Ammonia supply device and ammonia supply method

Abstract

An ammonia supply device 100 comprises: an ammonia supply system 110; a joint 120 that has a pipe body 210 that has a first opening 212 that is connected to the ammonia supply system 110 and a second opening 214 that can be attached to and detached from an ammonia-consuming device 10, a water supply port 220 that is provided between the first opening 212 and the second opening 214 of the pipe body 210 and is connected to a water supply source (water tank 132), and a water drainage port 230 that is provided between the first opening 212 and the second opening 214 of the pipe body 210; and an opening / closing valve 30 that opens / closes the first opening 212.

Description

Ammonia supply device and ammonia supply method

[0001] This application claims the benefit of priority from Japanese Patent Application No. 2024-13213, filed on January 31, 2024, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] Ammonia is expected to be a fuel that contributes to combating global warming because it does not emit carbon dioxide when burned. For this reason, the use of ammonia as a fuel for mobile objects such as ships and vehicles has been considered (for example, Patent Document 1).

[0003] International Publication No. 2022 / 045184

[0004] As disclosed in the above-mentioned Patent Document 1, when ammonia is used as a fuel for a mobile body, it is necessary to supply ammonia to the mobile body's fuel tank. Therefore, instead of conventional gas stations, it is conceivable to install an ammonia station equipped with an ammonia supply source and a dispenser connected to the ammonia supply source. In the ammonia station, the dispenser is attached to the mobile body's fuel tank, and then ammonia is supplied from the ammonia supply source to the fuel tank. Then, when the supply is completed, the dispenser is removed from the mobile body's fuel tank.

[0005] However, if ammonia leaks from the dispenser into the atmosphere when the dispenser is removed from the fuel tank of a mobile vehicle, it could have a negative impact on the external environment. For this reason, there is a need to develop technology to prevent ammonia from leaking into the atmosphere from the dispenser.

[0006] In view of the above problems, the present disclosure has an object to provide an ammonia supply device and an ammonia supply method that are capable of preventing ammonia from leaking into the atmosphere.

[0007] In order to solve the above problems, an ammonia supply device according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes: an ammonia supply source; a pipe body having a first opening connected to the ammonia supply source and a second opening that is attachable to and detachable from an ammonia consumer; a joint that is provided in the pipe body between the first opening and the second opening and has a water supply port connected to a water supply source; and a drain port that is provided in the pipe body between the first opening and the second opening; and an on-off valve that opens and closes the first opening.

[0008] The water inlet may also be connected to an inert gas supply source in addition to the water supply source.

[0009] Furthermore, in a state in which the second opening is attached to the ammonia consumer, the drain port may be located vertically below the water supply port.

[0010] The drain outlet may also be connected to a drain tank that stores water discharged from the pipe through the drain outlet.

[0011] In order to solve the above problem, an ammonia supplying method according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes attaching to an ammonia consumer a pipe having a first opening connected to an ammonia supply source and a second opening, a water supply port provided in the pipe between the first opening and the second opening and connected to a water supply source, and a second opening of a fitting having a drain port provided in the pipe between the first opening and the second opening; supplying ammonia from the ammonia supply source to the ammonia consumer through the fitting with the fitting attached to the ammonia consumer; closing an on-off valve that opens and closes the first opening after the ammonia has been supplied; closing an on-off valve that opens and closes the second opening after the ammonia has been supplied; supplying water to the pipe through the water supply port and discharging the water from the pipe through the drain port with the on-off valve that opens and closes the first opening and the on-off valve that opens and closes the second opening closed; and removing the second opening from the ammonia consumer after the water has been discharged.

[0012] The above-described ammonia supply method may also include measuring the concentration of ammonia contained in the water discharged from the pipe body through the drain outlet, and stopping the supply of water when the ammonia concentration falls below a predetermined value.

[0013] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to prevent ammonia from leaking into the atmosphere.

[0014] Fig. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of an ammonia supply apparatus according to a first embodiment. Fig. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a joint according to the first embodiment. Fig. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a process flow of an ammonia supply method according to the first embodiment. Fig. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of an ammonia supply apparatus according to a second embodiment. Fig. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a process flow of an ammonia supply method according to the second embodiment. Fig. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of an ammonia supply apparatus according to a third embodiment.

