WO2022211088A1

WO2022211088A1 - Multi-shell tank, ship, and gas pressure adjustment method

Info

Publication number: WO2022211088A1
Application number: PCT/JP2022/016849
Authority: WO
Inventors: 太一郎下田; 晴彦冨永; 麻子三橋; 和宏黒田; 広崇 ▲高▼田; 英和岩▲崎▼; 洋輝中土
Original assignee: 川崎重工業株式会社
Priority date: 2021-03-31
Filing date: 2022-03-31
Publication date: 2022-10-06
Also published as: KR20230162683A; JP2022157754A

Abstract

This multi-shell tank is provided with an inner tank with a low-temperature liquid stored therein, one or multiple outer tanks housing the inner tank, and a heat insulation space filled with gas and disposed between the inner tank and the outer tanks, wherein the pressure of the gas in the heat insulation space is maintained at less than the saturation vapor pressure of the gas in the heat insulation space at a reference temperature, which is a temperature determined on the basis of the temperature in the inner tank or the temperature of the space inside of the inner tank.

Description

Multi-shell tank, vessel and gas pressure regulation method

The present disclosure relates to multi-shell tanks, ships and gas pressure regulation methods.

A multi-shell tank is known that has an inner tank in which a cryogenic liquid is stored and an outer tank that accommodates the inner tank, and in which a heat insulating space between the inner tank and the outer tank is filled with gas. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a double-shell tank having an inner tank and an outer tank. filled with boil-off gas.

JP-A-11-82889

When the gas in the adiabatic space between the inner tank and the outer tank contacts the inner tank and condenses, the condensed liquid falls from the inner tank to the outer tank and then evaporates. If such gas liquefaction and vaporization (absorption and evaporation of latent heat) are repeated, the amount of heat input to the inner tank increases due to the heat pipe effect. Such a phenomenon can occur not only in the space between the inner tank and the outer tank in a double-shell tank, but also between the two outer tanks in a multi-shell tank with three or more layers.

Therefore, an object of the present disclosure is to provide a multi-shell tank, a vessel, and a gas pressure adjustment method that can suppress condensation of gas in the space outside the inner tank in which the cryogenic liquid is stored.

In order to solve the above problems, a multi-shell tank according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes an inner tank in which a cryogenic liquid is stored, and at least one outer tank containing the inner tank. and a heat insulating space filled with a gas, which is a space between a first tank and a second tank that are adjacent to each other outward from the center of the inner tank among the plurality of tanks. The pressure of the gas in the heat insulating space between the first tank and the second tank is the tank closest to the center of the inner tank of the first tank and the second tank. The temperature of the first tank or the temperature of the inner space of the first tank facing the first tank at a reference temperature that is a temperature determined based on the temperature of the first tank and the second tank is maintained below the saturated vapor pressure of the gas within the adiabatic space between.

Further, a ship according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes the multi-shell tank.

Further, a gas pressure adjusting method according to an aspect of the present disclosure includes a plurality of tanks including an inner tank in which a cryogenic liquid is stored, and at least one outer tank containing the inner tank; and a heat insulating space filled with gas, which is a space between the first tank and the second tank adjacent to each other outward from the center of the inner tank, of the tanks. In the above, the gas pressure adjusting method for adjusting the pressure of the gas filled in the heat insulating space, wherein the first tank is closer to the center of the inner tank than the first tank and the second tank. The temperature of the tank or the temperature of the space inside the first tank facing the first tank is measured, and the measured temperature or the temperature determined based on the plurality of measured temperatures is the reference temperature. , the saturated vapor pressure of the gas in the adiabatic space at the reference temperature is derived, and the pressure of the gas in the adiabatic space is maintained below the derived saturated vapor pressure.

According to the present disclosure, it is possible to provide a multi-shell tank, a vessel, and a gas pressure adjustment method capable of suppressing condensation of gas in the space outside the inner tank in which the cryogenic liquid is stored.

1 is a schematic side view of a vessel including a multi-shell tank according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure; FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram showing the overall configuration of the multi-shell tank shown in FIG. 1. FIG. FIG. 3 is a flow chart showing the gas pressure adjustment flow of the multi-shell tank shown in FIG. FIG. 4 is a schematic configuration diagram showing the overall configuration of a multi-shell tank according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 5 is a schematic configuration diagram showing the overall configuration of a multi-shell tank according to the third embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 6 is a schematic configuration diagram showing the overall configuration of a multi-shell tank according to the fourth embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 7 is a schematic configuration diagram showing the overall configuration of a multi-shell tank according to the fifth embodiment of the present disclosure.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. In the specification of the present application, the “inner side” means the side near the center of the space within the inner tank of the multi-shell tank, and the “outer side” means the side far from the center of the space within the inner tank of the multi-shell tank. means side. Also, the inner tank and at least one outer tank that a multi-shell tank comprises may be simply referred to as "tanks" without distinction from each other.

<First embodiment>
FIG. 1 is a schematic side view of a ship 1 including a multi-shell tank 10A according to the first embodiment. The vessel 1 is a liquefied gas carrier that carries cryogenic liquids. The ship 1 comprises a multi-hull tank 10A. The multi-shell tank 10A comprises an inner tank 11 and an outer tank 12 covering the inner tank 11 . A low-temperature liquid is stored in the storage space R1 inside the inner tank 11 . By covering the inner tank 11 with the outer tank 12, a sealed heat insulating space R2 is formed outside the inner tank 11 and inside the outer tank 12. - 特許庁In this embodiment, the inner tub 11 corresponds to the first tub, and the outer tub 12 corresponds to the second tub.

In this embodiment and second to fourth embodiments described later, both the inner tank 11 and the outer tank 12 are spherical. The inner tub 11 and the outer tub 12 do not necessarily have to be spherical. For example, the inner tank 11 and the outer tank 12 may have a shape in which a short cylindrical body is sandwiched between the upper hemispheres, may have a horizontal cylindrical shape, or may have a rectangular shape. may be Alternatively, for example, the inner bath 11 and the outer bath 12 may have a shape that bulges in an upward 45-degree angle direction and/or downward 45-degree angle direction from the center of the inner bath 11 . The shape of the inner tank 11 and the shape of the outer tank 12 may be similar or non-similar to each other. The center of the inner tub 11 and the center of the outer tub 12 may be aligned with each other, or the center of the inner tub 11 and the center of the outer tub 12 may not be aligned with each other. For example, the center of the inner tub 11 may be eccentric with respect to the center of the outer tub 12 .

The upper portion of the outer tub 12 is covered with a tank cover 13, and the remaining portion of the outer tub 12 is covered with a retaining wall 14. The retaining wall 14 is for example part of the hull 2 . That is, the retaining wall 14 includes a pair of longitudinal bulkheads extending in the longitudinal direction on both sides of the outer tank 12 in the transverse direction, and an inner bottom extending in the longitudinal direction below the outer tank 12 and above the bottom shell plate of the hull 2 . Including plates, etc.

The tank cover 13 and the retaining wall 14 are configured as one housing structure 15 that houses the outer tank 12 . A closed space is formed inside the tank cover 13 and the holding wall 14 and outside the outer tank 12 by covering the outer tank 12 with the tank cover 13 and the holding wall 14 . In other words, the tank cover 13 and the holding wall 14 function as one outer tank that further covers the outer tank 12 . In the specification and claims of the present application, the outer tank of the multi-shell tank includes a storage structure 15 composed of a tank cover and a retaining wall, etc., as the outermost tank forming a sealed space between the outer tank and the inner tank. It should also include what works.

