阅读说明：本技术 气化装置 (Gasification device ) 是由 鹤庆彦 澄田祐二 河田一也 东孝祐 近口谕史 于 2019-08-27 设计创作，主要内容包括：本发明公开了一种通过液化气与加热用液体之间的热交换来使液化气气化的气化装置。气化装置具备：传热板,其由以引导液化气的方式立起设置的多个传热管沿规定的水平方向并排而构成；水槽,其构成为向多个传热管的外表面供给加热用液体；以及总管,其形成有供向水槽供给的加热用液体流出的流出口。水槽包括沿多个传热管的排列方向延伸设置的底壁、以及在多个传热管的排列方向上彼此分开的位置立起设置的第一端壁及第二端壁。在第一端壁形成有供加热用液体流入的流入口。总管配置于第一端壁侧。据此,本发明的目的在于提供一种具有能够以较短的路径向加热用液体的贮存部位供给加热用液体的结构的气化装置。(The invention discloses a gasification device for gasifying liquefied gas through heat exchange between the liquefied gas and heating liquid. The gasification device is provided with: a heat transfer plate configured by arranging a plurality of heat transfer pipes erected so as to guide liquefied gas in a predetermined horizontal direction; a water tank configured to supply a heating liquid to outer surfaces of the plurality of heat transfer tubes; and a header pipe having an outlet through which the heating liquid supplied to the water tank flows out. The water tank includes a bottom wall extending in the arrangement direction of the plurality of heat transfer pipes, and a first end wall and a second end wall provided upright at positions spaced apart from each other in the arrangement direction of the plurality of heat transfer pipes. An inflow port into which the heating liquid flows is formed in the first end wall. The header pipe is disposed on the first end wall side. Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a vaporizer having a structure capable of supplying a heating liquid to a storage portion of the heating liquid through a short path.)

1. A vaporizer that vaporizes a liquefied gas by heat exchange between the liquefied gas and a heating liquid having a higher temperature than the liquefied gas,

the gasification device is provided with:

a heat transfer plate configured by arranging a plurality of heat transfer pipes in parallel in a predetermined horizontal direction, the plurality of heat transfer pipes being provided upright so as to guide the liquefied gas;

a water tank configured to supply the heating liquid to outer surfaces of the plurality of heat transfer tubes, and disposed at a position lower than upper edges of the heat transfer plates; and

a header pipe arranged on one end side of the water tank in an arrangement direction of the plurality of heat transfer pipes and configured to supply the heating liquid to the water tank,

the water tank includes: a bottom wall extending in the arrangement direction of the plurality of heat transfer tubes; a first end wall provided upright on an end portion of the bottom wall on the header pipe side in the array direction; and a second end wall provided upright on the other end portion of the bottom wall located apart from the first end wall in the arrangement direction,

an inflow port into which the heating liquid flows is formed in the first end wall.

2. A gasification unit according to claim 1,

the vaporizer further includes a swelling suppression portion configured to suppress swelling of a liquid surface of the heating liquid caused by collision of the heating liquid flowing into the water tank with the second end wall.

3. A gasification unit according to claim 2,

the protrusion suppressing portion includes a cover member disposed between the first end wall and the second end wall, and the cover member extends in the arrangement direction at a position higher than the inflow port in the water tank.

4. A gasification unit according to claim 3,

the cover member is disposed on the first end wall side, the second end wall side, or an intermediate position between the first end wall and the second end wall.

5. A gasification unit according to claim 3,

the cover members are arranged over the entire surface in the arrangement direction from the first end wall to the second end wall or arranged at intervals in the arrangement direction from the first end wall to the second end wall.

6. The gasification apparatus according to any one of claims 3 to 5,

the cover member is formed with a through hole penetrating the cover member in a vertical direction.

7. The gasification apparatus according to any one of claims 2 to 6,

the bulge suppressing portion includes a resistance member arranged between the first end wall and the second end wall,

the heating liquid flowing into the tank from the inlet collides with the resistance member before the heating liquid collides with the second end wall, thereby suppressing a collision force of the heating liquid against the second end wall.

8. A gasification unit according to claim 7,

the resistance member is disposed vertically or obliquely with respect to the bottom wall of the water tank.

9. A gasification unit according to claim 7,

the resistance member is disposed apart from the bottom wall of the water tank.

10. A gasification unit according to claim 7,

the resistance member is divided into two or more pieces in the vertical direction.

11. A gasification unit according to any one of claims 7 to 10,

the resistance members are formed with through holes penetrating the resistance members in the array direction.

12. A gasification unit according to any one of claims 1 to 11,

the gasification device further includes:

and a blocking member that is disposed in the water tank so as to partially close the inlet, the blocking member being detachable from the water tank.

13. The gasification apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 12,

the main pipe supplies the heating liquid to the two or more water tanks via supply pipes, and a cross-sectional flow area of the supply pipe connected to one of the two or more water tanks is smaller than a cross-sectional flow area of the supply pipe connected to the other of the two or more water tanks.

14. The gasification apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 12,

the main pipe supplies the heating liquid to the three or more water tanks via supply pipes, and a cross-sectional flow area of the supply pipe connected to two water tanks located outermost among the three or more water tanks is smaller than a cross-sectional flow area of the supply pipe connected to another water tank among the three or more water tanks.

15. A gasification unit according to any one of claims 3 to 6,

the cover member is provided with two or more layers spaced apart in the vertical direction.

16. The gasification apparatus according to claim 15,

at least 1 layer of the cover member is disposed over the entire surface of the water tank.

17. The gasification apparatus according to claim 15 or 16,

the two layers of the cover components are connected through the longitudinal cover.

18. A gasification unit according to any one of claims 3 to 6 and 15 to 17,

the bulge suppressing portion further includes a resistance member disposed between the first end wall and the second end wall, the resistance member being in contact with a lower surface of the cover member,

the heating liquid flowing into the tank from the inflow port collides with the resistance member before the heating liquid collides with the second end wall, thereby suppressing a collision force of the heating liquid against the second end wall,

the resistance members are formed with through holes penetrating the resistance members in the array direction.

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a gasification apparatus for gasifying liquefied gas.

