Ship-to-shore coupling

Abstract

This ship-to-shore coupling comprises: a first vacuum double pipe including a first half outer pipe and a first half inner pipe; a first outer flange at the end of the first half outer pipe; a first inner flange at the end of the first half inner pipe; a first blocking body that blocks a radial gap between the first half inner pipe and the first half outer pipe; a second vacuum double pipe including a second half outer pipe and a second half inner pipe; a second outer flange at the end of the second half outer pipe; a second inner flange at the end of the second half inner pipe; and a second blocking body that blocks a radial gap between the second half inner pipe and the second half outer pipe.

Description

Ship-to-shore joint

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a ship-to-shore joint that connects a pipe extending from a ship and a pipe extending from a loading arm installed on land.

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses the structure of a joint that connects a pipe extending from a ship and a pipe extending from a loading arm installed on land. In the joint of Patent Document 1, the outer periphery of the pipe is covered by a sleeve around the connection part, and the sealed space between the pipe and the sleeve is evacuated. In the ship-to-shore joint disclosed in Patent Document 1, since the space between the pipe through which the fluid flows and the sleeve is evacuated, it is difficult for external heat to be transferred to the inside of the pipe, and the transfer of heat to the fluid inside the pipe can be suppressed.

[0003] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2017-202783

[0004] However, in the structure disclosed in Patent Document 1, when an operator connects the pipes, it is necessary to move the sleeve around the connection part of the pipes while connecting the single pipes. Therefore, when connecting the ship-to-shore joint, an operation of the sleeve by the operator is required, which is laborious for the operator and may increase the difficulty of the operation. Also, when separating the ship-to-shore joint, similarly, an operation of the sleeve is required, which is laborious for the operator and may increase the difficulty of the operation. In a ship-to-shore joint, since the joint on the ship side is swayed by waves, a high-precision operation by the operator is required. Therefore, when connecting or separating the ship-to-shore joint, it is required to provide an environment in which the operator can work easily.

[0005] Therefore, an object of the present disclosure is to provide a ship-to-shore joint that allows an operator to perform an operation with high accuracy by performing the operation in an environment where it is easy to work when connecting and separating the flanges of the joint.

[0006] A ship-to-shore joint according to one aspect of the present disclosure is a ship-to-shore joint that connects a pipe extending from a ship to a loading arm to a pipe extending from the loading arm to the ship, comprising: a first vacuum double tube provided on the ship side and including a first half outer tube and a first half inner tube; a first outer flange provided at the loading arm side end of the first half outer tube; a first inner flange provided at the loading arm side end of the first half inner tube; a first closing body that closes the space between the loading arm side ends of the first half inner tube and the first half outer tube; and a second half outer tube and a second half inner tube provided on the loading arm side. The vacuum double tube includes a second vacuum double tube, a second outer flange provided at the ship-side end of the second half outer tube, a second inner flange provided at the ship-side end of the second half inner tube, a second closing body that closes the space between the ship-side ends of the second half inner tube and the second half outer tube, an inner sealing member between the first inner flange and the second inner flange that prevents fluid leakage radially outward, and an outer sealing member between the first outer flange and the second outer flange that prevents fluid leakage radially outward, wherein the first outer flange and the second outer flange are connected, and the first inner flange and the second inner flange are connected.

[0007] According to this disclosure, a ship-to-shore joint can be provided that allows workers to perform the connection and separation of joint flanges with high precision by working in an environment that facilitates the work.

[0008] This is a schematic diagram of the ship and loading arm when handling fluids or liquefied gases to land using a ship-to-shore joint according to this embodiment. This is a cross-sectional view of the ship-to-shore joint connecting the supply pipe from the ship in Figure 1 to the receiving pipe leading to the land equipment. This is a cross-sectional view along line III-III in Figure 2. This is a view showing the surface of the inner spacer facing the first inner flange. This is a view showing the surface of the inner spacer facing the second inner flange. This is a view showing the surface of the outer spacer facing the first outer flange. This is a view showing the surface of the outer spacer facing the second outer flange. This is a cross-sectional view of a modified ship-to-shore joint.

[0009] The embodiments will be described below with reference to the drawings. Figure 1 shows a schematic configuration diagram of an example of a vessel 1 and a loading arm 5 when a fluid or liquefied gas is being loaded onto land.

[0010] Vessel 1 is a liquefied gas carrier that transports liquefied gases such as LNG and liquefied hydrogen. Specifically, Vessel 1 includes a hull 2, a tank 3 mounted on the hull 2 ​​for storing liquefied gas, and a supply pipe 4 extending from the tank 3. In this embodiment, the liquefied gas is liquefied hydrogen gas. The loading arm 5 has a multi-joint structure and includes a receiving pipe 6 for guiding the liquefied gas to land-based facilities. This receiving pipe 6 is connected to the supply pipe 4 of Vessel 1 by the ship-to-shore joint 7 of this embodiment.