[0015] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Dimensions, materials, and other specific numerical values ​​shown in the embodiments are merely examples for ease of understanding and do not limit the present disclosure unless otherwise specified. In this specification and drawings, elements having substantially the same functions and configurations are designated by the same reference numerals to avoid redundant explanation. Elements not directly related to the present disclosure are not shown.

[0016] [First embodiment: ammonia supply apparatus 100] Fig. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of an ammonia supply apparatus 100 according to a first embodiment. The ammonia supply apparatus 100 supplies ammonia to an ammonia consumer 10. In this embodiment, the ammonia supply apparatus 100 supplies ammonia to a fuel tank 20 mounted on the ammonia consumer 10. The ammonia consumer 10 is, for example, a mobile object such as a ship, a vehicle, or an aircraft. The ammonia supply apparatus 100 is installed in, for example, an ammonia station.

[0017] As shown in FIG. 1 , the ammonia supply apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment includes an ammonia supply system 110, a joint 120, a water supply system 130, a drainage tank 140, a first on-off valve 150, a second on-off valve 152, a third on-off valve 154, and a control device 160.

[0018] The ammonia supply system 110 includes, for example, an ammonia tank 112, a pump 114, and an ammonia supply pipe 116. The ammonia tank 112 functions as an ammonia supply source. The ammonia tank 112 stores either liquid ammonia or gaseous ammonia, or both. The suction side of the pump 114 is connected to the ammonia tank 112. The discharge side of the pump 114 is connected to the ammonia supply pipe 116. The pump 114 sucks in the ammonia stored in the ammonia tank 112 and discharges it to the ammonia supply pipe 116. A first opening 212 of a joint 120, which will be described later, is connected to the ammonia supply pipe 116. The ammonia supply pipe 116 is, for example, a flexible hose.

[0019] The joint 120 is connected to the tip of the ammonia supply pipe 116. The joint 120 is detachable from the fuel tank 20 of the ammonia consumer 10.

[0020] Fig. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of the joint 120 according to the first embodiment. As shown in Fig. 2, the joint 120 has a pipe 210, a water supply port 220, and a water discharge port 230. A first opening 212 is formed at one end of the pipe 210, and a second opening 214 is formed at the other end.

[0021] The first opening 212 is connected to the ammonia supply pipe 116 of the ammonia supply system 110. The first opening 212 is fixed to the ammonia supply pipe 116 by, for example, a flange.

[0022] The second opening 214 is detachably connected to the fuel tank 20 of the ammonia consuming device 10. The second opening 214 is detachably connected to the fuel tank 20 by, for example, a coupler.

[0023] The water inlet 220 is provided between the first opening 212 and the second opening 214 in the pipe body 210. In this embodiment, the water inlet 220 is provided on the second opening 214 side of the pipe body 210. The water supply system 130, which will be described later, is connected to the water inlet 220. In this embodiment, the water supply pipe 136 of the water supply system 130 is connected to the water inlet 220.

[0024] The drain outlet 230 is provided between the first opening 212 and the second opening 214 in the tubular body 210. In the present embodiment, the drain outlet 230 is provided on the first opening 212 side of the tubular body 210. The drain outlet 230 and the water supply inlet 220 are provided in the tubular body 210 so that they are positioned at different vertical positions. Specifically, the water supply inlet 220 and the drain outlet 230 are provided in the tubular body 210 so that the drain outlet 230 is positioned vertically lower than the water supply inlet 220 when the second opening 214 is attached to the ammonia consumer 10.

[0025] In addition, in this embodiment, the pipe body 210 may be bent, and when the second opening 214 is attached to the ammonia consumer 10, the bottom surface inside the pipe body 210 may be inclined from the second opening 214 side toward the first opening 212 side.

[0026] The drain outlet 230 is connected to a drain tank 140 via a drain pipe 142, which will be described later.

