JP2018067055A - Lng order support system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To reduce a burden on a consumer in an ordering operation, by properly performing ordering of LNG.SOLUTION: An LNG order support system 10 comprises: a consumer device 210 managed by a consumer of LNG; and a supplier device 110 managed by a supplier of the LNG. The consumer device includes: a charging amount acquisition unit 230 for acquiring a remaining amount which is a charging amount of the LNG filled in an LNG tank 212 at a prescribed time; and an information transmission unit 232 for transmitting the remaining amount, and a maximum charging amount of the LNG capable of being filled in the LNG tank to the supplier device. The supplier device includes: a supplier transportation propriety determination unit 134 for determining transportation propriety of the LNG, on the basis of the remaining amount, the maximum charging amount, and a delivery scheduled amount of the LNG to be supplied to the LNG tank; and a transportation direction unit 136 for directing the transportation of the delivery scheduled amount of the LNG, when the supplier transportation propriety determination unit determines that the transportation is possible.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to an LNG ordering support system that supports LNG ordering work from a LNG (Liquefied Natural Gas) consumer to an LNG supplier.

  In conventional LNG ordering work, LNG customers place orders with LNG suppliers while predicting the future usage of LNG because it takes more than a day from LNG ordering to delivery. Yes. In order to improve this prediction accuracy, for example, a sensor for measuring the amount of LNG remaining in the LNG tank as described in Patent Document 1 is provided in the LNG tank so as to accurately grasp the usage status of the LNG. Is being considered.

JP 2005-196487 A

  As described above, it is possible to improve the prediction accuracy of the amount of LNG used by grasping the usage status of LNG. Therefore, the consumer predicts the transition of the LNG filling amount (remaining amount) over the medium to long term from the prediction of the usage amount, and determines the order of ordering the LNG based on the predicted transition. However, in practice, troubles in the production line, deviations in the production plan, and the like may occur, which may affect the prediction accuracy of the LNG usage amount. For this reason, the consumer has to determine the LNG ordering timing while appropriately grasping and considering the operation status of the production line, and the LNG ordering work has been a burden on the consumer.

  An object of this invention is to provide the LNG ordering support system which can reduce the burden of the consumer concerning ordering work by performing the order of LNG appropriately.

  In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, the LNG ordering support system of the present invention comprising a consumer device managed by a LNG consumer and a supplier device managed by a LNG supplier, A filling amount acquisition unit that acquires a remaining amount that is a filling amount of LNG at a predetermined time filled in the LNG tank, a remaining amount, and a maximum filling amount of LNG that can be filled in the LNG tank are transmitted to the supplier device. A transportability determination unit that determines whether or not LNG can be transported based on a remaining amount, a maximum filling amount, and a planned delivery amount of LNG delivered to the LNG tank; A transportation instructing unit for instructing transportation of a scheduled delivery amount of LNG when the judging unit determines that transportation is possible;

The transportability determination unit may determine that LNG can be transported when the following equation holds.
Remaining amount ≤ Maximum filling amount-Expected delivery amount

The information transmission unit transmits a daily maximum usage amount, which is a maximum usage amount used by a LNG consumer in a daily unit, to the supplier device, and the supplier device determines whether or not the following formula is satisfied. Further comprising
Maximum filling amount ≥ Expected delivery amount + Daily maximum usage amount x n
(Where n is the number of days required from delivery to delivery)
The transportability determination unit may determine whether transport is possible when it is determined that the above equation holds.

The information transmission unit transmits the daily minimum usage amount, which is the minimum usage amount used by the LNG consumer on a daily basis, to the supplier device, and the transportability determination unit can transport the LNG when the following equation holds. You may judge that.
Remaining amount ≤ Maximum filling amount-Scheduled delivery amount-Daily minimum usage amount x n
(Where n is the number of days required from delivery to delivery)

  In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, another LNG ordering support system of the present invention comprising a consumer device managed by a LNG consumer and a supplier device managed by a LNG supplier is a consumer device. Is a filling amount acquisition unit that acquires a remaining amount that is a filling amount of LNG at a predetermined time when the LNG tank is filled, a remaining amount, a maximum filling amount of LNG that can be filled in the LNG tank, and an LNG tank Based on the planned delivery amount of LNG to be delivered, a transportability determination unit that determines whether or not LNG can be transported, and if the transportability determination unit determines that transport is possible, instructs the supplier device to transport LNG. An information transmission unit.