[0011] Figure 2 shows a cross-sectional view of the ship-to-shore joint 7. The ship-to-shore joint 7 connects the supply pipe 4 of the ship 1 to the receiving pipe 6 of the loading arm 5. In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 2, the supply pipe 4 is made up of a first vacuum double pipe 8, and the receiving pipe 6 is made up of a second vacuum double pipe 9. The first vacuum double pipe 8 includes a first inner pipe 12 through which a fluid or liquefied gas flows, and a first outer pipe 13 that houses the first inner pipe 12, and the first vacuum space 14 between the first inner pipe 12 and the first outer pipe 13 is evacuated. Similarly, the second vacuum double pipe 9 includes a second inner pipe 15 through which a fluid or liquefied gas flows, and a second outer pipe 16 that houses the second inner pipe 15, and the second vacuum space 17 between the second inner pipe 15 and the second outer pipe 16 is evacuated.

[0012] The ship-to-shore joint 7 is a joint that connects a first vacuum double-walled tube 8 extending from the ship 1 to the loading arm 5 for liquid hydrogen, and a second vacuum double-walled tube 9 extending from the loading arm 5 to the ship 1. In other words, the ship-to-shore joint 7 is connected to both the first vacuum double-walled tube 8 and the second vacuum double-walled tube 9, and as a result, the ship-to-shore joint 7 connects the first vacuum double-walled tube 8 and the second vacuum double-walled tube 9. The ship-to-shore joint 7 also includes a first half 10 which includes a portion of the end of the first vacuum double-walled tube 8, and a second half 11 which includes a portion of the end of the second vacuum double-walled tube 9.

[0013] The portion of the first vacuum double tube 8 included in the first half 10 is designated as the first half double tube 8a, and the portion of the second vacuum double tube 9 included in the second half 11 is designated as the second half double tube 9a. In this embodiment, the tip of the portion of the first vacuum double tube 8 not included in the first half 10 is connected to the first half double tube 8a by butt welding, and the tip of the portion of the second vacuum double tube 9 not included in the second half 11 is connected to the second half double tube 9a by butt welding. The first half 10 includes the first half inner tube 12a and the first half outer tube 13a. The second half 11 includes the second half inner tube 15a and the second half outer tube 16a. Specifically, in the first vacuum double-walled tube 8, the tip of the portion of the first inner tube 12 that is not included in the first half 10 is connected to the first half inner tube 12a by butt welding, and the tip of the portion of the first outer tube 13 that is not included in the first half 10 is connected to the first half outer tube 13a by butt welding. Also, in the second vacuum double-walled tube 9, the tip of the portion of the second inner tube 15 that is not included in the second half 11 is connected to the second half inner tube 15a by butt welding, and the tip of the portion of the second outer tube 16 that is not included in the second half 11 is connected to the second half outer tube 16a by butt welding. The first half 10 includes an annular first closing body 18 that closes the space between the first half inner tube 12a and the first half outer tube 13a. In this embodiment, the first closing body 18 is positioned closer to the ship 1 than the joint surface of the first half 10. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the inner end of the first closure body 18 is joined to the base-facing surface of the first inner flange 24b, which is provided at the end of the first half inner tube 12a. The outer end of the first closure body 18 is located closer to the end of the first half outer tube 13a, between the end and the base, and is joined to the inner circumferential surface of the first half outer tube 13a. Here, in the first half 10, the end joined to the second half 11 is referred to as the "end," and the opposite end is referred to as the "base." Similarly, in the second half 11, the end joined to the first half 10 is referred to as the "end," and the opposite end is referred to as the "base."

[0014] The first half 10 has at least one annular groove 19 recessed into the first vacuum space 14 along the first half inner tube 12a. The first closure body 18 extends toward the ship from the end of the first half outer tube 13a and also extends circumferentially around the axis of the first half inner tube 12a. Therefore, two annular portions of the first closure body 18 are provided side by side in the radial direction, and an annular groove 19 is formed between them. The depth of the annular groove 19 along the axial direction of the first half inner tube 12a is preferably set to an appropriate length from the viewpoint of the amount of heat input into the space surrounded by the first closure body 18 and maintaining strength.

[0015] The annular groove 19, which is the space between the first closure body 18 and the first half inner tube 12a, between the first closure body 18 and the first half outer tube 13a, and between the first closure bodies 18 themselves, is the first vacuum space 14 described above. On the other hand, the inside of the first closure space 20 surrounded by the first closure body 18 is filled with helium gas, as will be described later. As a result, the first closure body 18 alternately forms a vacuum layer and a helium gas layer in the radial direction.

[0016] Similarly, the second half 11 includes an annular second closure body 21 that closes the space between the second half inner tube 15a and the second half outer tube 16a. In this embodiment, the second closure body 21 is positioned closer to the loading arm 5 than the joint surface of the second half 11. Also in this embodiment, the inner end of the second closure body 21 is joined to the base-facing surface of the second inner flange 25b provided at the end of the second half inner tube 15a. The outer end of the second closure body 21 is positioned closer to the end of the second half outer tube 16a between the end and base and is joined to the inner circumferential surface of the second half outer tube 16a.

[0017] The second half 11 has at least one annular groove 22 recessed into the second vacuum space 17 along the second half inner tube 15a. The second closure body 21 extends from the end of the second half outer tube 16a toward the loading arm 5 and also extends circumferentially around the axis of the second half inner tube 15a. Therefore, two annular portions of the second closure body 21 are provided side by side in the radial direction, and an annular groove 22 is formed between them. The depth of the annular groove 22 along the axial direction of the second half inner tube 15a is preferably set to an appropriate length from the viewpoint of the amount of heat input into the space surrounded by the second closure body 21 and maintaining strength.