[0027] Returning to FIG. 1 , the water supply system 130 includes, for example, a water tank 132, a pump 134, and a water supply pipe 136. The water tank 132 functions as a water supply source. The water tank 132 stores liquid water. The suction side of the pump 134 is connected to the water tank 132. The discharge side of the pump 134 is connected to the water supply pipe 136. The pump 134 sucks water stored in the water tank 132 and discharges it into the water supply pipe 136. As described above, the water supply port 220 of the joint 120 is connected to the water supply pipe 136. The water supply pipe 136 is, for example, a flexible hose.

[0028] The drain tank 140 stores water discharged from the pipe body 210 through the drain outlet 230 of the joint 120. The drain pipe 142 connects the drain outlet 230 of the joint 120 to the drain tank 140. The drain pipe 142 is, for example, a flexible hose.

[0029] The first on-off valve 150 is provided in the ammonia supply pipe 116. The first on-off valve 150 opens and closes a flow path formed in the ammonia supply pipe 116, thereby opening and closing the first opening 212 of the joint 120.

[0030] The second on-off valve 152 is provided in the water supply pipe 136. The second on-off valve 152 opens and closes a flow path formed in the water supply pipe 136.

[0031] The third on-off valve 154 is provided in the drain pipe 142. The third on-off valve 154 opens and closes a flow path formed in the drain pipe 142.

[0032] The control device 160 has one or more processors 162 and one or more memories 164 connected to the processors 162. The processor 162 includes, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit). The memory 164 includes, for example, a ROM (Read Only Memory) and a RAM (Random Access Memory). The ROM is a storage element that stores programs used by the CPU, calculation parameters, and the like. The RAM is a storage element that temporarily stores data such as variables and parameters used in processing executed by the CPU. The control device 160 manages and controls the entire ammonia supply device 100 in cooperation with the RAM as a work area and other electronic circuits.

[0033] In this embodiment, the control device 160 controls the operations of the pump 114 and the pump 134. The control device 160 also opens and closes the first on-off valve 150, the second on-off valve 152, and the third on-off valve 154.

[0034] [Ammonia Supply Method] Next, an explanation will be given of an ammonia supply method for supplying ammonia to the ammonia consumer 10 using the above-described ammonia supply device 100. Fig. 3 is a flowchart showing the process flow of the ammonia supply method according to the first embodiment.

[0035] 3, the ammonia supply method according to the first embodiment includes an attachment process S110, a first valve opening process S112, a second valve opening process S114, an ammonia supply process S116, a required amount determination process S118, an ammonia supply stop process S120, a first valve closing process S122, a second valve closing process S124, a water supply process S126, an elapsed time determination process S128, a water supply stop process S130, and a removal process S132. Each process will be described below.

[0036] [Attachment Process S110] In attachment process S110, the second opening 214 of the joint 120 is attached to the ammonia consumer 10. In the present embodiment, the second opening 214 of the joint 120 is attached to the on-off valve 30 provided at the supply port of the fuel tank 20 mounted on the ammonia consumer 10. The on-off valve 30 opens and closes the second opening 214 of the joint 120.

[0037] [First Valve Opening Process S112 ] In the first valve opening process S112 , the control device 160 opens the first on-off valve 150 that opens and closes the first opening 212 of the joint 120 .

[0038] [Second Valve Opening Process S114 ] In the second valve opening process S114 , the control device 160 opens the on-off valve 30 that opens and closes the second opening 214 of the joint 120 .

[0039] [Ammonia supply process S116] In the ammonia supply process S116, ammonia is supplied from the ammonia supply system 110 to the ammonia consumer 10 through the joint 120, with the joint 120 attached to the ammonia consumer 10. In the ammonia supply process S116 according to the present embodiment, the control device 160 operates the pump 114. As a result, the ammonia stored in the ammonia tank 112 is supplied to the fuel tank 20 of the ammonia consumer 10 through the ammonia supply pipe 116 and the joint 120.