Background

Various gasification apparatuses for gasifying liquefied gases at low temperatures have been developed. One of the known gasification apparatuses has a water spray structure as follows: a heating liquid having a higher temperature than the liquefied gas is sprayed onto the outer surfaces of a plurality of heat transfer pipes provided upright so as to guide the liquefied gas upward (see patent document 1). While the heating liquid sprayed by the sprinkler structure flows down along the outer surfaces of the plurality of heat transfer tubes, the liquefied gas flowing in the plurality of heat transfer tubes exchanges heat with the heating liquid on the outer surfaces of the plurality of heat transfer tubes. As a result of the heat exchange with the heating liquid, the liquefied gas is vaporized.

In the above-described gasification apparatus, a plurality of heat transfer pipes are arranged in a horizontal direction. A water tank configured to store a heating liquid is disposed at a position adjacent to each of the plurality of heat transfer tubes in a horizontal direction orthogonal to the arrangement direction of the plurality of heat transfer tubes. The water tank is in a box shape that is long in the arrangement direction of the plurality of heat transfer pipes. The water tank has a rectangular bottom wall that is long in the arrangement direction of the plurality of heat transfer tubes, and an outer peripheral wall that is provided to rise upward from the outer peripheral edge of the bottom wall. The bottom wall and the outer peripheral wall form a storage space for storing a heating liquid. When the heating liquid is supplied in excess of the volume of the water tank, the heating liquid in excess of the volume overflows from the tank body of the water tank. The heating liquid overflowing from the water tank flows down along the outer surfaces of the plurality of heat transfer pipes.

Disclosure of Invention

Problems to be solved by the invention

The bottom plate of the water tank is provided with an inlet through which the heating liquid flows. A water supply pipe extending from the header pipe is connected to the inlet of the water tank. The water supply pipe extends below the bottom plate of the water tank substantially in parallel with the bottom plate, and guides the heating liquid to a position below the inflow port of the water tank. The front end of the water supply pipe is bent upward below the inlet of the water tank and connected to the inlet of the water tank.

The water supply pipe forms a long flow path of the heating liquid extending along the length direction of the water tank. If the water supply pipe is formed to guide the heating liquid over a long path range, not only a large resistance is applied to the flow of the heating liquid, but also the material cost of the water supply pipe increases.

The invention aims to provide a gasification device which can supply heating liquid to a water tank through a short path.

Means for solving the problems

A vaporizer according to an aspect of the present invention is configured to vaporize a liquefied gas by heat exchange between the liquefied gas and a heating liquid having a higher temperature than the liquefied gas. The gasification device is provided with: a heat transfer plate configured by arranging a plurality of heat transfer pipes in parallel in a predetermined horizontal direction, the plurality of heat transfer pipes being provided upright so as to guide the liquefied gas; a water tank configured to supply the heating liquid to outer surfaces of the plurality of heat transfer tubes, and disposed at a position lower than upper edges of the heat transfer plates; and a header pipe that is arranged on one end side of the water tank in the arrangement direction of the plurality of heat transfer pipes and configured to supply the heating liquid to the water tank. The water tank includes: a bottom wall extending in the arrangement direction of the plurality of heat transfer tubes; a first end wall provided upright on an end portion of the bottom wall on the header pipe side in the array direction; and a second end wall standing upright on the other end portion of the bottom wall located apart from the first end wall in the arrangement direction. An inflow port into which the heating liquid flows is formed in the first end wall.

According to the above configuration, since the header pipe configured to supply the heating liquid to the water tank is disposed on the first end wall side of the water tank, the flow path of the heating liquid from the header pipe to the water tank is shortened. If the inflow port is formed in the bottom wall, the flow path of the heating liquid to the water tank needs to extend from the header pipe across the first end wall and be connected to the inflow port in the bottom wall. In this case, the flow path of the heating liquid having the above-described configuration is shorter in length in a section extending beyond the first end wall to the inlet port in the bottom wall than in the conventional configuration in which the inlet port is formed in the bottom wall.

In the above configuration, the vaporizing device may further include a swelling suppressing portion configured to suppress swelling of a liquid surface of the heating liquid caused by collision of the heating liquid flowing into the water tank with the second end wall.

According to the above configuration, the heating liquid flowing into the water tank through the inlet flows toward the second end wall and collides with the second end wall. A part of the heating liquid that collides with the second end wall flows upward in the vicinity of the second end wall, and the liquid surface of the heating liquid rises upward. If the liquid surface of the heating liquid rises upward, the heating liquid overflowing from the water tank is more in the portion where the rise occurs than in other portions. In this case, the amount of heat exchange between the heating liquid and the liquefied gas varies greatly between the plurality of heat transfer pipes. However, the swelling-suppressing portion suppresses swelling of the liquid surface, thereby preventing an excessive supply of the heating liquid to the outer surface of the heat transfer pipe close to the second end wall. Therefore, variation in the amount of heat exchange between the plurality of heat transfer pipes is suppressed.

In the above configuration, the protrusion suppressing portion may include a cover member disposed between the first end wall and the second end wall, and the cover member may be provided to extend in the arrangement direction at a position higher than the inflow port in the water tank.

According to the above configuration, most of the heating liquid flowing in from the inlet port flows into the region below the cover member disposed at a position higher than the inlet port. When the heating liquid collides with the second end wall after that, an upward flow of the heating liquid is generated. The upward flow of the heating liquid collides with the cover member, thereby suppressing the rise of the liquid surface of the heating liquid.

In the above configuration, the cover member may be disposed on the first end wall side, the second end wall side, or an intermediate position between the first end wall and the second end wall.

In the above configuration, the cover member may be disposed over the entire surface in the arrangement direction from the first end wall to the second end wall or a plurality of cover members may be disposed at intervals in the arrangement direction from the first end wall to the second end wall.

In the above configuration, the cover member may be formed with a through hole penetrating therethrough in a vertical direction.

According to the above configuration, a part of the heating liquid flowing upward can flow into the space above the cover member through the through hole of the cover member. Since a large resistance is applied to the heating liquid when the heating liquid passes through the through-hole, the flow rate of the heating liquid flowing into the space above the cover member is reduced. As a result, the rise of the liquid surface near the second end wall is suppressed.

