KR102708377B1 - Mobile nitrogen generator for supplying nitrogen to ca containers - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a mobile nitrogen generator for supplying nitrogen to a CA container, comprising: a housing, which is mounted on a moving means, and which includes regions divided based on a longitudinal central axis to prevent the moving means from leaning in any one direction when moving; a first region in which, as one of the regions, a part of a generator for generating electric energy to supply electric energy to facilities arranged in the housing and the CA container, a distribution board for providing the electric energy to the facilities arranged in the housing and the CA container, a first air compressor for generating compressed air for generating nitrogen by taking in air from the outside, a receiver tank for receiving and storing compressed air, a dryer for drying the inside of the housing by being connected to the receiver tank, a cooler for cooling the inside of the housing by being connected to the receiver tank, and a part of a membrane-type nitrogen generator for generating nitrogen by receiving compressed air are disposed; And it is characterized by including a second area in which a portion of the generator disposed in the first area is disposed, a portion of the generator disposed in the first area is disposed, a booster for supplying a preset voltage to each of the facilities disposed in the housing and the CA container, a second air compressor for generating compressed air for nitrogen generation by taking in air from the outside together with the first air compressor, a carbon dioxide bomb for supplying carbon dioxide to the CA container, and a portion of the nitrogen generator disposed in the first area is disposed, except for a portion of the generator. In addition to this, various embodiments are possible as identified through the present document.

Description

{MOBILE NITROGEN GENERATOR FOR SUPPLYING NITROGEN TO CA CONTAINERS}

The present invention relates to a mobile nitrogen generator for supplying nitrogen to a CA container, and more particularly, to a technology for creating a low-oxygen/high-nitrogen condition for maintaining the freshness of agricultural products in a CA (Controlled Atmosphere) container that controls the temperature, humidity and atmospheric environment of the internal space for transporting agricultural products through a nitrogen generator mounted on a mobile means, and for maintaining the weight balance of equipment mounted on a mobile means during the movement of the mobile means.

CA containers are containers that apply CA storage technology, which controls the atmospheric environment such as temperature, humidity, oxygen, carbon dioxide, and ethylene, to agricultural product transport containers, and are manufactured to maintain the freshness of fresh products during distribution. In order to prevent fresh products loaded into CA containers from spoiling, it is important to lower the oxygen concentration by increasing the nitrogen ratio inside the CA container to over 90%. However, existing nitrogen injection devices can only be provided as a fixed station type, so vehicles equipped with CA containers must visit a site where a nitrogen injection device is installed to inject nitrogen.

In such cases, especially in high temperature environments such as summer, the compression efficiency decreases as the ambient temperature of the compressor requiring cooling and the intake temperature increase accordingly. In addition, since it takes up to 8 hours for the nitrogen injection time and the vehicle carrying the CA container to move to the nitrogen injection device, the operating efficiency of the vehicle is greatly reduced, and this causes the problem of a decrease in the utilization rate of the CA container due to an increase in the distribution unit price.

Accordingly, the industry is developing various technologies to solve the problems described above.

As an example, Korean Patent No. 10-2325401 (Pressure Control Satellite Transport Container) discloses a technology for maintaining the internal environment of a container even during container transport according to the internal pressure state of the container.

However, in the above-described prior art, only a technology for preventing contamination of the interior of a container based on the pressure simply applied to the container is disclosed, and a technology for maintaining the freshness of agricultural products in a CA container, which controls the temperature, humidity, and atmospheric environment of the interior space for transporting agricultural products, by creating a low-oxygen/high-nitrogen condition through a nitrogen generating device mounted on a moving vehicle, and for maintaining the weight balance of the equipment mounted on the moving vehicle during the movement of the moving vehicle is not disclosed, and therefore the need for a technology that can solve this problem is emerging.

Accordingly, the present invention is an invention derived to solve the problems of the existing technologies described above, and the purpose is to create a low-oxygen/high-nitrogen condition for maintaining the freshness of agricultural products in a CA container that controls the temperature, humidity and atmospheric environment of the internal space for transporting agricultural products through a nitrogen generating device mounted on a moving means, and to maintain the weight balance of the equipment mounted on the moving means while the moving means is moving, thereby safely moving the heavy nitrogen generating device to the location of the CA container instead of mounting the nitrogen generating device on the moving means and moving the CA container, thereby providing convenience in injecting nitrogen into the CA container.

In one embodiment of the present invention, a mobile nitrogen generator for supplying nitrogen to a CA container comprises: a housing, which is mounted on a moving means, and which includes a region divided based on a longitudinal central axis to prevent the moving means from leaning in any one direction when moving; a first region in which, as one of the regions, a part of a generator for generating electric energy to supply electric energy to facilities arranged in the housing and the CA container, a distribution board for providing the electric energy to the facilities arranged in the housing and the CA container, a first air compressor for generating compressed air for generating nitrogen by taking in air from the outside, a receiver tank for receiving and storing compressed air, a dryer for drying the inside of the housing by being connected to the receiver tank, a cooler for cooling the inside of the housing by being connected to the receiver tank, and a part of a membrane-type nitrogen generator for generating nitrogen by receiving compressed air are disposed; And it is characterized by including a second region in which a portion of the generator disposed in the first region is disposed, a portion of the generator disposed in the first region is disposed, a booster for supplying a preset voltage to each of the facilities disposed in the housing and the CA container, a second air compressor for generating compressed air for nitrogen generation by taking in air from the outside together with the first air compressor, a carbon dioxide bomb for supplying carbon dioxide to the CA container, and a portion of the nitrogen generator disposed in the first region is disposed, a portion of the ...

It is preferable that the above housing has a size that can be mounted on a vehicle weighing at least 2.5 tons.

On the outer surface of the housing, an air movement module is preferably positioned, which supplies outside air of the housing to the first air compressor and the second air compressor so that the first air compressor and the second air compressor generate compressed air, and to which a conduit is connected for supplying nitrogen discharged from the nitrogen generator or carbon dioxide discharged from the carbon dioxide bomb to the CA container.

