FR3024409A1 - DEVICE FOR UTILIZING TANK CONTAINERS AS INTERCHANGEABLE STORAGE, FUEL FOR VEHICLE STATIONS OR FUEL FOR INDUSTRY, WITHOUT HANDLING AND SECURITY - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a device for using tank containers as interchangeable storage, fuel for vehicle stations or fuel for the industry, without handling and secure in place of fixed tanks. This invention is particularly suitable for compressed gas stations and / or liquefied for vehicles, whether natural gas, biomethane, hythane, hydrogen or other.

Description

DEVICE FOR USING TANK CONTAINERS AS INTERCHANGEABLE STORAGE, FUEL FOR VEHICLE STATIONS OR FUEL FOR INDUSTRY, WITHOUT HANDLING AND SECURITY DESCRIPTION The present invention relates to a device for using tank containers as interchangeable storage, fuel for vehicle or fuel stations for industry, without handling and in a secure manner, instead of fixed tanks. This invention is particularly suitable for compressed gas stations and / or liquefied for vehicles, whether natural gas, biomethane, hythane, hydrogen or other. In the spirit of simplification, we will describe our device in the specific case of a Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) station, although the principle also applies to the other fuels mentioned above. This principle is also applicable in any type of industry using fuel storage tanks. Already known as a device in the transport of LNG the use of tankers equipped with pumps for transferring the contents of the tank into the tank of the LNG station.

In known manner, this device has many disadvantages: 1) It requires expensive and dedicated tank trucks to perform the transport of LNG, 2) It requires a fragile and expensive cryogenic pump to achieve the transfer between the tank and the tank, 3) It requires a relatively long human intervention (more than 2 hours by tank truck) and expensive trained personnel, 4) It requires a fixed tank for the storage of gas for the station (the most expensive element of the station).

In order to avoid using tanker trucks, it is possible to use tank containers but this only solves the problem 1). The invention relates to a simple device for solving all of the aforementioned problems. It consists in directly using the transported tank container as LNG storage means for the station. The empty container is exchanged by a full container. This is called an interchangeable container.

In order to avoid any complex handling, the tank container remains on its trailer to fit into a dedicated space (parking lot) to replace another container on the same location or on another available location. We will prefer the second solution to avoid having to move the container in place before coming to insert the full container. With two separate locations, the tractor inserts the full container into empty slot 50, connects it, secures it, and then retrieves the empty container. The entire operation should not exceed 15 minutes. It may be possible to have several container parking lots depending on the capacity of the station (the capacity of a tank container is 43m3 while a station average truck for a daily need of 80 to 120m3).

If possible, the means of rapid connection of the container with the station will be used. Audible and visual devices will validate the connection / disconnection of the container with the station. An automatic or manual trailer securing system will be used to ensure that the trailer can not move. This system will be linked to the container connection system with the station. Typically, it will not be possible to unlock the trailer securement system for removal until the container is connected to the station. It will not be possible to connect the container to the station until the trailer is properly secured. Indicators and audible signals will indicate to the driver the various states of the system. Human manipulations are simple, fast and secure.

Other security features may be added to meet regulatory standards. The advantages of the invention are numerous 70 - possibility of using non-dedicated means of transport: the existence of container-door trailers that most hauliers possess will be able on the one hand to widen the range of carriers to cope with any spikes activities, and on the other hand avoid relying on a small number of carriers and thus reduce transport costs - 2 - - possibility of using mass transport modes such as trains, rivers or sea to reduce the costs of medium and long distance transportation as well as the environmental footprint of transportation. - Possibility of storing containers on transport vehicles or dedicated areas to achieve buffer storage of containers to meet the need for just-in-time delivery by reducing the distance between the LNG stock and the stations. 80 - the possibility of dispensing with fixed storage tanks which are costly and limited in storage capacity due to their size and legislation - the possibility of avoiding fragile and expensive transfer pumps - the possibility of replacing LNG of the station quickly, with a minimum of risky and costly human interventions, 85 - possibility of having an inexpensive station (mainly consisting of dispensing) whose capacity can be increased as and when needed by increasing the number storage containers. Other devices may be added to improve the station's efficiency or safety. An intrusion detection system can be used to automatically secure the operation of the station to avoid human danger. This system will then be connected to a control and intervention center to quickly restore the proper operation of the station.

95 The station's LNG storage container (s) may be equipped with a system for communicating its filling level to a control platform that will make it possible to decide automatically or not when it will be necessary to change the container. in place before it reaches its critical level of filling. In the case of a network of stations equipped with interchangeable containers the control system 100 may be provided with a computer device implementing a dynamic strategy of routing containers during transport to the stations that meet various criteria, for example their level of LNG and their distance from the containers transported at a given moment. The use of a handling machine is possible but not preferred unless the station requires a very large storage capacity. Indeed, if the handling means avoids keeping the container on the trailer it will probably require human intervention for its operation and will have a significantly higher cost than the one or two trailers that will generally be necessary. 110 - 3 -

Claims (6)

REVENDICATIONS1. A device for using tank containers as interchangeable storage means, fuel for vehicle stations or for fuel industry, without handling and secure, instead of fixed tanks. 2. A device for securing the connection and disconnection of the container with the station according to the stowage condition of the trailer. Typically, it will not be possible to unlock the trailer securement system for removal until the container is connected to the station. It will not be possible to connect the container to the station until the trailer is properly secured. Indicators and audible signals will indicate to the driver the various states of the system. 125 3. A device to ensure that the container is properly connected to the station before the trailer can be securely tied down and before lights and audible signals indicate to the truck driver that he can leave the container and its trailer in place . 130 4. A device to prevent secure securement of the trailer from being released until the container is properly disconnected from the station and the truck driver can remove the empty container from its location. Indicators and audible indications also indicate the state of the system to the driver of the truck. 135 5. A device for securing the operation of a fuel station in the case of human intrusion. 6. A device for automatically managing the transport flow tank containers to supply a network of stations and industrial using an interchangeable container storage 140. - 4 -