In the above configuration, the bulge suppressing portion may include a resistance member disposed between the first end wall and the second end wall. The heating liquid flowing into the tank through the inlet port may collide with the resistance member before the heating liquid collides with the second end wall, thereby suppressing a collision force of the heating liquid against the second end wall.

According to the above configuration, since the heating liquid flowing in from the inflow port collides with the resistance member before colliding with the second end wall, the velocity component of the heating liquid from the first end wall toward the second end wall is reduced before the heating liquid collides with the second end wall. Since the heating liquid is decelerated by the resistance member before colliding with the second end wall, even if the heating liquid collides with the second end wall, a large collision force is not generated, and a flow of the heating liquid having a large velocity component upward is not easily generated. That is, the rise of the liquid surface near the second end wall is suppressed.

In the above configuration, the resistance member may be provided perpendicularly or obliquely to the bottom wall of the water tank.

In the above configuration, the resistance member may be disposed apart from a bottom wall of the water tank.

In the above configuration, the resistance member may be divided into two or three or more pieces in the vertical direction.

In the above configuration, the resistance member may be formed with a through hole penetrating therethrough in the arrangement direction.

According to the above configuration, since the through-hole is formed to penetrate the resistance member in the arrangement direction of the plurality of heat transfer pipes, a part of the heating liquid flowing in from the inlet port formed in the first end wall can flow from the upstream region to the downstream region of the resistance member through the through-hole of the resistance member. When the heating liquid passes through the through hole, a large resistance is applied to the heating liquid, and therefore, the flow rate of the heating liquid from the first end wall toward the second end wall decreases. As a result, the rise of the liquid surface near the second end wall is suppressed.

In the above configuration, the gasification apparatus may further include: and a closing member disposed in the water tank so as to partially close the inlet. The blocking member is detachable from the water tank.

According to the above configuration, the blocking member can be detached from the water tank. Therefore, when the flow rate distribution ratio of the heating liquid between the water tank and the other water tank is not appropriate, the blocking member can be replaced with the other water tank to change the blocking amount of the inlet. When the amount of blocking of the inflow port is increased as a result of the replacement of the blocking member, the inflow amount of the heating liquid into the water tank in which the blocking member is not replaced decreases, while the inflow amount of the heating liquid into the other water tank increases. When the amount of blocking of the inflow port of the water tank in which the blocking member has been replaced is decreased, the amount of inflow of the heating liquid into the water tank in which the blocking member has been replaced is increased, while the amount of inflow of the heating liquid into the other water tank is decreased. Therefore, a desired flow rate distribution ratio is obtained by replacing the blocking member, and the heating liquid is supplied to each of the plurality of heat transfer plates at an appropriate flow rate.

In the above-described configuration, the number of the water tanks may be two or more, the header pipe may supply the heating liquid to the two or more water tanks via supply pipes, and a cross-sectional flow area of the supply pipe connected to one of the two or more water tanks may be smaller than a cross-sectional flow area of the supply pipe connected to another of the two or more water tanks.

In the above-described configuration, the number of the water tanks may be three or more, the header pipe may supply the heating liquid to the three or more water tanks via supply pipes, and a cross-sectional flow area of the supply pipe connected to two water tanks located outermost among the three or more water tanks may be smaller than a cross-sectional flow area of the supply pipe connected to another water tank among the three or more water tanks.

In the above configuration, the cover member may be disposed with two or more layers spaced apart in the vertical direction.

In the above configuration, at least 1 layer of the cover member may be disposed over the entire surface of the water tank.

In the above configuration, the two layers of the cover members may be connected to each other by a longitudinal cover.

In the above configuration, the resistance member may be in contact with a lower surface of the cover member.

Effects of the invention

In the above-described gasification apparatus, the heating liquid can be supplied to the water tank storing the heating liquid through a short path.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a schematic perspective view of an exemplary open rack vaporizer.

Fig. 2 is a schematic sectional view of the vaporizer.

Fig. 3 is a schematic sectional view of a housing of the vaporizer.

Fig. 4A is a schematic perspective view of the resistance member disposed in the case.

Fig. 4B is a schematic perspective view of another resistance member disposed in the case.

Fig. 5A-5F are diagrammatic cross-sectional views of a case having a one-layer cover member.

Fig. 6A to 6D are schematic sectional views of a case having a two-layer lid member.

Fig. 7A-7C are schematic cross-sectional views of another embodiment of a case having a two-layer cover member.

Fig. 8A-8C are schematic cross-sectional views of other embodiments of a case having a two-layer cover member.

Fig. 9A to 9D are schematic sectional views of the case in which the resistance member is in contact with the cover member.

Fig. 10A to 10C are schematic cross-sectional views of a case in which a vertical cover is provided on a cover member.

Fig. 11 is a schematic sectional view of a header pipe of the gasification apparatus.

Fig. 12 is a schematic perspective view of another example of an open rack vaporizer.

Fig. 13 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the vaporizer shown in fig. 12.

FIG. 14 is a schematic sectional view of a vaporizer having a case to which a perforated plate is attached at an inlet.

Fig. 15A-15C are schematic cross-sectional views of other forms of resistance members.

Description of reference numerals:

a gasification apparatus;

a heat transfer plate;

a heat transfer tube;

a manifold;

a flow outlet;

a water tank;

a bottom wall;

a first end wall;

a second end wall;

a flow inlet;

an occlusion member;

a blocking plate (bulge inhibitor, resistance member);

a perforated plate (bump inhibitor, resistance member);

a block (bulge inhibitor, resistance member);

a cover member (bulge inhibiting portion);

a longitudinal cover.

Detailed Description

Fig. 1 is a schematic perspective view of an exemplary Open Rack Vaporizer (ORV) 100. Fig. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the vaporizer 100 on a virtual vertical plane. The gasification apparatus 100 will be described with reference to fig. 1 and 2.

The vaporizer 100 is configured to vaporize liquefied natural gas (hereinafter, referred to as "liquefied gas") by exchanging heat between the liquefied natural gas and a heating liquid having a higher temperature than the liquefied gas. In the following description, the gas-phase natural gas obtained by heat exchange is referred to as "gasified gas". Seawater is used as the heating liquid.