The above-mentioned booster preferably converts electric energy generated from a generator into a preset voltage of 440 V to supply electric energy to the CA container, or converts electric energy generated from a generator into a preset voltage of 380 V to supply electric energy to facilities placed in the housing.

The above-mentioned distribution board is preferably configured to be positioned adjacent to the booster arranged in the second area in the first area, and includes terminals connected to branched wires for distributing and supplying electric energy to the facilities arranged in the housing and the CA container.

The above generator may be configured to, when generating the electric energy, provide the generated electric energy to the booster so that the booster converts the provided electric energy into a preset voltage specification that allows each of the facilities and CA containers placed in the housing to operate, and provide the electric energy converted into the preset voltage specification to the facilities and CA containers placed in the housing through the distribution panel.

The mobile nitrogen generating device for supplying nitrogen to the CA container preferably further includes: a first line through which nitrogen generated from the nitrogen generator is moved; a second line through which carbon dioxide supplied from the carbon dioxide bomb is moved; a third line configured to be connected and extended from the first line and the second line and to supply one of the nitrogen and the carbon dioxide to the CA container; and a control unit that controls a valve that controls the connection of the first line, the second line, and the third line, while controlling the flow rate of air supplied to the air compressor and the flow rate of compressed air supplied to the nitrogen generator.

The above nitrogen generator may include a line filter which, when compressed air is supplied from the receiver tank, preferentially receives the compressed air and filters moisture and foreign substances from the compressed air; and a membrane tube which includes a nitrogen separation module which extracts nitrogen in a membrane manner from the compressed air filtered by the line filter, the membrane tube having a configuration for extracting nitrogen from the filtered compressed air within the main body.

The above region is arranged so that the generator and the nitrogen generator are each located in both the first region and the second region in order to implement weight balancing between the first region and the second region, and the nitrogen generator is arranged so that a plurality of coupled membrane tubes are positioned in a form in which they are laid down in a horizontal direction, and as the number of carbon dioxide bombs located in the second region increases or decreases, the equipment arranged in the housing can be arranged in a position so that weight balancing is implemented based on the weights of the generator, the nitrogen generator, and the carbon dioxide bombs.

The present invention enables the CA container to be moved by arranging the facilities necessary for creating an environment for maintaining freshness inside the CA container through a mobile nitrogen generating device for supplying nitrogen to the CA container in a mobile housing and mounting the housing on a moving vehicle.

The equipment placed in the housing is placed so as to implement weight balancing, so that when the vehicle is in operation, the weight of the housing is centered on the direction of movement, preventing the balance on both sides from collapsing.

Accordingly, by safely moving to the site where the CA container is parked and injecting nitrogen into the CA container through a greatly improved mobility such as a 2.5-ton vehicle, the travel time of the conventional CA container-equipped vehicle can be minimized, thereby reducing the distribution cost.

FIG. 1 is a drawing for explaining a mobile nitrogen generating device for supplying nitrogen to a CA container according to one embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a drawing for explaining an electric energy distribution system of a mobile nitrogen generator for supplying nitrogen to a CA container according to one embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a drawing for explaining an example in which a mobile nitrogen generating device for supplying nitrogen to a CA container according to one embodiment of the present invention is mounted on a moving vehicle.
FIG. 4 is a drawing for explaining a control unit of a mobile nitrogen generator for supplying nitrogen to a CA container according to one embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is another drawing for explaining a control unit of a mobile nitrogen generator for supplying nitrogen to a CA container according to one embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 6 is a drawing for explaining weight balancing of a mobile nitrogen generating device for supplying nitrogen to a CA container according to one embodiment of the present invention.

Hereinafter, various embodiments and/or aspects are now disclosed with reference to the drawings. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a general understanding of one or more of the aspects. It will be recognized, however, by one skilled in the art that such aspect(s) may be practiced without these specific details. The following description and the annexed drawings set forth specific exemplary aspects of one or more of the aspects in detail. It should be understood, however, that these aspects are exemplary and that any of the various methods of the principles of the various aspects may be utilized, and the description is intended to encompass all such aspects and their equivalents.

The terms “embodiment,” “example,” “aspect,” and “example” as used herein are not to be construed as implying that any aspect or design described is better or advantageous over other aspects or designs.

Additionally, it should be understood that the terms "comprises" and/or "comprising" imply the presence of the features and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, components and/or groups thereof.

Also, terms including ordinal numbers such as first, second, etc. may be used to describe various components, but the components are not limited by the terms. The terms are only used to distinguish one component from another. For example, without departing from the scope of the present invention, the first component may be referred to as the second component, and similarly, the second component may also be referred to as the first component. The term and/or includes a combination of a plurality of related described items or any item among a plurality of related described items.

In addition, in the embodiments of the present invention, unless otherwise defined, all terms used herein, including technical or scientific terms, have the same meaning as commonly understood by a person of ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention belongs. Terms defined in commonly used dictionaries should be interpreted as having a meaning consistent with the meaning they have in the context of the relevant technology, and shall not be interpreted in an ideal or overly formal meaning unless explicitly defined in the embodiments of the present invention.

Meanwhile, in the following description, some of the details described in the drawings are omitted or excessively enlarged or reduced in order to explain the functions of each component of the present invention, but it should be understood that the illustrated details do not limit the technical features and scope of rights of the present invention.

Additionally, in the following description, multiple drawings will be simultaneously referenced and described to explain one technical feature or component constituting the invention.

FIG. 1 is a drawing for explaining a mobile nitrogen generating device for supplying nitrogen to a CA container according to one embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 1, a mobile nitrogen generator (hereinafter referred to as a mobile nitrogen generator) (100) for supplying nitrogen to a CA container can disclose a technical feature for solving the problem that, since existing nitrogen injection devices can only be provided as a fixed station type, a vehicle (transport means) equipped with a CA container must visit a site where a nitrogen injection device is installed to inject nitrogen.

In more detail, the nitrogen generating device of the present invention can be installed in a means of transportation such as a vehicle, aircraft, or ship, and disclose a technology for safely moving the means of transportation to a location where a CA container is located and injecting nitrogen into the CA container.

According to one embodiment, a mobile nitrogen generating device (100) for supplying nitrogen to a CA container may include a housing, a first region, and a second region.

