KR20250015788A - Methanol Fuel Propelled System and Methanol Fuel Propelled Ship having the same - Google Patents

Abstract

The methanol fuel propulsion system of the present invention comprises: a methanol tank section provided on a hull in which a demand site consuming methanol is provided; and a methanol fuel supply system for supplying methanol received from the methanol tank section to the demand site, wherein the methanol tank section may include: a methanol storage tank provided on the hull; a methanol service tank receiving methanol from the methanol storage tank; a plurality of individual pressure regulating units respectively assigned to the methanol storage tank and the methanol service tank and discharging methanol discharged from the methanol storage tank or the methanol service tank to the outside; and a common pressure regulating unit separately provided from the individual pressure regulating units and provided to be in communication with the methanol storage tank and the methanol service tank and discharging methanol discharged from the methanol storage tank or the methanol service tank to the outside.

Description

{Methanol Fuel Propelled System and Methanol Fuel Propelled Ship having the same}

The present invention relates to a methanol fuel propulsion system and a methanol fuel propulsion vessel equipped with the same.

Recently, the emissions of nitrogen oxides (NOx), sulfur oxides (SOx), and carbon dioxide (CO2) contained in exhaust gases emitted from ships are being regulated by international agreements, and these regulations are being strengthened every year.

Liquefied natural gas (LNG) is being used as an environmentally friendly fuel as a response to exhaust gas regulations because it does not contain sulfur and produces less carbon dioxide.

의 극저온 상태를 유지할 필요가 있기 때문에, 연료탱크나 연료공급시스템은 극저온에 견딜 수 있는 특수한 재료로 구성될 필요가 있으며 액화천연가스의 방열을 위한 설비가 추가로 필요할 수 있으므로 연료탱크 등을 구성하기 위해 설비 비용이 추가로 필요하게 된다. 또한 탱크로 침입되는 열을 모두 차단하기 어려워 침입열에 의해 액화천연가스가 증발하므로 이때 발생하는 증발가스로 인해 연료 효율이 악화될 수 있다.However, it is difficult to liquefy liquefied natural gas by pressurization alone, and the temperature for liquefaction is about -165

Since it is necessary to maintain the extremely low temperature, the fuel tank or fuel supply system needs to be composed of special materials that can withstand extremely low temperatures, and additional equipment for heat dissipation of the liquefied natural gas may be required, so additional equipment costs are required to construct the fuel tank, etc. In addition, it is difficult to block all heat entering the tank, so the liquefied natural gas evaporates due to the infiltrating heat, and the fuel efficiency may deteriorate due to the evaporated gas generated at this time.

Instead of this liquefied natural gas, methanol (CH3OH) can be used as fuel for ships. That is, methanol is easy to handle because it is liquid at room temperature, and it does not contain sulfur components and has a low carbon content in the fuel itself, so it emits less carbon dioxide when burned. Accordingly, research is being conducted to efficiently use methanol as fuel for ships.

The present invention has been created to solve the problems of the prior art as described above, and an object of the present invention is to provide a methanol fuel propulsion system capable of reducing the amount of sulfur oxides and carbon dioxide emissions in exhaust gas by using methanol as fuel, and a methanol fuel propulsion ship equipped with the same.

The tasks of the present invention are not limited to the tasks mentioned above, and other tasks not mentioned can be clearly understood by those of ordinary skill in the art from the description below.

According to one aspect of the present invention, a methanol fuel propulsion system comprises: a methanol tank section provided on a hull where a demand site consuming methanol is provided; and a methanol fuel supply system for supplying methanol received from the methanol tank section to the demand site, wherein the methanol tank section may include: a methanol storage tank provided on the hull; a methanol service tank receiving methanol from the methanol storage tank; a plurality of individual pressure regulating units respectively assigned to the methanol storage tank and the methanol service tank and discharging methanol discharged from the methanol storage tank or the methanol service tank to the outside; and a common pressure regulating unit separately provided from the individual pressure regulating units and provided to be in communication with the methanol storage tank and the methanol service tank and discharging methanol discharged from the methanol storage tank or the methanol service tank to the outside.

Specifically, the individual pressure regulating unit may include: a first vent line connected to the methanol storage tank or the methanol service tank; a first pressure/vacuum regulating valve provided at an end of the first vent line; and a rupture disc provided at a portion of the first vent line.

Specifically, the common pressure regulating unit includes a second vent line commonly connected to the methanol storage tank and the methanol service tank; and a second pressure/vacuum regulating valve provided at an end of the second vent line, and the rupture plate may be omitted.

Specifically, the second pressure/vacuum regulating valve can be opened at a pressure lower than the opening pressure of the first pressure/vacuum regulating valve or the opening pressure of the rupture disc.

Specifically, the pressure can be formed significantly in the order of the opening pressure of the second pressure/vacuum control valve, the opening pressure of the rupture plate, and the opening pressure of the first pressure/vacuum control valve.

A vessel according to another aspect of the present invention may include a methanol fuel propulsion system as described above.

Specifically, the vessel may be a container ship including a cabin provided in the center of the upper deck, an engine casing provided on the upper deck above the engine room, a lashing bridge provided on the upper deck for loading containers, and a plurality of cargo holds for loading the containers inside the ship.

Specifically, some of the plurality of individual pressure regulating units may be provided adjacent to the engine casing, and the remainder of the plurality of individual pressure regulating units may be provided around the cabin.

Specifically, the individual pressure regulating unit provided adjacent to the engine casing may be connected to the methanol service tank, and the individual pressure regulating unit provided at the center of the hull may be connected to the methanol storage tank.

Specifically, the common pressure regulating unit may be arranged between a plurality of individual pressure regulating units spaced apart in the front-back direction, but may be arranged at a certain distance from the plurality of individual pressure regulating units.

Specifically, the common pressure regulating unit may be arranged to be spaced apart from the plurality of individual pressure regulating units by a distance greater than the front-rear length of any one of the cargo holds.

Specifically, a plurality of the individual pressure regulating units and the common pressure regulating unit may be provided on the upper portion of the lashing bridge.

The methanol fuel propulsion system of the present invention and the methanol fuel propulsion vessel equipped with the same have the following effects.

A methanol fuel propulsion system according to the present invention and a methanol fuel propulsion vessel equipped with the same can reduce the amount of sulfur oxides and carbon dioxide emitted from exhaust gas by using methanol as fuel.

The effects of the present invention are not limited to the effects mentioned above, and other effects not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the description of the claims.

FIG. 1 is a drawing for explaining a methanol fuel propulsion vessel according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 2 is a first conceptual diagram for explaining the methanol tank section and methanol fuel supply system of Figure 1.
Figure 3 is a second conceptual diagram for explaining the methanol tank section and methanol fuel supply system of Figure 1.
Figure 4 is a drawing for explaining the methanol service tank of Figure 1.
Figure 5 is a drawing showing the methanol storage tank of Figure 1 installed on the upper deck of a ship.
Figure 6 is a plan view illustrating the methanol storage tank shown in Figure 5.
Figure 7 is a plan view for explaining the side and internal bulkhead of the methanol storage tank shown in Figure 6.
FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along portion “A” to explain the left and right walls of the methanol storage tank illustrated in FIG. 6.
Figure 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along the “B” portion to explain the front and rear walls of the methanol storage tank illustrated in Figure 6.
Figure 10 is a cross-sectional view taken along the “C” portion to explain the longitudinal bulkhead of the methanol storage tank illustrated in Figure 6.
Figure 11 is a cross-sectional view taken along the “D” portion to explain the transverse bulkhead of the methanol storage tank shown in Figure 6.
FIG. 12 is a drawing for explaining a methanol fuel propulsion vessel according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
Fig. 13 is a front view of the vent part shown in Fig. 12.
Fig. 14 is a side view of the vent part shown in Fig. 12.
FIG. 15 is a drawing for explaining a methanol fuel propulsion vessel according to a third embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 16 is a conceptual diagram for explaining the methanol tank section and methanol fuel supply system of Figure 15.
FIG. 17 is a drawing for explaining a methanol fuel propulsion vessel according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 18 is a drawing for explaining a methanol fuel propulsion vessel according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 19 is a drawing for explaining a methanol fuel propulsion vessel according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 20 is a drawing for explaining a methanol fuel propulsion vessel according to the seventh embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 21 is a drawing for explaining a methanol fuel propulsion vessel according to the eighth embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 22 is a drawing for explaining a methanol fuel propulsion vessel according to the ninth embodiment of the present invention.

The purpose, specific advantages and novel features of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description and preferred embodiments in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. In this specification, when adding reference numerals to components in each drawing, it should be noted that, as much as possible, the same components are given the same numerals even if they are shown in different drawings. In addition, in describing the present invention, if it is determined that a detailed description of a related known technology may unnecessarily obscure the gist of the present invention, the detailed description thereof will be omitted.

In addition, the attached drawings are only intended to facilitate easy understanding of the embodiments disclosed in this specification, and the technical ideas disclosed in this specification are not limited by the attached drawings, and should be understood to include all modifications, equivalents, or substitutes included in the spirit and technical scope of the present invention.

Additionally, 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 used only for the purpose of distinguishing one component from another.

In addition, please note that terms indicating directionality such as front, back, left, right, vertical, horizontal, etc. are defined based on a ship consisting of bow, stern, sides (port and starboard), upper deck, and bottom.

In addition, it is to be noted that the methanol fuel-propelled ship in this specification is a concept that includes not only a commercial ship that transports cargo from a point of departure to a destination, but also a marine structure that floats at a certain point in the sea and performs a specific task.

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings.

FIG. 1 is a drawing for explaining a methanol fuel propulsion vessel according to a first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a first conceptual diagram for explaining a methanol tank section and a methanol fuel supply system of FIG. 1, FIG. 3 is a second conceptual diagram for explaining a methanol tank section and a methanol fuel supply system of FIG. 1, and FIG. 4 is a drawing for explaining a methanol service tank of FIG. 1.

In addition, FIG. 5 is a drawing illustrating the methanol storage tank of FIG. 1 installed on the upper deck of a ship, FIG. 6 is a plan view for explaining the methanol storage tank illustrated in FIG. 5, FIG. 7 is a plan view for explaining the side and inner bulkhead of the methanol storage tank illustrated in FIG. 6, FIG. 8 is a side sectional view taken along the "A" portion for explaining the left wall and the right wall of the methanol storage tank illustrated in FIG. 6, FIG. 9 is a front sectional view taken along the "B" portion for explaining the front wall and the rear wall of the methanol storage tank illustrated in FIG. 6, FIG. 10 is a side sectional view taken along the "C" portion for explaining the longitudinal bulkhead of the methanol storage tank illustrated in FIG. 6, and FIG. 11 is a front sectional view taken along the "D" portion for explaining the transverse bulkhead of the methanol storage tank illustrated in FIG. 6.

Referring to FIGS. 1 to 11, a methanol fuel propulsion vessel (1) may include a methanol tank section (2) for storing methanol, and a methanol fuel supply system (3) for supplying methanol delivered from the methanol tank section (2) as fuel to a demander (14).

In this embodiment, the term methanol fuel-propelled vessel (1) is used to encompass all vessels that propel themselves with methanol as fuel, and the following description will be given as an example a case where the methanol fuel-propelled vessel (1) is a crude oil carrier.

A methanol fuel propulsion vessel (1) equipped with a methanol tank section (2) and a methanol fuel supply system (3) may include a hull (11), a crude oil storage tank (12), an engine room (13), and a demand location (14). The methanol fuel propulsion vessel (1) may include various other components in addition to the above-described components, and in this embodiment, only the components necessary for the present invention will be described.

The hull (11) is composed of an upper deck (111), a side shell (112), a bottom plate (113), a bow (114), and a stern (115) to form the exterior of a methanol fuel-powered ship (1).