The transportability determination unit may determine that LNG can be transported when the following equation holds.
Remaining amount ≤ Maximum filling amount-Expected delivery amount

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the work burden of the consumer concerning the order work of LNG can be reduced.

It is explanatory drawing which shows the outline | summary of the LNG order support system in 1st Embodiment. It is a figure explaining an applicability judgment formula. It is a figure explaining a transport availability judgment formula. It is a figure explaining other transportability judgment formulas. It is explanatory drawing which shows the outline | summary of the LNG order support system in 2nd Embodiment.

  Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The dimensions, materials, and other specific numerical values shown in the embodiments are merely examples for facilitating the understanding of the invention, and do not limit the present invention unless otherwise specified. In the present specification and drawings, elements having substantially the same function and configuration are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description is omitted, and elements not directly related to the present invention are not illustrated. To do.

(First embodiment: LNG ordering support system 10)
FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing an overview of an LNG ordering support system 10 according to the first embodiment. The LNG ordering support system 10 includes a supplier unit 100 managed by an LNG supplier and a consumer unit 200 managed by a consumer who receives LNG supply.

  The supplier unit 100 includes a supplier device 110, a supplier tank 112, and a lorry (tank lorry) 114, and the consumer unit 200 includes a consumer device 210 and a customer tank (LNG tank) 212. It is comprised including.

  Specifically, in the supplier unit 100, the supplier apparatus 110 determines whether or not LNG transportation is possible based on the current remaining amount of LNG in the consumer tank 212 transmitted from the consumer apparatus 210. When it is determined that the LNG is to be transported based on the availability determination, a specified amount (planned delivery amount) of LNG is carried out from the supplier tank 112 to the lorry 114. Here, the delivery amount of each of a plurality of types of lorries 114 of different sizes is determined, and each time, there is a lorry 114 that can transport the required amount according to the amount of LNG required by the consumer. Selected. Therefore, all the LNG that can be transported by the selected lorry 114 becomes the scheduled delivery amount to the consumer. Then, the lorry 114 transports the scheduled amount of LNG from the supplier unit 100 to the consumer unit 200. In the consumer unit 200, LNG is carried from the lorry 114 to the consumer tank 212. In this way, LNG is supplied from the supplier unit 100 to the consumer unit 200.

(Supplier device 110)
The supplier device 110 managed by the supplier includes a supplier communication unit 120, a supplier storage unit 122, and a supplier control unit 124. The supplier communication unit 120 establishes communication with at least the consumer device 210 through a communication network such as the Internet. The supplier storage unit 122 includes a ROM, a RAM, a flash memory, an HDD, and the like, and stores programs and various data used for the supplier device 110.

  The supplier control unit 124 is configured by a CPU (Central Processing Unit), and controls the entire supplier device 110 using a program stored in the supplier storage unit 122. The supplier control unit 124 also functions as an applicability determination unit 130, an information reception unit 132, a supplier transportability determination unit (transportability determination unit) 134, and a transport instruction unit 136. Such functional units will be described in detail later.

(Consumer device 210)
The consumer device 210 managed by the consumer includes a consumer communication unit 220, a consumer storage unit 222, and a consumer control unit 224. The consumer communication unit 220 establishes communication with at least the supplier device 110 through a communication network such as the Internet. The consumer storage unit 222 includes a ROM, a RAM, a flash memory, an HDD, and the like, and stores programs and various data used for the consumer device 210.