The gasification apparatus 100 includes a gas flow portion through which the liquefied gas and the gasified gas flow, and a seawater flow portion through which seawater flows.

The gas flow locations include: a lower header pipe 111 extending in the horizontal direction; an upper header pipe 112 extending above the lower header pipe 111 in substantially parallel with the lower header pipe 111; and a plurality of heat transfer plates 113 connected to the upper header pipe 112 and the lower header pipe 111. The heat transfer plates 113 are horizontally arranged in parallel at intervals. The extending direction of the lower header pipe 111 and the upper header pipe 112 coincides with the arrangement direction of the plurality of heat transfer plates 113.

The lower header pipe 111 serves to distribute the liquefied gas to the plurality of heat transfer plates 113. The plurality of heat transfer plates 113 exchange heat between the liquefied gas and seawater supplied from a seawater flow portion. The upper header 112 is used to collect boil-off gas obtained by heat exchange between the liquefied gas and seawater. The upper header pipe 112 is connected to a supply device (not shown) configured to supply the boil-off gas to a predetermined demand destination (not shown).

The plurality of heat transfer plates 113 respectively include: a lower header 114 and an upper header 115 that are provided at positions separated from each other in the vertical direction and extend in the horizontal direction perpendicular to the direction in which the lower header 111 and the upper header 112 extend; and a plurality of heat transfer pipes 116 extending in the vertical direction between the lower header 114 and the upper header 115. The lower header 114 is disposed extending from the lower header pipe 111 and forms a lower edge of the heat transfer plates 113, and on the other hand, the upper header 115 is disposed extending from the upper header pipe 112 and forms an upper edge of the heat transfer plates 113. The plurality of heat transfer pipes 116 extend upward from the lower header 114 and are connected to the upper header 115. The plurality of heat transfer pipes 116 are arranged in the extending direction of the lower header 114 and the upper header 115. In the following description, the arrangement direction of the plurality of heat transfer pipes 116 is referred to as a "first horizontal direction". In the following description, a horizontal direction perpendicular to the first horizontal direction (i.e., a direction in which the lower header pipe 111 and the upper header pipe 112 extend) is referred to as a "second horizontal direction".

The seawater flow portion is configured to spray seawater onto the plurality of heat transfer tubes 116 of the plurality of heat transfer plates 113, respectively. The seawater flowing part comprises: a sprinkling portion for storing and sprinkling seawater; and a supply part for supplying seawater to the sprinkling part. Besides, the seawater flowing part also comprises: a flow rate adjusting unit for adjusting the flow rate of the seawater from the supply portion to the sprinkling portion; and a swelling suppression section configured to suppress swelling of the liquid surface of the seawater formed in the sprinkling portion.

The supply site includes: a pump 121 configured to discharge seawater; a header pipe 122 configured to guide the seawater discharged from the pump 121 in the second horizontal direction; and a plurality of supply pipes 123 connected to the manifold 122. The header pipe 122 is provided to extend in the second horizontal direction at a position separated from the plurality of heat transfer plates 113 in the first horizontal direction. The manifold 122 is provided with a plurality of outlet ports 125 through which the seawater flowing into the manifold 122 flows out. These outflow ports 125 are arranged side by side at intervals in the second horizontal direction. A plurality of supply pipes 123 are connected to these outflow ports 125. In the following description, the end of the supply pipe 123 connected to the outflow port 125 is referred to as an "upstream end". In the following description, an end portion of the supply pipe 123 opposite to the upstream end is referred to as a "downstream end". The downstream end is connected to the water spray portion.

The sprinkling portion includes a plurality of water tanks 130 arranged corresponding to the plurality of supply pipes 123. The plurality of water tanks 130 are arranged to be alternately juxtaposed with the plurality of heat transfer plates 113 in the second horizontal direction.

The height positions of the plurality of water tanks 130 are such that the water tanks 130 are disposed at a position lower than the upper header 115 and adjacent to the upper portions of the plurality of heat transfer tubes 116 of the heat transfer plate 113 (positions above the intermediate positions of the plurality of heat transfer tubes 116 in the height direction) in the second horizontal direction. The water tank 130 is disposed at a position higher than the manifold 122 having the outlet 125 formed therein.

The plurality of water tanks 130 respectively include: a tank 131 configured to store seawater flowing in through the corresponding supply pipe 123; and a guide portion 139 configured to guide the seawater overflowing from the tank 131 to the outer surfaces of the plurality of heat transfer tubes of the corresponding heat transfer plate 113.

The case 131 is a rectangular case that is long in the first horizontal direction and short in the second horizontal direction. The case 131 is opened upward. The case 131 includes a substantially rectangular bottom wall 132 elongated in the first horizontal direction, and a peripheral wall 133 rising upward from an outer peripheral edge of the bottom wall 132. The upper edge of the peripheral wall 133 is substantially horizontal as a whole. The peripheral wall 133 includes a pair of side walls 134 and 135 rising upward from a pair of long edges of the bottom wall 132, and a first end wall 136 and a second end wall 137 rising upward from a pair of short edges of the bottom wall 132. The side walls 134 and 135 are erected at positions spaced apart from each other in the second horizontal direction, and the first end wall 136 and the second end wall 137 are erected at positions spaced apart from each other in the first horizontal direction.

The lengths of the side walls 134, 135 and the bottom wall 132 in the first horizontal direction are set to a value greater than the length of the tube rows of the plurality of heat transfer tubes 116 arranged side by side in the first horizontal direction. The side walls 134 and 135 of the tank 131 are arranged so as to overlap the entire tube array of the plurality of heat transfer tubes 116 in the second horizontal direction.

The first end wall 136 is disposed closer to the outflow port 125 of the manifold 122 than the second end wall 137. The first end wall 136 is formed with an inlet 138 (see fig. 1) connected to the downstream end of the supply pipe 123. The center of the inflow port 138 is located below the center of the first end wall. The position of the inflow port 138 of the first end wall 136 in the second horizontal direction substantially coincides with the position of the outflow port 125 of the manifold 122 in the second horizontal direction. Since the water tank 130 is disposed at a position higher than the manifold 122, the inlet 138 formed in the first end wall 136 of the water tank 130 is also at a position higher than the outlet 125 of the manifold 122.