A methanol tank section (2) may be provided in a location exposed to the outside on the hull (11). At this time, the methanol tank section (2) may be a methanol service tank (22) provided on the upper deck (111) as shown in Fig. 1, or a methanol storage tank (21) provided on the upper deck (111) as shown in Fig. 5.

A plurality of crude oil storage tanks (12) are arranged in the longitudinal direction within the hull (11) and can store crude oil. The crude oil storage tanks (12) can be separated into at least three spaces by longitudinal bulkheads (121), as shown in Fig. 5, but are not limited thereto.

The engine room (13) is placed at the stern (115) of the hull (11), and a demand source (14) using methanol as fuel can be accommodated.

The demand source (14) may be provided in the engine room (13) and may be operated by receiving methanol stored in the methanol tank section (2) through the fuel supply section (31) of the methanol fuel supply system (3). In this embodiment, the demand source (14) is not limited to being provided in the engine room (13), but may be provided in various locations and may encompass various demand sources that operate using methanol as fuel.

The demand source (14) may refer to a device such as a propulsion engine or a power generation engine installed for propulsion or power generation of a methanol fuel-propelled ship (1), and may include, for example, a MELGI engine, an XDF-M engine, a DF engine included in DFDE, a DF power generation engine, a DF boiler engine, a turbine engine, etc.

The demand source (14) may include a first demand source (141) that operates at high pressure, such as a propulsion engine, and a second demand source (142) that operates at low pressure, such as a power generation engine.

As illustrated in FIG. 2, the first demand source (141) can be connected to the methanol tank unit (2) and the high-pressure fuel supply line (L11), and can be operated using high-pressure methanol as fuel delivered from the first fuel supply unit (311) of the fuel supply unit (31). The second demand source (142) can be connected to the methanol tank unit (2) and the low-pressure fuel supply line (L12), and can be operated using low-pressure methanol as fuel delivered from the second fuel supply unit (312) of the fuel supply unit (31).

The first demand source (141) can be connected one or more in parallel to the first fuel supply unit (311), and the second demand source (142) can be connected one or more in parallel to the second fuel supply unit (312).

Second demand source (142)The first demand source (141) or the second demand source (142) may be placed at a relatively low location in order to maintain the pressure of methanol supplied from the methanol tank section (2) above a certain level. In this case, when the first demand source (141) or the second demand source (142) is placed at a relatively low location, a hammering phenomenon may occur in the high-pressure fuel supply line (L11) or the low-pressure fuel supply line (L12) when methanol is filled in the high-pressure fuel supply line (L11) or the low-pressure fuel supply line (L12).

If air or gas exists in the high-pressure fuel supply line (L11) or the low-pressure fuel supply line (L12), the hammering phenomenon may occur more strongly. If methanol and air are supplied together to the first demand source (141) or the second demand source (142), the fuel efficiency of the first demand source (141) or the second demand source (142) may decrease, and the function of the first demand source (141) or the second demand source (142) may be damaged.

Therefore, the first demand source (141) or the second demand source (142) should be placed at a relatively low height, but in order to prevent the hammering phenomenon from occurring strongly, air or the like should not move along the high-pressure fuel supply line (L11) or the low-pressure fuel supply line (L12).

Accordingly, the present embodiment provides a means for removing air or gas, such as a degassing tank (DT), a first degassing line (DL1), and a second degassing line (DL2), which will be described later, so as to remove air or gas existing in a high-pressure fuel supply line (L11) or a low-pressure fuel supply line (L12).

The methanol tank section (2) can store methanol, and the stored methanol can be supplied to a demand source (14) through a methanol fuel supply system (3).

The methanol tank section (2) includes a methanol storage tank (21) for storing methanol, a methanol service tank (22) for transferring methanol supplied from the methanol storage tank (21) to a methanol fuel supply system (3), a methanol transfer pump (P) for pressurizing methanol stored in the methanol storage tank (21) and supplying it to the methanol service tank (22), a methanol supply line (L1) connecting the methanol transfer pump (P) and the methanol service tank (22) and supplying methanol discharged from the methanol transfer pump (P) to the methanol service tank (22), and a methanol return line (L2) connecting the methanol service tank (22) and the methanol storage tank (21) and returning methanol stored in the methanol service tank (22) to the methanol storage tank (21). Can be.

In this embodiment, the methanol tank section (2) is described as including a methanol storage tank (21) and a methanol service tank (22), but the methanol service tank (22) may be omitted. In this case, the methanol storage tank (21) may be configured to directly deliver methanol to the methanol fuel supply system (3). That is, the methanol storage tank (21) may have both a methanol storage function and the function of a methanol service tank (22).

The methanol tank section (2) may be provided at a location exposed to the outside of the hull (11). At this time, the methanol tank section (2) may be a methanol service tank (22) provided on the upper deck (111) as shown in Fig. 1, or a methanol storage tank (21) provided on the upper deck (111) as shown in Fig. 5.

The methanol storage tank (21) may be provided outside the hull (11) or inside the hull (11) as described above.

The methanol storage tank (21) may be placed one on each side of the upper deck (111), as shown in FIG. 5, but is not limited thereto.

The methanol storage tank (21), as shown in Fig. 3, is connected to an inert gas supply unit (33) and can be purged with inert gas supplied from the inert gas supply unit (33).

In addition, the methanol storage tank (21) can be connected to a vent mast (34) and a vent line (L3), and the internal pressure can be controlled by releasing the internal gas to the outside through the vent mast (34). A pressure/vacuum control valve (PVRV) can be provided at the end of the vent line (L3). The pressure/vacuum control valve (PVRV) can have its opening controlled by a pressure sensor (PS) installed in the methanol storage tank (21). A rupture disk (RD) can be installed at a part of the vent line (L3). The rupture disk (RD) is configured to automatically rupture when a dangerous situation is reached in which the internal pressure of the methanol storage tank (21) becomes so high that it cannot be relieved through the vent mast (34).

In addition, the methanol storage tank (21) can be connected to a bunker station (not shown) provided on the port side and starboard side of the hull (11) and a bunker line (L4), and the internal pressure can be controlled by releasing the internal gas to the outside through the bunker station. An on/off valve (SV) can be provided in the bunker line (L4). The on/off valve (SV) can be turned on/off by a pressure sensor (PS) installed in the methanol storage tank (21).

Referring to FIGS. 5 to 11, the methanol storage tank (21) may be configured to have an upper surface (211), a lower surface (212), and a plurality of side surfaces (213) and to form a methanol storage space therein. In addition, the methanol storage tank (21) may further include an internal bulkhead (214), a corner pillar (215), a center pillar (216), and a cofferdam (217). Although not shown, the methanol storage tank (21) may be arranged on the upper deck (111) so as to span a portion of a crude oil storage tank (12) provided adjacent to a cabin among a plurality of crude oil storage tanks (12) arranged from the bow (114) to the stern (115) of a crude oil carrier, which is a methanol fuel propulsion ship (1), and a portion of a crude oil storage tank (12) provided thereafter. These methanol storage tanks (21) can be separated from the upper deck (111) by a cofferdam (217), and instead of being placed one on each side of the upper deck (111) as shown in Fig. 5, one can be placed in the middle of the upper deck (111).

The plurality of side walls (213) may be formed of wrinkled bulkheads in which valleys and mountains alternately face each other. The plurality of side walls (2133) may be formed of a front wall (2131), a rear wall (2132), a left wall (2133), and a right wall (2134).

A methanol fuel-propelled vessel (1) is a crude oil carrier in which a crude oil storage tank (12) is provided separated into at least three spaces by longitudinal bulkheads (121) within the hull (11), and in the case where the methanol storage tank (21) is provided on the upper deck (111), at least one side (213) of the left wall (2133) and the right wall (2134) of the methanol storage tank (21) can be arranged parallel to the longitudinal bulkhead (121) of the crude oil storage tank (12).

The upper surface (211) can be installed on the upper side of multiple sides (213) and can be formed as a flat bulkhead of a reinforcing panel structure with a reinforcing member (2111) installed thereon.

The lower portion (212) can be installed at the bottom of multiple sides (213) and can be formed as a flat bulkhead with a reinforcing panel structure in which a reinforcing member (2121) is installed.

An internal bulkhead (214) can be provided within a methanol storage space formed by an upper surface (211), a lower surface (212), and multiple side surfaces (213).

The inner bulkhead (214) may be arranged to intersect within the methanol storage space, and may alleviate the sloshing phenomenon of methanol stored in the methanol storage tank (21) caused by the shaking of the methanol fuel propulsion vessel (1). As a result, the inner bulkhead (214) may reduce the pressure applied to the multiple sides (213) due to the sloshing of methanol, thereby preventing damage to the methanol storage tank (21).

These internal bulkheads (214) may include longitudinal bulkheads (2141) and transverse bulkheads (2142).

The longitudinal bulkhead (2141) and the transverse bulkhead (2142) may be formed as a corrugated bulkhead with alternating valleys and mountains.

The methanol storage space can be divided into multiple parts by longitudinal bulkheads (2141) and transverse bulkheads (2142).

A plurality of openings (2143) may be provided in the height direction in either the valleys or peaks of the longitudinal bulkhead (2141) and the transverse bulkhead (2142) to allow methanol to flow between the multiple divided spaces.

The longitudinal bulkhead (2141) can be formed as a single plate with one side connected to the front side wall (2131) and the other side connected to the rear side wall.

Additionally, the longitudinal bulkhead (2141) may be formed of a first longitudinal bulkhead (2141a) that is connected to the front side wall (2131) and extends to the intersection point, and a second longitudinal bulkhead (2141b) that is connected to the rear side wall (2132) and extends to the intersection point.

The transverse bulkhead (2142) can be formed in a single plate shape with one side connected to the left wall (2133) and the other side connected to the right wall.

Additionally, the transverse bulkhead (2142) may be formed of a first transverse bulkhead (2142a) that is connected to the left wall (2133) and extends to the intersection, and a second transverse bulkhead (2142b) that is connected to the right wall (2134) and extends to the intersection.

A corner pillar (215) can be provided between two sides that meet at a certain angle among a plurality of sides (213).

The corner column (215) may be formed as a square column, and the size of the cross-section may correspond to the depth of the wrinkles of the wrinkled bulkhead.

These corner pillars (215) can be provided at each of the square corners of the methanol storage tank (21), and have the function of reinforcing the connection strength of the areas connecting the front side wall (2131) and the left side wall (2133), the left side wall (2133) and the rear side wall (2132), the rear side wall (2132) and the right side wall (2134), and the right side wall (2134) and the front side wall (2131).

That is, the corner pillar (215) can serve as a reinforcing material that disperses the pressure concentrated at the corner of the methanol storage tank (21) formed by connecting multiple sides (213), thereby preventing structural damage to the multiple sides (213) due to the sloshing phenomenon of methanol.

Additionally, the corner pillar (215) may be provided with a number of openings (2151) in the height direction for maintenance of the corner portion of the methanol storage tank (21).

The center pillar (216) can be provided by connecting the first longitudinal bulkhead (2141a), the second longitudinal bulkhead (2141b), the first transverse bulkhead (2142a), and the second transverse bulkhead (2142b) forming the internal bulkhead (214) at the intersection point.

The center column (216) can be formed by connecting the mountain portion of the first longitudinal bulkhead (2141a) to the valley portion of the first transverse bulkhead (2142a), the valley portion of the first transverse bulkhead (2142a) to the valley portion of the second longitudinal bulkhead (2141b), the valley portion of the second longitudinal bulkhead (2141b) to the mountain portion of the second transverse bulkhead (2142b), and the mountain portion of the second transverse bulkhead (2142b) to the mountain portion of the first longitudinal bulkhead (2141a).

The center column (216) may be formed as a square column at the intersection point, and the size of the cross-section may correspond to the depth of the wrinkles of the wrinkled bulkhead.