  The consumer control unit 224 is configured by a CPU, and controls the entire consumer device 210 using a program stored in the consumer storage unit 222. The consumer control unit 224 also functions as a filling amount acquisition unit 230 and an information transmission unit 232. Such functional units will be described in detail later.

  By the way, as described above, when the remaining amount of the consumer tank 212 decreases, LNG is supplied from the supplier unit 100 to the consumer unit 200, and LNG is replenished. Here, an object is to reduce the burden on the consumer in ordering work by automatically and appropriately placing an order for LNG.

  However, there are various uses of LNG by the consumer, and depending on how LNG is reduced in the consumer tank 212, it may be difficult to automatically supply LNG. Therefore, in the present embodiment, order support for the LNG is performed only for a consumer who satisfies the following applicability determination formula.

  First, the information transmission unit 232 of the consumer device 210 transmits the maximum amount of LNG that can be filled into the consumer tank 212 through the consumer communication unit 220 and the maximum amount that the consumer uses from the consumer tank 212 on a daily basis. The daily maximum usage amount that is the usage amount is transmitted to the supplier device 110. The information receiving unit 132 of the supplier device 110 transfers the maximum filling amount and the daily maximum usage amount received from the consumer device 210 to the applicability determination unit 130.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an applicability determination formula. The supplier unit 100 transports LNG to the consumer unit 200 that the applicability determination unit 130 determines that the applicability determination formula is satisfied. Specifically, the applicability determination unit 130 uses the maximum filling amount, the daily maximum usage amount, and the scheduled delivery amount of LNG to be delivered to the LNG tank, as shown in FIG. ) Is determined to be applicable to the consumer who satisfies the applicability determination formula.
Maximum filling amount ≧ Scheduled delivery amount + daily maximum usage amount x n (1)
(Where n is the number of days required from delivery to delivery)

  Here, the maximum filling amount has a margin, and is an arbitrary ratio (for example, 90%) of the filling amount at which the consumer tank 212 is truly maximized. Further, it is assumed that the scheduled delivery amount is determined in advance by the maximum filling amount of the consumer tank 212 and the usage mode of the consumer.

  The applicability determination unit 130 determines that the transport applicability determination can be applied to the consumer unit 200 that satisfies the above formula (1), and is a supply that is a target person who is determined to be able to supply the consumer unit 200. Register as a possible target person.

  The reason why the applicability is determined by the above equation (1) is as follows. That is, in the case as shown in FIG. 2B where the above formula (1) does not hold (when the maximum filling amount <the scheduled delivery amount + the daily maximum usage amount × n), as shown in FIG. When the free capacity of the consumer tank 212 reaches the scheduled delivery amount, the remaining amount of LNG is already less than the amount used from the decision of transportation to delivery (maximum daily usage xn). This is because even if transportation is performed based on the applicability determination, the consumer tank 212 may be emptied before the lorry 114 arrives.

  As described above, when the applicability determination unit 130 registers the consumer (the consumer unit 200) as a supplyable target person, it is determined whether or not transportation is possible and LNG ordering support is executed.

  Judgment of whether or not transportation is possible is performed as follows. The filling amount acquisition unit 230 of the consumer device 210 acquires the remaining amount of the consumer tank 212 through a filling amount measurement sensor provided in the consumer tank 212 at a predetermined confirmation time. The information transmission unit 232 transmits the acquired remaining amount to the supplier device 110 through the consumer communication unit 220.

  The supplier can arbitrarily determine a predetermined confirmation time for each consumer unit 200. For example, in the consumer unit 200 with a large amount of LNG used in the morning and a small amount of LNG used in the afternoon, the confirmation time can be set at, for example, 17:00 at the end of work.

FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining a transportability determination formula. The supplier transportability determination unit 134 of the supplier apparatus 110 determines whether or not LNG can be transported based on the transportability determination formula of the following formula (2).
Remaining quantity ≤ Maximum filling quantity-Expected delivery quantity ... Formula (2)

  Therefore, as shown in FIG. 3A, the supplier transportability determination unit 134 determines that LNG cannot be transported while the remaining amount is greater than (maximum filling amount−delivery planned amount). As shown in FIG. 3 (b), when the remaining amount is equal to or less than (maximum filling amount−scheduled delivery amount) and the capacity of the consumer tank 212 has an empty space for the scheduled delivery amount, LNG can be transported. Judge.

  If the supplier transportability determination unit 134 determines that LNG can be transported based on the above equation (2), the transport instruction unit 136 instructs the lorry 114 to transport the LNG of the scheduled delivery amount. Then, LNG is carried into the consumer tank 212.

  The reason for determining whether or not transportation is possible by the above equation (2) is as follows. That is, when the above formula (2) does not hold, that is, as shown in FIG. 3 (a), when the empty space of the customer tank 212 is less than the scheduled delivery amount at the predetermined confirmation time After that, if LNG is not consumed, there is no vacant space for the scheduled delivery amount in the customer tank 212 at the time of delivery, and therefore, all of the scheduled delivery amount of LNG cannot be carried into the consumer tank 212.

  In this way, the supplier transportability determination unit 134 can automatically determine whether LNG can be transported based on the remaining amount, the maximum filling amount, and the scheduled delivery amount, and can transport LNG at an appropriate timing. . Thereby, the work burden of the consumer concerning the ordering work of LNG can be reduced.

  By the way, if the above formula (2) is strictly observed, LNG is not transported while the condition of the above formula (2) is not satisfied (while it is determined that transport is not possible by the supplier transportability determination unit 134). . Therefore, when (maximum filling amount-remaining amount) is less than the planned delivery amount, even if it can be determined that LNG transportation may be performed in consideration of LNG consumed during transportation, LNG transportation starts. I can't do it.

  Here, when the daily minimum usage amount, which is the minimum usage amount used in daily units by the LNG consumer, can be determined, the supplier transportability determination unit 134 replaces the above formula (2) with the following formula (3). It is possible to transport LNG by determining whether or not LNG can be transported using the transportability determination formula.

  Specifically, first, the filling amount acquisition unit 230 of the consumer device 210 measures the remaining amount of the consumer tank 212 through a filling amount measurement sensor provided in the consumer tank 212 at a predetermined confirmation time. The information transmission unit 232 transmits the measured remaining amount to the supplier device 110 through the consumer communication unit 220.

Accordingly, the supplier transportability determination unit 134 of the supplier apparatus 110 determines whether or not LNG can be transported based on the transportability determination formula of the following formula (3).
Remaining amount ≤ Maximum filling amount-Expected delivery amount-Daily minimum usage amount x n ... Formula (3)
(Where n is the number of days required from delivery to delivery)

  FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining another transportability determination formula. As shown in FIG. 4A, the above formula (2) is not satisfied, but if the above formula (3) is satisfied, a sufficient space for carrying the scheduled delivery amount into the consumer tank 212 at a predetermined confirmation time. Even if there is no free space (even if the above equation (2) is not waited), at the completion of transportation, at least the daily minimum usage amount xn is consumed as shown in FIG. Therefore, it is possible to start transporting LNG at an earlier timing than the above equation (2) is satisfied.

  For consumers whose LNG usage varies depending on the season, the daily minimum usage or the daily maximum usage can be used differently for each season in the applicability determination formula and the transportability determination formula. For example, when the usage amount is smaller in the summer than in the winter season, the daily minimum usage amount is set to a smaller value, and in the winter season, a value that is twice the daily minimum usage amount in the summer is set.

