JP2514648B2 - Device for filling containers for transporting low temperature liquefied gas - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a device for filling LNG, LPG, and other low-temperature liquefied gas from a storage tank into a transportation container such as a tank truck.

[Conventional technology]

Conventionally, as shown in FIG. 6, a storage tank (1) has a pump (4), an automatic pressure regulating valve (5), and an artificially operated on-off valve (1).
9), the flexible pipe for filling (9) is connected in that order, the flexible pipe for collecting BOG (12) is connected to the boil-off gas (BOG) collecting facility (10), and the container for transporting the tank truck (2) is filled. By connecting the flexible pipes (9) and (12) for collecting BOG, the low-temperature liquefied gas is supplied from the storage tank (1) to the transportation container (2) by the manual operation of the opening / closing valve (19), and the transportation is performed. Send the BOG of the container (2) to the BOG recovery equipment (10), monitor the amount of low temperature liquefied gas in the container (2) by the level gauge (20) of the container (2), and lower the temperature to a predetermined level. When the transportation container (2) was filled with the liquefied gas, the supply of the low temperature liquefied gas was stopped by the manual operation of the on-off valve (19).

[Problems to be solved by the invention]

However, when supplying low-temperature liquefied gas, the opening degree of the on-off valve (19) must be gradually increased by a manual operation in order to prevent an abnormal increase in the internal pressure of the transport container (2) at the initial stage of filling. (20) must be constantly monitored,
At the end of filling, the opening of the on-off valve (19) is gradually reduced by manual operation in order to prevent a sudden rise in pressure of the low-temperature liquefied gas supply equipment and to accurately control the filling amount in the transport container (2). As a whole, the filling work is troublesome, and if the transport container (2) is filled with the low temperature liquefied gas above a predetermined level, the excess of the low temperature liquefied gas from the transport container (2) will occur. There is a defect in workability such that it is necessary to extract the minute portion, and much labor and time are required for the extracting operation.

An object of the present invention is to enable low-temperature liquefied gas to be filled in a transport container easily, quickly and surely in a good condition, and also to be advantageous in terms of equipment cost.

[Means for solving problems]

A characteristic configuration of the present invention is that a flow control valve and a first flow meter are provided in a supply path of low temperature liquefied gas to a transportation container, and a pressure gauge, a thermometer, and a second flow meter are provided in a recovery path of boil-off gas from the transportation container. A flow meter is provided, and a filling completion indicator and a controller for automatically operating the flow control valve are provided based on information from an input device, the first flow meter, the pressure gauge, the thermometer, and the second flow meter. , A state in which the pressure detected by the pressure gauge (P ₁ ) is maintained within a set pressure range (≦ P ₂ ) by the input device based on a low-temperature liquefied gas supply command from the input device when forming the controller. A supply amount increasing means for gradually increasing the opening degree of the flow rate control valve, and determining whether the detected flow rate (F ₁ ) of the first flow meter has reached the maximum flow rate (Fmax) set by the input device. flow rate determining means, the maximum the setting detected flow (F ₁₎ by said flow rate determining means for When it has reached the amount (Fmax) is instructed, said dispenser means for fixing the degree of opening of the flow control valve, wherein the detected flow (F _1), the detection rate of the first flow meter (F _2), wherein Integrating means for calculating the actual filling amount (Ft) of the low temperature liquefied gas in the transport container based on the detected pressure (P ₁ ) and the detected temperature (T) of the thermometer, and the integrated value from the integrating means (Ft) is a filling amount determination means for determining whether or not the set integrated value (Fs) by the input device is reached, and the integrated value (Ft) is determined by the filling amount determination means as the set integrated value (Fs). Is gradually reached, the opening of the flow rate control valve is gradually decreased to stop the supply of the low temperature liquefied gas to the transport container, and the filling completion indicator is operated to finish the filling. Since the means is provided, the operation and effect thereof are as follows.

[Work]

In other words, simply by giving a low-temperature liquefied gas supply command from the input device to the controller, the low-temperature liquefied gas is automatically filled in the transportation container as shown below.

(A) The supply amount increasing means gradually increases the opening degree of the flow rate control valve based on a preset program, and the low temperature liquefied gas supply amount to the transportation container is automatically ensured in a predetermined increasing state. The pressure detected by the pressure gauge for the BOG (P ₁ ) is maintained in the set range (≦ P ₂ ), and abnormal increase in the internal pressure of the transportation container is automatically and reliably prevented.

(B) When the flow rate determination means detects that the low-temperature liquefied gas supply amount to the transport container, that is, the detected flow rate (F ₁ ) of the first flow meter has reached the set maximum flow rate (Fmax), a fixed amount is supplied. By means of the means, the supply amount of the low temperature liquefied gas to the transport container is automatically and reliably maintained constant, and the filling operation is performed as quickly as possible.

(C) From the actual filling amount of the transport container from the start of filling by the integrating means, that is, the integrated value of the low-temperature liquefied gas supply amount to the transport container, the low-temperature liquefied gas reduction amount accompanying the BOG delivery to the recovery path is integrated. The subtracted value is automatically and reliably checked.