According to one embodiment, the housing may be configured to be mounted on a moving means, and may include a region partitioned based on a longitudinal central axis to prevent the moving means from leaning in one direction when moving.

In relation to the above, the housing may be configured to have a size that can be mounted on a vehicle weighing at least 2.5 tons, and the interior of the housing may include facilities (e.g., a generator, an air compressor, a receiver tank, a dryer, a cooler, a carbon dioxide tank, a booster, a distribution board, etc.) that create an environment for maintaining the freshness of fresh loads (e.g., agricultural products, livestock products, etc.) within the interior space of the CA container.

For example, the housing refers to a body that can be mounted on a cargo vehicle (transportation means) such as a top car, which has an internal cavity divided by an imaginary boundary line between the first area and the second area, and has an opening/closing method in the form of a side wing body. In this case, the housing can be composed of a synthetic resin material, a metal material, etc.

Meanwhile, due to the characteristics of the nitrogen generator and power generator as described below, in order to secure a size and weight for stable output, it is desirable that the housing be of a size that can be mounted on a vehicle weighing at least 2.5 tons per kg/cm2 , but it is not limited thereto.

According to one embodiment, the housing can be mounted on a moving means, and the moving means can be driven to a location where a CA container is located while carrying the housing. At this time, if a problem occurs in the equipment mounted on the housing, the center of gravity of the moving means changes unbalancedly. The purpose of the present invention is to prevent an accident of the moving means due to such imbalance of the center of gravity by dividing the area within the housing into a first area and a second area based on the longitudinal central axis, and to arrange equipment in each area, but to arrange them in a position where weight balancing can be maintained even when the moving means moves.

The weight balancing mentioned in the present invention is implemented so that the weights between the first region and the second region, which will be described later, are balanced with each other and so that the weights between the first region and the second region are almost the same, and when the means of transportation must move while carrying the housing, the purpose is to prevent the phenomenon of the direction of movement of the means of transportation being tilted due to the tilt of the housing when the means of transportation moves.

Accordingly, the housing may include a first region and a second region, which are regions partitioned based on a longitudinal central axis, to prevent the moving means from leaning in one direction when the moving means is moved while mounted on the moving means.

According to one embodiment, the first region may be a region in which a part of a generator (101) for generating electric energy to supply electric energy to facilities arranged in the housing and the CA container, a distribution board (115) for providing the electric energy to the facilities arranged in the housing and the CA container, a first air compressor (103a) for generating compressed air for nitrogen generation by taking in air from the outside, a receiver tank (109) for receiving and storing compressed air, a dryer (107) connected to the receiver tank for drying the inside of the housing, a cooler (111) connected to the receiver tank for cooling the inside of the housing, and a part of a membrane-type nitrogen generator (105) for receiving compressed air and generating nitrogen are disposed.

In the present invention, the air compressor (103) may be implemented as a compressor of, for example, 35 horsepower (hp) or more. The compressor, which includes the first air compressor (103a) and the second air compressor (103b), is a device that compresses air to a certain pressure or higher and stores it in a high-pressure tank. Depending on the manufacturing company or model, there are models that combine a refrigerated dryer and oil-free models that do not use oil.

Typically, the auxiliary facilities of an air compressor are composed of the air compressor discharge port, receiver tank, cooler, dryer, filter, etc., and are arranged according to the situation of the site where the device is used or the product. Since the air compressor goes through the process of compressing air in the atmosphere, moisture is bound to be generated naturally, and the more sensitive the product is to moisture, the greater the need for products to be used in auxiliary facilities.

Air compressors are also sensitive to temperature. Therefore, in the hot summer, fans or other cooling facilities are installed next to the compressor, and in the winter, heating wires are often wrapped around the pipes and heaters are turned on. In particular, since the air compressor generates moisture, special care is required in the winter as moisture can freeze inside the pipes or equipment.

According to one embodiment, the air compressor (103a, 103b) can be classified by its operating method, and all of the reciprocating type (piston type), vane type, and screw type can be used. The reciprocating type is a type in which a piston reciprocates within a cylinder by a crankshaft to compress the air within the cylinder. In a reciprocating type air compressor, the power transmission between the engine and the piston is directly connected through a coupling or driven by a belt via a clutch. The vane type has a simpler structure than the reciprocating type and has a larger compressed air production capacity, so it is mainly used in large air compressors. This type has a first-stage air compression type and a second-stage air compression type. The screw type is a type in which a rotor with a screw-shaped groove and a rotating compression plate on both sides are driven to mesh to produce compressed air. Its features include a uniform air production volume, a lighter weight than the piston type, easy operation and output control, and great durability, but its disadvantage is that its structure is more complex than the piston type.

According to one embodiment, the cooler (111) refers to a configuration for cooling the temperature inside the housing, or more precisely, around the air compressor, and the dryer (107) is also a configuration for drying the inside of the housing, or more precisely, for drying the air discharged from the compressor.

According to one embodiment, the receiver tank (109) may be configured to store compressed air from an air compressor. At this time, the capacity of the receiver tank (109) is determined by the purpose and pressure of the compressor. Generally, it is standard to manufacture it in a vertical (vertical) shape, but depending on the purpose or the requirements of the company, it is also rarely manufactured in a horizontal (horizontal) shape. The receiver tank must be inspected by the Industrial Safety and Health Agency according to the Industrial Safety and Health Act.

According to one embodiment, the cooler (111) may be configured to cool high-temperature and humid compressed air. Since the compressed air discharged from the air compressor is high-temperature and humid, if it is sent out to the field as it is, it may result in a deterioration of the quality and a shortened lifespan of the product or device. Accordingly, the cooler (111) is a cooling auxiliary device that primarily cools such high-temperature and humid compressed air and stabilizes it to a normal atmospheric temperature. Since the refrigerated air dryer is weak to high temperatures, it is recommended to install it in front of the dryer (107) so that the cooled compressed air can enter the inlet.

At this time, when the cooler (111) is in operation, the fan located at the front rotates, so care must be taken to prevent foreign substances such as long wires from being sucked in.