These center columns (216) can serve as reinforcing materials to disperse the pressure concentrated at the connection portions of the first longitudinal bulkhead (2141a), the second longitudinal bulkhead (2141b), the first transverse bulkhead (2142a), and the second transverse bulkhead (2142b), thereby preventing structural damage to the inner bulkhead (214) due to the sloshing phenomenon of methanol.

In order to store methanol fuel, a special coating is applied inside the tank that requires a certain coating thickness management. In order to facilitate the painting work, the methanol storage tank (21) of the present embodiment has multiple side walls (213) and internal partition walls (214) formed as corrugated partition walls instead of protruding structures for reinforcement. However, due to the use of the corrugated partition walls, the corner connection portion of the side wall (213) of the methanol storage tank (21) becomes vulnerable. In the present embodiment, not only is a corner pillar (215) provided to optimize the corner connection vulnerable portion structure, but a center pillar (216) is provided at the intersection of the internal partition walls (214) to also optimize the connection vulnerable portion structure in this portion.

A cofferdam (217) can be provided between the upper deck (111) of the hull (11) and the lower surface (212) of the methanol storage tank (21) to separate the methanol storage space from the upper deck (111) vertically.

Additionally, the cofferdam (217) may be provided with a number of openings (2171) in the longitudinal direction for maintenance of the lower surface (212) of the methanol storage tank (21).

The methanol service tank (22) can deliver methanol supplied from the methanol storage tank (21) to the methanol fuel supply system (3).

A methanol service tank (22) may be provided in the hull (11). The methanol service tank (22) may be provided on the upper deck (111) of the hull (11) as shown in Fig. 1, or, although not shown, may also be provided inside the hull (11).

Additionally, a methanol service tank (22) may be provided to be accommodated within the methanol fuel supply system (3).

The methanol service tank (22), as shown in Fig. 3, is connected to an inert gas supply unit (33) and can be purged with inert gas supplied from the inert gas supply unit (33).

In addition, the methanol service tank (22) can be connected to a vent mast (34) and a vent line (L3), and the internal pressure can be controlled by releasing the internal gas to the outside through the vent mast (34). A pressure/vacuum regulating valve (PVRV) can be provided at the end of the vent line (L3). The pressure/vacuum regulating valve (PVRV) can have its opening controlled by a pressure sensor (PS) installed in the methanol service tank (22). A rupture disc (RD) can be installed at a part of the vent line (L3). The rupture disc (RD) is configured to automatically rupture when a dangerous situation is reached in which the internal pressure of the methanol service tank (22) becomes so high that it cannot be relieved through the vent mast (34).

In addition, the methanol service tank (22) can be connected to a bunker station (not shown) provided on the port side and starboard side of the hull (11) and a bunker line (L4), and the internal pressure can be controlled by releasing the internal gas to the outside through the bunker station. An on/off valve (SV) can be provided in the bunker line (L4). The on/off valve (SV) can be turned on/off by a pressure sensor (PS) installed in the methanol service tank (22).

The methanol service tank (22) can be connected to the second demand source (142) and the fourth return line (RL4).

The methanol service tank (22) can be formed in a cylindrical structure.

In addition, the methanol service tank (22) may be formed so that the lower surface has a downward slope of a certain angle from one side to the other side, as shown in Fig. 4. It may be formed as a square structure composed of an upper surface (drawing symbol not shown), a lower surface (drawing symbol not shown), and a plurality of side surfaces (drawing symbol not shown). Here, the lower surface may be provided so as to have a downward slope of a certain angle from one of the plurality of side surfaces to the other side surface.

The square-shaped methanol service tank (22) may have a double bulkhead (228) provided inside.

The double bulkhead (228) may be formed of a first bulkhead (228a) that is spaced apart from one side by a certain distance, connected to the upper surface, and extending a certain length in the lower direction, and a second bulkhead (228b) that is spaced apart from the first bulkhead (228) by a certain distance in the other side by a certain distance, connected to the lower surface, and extending a certain length in the upper direction.

The methanol service tank (22) can be divided into a first space, a second space, and a third space by a first bulkhead (228a) and a second bulkhead (228b) forming a double bulkhead (228).

The first space may be formed by one side and the first bulkhead (228a), the second space may be formed by the first bulkhead (228a) and the second bulkhead (228b), and the third space may be formed by the second bulkhead (228b) and the other side.

The first space and the second space may be spaces filled with methanol returned through the third return line (RL3) connected to the fuel supply valve section (32) of the methanol fuel supply system (3) or the fourth return line (RL4) connected to the demand source (14). The third return line (RL3) or the fourth return line (RL4) may be connected to the upper surface of the methanol service tank (22) corresponding to the first space.

The third space can be said to be a space filled with methanol supplied through a methanol supply line (L1) connected to a methanol storage tank (21). The methanol supply line (L1) can be connected to the upper surface of a methanol service tank (22) corresponding to the third space.

This methanol service tank (22) is composed of a third space and includes a storage section (22a) for storing methanol to be supplied to a demander (14), and a return section (22b) composed of a first space and a second space for collecting methanol returned from a methanol fuel supply system (3) or a demander (14), and may include a storage section (22a) separated by a second bulkhead (228b).

As described above, the returned methanol filled in the first space and the second space may contain foreign substances and thus is unsuitable for use as fuel for the demander (14). Therefore, a drain line (L5) for discharging the returned methanol to a drain tank (not shown) or the like may be provided on the lower surface of the methanol service tank (22) corresponding to the second space.

Additionally, a purging line (L6) for purging the interior may be provided on the upper surface of the methanol service tank (22) corresponding to the second space.

In addition, a vent line (L3) and a bunker line (L4) for discharging internal gas to the outside may be provided on the upper surface of the methanol service tank (22) corresponding to the third space.

In addition, a fuel supply line (L11, L12) for delivering methanol to a demander (14) can be provided on the lower side of the other side of the methanol service tank (22) corresponding to the third space.

The methanol fuel supply system (3) may be a system that supplies methanol from the methanol tank section (2) to the demand source (14).

This methanol fuel supply system (3) may include a fuel supply unit (31) that pressurizes and heats methanol supplied from a methanol tank unit (2) to a pressure and temperature required by a demander (14) and supplies it to a demander (14), a fuel supply valve unit (32) that opens when methanol supplied from the fuel supply unit (31) reaches the pressure required by the demander (14), an inert gas supply unit (33) that purges the methanol tank unit (2) and the methanol fuel supply system (3), and a vent mast (34) that discharges gases existing in the methanol tank unit (2) and the methanol fuel supply system (3) to the outside.

The fuel supply unit (31) can receive methanol from the methanol tank unit (2), pressurize it to an appropriate pressure required by the demander (14), and heat it to an appropriate temperature. This fuel supply unit (31) can be a LFSS (Low-flashpoint Fuel Supply System).

When the demand source (14) is composed of a first demand source (141) that operates at high pressure, such as a propulsion engine, and a second demand source (142) that operates at low pressure, such as a power generation engine, the fuel supply unit (31) may include a first fuel supply unit (311) provided on a high-pressure fuel supply line (L11) that connects the methanol tank unit (2) and the first demand source (141), and a second fuel supply unit (312) provided on a low-pressure fuel supply line (L12) that connects the methanol tank unit (2) and the second demand source (142).

The first fuel supply unit (311) can receive methanol from the methanol tank unit (2), pressurize it to an appropriate pressure required by the first demand source (141), and heat it to an appropriate temperature.

The first fuel supply unit (311) may include a first-first pump (P11), a first-first heat exchanger (HE11), a first-first pressure regulating valve (PCV11), a first degassing line (DL1), a degassing tank (DT), a first-second pump (P12), a first-second heat exchanger (HE12), a first-second pressure regulating valve (PCV12), and a first filter (F1).

The 1-1 pump (P11) is installed on the high-pressure fuel supply line (L11) and can pressurize methanol supplied from the methanol tank section (2) to an appropriate pressure required by the degassing tank (DT) and supply it to the 1-1 heat exchanger (HE11).

In this embodiment, the first-1 pump (P11) may be a magnetic pump (Magnetic Drive Pump). The magnetic pump (MP) has an external magnet attached to the motor rotating part and an internal magnet attached to the pump rotating part, so that when the motor rotates, the pump rotating part can rotate and operate by the rotational force of the motor and the magnetic force of the magnet. The external magnet provided in the motor rotating part of the pump and the internal magnet provided in the pump rotating part can be designed to have different poles, and a magnetic force can be formed between the external magnet and the internal magnet.

A mechanical seal is applied to general fluid transfer pumps, and mechanical sealing can seal the pump rotating part by using springs and carbon packing to prevent fluid from escaping from the pump rotating part. Mechanical sealing generates a contact surface within the pump, and friction occurring at the contact surface can cause wear to the packing, etc., and fluid leakage can occur due to wear of the packing, etc.

Since the motor rotating part and the pump rotating part can be separated from each other by the diaphragm, structural sealing such as packing is not applied to moving parts such as the pump rotating part, so leakage of fluid due to wear of packing, etc. can be prevented.

The 1-1 heat exchanger (HE11) is installed on the high-pressure fuel supply line (L11) and can primarily heat methanol supplied from the 1-1 pump (P11) and deliver it to the degassing tank (DT). If the 1-1 return line (RL1) described below is installed, the 1-1 heat exchanger (HE11) can be installed on the 1-1 return line (RL1).

The first-first heat exchanger (HE11) may include a configuration for discharging air or gas to the outside in order to remove air or gas within the high-pressure fuel supply line (L11). For example, if the first-first heat exchanger (HE11) is of the shell-and-tube type, air or gas may be collected at the upper portion of the body of the shell, and if the first-first heat exchanger (HE11) is of the shell-and-plate type, air or gas may be collected at the upper portion of the body of the shell or at the discharge nozzle of the plate. In this way, air or gas may be collected in a certain area of the first-first heat exchanger (HE11) and discharged to the outside.

The 1-1 pressure regulating valve (PCV11) may be provided on the 1st return line (RL1) through which methanol is returned from the downstream of the 1-1 heat exchanger (HE11) to the upstream of the 1-1 pump (P11), and may be adjusted to an open state when the high-pressure fuel supply line (L11) upstream of the 1-1 pump (P11) is not filled with methanol, and may be adjusted to a closed state when the high-pressure fuel supply line (L11) upstream of the 1-1 pump (P11) is filled with methanol.

The first degassing line (DL1) may be arranged to branch off from the first return line (RL1) upstream of the first-1 pressure regulating valve (PCV11). The first degassing line (DL1) can degas gas within methanol before it is supplied to the degassing tank (DT) via the first-1 heat exchanger (HE11).

Gases such as air existing in the high-pressure fuel supply line (L11) can move along the first degassing line (DL1) and be collected in the degassing header (not shown).

An on/off valve (not shown) may be installed in the first degassing line (DL1). If only the on/off valve is installed in the first degassing line (DL1), a large amount of liquid together with gas may be discharged into the first degassing line (DL1) due to the pressure difference between the high-pressure fuel supply line (L11) to which the first return line (RL1) is connected and the first degassing line (DL1). Accordingly, the pressure of the high-pressure fuel supply line (L11) may drop rapidly. In order to prevent the pressure of the high-pressure fuel supply line (L11) from dropping rapidly, a control valve (not shown) may be further provided on the first degassing line (DL1). The control valve may allow the degassing to proceed slowly.

In the above, during the initial operation of the first fuel supply unit (311), methanol may not be completely filled in the high-pressure fuel supply line (L11) upstream of the first-first pump (P11) or may be supplied to the first-first pump (P11) while containing gas in the methanol. In this case, the net positive suction head required (NPSHr) of the first-first pump (P11) may not be correct, which may cause a problem of cavitation.