[0040] [Requested Amount Determination Process S118] In requested amount determination process S118, the control device 160 determines whether or not the requested amount of ammonia has been supplied to the ammonia consumer 10. As a result, if it is determined that the requested amount of ammonia has not been supplied (NO in S118), the control device 160 returns the process to the ammonia supply process S116. On the other hand, if it is determined that the requested amount of ammonia has been supplied (YES in S118), the control device 160 shifts the process to the ammonia supply stop process S120.

[0041] [Ammonia Supply Stop Processing S120] In the ammonia supply stop processing S120, the control device 160 stops the supply of ammonia. In the ammonia supply stop processing S120 according to this embodiment, the control device 160 stops the pump 114.

[0042] [First Valve Closing Process S122] In the first valve closing process S122, the control device 160 closes the first on-off valve 150 that opens and closes the first opening 212 of the joint 120 after the ammonia has been supplied.

[0043] [Second Valve Closing Process S124] In the second valve closing process S124, the control device 160 closes the on-off valve 30 that opens and closes the second opening 214 of the joint 120 after the ammonia has been supplied.

[0044] [Water Supply Process S126] In the water supply process S126, the control device 160 supplies water to the pipe 210 through the water inlet 220 of the fitting 120 and discharges water from the pipe 210 through the drain outlet 230 of the fitting 120 while keeping the first on-off valve 150 and the on-off valve 30 closed. In the water supply process S126 according to the present embodiment, the control device 160 opens the second on-off valve 152 and the third on-off valve 154 and operates the pump 134. As a result, water stored in the water tank 132 is supplied to the pipe 210 through the water supply pipe 136 and the water inlet 220 of the fitting 120. For example, the water supply system 130 sprays water from the water inlet 220 into the pipe 210. Then, the water is discharged from the pipe 210 through the drain outlet 230 of the fitting 120 and discharged into the drain tank 140 through the drain pipe 142.

[0045] [Elapsed Time Determination Process S128] In the elapsed time determination process S128, the control device 160 determines whether a predetermined time has elapsed since the start of the water supply process S126. The predetermined time is, for example, the time from the start of the water supply process S126 until the ammonia concentration in the water discharged from the drain outlet 230 of the fitting 120 becomes less than the discharge reference value. As a result, if the control device 160 determines that the predetermined time has not elapsed (NO in S128), the control device 160 returns to the water supply process S126. On the other hand, if the control device 160 determines that the predetermined time has elapsed (YES in S128), the control device 160 proceeds to the water supply stop process S130.

[0046] [Water Supply Stop Processing S130] In the water supply stop processing S130, the control device 160 stops the water supply. In the water supply stop processing S130 according to this embodiment, the control device 160 stops the pump 134 and closes the second on-off valve 152 and the third on-off valve 154.

[0047] [Removal Process S132] In the removal process S132, after the water is discharged, the second opening 214 of the joint 120 is removed from the ammonia consumer 10.

[0048] As described above, the ammonia supply apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment includes the ammonia supply system 110, the pipe 210 having the first opening 212 connected to the ammonia supply system 110 and the second opening 214 that is attachable to and detachable from the ammonia consumer 10, the joint 120 having the water supply port 220 that is provided between the first opening 212 and the second opening 214 in the pipe 210 and connected to the water supply system 130, and the drain port 230 that is provided between the first opening 212 and the second opening 214 in the pipe 210, and an on-off valve (first on-off valve 150) that opens and closes the first opening 212. As a result, the ammonia supply apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment can wash the inside of the pipe 210 of the joint 120 with water while the joint 120 is attached to the ammonia consumer 10 before the joint 120 is removed from the ammonia consumer 10. Therefore, in the ammonia supply device 100 according to the first embodiment, after the supply of ammonia from the ammonia supply system 110 to the ammonia consumer 10 through the joint 120 has finished, the ammonia remaining in the pipe body 210 of the joint 120 can be washed away with water before the joint 120 is removed from the ammonia consumer 10. Therefore, the ammonia supply device 100 according to the first embodiment can prevent ammonia from leaking into the atmosphere even if the joint 120 is removed from the ammonia consumer 10 after the supply of ammonia has finished.