Meanwhile, as an additional configuration, a filter may be placed between the cooler (111) and the dryer (107). The filter is a device that filters out substances, and is a device for purifying compressed air, which contains moisture, dust, and other contaminants in the air sucked in by the air compressor, and which generates a large amount of oil mist by oxidizing or carbonizing solid substances due to high-temperature frictional heat during the process of compressing the air.

According to one embodiment, the dryer (107) can be divided into an adsorption dryer and a refrigeration dryer. In relation to the above, a refrigeration dryer is a device that captures moisture existing in compressed air. The adsorption type is the same, but the refrigeration type is a device that captures moisture or impurities contained in the air at a temperature of 4, which is the temperature at which moisture is generated. It matches the stalls, removes them through the internal filter, and then sends them to the next linked device.

In relation to the above, the main difference between adsorption dryers and refrigeration dryers is that they are expensive and use chemical desiccants. However, since they have a superior ability to capture moisture compared to refrigeration dryers, they are essential equipment in electronics, medical, pharmaceutical, food, and chemical plants where even a small amount of moisture can cause fatal problems to the product.

According to one embodiment, the dryer (40) is known to theoretically capture 99.95% of moisture. However, the air loss that occurs when moving air from each tower is also a major disadvantage. Since the pressure consumed at the production site may not be properly considered when installing, a phenomenon of pressure shortage may occur at the site, so various factors according to the operating pressure must be properly considered.

According to one embodiment, the distribution board (115) may be configured to be positioned adjacent to the booster arranged in the second area in the first area, and may include terminals connected to branched wires for distributing and supplying electric energy to the facilities arranged in the housing and the CA container.

Accordingly, the electric energy generated from the generator is supplied to the distribution board (115) after the voltage is set to a preset voltage by a booster, which will be described later, thereby supplying electric energy to the facilities installed in the housing and the CA container through the terminals located in the distribution board.

According to one embodiment, the nitrogen generator (105) means a device that extracts nitrogen from compressed air in a membrane manner to produce air containing a high concentration of nitrogen, for example, air having a nitrogen concentration of 99.5% or more.

In relation to the above, the nitrogen generator (105) may include a line filter and a membrane tube.

According to one embodiment, the line filter may be configured to preferentially receive compressed air when compressed air is supplied from a receiver tank and filter moisture and foreign substances from the compressed air. That is, the line filter may be configured to perform the same function as the filter described above.

According to one embodiment, the membrane tube may include a nitrogen separation module configured to extract nitrogen from the filtered compressed air within the main body, and extract nitrogen from the compressed air filtered by the line filter in a membrane manner. In relation to the above, the nitrogen separation module may be configured differently depending on the type of the nitrogen generator. For example, the nitrogen separation module may be configured differently depending on the type described above as a configuration for extracting nitrogen from the compressed air when the nitrogen generator is one of a cooling type, a PSA type, and a membrane type.

Basically, there are devices that use the atmosphere as a raw material and generate only nitrogen gas contained in the atmosphere, including the cooling method (liquefied nitrogen), the pressure swing adsorption (PSA) method, and the membrane method.

According to one embodiment, the cooling method is a method that utilizes the phenomenon in which layer separation occurs depending on the properties of a gas when compressing and cooling a gas of about -200 degrees Celsius, and the membrane method is a method that produces N2 Gas by utilizing the difference in passage speed (penetration rate) according to the molecular size of the gas while generating compressed air and then going through a module process called a membrane.

According to one embodiment, the nitrogen separation module within the membrane tube included in the membrane-type nitrogen generator is an assembly of fiber tubes made of a thin plastic membrane with an outer diameter of about 0.5 mm. Each gas component constituting the compressed air has relatively different permeability characteristics, and when the compressed air is forced into the fiber tubes, oxygen, water vapor, carbon dioxide, etc., which have rapid permeability, pass through the fiber walls and are discharged into the atmosphere, and the remaining nitrogen and other inert gases, which have slow permeability, are gathered and become highly pure and come out through the module outlet.

The principle of membrane-type nitrogen generator is to separate gas with fast permeation rate (O2) from gas with slow permeation rate (N2) by utilizing the principle of selective permeability of each gas type.

In one embodiment, pressure swing adsorption (PSA) technology refers to a technology that separates a desired gas from the air by utilizing the difference in the adsorption power of individual gases in a crystal called molecular sieve. In other words, adsorption can be defined as binding gas molecules to an adsorbent, which is a solid material, through molecular attraction power.

Accordingly, the PSA device can separate a gas mixture by utilizing the difference in the adsorptive power of various adsorbents in the form of individual or compound adsorbents. In the gas separation process, compressed air passes through a molecular sieve layer with a crystal structure having micropores, and the gas to be adsorbed is adsorbed by the adsorbent, and the gas to be separated freely passes through this layer. The PSA nitrogen generator continuously produces high-purity nitrogen by introducing dehumidified compressed air into two or more adsorption towers filled with an adsorbent called CMS (Carbon Molecular Sieve) and repeatedly performing the steps of pressurization -> adsorption -> depressurization -> purge.

CMS is made from palm tree bark and is 4 It is a crystal structure with numerous micropores. The outer diameter of the oxygen molecule is 3.8 And the outer diameter of the nitrogen molecule is about 4.2 Therefore, since the principle of preferential absorption of oxygen in a short period of time due to this diameter difference is utilized, in order to produce high-purity nitrogen, a product with a certain compression strength and uniform pores must be selected.