[0018] The annular groove 22, which is the space between the second closure body 21 and the second half inner tube 15a, between the second closure body 21 and the second half outer tube 16a, and between the second closure bodies 21 themselves, is the second vacuum space 17 described above. On the other hand, the inside of the second closure space 23 surrounded by the second closure body 21 is filled with helium gas, as will be described later. As a result, the second closure body 21 alternately forms a vacuum layer and a helium gas layer in the radial direction.

[0019] The first half 10 has a first outer flange 24a at the end of the first half outer tube 13a. The first half 10 also has a first inner flange 24b at the end of the first half inner tube 12a. The second half 11 has a second outer flange 25a at the end of the second half outer tube 16a. The second half 11 also has a second inner flange 25b at the end of the second half inner tube 15a. The second outer flange 25a and the second inner flange 25b constitute the end portion of the second half 11. The first half 10 also has an outer spacer 26a and an inner spacer 26b at its end. The outer spacer 26a is attached to the end of the first outer flange 24a. The inner spacer 26b is attached to the end of the first inner flange 24b. The outer spacer 26a and the inner spacer 26b constitute the end portion of the first half 10.

[0020] In the radial direction, a first closed space 20 is formed between the first outer flange 24a and the first inner flange 24b. In the radial direction, a second closed space 23 is formed between the second outer flange 25a and the second inner flange 25b. In the radial direction, a first closed space 20 is formed between the outer spacer 26a and the inner spacer 26b.

[0021] The first inner flange 24b, the second inner flange 25b, and the inner spacer 26b are each provided with fluid or liquefied gas flow paths 24c, 25c, and 26c that penetrate the first inner flange 24b, the second inner flange 25b, and the inner spacer 26b in the thickness direction, around the radial central axis. The fluid or liquefied gas flows through the interior of the first inner flange 24b, the second inner flange 25b, and the inner spacer 26b through the flow path 24c of the first inner flange 24b, the flow path 25c of the second inner flange 25b, and the flow path 26c of the inner spacer 26b.

[0022] The first outer flange 24a is integrally provided at the end of the first half outer pipe 13a. The first inner flange 24b is integrally provided at the end of the first half inner pipe 12a. The second outer flange 25a is integrally provided at the end of the second half outer pipe 16a. The second inner flange 25b is integrally provided at the end of the second half inner pipe 15a.

[0023] The first outer flange 24a and the first inner flange 24b close the ends of the portions outside the first half inner tube 12a and inside the first half outer tube 13a in the radial region between the first half inner tube 12a and the first half outer tube 13a. The second outer flange 25a and the second inner flange 25b close the ends of the portions outside the second half inner tube 15a and inside the second half outer tube 16a in the radial region between the second half inner tube 15a and the second half outer tube 16a. In other words, in the first half 10, the first outer flange 24a and the first inner flange 24b close the space between the first half inner tube 12a and the first half outer tube 13a. Also, in the second half 11, the second outer flange 25a and the second inner flange 25b close the space between the second half inner tube 15a and the second half outer tube 16a. Furthermore, in the first half 10, the outer spacer 26a is attached to the end of the first outer flange 24a, and the inner spacer 26b is attached to the end of the first inner flange 24b. With the outer spacer 26a attached to the first outer flange 24a at the end of the first half 10 and the inner spacer 26b attached to the first inner flange 24b, the first outer flange 24a of the first half 10 and the second outer flange 25a of the second half 11 are connected to each other via the outer spacer 26a, and the first inner flange 24b of the first half 10 and the second inner flange 25b of the second half 11 are connected to each other via the inner spacer 26b.

[0024] In this embodiment, a through hole 27 is provided near the radial outer end of the first outer flange 24a, the second outer flange 25a, and the outer spacer 26a, so as to penetrate the first outer flange 24a, the second outer flange 25a, and the outer spacer 26a. With the outer spacer 26a sandwiched between the first outer flange 24a and the second outer flange 25a, a fastener is inserted into the through hole 27, and the first outer flange 24a, the outer spacer 26a, and the second outer flange 25a are fastened to each other by the fastener. In this embodiment, for example, the fastener is a bolt 28 and a nut 29. In this embodiment, the first outer flange 24a, the outer spacer 26a, and the second outer flange 25a are sandwiched and fastened to each other by the bolt 28 and the nut 29. Furthermore, a hole 26d is provided in the outer spacer 26a and a screw hole 24d is provided in the first outer flange 24a at a position separate from the bolt 28 and nut 29 in the circumferential direction. Screws 34 are inserted into the hole 26d of the outer spacer 26a and the screw hole 24d of the first outer flange 24a, and the outer spacer 26a and the first outer flange 24a are connected to each other by fastening with the screws 34.

[0025] The gaps between the first outer flange 24a and the first inner flange 24b, the gaps between the second outer flange 25a and the second inner flange 25b, and the gaps between the outer spacer 26a and the inner spacer 26b are in communication with the space at the bottom of the first closure body 18 between the ends of the first half inner tube 12a and the first half outer tube 13a, and the space at the bottom of the second closure body 21 between the ends of the second half inner tube 15a and the second half outer tube 16a. These gaps and spaces constitute a gas space 30. In other words, a gas space 30 is formed between the first closure body 18 and the second closure body 21, and the first outer flange 24a, the second outer flange 25a, and the outer spacer 26a surround the first inner flange 24b, the second inner flange 25b, and the inner spacer 26b, respectively, separated by the gas space 30. The gas space 30 is filled with helium gas. A port member 31 for supplying helium gas to the gas space 30 is attached to the second outer flange 25a.