In this embodiment, the above problem is solved by providing a first-first pressure regulating valve (PCV11) and a first degassing line (DL1) in the first return line (RL1), and air or gas contained in the initially supplied methanol is removed, and methanol is circulated through the first return line (RL1) until the high-pressure fuel supply line (L11) upstream of the first-first pump (P11) is filled with methanol, and then methanol is supplied to the degassing tank (DT).

The degassing tank (DT) is provided on the high-pressure fuel supply line (L11) and can remove air or gas contained in methanol supplied from the 1-1 heat exchanger (HE11) and supply it to the 1-2 pump (P12).

Air or gas contained in methanol supplied to the degassing tank (DT) was removed through the first degassing line (DL1) mentioned above, but it cannot be considered to have been completely removed, and therefore, in this example, the degassing tank (DT) was provided upstream of the 1-2 pump (P12).

The degassing tank (DT) can be configured to discharge air or gas collected at the top to the outside and transfer liquid collected at the bottom to the 1st-2nd pump (P12).

The degassing tank (DT) may be equipped with a device capable of removing air or gas, and may also be equipped with a device capable of controlling the operation of the No. 1-2 pump (P12) according to the level of methanol filled inside.

That is, the degassing tank (DT) is equipped with multiple level switches for each height to measure the methanol level, and when the methanol level falls below a certain level, the operation of the 1st-2nd pump (P12) can be stopped.

For example, the degassing tank (DT) may be provided with a low level switch and a high level switch. The low level switch may be installed at the lowest water level of the degassing tank (DT). The lowest water level of the degassing tank (DT) may be designed to be higher than a height at which the impeller of the 1-2 pump (P12) can be completely immersed in methanol. The high level switch may be installed at a height at which the capacity that the 1-2 pump (P12) can discharge for 1 minute and the volume of the degassing tank (DT) become equal. In the above, it is possible to check whether the impeller of the 1-2 pump (P12) is immersed in methanol by using the low level switch provided in the degassing tank (DT), and if the impeller of the 1-2 pump (P12) is not immersed in methanol, the 1-2 pump (P12) may not be operated.

The above degassing tank (DT) can be deleted. This is because there is no problem with vaporization due to fuel heating in the case of methanol fuel.

The 1-2 pump (P12) is installed on the high-pressure fuel supply line (L11) and can pressurize methanol supplied from the degassing tank (DT) to an appropriate pressure required by the first demand source (141) and supply it to the 1-2 heat exchanger (HE12).

In this embodiment, the 1-2 pump (P12) may be a magnetic pump (Magnetic Drive Pump) identical to or similar to the 1-1 pump (P11) described above.

In this embodiment, the 1-2 pump (P12) can be deleted, and only the 1-1 pump (P11) can be applied. At this time, the 1-1 pump (P11) can be configured to perform the function of the 1-2 pump (P12). However, due to the maximum flow rate limit of the available pumps, the 1-1 pump (P11) can be applied by connecting it in parallel according to the demand flow rate of the 1st demand source (141), and the flow rate ratio of the 1-1 pump (P11) is set to 1.3 times the demand flow rate of the 1st demand source (141).

The 1-2 heat exchanger (HE12) is installed on the high-pressure fuel supply line (L11) and can secondarily heat methanol supplied from the 1-2 pump (P12) to an appropriate temperature required by the first demand source (141).

The first-second heat exchanger (HE12) may include a configuration for discharging air or gas to the outside in order to remove air or gas within the high-pressure fuel supply line (L11). For example, if the first-second heat exchanger (HE12) is of the shell-and-tube type, air or gas may be collected at the upper portion of the body of the shell, and if the first-first heat exchanger (HE11) is of the shell-and-plate type, air or gas may be collected at the upper portion of the body of the shell or at the discharge nozzle of the plate. In this way, air or gas may be collected in a certain area of the first-second heat exchanger (HE12) and discharged to the outside.

In this embodiment, the 1-2 heat exchanger (HE12) can be deleted, and only the 1-1 heat exchanger (HE11) can be applied. In this case, the 1-1 heat exchanger (HE11) can be configured to perform the function of the 1-2 heat exchanger (HE12).

The 1-2 pressure regulating valve (PCV12) may be provided on a return line (not shown in the drawing) through which methanol is returned to the degassing tank (DT) from downstream of the 1-2 heat exchanger (HE12), and may be opened when the pressure of methanol discharged from the 1-2 pump (P12) is higher than the pressure required by the demander.

The first filter (F1) is provided on the high-pressure fuel supply line (L11) and can remove foreign substances contained in methanol supplied from the first-second heat exchanger (HE12) and supply it to the first demand source (141).

The second fuel supply unit (312) can receive methanol from the methanol tank unit (2), pressurize it to an appropriate pressure required by the second demand source (142), and heat it to an appropriate temperature.

The second fuel supply unit (312) may include a second pump (P2), a second heat exchanger (HE2), a second pressure regulating valve (PCV2), a second degassing line (DL2), and a second filter (F2).

The second pump (P2) is installed on the low-pressure fuel supply line (L12) and can pressurize methanol supplied from the methanol tank (2) to an appropriate pressure required by the second demand source (142) and supply it to the second heat exchanger (HE2).

In this embodiment, the second pump (P2) may be a magnetic pump (Magnetic Drive Pump) identical to or similar to the first-first pump (P11) described above.

The second heat exchanger (HE2) is installed on the low-pressure fuel supply line (L12) and can heat methanol supplied from the second pump (P2) to an appropriate temperature required by the second demand source (142).

The second heat exchanger (HE2) may include a configuration for discharging air or gas to the outside in order to remove air or gas within the low-pressure fuel supply line (L12). For example, if the second heat exchanger (HE2) is of the shell & tube type, air or gas may be collected at the upper part of the body of the shell, and if the second heat exchanger (HE2) is of the shell & plate type, air or gas may be collected at the upper part of the body of the shell or at the discharge nozzle of the plate. In this way, air or gas may be collected in a certain area of the second heat exchanger (HE2) and discharged to the outside.

To remove air or gas within the low-pressure fuel supply line (L12), the second heat exchanger (HE2) may include a configuration for discharging air or the like to the outside.

The second pressure regulating valve (PCV2) may be provided on the second return line (RL2) through which methanol is returned from the downstream of the second heat exchanger (HE2) to the upstream of the second pump (P2), and may be adjusted to an open state when the low-pressure fuel supply line (L12) upstream of the second pump (P2) is not filled with methanol, and may be adjusted to a closed state when the low-pressure fuel supply line (L12) upstream of the second pump (P2) is filled with methanol.

The second degassing line (DL2) may be arranged to branch off from the second return line (RL2) upstream of the second pressure regulating valve (PCV2). The second degassing line (DL2) may degas the gas in the methanol before it is supplied to the second demand source (142) via the second heat exchanger (HE2). The second degassing line (DL2) may be configured similarly to the first degassing line (DL1) described above.

The second filter (F2) is provided on the low-pressure fuel supply line (L12) and can remove foreign substances contained in methanol supplied from the second heat exchanger (HE2) and supply it to the second demand source (142).

As described above, the present embodiment may be provided with a first return line (RL1) through which methanol is returned from downstream of the 1-1 pump (P11) to upstream of the 1-1 pump (P11), and a second return line (RL2) through which methanol is returned from downstream of the 2nd pump (P2) to upstream of the 2nd pump (P2). The return lines (RL1, RL2) may be provided with pressure regulating valves (PCV11, PCV2), and since the pressure regulating valves (PCV11, PCV2) are open, the upstream of the 1-1 pump (P11) or the 2nd pump (P2) may be filled with methanol.

A return line may be provided to return methanol from the downstream of the No. 1-2 pump (P12) to the upstream of the No. 1-2 pump (P12), and a pressure regulating valve (PCV12) may be provided in the return line.

A level switch is provided in front of the No. 1-1 pump (P11) or the No. 2 pump (P2) to check whether the No. 1-1 pump (P11), the No. 2 pump (P2) and the return lines (RL1, RL2) are filled with methanol. If it is determined that the No. 1-1 pump (P11) or the No. 2 pump (P2) and the return lines (RL1, RL2) are filled with methanol, the No. 1-1 pump (P11) or the No. 2 pump (P2) can be operated.

A degassing tank (DT) may be installed in front of the 1-2 pump (P12) to discharge air, etc., in the fuel supply line (L11, L12). The water level of the drum may be controlled so that the impeller of the 1-2 pump (P12) is immersed in methanol. When the 1-2 pump (P12) is judged to be filled by a level switch installed in the degassing tank (DT), the 1-2 pump (P12) may be operated.

In addition, in this embodiment, the methanol tank section (2) can be installed at a higher position than the 1-1 pump (P11) so that the impeller of the 1-1 pump (P11) is immersed in methanol. It is preferable that the methanol tank section (2) be designed to be located about 3.3 m above the 1-1 pump (P11). Of course, the methanol tank section (2) can be designed to be located above the 2nd pump (P2).

The methanol tank section (2) is positioned above the 1-1 pump (P11) so that methanol can fill the 1-1 pump (P11) and the second pump (P2). A level switch may be provided in front of the 1-1 pump (P11) and the second pump (P2), and it is possible to check whether the 1-1 pump (P11) and the second pump (P2) are filled with methanol through the level switch.

A fuel supply valve unit (32) can be provided between the fuel supply unit (31) and the demand unit (14) to fill the demand unit (14) with methanol.

The fuel supply valve unit (32) can effectively cut off the fuel supply by separating the fuel supply unit (31) and the demand unit (14) when the fuel supply unit (31) is not functioning properly. The fuel supply valve unit (32) can be composed of valves for double blocking and discharge, venting, pressure control, nitrogen supply, etc., filters, various sensors, etc. This fuel supply valve unit (32) is a mechanism in which control valves for controlling the supply of methanol to the demand unit (14) are centrally arranged, and can be a fuel valve train (FVT).

When the demand source (14) is comprised of a first demand source (141) that operates at high pressure, such as a propulsion engine, and a second demand source (142) that operates at low pressure, such as a power generation engine, the fuel supply valve unit (32) may include a first fuel supply valve unit (321) provided on a high-pressure fuel supply line (L11) that connects the methanol tank unit (2) and the first demand source (141), and a second fuel supply valve unit (322) provided on a low-pressure fuel supply line (L12) that connects the methanol tank unit (2) and the second demand source (142).

The first fuel supply valve unit (321) can be provided between the first fuel supply unit (311) and the first demand unit (141) to fill the first demand unit (141) with methanol.

The first fuel supply valve unit (321) can be opened when the methanol supplied from the first fuel supply unit (311) reaches the pressure required by the first demand source (141).

A second fuel supply valve unit (322) may be provided between the second fuel supply unit (312) and the second demand source (142) to fill the second demand source (142) with methanol.

The second fuel supply valve unit (322) can be opened when the methanol supplied from the second fuel supply unit (312) reaches the pressure required by the second demand source (142).

The first fuel supply valve unit (321) and the second fuel supply valve unit (322) can be connected to the methanol tank unit (2) and the third return line (RL3), and methanol can be returned through the third return line (RL3). In this embodiment, the third return line (RL3) is described as being connected to the methanol service tank (22) of the methanol tank unit (2), but it can also be connected to the methanol storage tank (21).

The inert gas supply unit (33) can be configured to purge the methanol tank unit (2) and the methanol fuel supply system (3).

As shown in Fig. 2, the inert gas supply unit (33) is connected to the high-pressure fuel supply line (L11) and the low-pressure fuel supply line (L12) in front of the fuel supply valve unit (32) to purge the inside of the line.

In addition, as shown in Fig. 3, the inert gas supply unit (33) is connected to the methanol storage tank (21) and the methanol service tank (22) forming the methanol tank unit (2) to purge the inside of the tank.