Further, when calculating the integrated value of the low temperature liquefied gas flow rate, not only is it based on the BOG recovery flow rate, that is, the detected flow rate (F ₂ ) of the second flow meter, but also the BOG pressure and temperature, that is, the detected pressure of the pressure gauge ( P ₁ ) and the correction value based on the temperature (T) detected by the thermometer are added to accurately check the actual filling amount of the shipping container regardless of the situation.

(D) The integrated value (F
When it is detected that t) has reached the set integrated value (Fs),
By the filling end means, the opening of the flow control valve is gradually reduced based on the preset program, the supply of low temperature liquefied gas is stopped, and the equipment trouble due to the rapid pressure rise of the low temperature liquefied gas supply equipment is automatically In addition to being surely prevented, the filling amount in the transportation container is automatically and accurately adjusted.

Then, the filling completion indicator automatically operates to promptly and reliably notify the operator of the completion of the work.

〔The invention's effect〕

As a result, the low temperature liquefied gas in the transportation container can be satisfactorily filled without abnormal increase in the internal pressure of the transportation container and the sudden pressure increase in the low temperature liquefied gas supply equipment, and the transportation can be performed reliably without the need for manual operation or monitoring. The specified amount of low-temperature liquefied gas can be accurately filled in the container without any manual operation or monitoring, and the good overall low-temperature liquefied gas can be easily and reliably filled in the container, which is extremely easy to work with. An excellent filling device for a container for transporting a low temperature liquefied gas was obtained.

Incidentally, it is possible to equip each of the transport containers with equipment having an automatic filling function similar to that of the apparatus of the present invention, but this causes a problem that the equipment cost as a whole increases. However, according to the present invention, the automatic filling equipment can be shared by all the transportation containers, which is advantageous in terms of equipment cost.

〔Example〕

 Next, examples will be shown.

As shown in FIG. 1, a pump (4) is provided in the LNG supply path (3) from the storage tank (1) to the tank truck transport container (2), and an automatic pressure regulator ( 5), shutoff valve (6), first flow meter (7), flow rate adjusting valve (8), flexible pipe for filling (9), BOG from transport container (2) to BOG recovery facility (10) A flexible pipe (12) for collecting BOG, a pressure gauge (13), a thermometer (14), and a second flowmeter (15) are provided in the recovery passageway (11) of the input device (16) and the first flowmeter (7). ), The pressure gauge (13), the thermometer (14), the second flow meter (15), and the shutoff valve (6) based on information from the opening sensor (17) of the flow rate adjusting valve (8). A microcomputer type controller (C) for automatically operating the flow rate adjusting valve (8) and the filling completion indicator (18) is provided, and the controller (C) is provided with the following respective means as shown in FIG. A.

Pressure that determines whether or not the detected pressure (P ₁ ) of the pressure gauge (13) is within the set pressure range (≦ P ₂ ) of the input device (16) based on the LNG supply command from the input device (16) Judgment means (21) When the pressure judgment means (21) indicates that the detected pressure (P ₁ ) is within the set pressure range (≦ P ₂ ), the detected opening (β ₁ ) of the opening sensor (17) Opening determination means (22) for determining whether or not is smaller than the opening (β ₂ ) set by the input device (16) The detected opening (β ₁ ) is set by the opening determination means (22) When it is instructed that it is larger than (β ₂ ), the opening degree detection means (22) for closing the flow rate adjusting valve (8) closes the detected opening degree (β ₁ ) to the set opening degree (β _2). ), The shutoff valve (6) is opened and the opening of the flow rate adjustment valve (8) is maintained while maintaining the detected pressure (P ₁ ) within the set pressure range (≦ P ₂ ). input Supply amount increasing means (24) that gradually increases based on the program from the device (16) The detected flow rate (F ₁ ) of the first flow meter (7) is the input device (16)
Flow rate determination means (25) for determining whether or not the set maximum flow rate (Fmax) has been reached. The flow rate determination means (25) indicates that the detected flow rate (F ₁ ) has reached the set maximum flow rate (Fmax). And a fixed amount supply means (26) for fixing the opening of the flow rate adjusting valve (8), the detected flow rate (F ₁ ), the detected flow rate (F ₂ ) of the second flow meter (15), the detected pressure (P ₁ ), the temperature Temperature (T) detected by meter (14)
Based on the above, the actual filling amount (F
Integrating means (27) for calculating t) The actual filling amount (Ft) is calculated as the weight by the following formula.

The detected temperature (T) is the set temperature (T
temperature determining means (28) for determining whether the temperature is lower than (s)) When the temperature determining means (28) indicates that the detected temperature (T) is lower than the set temperature (Ts), the shutoff valve (6) is closed. Emergency shut-off means (29) that activates the filling completion indicator (18) together with the integrated value (Ft) is the integrated value (F) set by the input device (16).
s) to determine whether or not the flow rate adjusting valve (30) determines that the integrated value (Ft) has reached the set integrated value (Fs). Filling end means (31) for gradually decreasing the opening degree of (8) based on a program from the input device (16), then closing the shutoff valve (6), and operating the filling completion indicator (18). Next, the operation of the filling device will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4.