The multi-shell tank 10A does not necessarily have to be mounted on the ship 1 as a cargo tank, and may be mounted as a fuel tank. Moreover, although FIG. 1 shows the ship 1 provided with one multi-shell tank 10A, the ship 1 may be provided with a plurality of multi-shell tanks 10A. When the ship 1 is equipped with a plurality of multi-shell tanks 10A, the partition wall provided between two adjacent multi-shell tanks 10A is also included in the housing structure 15 covering the outer tank 12.

FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram showing the overall configuration of the multi-shell tank 10A shown in FIG. FIG. 2 includes cross-sectional views of the inner tub 11 and the outer tub 12 . However, in FIG. 2, the tank cover 13 and the holding wall 14 are omitted. As shown in FIG. 2, the inner tank 11 partitions a storage space R1 inside the inner tank 11 containing the low-temperature liquid and a heat insulating space R2 outside the inner tank 11 and inside the outer tank 12. . The gas layer above the storage space R1 is filled with the boil-off gas that is obtained by vaporizing the cryogenic fluid in the storage space R1.

A heat insulating material is placed in the heat insulating space R2. For example, the heat insulating material may be a granular material such as perlite, or may be a heat insulating panel attached to the surface of the inner tank 11 or the like. Further, the heat insulating space R2 is filled with gas. In this embodiment, the type of gas filled in the heat insulation space R2 is the same as the type of boil-off gas in the storage space R1. For example, the low-temperature liquid in the storage space R1 is liquefied hydrogen, and the gas in the heat insulating space R2 is hydrogen gas.

The multi-shell tank 10A has an introduction passage 21 for introducing the boil-off gas in the inner tank 11, that is, the boil-off gas in the storage space R1, into the heat insulation space R2. An introduction valve 22 is provided in the introduction path 21 . The introduction valve 22 functions as a pressure regulator that regulates the pressure of the gas within the heat insulating space R2. For example, the introduction valve 22 is an on-off valve. However, the inlet valve 22 may be another type of valve such as a pressure regulating valve. In this embodiment, the introduction valve 22 is controlled by a control device 33, which will be described later.

The multi-shell tank 10A also includes an exhaust path 23 that guides the gas in the heat insulating space R2 to the outside of the heat insulating space R2, and an exhaust device 24 provided in the exhaust path 23. One end of the exhaust path 23 is arranged inside the heat insulation space R2, and the other end of the exhaust path 23 is arranged outside the heat insulation space R2. The other end of the exhaust path 23 is connected to other equipment. Other devices are, for example, propulsion engines, power generation engines, reliquefaction plants, incinerators, fuel cells, and the like. However, the other end of the exhaust path 23 may be open to the atmosphere.

The exhaust device 24 functions as a pressure regulating device that regulates the pressure of the gas inside the heat insulating space R2. Examples of the exhaust device 24 include a compressor and an exhaust pump such as a vacuum pump. In this embodiment, the exhaust device 24 is controlled by a control device 33, which will be described later.

In addition, the multi-shell tank 10A includes an escape passage 25 that guides the gas inside the heat insulation space R2 to the outside of the heat insulation space R2, and an escape valve 26 provided in the escape passage 25. One end of the escape path 25 is arranged inside the heat insulation space R2, and the other end of the escape path 25 is arranged outside the heat insulation space R2. The other end of escape path 25 is connected to other equipment. Other devices are, for example, propulsion engines, power generation engines, reliquefaction plants, incinerators, fuel cells, and the like. The pressure around the other end of the escape channel 25 is near atmospheric pressure. The other end of escape path 25 may be open to the atmosphere.

The relief valve 26 functions as a pressure regulator that regulates the pressure of the gas inside the heat insulating space R2. For example, the relief valve 26 is an on-off valve. However, relief valve 26 may be another type of valve, such as a pressure regulating valve. In this embodiment, the relief valve 26 is controlled by a controller 33, which will be described later. In addition, instead of providing the relief valve 26, the relief path 25 may be provided with a rupture disk or the like that does not involve control.

The multi-shell tank 10A includes five thermometers 31, a pressure gauge 32, and a controller 33.

The five thermometers 31 measure the temperature of the storage space R1. The five thermometers 31 are respectively provided at multiple locations within the storage space R1. Specifically, the five thermometers 31 are respectively arranged in five areas when the storage space R1 in the inner tank 11 is vertically divided into five areas. More specifically, five thermometers 31 are arranged inside a pipe tower (not shown). For example, the thermometer 31 placed at the top of the five thermometers 31 is placed in the air layer in the inner tank 11 to measure the temperature of the boil-off gas, and the other four thermometers 31 are It is arranged in the liquid layer in the inner tank 11 and measures the temperature of the low-temperature liquid. The five thermometers 31 are communicatively connected to the controller 33 . Information on temperatures measured by the five thermometers 31 is sent to the control device 33 .

The pressure gauge 32 measures the gas pressure in the heat insulation space R2. The pressure gauge 32 is communicably connected to the control device 33 . Information on the pressure measured by the pressure gauge 32 is sent to the control device 33 .

The control device 33 is a so-called computer, and has an arithmetic processing unit such as a CPU, and a storage unit such as ROM and RAM (none of which are shown). The storage unit stores programs executed by the arithmetic processing unit, various fixed data, and the like. The arithmetic processing unit transmits and receives data to and from an external device. In the control device 33, the gas pressure adjustment process for adjusting the gas pressure in the heat insulation space R2 is performed by the arithmetic processing section reading out and executing a predetermined gas pressure adjustment program stored in the storage section. Correspondence information indicating the relationship between the temperature and the saturated vapor pressure of the gas whose pressure is to be adjusted is pre-stored in the storage unit.

The pressure of the gas in the heat insulating space R2 is maintained below the saturated vapor pressure Ps of the gas in the heat insulating space R2 at the reference temperature T. A reference temperature T is a temperature determined based on temperatures measured by the five thermometers 31 . In this embodiment, the reference temperature T is the lowest temperature among the temperatures measured by the five thermometers 31 .

The control device 33 adjusts the pressure of the gas in the heat insulating space R2 so that the pressure of the gas in the heat insulating space R2 at the reference temperature T is maintained below the saturated vapor pressure Ps of the gas in the heat insulating space R2. Specifically, the control device 33 controls the exhaust device 24 and/or the relief valve 26 so that the pressure P measured by the pressure gauge 32 is less than the saturated vapor pressure Ps of the gas in the adiabatic space R2 at the reference temperature T. to control. More specifically, the control device 33 controls the exhaust so that the pressure P measured by the pressure gauge 32 is equal to or lower than the set upper limit pressure P _up (=Ps−ΔP1) lower than the saturated vapor pressure Ps by the first differential pressure ΔP1. Control device 24 and/or relief valve 26 .

In addition, the control device 33 operates the introduction valve 22 so that the pressure P measured by the pressure gauge 32 is equal to or higher than the set lower limit pressure P _low (=Ps−ΔP2) which is lower than the saturated vapor pressure Ps by the second differential pressure ΔP2. Control. The second differential pressure ΔP2 is greater than the first differential pressure ΔP1. The set lower limit pressure is preferably set to 1 kPa or more.

The first differential pressure ΔP1 is preferably set within a range of 3 kPa or more and 70 kPa or less. The second differential pressure ΔP2 is preferably set within a range of 10 kPa or more and 100 kPa or less. The difference between the set upper limit pressure P _up and the set lower limit pressure P _low , that is, the differential pressure obtained by subtracting the first differential pressure ΔP1 from the second differential pressure ΔP2 is preferably set within the range of 0 kPa or more and 30 kPa or less.