Depending on the generating device, performance can be compared as follows:

Comparison items Liquid nitrogen PSA method Membrane method COST - Expensive - Initial investment is low, but COST UP over time (80\: market price)
-Supplier pays construction costs: PIPE connection - Initial equipment investment costs
-100㎥/HR: Production possible -It's cheap
-Only initial equipment investment costs are required AIR PRESSURE - MIN:7㎏/㎠ MIN:7㎏/㎠ Fair response capability Process change response group (PipeLine change) Response to process change (moving outdoor tanks) Easy to respond to process changes Device Management Separate management required Separate management required (outdoor tank management) No separate management required (periodic PM implementation) life - 10 years (adsorption tank life) 10 years (Membrane module) Technical Difficulty Most used and easiest Universal and easy (many domestic companies) Membrane module technology is difficult Technical Difficulty Most used and easiest Universal and easy (many domestic companies) Membrane module technology is difficult Pros and Cons
comparison merit -Economical when used in large quantities
(Use direct PIPE connection with supplier)
- High purity N2 GAS available (99.999%) -Economical in medium scale
-Unmanned driving possible
-Not subject to the High Pressure Gas Act
-No risk of explosion -Suitable for small volumes
-The device is simple
-Unmanned driving possible
-Not subject to the High Pressure Gas Act
-No risk of explosion disadvantage Difficult to apply unless large capacity is required -Low purity (99.99%)
- Outdoor TANK installation -Small generation capacity
-Low purity (99.9%)
-Uneconomical for over 10㎥/HR

Accordingly, a plurality of membrane tubes included in the nitrogen generator (105) mentioned as the configuration of the present invention can be installed to ensure the flow rate of nitrogen.

According to one embodiment, the second region may be a region in which a portion of the generator disposed in the first region is disposed, a portion of the generator disposed in the first region is disposed, a booster for supplying a preset voltage to each of the facilities disposed in the housing and the CA container, a second air compressor (103b) for generating compressed air for nitrogen generation by taking in air from the outside together with the first air compressor, a carbon dioxide bomb (113) for supplying carbon dioxide to the CA container, and a portion of the nitrogen generator (105) disposed in the first region are disposed.

According to one embodiment, the booster may be configured to convert electric energy generated from the generator (101) to a preset voltage of 440 V to supply electric energy to the CA container, or to convert electric energy generated from the generator to a preset voltage of 380 V to supply electric energy to facilities arranged in the housing.

In relation to the above, electric energy whose voltage is set in the booster is transferred to the distribution board and can be supplied to at least one of the facilities arranged in the housing and the CA container through each of a plurality of terminals located in the distribution board.

According to one embodiment, the second air compressor (103b) may be configured to have the same specifications or different specifications as the first air compressor (103a), and may be implemented as a compressor that produces a total of 35 horsepower (hp) together with the first air compressor (103a).

According to one embodiment, the carbon dioxide bomb (113) means a cylinder that stores carbon dioxide inside, which has the same meaning as a high-pressure carbon dioxide bomb, a carbon dioxide cylinder, a high-pressure cylinder, a gas cylinder, etc. For example, each carbon dioxide bomb (113) can supply about 13 L of carbon dioxide.

Accordingly, the first area and the second area included in the housing may be configured to include the above-described facilities, and each of the facilities may be positioned to implement weight balancing between the first area and the second area.

In more detail, in order to implement weight balancing between the first region and the second region, the generator (101) and the nitrogen generator (105) are arranged so that they are both located in the first region and the second region, and the nitrogen generator (105) is arranged so that a plurality of coupled membrane tubes are laid down in a horizontal direction, and as the number of carbon dioxide bombs (113) located in the second region increases or decreases, the equipment arranged in the housing can be arranged in a position so that weight balancing is implemented based on the weights of the generator (101), the nitrogen generator (105), and the carbon dioxide bombs (113).

That is, in order to implement weight balancing between the first region and the second region, the generator (101) and the nitrogen generator (105) are arranged so that they are both located in the first region and the second region, and the nitrogen generator (105) is arranged so that a plurality of coupled membrane tubes are laid down in a horizontal direction, and as the number of carbon dioxide bombs (113) located in the second region increases or decreases, the equipment arranged in the housing can be arranged in a position so that weight balancing is implemented based on the weights of the generator (101), the nitrogen generator (105), and the carbon dioxide bombs (113).

In relation to the above, a detailed description of the locations where the facilities for forming weight balancing are arranged is described in Fig. 6.

In addition, in the present invention, a structure for supplying nitrogen generated from the nitrogen generator (105) and carbon dioxide discharged from the carbon dioxide bomb (113) to the CA container on the outer surface of the housing and a plurality of connection terminals or connection portions may be formed to connect to the internal equipment of the CA container.

In more detail, a movable module may be formed on the outer surface of the housing, to which a hose (line) is attached for supplying outside air to the air compressor (103a, 103b) and supplying nitrogen generated from a nitrogen generator (105) and carbon dioxide generated from a carbon dioxide bomb (113) to a CA container.

In relation to the above, the moving module includes a valve controlled by a control unit to be described later, and the inner conduit of the hose can be opened or closed as the valve is controlled by the control unit.

According to one embodiment, the mobile nitrogen generator (100) may further include a first line, a second line, a third line, and a control unit.

According to one embodiment, the first line may be a line through which nitrogen generated from the nitrogen generator (105) moves, and may be a line connected to the movement module.

According to one embodiment, the second line may be a line through which carbon dioxide discharged from the carbon dioxide bomb (113) is moved, and may be a line connected to the movement module.

In one embodiment, the third line may be a line that extends and is connected to the first line and the second line, and may be a line that supplies one of the nitrogen and the carbon dioxide to the CA container, more specifically, a line that connects the moving module and the CA container.

That is, the third line can be extended through the first line connecting the nitrogen generator (105) and the moving module, the second line connecting the carbon dioxide bomb (113) and the moving module, and the moving module.

At this time, the third line may be connected to a damper formed in the CA container to inject gas (e.g., nitrogen and carbon dioxide) into the CA container through a dedicated coupler or to discharge gas (e.g., air) located inside the CA container.

In one embodiment, the control unit can control the valve to control the interconnection between the first line and the second line and the third line. For example, the control unit can control the valve to connect the first line and the third line to each other, or to connect the second line and the third line to each other.

FIG. 2 is a drawing for explaining an electric energy distribution system of a mobile nitrogen generator for supplying nitrogen to a CA container according to one embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 2, a mobile nitrogen generator for supplying nitrogen to a CA container (hereinafter referred to as a mobile nitrogen generator) (e.g., a mobile nitrogen generator (100) for supplying nitrogen to an A container of FIG. 1) may include a generator (201), a booster (203), and a distribution board (205) as an electric energy distribution system.