[0026] A space 32 is formed near the radial outer end of the second inner flange 25b and the inner spacer 26b. In this embodiment, the second inner flange 25b is provided with a recovery mechanism 45 for recovering fluid or liquefied gas that has leaked through the gap between the first inner flange 24b and the inner spacer 26b, or the gap between the inner spacer 26b and the second inner flange 25b.

[0027] Figure 3 shows a cross-sectional view along the line III-III in Figure 2. The recovery mechanism 45 is connected to space 32. The recovery mechanism 45 also includes a recovery section 48 configured to recover fluid or liquefied gas, and a gas pipe 49 that sends the recovered fluid or liquefied gas to the outside of the second outer pipe 16. One end of the gas pipe 49 is connected to the gas recovery section 48, a portion of which extends circumferentially inside the gas space 30, and after passing through a predetermined area of ​​the gas space 30, extends radially outward, penetrates the second outer pipe 16, and extends to the outside of the second outer pipe 16. The gas pipe 49 is connected to a recovery port (not shown).

[0028] Even if some of the fluid or liquefied gas flowing through the inside of the first half inner pipe 12a and the second half inner pipe 15a flows radially outward through the gap between the first inner flange 24b and the inner spacer 26b, or through the gap between the inner spacer 26b and the second inner flange 25b, if the fluid or liquefied gas reaches the space 32, it will be temporarily stored inside the space 32. When the fluid or liquefied gas is recovered by the recovery unit 48 of the recovery mechanism 45, the fluid or liquefied gas recovered by the recovery unit 48 is supplied to the recovery port through the gas pipe 49 and stored in a predetermined storage area via the recovery port. This ensures that the fluid or liquefied gas that reaches the space 32 is recovered by the recovery mechanism 45, preventing the fluid or liquefied gas from leaking radially outward beyond the first inner flange 24b, the second inner flange 25b, and the inner spacer 26b. If the fluid or liquefied gas stored in the storage area is hydrogen, it can be reused, for example, as fuel. This allows for the efficient use of leaked fluid.

[0029] Figure 4 shows the surface of the inner spacer 26b facing the first inner flange 24b. Figure 5 shows the surface of the inner spacer 26b facing the second inner flange 25b. As shown in Figures 4 and 5, in this embodiment, spaces 32 are formed that penetrate the inner spacer 26b axially at two positions in the vertical direction of the inner spacer 26b. The inner spacer 26b is provided with bolt holes 33 for bolting when fixing the inner spacer 26b to the first inner flange 24b. Bolts 46 are inserted into the bolt holes 33, and the inner spacer 26b is fastened to the first inner flange 24b by the bolts 46. The second inner flange 25b is connected to the first inner flange 24b to which the inner spacer 26b is attached. Since the first inner flange 24b is fixed to the first outer flange 24a via the first closing body 18, and the second inner flange 25b is fixed to the second outer flange 25a via the second closing body 21, the first inner flange 24b and the second inner flange 25b are positioned by connecting the first outer flange 24a and the second outer flange 25a via the outer spacer 26a. As a result, the first half inner pipe 12a and the second half inner pipe 15a are in communication.

[0030] Figure 6 shows the surface of the outer spacer 26a facing the first outer flange 24a. Figure 7 shows the surface of the outer spacer 26a facing the second outer flange 25a. As shown in Figures 6 and 7, in this embodiment, the outer spacer 26a is provided with a plurality of through holes 27 at equal intervals in the circumferential direction. With the outer spacer 26a sandwiched between the first outer flange 24a and the second outer flange 25a, bolts 28 are inserted into the through holes 27 of the first outer flange 24a, the outer spacer 26a, and the second outer flange 25a, and the outer spacer 26a is attached to the first outer flange 24a and the second outer flange 25a by fastening the bolts 28 and nuts 29.

[0031] Furthermore, holes 26d are provided in the outer spacer 26a at positions different from the through holes 27 in the circumferential direction. In this embodiment, four holes 26d are provided at equal intervals in the circumferential direction. When the outer spacer 26a and the first outer flange 24a are connected to each other, screws 34 are inserted into the holes 26d of the outer spacer 26a and the screw holes 24d of the first outer flange 24a, and the outer spacer 26a and the first outer flange 24a are connected by fastening with the screws 34.

[0032] In this embodiment, space 32 is configured to contain fluid or liquefied gas that has leaked radially outward through the gap between the first inner flange 24b and the inner spacer 26b, or through the gap between the inner spacer 26b and the second inner flange 25b. A sealing member 35 is positioned radially inside space 32 between the first inner flange 24b and the inner spacer 26b. A sealing member 36 is positioned radially inside space 32 between the second inner flange 25b and the inner spacer 26b. A sealing member 37 is positioned radially outside space 32 between the first inner flange 24b and the inner spacer 26b. A sealing member 38 is positioned radially outside space 32 between the second inner flange 25b and the inner spacer 26b. Furthermore, sealing members 39 and 40 are positioned between the first outer flange 24a and the outer spacer 26a. Furthermore, a sealing member 47 is positioned between the second outer flange 25a and the outer spacer 26a.

