained by supplying hydrogen gas H to the flare stack F in place of fossil fuel. Therefore, the ammonia receiving facility 1 of this embodiment can reduce or eliminate the use of fossil fuel in the flare stack F. The ammonia receiving facility 1 of this embodiment can suppress the use of fossil fuel in the flare stack F in an ammonia receiving facility that causes the flare stack F to combustibly treat surplus gas Z.

[0052] Furthermore, in the ammonia receiving equipment 1 of this embodiment, the hydrogen gas generating unit 7 includes a catalyst 7c, a supply pipe 7a, and a discharge pipe 7d. The catalyst 7c is heated by heat from the boiler B and cracks the ammonia gas Y. The supply pipe 7a supplies the ammonia gas Y to the catalyst 7c. The discharge pipe 7d discharges the mixed gas K containing the hydrogen gas H from the catalyst 7c.

[0053] According to the ammonia receiving facility 1 of the present embodiment, the catalyst 7c is used to generate a mixed gas K containing hydrogen gas H. Therefore, it is possible to obtain hydrogen gas H without using energy such as electric power.

[0054] In this embodiment, the heat source for heating the catalyst 7c is the boiler B that burns the ammonia gas Y. The catalyst 7c is disposed inside the boiler B and is heated using the boiler B as a heat source.

[0055] According to the ammonia receiving equipment 1 of the present embodiment, it is not necessary to provide a separate heat source used only for heating the catalyst 7c, and therefore the ammonia receiving equipment 1 can be simplified and made smaller.

[0056] Furthermore, in the ammonia receiving facility 1 of this embodiment, the hydrogen gas generating unit 7 includes a separation device 7f that separates hydrogen gas H from the mixed gas K. According to the ammonia receiving facility 1 of this embodiment, it is possible to supply highly pure hydrogen gas H to the flare stack F. Furthermore, for example, if the amount of hydrogen gas H produced exceeds the amount required for the flare stack F, the highly pure hydrogen gas H can be extracted from the ammonia receiving facility 1 and used for another purpose.

[0057] Furthermore, in the ammonia receiving facility 1 of this embodiment, the hydrogen gas generating unit 7 is provided with a pressure reducing valve 7b that adjusts the pressure of the ammonia gas Y supplied to the catalyst 7c. According to the ammonia receiving facility 1 of this embodiment, it is possible to adjust the pressure of the surplus gas Z supplied to the catalyst 7c to a pressure suitable for cracking.

[0058] In this embodiment, the flare stack F includes a pilot burner F1. The hydrogen gas supply unit 8 includes a pilot burner connection pipe 8a and an assist fuel pipe 8b. The pilot burner connection pipe 8a can supply hydrogen gas H to the pilot burner F1. The assist fuel pipe 8b can mix the hydrogen gas H with the excess gas Z supplied to the flare stack F.

[0059] According to the ammonia receiving equipment 1 of this embodiment, the hydrogen gas H generated in the hydrogen gas generating section 7 can be used as both fuel for the pilot burner F1 and as assist fuel to be mixed with the excess gas Z.

[0060] Second Embodiment Next, a second embodiment of the present disclosure will be described. Note that in the description of this embodiment, the description of the same parts as those in the first embodiment will be omitted or simplified.

[0061] 2 is a flow diagram showing a schematic configuration of the ammonia receiving facility 1A of this embodiment. As shown in FIG. 2, in the ammonia receiving facility 1A of this embodiment, the hydrogen gas generating unit 7 does not include a mixed gas compressor 7e and a separation device 7f.

[0062] According to the ammonia receiving facility 1A of this embodiment, mixed gas K containing hydrogen gas H is supplied to the flare stack F. The mixed gas K is mainly composed of hydrogen gas H and nitrogen gas N. Therefore, if the excess gas Z can be stably combusted even when nitrogen gas N is supplied to the flare stack F, there is no need to separate hydrogen gas H from the mixed gas K.

[0063] According to the ammonia receiving facility 1A of this embodiment, the mixed gas compressor 7e and the separation device 7f are not provided, and therefore the hydrogen gas generating unit 7 can be simplified and made smaller.

[0064] Third Embodiment Next, a third embodiment of the present disclosure will be described. Note that in the description of this embodiment, the description of the same parts as those in the second embodiment will be omitted or simplified.

[0065] 3 is a flow diagram showing a schematic configuration of the ammonia receiving facility 1B of this embodiment. As shown in FIG. 3, in the ammonia receiving facility 1B of this embodiment, the hydrogen gas generating unit 7 does not include a pressure reducing valve 7b.

[0066] For example, if the pressure of ammonia gas Y is suitable for cracking ammonia gas Y with catalyst 7c, there is no need to provide pressure reducing valve 7b. Even with ammonia receiving equipment 1B of this embodiment, it is possible to generate hydrogen gas H by cracking ammonia gas Y and supply the generated hydrogen gas H to flare stack F. Therefore, ammonia receiving equipment 1B of this embodiment, in an ammonia receiving facility that combusts surplus gas Z in flare stack F, can reduce the use of fossil fuels in flare stack F.