The guide portion 139 forms an inclined surface inclined downward from the upper edge of at least one of the side walls 134 and 135 toward the heat transfer plate 113 to which seawater is supplied. The inclined surface guides the seawater supplied to water tank 130 beyond the volume of case 131 and overflowing beyond the upper edges of side walls 134 and 135 of case 131 to the plurality of heat transfer tubes 116 of corresponding heat transfer plate 130.

The flow rate adjusting unit and the swell suppressing unit are disposed in the case 131. The flow rate adjustment portion and the suppression portion will be described with reference to fig. 1 and 3. Fig. 3 is a schematic longitudinal sectional view of the case 131.

As the flow rate adjusting portion, a blocking member 140 attached to the inner surface of the case 131 so as to partially block the inflow port 138 is used. The blocking member 140 serves to make the inflow amount of seawater substantially uniform among the plurality of water tanks 130.

As the closing member 140, an orifice plate formed with an opening 141 perforated in the first horizontal direction can be preferably used. The opening 141 has a smaller area than the inflow port 138. The blocking member 140 is mounted to the inner surface of the first end wall 136 and/or the side walls 134, 135. Further, the blocking member 140 can be detachable from the first end wall 136 and/or the side walls 134, 135. For example, the side edge of the closing member 140 may be inserted into a vertical groove portion formed in the inner surface of the side walls 134 and 135.

If the orifice plate of the tank 131 attached to one of the plurality of water tanks 130 is replaced with another orifice plate having a small opening area, the inflow amount of seawater into the water tank 130 with the replaced orifice plate is reduced, while the inflow amount of seawater into the other water tank 130 is increased. Conversely, if the orifice plate having a large opening area is newly attached, the inflow amount of seawater into the water tank 130 in which the orifice plate is replaced increases, while the inflow amount of seawater into the other water tank 130 decreases. Preferably, an orifice plate having an appropriate opening area is selected as the blocking member 140 for each of the plurality of water tanks 130 so that the seawater can be distributed substantially uniformly between the plurality of water tanks 130.

The bulge inhibiting portion includes a resistance member disposed between the first end wall 136 and the second end wall 137. The resistance member is disposed such that the seawater flowing in from the inflow port 138 collides with the resistance member before colliding with the second end wall 137. The resistance member includes a stopper plate 151 provided to rise upward from the bottom wall 132. In fig. 3, 3 blocking plates 151 are shown.

The plurality of blocking plates 151 are arranged between the first end wall 136 and the second end wall 137 at intervals in the first horizontal direction. A plurality of blocking plates 151 are mounted to the bottom wall 132 and/or the side walls 134, 135. The plurality of blocking plates 151 may also be detachable from the bottom wall 132 and/or the side walls 134, 135.

The height dimension of the blocking plate 151 is smaller than the height dimension of the peripheral wall 133. Therefore, a space for the seawater to flow in the first horizontal direction is formed above the blocking plate 151.

The flow of the liquefied gas and the seawater in the vaporizer 100 will be described below.

The flow of the liquefied gas in the gas flow portion is supplied to the lower header pipe 111 by a pump (not shown). The liquefied gas flows into the lower header pipe 111, and then flows into the lower header pipes 114 of the plurality of heat transfer plates 113. After the liquefied gas flows into the lower header 114, the liquefied gas flows upward along a plurality of heat transfer tubes 116 extending upward from the lower header 114. During this period, the liquefied gas is heat-exchanged with the seawater supplied from the seawater flow portion to become a boil-off gas. The boil-off gas flows upward and flows into the upper header 115. Thereafter, the gasification gas flows through the upper header 115 and is collected in the upper header 112.

The seawater flow in the seawater flow portion is supplied to the header 122 by the pump 121. The seawater is guided in the second horizontal direction by the manifold 122 and is distributed to a plurality of supply pipes 123 installed to the manifold 122. The seawater flowing through the supply pipe 123 flows into the corresponding water tank 130. The seawater flowing into the tank 130 forms a liquid layer in a space surrounded by the bottom wall 132 and the peripheral wall 133. When the inflow amount of the seawater flowing into the tank 130 exceeds the volume of the tank 131, the seawater overflows over the upper edges of the side walls 134 and 135. Thereafter, the seawater flows down along the inclined surface of the guide part 139. As a result, the seawater is sprayed to the upper portions of the plurality of heat transfer pipes 116 located on the side of the tank 131.

The sprayed seawater flows down while forming a liquid film on the outer surface of the plurality of heat transfer pipes 116. Since the liquefied gas flows upward inside the plurality of heat transfer tubes 116, the seawater can efficiently exchange heat with the liquefied gas. That is, the liquefied gas is efficiently vaporized. The gasification gases are converged to the upper header 112 by the plurality of upper headers 115 as described above.

Hereinafter, the flow path of the seawater flowing from the header pipe 122 to the plurality of water tanks 130 is compared with the structure of the conventional vaporizer.

In the conventional configuration, the flow path of the seawater is configured such that the seawater flows in from the bottom surface of the water tank, and therefore, the flow path of the seawater extends from the header pipe beyond the first end wall and is connected to the inflow port formed in the bottom surface of the water tank. Unlike the conventional configuration, since the supply pipe 123 does not extend from the header pipe 122 so as to pass over the first end wall 136, not only is the material cost of the supply pipe 123 saved, but also the flow resistance against the seawater flowing in the supply pipe 123 is reduced.

In the conventional configuration, a fluid member such as a butterfly valve or an orifice plate is generally disposed in a flow path extending from a main pipe to a plurality of water tanks. These fluid members are used to suppress variations in the amount of seawater flowing into the water tanks among the plurality of water tanks. In the present embodiment, the blocking member 140 is used to suppress variation in the amount of seawater among the plurality of water tanks. Hereinafter, the closing member 140 is compared with a conventional fluid component.