[0033] The fluid or liquefied gas flowing inside the first half inner pipe 12a and the second half inner pipe 15a is prevented from leaking radially outward by the sealing members 35 and 36. Furthermore, even if the fluid or liquefied gas were to flow radially outward beyond the sealing members 35 and 36, the sealing members 37 and 38 are positioned radially outward of the space 32, preventing the fluid or liquefied gas from flowing radially outward. In this embodiment, the sealing members 35, 36, 37 and 38 correspond to the inner sealing members. In addition, even if fluid leakage occurs in the gap between the first inner flange 24b and the inner spacer 26b, or between the inner spacer 26b and the second inner flange 25b, and exceeds the sealing members 35 and 36, the leaked fluid can be temporarily contained inside the space 32, preventing it from leaking outside the ship-shore joint. Therefore, it is possible to reliably prevent the fluid or liquefied gas from leaking into the gas space 30. Furthermore, since sealing members 39 and 40 are positioned between the first outer flange 24a and the outer spacer 26a, and sealing member 47 is positioned between the second outer flange 25a and the outer spacer 26a, even if fluid or liquefied gas leaks into the gas space 30, the sealing members 39, 40, and 47 prevent the fluid or liquefied gas from leaking from the gas space 30 to the outside of the first outer flange 24a, the second outer flange 25a, and the outer spacer 26a. In addition, the sealing members 39, 40, and 47 also play a role in preventing the helium gas inside the gas space 30 from leaking to the outside. In this embodiment, the sealing members 39, 40, and 47 correspond to the outer sealing members. Moreover, the back pressure of the helium gas stored inside the gas space 30 prevents the gas from leaking further radially outward, thus reliably preventing gas leakage radially outward from the gas space 30.

[0034] In this embodiment, the ship-shore joint 7 includes a strainer 41 located inside the fluid or liquefied gas flow path. In this embodiment, the strainer 41 is radially surrounded on the outside by a first half inner tube 12a, and removes impurities contained in the fluid or liquefied gas inside the first half inner tube 12a.

[0035] Furthermore, in this embodiment, at the contact surface between the first inner flange 24b and the inner spacer 26b, the first inner flange 24b is provided with a recess 24e that is recessed toward the ship 1 side. Also, the inner spacer 26b is provided with a recess 26e that is recessed toward the loading arm 5 side. The provision of the recess 24e in the first inner flange 24b and the provision of the recess 26e in the inner spacer 26b provides an axial gap between the first inner flange 24b and the inner spacer 26b.

[0036] In this embodiment, a portion of the strainer 41 is positioned in the gap formed by the recesses 24e and 26e at the mating surface between the first inner flange 24b and the inner spacer 26b. In other words, a portion of the strainer 41 is attached to the ship-to-shore joint 7 by being sandwiched between the first inner flange 24b and the inner spacer 26b in the gap between them. The strainer 41 has a disc-shaped flange portion 42 and a net portion 43 in which wire is woven. The flange portion 42 has a through hole 44 that penetrates the flange portion 42 in the thickness direction around an axis at its radial center. The strainer 41 is configured so that a fluid or liquefied gas flows through the inside of the through hole 44. Furthermore, of the strainer 41, the flange portion 42 is attached to the ship-to-shore joint 7 by being sandwiched between the first inner flange 24b and the inner spacer 26b in the gap between them.

[0037] When a fluid or liquefied gas flows through the through-hole 44 of the flange portion 42 of the strainer 41, the net portion 43 is positioned inside the flow of the fluid or liquefied gas. Therefore, if the fluid or liquefied gas contains impurities, as the fluid or liquefied gas passes through the mesh of the net portion 43, the fluid or liquefied gas flows through the mesh of the wire in the net portion 43, but the impurities get caught in the net portion 43, and only the impurities are captured by the net portion 43. As a result, impurities contained in the fluid or liquefied gas after passing through the strainer 41 are removed, and the fluid or liquefied gas that has passed through the strainer 41 can be made clean.

[0038] In the configuration of this disclosure, the first half 10 has a first vacuum double tube 8, and the second half 11 has a second vacuum double tube 9. The first outer flange 24a of the first half 10 and the second outer flange 25a of the second half 11 are connected to each other with an outer spacer 26a in between. The first inner flange 24b of the first half 10 and the second inner flange 25b of the second half 11 are connected to each other with an inner spacer 26b in between. Therefore, by connecting the first outer flange 24a and the second outer flange 25a with an outer spacer 26a in between, the first inner flange 24b and the second inner flange 25b are connected with an inner spacer 26b in between, and the double tubes are connected to each other. Therefore, when connecting the first outer flange 24a and the second outer flange 25a, and connecting the first inner flange 24b and the second inner flange 25b, there is no need to move other components such as conventional sleeves, and the worker can connect the first outer flange 24a and the second outer flange 25a, and connect the first inner flange 24b and the second inner flange 25b in an environment that is easy for the worker to work in, without being hindered by conventional sleeves, etc. Furthermore, since the first outer flange 24a and the second outer flange 25a, and the first inner flange 24b and the second inner flange 25b are connected in an environment that is easy for the worker to work in, the worker performing the connection work can perform the connection work more easily and accurately.