[0049] Furthermore, as described above, in a state in which the second opening 214 of the joint 120 is attached to the ammonia consumer 10, the drain port 230 may be positioned vertically below the water supply port 220. This allows the ammonia supply apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment to guide water in the pipe body 210 of the joint 120 to the drain port 230 by its own weight. Therefore, the ammonia supply apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment can remove water from inside the pipe body 210 of the joint 120 without being provided with a dedicated device for discharging water inside the pipe body 210 of the joint 120. Therefore, the ammonia supply apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment can avoid a situation in which water gets mixed into ammonia the next time ammonia is supplied to the ammonia consumer 10.

[0050] Furthermore, as described above, the pipe 210 of the joint 120 may be bent, and the bottom surface inside the pipe 210 may be inclined from the second opening 214 side toward the first opening 212 side in a state where the second opening 214 is attached to the ammonia consumer 10. In this way, the ammonia supply apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment can efficiently guide the water inside the pipe 210 of the joint 120 to the drain outlet 230.

[0051] Furthermore, as described above, the drainage port 230 of the joint 120 may be connected to the drainage tank 140 that stores the water discharged from the pipe body 210 through the drainage port 230. This makes it possible for the ammonia supply apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment to prevent the water discharged from the pipe body 210, i.e., the water in which ammonia is dissolved, from flowing out to the outside. The wastewater stored in the drainage tank 140 is subjected to an ammonia removal treatment and then discharged.

[0052] [Second embodiment: ammonia supply apparatus 300] Figure 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of an ammonia supply apparatus 300 according to a second embodiment. As shown in Figure 4, the ammonia supply apparatus 300 according to the second embodiment includes an ammonia supply system 110, a joint 120, a water supply system 130, a drainage tank 140, a first on-off valve 150, a second on-off valve 152, a third on-off valve 154, a control device 160, and a concentration sensor 310. Note that components that are substantially the same as those in the ammonia supply apparatus 100 described above are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted.

[0053] The concentration sensor 310 measures the concentration of ammonia contained in the water discharged from the pipe body 210 through the drain outlet 230. The concentration sensor 310 is, for example, a pH sensor that measures pH. Note that the concentration sensor 310 may be a device other than a pH sensor as long as it can measure the concentration of ammonia.

[0054] In this embodiment, the control device 160 also acquires the measurement value of the concentration sensor 310 .

[0055] [Ammonia Supply Method] Next, an explanation will be given of an ammonia supply method for supplying ammonia to the ammonia consumer 10 using the above-described ammonia supply device 300. Fig. 5 is a flowchart showing the process flow of the ammonia supply method according to the second embodiment.

[0056] 5, the ammonia supply method according to the second embodiment includes an attachment process S110, a first valve opening process S112, a second valve opening process S114, an ammonia supply process S116, a required amount determination process S118, an ammonia supply stop process S120, a first valve closing process S122, a second valve closing process S124, a water supply process S126, a concentration measurement process S310, a concentration determination process S312, a water supply stop process S130, and a removal process S 132. Note that processes that are substantially the same as those in the ammonia supply method using the ammonia supply device 100 described above are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted.

[0057] [Concentration measurement process S310] The concentration measurement process S310 is performed after the water supply process S126. In the concentration measurement process S310, the concentration sensor 310 measures the concentration of ammonia contained in the water discharged from the pipe body 210 through the drain outlet 230 of the joint 120.

[0058] [Concentration Determination Process S312] In the concentration determination process S312, it is determined whether the ammonia concentration measured in the concentration measurement process S310 is less than a predetermined value. The predetermined value is, for example, an ammonia discharge reference value. As a result, if it is determined that the ammonia concentration is not less than the predetermined value, that is, is equal to or greater than the predetermined value (NO in S312), the control device 160 returns the process to the water supply process S126. On the other hand, if it is determined that the ammonia concentration is less than the predetermined value (YES in S312), the control device 160 proceeds to the water supply stop process S130.