FIG. 3 is a flow chart showing the flow of gas pressure adjustment processing for the heat insulating space R2 in the multi-shell tank 10A shown in FIG.

In the gas pressure adjustment process, the controller 33 first acquires temperatures measured by the five thermometers 31 (step S1).

The control device 33 determines the lowest temperature among the temperatures measured by the five thermometers 31 as the reference temperature T (step S2).

The control device 33 calculates the saturated vapor pressure Ps of the gas within the heat insulating space R2 at the determined reference temperature T (step S3). Correspondence information indicating the relationship between the temperature and the saturated vapor pressure of the gas (hydrogen in this example) in the heat insulating space R2 is stored in advance in the storage unit of the control device 33 . The arithmetic processing unit of the control device 33 uses the correspondence information stored in the storage unit to derive the saturated vapor pressure corresponding to the reference temperature T determined in step S2.

The control device 33 acquires the pressure P measured by the pressure gauge 32, that is, the gas pressure P in the heat insulating space R2 (step S4).

The control device 33 determines whether or not the acquired pressure P is greater than the pressure obtained by subtracting the preset first differential pressure ΔP1 from the saturated vapor pressure Ps (step S5). Specifically, the control device 33 subtracts a preset first differential pressure ΔP1 from the saturated vapor pressure _Ps derived in step S3 to calculate the set upper limit pressure Pup. Then, the control device 33 determines whether or not the acquired pressure P is higher than the set upper limit pressure _Pup .

When determining that the acquired pressure P is higher than the set upper limit pressure P _up (step S5: YES), the control device 33 determines whether or not the acquired pressure P is a negative pressure (step S6).

When determining that the acquired pressure P is a negative pressure (step S6: YES), the control device 33 operates the exhaust device 24 so as to reduce the gas pressure in the heat insulating space R2 (step S7).

When determining that the acquired pressure P is not a negative pressure (step S6: NO), the control device 33 opens the relief valve 26 so as to reduce the gas pressure in the heat insulating space R2 (step S8).

When determining that the acquired pressure P is not higher than the set upper limit pressure P _up (step S5: NO), the control device 33 stops the exhaust device 24 and closes the relief valve 26 (step S9). If the evacuation device 24 is already stopped, the control device 33 keeps the evacuation device 24 stopped. If the relief valve 26 is already closed, the controller 33 keeps the relief valve 26 closed.

After steps S7, S8, and S9, the control device 33 determines whether or not the acquired pressure P is less than the pressure obtained by subtracting a preset second differential pressure ΔP2 from the saturated vapor pressure Ps (step S10). . Specifically, the control device 33 subtracts a preset second differential pressure ΔP2 from the saturated vapor pressure Ps derived in step S3 to calculate the set lower limit pressure P _low . Then, the control device 33 determines whether or not the acquired pressure P is less than the set lower limit pressure P _low .

When determining that the acquired pressure P is less than the set lower limit pressure P _low (step S10: YES), the control device 33 opens the introduction valve 22 so as to increase the gas pressure in the heat insulation space R2 (step S11), End the gas pressure adjustment process. When determining that the acquired pressure P is not less than the set lower limit pressure P _low (step S10: NO), the control device 33 closes the introduction valve 22 (step S12) and ends the gas pressure adjustment process. If the introduction valve 22 is already closed, the controller 33 keeps the introduction valve 22 closed.

The control device 33 repeats the gas pressure adjustment process of steps S1 to S12 described above to maintain the gas pressure in the heat insulating space R2 within the range of the set lower limit pressure P _low or higher and the set upper limit pressure P _up or lower.

As described above, in the present embodiment, the gas in the heat insulating space R2 is at the temperature of the inner tank 11 or the saturated vapor pressure Ps maintained below Therefore, the condensation temperature of the gas in the heat insulating space R2 can be made lower than the reference temperature T. Therefore, condensation of gas in the heat insulating space R2 between the inner tank 11 and the outer tank 12 can be suppressed.

Further, in the present embodiment, the gas pressure P in the heat insulating space R2 is maintained at or below the set upper limit pressure P _up which is lower than the saturated vapor pressure Ps by the first differential pressure ΔP1. In this way, by providing a margin of the first differential pressure ΔP1 with respect to the saturated vapor pressure Ps, even if the reference temperature T fluctuates, such as immediately after the reference temperature T drops, condensation of the gas in the heat insulating space R2 can be prevented. can be suppressed.

In addition, in this embodiment, the control device 33 controls various pressure regulators so that the pressure P measured by the pressure gauge 32 is less than the saturated vapor pressure Ps of the gas in the heat insulating space R2 at the reference temperature T. Therefore, it is possible to monitor and adjust the gas pressure in the heat insulating space R2 in real time.

Also, in this embodiment, the lowest temperature among the temperatures measured by the plurality of thermometers 31 is determined as the reference temperature T. The minimum temperature on the outer surface of the inner tank 11 can be accurately predicted, and as a result, the gas pressure range of the heat insulating space R2 suitable for suppressing condensation of gas in the heat insulating space R2 can be derived.

Further, in the present embodiment, the exhaust device 24 can exhaust the gas in the heat insulating space R2 to the outside of the heat insulating space R2. Therefore, even when the gas pressure P in the heat insulating space R2 is negative, You can reduce the pressure inside.

Further, in this embodiment, when the gas pressure P in the heat insulation space R2 is positive, the escape valve 26 can exhaust the gas in the heat insulation space R2 to the outside of the heat insulation space R2. Therefore, the pressure in the heat insulating space R2 can be reduced with a small amount of power.

Further, in the present embodiment, the gas in the heat insulating space R2 has a predetermined pressure (second differential pressure ΔP2) from the saturated vapor pressure Ps of the gas at the reference temperature T corresponding to the temperature of the inner tank 11 or the temperature in the inner tank 11. is maintained to be equal to or higher than the set lower limit pressure P _low . Therefore, the pressure difference between the storage space R1 and the heat insulation space R2 in the inner tank 11 can be kept small while suppressing the condensation of the gas in the heat insulation space R2. Therefore, the strength required for the multi-shell tank 10A can be reduced.

<Second embodiment>
FIG. 4 is a schematic configuration diagram showing the overall configuration of a multi-shell tank 10B according to the second embodiment. In this embodiment and third to fifth embodiments to be described later, members that are the same as or similar to those of the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals in the drawings, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

In the multi-shell tank 10B shown in FIG. 4, the type of gas filled in the heat insulation space R2 is different from the type of boil-off gas in the storage space R1. For example, the low-temperature liquid in the storage space R1 is liquefied hydrogen, and the gas in the heat insulating space R2 is nitrogen gas.

In addition, since the type of gas filled in the heat insulating space R2 and the type of boil-off gas in the storage space R1 are different from each other, the multi-shell tank 10B has an introduction path for introducing the boil-off gas in the storage space R1 into the heat insulating space R2. 21 and the introduction valve 22 provided in the introduction path 21 are not provided.

In addition, the storage unit of the control device 33 stores in advance correspondence information indicating the relationship between the temperature and the saturated vapor pressure of the gas (nitrogen gas in this example) whose pressure is to be adjusted. The gas adjustment process of the present embodiment is the same as the gas adjustment process described in the first embodiment except that steps S10 to S12 are omitted, so the description is omitted.

The same effects as in the first embodiment can be obtained in this embodiment as well.