That is, the inert gas supply unit (33) is configured to supply an inert gas such as nitrogen gas (N2) or carbon dioxide gas (CO2), and may include a device for generating an inert gas or a device for storing an inert gas. This inert gas supply unit (33) can supply an inert gas to a methanol storage tank (21) and a methanol service tank (22) forming a methanol tank unit (2), a fuel supply unit (31), a fuel supply valve unit (32), a demand source (14), and various lines, and can purge methanol with the inert gas.

The vent mast (34) can be configured to discharge gases, etc. existing in the methanol tank section (2) and the methanol fuel supply system (3) to the outside.

The vent mast (34), as shown in FIG. 3, can be connected to a methanol storage tank (21) and a methanol service tank (22) through a vent line (L3), and can control the pressure inside the tank by releasing gas inside the tank to the outside.

The vent mast (34) may include a pressure/vacuum regulating valve (PVRV) provided at the end of the vent line (L3). The pressure/vacuum regulating valve (PVRV) may have its opening adjusted by a pressure sensor (PS) installed in the methanol storage tank (21) and the methanol service tank (22).

The vent mast (34) may include a rupture disc (RD) installed on a portion of the vent line (L3). The rupture disc (RD) is configured to automatically rupture when a dangerous situation is reached in which the internal pressure of the methanol storage tank (21) and the methanol service tank (22) becomes so high that it cannot be relieved through the pressure/vacuum regulating valve (PVRV).

In this embodiment, the high-pressure fuel supply line (L11) connected to the front end of the first demand source (141) or the low-pressure fuel supply line (L12) connected to the front end of the second demand source (142) may have a double-pipe structure, as illustrated in FIG. 2. One of the double-pipes may be connected to the high-pressure fuel supply line (L11) or the low-pressure fuel supply line (L12) as a pipe through which methanol flows, and the other pipe may be connected to the fourth return line (RL4) that returns methanol inside the first demand source (141) or the second demand source (142) to the methanol tank section (2).

In addition, in this embodiment, an air inlet line (AL1) and an air discharge line (AL2) may be provided at the front end of the first demand source (141) to which the high-pressure fuel supply line (L11) is connected or at the front end of the second demand source (142) to which the low-pressure fuel supply line (L12) is connected, as shown in Fig. 2, so as to implement a gas safety zone. At this time, the air may be dry air.

FIG. 12 is a drawing for explaining a methanol fuel propulsion vessel according to a second embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 13 is a front view of the vent part illustrated in FIG. 12, and FIG. 14 is a side view of the vent part illustrated in FIG. 12.

Referring to FIGS. 12 to 14, a methanol fuel propulsion vessel (1a) may include a methanol tank section (2) for storing methanol, and a vent section (35) of a methanol fuel supply system (3) for supplying methanol delivered from the methanol tank section (2) as fuel to a demander (14).

In this embodiment, the case where the methanol fuel propulsion vessel (1a) is a container carrier is described.

A methanol fuel propulsion vessel (1a) equipped with a methanol tank section (2) and a methanol fuel supply system (3) may include a hull (11), an engine room (13), a demand location (14), a cabin (15), an engine casing (16), and a lashing bridge (17). The methanol fuel propulsion vessel (1a) may include various other components in addition to the above-described components, and in this embodiment, only the components necessary for the present invention will be described.

In this embodiment, the configuration of the methanol fuel supply system (3) may be the same as or similar to the first embodiment described above, and thus a detailed description thereof is omitted below.

Additionally, the methanol tank section (2) may include a methanol storage tank (21) and a methanol service tank (22) as described in the first embodiment.

The hull (11) is composed of an upper deck (111), a side shell (112), a bottom plate (113), a bow (114), and a stern (115) to form the exterior of a methanol fuel propulsion ship (1a).

The demand source (14) may be placed in the engine room (13) and may include a first demand source (141) and a second demand source (142) as described in the first embodiment.

The cabin (15) can be provided in the middle part of the upper deck (111) because the methanol fuel propulsion ship (1a) is a container carrier.

The engine casing (16) can be provided on the upper deck (111) above the engine room (13).

A lashing bridge (17) may be provided to load containers on the upper deck (111) of the hull (11).

The vent section (35) can be configured to release methanol discharged from the methanol tank section (2) into the atmosphere through the vent line (L3).

The vent section (35) may be provided on the upper part of the lashing bridge (17) and may include a seat section (351), a lower duct section (352), and an upper duct section (353). The vent section (35) in which the seat section (351), the lower duct section (352), and the upper duct section (353) are assembled and installed must have a height (h) of at least 3 m to ensure safety from harmful components of methanol.

The seat portion (351) can be installed on the upper part of the lashing bridge (17), and a pressure/vacuum regulating valve (PVRV) can be installed on the upper part.

The lower duct section (352) can be installed on the upper part of the sheet section (351).

The lower duct section (352) may be provided to accommodate a pressure/vacuum regulating valve (PVRV), and may be provided with a monitoring window (3521) for maintaining the pressure/vacuum regulating valve (PVRV). Here, the pressure/vacuum regulating valve (PVRV) may discharge methanol discharged from the methanol tank section (2) to the outside.

Additionally, the lower duct section (352) may have a drain (not shown) installed at the bottom for drainage when water builds up.

The upper duct section (353) can be installed so as to extend to the upper portion of the lower duct section.

The upper duct section (353) has an air intake port (3531) and an air exhaust port (3532), and a vertical bulkhead (3533) may be provided between the air intake port (3531) and the air exhaust port (3532).

The vertical bulkhead (3533) may be provided to extend from the inner upper portion of the upper duct section (353) to the upper portion of the pressure/vacuum regulating valve (PVRV) provided inside the lower duct section (352).

These vertical bulkheads (3533) form air passages inside the upper duct section (353) and the lower duct section (352).

The air passage formed by the vertical bulkhead (3533) allows air sucked into the air intake port (3531) to descend and be discharged through the air discharge port (3532) together with methanol discharged through the pressure/vacuum regulating valve (PVRV). Since methanol is heavier than air, if the air passage is not formed as described above, it will remain inside the lower duct section (352) and cannot be discharged to the outside.

A blocking film (3534) may be installed in each of the air outlet (3532) and the air intake (3531). The blocking film (3534) may be formed with a structure that prevents rainwater, etc. from penetrating into the interior of the upper duct section (353). A lamella may be applied to the blocking film (3534).

In the above, the sheet portion (351) and the lower duct portion (352) can be connected by a first flange (354) having a sealing function.

In the above, the lower duct part (352) and the upper duct part (353) can be connected by a second flange (355) having an airtight function.

In this embodiment, the lower duct part (352) and the upper duct part (353) are described as being connected by the second flange (355), but it is of course possible to omit the second flange (355) and form a single duct structure.

The vent section (35) configured as described above can mix methanol discharged from a pressure/vacuum regulating valve (PVRV) with air flowing into an air intake port (3531) and descending along one side of a vertical bulkhead (3533), and can discharge methanol mixed in the air by raising it along the other side of the vertical bulkhead (3533) through an air discharge port (3532).

Additionally, the vent part (35) may further include a vibration prevention part (356) for vibration prevention.

The vibration prevention part (356) may include a first lashing ring (3561) provided in the upper duct part (353), a second lashing ring (3562) provided on the upper part of the lashing bridge (17) at a certain distance from the sheet part (351), and a wire (3563) connecting the first lashing ring (3561) and the second lashing ring (3562).

The vibration prevention unit (356) can be removed so as not to interfere with the worker's container lashing work, and is installed during operation to perform the vibration prevention function.

The vent section (35) may further include a pressure gauge and an alarm section, although not shown.

That is, when methanol is discharged through the pressure/vacuum regulating valve (PVRV) installed on the top of the lashing bridge (17), a gas harmful to the human body is emitted. Therefore, a pressure gauge can be installed to notify the worker in advance through an alarm unit when a certain pressure is reached, thereby preventing access to the vent unit (35). The alarm unit can be a traffic light, an alarm sound, etc.

FIG. 15 is a drawing for explaining a methanol fuel propulsion vessel according to a third embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 16 is a conceptual diagram for explaining a methanol tank section and a methanol fuel supply system of FIG. 15.

The methanol fuel propulsion vessel (1a) of the present embodiment is a container carrier and may include a hull (11), an engine room (13), a demand location (14), a cabin (15), an engine casing (16), a lashing bridge (17), a cargo hold (18), a methanol tank section (2), a methanol fuel supply system (3), a bunker station (4), a pump room (5), and a cofferdam (6), and may include various other configurations in addition to these configurations.

The hull (11) is composed of an upper deck (111), a side shell (112), a bottom plate (113), a bow (114), and a stern (115), forming the exterior of a methanol fuel-powered ship (1a). In addition, the hull (11) includes a number of cargo holds (116) for loading containers (C) inside the ship.

The demand source (14) may be placed in the engine room (13) and may include a first demand source (141) and a second demand source (142) as described in the first or second embodiment.

The cabin (15) can be provided in the center of the upper deck (111).

The engine casing (16) can be provided on the upper deck (111) above the engine room (13).

A lashing bridge (17) may be provided to load a container (C) on the upper deck (111) of the hull (11).

In this embodiment, the methanol tank section (2) may be provided in a hull (11) where a demand source (14) for consuming methanol is provided, and may include a methanol storage tank (21) and a methanol service tank (22) as described in the first embodiment or the second embodiment.

Additionally, the methanol tank unit (2) may further include an individual pressure control unit (23) and a common pressure control unit (24).

The methanol storage tank (21) of this embodiment can be provided in the hull (11).

The methanol storage tank (21) may be provided at the lower part of the cabin (15) in the central part of the hull (11) and may be surrounded by a cofferdam (6). In this embodiment, the methanol storage tank (21) is described as being provided at the lower part of the cabin (15) in the central part of the hull (11), but is not limited thereto and may be provided inside the hull (11) adjacent to the engine room (13) as shown in FIG. 12, or may be provided on the upper deck (111), etc.

The methanol service tank (22) can receive methanol from the methanol storage tank (21) and can be provided in the engine casing (16). In this embodiment, the methanol service tank (22) is described as being provided in the engine casing (16), but is not limited thereto and can be provided on the upper deck (111) as shown in FIG. 1 or, of course, can be provided inside the hull (11) adjacent to the engine room (13) as shown in FIG. 12.

The configuration of this methanol service tank (22) is the same or similar to that described with reference to FIG. 4 in the first embodiment, and therefore is not described in detail here.

In this embodiment, the methanol service tank (22) is described as being provided in the engine casing (16), but it is not limited thereto, and of course, it can be installed in an available space such as the engine room (13) or the upper deck (111).

Individual pressure control units (23) are assigned to each of the methanol storage tank (21) and the methanol service tank (22), so that methanol discharged from the methanol storage tank (21) or the methanol service tank (22) can be discharged to the outside.

Each of these multiple individual pressure regulating units (23) may include a first vent line (L31) connected to a methanol storage tank (21) or a methanol service tank (22), a first pressure/vacuum regulating valve (PVRV1) provided at an end of the first vent line (L31), and a rupture disc (RD) provided at a portion of the first vent line (L31). Each of the multiple individual pressure regulating units (23) may be connected to the methanol storage tank (21) or the methanol service tank (22) by the first vent line (L31).

Some of the plurality of individual pressure regulating units (23) may be provided adjacent to the engine casing (16), and the remainder of the plurality of individual pressure regulating units (23) may be provided around the cabin (15) provided in the central portion of the hull (11).

An individual pressure control unit (23) provided adjacent to the engine casing (16) can be connected to a methanol service tank (22), and an individual pressure control unit (23) provided in the center of the hull (11) can be connected to a methanol storage tank (21).

The common pressure control unit (24) can be provided separately from the individual pressure control unit (23).