In the replacement of the blocking member 140, an operator who performs the replacement operation can easily reach the blocking member 140 through the upward opening of the case 131. The operator can pull the current blocking member 140 out of the housing 131 and mount a new blocking member in the housing 131. Unlike the configuration in which a butterfly valve or an orifice is attached to the supply pipe 123, the supply pipe 123 does not need to be disassembled for replacement of the closing member 140. In addition, in the replacement work, a wide space above the water tank 130 is used instead of the narrow space provided by the short supply pipe 123. Therefore, the blocking member 140 is relatively easily replaced.

The seawater passing through the blocking member 140 collides against the plurality of blocking plates 151. The influence exerted by these baffle plates 151 on the seawater flowing in the tank 131 will be described below.

In fig. 3, a curve drawn by a straight line (solid line) and a broken line extending in the first horizontal direction above the plurality of blocking plates 151 is shown. The solid line schematically represents the level of seawater assumed in the case where a plurality of blocking plates 151 are present. The dotted line schematically represents the level of seawater assumed in the absence of the plurality of blocking plates 151.

In the case where the plurality of baffle plates 151 are not present, the seawater that has passed through the inflow port 138 and the opening 141 of the closing member 140 (orifice plate) in this order collides violently against the inner surface of the second end wall 137. A part of the seawater colliding with the second end wall 137 flows vigorously upward along the inner surface of the second end wall 137. As a result, as shown by the broken lines, the liquid level of the seawater in tank 131 rises upward near the inner surface of second end wall 137.

On the other hand, when there are a plurality of baffle plates 151, a part of the seawater that has passed through the inflow port 138 and the opening 141 of the closing member 140 (orifice plate) in this order collides with the baffle plate 151 disposed most upstream (that is, the baffle plate 151 disposed closest to the first end wall 136). A part of the seawater colliding with the baffle plate 151 changes its direction and flows in a direction other than the first horizontal direction, and the other seawater flows over the baffle plate 151 and toward the second end wall 137. The seawater that has passed over the uppermost barrier plate 151 collides with the next barrier plate 151. As a result of the seawater sequentially colliding against the plurality of blocking plates 151, the seawater components that vigorously flow toward the second end wall 137 gradually become smaller. Since the collision force generated between the seawater and the second end wall 137 in the case where the plurality of blocking plates 151 are present is smaller than the collision force generated between the seawater and the second end wall 137 in the case where the plurality of blocking plates 151 are not present, the momentum of the upward seawater flow generated by the collision of the seawater against the second end wall 137 becomes weak. As a result, the rise height of the liquid surface near the inner surface of the second end wall 137 becomes low.

Preferably, the arrangement of the plurality of baffle plates 151 is determined so that the liquid level of the seawater in the tank 130 becomes substantially flat based on the flow rate of the seawater flowing into the tank 130 and the flow pattern of the seawater in the tank 130. Thus, the resistance member may be 1 or 2 blocking plates 151, and may also be more than 3 blocking plates 151.

As the resistance member, another resistance member configured to be collided with the seawater flowing in from the inflow port 138 may be used instead of the baffle plate 151. An alternative member that can be used as the resistance member is explained with reference to fig. 3 to 4B. Fig. 4A and 4B are schematic perspective views of the alternative member.

Instead of the barrier plate 151 in which no through-hole is formed, a porous plate 152 in which a plurality of through-holes perforated in the first horizontal direction are formed may be used as the resistance member (see fig. 4A). Since the seawater can pass through the through holes of the perforated plate 152, the perforated plate 152 may have substantially the same height as the peripheral wall 133.

Instead of the baffle plate 151 that is thin in the first horizontal direction, blocks 153 having a smaller difference in size in the first horizontal direction, the second horizontal direction, and the vertical direction than the baffle plate 151 may be used as the resistance member (see fig. 4B). The shape and size of the member serving as the swell suppressing portion are preferably determined so that the liquid level of the seawater in the tank 131 becomes substantially flat.

The baffle plate 151, the porous plate 152, and the block 153, which are exemplified as the swelling suppressing portion, reduce the momentum of the seawater flowing toward the second end wall 137 before the seawater collides with the second end wall 137, thereby suppressing the swelling of the liquid surface. However, the swell suppressing portion may also be a member configured to be collided by an upward current generated by collision of seawater against the second end wall 137. With reference to fig. 1 and 5A to 10C, the swell suppressing portion arranged to allow upward water flow generated by collision of seawater against the second end wall 137 to collide therewith will be described. Fig. 5A to 5F are schematic sectional views of the case 131 having a one-layer cover member.

The bulge suppressing portion may be a plate-like cover member 154 disposed in the case 131 in the vicinity of the second end wall 137. The cover member 154 has a plurality of through holes. Therefore, a porous plate can be preferably used as the cover member 154. The cover member 154 may be used as the protrusion suppressing portion alone (see fig. 5A) or may be used as the protrusion suppressing portion together with the resistance member (e.g., the blocking plate 151) (see fig. 5B).

The cover member 154 is disposed to extend in the first horizontal direction from the vicinity of the second end wall 137, and is substantially horizontally across. The cover member 154 partitions a portion of the interior space of the case 131 up and down near the second end wall 137. A pair of side edges of the cover member 154 may be mounted to the inner surfaces of the side walls 134, 135. The downstream end edge of the cover member 154 may be attached to the inner surface of the second end wall 137 and abut against the inner surface of the second end wall 137 (see fig. 5A). Instead, the position of the cover member 154 in the first horizontal direction may be determined such that the downstream end edge of the cover member 154 is slightly spaced apart from the inner surface of the second end wall 137 (see fig. 5B). The downstream end edge of the cover member 154 is adjacent to the inner surface of the second end wall 137, while the upstream end edge of the cover member 154 is spaced a substantial distance from the inner surface of the upstream first end wall 136. The cover member 154 is preferably detachable from the case 131.

The cover member 154 is disposed at a position higher than the inflow port 138. Therefore, most of the seawater flowing into the tank 131 from the inlet 138 through the opening of the closing member 140 (orifice plate) collides with the inner surface of the second end wall 137 below the cover member 154.

The upward flow of seawater generated by the downward collision of the cover member 154 collides against the lower surface of the cover member 154. As a result, most of the seawater that has collided with the cover member 154 flows along the lower surface of the cover member 154 toward the upstream first end wall 136. Therefore, the rise of the liquid surface near the downstream second end wall 137 is effectively suppressed.