<Third Embodiment>
FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing the overall configuration of a multi-shell tank 40A according to the third embodiment. In the multi-shell tank 40A shown in FIG. 5, the outer tank 12 covering the inner tank 11 is further covered by another outer tank 41 . The outer tank 41 may be the housing structure 15 configured by the tank cover 13 and the retaining wall 14 described above, or may be a housing structure 15 arranged outside the outer tank 12 and inside the tank cover 13 and the retaining wall 14 . , the tank cover 13 and the holding wall 14 may be separate members. In the following description, the outer tub 12 and the outer tub 41 covering it are referred to as the first outer tub 12 and the second outer tub 41, respectively.

By covering the first outer tank 12 with the second outer tank 41 , a sealed heat insulating space R3 is formed outside the first outer tank 12 and inside the second outer tank 41 . That is, the first outer tank 12 partitions a heat insulating space R2 inside the first outer tank 12 and a heat insulating space R3 outside the first outer tank 12 and inside the second outer tank 41 . In the following description, the heat insulation space R2 between the inner tank 11 and the first outer tank 12 and the heat insulation space R3 between the first outer tank 12 and the second outer tank 41 are referred to as the first heat insulation space. Let us call it R2 and the second adiabatic space R3.

A heat insulating material is arranged in the first heat insulating space R2 and the second heat insulating space R3. Further, the first heat insulating space R2 and the second heat insulating space R3 are filled with gas. In this embodiment, unlike the first and second embodiments, the gas pressure in the first heat insulating space R2 between the inner tank 11 and the first outer tank 12 is not measured, but the gas pressure is measured between the first outer tank 12 and the second outer tank 41. The gas pressure of the second heat insulation space R3 between is adjusted. In this embodiment, the first outer tub 12 corresponds to the first tub, and the second outer tub 41 corresponds to the second tub.

In this embodiment, the type of gas that fills the second heat insulating space R3 is different from the type of gas that fills the first heat insulating space R2. In this embodiment, for example, the storage space R1 stores liquefied hydrogen, the first heat insulating space R2 is filled with hydrogen gas, and the second heat insulating space R3 is filled with nitrogen gas. However, the type of gas filling the second heat insulating space R3 may be the same as the type of gas filling the first heat insulating space R2. For example, both the first heat insulating space R2 and the second heat insulating space R3 may be filled with hydrogen gas.

The multi-shell tank 40A includes an exhaust path 43 that guides the gas in the second heat insulating space R3 to the outside of the second heat insulating space R3, and an exhaust device 44 provided in the exhaust path 43. One end of the exhaust path 43 is arranged inside the second heat insulating space R3, and the other end of the exhaust path 43 is arranged outside the second heat insulating space R3. The other end of the exhaust path 43 is connected to other equipment. Other devices are, for example, propulsion engines, power generation engines, reliquefaction plants, incinerators, fuel cells, and the like. The other end of the exhaust path 43 may be open to the atmosphere.

The exhaust device 44 functions as a pressure regulator that regulates the pressure of the gas inside the second heat insulating space R3. Examples of the exhaust device 44 include a compressor and an exhaust pump such as a vacuum pump. In this embodiment, the exhaust device 44 is controlled by a control device 33 which will be described later.

In addition, the multi-shell tank 40A includes an escape passage 45 that guides the gas in the second heat insulation space R3 to the outside of the second heat insulation space R3, and an escape valve 46 provided in the escape passage 45. One end of the escape path 45 is arranged inside the second heat insulation space R3, and the other end of the escape path 45 is arranged outside the second heat insulation space R3. The other end of escape path 45 is connected to other equipment. Other devices are, for example, propulsion engines, power generation engines, reliquefaction plants, incinerators, fuel cells, and the like. The pressure around the other end of the relief channel 45 is near atmospheric pressure. The other end of the escape path 43 may be open to the atmosphere.

The relief valve 46 functions as a pressure regulator that regulates the pressure of the gas inside the second heat insulating space R3. For example, the relief valve 46 is an on-off valve. However, relief valve 26 may be another type of valve, such as a pressure regulating valve. In this embodiment, the relief valve 46 is controlled by the controller 33, which will be described later.

The multi-shell tank 40A includes five thermometers 51, a pressure gauge 52, and a controller 33.

The five thermometers 51 (corresponding to the second thermometer) measure the temperature (corresponding to the second temperature) inside the first heat insulating space R2. The five thermometers 51 are respectively provided at multiple locations in the first heat insulation space R2. Specifically, the five thermometers 51 are arranged in five areas when the first heat insulating space R2 is equally divided into five in the vertical direction. The five thermometers 51 are communicably connected to the control device 33 . Information on temperatures measured by the five thermometers 51 is sent to the control device 33 .

The pressure gauge 52 measures the gas pressure in the second heat insulation space R3. The pressure gauge 52 is communicably connected to the control device 33 . Information on the pressure measured by the pressure gauge 52 is sent to the control device 33 .

In the present embodiment, in the control device 33, the arithmetic processing unit reads out and executes a predetermined gas pressure adjustment program stored in the storage unit, thereby adjusting the gas pressure for adjusting the gas pressure in the second heat insulating space R3. processing takes place.

The pressure of the gas in the second heat insulating space R3 is maintained below the saturated vapor pressure Ps of the gas in the second heat insulating space R3 at the reference temperature T. A reference temperature T is a temperature determined based on temperatures measured by the five thermometers 51 . In this embodiment, the reference temperature T is the lowest temperature among the temperatures measured by the five thermometers 51 .

The control device 33 adjusts the pressure of the gas in the second heat insulating space R3 so that the pressure of the gas in the second heat insulating space R3 at the reference temperature T is maintained below the saturated vapor pressure Ps of the gas in the second heat insulating space R3. Specifically, the control device 33 controls the exhaust device 44 and/or the escape device so that the pressure P measured by the pressure gauge 52 is less than the saturated vapor pressure Ps of the gas in the second heat insulating space R3 at the reference temperature T. Control valve 46 . More specifically, the control device 33 controls the exhaust so that the pressure P measured by the pressure gauge 52 is equal to or lower than the set upper limit pressure P _up (=Ps−ΔP1) lower than the saturated vapor pressure Ps by the first differential pressure ΔP1. Control device 44 and/or relief valve 46 .

In the gas pressure adjustment process of the present embodiment, in steps S1 to S9 of the gas pressure adjustment process of the first embodiment, the storage space R1 is changed to the first heat insulation space R2, the heat insulation space R2 is changed to the second heat insulation space R3, and the exhaust device This can be explained by replacing 24 with the exhaust device 44, the relief valve 26 with the relief valve 46, the thermometer 31 with the thermometer 51, and the pressure gauge 32 with the pressure gauge 52. Therefore, detailed description of the gas pressure adjustment process in this embodiment is omitted.

In this embodiment, the gas in the second heat insulating space R3 is maintained below the saturated vapor pressure Ps of the gas at the reference temperature T corresponding to the temperature of the first outer tank 12 or the temperature in the first heat insulating space R2. Therefore, the condensation temperature of the gas in the second heat insulating space R3 can be made lower than the reference temperature T. Therefore, condensation of gas in the second heat insulating space R3 between the first outer tank 12 and the second outer tank 41 can be suppressed.

<Fourth Embodiment>
FIG. 6 is a schematic configuration diagram showing the overall configuration of a multi-shell tank 40B according to the fourth embodiment. As shown in FIG. 6, the multi-shell tank 40B of this embodiment is a combination of the configurations of the first embodiment and the third embodiment.

