IT202000020080A1 - LIQUID PHASE GASEOUS FUEL DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM - Google Patents

Description

LIQUID PHASE GASEOUS FUEL DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM

The present invention relates to a gaseous fuel distribution system in the liquid phase, in particular a mobile gaseous fuel distribution system in the liquid phase.

As known, LNG (Liquefied Natural Gas) or LNG in the Anglo-Saxon term ? natural gas - consisting mainly of methane - which, through a series of cooling and condensation processes, is liquefied. Under suitable temperature conditions, i.e. at about -160?C, the volume of the liquefied gas is reduced by about six hundred times, effectively allowing the storage in the liquid state of the fuel in special containers for subsequent transport even in areas that are not reached by the gas or methane distribution network. Thereby, ? Is it possible to guarantee the availability of a vast number of users? of a large amount? of energy in a small space.

Currently, the liquid gas ? transported on large LNG tankers in the liquid state and then regasified in special gaseous state storage and transformation terminals. Once ? once the transformation is complete, the methane is introduced into the high pressure transport network.

Naturally, regasification is not by itself necessary: the high energy content of LNG could in fact allow the fuel to be kept in a liquid state awaiting the use it can? take place as gas if suitably regasified (for example to deal with a peak in consumption) or directly as a liquid product.

However, a large fraction of users don't? covered by the gas distribution network, typically methane, necessarily leading to define new methods? of use, which provide for the handling of the product in quantity? limited, essentially for logistical reasons, cos? to be able to satisfy the demand for natural gas even in isolated users or in isolated inhabited centers which are currently difficult or extremely expensive to reach with a network of pipes.

To satisfy this request, ? capillary and home distribution of the liquid gas is envisaged: to this end, the liquid gas stored in the terminal must be poured into special tanks which in turn fill tanks of varying sizes in correspondence with the areas of use. There may be tanks for widespread use, such as industrial plants, automotive fuel stations, entry points of small local networks, or small portable sub-aerial tanks, which have the shape of a cylinder of various sizes.

As can be understood, with the increase in widespread demand for this type of product, the difficulties increase logistics: is it in fact necessary to organize the activities with care and precision? of transport, and ? the training of expert and qualified operators who are able to proceed according to the regulations in force, without endangering the citizens and themselves, is fundamental.

Also, there? that makes management problematic for companies? of distribution, at each passage the fuel undergoes considerable dispersions correlated to the different physical conditions to which ? subjected, making cos? the profit is lower with the increase of the interventions of the gas transfer interventions from one container to another.

Understandably, in fact, as for any liquid, the transfer of natural gas from the place of liquefaction to the place of use takes place by successive tapping of the product from one tank to another, probably, the transfer taking place from a larger container to one of larger dimensions. minors. Indeed, since the liquid gas ? kept at a temperature of -160? Celsius, the passage from one container to another necessarily involves a thermal shock, with dispersion phenomena, which become more? or less severe depending on the environmental temperature conditions. This process presents a further critical point? for the fact that the process of fractional distribution in decreasing volumes reduces the quality? intrinsic characteristics of the product at each tapping.

Finally, the massive handling of small volumes of LNG, and the relative dispersion at each passage, involves difficulties? in traceability? of the product and in tax accounting.

At the present moment, ? the request to develop the infrastructures is particularly felt, in order to make it more? the management phases of the entire supply chain are efficient, i.e. in the storage area at the departure terminal, in transport and distribution at the arrival terminals and in management from the terminal to the place of final consumption.

Particularly, ? greatly felt the need to reduce the number of intermediate steps, in order to limit dispersions to a minimum and obtain a greater long-term profit, as well as seeing the correct management of a limited natural resource protected, which is not so? wasted.

To overcome these requests, yes? expected, and ? The purpose of the present invention is to create a liquid gas storage and delivery system which is on the one hand effective and functional in managing the volumes and correct storage temperatures, and on the other which is sustainable from an economic and environmental point of view, reducing particularly the difficulties? logistics and economics related to the storage and distribution of liquid gas along the entire supply chain described. Said purpose ? realized by means of a system for the distribution and delivery of a liquid fuel composed of (i) a self-propelled tank for transporting the liquid fuel from the primary liquefaction terminal and (ii) a platform for housing said tank on the ground. Said platform provides (a) means for automated handling of said tank from the truck to the ground housing, (b) means for anchoring said tank firmly to the ground, (c) means for transferring said liquid fuel from said platform into the pipes housed within the pipes of the host system which therefore can? proceed with regasification or directly with distribution to users in liquid form.