According to one embodiment, the generator (201) may be configured to generate electric energy, and may be configured to generate electric energy used by the facilities placed within the housing and the performance of the functions of the CA container.

In more detail, the generator (201) may be configured to generate electric energy through the fuel, provide the generated electric energy to the booster (203), and cause the booster (203) to convert the provided electric energy into a preset voltage specification that allows each of the equipment (209) and the CA container (207) placed in the housing to operate, thereby providing the electric energy converted into the preset voltage specification to the equipment (209) and the CA container (207) placed in the housing through the distribution board (205).

According to one embodiment, the booster (203) may be configured to receive electric energy generated from the generator (201) and convert the voltage of the received electric energy into a preset voltage.

In relation to the above, the booster (203) may be configured to convert electric energy generated from the generator (201) into a preset voltage of 440 V to supply electric energy to the CA container (207) or to convert electric energy generated from the generator (201) into a preset voltage of 380 V to supply electric energy to the equipment (209) arranged in the housing.

That is, the above-described preset voltage may be a voltage required for the CA container (207) to perform its function, and may be a voltage corresponding to a voltage required for the facilities (209) placed in the housing to perform their function.

According to one embodiment, the distribution board (205) may be configured to be positioned adjacent to the booster (203) disposed in the second area in the first area, and may include terminals connected to branched wires for distributing and supplying electric energy to the facilities (209) disposed in the housing and the CA container (207).

According to one embodiment, the distribution board (205) and the booster (203) may be connected by a wire through which electric energy can move, and the distribution board (205) may be arranged at a position adjacent to the booster (203) in the first region.

Accordingly, the distribution board (205) can receive electric energy converted to a preset voltage from the booster (203) through the wire, and distribute and provide electric energy having a voltage corresponding to the specifications to the equipment (209) placed in the housing and the CA container (207) connected to each of the plurality of terminals.

That is, the present invention does not create an environment for maintaining the freshness of fresh cargo loaded in the CA container by moving the CA container to an area where a nitrogen injection device is located, but rather creates an environment for maintaining the freshness of fresh cargo loaded in the CA container by mounting a nitrogen injection device on a moving means and moving the CA container to an area where the CA container is located, and in this process, the electric energy generated by the generator (201) can be utilized.

FIG. 3 is a drawing for explaining an example in which a mobile nitrogen generating device for supplying nitrogen to a CA container according to one embodiment of the present invention is mounted on a moving vehicle.

Referring to FIG. 3, a mobile nitrogen generator for supplying nitrogen to a CA container (hereinafter referred to as a mobile nitrogen generator) (e.g., a mobile nitrogen generator (100) for supplying nitrogen to an A container of FIG. 1) can be mounted on a mobile means with the equipment arranged within the housing.

According to one embodiment, the housing may be provided with facilities necessary to create an environment for maintaining the freshness of fresh cargo stored inside the CA container.

In relation to the above, the equipment arranged within the housing may include a generator, an air compressor, a booster, a distribution board, a receiver tank, a dryer, a cooler, a nitrogen generator, a carbon dioxide cylinder, and a moving module, and may further include other devices as needed.

At this time, the positions of the facilities arranged within the housing can be arranged so that weight balancing is implemented in the first and second regions, which are regions within the housing, that is, so that the weights between the first and second regions are almost equal to each other, thereby preventing the phenomenon of the moving direction of the moving means being tilted according to the inclination of the housing when the moving means equipped with the housing moves.

Accordingly, the housing may mean a body that can be mounted on a cargo vehicle such as a top car, which has an internal cavity divided based on an imaginary boundary line between the first region and the second region and has an opening/closing method in the form of a side wing body, and may be formed with a different design depending on the type of transportation, but may be formed with a design capable of implementing weight balancing between the first region and the second region, and may be composed of a synthetic resin material, a metal material, or the like.

FIG. 4 is a drawing for explaining a control unit of a mobile nitrogen generator for supplying nitrogen to a CA container according to one embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 4, a mobile nitrogen generator for supplying nitrogen to a CA container (hereinafter, referred to as a mobile nitrogen generator) (e.g., a mobile nitrogen generator (100) for supplying nitrogen to an A container of FIG. 1) may include a control unit.

According to one embodiment, the control unit may be configured to control the flow rate of compressed air supplied to the membrane tube of the nitrogen generator along with the flow rate of air supplied to the air compressor, together with a valve controlling the connection of the first line, the second line, and the third line.

In relation to the above, the control unit can control the connection between the first line, the second line, and the third line by controlling the valve of the moving module.

In one embodiment, the gas generated from the nitrogen generator is a high concentration nitrogen gas of 99.9% or more, and the air supplied to the CA container may have a flow rate of, for example, 700 l/min.

Accordingly, when the concentration of oxygen inside the CA container decreases to about 5.8% as gas generated from the nitrogen generator is supplied inside the CA container, the control unit can control the concentration of oxygen to reach a set value by supplying carbon dioxide discharged from the carbon dioxide bomb for air quality management inside the CA container.

In relation to the above, the control unit can control the concentration of nitrogen and the concentration of carbon dioxide by controlling the valve included in the moving module to control the concentration of oxygen in the CA container.

At this time, the control unit can receive temperature information and nitrogen measurement information from a temperature sensor installed outside the housing to sense the temperature outside the housing and a nitrogen measurement sensor to sense the concentration of nitrogen gas generated from a nitrogen generator, respectively, in order to control the concentration of oxygen inside the CA container.

For example, the control unit may control the supply compressor to control the flow rate of air supplied to the nitrogen generator so that the concentration of nitrogen (N1, N2) based on nitrogen measurement information is maintained constant based on temperature (T1, T2) based on temperature information received from a temperature sensor at a specific time (t1, t2).

That is, the control unit can control the flow rate of air supplied to the generator to control the concentration of nitrogen in order to manage the air quality inside the CA container. This can control the flow rate of air supplied from the air compressor to the membrane tube of the nitrogen generator so that the concentration of nitrogen generated from the nitrogen generator is maintained constant.

