JP2004131272A - Methane gas hydrate pellet unloading device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To unload and transport low-temperature methane gas hydrate pellets in a dry condition from a carrying vessel and storage tank without using liquid refrigerant, such as antifreeze solution and cryogenic liquefied gas. <P>SOLUTION: In this device for successively sucking the methane gas hydrate pellets and unloading them, the methane gas hydrate pellets are sucked by exhausting methane gas from a suction pipe. After the methane gas hydrate pellets accelerated in a nozzle portion in front of an exhaust port pass through an openable/closable diaphragm, high-pressure methane gas is blown out to transport the methane gas hydrate pellets. Successive suction is permitted, due to functions of the nozzle portion placed in the proximity of the exhaust port of the suction pipe, the openable/closable diaphragm and a methane gas blowout nozzle for transportation. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a technique for unloading and transporting low-temperature methane gas hydrate pellets from a carrier or a storage tank in a dry state without using a liquid refrigerant such as antifreeze or low-temperature liquefied gas.
[0002]
[Prior art]
The transport / storage technology of methane gas hydrate pellets is currently under development, and most of the conventional unloading technologies of granular materials having similar forms are those using a belt conveyor, a bucket or the like. They are difficult to apply in closed systems and are not suitable for unloading large quantities of material in a short time.
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
A commonly used method for aspirating and transporting particulate matter is to evacuate the gas in the vessel in which the particulate matter is to be stored to a negative pressure, and to suck the particulate matter into the evacuated vessel. This method is difficult to apply to a large tank having a large displacement. There is no existing technology for suctioning particulate matter and transporting only the particulate matter in large quantities in a tube.
[0004]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The present invention suctions particulate matter by exhausting only the suction pipe section, makes the vicinity of the exhaust port of the suction pipe a nozzle shape, prevents particulate matter from being sucked into the exhaust port, and increases the speed of air flow. The particulate matter was sucked into the transfer tube from the openable and closable diaphragm. The particulate matter that has entered the transfer pipe is easily transported by the high-pressure methane gas ejected from the methane gas ejection nozzle provided near the openable and closable diaphragm, and balances the pressure with the exhaust port so that the suction operation is performed continuously. I made it. The transport pipe is insulated and the inside of the pipe is coated with a water-repellent rubber-based coating in the same manner as the suction pipe. The conveying pipe is provided with a flow gradient so that the particulate matter can easily flow. The present invention is a closed system, and no other flammable gas leaks. In addition, the rubber-based coating inside the pipe serves as a cushioning material for the particulate matter, and also serves as insulation and prevention of spark generation.
[0005]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Figure 1 shows the methane gas hydrate pellet unloading device. Figure 2 shows the methane gas hydrate pellet unloading system.
[0006]
The suction pipe for sucking the methane gas hydrate pellets is one flexible suction pipe that can be connected and extended. The suction pipe section sucks methane gas in the methane gas hydrate pellet storage tank and sucks methane gas hydrate pellets by the 6 exhaust pump. In front of the three exhaust ports of the exhaust pump that exhausts the intake pipe, a two-nozzle portion is provided in the intake pipe so that methane gas hydrate pellets are not sucked into the intake port.
[0007]
The methane gas hydrate pellets whose flow velocity has increased at the nozzle part pass through the four openable and closable diaphragms and enter the methane gas hydrate pellet transport pipe. A methane gas ejection nozzle for ejecting high-pressure methane gas is provided near the openable and closable diaphragm in order to carry the methane gas hydrate pellets entering the conveyance pipe and maintain the pressure at the exhaust port. The methane gas hydrate pellet transport pipe is piped with a gradient to make the methane gas hydrate pellet flow easily.
[0008]
The entire system for unloading methane gas hydrate pellets is a closed system so that no flammable gas escapes. The methane gas hydrate pellet carrier is connected to the methane gas tank 11 so that the pressure of the pellet carrier is constant, and the pressure is adjusted by the 13 pressure regulating valve. The methane gas for transport pressurizes the methane gas in the methane gas tank with an 8 methane gas pressurizing device and jets out from the jet nozzle. The 10 methane gas hydrate pellet tank and the methane gas tank are connected, and are adjusted to a predetermined pressure by a 12 pressure regulating valve. In order to keep the temperature of the methane gas hydrate pellets constant, 14 heat exchangers with refrigeration equipment are provided.
[0009]
【The invention's effect】
The present invention is an apparatus for continuously discharging methane gas hydrate pellets from a methane gas hydrate pellet transport ship or a storage tank. This is a system that does not use a liquid refrigerant for transportation to transport methane gas hydrate pellets, and is a system in which a heat exchanger is provided to reduce heat loss. If the methane gas hydrate pellets are sintered or frozen on the wall surface, there is no problem if the methane gas hydrate pellets can be continuously operated by fluidizing with a vibrating rod or the like.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is an overall view (cross-sectional view) of a methane gas hydrate pellet unloading apparatus.
FIG. 2 is a diagram of a methane gas hydrate pellet unloading system.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Flexible suction pipe 2 Nozzle part 3 Exhaust port 4 Openable / closable diaphragm 5 Methane gas ejection nozzle 6 for conveyance 6 Exhaust pump 7 Methane gas hydrate pellet conveyance pipe 8 Methane gas pressurizing device 9 Methane gas hydrate pellet carrier 10 Methane gas hydrate pellet tank 11 Methane gas tank 12 Pressure regulating valve 13 Pressure regulating valve 14 Heat exchanger (included with refrigeration system)

Claims (1)

The methane gas hydrate pellets are sucked into the methane gas stream of the suction pipe exhausted by the exhaust pump from the methane gas hydrate pellet transport ship or storage tank, accelerated by the nozzle part, and ejected the methane gas hydrate pellets that have passed through the openable and closable diaphragm. A methane gas hydrate pellet unloading device characterized in that methane gas hydrate pellets are transported in a pipe by high-pressure methane gas.

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