The preferred characteristics of this system are set out in the secondary claims, and in particular relate to the various systems for controlling the chemical-physical conditions of the tank, in the systems for regulating refueling and fuel delivery, respectively, and in the hooking and handling systems of the tank in the three phases of refueling, transport and dispensing of the tank.

The invention will be now described with reference to a specific embodiment, with reference to the attached figures, in which:

fig. 1 ? the perspective view of a terminal of the system according to the invention, with the tank in working position;

fig. 2 ? the top view of a terminal of the system according to the invention, with the tank in the maneuvering position;

Fig. 3 ? a perspective view of a terminal of the system according to the invention in an inoperative situation.

The system ? consisting of a delimited area in which a cemented work surface is externally provided, or covered with a suitable synthetic material, below which the supply pipes branch off towards the areas where it is? fuel supply is required, such as service areas, businesses, commercial and residential areas.

At least one pair (two are shown in the figures) of loading and supporting means for a tank protrude from the work surface, the preferred characteristics of which are better described below, which have elements for transferring the contents of the tank into the underground pipes associated with the system.

Typically the loading and support means consist of mechanical, electromechanical or hydraulic jacks, at the top of which ? arranged a sliding cross member. In this way, the jack manages the vertical movement of the tank, while the transversal elements ensure the loading of the tank from the transport platform and the subsequent support for the tank connection and fuel delivery operations.

In correspondence with the housing area of the tank, the aforementioned transfer elements are provided, provided with valve means for correct connection and sealing with the complementary transfer elements provided on the tank.

To the proper system just described, a specific tank is associated, arranged to be coherent with the structure now realised. In particular, it ? consisting of a substantially cylindrical body having dimensions such as to be enclosed in a container of conventional dimensions. Preferably, on the bottom surface slots for housing said sliding transversal elements. Furthermore, are transfer elements foreseen at the extremity? distal of a pipe projecting from the body of the tank proper, said transfer elements also having valves and safety gaskets.

Furthermore, the structure made up of materials that guarantee the perfect seal of the liquid, therefore resistant to sudden changes in pressure and temperature and being provided with ? likewise - valves and safety gaskets aimed at reducing the risks associated with the transport of hazardous materials.

In particular, the tank ? consisting of a LNG container body of minimum dimensions (cellular), suitable for handling within a storage area, for transport by road and/or iron, and for rapid use by the end customer, a valve system suitable for working at very low temperatures (-160? C), at the base of which? provided a handling system based on mobile guides.

The tank also has adequate sensors to detect the properties? chemical and physical characteristics of the product contained, instantaneous position identification systems (GPS), and real-time transmission systems of information on the state of the fuel contained, to allow operators to have constant knowledge of the state and quality conditions? of the fuel. What is the control system like? structured ? consists of an automated centering system of the loading / unloading valves, a system for instantaneous quality control? of the material, a computerized management system of all phases of loading / unloading as well as? for billing functions, tax reporting, etc.

In operation, the tank ? after loading the fuel on the dispensing terminal ? it is taken to the pre-set destination, kept under continuous control during the transfer from content status control systems and chemical-physical and position data communication systems to a central command station.

The control system features absolutely original procedures and algorithms that are difficult to replicate if not in combination with the hardware on which they work, so as to guarantee, on the one hand, the total correctness of the data and transmission security, so that malicious people cannot access them in a trivial way and easily tamper with them, and on the other hand allow the economy? of the entire system, for example allowing operators to change the final destination should urgent or emergency needs arise.

Once the transport vehicle ? once it reaches the system area, it is taken to the correct working position, taking care that there is a correspondence between the slots in the tank and the transversal elements present on the jacks. Once alignment has taken place, the actuation systems of the jacks and the relative transversal elements are activated, which cause the tank to be lifted and moved to the correct engagement position in total automation. The control systems are structured in such a way as to control the precise millimeter position of the tank with respect to the bay, so as to to bring the tank to the set point and allow ? only after automatic authorization has taken place, i.e. correct fastening to the ground? the connection between the reciprocal transfer elements, and in particular the discharge and fill valves.

