Rotatable Hydrate Pellet Container with Integrated Heating for Dissociation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional containers for storing and transporting hydrate pellets face issues with inter-particle adhesion, leading to increased ship lay-over times, environmental pollution due to surfactant use in dissociation, and higher costs, as well as inefficient fuel characteristics during transportation.
Innovation Solution
A container system comprising a first container with a rotatably installed second container equipped with a heat-insulating member, refrigerating machine, heating wire, and hot water tube for dissociation, along with pressure and temperature sensors, BOG and gas nozzles for efficient gas management, and a rotating mechanism to facilitate dissociation and gas extraction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of stationary object
If hydrate pellets are stored and transported in a large volume tank, then storage capacity is improved, but inter-particle adhesion occurs due to their own weights
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the large volume tank into multiple compartments or sections. By segmenting the storage space, the height of hydrate pellet columns is reduced, minimizing the gravitational pressure that causes inter-particle adhesion while maintaining overall storage capacity. Each compartment can be independently managed to prevent widespread adhesion issues.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a rotational mechanism that rotates the tank or its compartments horizontally. This rotation redistributes the hydrate pellets in the horizontal dimension, preventing them from settling and adhering in vertical columns under gravity. The dimensional change from static vertical storage to dynamic horizontal redistribution eliminates adhesion while preserving storage volume.
2Productivity
If hydrate pellets are fractured on a ship before dissociation, then dissociation efficiency is improved, but ship lay-over time increases due to loading/unloading operations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the fracturing and dissociation operations into a single integrated process within the same container. The fracturing mechanism and dissociation heating system are merged in one unit, allowing hydrate pellets to be fractured and then immediately dissociated without removal from the container. This eliminates the time-consuming loading/unloading cycle while maintaining dissociation efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The container is designed with multi-functionality, serving as both a storage vessel and a processing unit. The same container that stores hydrate pellets also houses the fracturing mechanism and dissociation heating system. This universal design allows the container to perform multiple functions (storage, fracturing, dissociation) sequentially without requiring transfer to different facilities, thereby reducing lay-over time.
3Productivity
If hot water with surfactants is used for dissociation, then dissociation effectiveness is improved, but environmental pollution increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful surfactant-laden hot water waste stream into a beneficial resource. The wastewater from dissociation is collected and processed to recover heat energy, which is then reused to preheat fresh water or maintain dissociation temperature. This transforms the harmful waste heat and surfactant mixture into a useful thermal resource, reducing both environmental pollution and energy consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the temperature parameter of the dissociation process by implementing a multi-stage heating system. Instead of using surfactants to enhance dissociation, the system uses precisely controlled temperature increases through heat exchange with recovered wastewater. By optimizing the temperature parameter progressively, effective dissociation is achieved without requiring harmful chemical additives.
4Volume of stationary object
If hydrate pellets are stored in a large volume tank, then storage capacity is improved, but fuel characteristics vary during transportation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the large volume tank into multiple smaller compartments, each storing hydrate pellets with more uniform composition. By dividing the storage space, the system ensures that each compartment contains hydrate pellets from a more homogeneous source, preventing mixing of pellets with varying fuel characteristics. This segmentation maintains storage capacity while improving fuel reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements periodic rotation of the tank or compartments during transportation. This periodic action redistributes the hydrate pellets regularly, preventing stratification and ensuring that fuel drawn from the storage system has consistent characteristics. The periodic movement maintains homogeneity without requiring continuous agitation, balancing storage capacity with fuel reliability.
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
The solution enables effective dissociation of hydrate pellets, reduces ship lay-over times, eliminates the need for surfactant-containing hot water, and optimizes fuel characteristics, allowing for more efficient transportation and reduced environmental impact.
Implementation Method 1
the inside of the second container is equipped with a heating wire which is heated to dissociate the hydrate pellets when power is supplied thereto or with a hot water tube through which hot water flows to dissociate the hydrate pellets
Implementation Method 2
a second container which is rotatably installed inside the first container, is equipped with a heat insulating member attached to an internal surface thereof
Implementation Method 3
a refrigerating machine which is installed inside the first container and refrigerates the second container
Data Source
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AI summary
Disclosed is a container for storing, transporting, and dissociating hydrate pellets, the container comprising: a first container (100) made up of a plurality of frames; a second container (200) which is rotatably installed inside the first container (100), stores hydrate pellets therein, and has an internal surface to which a heat insulating member is attached; and a refrigerating machine (300) which is installed inside the first container (100) and refrigerates the second container (200), wherein the second container (200) is equipped with a heating wire (210), which is heated to dissociate the hydrate pellets by being supplied with power, or with a hot water tube (220), through which hot water flows to dissociate the hydrate pellets, on the internal surface thereof.