That is, as in the first embodiment, the multi-shell tank 40B includes an inner tank 11, an outer tank 12, an introduction passage 21, an introduction valve 22, an exhaust passage 23, an exhaust device 24, a relief passage 25, a relief valve 26, and five It includes a thermometer 31 , a pressure gauge 32 and a controller 33 . The multi-shell tank 40B also includes an outer tank 41, an exhaust passage 43, an exhaust device 44, a relief passage 45, a relief valve 46, five thermometers 51, and a pressure gauge 52, as in the third embodiment.

In the present embodiment, the type of gas filled in the first heat insulation space R2 is the same as the type of boil-off gas in the storage space R1, and is different from the type of gas filled in the second heat insulation space R3. In this embodiment, for example, the storage space R1 stores liquefied hydrogen, the first heat insulating space R2 is filled with hydrogen gas, and the second heat insulating space R3 is filled with nitrogen gas. However, the type of gas filled in the first heat insulation space R2 and the type of boil-off gas in the storage space R1 may be different from each other. Also, the type of gas filled in the second heat insulating space R3 may be the same as the type of gas filling the first heat insulating space R2. For example, both the first heat insulating space R2 and the second heat insulating space R3 may be filled with hydrogen gas.

In the present embodiment, in the control device 33, the arithmetic processing unit reads out and executes a predetermined gas pressure adjustment program stored in the storage unit, thereby adjusting the gas pressure for adjusting the gas pressure in the first heat insulation space R2. and a gas pressure adjustment process for adjusting the gas pressure in the second heat insulating space R3. That is, the gas pressure adjustment process for adjusting the gas pressure of the first heat insulation space R2 and the gas pressure adjustment process for adjusting the gas pressure of the second heat insulation space R3 are performed in the first embodiment and the third embodiment, respectively. Since it is the same as the gas pressure adjustment process of the embodiment, detailed description is omitted.

The same effects as in the first and third embodiments can be obtained in this embodiment as well.

<Fifth Embodiment>
FIG. 7 is a schematic configuration diagram showing the overall configuration of a multi-shell tank 60 according to the fifth embodiment. In this embodiment, the multi-shell tank 60 is a membrane-type tank mounted on a ship.

The multi-shell tank 60 comprises a primary membrane 61 containing cryogenic liquid, a secondary membrane 62 covering it, and a hull hull 63 further covering the secondary membrane 62 . Hull inner hull 63 is part of the hull.

A low temperature liquid is stored in the storage space R1 inside the primary membrane 61 . Between the primary membrane 61 and the secondary membrane 62, a sealed first insulating space R2 (so-called Inter Barrier Space (IBS)) is formed. A heat insulating material is arranged in the first heat insulating space R2. Between the secondary membrane 62 and the hull inner shell 63, a sealed second heat insulating space R3 (so-called insulation space (IS)) is formed. A heat insulating material is arranged in the second heat insulating space R3. In this embodiment, the primary membrane 61 functions as an inner tank in which a cryogenic liquid is stored, the secondary membrane 62 functions as an outer tank containing the primary membrane 61 as an inner tank, and the hull inner shell 63 functions as an outer bath that further covers the secondary membrane 62 as an outer bath.

The primary membrane 61 and secondary membrane 62 do not themselves have the strength to support the pressure and weight of the cryogenic liquid within the primary membrane 61 . The pressure and weight of the cryogenic liquid in the primary membrane 61 are supported by the hull via the heat insulating material in the first heat insulating space R2 and the heat insulating material in the second heat insulating space R3.

In this embodiment, for example, liquefied hydrogen is stored in the storage space R1, the first heat insulation space R2 is filled with hydrogen gas, and the second heat insulation space R3 is filled with nitrogen gas.

In the present embodiment, as in the first embodiment, the gas pressure in the first heat insulating space R2, which is one space outside the storage space R1, is adjusted. The method for adjusting the gas pressure in the first heat insulating space R2 is substantially the same as the method for adjusting the gas pressure in the heat insulating space R2 in the first embodiment. That is, the multi-shell tank 60 includes an exhaust path 23, an exhaust device 24, a relief path 25, a relief valve 26, five thermometers 31, a pressure gauge 32 and a control device 33, as in the first embodiment. Since the gas pressure adjustment method is substantially the same as that of the first embodiment, the explanation is omitted.

<Other embodiments>
The present disclosure is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various modifications are possible without departing from the gist of the present disclosure.

For example, in the above embodiment, the lowest temperature among the temperatures measured by the plurality of thermometers 31 (or 51) was determined as the reference temperature T, but the method of determining the reference temperature in the present disclosure is not limited to this. For example, an average temperature of temperatures measured by a plurality of thermometers may be determined as the reference temperature. For example, in the first, second, fourth and fifth embodiments, the lowest temperature on the outer surface of the

inner tank

11 or 61 is estimated from the temperatures measured by the plurality of thermometers 31 using a predetermined calculation formula. , the estimated temperature may be used as the reference temperature T. For example, in the third embodiment, the lowest temperature on the outer surface of the first outer bath 12 is estimated using a predetermined calculation formula from the temperatures measured by the plurality of thermometers 51, and the estimated temperature is used as the reference temperature T. good too.

In the first, second, fourth and fifth embodiments, five thermometers 31 are provided in the space inside the inner tank 11, but the number of thermometers is not limited to this. For example, one thermometer may be provided inside the inner bath 11 and the temperature measured by the thermometer may be used as the reference temperature. Further, even when a plurality of thermometers are provided inside the inner bath 11, only the temperature measured by one predetermined thermometer (for example, the lowest thermometer) is used for determining the reference temperature. good too. Also, one or more thermometers in the present disclosure may not measure the temperature inside the inner bath, and may measure the temperature of the inner bath (eg, the surface temperature of the inner bath). Similarly, in the third embodiment, the number of thermometers 51 provided in the first heat insulating space R1 is not limited to five. 12 surface temperature, etc.).

In the above embodiment, preferred numerical ranges are shown for the first differential pressure ΔP1, the second differential pressure ΔP2, and the difference between the set upper limit pressure P _up and the set lower limit pressure P _low , but the present disclosure is limited to these numerical ranges. not to be Further, for example, the first differential pressure ΔP1 may not be provided. Also, for example, the set lower limit pressure P _low may not be set based on the derived saturated vapor pressure Ps. For example, the lower set pressure P _low may be a preset design pressure that is allowed from the structural strength of the multi-shell tank. One or both of the first differential pressure ΔP1 and the second differential pressure ΔP2 may be a preset fixed value, or may be changed according to the derived saturated vapor pressure Ps.

The pressure around the other ends of the

escape paths

25, 45 may not be near atmospheric pressure, and may be near a predetermined pressure deviating from atmospheric pressure. In this case, in step S6 in the gas adjustment process shown in FIG. 3, the control device 33 may determine whether or not the acquired pressure P is less than the predetermined pressure.

In the above embodiment, an exhaust device, a relief valve, and an introduction valve are shown as pressure regulating devices, but pressure regulating devices are not limited to these. The multi-shell tank may be provided with only one of the exhaust device and the relief valve as a pressure regulating device for decompressing the heat insulating space. Moreover, the multi-shell tank may be provided with a gas supply device different from the introduction valve as a pressure regulating device for supplying gas to the heat insulating space to pressurize the heat insulating space.

In addition, a check valve may be provided in the exhaust path 23 and the escape path 25 so as to prevent backflow of gas to the (first) heat insulating space R2. A check valve may be provided to prevent backflow of gas to the second heat insulating space R3. In addition, the introduction path 21 may be provided with a check valve so as to prevent backflow of gas to the storage space R1.