A part of the seawater that has collided with the cover member 154 flows into the space above the cover member 154 through the through hole that penetrates the cover member 154 in the vertical direction. Therefore, the cover member 154 does not excessively obstruct the formation of the liquid layer of the seawater above the cover member 154. That is, the cover member 154 does not excessively inhibit the seawater from overflowing the downstream end of the tank 130. Since the cover member 154 allows the passage of seawater through the through hole, even if seawater collides with the cover member 154, an excessive load is not applied to the connecting portion between the cover member 154 and the case 131.

If the connection portion between the cover member and the case 131 is sufficiently strong, the cover member may not have a through hole. In this case, the seawater can flow into the space above the cover member through the space between the upstream edge of the cover member and the upstream first end wall 136.

As described above, fig. 5A and 5B show that the single porous plate as the cover member 154 is disposed on the second end wall 137 side, i.e., on the downstream side of the inflow port 138 of the water tank, in the case 131. However, a single porous plate serving as the cover member 154 may be disposed on the first end wall 136 side, i.e., on the upstream side of the inflow port 138 of the water tank, in the case 131 (see fig. 5C); a single porous plate serving as the cover member 154 may be disposed on the substantially middle position of the first end wall 136 and the second end wall 137, i.e., on the midstream side, within the case 131 (see fig. 5D).

Fig. 5A to 5D show a single perforated plate as the cover member 154. However, a plurality of porous plates 155 may be disposed in the case 131 (see fig. 5E). The porous plates 155 are arranged at intervals in the first horizontal direction. The porous plates 155 are disposed at substantially constant height positions (positions higher than the inlet and lower than the upper edge of the case 131). The downstream-most perforated plate 155 corresponds to the cover member 154 described with reference to fig. 5A and 5B. That is, the most downstream porous plate 155 helps to suppress the rise of the liquid surface in the vicinity of the second end wall 137. The other porous plate 155 helps to suppress fluctuation of the liquid surface due to the seawater from the inflow port 138. The inflow port 138 is formed in the lower region of the first end wall 136, whereby fluctuation of the liquid surface is suppressed to some extent, but fluctuation of the liquid surface is effectively suppressed by the porous plates 155.

Instead of the plurality of porous plates 155, a thin plate having no through-hole may be attached to the position where the porous plates 155 are disposed. In this case, the seawater can flow into the region above the arrangement height of the thin plates through the gaps between the adjacent thin plates. The effect of suppressing the undulation and the swell of the liquid surface can be obtained by the plurality of thin plates.

In order to obtain the effect of suppressing the fluctuation and the rise of the liquid surface, a single porous plate 156 (see fig. 5F) long in the first horizontal direction and arranged over the entire surface in the first horizontal direction may be used. The perforated plate 156 shown in fig. 5F partitions the inner space of the case 131 up and down over the entire interval between the inner surface of the first end wall 136 and the inner surface of the second end wall 137. The height position of the porous plate 156 is equal to that of the porous plate 155 in fig. 5E. The seawater can flow into the space above the perforated plate 156 through the through holes of the perforated plate 156.

Fig. 5A to 5F show the case of having a one-layer cover member. However, the cover member 154 may be provided in the case 131 in an overlapping manner. Fig. 6A to 6D are schematic sectional views of a case having a two-layer lid member.

Specifically, the cover member 154 is provided in two layers at intervals in the vertical direction on the entire surface of the water tank (see fig. 6A). The cover member 154 may be provided in a single layer over the entire surface of the water tank, and the upper cover member 154 may be provided to overlap only a part of the water tank. The upper cover member 154 that is overlapped only on a part of the water tank may be disposed on the upstream side (see fig. 6B) that is the first end wall 136 side, on the midstream side (see fig. 6C) that is the substantially intermediate position between the first end wall 136 and the second end wall 137, or on the downstream side (see fig. 6D) that is the second end wall 137 side.

Fig. 7A to 7C are schematic sectional views showing another embodiment of a case having a two-layer cover member.

In the other embodiment shown in fig. 7A to 7C, in contrast to the example shown in fig. 6B to 6D, the lid member 154 provided on the entire surface of the water tank is located at the upper stage, and the lid member 154 provided only on a part of the water tank is located at the lower stage. That is, the cover member 154 is provided only in one layer on a part of the water tank, and the upper cover member 154 is provided to overlap the entire surface of the water tank. The cover member 154 provided only on a part of the water tank may be disposed on the upstream side, which is the first end wall 136 side (see fig. 7A), on the intermediate side, which is the substantially intermediate position between the first end wall 136 and the second end wall 137 (see fig. 7B), or on the downstream side, which is the second end wall 137 side (see fig. 7C).

Fig. 8A to 8C are schematic sectional views showing other embodiments of the case having the two-layer cover member.

In other embodiments shown in fig. 8A to 8C, the upper and lower cover members 154 are provided only in a part of the water tank. Similarly, the second layer cover member 154 may be disposed on the upstream side (see fig. 8A) which is the first end wall 136 side, on the intermediate side (see fig. 8B) which is the substantially intermediate position between the first end wall 136 and the second end wall 137, or on the downstream side (see fig. 8C) which is the second end wall 137 side.

It is to be noted here that although the example of fig. 6A to 8C shows an example of a two-layer cover member, three or more layers of cover members may be provided as appropriate.

Although not shown, the cover member 154 of the present invention may be a continuous single plate, or a plurality of plates may be arranged side by side to form one cover member 154.

Fig. 9A to 9C are schematic sectional views showing the case in contact with the resistance member on the cover member.

As shown in fig. 9A to 9C, in the present invention, it is preferable that a stopper plate 151 that contacts the cover member 154 is further provided in addition to the cover member 154 being disposed in an overlapping manner. The blocking plate 151 may be disposed on the upstream side (see fig. 9A) which is the first end wall 136 side, on the midstream side (see fig. 9B) which is the substantially intermediate position between the first end wall 136 and the second end wall 137, or on the downstream side (see fig. 9C) which is the second end wall 137 side.

The resistance member 151a may be a perforated resistance member, and the resistance member 151a may have a through hole penetrating in the first horizontal direction (see fig. 9D).