[0059] As described above, the ammonia supply device 300 according to the second embodiment includes the concentration sensor 310 that measures the concentration of ammonia contained in water discharged from the tubular body 210 through the drain outlet 230 of the joint 120, and stops the supply of water to the water inlet 220 of the joint 120 when the ammonia concentration falls below a predetermined value. As a result, the ammonia supply device 300 according to the second embodiment can make the concentration of ammonia remaining in the tubular body 210 of the joint 120 below a predetermined value after the supply of ammonia from the ammonia supply system 110 to the ammonia consumer 10 through the joint 120 has ended. Therefore, the ammonia supply device 300 according to the second embodiment can further prevent ammonia from leaking into the atmosphere even if the joint 120 is detached from the ammonia consumer 10 after the supply of ammonia has ended.

[0060] [Third Embodiment: Ammonia Supply Apparatus 400] Figure 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of an ammonia supply apparatus 400 according to a third embodiment. As shown in Figure 6, the ammonia supply apparatus 400 according to the third embodiment includes an ammonia supply system 110, a joint 120, a water supply system 130, a drainage tank 140, a first on-off valve 150, a second on-off valve 152, a third on-off valve 154, a control device 160, an inert gas supply system 410, and a fourth on-off valve 450. Note that components that are substantially the same as those in the ammonia supply apparatus 100 described above are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted.

[0061] The inert gas supply system 410 includes, for example, an inert gas cylinder 412 and an inert gas supply pipe 416. The inert gas cylinder 412 functions as an inert gas supply source. The inert gas cylinder 412 stores an inert gas at a pressure higher than atmospheric pressure. The inert gas is, for example, nitrogen. The inert gas supply pipe 416 connects the inert gas cylinder 412 to the water supply port 220 of the joint 120. The inert gas supply pipe 416 is, for example, a flexible hose.

[0062] In the third embodiment, a two-fluid nozzle may be connected to the water supply port 220 of the joint 120. The water supply pipe 136 may be connected to one supply port of the two-fluid nozzle, and the inert gas supply pipe 416 may be connected to the other supply port. By connecting the two-fluid nozzle, a mixed fluid of water and inert gas is sprayed into the pipe 210.

[0063] The fourth on-off valve 450 is provided in the inert gas supply pipe 416. The fourth on-off valve 450 opens and closes a flow path formed in the inert gas supply pipe 416.

[0064] Furthermore, in a water supply process S126 of the ammonia supply method using the ammonia supply apparatus 400 according to the third embodiment, the control device 160 supplies water and an inert gas to the pipe body 210 through the water inlet 220 of the joint 120, and discharges the water and the inert gas from the pipe body 210 through the drain outlet 230 of the joint 120. In the water supply process S126 according to the third embodiment, the control device 160 opens the second on-off valve 152, the third on-off valve 154, and the fourth on-off valve 450, and operates the pump 134. As a result, water stored in the water tank 132 is supplied to the pipe body 210 through the water supply pipe 136 and the water inlet 220 of the joint 120, and the inert gas stored in the inert gas cylinder 412 is supplied to the pipe body 210 through the inert gas supply pipe 416 and the water inlet 220 of the joint 120. Then, the water and inert gas are discharged from the pipe body 210 through the drain port 230 of the joint 120 and discharged into the drain tank 140 through the drain pipe 142 .

[0065] As described above, the ammonia supply apparatus 400 according to the third embodiment includes the inert gas supply system 410, and the water inlet 220 of the joint 120 is connected to the inert gas supply system 410 in addition to the water supply system 130. When water is supplied into the pipe 210 of the joint 120 and ammonia in the pipe 210 dissolves in the water, the pressure in the pipe 210 decreases. Therefore, the ammonia supply apparatus 400 according to the third embodiment can suppress the pressure decrease in the pipe 210 by supplying an inert gas in addition to water into the pipe 210 of the joint 120. This makes it possible for the ammonia supply apparatus 400 according to the third embodiment to prevent damage to the pipe 210 of the joint 120 and components communicating with the pipe 210. Note that the components communicating with the pipe 210 include, for example, the pump 134, water supply pipe 136, drain pipe 142, and third on-off valve 154 of the water supply system 130. Furthermore, the ammonia supply device 400 according to the third embodiment can suppress a pressure drop in the pipe body 210, and therefore, it is possible to prevent backflow of wastewater from the drain pipe 142 to the pipe body 210 through the drain outlet 230.