[0039] Furthermore, in the configuration of this disclosure, the first outer flange 24a and the second outer flange 25a are connected with the outer spacer 26a attached to the first outer flange 24a. Therefore, when connecting the first outer flange 24a and the second outer flange 25a, the connection is made with the outer spacer 26a positioned between the first outer flange 24a and the second outer flange 25a. At that time, the outer spacer 26a is first connected to the first outer flange 24a by a screw 34, and with the outer spacer 26a and the first outer flange 24a connected to each other, a bolt 28 is inserted into the through hole 27 of the first outer flange 24a, the outer spacer 26a and the second outer flange 25a, and the first outer flange 24a, the outer spacer 26a and the second outer flange 25a are connected to each other by fastening with the bolt 28 and nut 29. Similarly, with the inner spacer 26b attached to the first inner flange 24b, the first inner flange 24b and the second inner flange 25b are connected with the inner spacer 26b in between. Therefore, when connecting the first inner flange 24b and the second inner flange 25b, the connection is made with the inner spacer 26b positioned between the first inner flange 24b and the second inner flange 25b. At that time, the inner spacer 26b is pre-attached to the first inner flange 24b by bolts 46, and the first inner flange 24b and the second inner flange 25b are positioned with the inner spacer 26b and the first inner flange 24b connected to each other. Therefore, even if the outer spacer 26a or the inner spacer 26b collides and is damaged when connecting the ship-shore joint 7, the worker can easily perform the replacement work by replacing only the damaged outer spacer 26a or inner spacer 26b.

[0040] Normally, when connecting ship-to-shore joints, the ship is rocked by waves, causing the ship-side flange to swing as it connects to the shore-side flange. Therefore, when connecting the ship-side flange and the shore-side flange for handling fluids or liquefied gases, the ship-side flange may swing and collide with surrounding structures, potentially causing damage to the ship-side flange. In such a case, if the outer spacer 26a is not attached to the first outer flange 24a on the ship side, and the inner spacer 26b is not attached to the first inner flange 24b on the ship side, and the ship-side flange and the shore-side flange are directly connected, then when the ship-side flange is damaged, it becomes necessary to replace the ship-side flange. In this case, the ship must be brought into dry dock to replace the ship-side flange. Since the replacement work on the ship-side flange is carried out in dry dock, the ship must be brought into dry dock, the ship-side flange replaced there, and then the ship must be brought out of dry dock to resume handling fluids or liquefied gases. This process takes time, which can increase the cost of handling fluids or liquefied gases. Furthermore, if the dock is full and a ship has to wait until one becomes available, it will take even longer to load or unload the fluid or liquefied gas, potentially increasing the cost of handling the fluid or liquefied gas.

[0041] In contrast, in this embodiment, the connection between the first outer flange 24a and the second outer flange 25a is made with the outer spacer 26a attached to the first outer flange 24a, and the connection between the first inner flange 24b and the second inner flange 25b is made with the inner spacer 26b attached to the first inner flange 24b. Therefore, when the flange on the ship side shakes and collides with the surrounding structure, damage occurs to the outer spacer 26a or the inner spacer 26b. The outer spacer 26a can be easily removed from the first outer flange 24a by removing the bolt 34, which is fastened to the first outer flange 24a. The inner spacer 26b can be easily removed from the first inner flange 24b by removing the bolt 46, which is fastened to the first inner flange 24b. Furthermore, the outer spacer 26a can be easily attached to the first outer flange 24a by fastening it with the bolt 34, which is fastened to the first outer flange 24a. The inner spacer 26b can be easily attached to the first inner flange 24b by fastening it with bolts 46 as fasteners. Therefore, if damage occurs to either the outer spacer 26a or the inner spacer 26b, only the damaged outer spacer 26a or inner spacer 26b can be easily replaced. Thus, by simply replacing either the outer spacer 26a or the inner spacer 26b, the worker can connect the first outer flange 24a to the second outer flange 25a, or the first inner flange 24b to the second inner flange 25b, and then easily connect the first outer flange 24a to the second outer flange 25a, or the first inner flange 24b to the second inner flange 25b. Furthermore, the outer spacer 26a or inner spacer 26b can be replaced on-site without having to dock the ship 1. Therefore, the outer spacer 26a or inner spacer 26b can be replaced at a location where the ship 1 is moored for handling fluids or liquefied gases.Therefore, the time required to replace the outer spacer 26a or the inner spacer 26b can be reduced, and the cost of replacing the outer spacer 26a or the inner spacer 26b can be kept low.

[0042] Furthermore, in the configuration of this disclosure, since the ship-to-shore joint 7 is equipped with a strainer 41, the strainer 41 can remove impurities contained in the fluid or liquefied gas flowing inside the first half inner pipe 12a and the second half inner pipe 15a, and the fluid or liquefied gas can be cleaned when it is guided from the ship 1 to the shore equipment via the loading arm 5. In addition, in the ship-to-shore joint 7, the strainer 41 is attached by sandwiching the flange portion 42 in the gap of the mating surface between the first inner flange 24b and the inner spacer 26b, so the strainer 41 can be easily attached to the position between the first inner flange 24b and the inner spacer 26b. Also, since the strainer 41 is attached to the ship-to-shore joint 7 by sandwiching the flange portion 42 of the strainer 41 between the first inner flange 24b and the inner spacer 26b, the strainer 41 is firmly attached to the ship-to-shore joint 7.