It is also contemplated herein that, as the resistance member, contact with the cover member is possible; can also contact with the bottom wall of the water tank; or may be suspended within the sink without contacting the cover member and the bottom wall of the sink (i.e., separate configurations), in which case the resistance members may be attached to the side walls 134, 135 of the sink.

Fig. 10A to 10C are schematic cross-sectional views showing a case in which a vertical cover is provided on a cover member.

As shown in fig. 10A to 10C, in the present invention, it is preferable to provide a vertical cover 157 in addition to the cover member 154 which is disposed to overlap. The longitudinal cover 157 is disposed between the two-layer cover members 154 to connect the two-layer cover members 154. The longitudinal cover 157 may be formed with or without an opening. When the cover member positioned at the lower layer among the cover members 154 arranged to overlap each other is arranged over the entire upper surface of the water tank and the upper layer is provided only in a part of the water tank and abuts against the first end wall 136 or the second end wall 137, the vertical cover 157 may be provided at the open end portion on the side of the two-layer cover member 154 (see fig. 10A). When the cover members 154 arranged to overlap each other are provided only in a part of the water tank and do not abut on the first end wall 136 or the second end wall 137, the vertical covers 157 may be provided at both open ends of the two-layer cover member 154 (see fig. 10B). When the cover members 154 arranged to overlap each other are provided only in a part of the water tank and abut against the first end wall 136 or the second end wall 137, the vertical cover 157 may be provided at the open end on the side of the two-layer cover member 154 (see fig. 10C). That is, it is preferable to provide a longitudinal cover at the open end between the two-layer cover members to suppress the passage of seawater through the gap between the two-layer cover members.

The structures described in association with the above embodiments are exemplary and should not be construed as limiting. Various changes and improvements may be made to the structure described in connection with the above embodiments.

In the above embodiment, liquefied natural gas is exemplified as the liquefied gas. However, the liquefied gas may be liquefied petroleum gas, and may also be liquid nitrogen.

In the above embodiment, seawater is exemplified as the heating liquid. However, other liquids having a higher temperature than the liquefied gas may be used as the heating liquid.

Various arrangements can be adopted with respect to the height position of the manifold 122. Other arrangements of the manifold 122 will be described with reference to fig. 1 and 11. Fig. 11 is a schematic sectional view of the manifold 122.

In the arrangement shown in fig. 1, the inlet 138 of the first end wall 136 and the outlet 125 of the manifold 122 are disposed at different heights. However, the relative positional relationship between the manifold 122 and the plurality of water tanks 130 may be determined so that the inflow port 138 of the first end wall 136 is substantially coaxial with the outflow port 125 of the manifold 122 (see fig. 11). That is, the manifold 122 may be disposed at a position higher than the position shown in fig. 1 so that the height position of the manifold 122 is substantially equal to the height positions of the plurality of water tanks 130. In this case, as the supply pipe connected to the manifold 122 and the plurality of water tanks 130, a straight pipe type supply pipe 123 can be preferably used, so that a flow path shorter than a curved flow path can be formed.

Fig. 12 is a schematic perspective view of another example of the open rack type vaporizer 100 ', and fig. 13 is a schematic sectional view of the vaporizer 100' shown in fig. 12.

The open rack vaporizer 100' of another example shown in fig. 12 and 13 is different from the open rack vaporizer 100 shown in fig. 1 and 2 in that: the flow path cross-sectional area differs between the plurality of supply pipes connected to the header pipe 122 and supplying seawater (heating liquid) to the water tank 130. Otherwise, the same as the gasification apparatus 100 is applied, and a repetitive description thereof will be omitted.

Specifically, the number of water tanks in the vaporizer is two or more, the main pipe supplies seawater to the two or more water tanks via the supply pipe, and the cross-sectional flow area of the supply pipe connected to one of the two or more water tanks 130 is smaller than the cross-sectional flow area of the supply pipe connected to the other of the two or more water tanks.

In a preferred embodiment, when there are three or more water tanks 130 of the vaporizer as shown in fig. 12 and 13, seawater is supplied to each of the water tanks 130 through the supply pipe from the header pipe 122. Among the plurality of supply pipes, the flow path cross-sectional area of the supply pipe 123 connected to the two water tanks 130 positioned outermost among the plurality of water tanks 130 is smaller than the flow path cross-sectional area of the supply pipe 123' connected to the other water tanks 130.

In the above embodiment, the blocking member 140 is used to make the inflow amount of seawater between the plurality of water tanks 130 uniform. In order to increase the adjustment range of the inflow amount of seawater flowing into each of the plurality of tanks 130, a flow rate adjusting member such as a valve or an orifice plate may be provided in the plurality of supply pipes 123.

In the above embodiment, the closing member 140 is formed using an orifice plate. However, as shown in fig. 14, the blocking member 140 may be formed using a porous plate 142.

In the above embodiment, the plurality of blocking plates 151 function as the swell suppressing portions. However, it is also possible that a single blocking plate is used as the bulge suppressing portion. Several baffle plates may be used as the swelling suppressing portion based on the flow rate of the seawater flowing into the water tank 130 and the size of the inflow port 138. The arrangement interval of the plurality of barrier plates 151 and the height of the plurality of barrier plates 151 may be determined based on these design conditions.

In the above embodiment, the resistance member is provided vertically with respect to the bottom wall 132 from the bottom wall 132 of the water tank 130 to the surface of the seawater. However, other forms of resistance members may be employed as shown in fig. 15A-15C. For example, the resistance member 151 may be inclined toward the downstream side from the bottom wall 132 of the water tank 130 to the liquid surface of the seawater (see fig. 15A), and the resistance member 151' may be inclined toward the upstream side from the bottom wall 132 of the water tank 130 to the liquid surface of the seawater (see fig. 15B). When the resistance member is viewed in the first horizontal direction, the resistance member 151 may be divided into two or more pieces from the bottom wall 132 of the water tank 130 to the liquid surface of the seawater (see fig. 15C).

Industrial applicability

The technique described in the above embodiment is preferably used in various technical fields requiring a phase change from a liquefied gas to a gasified gas.