Modular Fuel Containers with Closed Enclosure for Ship Safety

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing shipping technologies face challenges in safely and efficiently using environmentally friendly fuels like LNG and LPG on board ships, particularly in areas with limited infrastructure, while adhering to environmental and safety regulations.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of mobile or permanently installed outdoor fuel containers with a closed housing on ships, allowing for flexible fuel supply and secure coupling to a docking station for on-board fuel networks, ensuring safety and leakage protection through materials like special steel plates and flexible hoses, and incorporating cooling devices for fire and explosion protection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If mobile fuel containers with LNG or LPG are used on board ships, then environmental friendliness and flexibility of fuel supply are improved, but safety risks and compliance with transport regulations become more complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveflexibility of fuel supplyVSAvoidsafety of fuel storage and transport

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The fuel storage system is divided into separate, modular container units that can be individually handled, secured, and monitored. Each container is a self-contained unit with its own safety features, allowing the system to maintain safety while providing flexibility through modular deployment configurations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A docking station serves as an intermediary between the mobile fuel containers and the ship's fuel network. This intermediate facility enables safe transfer and connection operations, isolating the hazardous fuel handling process from both the containers and the ship's internal systems until the connection is established.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If fuel containers are placed in outdoor loading areas on deck, then accessibility and ease of refueling are improved, but exposure to harmful environmental factors and safety risks increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccessibility of fuel containersVSAvoidexposure to environmental factors

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The outdoor loading area is equipped with localized protective features including weather shielding structures, fire suppression systems, and secure anchoring mechanisms. These local protections address specific environmental and safety concerns at the exact location where containers are handled, maintaining accessibility while mitigating risks.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The system incorporates preventive safety measures such as fire suppression systems, spill containment structures, and secure mounting arrangements that are pre-installed in the loading area. These measures cushion against potential hazards before they can cause harm, allowing outdoor placement while protecting against environmental factors.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

3Reliability

If specialized safety features like closed enclosures and cooling devices are added to fuel container systems, then safety and leakage protection are improved, but device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveleakage protectionVSAvoidcomplexity of safety systems

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple safety functions are integrated into unified components. For example, the closed enclosure structure simultaneously provides mechanical protection, thermal insulation, and containment for leakage. Cooling devices are integrated with the container wall structure rather than being separate attachments, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining comprehensive safety.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This solution enables the use of environmentally friendly fuels on ships, enhancing safety and logistical flexibility by allowing fuel replenishment anywhere, meeting stringent emission regulations and extending the operational radius of ships, while maintaining safety and compliance with regulations.

Implementation Method 1

cooling devices for fire and explosion protection

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeat transfer: Conduction (thermal)

Data Source

PatentEP2607224B2Buoyant body, in particularly container ship

Publication Date: 2018.08.22 TECHNOLOG GMBH HANDELS UND BET FUR TECH

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AI summary

The floating structure (1) has a fuel container loading area having fuel containers (10). The fuel containers are intended for receiving and supplying fuels such as liquefied natural gas (LNG) or liquid petroleum gas (LPG) to engines or machines such as dual-fuel machines. The loading area is upwardly open and comprises a closed enclosure. The fuel containers are connected to the onboard systems of floating structure and connected to docking station (20) for delivery of fuel. The docking station is provided in closed enclosure for delivering fuel to motor and/or auxiliary equipment.