[0043] In the above embodiment, a configuration in which the strainer 41 is sandwiched and installed between the first inner flange 24b and the inner spacer 26b was described, but the embodiment is not limited to the above. The strainer 41 may also be installed sandwiched between the second inner flange 25b and the inner spacer 26b. In other words, the strainer 41 only needs to be provided between the first inner flange 24b and the second inner flange 25b. Furthermore, in the above embodiment, a configuration in which the net portion 43 is arranged on the first half 10 side was described, as shown in Figure 2, but the net portion 43 may be installed on the second half 11 side when attached to the ship-shore joint 7. The strainer 41 may be installed on the first half 10 side or on the second half 11 side, as long as the net portion 43 is arranged inside the fluid or liquefied gas flow path when the strainer 41 is installed on the ship-shore joint 7 and can remove impurities contained in the fluid or liquefied gas.

[0044] Also, in the above embodiment, the form in which the outer spacer 26a is attached to the first outer flange 24a and the inner spacer 26b is attached to the first inner flange 24b has been described, but the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment. The outer spacer 26a may not be attached to the first outer flange 24a, and the second outer flange 25a may be directly attached to the first outer flange 24a. Further, the inner spacer 26b may not be attached to the first inner flange 24b, and the second inner flange 25b may be directly attached to the first inner flange 24b. FIG. 8 shows a cross-sectional view of the ship-to-land joint 7a when the second outer flange 25a is directly attached to the first outer flange 24a and the second inner flange 25b is directly attached to the first inner flange 24b.

[0045] As shown in FIG. 8, the outer spacer 26a may not be attached to the first outer flange 24a, and the first outer flange 24a and the second outer flange 25a may be connected. Similarly, the inner spacer 26b may not be attached to the first inner flange 24b, and the first inner flange 24b and the second inner flange 25b may be connected. Thereby, the number of parts can be reduced, and the manufacturing cost of the ship-to-land joint can be suppressed.

[0046] Also, as shown in FIG. 8, the form in which the outer spacer 26a is not attached to the first outer flange 24a and the inner spacer 26b is not attached to the first inner flange 24b has been described, but the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment. Only one of the outer spacer 26a and the inner spacer 26b may not be attached, and either one of the first outer flange 24a and the second outer flange 25a or either one of the first inner flange 24b and the second inner flange 25b may be directly connected. That is, a configuration in which the spacer of the outer spacer 26a or the inner spacer 26b is attached only to either one of the first outer flange 24a and the second outer flange 25a or either one of the first inner flange 24b and the second inner flange 25b may be employed.

[0047] As described above, the embodiments have been described as examples of the technology disclosed in the present application. However, the technology in the present disclosure is not limited thereto and is also applicable to embodiments in which appropriate changes, replacements, additions, omissions, etc. are made. Further, it is also possible to form a new embodiment by combining the respective components described in the above embodiments. For example, some of the components or methods in one embodiment may be applied to other embodiments, and some of the components in an embodiment can be arbitrarily extracted separately from other components in that embodiment. In addition, among the components described in the accompanying drawings and the detailed description, there are not only components essential for solving the problems, but also components not essential for solving the problems for exemplifying the technology.

[0048] Each of the following items discloses a preferred embodiment.

[0049] [Item 1] A ship-to-shore joint that connects a supply pipe extending from a ship toward a loading arm and a receiving pipe extending from the loading arm toward the ship, including a first half outer pipe and a first half inner pipe, a first vacuum double pipe having a proximal end connected to the supply pipe, a first outer flange at the end of the first half outer pipe, a first inner flange at the end of the first half inner pipe, a first closing member that closes the radial space between the first half inner pipe and the first half outer pipe, a second half outer pipe and a second half inner pipe, a second vacuum double pipe having a proximal end connected to the receiving pipe, a second outer flange at the end of the second half outer pipe, a second inner flange at the end of the second half inner pipe, a second closing member that closes the radial space between the second half inner pipe and the second half outer pipe, an inner seal member that prevents fluid leakage to the outside in the radial direction between the first inner flange and the second inner flange, and an outer seal member that prevents fluid leakage to the outside in the radial direction between the first outer flange and the second outer flange, wherein the first outer flange and the second outer flange are connected, and the first inner flange and the second inner flange are connected.

[0050] According to the above configuration, the first outer flange provided on the first vacuum double pipe is connected to the second outer flange provided on the second vacuum double pipe, and the first inner flange provided on the first vacuum double pipe is connected to the second inner flange provided on the second vacuum double pipe. In this way, by simply connecting the first outer flange to the second outer flange and the first inner flange to the second inner flange, the double pipes extending from the ship and the double pipe extending from the loading arm on land are connected to each other via the ship-to-shore joint 7. Here, when connecting the first outer flange to the second outer flange and the first inner flange to the second inner flange, there is no need to move other components such as conventional sleeves, and the worker can connect the first outer flange to the second outer flange and the first inner flange to the second inner flange with simple work. Since the ship-to-shore joint 7 has a double pipe structure of an outer pipe and an inner pipe, heat input from the outside can be suppressed even at the joint. Furthermore, since the worker can connect the first outer flange and the second outer flange to each other, and the first inner flange and the second inner flange to each other, the worker performing the connection work can accurately connect the first outer flange to the second outer flange and the first inner flange to the second inner flange.