Once the operations of anchoring the tank to the system have been completed, the vehicle for transporting the tank itself? free to walk away.

Similarly, when the tank is emptied, it will be expected? the opposite procedure: the vehicle is set up in the correct position. Following the detachment of the transfer elements, the jack is raised and subsequently the transversal support and horizontal movement elements of the tank move. When brought into the correct position in the intended area of the vehicle, the cross members retract and the vehicle ? free to move, with empty tank.

The system what? therefore it has some strengths that make it unique and advantageous from a logistical and economic point of view. In particular, this system makes it possible to create a fast and precise handling system for the tanks, with the consequent immediate alignment of the loading and unloading valves, without requiring human intervention. This system also allows a mobile device to be anchored to the ground so as to make it similar to a similar fixed tank. Furthermore, the advanced automation allows to guarantee the precision of the loading and the consequent automatic and precise management of the fastening, loading and unloading operations as well as the drafting of the transport and invoicing documentation, envisaging in the case the memorization on a computer register (on chip or via QR code) placed outside the tank itself.

In addition, how can understand, the tanks cos? structured can be managed like any other ISO-container, and therefore temporarily housed in special yards, handled and loaded onto barges, trains or trucks.

Finally, is constant quality control of the properties expected? physical and chemical properties of the gas, making use of a RAM system.

How do you understand, moreover, the system so? achieved makes it possible to make the handling of liquefied natural gas very versatile, since the fuel actually passes from the terminal to the delivery point without having to undergo other treatments, if not mere transport, reducing the number of intermediate steps with the problems usually connected both in terms of loss of useful combustible material and in terms of delays and intermediation costs.

Finally, the automated LNG loading and unloading system reduces the need for of expert personnel assigned to the operations of hooking and unhooking the valves while maintaining the intrinsic safety of all handling operations at the highest level.

It is therefore understood that with the present invention the predetermined aims have been achieved, ie a system for moving and dispensing liquid fuel which is totally automatic, easy and economical to manage and versatile in logistics.

The description developed up to now expressly concerns liquefied natural gas. However, an expert in the field? able to understand that the technology for handling and storage now described can? be trivially reproduced? with the minimum technical modifications known to an expert in the field? for other fuels already? on the market or foreseeable in the future, such as less noble fuel gases or liquid hydrogen. Other advantages and characteristics can be foreseen by a person skilled in the art, which nevertheless fall within the scope of the present invention as defined by the attached claims.

Claims (7)

1) System for the distribution and delivery of a liquid fuel made up of a self-propelled tank for transporting the liquid fuel from the primary regasification terminal and a ground housing platform for said tank, said platform providing means for loading and anchoring of said liquid fuel tank to the ground and means for transferring said liquid fuel into pipes housed within said platform and branching off from them for gasification and distribution of said liquid fuel to the user. 2) System for the distribution and the supply of a liquid fuel as in 1) characterized by ci? that said loading means consist of a series of at least two vertical lifting jacks, at the top of which transversal sliding elements are arranged, suitable for engagement with the base surface of said tank. 3) System for the distribution and the supply of a liquid fuel as in 1) or in 2) characterized by ci? that said self-propelled tank has the volume of a container of conventional dimensions, which further provides slots on the bottom surface for housing said transversal sliding elements, and transfer means provided at the end? distal of a pipe projecting from the body of the tank proper, said transfer means also having valves and safety gaskets. 4) System as in any one of claims 1) to 3) characterized by what? that said transfer means provided in said platform and said transfer means provided on said pipe projecting from said tank have complementary shapes of mutual engagement and both carry complementary fill/drain valves. 5) System as in any one of the preceding claims characterized by what? that said vertical lifting jacks and said sliding transversal elements are operated with a hydraulic, mechanical, electromechanical motor. 6) System as in any one of the preceding claims characterized by what? what said tank ? equipped with a security system suitable for property control? chemical-physical properties of the fuel, a safety valve system suitable for working up to -160? C in connection with said security system, of sensors of the properties? chemical and physical characteristics of the product contained, instantaneous position identification systems (GPS), and real-time transmission systems of information on the state of the fuel contained. 7) System as in any one of the preceding claims characterized by what? that ? a computerized system for managing all the loading and unloading phases and for issuing consumption and payment reports is also envisaged.