This common pressure regulating unit (24) may include a second vent line (L32) that is commonly connected to the methanol storage tank (21) and the methanol service tank (22), and a second pressure/vacuum regulating valve (PVRV2) provided at the end of the second vent line (L32).

The common pressure control unit (24) may be provided to be connected to the methanol storage tank (21) and the methanol service tank (22) by a second vent line (L32), and may discharge methanol discharged from the methanol storage tank (21) or the methanol service tank (22) to the outside.

The common pressure control unit (24) may omit the rupture plate (RD) of the individual pressure control unit (23).

The second pressure/vacuum regulating valve (PVRV2) can be opened at a pressure lower than the opening pressure of the first pressure/vacuum regulating valve (PVRV1) or the opening pressure of the rupture disc (RD).

The pressure can be formed significantly in the following order: the opening pressure of the second pressure/vacuum regulating valve (PVRV2), the opening pressure of the rupture disc (RD), and the opening pressure of the first pressure/vacuum regulating valve (PVRV1).

The common pressure regulating unit (24) is arranged between a plurality of individual pressure regulating units (23) spaced apart in the front-back direction, but may be arranged at a certain distance from the plurality of individual pressure regulating units (23).

The common pressure regulating unit (24) can be positioned at a distance from the plurality of individual pressure regulating units (23) by a distance greater than the front-rear length of one cargo hold (116).

That is, unlike the individual pressure control units (23) provided around the cabin (15) and engine casing (16), the common pressure control unit (24) is positioned at a sufficient distance from the cabin (15) and engine casing (16), thereby ensuring safety from the toxicity of methanol discharged through the first pressure/vacuum control valve (PVRV1) which opens relatively frequently due to its lower opening pressure compared to the second pressure/vacuum control valve (PVRV2) or rupture disc (RD).

The above-mentioned multiple individual pressure regulating units (23) and common pressure regulating unit (24) can be provided on the upper part of the lashing bridge (17).

Each of the methanol storage tank (21) and the methanol service tank (22) of the present embodiment is connected to an inert gas supply unit (33), as shown in FIG. 16, and can be purged by an inert gas supplied from the inert gas supply unit (33).

In addition, each of the methanol storage tank (21) and the methanol service tank (22) may be connected to a plurality of individual pressure regulating units (23). Specifically, each of the methanol storage tank (21) and the methanol service tank (22) may be connected to a vent mast (34) provided with a first pressure/vacuum regulating valve (PVRV1) and a first vent line (L31), and the internal pressure may be regulated by releasing the internal gas to the outside through the first pressure/vacuum regulating valve (PVRV1) of the vent mast (34). The opening of the first pressure/vacuum regulating valve (PVRV) may be regulated by a pressure sensor (PS) installed in the methanol storage tank (21) and the methanol service tank (22). A rupture disc (RD) may be installed in a portion of the first vent line (L3). The rupture disc (RD) is configured to automatically rupture when a dangerous situation is reached in which the internal pressure of the methanol storage tank (21) and the methanol service tank (22) becomes so high that it cannot be relieved through the first pressure/vacuum regulating valve (PVRV1) of the vent mast (34).

In addition, each of the methanol storage tank (21) and the methanol service tank (22) may be connected to a bunker station (4) provided on the port side and starboard side of the hull (11) through a bunker line (L4), and the internal pressure may be controlled by releasing the internal gas to the outside through the bunker station (4). An on/off valve (SV) may be provided in the bunker line (L4). The on/off valve (SV) may be turned on/off by a pressure sensor (PS) installed in the methanol storage tank (21) and the methanol service tank (22).

In the plurality of individual pressure control units (23) provided in each of the above-mentioned methanol storage tank (21) and methanol service tank (22), the first pressure/vacuum control valve (PVRV1) has a possibility of opening below the setting pressure due to the characteristics of the valve. In this embodiment, a common pressure control unit (24) is provided, which is connected to each of the methanol storage tank (21) and the methanol service tank (22), by providing a second pressure/vacuum control valve (PVRV2) that opens at a pressure lower than the setting pressure (opening pressure) of the first pressure/vacuum control valve (PVRV1) and the setting pressure of the rupture disc (RD), so that the second pressure/vacuum control valve (PVRV2) is opened before controlling the pressure of the methanol storage tank (21) or the methanol service tank (22) by the first pressure/vacuum control valve (PVRV1) and the rupture disc (RD). Since the pressure can be first regulated by the regulating valve (PVRV2), the first pressure/vacuum regulating valve (PVRV1) can be prevented from opening below the set pressure, and the rupture disc (RD) can be prevented from rupturing unnecessarily.

The methanol fuel supply system (3) is configured to supply methanol received from the methanol tank section (2) to a demand source (14), and this configuration may be the same as or similar to the first or second embodiment described above, so a detailed description thereof is omitted below.

The bunker station (4) can be configured to deliver methanol delivered from the outside to the methanol storage tank (21), and can be provided on the port side and starboard side of the hull (11).

The pump room (5) can be provided on the upper side of the methanol storage tank (21).

A cofferdam (6) can be provided to surround a methanol storage tank (21).

FIG. 17 is a drawing for explaining a methanol fuel propulsion vessel according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

The methanol fuel propulsion vessel (1a) according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention may be a container carrier having the same or similar configuration as the third embodiment described above, and the same numbers indicated in the drawings may indicate the same configuration. Accordingly, in order to avoid redundant descriptions of the same configuration, a detailed description is omitted herein, and components not described in the third embodiment are mainly described.

Hereinafter, the bunker line (L4) extending from the bunker station (4) to the methanol storage tank (21) for filling methanol, which is a component of the present embodiment that was not mentioned in the methanol fuel propulsion ship (1a) of the third embodiment described above, into the methanol storage tank (21), and the leak treatment unit (7) for treating methanol leaking from the bunker station (4) will be described.

The leak treatment unit (7) of the present embodiment may include a first drip tray (711) provided in the bunker station (4) to collect methanol leaking from the bunker station (4), a first drum (721) provided in the cargo hold (116) to temporarily store methanol delivered from the first drip tray (711), a first leak treatment line (TL1) provided to transfer methanol collected in the first drip tray (711) to the first drum (721), and a first leak treatment pump (TP1) provided on the first leak treatment line (TL1) in the pump room (5) to pressurize methanol collected in the first drip tray (711) toward the first drum (721).

In the above, the first drum (721) is a tank for recovering methanol fuel stored in the methanol service tank (22) or temporarily storing methanol delivered from the first drip tray (711), and may have a size identical to or similar to that of the methanol service tank (22). For example, the first drum (721) may have a size 100±10% of that of the methanol service tank (22). The first drum (721) having such a size may be provided with an individual pressure control unit (23) identical to that of the methanol service tank (22) to control internal pressure. The individual pressure control unit (23) may include a first vent line (L31), a first pressure/vacuum control valve (PVRV1), and a rupture disc (RD) as in the third embodiment described with reference to FIG. 16.

In this embodiment, the bunker station (4) can be configured to transfer methanol delivered from the outside to the methanol storage tank (21), or to transfer methanol collected in the first drip tray (711) of the leak treatment unit (7) or methanol temporarily stored in the first drum (721) to the outside.

In this embodiment, the first leak treatment pump (TP1) is described as being provided within the pump room (5), but it is not limited thereto and can of course be installed in an appropriate space within or outside the hull (11).

FIG. 18 is a drawing for explaining a methanol fuel propulsion vessel according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention.

The methanol fuel propulsion vessel (1a) according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention may be a container carrier having the same or similar configuration as the third embodiment described above, and the same numbers indicated in the drawings may indicate the same configuration. Accordingly, in order to avoid redundant descriptions of the same configuration, a detailed description is omitted herein, and components not described in the third embodiment are mainly described.

Hereinafter, the bunker line (L4) extending from the bunker station (4) to the methanol storage tank (21) for filling methanol, which is a component of the present embodiment that was not mentioned in the methanol fuel propulsion ship (1a) of the third embodiment described above, into the methanol storage tank (21), and the leak treatment unit (7) for treating methanol leaking from the bunker station (4) will be described.

The exposure treatment unit (7) of the present embodiment may include a first drip tray (711) provided in the bunker station (4) to collect methanol leaking from the bunker station (4), a second drum (722) provided to be detachably attached to the hull (11) to temporarily store methanol, and a second leak treatment line (TL2) provided to transfer methanol collected in the first drip tray (711) to the second drum (722).

The leak treatment unit (7) of this embodiment, configured as described above, can minimize the amount of leakage into the first drip tray (711) by pushing out the methanol in the bunker line (L4) by gravity (or inert gas) when methanol leaks through the bunker connection at the bunker station (4) and then discharging it into the methanol storage tank (21) and then stopping the operation of the bunker station (4), and a small amount of methanol collected in the first drip tray (711) can be manually processed through a detachable second drum (722).

The leak treatment unit (7) of the above-described embodiment may be different from the leak treatment unit (7) of the fourth embodiment described above.

First, the leak treatment unit (7) of the present embodiment may differ from the leak treatment unit (7) of the fourth embodiment in that the first drum (721) may be omitted and replaced with a detachable second drum (722) or may be omitted. In this case, even if the first drum (721) of the fourth embodiment is omitted or replaced with the second drum (722), the present embodiment can be made smaller than the first drum (721), and the individual pressure control unit (23) provided in the first drum (721) described in the fourth embodiment is also unnecessary, so that cost reduction, space utilization improvement, operation and maintenance cost reduction, and safety improvement can be achieved.

In addition, since the leak treatment unit (7) of this embodiment can omit the first drum (721) among the components of the leak treatment unit (7) of the fourth embodiment, the first leak treatment line (TL1) and the first leak treatment pump (TP1) provided on the first leak treatment line (TL1) among the components of the leak treatment unit (7) of the fourth embodiment can also be omitted, thereby reducing costs.

In this embodiment, the bunker station (4) can be configured to transfer methanol delivered from the outside to the methanol storage tank (21), or to transfer methanol collected in the first drip tray (711) of the leak treatment unit (7) or methanol temporarily stored in the second drum (722) to the outside.

FIG. 19 is a drawing for explaining a methanol fuel propulsion vessel according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention.

The methanol fuel propulsion vessel (1a) according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention may be a container carrier having the same or similar configuration as the third embodiment described above, and the same numbers indicated in the drawings may indicate the same configuration. Accordingly, in order to avoid redundant descriptions of the same configuration, a detailed description is omitted herein, and components not described in the third embodiment are mainly described.

Below, a description is given of a leak treatment unit (7) that treats methanol leaking from at least one of the methanol service tank (22) and the methanol fuel supply system (3), which are components of the present embodiment that were not mentioned in the methanol fuel propulsion vessel (1a) of the third embodiment described above.

In FIG. 19 illustrating the present embodiment, the methanol fuel supply system (3) and the corresponding leak treatment unit for treating methanol leaked from the methanol fuel supply system (3) are not illustrated, but considering that the methanol fuel supply system (3) is arranged around the methanol service tank (22) so that methanol stored in the methanol service tank (22) can be supplied to a demander (14), the corresponding leak treatment unit for treating methanol leaked from the methanol fuel supply system (3) may be structurally and functionally identical or similar to the leak treatment unit (7) for treating methanol leaked from the methanol service tank (22). Therefore, in the present embodiment, the corresponding leak treatment unit of the methanol fuel supply system (3) is replaced with the description of the leak treatment unit (7) of the methanol service tank (22).