[0067] 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.

[0068] The above embodiment can also be described as follows, for example:

[0069] (Supplementary Note 1) An ammonia receiving facility that vaporizes ammonia liquid and delivers it as ammonia gas to a supply destination, the ammonia receiving facility comprising: a hydrogen gas generating unit that generates hydrogen gas by cracking a portion of the ammonia gas delivered to the supply destination; and a hydrogen gas supply unit that supplies the hydrogen gas generated in the hydrogen gas generating unit to a flare stack.

[0070] (Supplementary Note 2) The ammonia receiving facility according to Supplementary Note 1, wherein the hydrogen gas generating unit comprises: a catalyst that is heated by heat from a heat source and that cracks the ammonia gas; a supply pipe that supplies the ammonia gas to the catalyst; and a discharge pipe that discharges the hydrogen-containing gas containing the hydrogen gas from the catalyst.

[0071] (Supplementary Note 3) The ammonia receiving facility according to Supplementary Note 2, wherein the supply destination is a boiler that combusts the ammonia gas, and the catalyst is disposed inside a furnace of the boiler and is heated using the boiler as the heat source.

[0072] (Supplementary Note 4) The ammonia receiving facility according to Supplementary Note 2 or 3, wherein the hydrogen gas generating unit includes a separation device that separates hydrogen gas from the hydrogen-containing gas.

[0073] (Supplementary Note 5) The ammonia receiving facility according to any one of Supplementary Notes 1 to 4, wherein the hydrogen gas generating unit includes an ammonia gas pressure adjusting unit that adjusts the pressure of the ammonia gas supplied to the catalyst.

[0074] (Supplementary Note 6) The ammonia receiving facility according to any one of Supplementary Notes 1 to 5, wherein the flare stack includes a pilot burner, and the hydrogen gas supply unit includes: a pilot burner connection pipe capable of supplying the hydrogen gas to the pilot burner; and an assist fuel pipe capable of mixing the hydrogen gas with the gas to be abatement supplied to the flare stack.

[0075] According to the present disclosure, in an ammonia receiving facility in which excess gas is combusted in a flare stack, the use of fossil fuels in the flare stack can be reduced.

[0076] 1...Ammonia receiving equipment, 1A...Ammonia receiving equipment, 1B...Ammonia receiving equipment, 2...Ammonia tank, 3...Ammonia gas delivery section, 4...Boil-off gas supply section, 5...Boil-off gas recovery equipment, 6...Excess gas discharge section, 6a...Discharge piping, 6b...Relief valve, 7...Hydrogen gas generation section, 7a...Supply piping, 7b...Pressure reducing valve (ammonia gas pressure adjustment section), 7c...Catalyst, 7d...Discharge piping, 7e...Mixed gas compressor, 7f...Separator, 8...Hydrogen gas supply section, 8a...Pilot burner connection piping, 8b...Assist fuel piping, B...Boiler (supply destination, heat source), F...Flare stack, F1...Pilot burner, G...Boil-off gas, H...Hydrogen gas, K...Mixed gas (hydrogen-containing gas), N...Nitrogen gas, X...Ammonia liquid, Y...Ammonia gas, Z...Excess gas (gas to be abatement)

Claims

1. An ammonia receiving facility that vaporizes ammonia solution and sends it as ammonia gas to a supply destination, comprising: a hydrogen gas generation unit that cracks a part of the ammonia gas sent to the supply destination to generate hydrogen gas; and a hydrogen gas supply unit that supplies the hydrogen gas generated by the hydrogen gas generation unit to a flare stack.

2. The hydrogen gas generation unit of the ammonia receiving facility according to claim 1, comprising: a catalyst that is heated by heat from a heat source and cracks the ammonia gas; a supply pipe that supplies the ammonia gas to the catalyst; and a discharge pipe that discharges a hydrogen-containing gas containing the hydrogen gas from the catalyst.

3. The ammonia receiving facility according to claim 2, wherein the supply destination is a boiler that burns the ammonia gas, and the catalyst is disposed inside the furnace of the boiler and heated using the boiler as the heat source.

4. The ammonia receiving facility according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the hydrogen gas generation unit comprises a separation device that separates hydrogen gas from the hydrogen-containing gas.

5. The ammonia receiving facility according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the hydrogen gas generation unit comprises an ammonia gas pressure adjustment unit that adjusts the pressure of the ammonia gas supplied to the catalyst.

6. The ammonia receiving facility according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the flare stack is provided with a pilot burner, and the hydrogen gas supply unit comprises: a pilot burner connection pipe that can supply the hydrogen gas to the pilot burner; and an assist fuel pipe that can mix the hydrogen gas with a gas to be detoxified supplied to the flare stack.

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