In addition, the daily maximum usage may vary greatly depending on the actual usage. In this case, using the annual usage amount, an average daily usage amount is derived, and the applicability determination unit 130 uses the average daily usage amount instead of the above formula (1) as an applicability determination formula. Applicability can be determined using Equation (4).
Maximum filling amount ≧ Expected delivery amount + Daily average usage amount × Predetermined ratio × n ... Formula (4)
(However, the predetermined ratio is a numerical value of 1 or more in consideration of deviation from the daily average usage, for example, 1.1)

Further, the applicability determination unit 130 can also determine applicability by using the following equation (5) in which a margin is set in the above equation (4). Here, based on the fact that transportation is delayed for one day, for example, a daily average usage amount may be applied as a margin.
Maximum filling amount ≥ Expected delivery amount + Daily average amount used x Predetermined ratio x n + Tolerance Formula (5)

  In addition, in order to more appropriately transport LNG, the supplier transport availability determination unit 134 can adjust the order availability determination according to a predetermined confirmation time. For example, when the supplier transportability determination unit 134 determines that LNG can be transported at 9:00 am and the next day is 9 pm, the time when the LNG is transported is a predetermined confirmation time. Thus, the maximum daily usage of the applicability determination formula can be 1.5 times, that is, 1.5 can be adopted as n.

  Moreover, when the remaining amount in the consumer tank 212 becomes the minimum filling amount, the consumer device 210 may issue a warning. Note that the minimum filling amount is set to an arbitrary ratio (for example, 10%) of the maximum filling amount of the consumer tank 212 in consideration of tolerance. Any warning notification may be used as long as the consumer can recognize the abnormality.

  As described above, according to the LNG ordering support system 10, the supplier can grasp the remaining amount of the consumer tank 212 using the supplier device 110 and transport the LNG. This eliminates the need for the consumer to place an order for LNG directly, thereby reducing the burden on the consumer.

(Second embodiment: LNG ordering support system 20)
In the first embodiment, the example in which the supplier apparatus 110 determines whether or not transportation is possible has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the consumer device 210 can determine whether or not transportation is possible.

  FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing an overview of the LNG ordering support system 20 in the second embodiment. The LNG ordering support system 20 includes a supplier unit 100 and a consumer unit 200, as in the first embodiment. The supplier unit 100 includes a supplier apparatus 110, a supplier tank 112, and a lorry 114, and the consumer unit 200 includes a consumer apparatus 210 and a consumer tank 212. .

(Supplier device 110)
The supplier device 110 managed by the supplier includes a supplier communication unit 120, a supplier storage unit 122, and a supplier control unit 124. The supplier communication unit 120 establishes communication with at least the consumer device 210. The supplier storage unit 122 includes a ROM, a RAM, a flash memory, an HDD, and the like, and stores programs and various data used for the supplier device 110.

  The supplier control unit 124 is configured by a CPU, and controls the entire supplier device 110 using a program stored in the supplier storage unit 122. The supplier control unit 124 also functions as an applicability determination unit 130, an information reception unit 132, and a transportation instruction unit 136. Since the applicability determination unit 130, the information reception unit 132, and the transportation instruction unit 136 are substantially the same as those already described in the first embodiment, detailed description thereof is omitted here.

(Consumer device 210)
The consumer device 210 managed by the consumer includes a consumer communication unit 220, a consumer storage unit 222, and a consumer control unit 224. The consumer communication unit 220 establishes communication with at least the supplier device 110. The consumer storage unit 222 includes a ROM, a RAM, a flash memory, an HDD, and the like, and stores programs and various data used for the consumer device 210.

  The consumer control unit 224 is configured by a CPU, and controls the entire consumer device 210 using a program stored in the consumer storage unit 222. The consumer control unit 224 also functions as a filling amount acquisition unit 230, an information transmission unit 232, and a consumer transportation availability determination unit (transportation availability determination unit) 240. Since the filling amount acquisition unit 230 and the information transmission unit 232 already described as the components in the first embodiment have substantially the same functions, a duplicate description is omitted, and here, the customer transportability determination unit having a different configuration is used. 240 will be mainly described.

  First, the applicability determination unit 130 determines the applicability of the consumer unit 200 using any one of the above formula (1), formula (4), and formula (5), as in the first embodiment.