The exposure treatment unit (7) of this embodiment comprises a second drip tray (712) provided in the engine casing (16) to collect methanol leaking from the methanol service tank (22), a first drum (721) provided in the cargo hold (116) to temporarily store methanol delivered from the second drip tray (712), a third leak treatment line (TL3) provided to transfer methanol collected in the second drip tray (712) to the first drum (721), a second leak treatment pump (TP2) provided on the third leak treatment line (TL3) to pressurize methanol collected in the second drip tray (712) toward the first drum (721), and a fourth leak treatment line (TL4) provided to transfer methanol temporarily stored in the first drum (721) to the bunker station (4). It may include a third leak treatment pump (TP3) provided on a fourth leak treatment line (TL4) in the pump room (5) to pressurize methanol temporarily stored in the first drum (721) toward the bunker station (4).

In the above, the first drum (721) is a tank for recovering methanol fuel stored in the methanol service tank (22) or temporarily storing methanol delivered from the second drip tray (712), and may have a size identical to or similar to that of the methanol service tank (22). For example, the first drum (721) may have a size 100±10% of that of the methanol service tank (22). The first drum (721) having such a size requires an individual pressure control unit (23) identical to that of the methanol service tank (22) to control internal pressure. The individual pressure control unit (23) may include a first vent line (L31), a first pressure/vacuum control valve (PVRV1), and a rupture disc (RD) as in the third embodiment described with reference to FIG. 16.

In this embodiment, the methanol service tank (22) and the second drip tray (712) are described as being provided within the engine casing (16), but they are not limited thereto and may of course be installed in an appropriate space inside or outside the hull (11).

In addition, the third leak treatment pump (TP3) is described as being installed within the pump room (5), but is not limited thereto and can of course be installed in an appropriate space within or outside the hull (11).

In addition, although a drip tray is not shown in the bunker station (4), a first drip tray (711) identical or similar to the fourth or fifth embodiment described above may be provided.

In addition, the bunker station (4) can be configured to transfer methanol collected in the second drip tray (712) of the leak treatment unit (7) or methanol temporarily stored in the first drum (721) to the outside, or to transfer methanol transferred from the outside to the methanol storage tank (21) as in the fourth or fifth embodiment described above.

As described above, the leak treatment unit (7) of the present embodiment may include a third leak treatment line (TL3) connected from the second drip tray (712) provided in the methanol service tank (22) to the first drum (721), and a fourth leak treatment line (TL4) connected from the first drum (721) to the bunker station (4).

FIG. 20 is a drawing for explaining a methanol fuel propulsion vessel according to the seventh embodiment of the present invention.

The methanol fuel propulsion vessel (1a) according to the seventh embodiment of the present invention may be a container carrier having the same or similar configuration as the third embodiment described above, and the same numbers indicated in the drawings may indicate the same configuration. Accordingly, in order to avoid redundant descriptions of the same configuration, a detailed description is omitted herein, and components not described in the third embodiment are mainly described.

Below, a description is given of a leak treatment unit (7) that treats methanol leaking from at least one of the methanol service tank (22) and the methanol fuel supply system (3), which are components of the present embodiment that were not mentioned in the methanol fuel propulsion vessel (1a) of the third embodiment described above.

In FIG. 20 illustrating the present embodiment, the methanol fuel supply system (3) and the corresponding leak treatment unit for treating methanol leaking from the methanol fuel supply system (3) are not illustrated, but as described in the sixth embodiment, the corresponding leak treatment unit of the methanol fuel supply system (3) is replaced with the description of the leak treatment unit (7) of the methanol service tank (22).

The exposure treatment unit (7) of the present embodiment may include a first drip tray (711) provided in the bunker station (4) to collect methanol leaking from the bunker station (4), a second drip tray (712) provided in the engine casing (16) to collect methanol leaking from the methanol service tank (22), a third drip tray (713) provided in the pump room (5) to collect methanol leaking from the pump room (4), and a second drum (722) provided to be detachably attached to the hull (11) to temporarily store methanol.

In addition, the exposure treatment unit (7) of the present embodiment is provided with a fifth leak treatment line (TL5) that extends to the pump room (5) to transfer methanol collected in the second drip tray (712) to the methanol service tank (22) or the second drum (722), a fourth leak treatment pump (TP4) provided on the fifth leak treatment line (TL5) to pressurize methanol collected in the second drip tray (712) toward the methanol service tank (22) or the second drum (722), a sixth leak treatment line (TL6) connected to the fifth leak treatment line (TL5) upstream of the fourth leak treatment pump (TP4) to join methanol in the methanol service tank (22), and a sixth leak treatment line (TL6) branched from the fifth leak treatment line (TL5) downstream of the fourth leak treatment pump (TP4) and connected to the methanol service tank (22). A seventh leak treatment line (TL7), an eighth leak treatment line (TL8) connected to a fifth leak treatment line (TL5) for transferring methanol collected in a third drip tray (713) to a second drum (722), a fifth leak treatment pump (TP5) provided on the eighth leak treatment line (TL8) to pressurize methanol collected in the third drip tray (713) toward the second drum (722), a ninth leak treatment line (TL9) connected to the eighth leak treatment line (TL8) downstream of the fifth leak treatment pump (TP5) for transferring methanol collected in the first drip tray (711) to the second drum (722), and a second leak treatment line (TL2) provided for transferring methanol collected in the first drip tray (711) to the second drum (722), It may include a tenth leak treatment line (TL10) provided to transport methanol transferred from at least one of the fifth leak treatment line (TL5), the eighth leak treatment line (TL8), and the ninth leak treatment line (TL9) to the second drum (722).

The leak treatment unit (7) of the above-described embodiment may omit the first drum (721) among the components of the leak treatment unit (7) of the sixth embodiment and replace it with a detachable second drum (722) or omit it. In this case, even if the first drum (721) of the sixth embodiment is omitted or replaced with the second drum (722), the size of the present embodiment can be made smaller than that of the first drum (721), and the individual pressure control unit (23) provided in the first drum (721) described in the sixth embodiment is also unnecessary, so that cost reduction, space utilization improvement, operation and maintenance cost reduction, and safety improvement can be achieved.

As described above, the leak treatment unit (7) of the present embodiment may include a leak treatment line (TL5, TL8, TL9, TL10) that extends from drip trays (712, 711, 713) provided in each of the methanol service tank (22), the bunker station (4), and the pump room (5) and is integrated upstream of the second drum (722) or the bunker station (4).

Additionally, the leak treatment unit (7) may include a plurality of drip trays (712, 711, 713) and a leak treatment line (TL6) extending from the return portion (22b) of the methanol service tank (22).

FIG. 21 is a drawing for explaining a methanol fuel propulsion vessel according to the eighth embodiment of the present invention.

A methanol fuel-powered vessel (1a) according to the eighth embodiment of the present invention may be different from the methanol fuel-powered vessel (1a) according to the seventh embodiment described above in that the fifth leak treatment line (TL5) may be configured to extend from the second drip tray (712) to the pump room (5) in the seventh embodiment, whereas it may be configured to be connected to the methanol supply line (L1) in the present embodiment. In addition, the eighth leak treatment line (TL8) may be configured to be connected to the fifth leak treatment line (TL5) in the seventh embodiment, whereas it may be configured to be connected to the methanol supply line (L1) in the present embodiment. The other configurations may be the same. Accordingly, in the following, in order to avoid repeated descriptions of overlapping configurations, the configurations that are different from the seventh embodiment will be mainly described.

The methanol supply line (L1) connects between the methanol transfer pump (P) provided in the methanol storage tank (21) and the methanol service tank (22), and can supply methanol discharged from the methanol transfer pump (P) to the methanol service tank (22).

As described above, the exposure treatment unit (7) of the present embodiment is identical to the exposure treatment unit (7) of the seventh embodiment described above, except that the fifth leak treatment line (TL5) and the eighth leak treatment line (TL8) are connected to the methanol supply line (L1).

That is, in the exposure treatment unit (7) of the present embodiment, the fifth leak treatment line (TL5) can be connected to the methanol supply line (L1), and the eighth leak treatment line (TL8) can be connected to the methanol supply line (L1) in the pump room (5).

The fifth leak treatment line (TL5) is configured to be connected to the methanol supply line (L1), so that methanol leaking from the methanol service tank (22) or the methanol fuel supply system (3) can be recovered through the methanol supply line (L1).

In addition, the eighth leak treatment line (TL8) is configured to be connected to the methanol supply line (L1), so that at least one of the methanol transported through the methanol supply line (L1), the methanol leaking from the pump room (5), and the methanol leaking from the bunker station (4) can be delivered to the second drum (722) or the bunker station (4) through the eighth leak treatment line (TL8) and the tenth leak treatment line (TL10).

FIG. 22 is a drawing for explaining a methanol fuel propulsion vessel according to the ninth embodiment of the present invention.

The methanol fuel propulsion vessel (1a) according to the ninth embodiment of the present invention may be a container carrier having the same or similar configuration as the third embodiment described above, and the same numbers indicated in the drawings may indicate the same configuration. Accordingly, in order to avoid redundant descriptions of the same configuration, a detailed description is omitted herein, and components not described in the third embodiment are mainly described.

Hereinafter, a leak treatment unit (7) for treating methanol leaking from at least one of the methanol service tank (22) and the methanol fuel supply system (3), which are components of the present embodiment that were not mentioned in the methanol fuel propulsion vessel (1a) of the third embodiment described above, and a methanol recovery line (CL) for recovering methanol from the methanol service tank (22) to the methanol storage tank (21) when a problem occurs in the methanol service tank (22), will be described.

In FIG. 22 illustrating the present embodiment, the methanol fuel supply system (3) and the corresponding leak treatment unit for treating methanol leaked from the methanol fuel supply system (3) are not illustrated, but considering that the methanol fuel supply system (3) is arranged around the methanol service tank (22) so that methanol stored in the methanol service tank (22) can be supplied to a demander (14), the corresponding leak treatment unit for treating methanol leaked from the methanol fuel supply system (3) may be structurally and functionally identical or similar to the leak treatment unit (7) for treating methanol leaked from the methanol service tank (22). Therefore, in the present embodiment, the corresponding leak treatment unit of the methanol fuel supply system (3) is replaced with the description of the leak treatment unit (7) of the methanol service tank (22).

The exposure treatment unit (7) of the present embodiment may include a second drip tray (712) provided in the engine casing (16) to collect methanol leaking from the methanol service tank (22), a third drum (723) provided in the cargo hold (116) to temporarily store methanol delivered from the second drip tray (712), a third leak treatment line (TL3) provided to transfer methanol collected in the second drip tray (712) to the third drum (723), and a second leak treatment pump (TP2) provided on the third leak treatment line (TL3) to pressurize methanol collected in the second drip tray (712) toward the third drum (723).

In this embodiment, a methanol recovery line (CL) is provided to recover methanol from a methanol service tank (22) to a methanol storage tank (21), so that the size of the third drum (723) can be formed smaller than that of the first drum (721) of the sixth embodiment described above, which will be described in detail below.

As described in the sixth embodiment, the first drum (721) is formed to have a size identical to or similar to that of the methanol service tank (22), for example, a size of 100±10% of that of the methanol service tank (22), in order to recover methanol fuel stored in the methanol service tank (22) or temporarily store methanol delivered from the second drip tray (712). The first drum (721) having such a size requires an individual pressure regulating unit (23) identical to that of the methanol service tank (22) in order to regulate internal pressure. The individual pressure regulating unit (23) may include a first vent line (L31), a first pressure/vacuum regulating valve (PVRV1), and a rupture disc (RD) as in the third embodiment described with reference to FIG. 16.

That is, since the first drum (721) of the sixth embodiment is configured to recover methanol stored in the methanol service tank (22) through the second drip tray (712) and the third leak treatment line (TL3) when a problem occurs in the methanol service tank (22), the size of the first drum (721) cannot but be formed to be the same as or similar to that of the methanol service tank (22).