The multi-shell tank of the present disclosure may not be equipped with the control device 33. That is, the gas pressure adjustment method in the present disclosure may not be electrically controlled by a computer, and may be performed by an operator or the like. In this case, in the first, second, fourth and fifth embodiments, the pressure adjusting device for adjusting the pressure of the gas in the heat insulating space between the inner tank and the outer tank is manually operated by the operator. Alternatively, it may be a mechanical control valve that can be set by the operator.

For example, before the ship 1 leaves port, the operator measures the temperature of the inner tank or the inner tank, determines the reference temperature based on the measured temperature, and determines the inner tank and the outer tank from the determined reference temperature. The saturated vapor pressure of the gas filled in the adiabatic space between may be derived. Then, the operator may fill the heat insulating space with gas so that the gas pressure in the heat insulating space is maintained below the saturated vapor of the derived gas in the heat insulating space.

For example, when the pressure regulating device is a manual type, when the pressure value of the gas in the insulated space measured by the pressure gauge exceeds the set upper limit pressure lower than the derived saturated vapor pressure by the first differential pressure, the operator Alternatively, the manual pressure regulator may be operated so that the pressure value of the gas in the adiabatic space is equal to or lower than the set upper limit pressure.

Alternatively, for example, if the pressure regulating device is a mechanical control valve, the operator may change the setting of the mechanical control valve so that the pressure is less than the saturated vapor pressure of the gas in the adiabatic space. For example, if the relief valve 26 in the above embodiment is a mechanical control valve that opens according to the pressure of the gas in the adiabatic space, the operator sets the set pressure at which the relief valve 26 opens to less than the derived saturated vapor pressure (for example, It may be set to a set upper limit pressure lower than the derived saturated vapor pressure by the first differential pressure.

After the ship leaves port, it is not necessary to adjust the gas pressure in the insulation space. For example, at the time of gas filling, the gas pressure in the adiabatic space is adjusted in advance so that it can be maintained throughout the voyage at or below the set upper limit value lower than the saturated vapor pressure of the gas at the reference temperature at the time of gas filling by the first differential pressure. As a result, even if the temperature in the inner tank fluctuates while the ship is sailing, the effect of suppressing condensation of the gas in the heat insulating space is achieved.

The adjustment of the pressure in the adiabatic space between the two outer tanks does not have to be performed by a computer, just like the above-described pressure adjustment in the adiabatic space between the inner and outer tanks. good too. For example, in the above third and fourth embodiments, the pressure adjusting device for adjusting the pressure of the gas in the heat insulating space between the first outer tank and the second outer tank may be manual, or It may be a mechanical control valve whose setting can be changed by an operator.

The configurations of the first to fifth embodiments can be appropriately combined. For example, in the fifth embodiment, the multi-shell tank 60 in which the gas pressure in the first insulated space R2 is regulated was shown, but the multi-shell tank 60 is arranged such that instead of adjusting the gas pressure in the first insulated space R2, or In addition, it may be configured such that the gas pressure in the second heat insulating space R3 is adjusted. That is, the multi-shell tank 60 is used in the third and fourth embodiments instead of or in addition to the exhaust passage 23, the exhaust device 24, the relief passage 25, the relief valve 26, the five thermometers 31, and the pressure gauges 32. may include an exhaust line 43, an exhaust device 44, a relief line 45, a relief valve 46, five thermometers 51 and a pressure gauge 52, shown in FIG.

The number of outer tanks provided in the multi-shell tank is not limited to that described in the above embodiment. For example, in a multi-shell tank having three or more outer tanks, the "first outer tank" in the present disclosure may not be the outer tank closest to the inner tank, and may be the second outer tank from the inside or later. The "second outer tank" may be the third outer tank from the inner side or later.

The low-temperature liquid stored in the inner tank is not limited to that described in the above embodiment. For example, the cryogenic liquid stored in the inner tank may be liquefied hydrogen, liquefied natural gas, liquefied nitrogen, liquefied helium, or the like. For example, the gas filled between the inner tank and the outer tank or between the two outer tanks can be hydrogen gas, natural gas, nitrogen gas, helium, dry air, and the like. The type of gas filled in both the space where the temperature is measured and the space where the pressure is adjusted based on the reference temperature may be the same or different.

In the above embodiment, the multi-shell tank was provided on the ship, but the multi-shell tank may be installed on the ground.

The functionality of the elements disclosed herein may be extended to general purpose processors, special purpose processors, integrated circuits, Application Specific Integrated Circuits (ASICs), conventional circuits, and/or those configured or programmed to perform the disclosed functions. can be implemented using a circuit or processing circuit that includes a combination of A processor is considered a processing circuit or circuit because it includes transistors and other circuits. In this disclosure, a circuit, unit, or means is hardware that performs or is programmed to perform the recited functions. The hardware may be the hardware disclosed herein, or other known hardware programmed or configured to perform the recited functions. A circuit, means or unit is a combination of hardware and software where the hardware is a processor which is considered a type of circuit, the software being used to configure the hardware and/or the processor.

A multi-shell tank according to a first aspect of the present disclosure includes an inner tank in which a cryogenic liquid is stored, one or more outer tanks containing the inner tank, and between the inner tank and the outer tank and an insulating space filled with gas, wherein the pressure of the gas in the insulating space is a temperature determined based on the temperature of the inner tank or the temperature of the space inside the inner tank. It is maintained below the saturated vapor pressure of the gas in the adiabatic space at a reference temperature.

According to the above configuration, the gas in the adiabatic space between the inner tank and the outer tank is a saturated vapor of the gas in the adiabatic space at a reference temperature corresponding to the temperature of the inner tank or the temperature of the space inside the inner tank. maintained below pressure. Therefore, the condensation temperature of the gas in the heat insulating space between the inner tank and the outer tank can be made lower than the reference temperature. Therefore, condensation of gas in the heat insulating space between the inner tank and the outer tank can be suppressed.

A multi-shell tank according to a second aspect of the present disclosure includes an inner tank in which a cryogenic liquid is stored, a first outer tank containing the inner tank, and a second outer tank containing the first outer tank. a first heat insulating space provided between the inner tank and the first outer tank; and a space provided between the first outer tank and the second outer tank, wherein the gas is and a filled second heat insulating space, wherein the pressure of the gas in the second heat insulating space is a temperature determined based on the temperature of the first outer tank or the temperature of the first heat insulating space. maintained below the saturated vapor pressure of the gas in the second adiabatic space at temperature.

Further, the gas pressure adjusting method according to the first aspect of the present disclosure includes an inner tank in which a cryogenic liquid is stored, one or more outer tanks containing the inner tank, the inner tank and the outer tank. A gas pressure adjusting method for adjusting the pressure of a gas filled in the insulating space in a multi-shell tank provided between and filled with gas, wherein the temperature of the inner tank or The temperature of the space inside the inner tank is measured, and the measured temperature or a temperature determined based on a plurality of measured temperatures is set as a reference temperature, and the gas in the adiabatic space is saturated at the reference temperature. A vapor pressure is derived, and the pressure of the gas within the adiabatic space is maintained below the derived saturated vapor pressure.

According to the above method, the gas in the adiabatic space between the inner tank and the outer tank is a saturated vapor of the gas in the adiabatic space at a reference temperature corresponding to the temperature of the inner tank or the temperature of the space inside the inner tank. maintained below pressure. Therefore, the condensation temperature of the gas in the heat insulating space between the inner tank and the outer tank can be made lower than the reference temperature. Therefore, condensation of gas in the heat insulating space between the inner tank and the outer tank can be suppressed.