FIG. 5 is another drawing for explaining a control unit of a mobile nitrogen generator for supplying nitrogen to a CA container according to one embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 5, a mobile nitrogen generator for supplying nitrogen to a CA container (hereinafter, referred to as a mobile nitrogen generator) (e.g., a mobile nitrogen generator (100) for supplying nitrogen to an A container of FIG. 1) may include a control unit.

According to one embodiment, the control unit may be configured to control the flow rate of compressed air supplied to the membrane tube of the nitrogen generator along with the flow rate of air supplied to the air compressor, together with a valve controlling the connection of the first line, the second line, and the third line.

According to one embodiment, the control unit may be connected to an air component measuring sensor that measures air components inside the CA container via a wired or wireless network.

Accordingly, the control unit controls the valve of the moving module before the concentration of oxygen based on the component measurement information received from the air component measurement sensor reaches the first threshold concentration (e.g., 5.8%), thereby blocking the connection between the second line and the third line and connecting the first line and the third line so that nitrogen discharged from the membrane tube of the nitrogen generator can be supplied to the CA container.

Thereafter, when the control unit determines that the concentration of oxygen based on the component measurement information reaches the first critical concentration, the control unit controls the valve of the moving module to block the connection between the first line and the third line, and connects the second line and the third line to supply carbon dioxide discharged from the carbon dioxide bomb to the CA container.

That is, the control unit can block (L1) the connection between the first line and the third line and connect (L2) the second line and the third line based on the component measurement information received from the air component measurement sensor, based on the time point (tc) at which the concentration of oxygen (P(O2)) in the CA container reaches the first critical concentration (C).

According to one embodiment, the control unit controls the output of the air compressor based on temperature information received from a temperature sensor located outside the housing, thereby controlling the amount of compressed air supplied to the membrane tube of the nitrogen generator so that the nitrogen generator can generate high-concentration nitrogen gas at a constant flow rate of about 700 l/min. For a detailed description regarding the above, refer to FIG. 6.

FIG. 6 is a drawing for explaining weight balancing of a mobile nitrogen generator for supplying nitrogen to a CA container according to one embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 6, a mobile nitrogen generator for supplying nitrogen to a CA container (hereinafter, referred to as a mobile nitrogen generator) (e.g., a mobile nitrogen generator (100) for supplying nitrogen to an A container of FIG. 1) may be a device that implements weight balancing.

According to one embodiment, the mobile nitrogen generator means a device including a housing and facilities arranged within the housing, and the mobile nitrogen generator can be mounted on a moving vehicle.

At this time, when the means of transportation moves while carrying the mobile nitrogen generator, in order to prevent the operation of the means of transportation from being biased in one direction due to the weight of the housing collapsing from balancing on both sides centered on the direction of movement, the equipment arranged in the housing may be arranged at a position that implements weight balancing.

According to one embodiment, a generator (601), a distribution board (605), a booster (603), a first air compressor (607a), a second air compressor (607b), a nitrogen generator (609), a dryer (611), a receiver tank (613), a cooler (615), and a carbon dioxide tank (617) may be arranged inside the housing. At this time, a line connecting the interconnectable facilities may be additionally positioned inside the housing.

In relation to the above, the housing of the mobile nitrogen generator may include a first region (A) and a second region (B). At this time, the first region (A) and the second region (B) may be regions divided based on the longitudinal central axis of the housing.

According to one embodiment, the generator (601) may be positioned such that the center of the generator is located at the center dividing the first region and the second region based on the central axis. At this time, the generator (601) may be a configuration that serves as a reference for implementing weight balancing within the housing with the nitrogen generator (609) described later.

At this time, a part of the generators arranged in the first region and the remaining part of the generators arranged in the second region can be arranged in positions such that weight balancing is implemented between the first region (A) and the second region (B). That is, depending on the shape and internal configuration of the generator, the area of the generator located in the first region (A) can be smaller or larger than the area located in the second region (B).

According to one embodiment, the nitrogen generator (609) may be positioned such that the center of the nitrogen generator (609) is located along the longitudinal central axis of the housing while maintaining a predetermined distance from the generator (601).

In relation to the above, the reason why the nitrogen generator (609) is placed at a predetermined distance from the generator (601), but not at the longitudinal lower end of the housing, is to implement not only left-right weight balancing but also upper-lower weight balancing, and since the upper-lower weight balancing as well as left-right weight balancing can be adjusted according to the number of carbon dioxide bombs (617) described later, the nitrogen generator (609) having a weight greater than a certain weight, such as the generator (601), is not placed at an extreme position where it is difficult to implement weight balancing.

Accordingly, the carbon dioxide bomb (617) may be placed not between the generator (601) and the nitrogen generator (609), but in a longitudinal lower region of the housing (e.g., a longitudinal lower region of the second region) that is sensitive to implementing weight balancing.

That is, the generator (601) and the nitrogen generator (609) can be each centered around the longitudinal central axis of the housing to preferentially implement weight balancing.

According to one embodiment, a distribution board (605), a booster (603), a first air compressor (607a), and a second air compressor (607b) may be placed in an intervening space corresponding to a predetermined distance between the generator (601) and the nitrogen generator (609).

At this time, the weights of the first air compressor (607a) and the second air compressor (607b) arranged in the above-mentioned space may be different. This is because each of the first air compressor (607a) and the second air compressor (607b) may be configured with a compressor, and since the first air compressor (607a) and the second air compressor (607b) include a compressor having a total output of 35 horsepower, one of the first air compressor (607a) and the second air compressor (607b) may additionally include a compressor more than the other, and thus the weights may be different.

Accordingly, when the weight of the first air compressor (607a) disposed in the first area (A) of the above-described interspace is heavier than the weight of the second air compressor (607b) disposed in the second area (B), the distribution board (605) and the booster (603) are disposed in the second area (B), thereby enabling weight balancing through the generator (601), the nitrogen generator (609), the distribution board (605), the booster (603), the first air compressor (607a), and the second air compressor (607b).

That is, the first left-right weight balancing is preferentially implemented through the formula LRWB1 (left-right weight balancing 1 (weight basis)) = generator (601) = (first air compressor (607a) + second air compressor (607b) + nitrogen generator (609), and then the second left-right weight balancing can be implemented through the formula LRWB2 (left-right weight balancing 2 (weight basis)) = (distribution board (605) + booster (603) + carbon dioxide bomb (617)) = (dryer (611) + receiver tank (613) + cooler (615)).