However, when the methanol stored in the methanol service tank (22) is recovered through the second drip tray (712) and the third leak treatment line (TL3), the hourly flow rate of the drained methanol is generally about 0.75 to 0.80 m ³ per hour. For example, when the methanol in the methanol service tank (22) is stored at about 100 m ³ , it takes about 130 hours to recover all the methanol stored in the methanol service tank (22) to the first drum (721) through the third leak treatment line (TL3).

That is, the recovery time of methanol stored in the methanol service tank (22) is limited to the amount of leakage flowing out from the leak site during the time it is drained through the third leak treatment line (TL3), so it is bound to be delayed, and this causes problems such as delays in additional work time, such as maintenance of the leak site.

Accordingly, in this embodiment, in order to minimize the recovery time of methanol stored in the methanol service tank (22), in addition to recovering methanol stored in the methanol service tank (22) through the second drip tray (712) and the third leak treatment line (TL3), a methanol recovery line (CL) is provided to recover methanol from the methanol service tank (22) to the methanol storage tank (21).

The methanol recovery line (CL) can be arranged to directly connect the methanol service tank (22) to the methanol storage tank (21).

These methanol recovery lines (CL) can be configured so that the hourly flow rate of methanol drained by the methanol recovery line (CL) is 10 to 32 times the hourly flow rate of methanol drained by the third leak treatment line (TL3).

For example, when the hourly outflow of the third leak treatment line (TL3) is about 0.75 to 0.80 m ³ as described above, if the methanol recovery line (CL) is configured to have an hourly outflow of about 7.0 to 8.0 m ³ , which is 10 times the hourly outflow of methanol drained by the third leak treatment line (TL3), about 100 m ³ of methanol stored in the methanol service tank (22) can be completely drained in about 12 hours. That is, about 91 m ³ of the about 100 m 3 of methanol is directly drained to the methanol storage tank (21) through the methanol recovery line (CL) in about ¹² hours, and about 9 m ³ is drained to the third drum (723) through the third leak treatment line (TL3).

In addition, when the hourly outflow of the third leak treatment line (TL3) is about 0.75 to 0.80 m ³ , and the methanol recovery line (CL) is configured to have an hourly outflow of about 24.0 to 25.6 m ³ , which is 32 times the hourly outflow of methanol drained by the third leak treatment line (TL3), about 100 m ³ of methanol stored in the methanol service tank (22) can be completely drained in about 4 hours. That is, about 97 m ³ of the about 100 m ³ of methanol is directly drained to the methanol storage tank (21) through the methanol recovery line (CL) in about 4 hours, and about 3 m ³ is drained to the third drum (723) through the third leak treatment line (TL3).

In general, when the first valve and pipe connection of the lower pipe of the methanol service tank (22) leak, there is no means to block it, so in consideration of the case where all methanol in the methanol service tank (22) leaks, as a measure to counter the leak, a second drip tray (712) and a first drum (721) are provided as in the sixth embodiment. However, there is a problem as described above, so in this embodiment, a methanol recovery line (CL) is provided so that when a leak in the lower pipe of the methanol service tank (22) is detected, the methanol in the methanol service tank (22) is drained by gravity or pumping to the methanol storage tank (21).

As described above, by configuring that most of the methanol stored in the methanol service tank (22) is recovered to the methanol storage tank (21) through the methanol recovery line (CL), the size of the fourth drip tray (714) of the present embodiment can be made smaller than that of the second drip tray (712) of the sixth embodiment indicated by a dotted line. That is, the size of the fourth drip tray (714) of the present embodiment can be minimized because there is no need to collect and temporarily store methanol that leaks over a long period of time.

In addition, by configuring that most of the methanol stored in the methanol service tank (22) is recovered to the methanol storage tank (21) through the methanol recovery line (CL), the size of the third drum (723) of the present embodiment can be made smaller than that of the first drum (721) of the sixth embodiment, which is indicated by a dotted line. That is, the third drum (723) of the present embodiment does not recover and temporarily store all of the methanol stored in the methanol service tank (22), but only temporarily stores the methanol collected in the fourth drip tray (714) and drained through the third leak treatment line (TL3), so that the size can be minimized.

For example, the third drum (723) of the present embodiment may be formed to have a size of about 5 m ³ , which is larger than the about 3 m ^{3 drained through the third leak treatment line (TL3), when about 97 m 3 of about 100 m 3 of methanol} is directly drained into the methanol storage tank (21) through the methanol recovery line (CL) in about 4 hours, and about 3 m ³ is drained into the third drum (723) through the third leak treatment line (TL3).

In addition, the third drum (723) of the present embodiment can be formed to have a size of about 12 m ³ , which is larger than the size of about 9 m ³ that is drained through the third leak treatment line (TL3), when about 91 m ³ of about 100 m ³ of methanol is directly drained into the methanol storage tank (21) through the methanol recovery line (CL) in about 12 hours, and about 9 m ³ is drained into the third drum (723) through the third leak treatment line (TL3).

That is, the third drum (723) of the present embodiment can be formed to a size that takes into account the total amount of methanol drained through the third leak treatment line (TL3).

In this way, the third drum (723) of the present embodiment can be formed in a small size, so that the individual pressure control unit (23) provided in the first drum (721) of the sixth embodiment is unnecessary, thereby reducing cost, improving space utilization, reducing operation and maintenance costs, and improving safety.

The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and may include a combination of the above embodiments or a combination of at least one of the above embodiments and a known technology as another embodiment.

In the above, the present invention has been described focusing on the embodiments of the present invention, but this is only an example and does not limit the present invention, and those with ordinary knowledge in the field to which the present invention pertains will understand that various combinations or modifications and applications not illustrated in the embodiments are possible without departing from the essential technical contents of the present embodiments. Accordingly, technical contents related to modifications and applications that can be easily derived from the embodiments of the present invention should be interpreted as being included in the present invention.

1, 1a: Methanol fuel propulsion vessel 11: Hull
111: upper deck 112: side shell
113: Ship's hull 114: Bow
115: Stern 116: Cargo Hold
12: Crude oil storage tank 121: Longitudinal bulkhead
13: Engine room 14: Demand area
141: 1st demand source 142: 2nd demand source
15: Cabin 16: Engine casing
17: Lashing bridge 2: Methanol tank section
21: Methanol storage tank 211: Top surface
2111: Reinforcement 212: Bottom
2121: Reinforcement 213: Side
2131: Front wall 2132: Rear wall
2133: Left wall 2134: Right wall
214: Internal bulkhead 2141: Longitudinal bulkhead
2141a: First class bulkhead 2141b: Second class bulkhead
2142: Transverse bulkhead 2142a: First transverse bulkhead
2142b: Second transverse bulkhead 2143: Opening
215: Corner Column 2151: Opening
216: Center column 217: Cofferdam
2171: Opening 22: Methanol service tank
22a: Storage section 22b: Return section
228: Double bulkhead 228a: First bulkhead
228b: Second bulkhead 23: Individual pressure control unit
24: Common pressure control unit 3: Methanol fuel supply system
31: Fuel supply section 311: First fuel supply section
312: Second fuel supply section 32: Fuel supply valve section
321: First fuel supply valve section 322: Second fuel supply valve section
33: Inert gas supply unit 34: Vent mast
35: Bent section 351: Seat section
352: Lower duct section 3521: Observation window
353: Upper duct section 3531: Air intake
3532: Air exhaust port 3533: Vertical bulkhead
3534: Barrier 354, 355: Flange 1
356: Anti-vibration part 3561: First lashing ring
3562: 2nd lashing ring 3563: wire
4: Bunker Station 5: Pump Room
6: Cofferdam 7: Leakage treatment unit
711: 1st drip tray 712: 2nd drip tray
713: 3rd drip tray 714: 4th drip tray
721: 1st drum 722: 2nd drum
723: 3rd drum L1: Methanol supply line
L11: High pressure fuel supply line L12: Low pressure fuel supply line
L2: Methanol return line L3: Vent line
L31: 1st vent line L32: 2nd vent line
L4: Bunker line L5: Drain line
L6: Purging line TL1~TL10: 1st~11th leak treatment line
TP1~TP5: 1st~5th leak treatment pumps CL: Methanol recovery line
DT: Degassing tank DL1: 1st degassing line
DL2: 2nd degassing line RL1: 1st return line
RL2: Second return line RL3: Third return line
RL4: 4th return line AL1: Air intake line
AL2: Air exhaust line HE11: 1-1 heat exchanger
HE12: 1st-2nd heat exchanger HE2: 2nd heat exchanger
P: Methanol transfer pump P11: No. 1-1 pump
P12: No. 1-2 pump P2: No. 2 pump
PCV11: 1-1 pressure regulating valve PCV12: 1-2 pressure regulating valve
PCV2: Second pressure regulating valve PVRV: Pressure/vacuum regulating valve
PVRV1: 1st pressure/vacuum regulating valve PVRV2: 2nd pressure/vacuum regulating valve
RD: Rupture Disc SV: On/Off Valve
PS: Pressure sensor F1: 1st filter
F2: Second filter C: Container

Claims (12)

A methanol tank section provided on a hull where a demand source for consuming methanol is provided; and
Includes a methanol fuel supply system that supplies methanol received from the above methanol tank unit to the above demand source,
The above methanol tank section,
A methanol storage tank provided on the above hull;
A methanol service tank that receives methanol from the above methanol storage tank;
A plurality of individual pressure control units, each assigned to the methanol storage tank and the methanol service tank, for discharging methanol discharged from the methanol storage tank or the methanol service tank to the outside; and
A methanol fuel propulsion system, comprising a common pressure regulating unit that is provided separately from the individual pressure regulating unit and is connected to the methanol storage tank and the methanol service tank, and discharges methanol discharged from the methanol storage tank or the methanol service tank to the outside. In the first paragraph, the individual pressure control unit,
A first vent line connected to the methanol storage tank or the methanol service tank;
A first pressure/vacuum control valve provided at the end of the first vent line; and
A methanol fuel propulsion system comprising a rupture plate provided on a portion of the first vent line. In the second paragraph, the common pressure control unit,
A second vent line commonly connected to the methanol storage tank and the methanol service tank; and
Includes a second pressure/vacuum control valve provided at the end of the second vent line,
A methanol fuel propulsion system wherein the above rupture disc is omitted. In the third paragraph, the second pressure/vacuum control valve,
A methanol fuel propulsion system, which opens at a pressure lower than the opening pressure of the first pressure/vacuum regulating valve or the opening pressure of the rupture disc. In the third paragraph,
A methanol fuel propulsion system in which pressure is largely formed in the order of the opening pressure of the second pressure/vacuum control valve, the opening pressure of the rupture disc, and the opening pressure of the first pressure/vacuum control valve. A vessel comprising a methanol fuel propulsion system according to any one of claims 1 to 5. In Article 6,
A container ship comprising a cabin provided in the central part of the upper deck, an engine casing provided on the upper deck above the engine room, a lashing bridge provided on the upper deck for loading containers, and a plurality of cargo holds for loading the containers inside the ship. In the seventh paragraph, some of the plurality of individual pressure control units,
It is provided adjacent to the above engine casing,
The remainder of the above individual pressure regulating units,
A ship, provided around the above cabin. In the 8th paragraph, the individual pressure control unit provided adjacent to the engine casing,
Connected to the above methanol service tank,
The individual pressure control unit provided in the central part of the above hull is,
A vessel connected to the above methanol storage tank. In the seventh paragraph, the common pressure control unit,
A vessel, wherein the vessel is arranged between a plurality of individual pressure regulating units spaced apart in the forward and backward directions, but is arranged at a certain distance from the plurality of individual pressure regulating units. In the 10th paragraph, the common pressure control unit,
A vessel, wherein the plurality of individual pressure regulating units are arranged at a distance greater than the forward and backward length of any one of the cargo holds. In the 7th paragraph, a plurality of the individual pressure control units and the common pressure control unit,
A vessel provided on the upper part of the above lashing bridge.

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