Further, a gas pressure adjusting method according to a second aspect of the present disclosure includes an inner tank in which a cryogenic liquid is stored, a first outer tank containing the inner tank, and a second outer tank containing the first outer tank. An outer tank, a first heat insulating space provided between the inner tank and the first outer tank, and a space provided between the first outer tank and the second outer tank, filled with gas. In a second heat insulating space and a multi-shell tank, a gas pressure adjusting method for adjusting the pressure of gas filled in the second heat insulating space, wherein the temperature of the first outer tank or the temperature of the first heat insulating space is measured. Then, the measured temperature or a temperature determined based on a plurality of measured temperatures is set as a reference temperature, and the saturated vapor pressure of the gas in the second adiabatic space at the reference temperature is derived, and the second The pressure of the gas within the adiabatic space is maintained below the derived saturated vapor pressure.

According to the above method, the gas in the heat insulating space between the first outer tank and the second outer tank is heated to the second heat insulating space at a reference temperature corresponding to the temperature of the first outer tank or the temperature of the first heat insulating space. maintained below the saturated vapor pressure of the gas within. Therefore, the condensation temperature of the gas in the second heat insulating space between the first outer tank and the second outer tank can be made lower than the reference temperature. Therefore, condensation of gas in the second heat insulating space between the first outer tank and the second outer tank can be suppressed.

[Disclosure items]
Each of the following items is a disclosure of a preferred embodiment.

[Item 1]
a plurality of vessels, including an inner vessel having a cryogenic liquid stored therein, and at least one outer vessel containing the inner vessel;
a heat insulating space filled with gas, which is a space between a first tank and a second tank that are adjacent to each other outward from the center of the inner tank among the plurality of tanks,
The pressure of the gas in the heat insulation space between the first tank and the second tank is the first tank which is closer to the center of the inner tank than the first tank and the second tank. The temperature between the first tank and the second tank at a reference temperature that is a temperature determined based on the temperature of the tank or the temperature of the space inside the first tank facing the first tank A multi-shell tank maintained below the saturated vapor pressure of the gas within the insulated space.

[Item 2]
The multi-shell tank comprises one or more thermometers for measuring the temperature of the first tank or the temperature of the space inside the first tank facing the first tank,
A multi-shell tank according to item 1, wherein the reference temperature is a temperature determined based on the temperature measured by the one thermometer or the temperatures measured by the plurality of thermometers.

[Item 3]
3. The multi-shell tank according to

item

1 or 2, wherein the first tank is the inner tank, and the second tank is the outer tank that is adjacent to the inner tank from the center toward the outside.

[Item 4]
The at least one outer tank includes a first outer tank and a second outer tank containing the first outer tank,
The heat insulating space is a first heat insulating space between the first outer tank and the inner tank,
the multi-shell tank includes a second insulating space filled with gas between the first outer tank and the second outer tank;
the reference temperature is a first reference temperature;
The pressure of the gas in the second heat insulating space is at a second reference temperature, which is a temperature determined based on the temperature of the first outer tank or the temperature of the first heat insulating space. 4. A multi-shell tank according to item 3, maintained below the saturated vapor pressure of the gas.
Thereby, the condensation temperature of the gas in the second heat insulating space between the first outer tank and the second outer tank can be made lower than the reference temperature, and the condensation of the gas in the second heat insulating space can be suppressed. Therefore, it is possible to suppress condensation of gas in the second heat insulating space while suppressing condensation of gas in the first heat insulating space between the inner tank and the first outer tank.

[Item 5]
The multi-shell tank comprises one or more second thermometers for measuring the temperature of the first outer tank or the temperature of the first heat insulating space,
5. The multi-shell tank according to item 4, wherein the second reference temperature is a temperature determined based on the temperature measured by the one second thermometer or the temperatures measured by the plurality of second thermometers. .

[Item 6]
3. The multi-shell tank according to

item

1 or 2, wherein the at least one outer tank includes a first outer tank, which is the first tank, and a second outer tank, which is the second tank.

[Item 7]
a pressure gauge for measuring the pressure of gas in the adiabatic space;
a pressure regulating device for regulating the pressure of the gas in the adiabatic space;
any one of items 1 to 6, further comprising a control device that controls the pressure adjustment device so that the pressure measured by the pressure gauge is less than the saturated vapor pressure of the gas in the adiabatic space at the reference temperature. Multi-shell tank according to paragraph 1.
This allows real-time monitoring and adjustment of the gas pressure in the insulated space.

[Item 8]
The plurality of thermometers are respectively provided at a plurality of locations inside the inner tank,
8. The multi-shell tank according to item 7, wherein the controller determines the lowest temperature among the temperatures measured by the plurality of thermometers as the reference temperature.
As a result, it is possible to derive the gas pressure range of the heat insulating space suitable for suppressing the condensation of the gas in the heat insulating space.

[Item 9]
An exhaust path for guiding the gas in the heat insulating space to the outside of the heat insulating space,
9. The multi-shell tank according to item 7 or 8, wherein the pressure regulating device comprises an exhaust device provided in the exhaust passage.
Thereby, even when the gas pressure in the heat insulation space is negative pressure, the pressure in the heat insulation space can be reduced.

[Item 10]
An escape path for guiding the gas in the heat insulating space to the outside of the heat insulating space,
10. A multi-shell tank according to any one of Items 7 to 9, wherein the pressure regulating device includes a relief valve provided in the relief passage.
As a result, when the gas pressure in the heat insulating space is positive, the pressure in the heat insulating space can be easily reduced.

[Item 11]
The heat insulating space is filled with the same kind of gas as the gas inside the inner tank,
The multi-shell tank has an introduction path for introducing the gas inside the inner tank into the heat insulating space,
11. The multi-shell tank according to any one of Items 7 to 10, wherein the pressure regulating device includes an introduction valve provided in the introduction passage.
Thereby, the gas pressure in the heat insulation space can be adjusted using the gas inside the inner tank.

[Item 12]
The control device controls the pressure measured by the pressure gauge to be less than the saturated vapor pressure of the gas in the adiabatic space at the reference temperature and equal to or higher than a set lower limit pressure lower than the saturated vapor pressure by a predetermined pressure. Multi-shell tank according to any one of items 7 to 11, for controlling the pressure regulating device.
As a result, the pressure difference between the inside of the inner tank and the heat insulating space can be kept small while suppressing the condensation of the gas in the heat insulating space. Therefore, the strength required for multi-shell tanks can be reduced.

[Item 13]
A ship comprising a multi-shell tank according to any one of items 1-12.

[Item 14]
a plurality of tanks, including an inner tank having a cryogenic liquid stored therein, and at least one outer tank containing the inner tank; In a multi-shell tank comprising an insulating space filled with gas, which is a space between a first tank and a second tank adjacent to each other, the pressure of the gas filled in the insulating space is adjusted. A gas pressure adjustment method comprising:
The temperature of the first tank, which is closer to the center of the inner tank than the first tank and the second tank, or the temperature of the inner space of the first tank facing the first tank measure the temperature,
A measured temperature or a temperature determined based on a plurality of measured temperatures is defined as a reference temperature,
deriving the saturated vapor pressure of the gas in the adiabatic space at the reference temperature;
A gas pressure adjustment method for maintaining the pressure of the gas in the adiabatic space below the derived saturated vapor pressure.