  Next, the consumer transportability determination unit 240 can transport LNG based on the above formula (2) or the above formula (3) using the remaining amount of the consumer tank 212 acquired by the filling amount acquisition unit 230. Judge whether or not.

  Then, when it is determined by the consumer transportability determination unit 240 that the LNG transport is possible, the information transmission unit 232 instructs the supplier device 110 to transport the LNG. Upon receiving the transportation instruction, the transportation instruction unit 136 of the supplier apparatus 110 instructs the lorry 114 to transport the amount of LNG to be delivered.

  Thus, according to the LNG ordering support system 20, the consumer can grasp the remaining amount of the consumer tank 212 using the consumer device 210 and can automatically place an order for LNG. This eliminates the need for the consumer to place an order for LNG directly, thereby reducing the burden on the consumer.

  As mentioned above, although preferred embodiment of this invention was described referring an accompanying drawing, it cannot be overemphasized that this invention is not limited to this embodiment. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications can be made within the scope of the claims, and these are naturally within the technical scope of the present invention. Understood.

  INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY The present invention can be used for a system that supports LNG ordering work from an LNG consumer to an LNG supplier.

110 Supplier device 134 Supplier transportability determination unit (Transportability determination unit)
136 Transport Instruction Unit 210 Consumer Device 230 Filling Quantity Acquisition Unit 232 Information Transmitter 240 Consumer Transport Availability Determination Unit (Transportability Determination Unit)

Claims (6)

An LNG ordering support system comprising a consumer device managed by an LNG consumer and a supplier device managed by the LNG supplier,
The consumer device is
A filling amount acquisition unit for acquiring a remaining amount that is a filling amount of LNG at a predetermined time when the LNG tank is filled;
An information transmission unit that transmits the remaining amount and the maximum amount of LNG that can be filled into the LNG tank to the supplier device;
The supplier device is
A transportability determination unit that determines whether or not LNG can be transported based on the remaining amount, the maximum filling amount, and a planned delivery amount of LNG delivered to the LNG tank;
When it is determined that the transport is possible, the transport instruction unit for instructing transport of the LNG of the scheduled delivery amount;
LNG ordering support system. The LNG ordering support system according to claim 1, wherein the transportability determination unit determines that LNG can be transported when the following expression is satisfied.
Remaining amount ≤ Maximum filling amount-Expected delivery amount The information transmission unit transmits a daily maximum usage amount, which is a maximum usage amount used by the LNG consumer in daily units, to the supplier device,
The supplier device further includes an applicability determination unit that determines whether or not the following equation holds:
Maximum filling amount ≥ Expected delivery amount + Daily maximum usage amount x n
(Where n is the number of days required from delivery to delivery)
The LNG ordering support system according to claim 1, wherein the transportability determination unit determines whether transport is possible when it is determined that the above formula is satisfied. The information transmission unit transmits a daily minimum usage amount, which is a minimum usage amount used by the LNG consumer on a daily basis, to the supplier device,
The LNG ordering support system according to claim 1, wherein the transportability determination unit determines that the transport of LNG is possible when the following formula is satisfied.
Remaining amount ≤ Maximum filling amount-Scheduled delivery amount-Daily minimum usage amount x n
(Where n is the number of days required from delivery to delivery) An LNG ordering support system comprising a consumer device managed by an LNG consumer and a supplier device managed by an LNG supplier,
The consumer device is
A filling amount acquisition unit for acquiring a remaining amount that is a filling amount of LNG at a predetermined time when the LNG tank is filled;
A transportability determination unit that determines whether or not LNG can be transported based on the remaining amount, the maximum amount of LNG that can be charged into the LNG tank, and the planned delivery amount of LNG delivered to the LNG tank;
When it is determined that the transport is possible by the transportability determination unit, an information transmission unit that instructs the supplier device to transport LNG;
LNG ordering support system. The LNG ordering support system according to claim 5, wherein the transportability determination unit determines that the transport of LNG is possible when the following expression holds.
Remaining amount ≤ Maximum filling amount-Expected delivery amount

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