The weight balancing mentioned in the present invention can be understood as implementing weight balancing even when the weight difference between the first area (A) and the second area (B) is within a preset weight difference. This is because the moving module and line can be variably fixed in position in a relatively light area.

However, since the function of the dryer (611) and the cooler (615) is to control the temperature of the air outside the housing, more precisely, the compressed air discharged from the air compressor, and the receiver tank (613) is also configured to temporarily store the compressed air compressed by the air compressor (607a, 607b), the locations of the dryer (611), the receiver tank (613), and the cooler (615) can be arranged in a close proximity to one location to facilitate temperature control of the air due to the performance of the functions of the dryer (611) and the cooler (615).

In Fig. 6, the arrangement of the dryer (611), receiver tank (613), and cooler (615) is set to the first area (A), but they can also be arranged in the second area (B) as needed.

In addition, the upper and lower weight balancing of the housing can be arranged based on the upper and lower weight balancing formula = generator (601) = first air compressor (607a) + second air compressor (607b) + nitrogen generator (609)).

Although the embodiments have been described above by way of limited examples and drawings, those skilled in the art will understand that various modifications and variations are possible from the above description. The terms "include," "comprise," or "have" described above mean that a component that is not specifically described to the contrary may be inherent, and therefore should be interpreted as including other components rather than excluding other components. In addition, the protection scope of the present invention should be interpreted by the claims below, and all technical ideas within a scope equivalent thereto should be interpreted as being included in the scope of the rights of the present invention.

Claims (9)

In a mobile nitrogen generator for supplying nitrogen to a CA container,
A configuration mounted on a means of transportation, the housing including an area partitioned based on a longitudinal central axis to prevent the means of transportation from leaning in one direction when moving;
A first region in which a part of a generator for generating electric energy to supply electric energy to facilities arranged in the housing and the CA container, a distribution board for providing the electric energy to the facilities arranged in the housing and the CA container, a first air compressor for generating compressed air for nitrogen generation by taking in air from the outside, a receiver tank for storing the compressed air, a dryer connected to the receiver tank for drying the inside of the housing, a cooler connected to the receiver tank for cooling the inside of the housing, and a part of a membrane type nitrogen generator for generating nitrogen by receiving compressed air are disposed; and
A second area, excluding the first area, including a portion of the generators arranged in the first area, a booster for supplying a preset voltage to each of the facilities arranged in the housing and the CA container, a second air compressor for generating compressed air for nitrogen generation by taking in air from the outside together with the first air compressor, a carbon dioxide bomb for supplying carbon dioxide to the CA container, and a portion of the nitrogen generators arranged in the first area, excluding the portion of the nitrogen generators arranged in the first area;
A mobile nitrogen generator for supplying nitrogen to the above CA container is,
A first line through which nitrogen generated from the above nitrogen generator is transferred;
A second line through which carbon dioxide supplied from the carbon dioxide bomb is moved;
A third line configured to be connected to and extend from the first and second lines, supplying one of the nitrogen and the carbon dioxide to the CA container; and
A control unit that controls a valve that controls the connection of the first line, the second line, and the third line, and adjusts the flow rate of air supplied to the air compressor and the flow rate of compressed air supplied to the membrane tube of the nitrogen generator;
The above nitrogen generator,
When compressed air is supplied from the above receiver tank, a line filter that preferentially receives the compressed air and filters moisture and foreign substances from the compressed air; and
A membrane tube including a nitrogen separation module for extracting nitrogen from the compressed air filtered by the line filter in a membrane manner, comprising:
The above area is,
In order to implement weight balancing between the first region and the second region, the generator and the nitrogen generator are respectively positioned in both the first region and the second region, and the nitrogen generator is positioned so that a plurality of membrane tubes that are coupled are laid down in a horizontal direction, and as the number of carbon dioxide bombs located in the second region increases or decreases, the equipment arranged in the housing is positioned so that left-right weight balancing is implemented based on the weights of the generator, the nitrogen generator, and the carbon dioxide bombs.
The above housing,
A mobile nitrogen generator for supplying nitrogen to a CA container, characterized in that upper and lower weight balancing is implemented simultaneously with left and right weight balancing by a generator arranged in an upper region of the housing and the first air compressor, the second air compressor, and the nitrogen generator arranged in a part of the central region and lower region of the housing.
In the first paragraph,
The above housing,
A mobile nitrogen generator for supplying nitrogen to a CA container, characterized in that it has a size that can be mounted on a vehicle weighing at least 2.5 tons.
In the first paragraph,
On the outer surface of the above housing,
A mobile nitrogen generator for supplying nitrogen to a CA container, characterized in that it comprises an air movement module which supplies outside air of the housing to the first air compressor and the second air compressor to cause the first air compressor and the second air compressor to generate compressed air, and to which a pipe is connected for supplying nitrogen discharged from the nitrogen generator or carbon dioxide discharged from the carbon dioxide bomb to the CA container;
In the first paragraph,
The above booster,
A mobile nitrogen generator for supplying nitrogen to a CA container, characterized in that it converts electric energy generated from a generator to a preset voltage of 440 V to supply electric energy to the CA container or converts electric energy generated from a generator to a preset voltage of 380 V to supply electric energy to facilities placed in the housing.
In the first paragraph
The above distribution board,
A mobile nitrogen generator for supplying nitrogen to a CA container, characterized in that it includes a terminal connected to a branched wire for distributing and supplying electric energy to facilities arranged in the housing and the CA container, the terminal being arranged in a position adjacent to a booster arranged in the second area in the first area.
In paragraph 4,
The above generator,
A mobile nitrogen generator for supplying nitrogen to a CA container, characterized in that when generating the electric energy, the generated electric energy is provided to the booster, causing the booster to convert the provided electric energy into a preset voltage specification that allows each of the facilities placed in the housing and the CA container to operate, and the electric energy converted into the preset voltage specification is provided to the facilities placed in the housing and the CA container through the distribution board.
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