[Item 15]
The at least one outer tank includes a first outer tank and a second outer tank containing the first outer tank,
The first tank is the inner tank, the second tank is the first outer tank,
The heat insulating space is a first heat insulating space provided between the first outer tank and the inner tank, and the multi-shell tank is provided between the first outer tank and the second outer tank. a second insulated space filled with gas, wherein the reference temperature is a first reference temperature;
The gas pressure adjustment method includes:
measuring a second temperature that is the temperature of the first outer tank or the temperature of the first heat insulating space;
The measured second temperature or a temperature determined based on a plurality of measured second temperatures is defined as a second reference temperature,
deriving the saturated vapor pressure of the gas in the second adiabatic space at the second reference temperature;
15. The gas pressure adjustment method according to item 14, wherein the pressure of the gas in the second heat insulating space is maintained below the derived saturated vapor pressure of the gas in the second heat insulating space.

[Item 16]
Measuring the temperature of the first tank or the temperature of the space inside the first tank facing the first tank is the temperature at a plurality of locations in the first tank or the temperature in the first tank. is to measure the temperature at a plurality of locations in the space in the direction of
16. The gas pressure adjusting method according to

item

14 or 15, wherein the lowest temperature among the plurality of measured temperatures is determined as the reference temperature.

[Item 17]
17. The method according to any one of items 14 to 16, wherein the pressure of the gas in the adiabatic space is maintained below the derived saturated vapor pressure and above a set lower limit pressure lower than the saturated vapor pressure by a predetermined pressure. The gas pressure adjustment method described.

Claims

a plurality of vessels, including an inner vessel having a cryogenic liquid stored therein, and at least one outer vessel containing the inner vessel;
a heat insulating space filled with gas, which is a space between a first tank and a second tank that are adjacent to each other outward from the center of the inner tank among the plurality of tanks,
The pressure of the gas in the heat insulation space between the first tank and the second tank is the first tank which is closer to the center of the inner tank than the first tank and the second tank. The temperature between the first tank and the second tank at a reference temperature that is a temperature determined based on the temperature of the tank or the temperature of the space inside the first tank facing the first tank A multi-shell tank maintained below the saturated vapor pressure of the gas within the insulated space.
The multi-shell tank comprises one or more thermometers for measuring the temperature of the first tank or the temperature of the space inside the first tank facing the first tank,
2. The multi-shell tank according to claim 1, wherein said reference temperature is a temperature determined based on the temperature measured by said one thermometer or the temperatures measured by said plurality of thermometers.
The multi-shell tank according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the first tank is the inner tank, and the second tank is the outer tank adjacent to the center of the inner tank toward the outside.
The at least one outer tank includes a first outer tank and a second outer tank containing the first outer tank,
The heat insulating space is a first heat insulating space between the first outer tank and the inner tank,
the multi-shell tank includes a second insulating space filled with gas between the first outer tank and the second outer tank;
the reference temperature is a first reference temperature;
The pressure of the gas in the second heat insulating space is at a second reference temperature, which is a temperature determined based on the temperature of the first outer tank or the temperature of the first heat insulating space. 4. A multi-shell tank according to claim 3, maintained below the saturated vapor pressure of the gas.
The multi-shell tank comprises one or more second thermometers for measuring the temperature of the first outer tank or the temperature of the first heat insulating space,
5. The multi-shell according to claim 4, wherein the second reference temperature is a temperature determined based on the temperature measured by the one second thermometer or the temperatures measured by the plurality of second thermometers. tank.
The multi-shell tank according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said at least one outer tank includes a first outer tank, which is said first tank, and a second outer tank, which is said second tank.
a pressure gauge for measuring the pressure of gas in the adiabatic space;
a pressure regulating device for regulating the pressure of the gas in the adiabatic space;
A control device that controls the pressure adjustment device so that the pressure measured by the pressure gauge is less than the saturated vapor pressure of the gas in the adiabatic space at the reference temperature. or a multi-shell tank according to claim 1.
The plurality of thermometers are respectively provided at a plurality of locations inside the inner tank,
8. The multi-shell tank according to claim 7, wherein said controller determines the lowest temperature among the temperatures measured by said plurality of thermometers as said reference temperature.
An exhaust path for guiding the gas in the heat insulating space to the outside of the heat insulating space,
9. The multi-shell tank according to claim 7 or 8, wherein said pressure regulating device includes an exhaust device provided in said exhaust passage.
An escape path for guiding the gas in the heat insulating space to the outside of the heat insulating space,
A multi-shell tank according to any one of claims 7 to 9, wherein said pressure regulating device includes a relief valve provided in said relief passage.
The heat insulating space is filled with the same kind of gas as the gas inside the inner tank,
The multi-shell tank has an introduction path for introducing the gas inside the inner tank into the heat insulating space,
The multi-shell tank according to any one of claims 7 to 10, wherein said pressure regulating device includes an introduction valve provided in said introduction passage.
The control device controls the pressure measured by the pressure gauge to be less than the saturated vapor pressure of the gas in the adiabatic space at the reference temperature and equal to or higher than a set lower limit pressure lower than the saturated vapor pressure by a predetermined pressure. Multi-shell tank according to any one of claims 7 to 11, for controlling the pressure regulator.
A ship comprising the multi-shell tank according to any one of claims 1-12.
a plurality of tanks, including an inner tank having a cryogenic liquid stored therein, and at least one outer tank containing the inner tank; In a multi-shell tank comprising an insulating space filled with gas, which is a space between a first tank and a second tank adjacent to each other, the pressure of the gas filled in the insulating space is adjusted. A gas pressure adjustment method comprising:
The temperature of the first tank, which is closer to the center of the inner tank than the first tank and the second tank, or the temperature of the inner space of the first tank facing the first tank measure the temperature,
A measured temperature or a temperature determined based on a plurality of measured temperatures is defined as a reference temperature,
deriving the saturated vapor pressure of the gas in the adiabatic space at the reference temperature;
A gas pressure adjustment method for maintaining the pressure of the gas in the adiabatic space below the derived saturated vapor pressure.
The at least one outer tank includes a first outer tank and a second outer tank containing the first outer tank,
The first tank is the inner tank, the second tank is the first outer tank,
The heat insulating space is a first heat insulating space provided between the first outer tank and the inner tank, and the multi-shell tank is provided between the first outer tank and the second outer tank. a second insulated space filled with gas, wherein the reference temperature is a first reference temperature;
The gas pressure adjustment method includes:
measuring a second temperature that is the temperature of the first outer tank or the temperature of the first heat insulating space;
The measured second temperature or a temperature determined based on a plurality of measured second temperatures is defined as a second reference temperature,
deriving the saturated vapor pressure of the gas in the second adiabatic space at the second reference temperature;
15. The gas pressure adjustment method according to claim 14, wherein the pressure of the gas in the second heat insulating space is maintained below the saturated vapor pressure of the derived gas in the second heat insulating space.
Measuring the temperature of the first tank or the temperature of the space inside the first tank facing the first tank is the temperature at a plurality of locations in the first tank or the temperature in the first tank. is to measure the temperature at a plurality of locations in the space in the direction of
16. The gas pressure regulating method according to claim 14 or 15, wherein the lowest temperature among the plurality of measured temperatures is determined as said reference temperature.
Any one of claims 14 to 16, wherein the pressure of the gas in the adiabatic space is maintained below the derived saturated vapor pressure and above a set lower limit pressure lower than the saturated vapor pressure by a predetermined pressure. Gas pressure adjustment method according to.