After connecting both flexible pipes (9) and (12) to the container (2) for transporting the tank truck, use the input device (16) to LN
When the G supply command is issued, the flow rate control valve (8) is set below the set opening (β ₂ ) and the shutoff valve (6) is opened.

Next, the flow rate adjusting valve (8) is intermittently opened, and the LNG supply amount is increased at a rate of, for example, 1 t / hr / min. At this time, if the detected pressure (P ₁ ) is abnormally increased, the LNG supply amount is maintained substantially constant until the detected pressure (P ₁ ) falls within the set pressure range (≦ P ₂ ).

When the LNG supply amount reaches the set amount, it is maintained at the set amount.

Actual filling amount (Ft) of LNG in the transport container (2)
However, for example, the set integrated value (F
s), the flow rate control valve (8) is intermittently closed, and the LNG supply amount is reduced at a rate of, for example, 1 t / hr / min, and then the LNG supply is stopped and the end of filling is notified. .

If LNG unexpectedly flows into the BOG recovery passageway (11) during LNG supply, the emergency shutoff means (29) stops the LNG supply and informs that fact.

[Another embodiment]

 Next, another embodiment will be described.

The container (2) for transportation may be a cylinder for individually supplying it to a customer, or any other container.

The type of low temperature liquefied gas may be LNG, LPG, LN ₂ , LO ₂ , or any other type.

Instead of the shutoff valve (6) and the flow rate adjusting valve (8), a shutoff and flow rate adjusting valve may be provided.
Collectively referred to as (8).

The first flow meter (7), pressure gauge (13), thermometer (14), second flow meter (15), opening sensor (17) or filling end indicator (18) are appropriately selected from known ones. The model does not matter.

It is possible to appropriately change the specific configuration for forming the controller (C), for example, omitting the opening degree determination means (22) and the initial valve closing means (23), or the temperature determination means (28) and the emergency shutoff. The means (29) can be omitted.

Flow rate control valve (6) by means of increasing the supply amount (24),
The increase of the opening degree of (8) and the decrease of the opening degree of the flow rate control valves (6) and (8) by the filling ending means (31) can be appropriately programmed by, for example, continuously changing.

[Brief description of drawings]

1 to 4 show an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 1 is a schematic view of the apparatus, FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a control system, FIG. 3 is a control flowchart, and FIG. It is a graph shown. FIG. 5 is a block diagram corresponding to the claims of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a conceptual diagram of a conventional example. (2) ... Transportation container, (3) ... Low-temperature liquefied gas supply passage, (6), (8) ... Flow control valve, (7) ... First flow meter, (13) ... Pressure gauge , (14) …… thermometer, (15)…
… Second flow meter, (16) …… input device, (18) …… filling completion indicator, (24) …… supply amount increasing means, (25) …… flow rate judging means, (26) …… quantitative supply Means, (27) ... Integrating means, (30) ... Filling amount judging means, (31) ... Filling ending means, (C) ... Controller.

Claims (1)

(57) [Claims] 1. A transport container (2) is provided with flow control valves (6), (8) and a first flow meter (7) in a supply path (3) of a low temperature liquefied gas, and the transport container (2). ) Is provided with a pressure gauge (13), a thermometer (14), and a second flow meter (15) in a boil-off gas recovery path (11) from which the input device (16), the first flow meter (7), and the Based on the information from the pressure gauge (13), the thermometer (14) and the second flow meter (15), the filling completion indicator (1
8) and a controller (C) for automatically operating the flow rate control valves (6), (8), and for forming the controller (C), a low temperature liquefied gas supply command from the input device (16) is provided. The pressure detected by the pressure gauge (13) (P ₁ ) based on the
Supply amount increasing means (24) for gradually increasing the openings of the flow rate adjusting valves (6) and (8) while maintaining the set pressure range (≦ P ₂ ) by 6), the first flow meter ( The flow rate determination means (25) for determining whether the detected flow rate (F ₁ ) of 7) has reached the maximum flow rate (Fmax) set by the input device (16), and the detected flow rate by the flow rate determination means (25). When it is instructed that (F ₁ ) has reached the set maximum flow rate (Fmax),
Quantitative supply means (26) for fixing the opening of the flow rate control valves (6), (8), the detected flow rate (F ₁ ), the detected flow rate (F ₂ ) of the second flow meter (15), the detection An integrating means (2) for calculating the actual filling amount (Ft) of the low temperature liquefied gas in the transportation container (2) based on the pressure (P ₁ ) and the temperature (T) detected by the thermometer (14).
7), a filling amount determination means (30) for determining whether or not the integrated value (Ft) from the integrating means (27) has reached a set integrated value (Fs) by the input device (16), and When the filling amount determination means (30) indicates that the integrated value (Ft) has reached the set integrated value (Fs), the opening degrees of the flow rate control valves (6) and (8) are gradually decreased. To a container for transporting the low temperature liquefied gas, which stops the supply of the low temperature liquefied gas to the transport container (2) and is provided with a filling end means (31) for operating the filling completion indicator (18). Filling device.