[0051] [Item 2] The ship-shore coupling according to Item 1, further comprising: an outer spacer attached to the mating surface of the first outer flange with the second outer flange and interposed between the first outer flange and the second outer flange; and an inner spacer attached to the mating surface of the first inner flange with the second inner flange and interposed between the first inner flange and the second inner flange.

[0052] According to the above configuration, when connecting the first outer flange and the second outer flange, the connection is made with an outer spacer interposed between the first and second outer flanges. Similarly, when connecting the first inner flange and the second inner flange, the connection is made with an inner spacer interposed between the first and second inner flanges. Therefore, even if the outer spacer collides with a surrounding structure and is damaged when connecting the first and second outer flanges, the worker can easily replace the damaged part by simply replacing the outer spacer. Furthermore, even if the inner spacer collides with a surrounding structure and is damaged when connecting the first and second inner flanges, the worker can easily replace the damaged part by simply replacing the inner spacer.

[0053] [Item 3] The ship-shore coupling according to item 1 or 2, further comprising a strainer having a flange portion and a net portion attached to the flange portion, wherein the flange portion is disposed between the first inner flange and the second inner flange, and the net portion is disposed inside the first half inner tube of the first vacuum double tube, or inside the second half inner tube of the second vacuum double tube.

[0054] According to the above configuration, since the net portion of the strainer is positioned inside the first half inner pipe or inside the second half inner pipe, the strainer can remove impurities contained in the fluid, and the fluid can be cleaned when it is guided from the ship to the land-based equipment via the loading arm.

[0055] [Item 4] The ship-shore joint according to Item 2, wherein the inner spacer has a space that penetrates the inner spacer axially and contains fluid that has leaked radially outward through the gap between the first inner flange and the inner spacer, or through the gap between the inner spacer and the second inner flange.

[0056] According to the above configuration, the inner spacer is provided with a space to contain fluid that has leaked radially outward through the gap between the first inner flange and the inner spacer, or the gap between the inner spacer and the second inner flange. Therefore, even if fluid leakage occurs in the gap between the first inner flange and the inner spacer, or the gap between the inner spacer and the second inner flange, the leaked fluid can be contained within the space, preventing it from leaking to the outside of the ship-shore joint.

[0057] [Item 5] The ship-shore coupling according to Item 4, further comprising a recovery mechanism for recovering the fluid contained in the space.

[0058] According to the above configuration, the ship-shore joint is equipped with a recovery mechanism for recovering the fluid contained in the space, so that leaked fluid can be recovered and reused. Therefore, leaked fluid can be used efficiently.

[0059] 1. Ship 4. Supply pipe 5. Loading arm 6. Receiving pipe 7. Ship-shore joint 8. First vacuum double tube 9. Second vacuum double tube 12. First inner tube 12a. First half inner tube 13. First outer tube 13a. First half outer tube 15. Second inner tube 15a. Second half inner tube 16. Second outer tube 16a. Second half outer tube 24a. First outer flange 24b. First inner flange 25a. Second outer flange 25b. Second inner flange 26a. Outer spacer 26b. Inner spacer 28. Bolt 29. Nut 32. Space 41. Strainer 42. Flange section 43. Net section 45. Recovery mechanism

Claims

1. A ship-to-shore joint connecting a supply pipe extending from a ship to a loading arm and a receiving pipe extending from the loading arm to the ship, comprising: a first vacuum double tube including a first half outer tube and a first half inner tube, having a base end connected to the supply pipe; a first outer flange at the end of the first half outer tube; a first inner flange at the end of the first half inner tube; a first closure body that closes the radial space between the first half inner tube and the first half outer tube; a second vacuum double tube including a second half outer tube and a second half inner tube, having a base end connected to the receiving pipe; a second outer flange at the end of the second half outer tube; a second inner flange at the end of the second half inner tube; a second closure body that closes the radial space between the second half inner tube and the second half outer tube; and an inner sealing member between the first inner flange and the second inner flange that prevents fluid leakage radially outward. A ship-to-shore joint comprising an outer sealing member between the first outer flange and the second outer flange to prevent fluid leakage radially outward, wherein the first outer flange and the second outer flange are connected, and the first inner flange and the second inner flange are connected.

2. The ship-shore coupling according to claim 1, further comprising: an outer spacer attached to the mating surface of the first outer flange with the second outer flange and interposed between the first outer flange and the second outer flange; and an inner spacer attached to the mating surface of the first inner flange with the second inner flange and interposed between the first inner flange and the second inner flange.

3. The ship-shore coupling according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a strainer having a flange portion and a net portion attached to the flange portion, wherein the flange portion is disposed between the first inner flange and the second inner flange, and the net portion is disposed inside the first half inner tube of the first vacuum double tube, or inside the second half inner tube of the second vacuum double tube.

4. The ship-shore joint according to claim 2, wherein the inner spacer has a space that penetrates the inner spacer axially and contains fluid that has leaked radially outward through the gap between the first inner flange and the inner spacer, or through the gap between the inner spacer and the second inner flange.

5. The ship-shore coupling according to claim 4, further comprising a recovery mechanism for recovering the fluid contained in the space.

Images