[0066] Although the embodiments 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. It is clear that a person skilled in the art can conceive of various modifications or alterations within the scope of the claims, and it is understood that these also naturally fall within the technical scope of the present disclosure.

[0067] For example, in the first embodiment described above, an example has been given in which, when second opening 214 of fitting 120 is attached to ammonia consumer 10, drain outlet 230 is located vertically below water supply inlet 220. However, when second opening 214 of fitting 120 is attached to ammonia consumer 10, drain outlet 230 may be located vertically above water supply inlet 220, or drain outlet 230 and water supply inlet 220 may be located at the same vertical position.

[0068] In the first to third embodiments, the case where water is sprayed into the tubular body 210 through the water supply port 220 has been exemplified. This allows ammonia to be easily dissolved in water, making it possible to efficiently clean the inside of the tubular body 210. However, there is no limitation on the form in which water is supplied through the water supply port 220. For example, water supplied from the water supply port 220 into the tubular body 210 may be in the form of a jet, a shower, or the like.

[0069] In the above first to third embodiments, the ammonia supply devices 100, 300, and 400 are exemplified as including the drainage tank 140. However, the drainage tank 140 is not an essential component.

[0070] In the first to third embodiments, the water tank 132 is provided as the water supply source for the ammonia supply devices 100, 300, and 400. However, the water tank 132 and the pump 134 are not essential components. The water supply source may be, for example, a tap water pipe. In this case, the water supply pipe 136 connects the tap water pipe to the water supply port 220 of the joint 120.

[0071] In the first to third embodiments, the ammonia supplying apparatuses 100, 300, and 400 are installed in an ammonia station. However, the ammonia supplying apparatuses 100, 300, and 400 may be installed in a tank truck.

[0072] 10: Ammonia consumer 30: On-off valve 100: Ammonia supplier 112: Ammonia tank (ammonia supply source) 120: Joint 132: Water tank (water supply source) 140: Drain tank 150: First on-off valve (on-off valve) 210: Pipe body 212: First opening 214: Second opening 220: Water supply port 230: Drain port 300: Ammonia supplier 400: Ammonia supplier 412: Inert gas cylinder (inert gas supply source)

Claims

1. An ammonia supply device comprising: an ammonia supply source; a pipe having a first opening connected to the ammonia supply source and a second opening attachable to and detachable from an ammonia consumer; a joint having a water supply port provided in the pipe between the first opening and the second opening and connected to a water supply source; and a drain port provided in the pipe between the first opening and the second opening; and an on-off valve that opens and closes the first opening.

2. The ammonia supply device according to claim 1, wherein the water supply inlet is connected to an inert gas supply source in addition to the water supply source.

3. The ammonia supply device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, when the second opening is attached to the ammonia consumer, the drain outlet is positioned vertically below the water supply inlet.

4. The ammonia supply device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a drain tank for storing water discharged from the pipe body through the drain outlet is connected to the drain outlet.

5. A method of supplying ammonia, comprising: attaching to an ammonia consumer a pipe having a first opening connected to an ammonia supply source and a second opening, a water supply port provided in the pipe between the first opening and the second opening and connected to a water supply source, and the second opening of a fitting having a drain port provided in the pipe between the first opening and the second opening; supplying ammonia from the ammonia supply source to the ammonia consumer through the fitting with the fitting attached to the ammonia consumer; closing an on-off valve that opens and closes the first opening after the ammonia has been supplied; closing an on-off valve that opens and closes the second opening after the ammonia has been supplied; supplying water to the pipe through the water supply port and discharging water from the pipe through the drain port with the on-off valve that opens and closes the first opening and the on-off valve that opens and closes the second opening closed; and removing the second opening from the ammonia consumer after the water has been discharged.

6. The ammonia supply method according to claim 5, further comprising measuring the concentration of ammonia contained in the water discharged from the pipe body through the drain outlet, and stopping the supply of the water when the ammonia concentration falls below a predetermined value.

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