AU2020409190B2

AU2020409190B2 - Ship

Info

Publication number: AU2020409190B2
Application number: AU2020409190A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Toshinori Ishida; Shinsuke Morimoto; Toshio Ogata
Original assignee: Mitsubishi Shipbuilding Co Ltd
Current assignee: Mitsubishi Shipbuilding Co Ltd
Priority date: 2019-12-19
Filing date: 2020-09-07
Publication date: 2024-01-18
Anticipated expiration: 2040-09-07
Also published as: CN114787030A; JP7398264B2; KR102699728B1; WO2021124618A1; EP4059827B1; EP4059827A1; FI4059827T3; KR20220093242A; DK4059827T3; EP4059827A4; AU2020409190A1; CN114787030B; JP2021095081A

Abstract

A ship comprising: a hull having a pair of broadsides; a main tank provided inside the hull and storing liquid or gaseous cargo; a sub-tank that has less capacity than the main tank and has greater pressure resistance than the main tank; a transport line that is connected to the sub-tank and has a section for connection to outside the ship; a first line connecting the main tank and the sub-tank; a second line connecting the main tank and the sub-tank; a vaporizer that, out of the first line and the second line, is provided only in the second line, vaporizes cargo liquid which is a liquid phase of the cargo, and generates a cargo gas; and a pumping unit that selects either the first line or the second line and pumps the cargo liquid from the main tank to the sub-tank.

Description

SHIP

Technical Field

[0001]

The present disclosure relates to a ship.

The present application claims priority with respect

to Japanese Patent Application No. 2019-229207 filed in

Japan on December 19, 2019, the content of which is

incorporated herein by reference.

Background Art

[0002]

PTL 1 discloses using a cargo pump in discharging

liquefied gas stored in a tank from the tank in a ship that

carries the liquefied gas as a cargo.

Citation List

Patent Literature

[0003]

[PTL 1] Japanese Patent No. 5769445

Summary of Invention

Technical Problem

[0004]

In the configuration described in PTL 1, pressure for

pumping the liquefied gas is applied to the pump in addition

to the pressure of the liquefied gas stored in the tank.

Accordingly, the pump is required to have a large pressure capacity in a case where the pressure of the liquefied gas stored in the tank is high.

The liquefied gas in the tank may be discharged by

applying pressure to the gas phase in the tank from the

outside of the tank. However, in this case, the pressure

from the outside is applied to the tank in addition to the

pressure of the liquefied gas stored in the tank.

Accordingly, the tank itself is required to have a large

pressure capacity in a case where the pressure of the

liquefied gas stored in the tank is high.

Increasing the pressure capacity of a tank or a pump

as described above leads to an increase in cost. Further,

an increase in tank size is hindered by the tank itself

being required to have a large pressure capacity.

[00051

Preferred embodiments of the present invention seek to

provide a ship in which it is possible to enable an increase

in tank size while suppressing an increase in cost.

Solution to Problem

[00061

In accordance with one aspect of the present invention,

there is provided a ship comprising: a hull having a pair

of broadsides; a main tank provided in the hull and storing

a liquid or gas cargo; a sub tank smaller in capacity than

the main tank and higher in pressure resistance than the main tank; a transportation line connected to the sub tank and having an outboard connection portion; a first line connecting the main tank and the sub tank; a second line connecting the main tank and the sub tank; a vaporizer provided on the second line, not provided on the first line, and evaporating a cargo liquid, which is a liquid phase of the cargo, to generate a cargo gas; a pumping unit selecting either the first line or the second line and pumping the cargo liquid from the main tank to the sub tank; and a pressurizing line connecting to an upper portion in the sub tank and an upper portion in the main tank and pressurizing an inside of the main tank by pressure in the sub tank.

Advantageous Effects of Invention

[0007]

According to the ship of the present disclosure, it is

possible to enable an increase in tank size while

suppressing an increase in cost.

Brief Description of Drawings

[0008]

Fig. 1 is a plan view illustrating a schematic

configuration of a ship according to an embodiment of the

present disclosure.

Fig. 2 is a diagram illustrating the configurations of

a main tank, a sub tank, and a main tank-sub tank connection pipe system provided in the ship according to the embodiment of the present disclosure.

Fig. 3 is a diagram illustrating the gas flow in a

case where a cargo liquid is transferred from the main tank

to the sub tank in the ship according to the embodiment of

the present disclosure.

Fig. 4 is a diagram illustrating the gas flow in a

case where the cargo liquid in the sub tank is discharged

by a cargo gas in the ship according to the embodiment of

the present disclosure.

Fig. 5 is a diagram illustrating the gas flow in a

case where the sub tank is reduced in pressure and the cargo

liquid is pumped by the pressure that is supplied from the

sub tank in the ship according to the embodiment of the

present disclosure.

Fig. 6 is a diagram illustrating the gas flow in a

case where the cargo liquid is transferred from the main

tank to the sub tank by the pressure that is supplied from

the sub tank in the ship according to the embodiment of the

present disclosure.

Description of Embodiments

[00091

Hereinafter, a ship according to an embodiment of the

present disclosure will be described with reference to Figs.

1 to 6.

(Configuration of Hull of Ship)

A ship 1 of the embodiment of the present disclosure

illustrated in Fig. 1 carries a fluid cargo G such as

liquefied carbon dioxide. The ship 1 includes at least a

hull 2, a main tank 10, a sub tank 20, and a pipe system

100 (see Fig. 2).

[0010]

(Hull Configuration)

As illustrated in Fig. 1, the hull 2 has a pair of

broadsides 3A and 3B, a ship bottom (not illustrated), and

an exposed deck 5, which form the outer shell of the hull

2. The broadsides 3A and 3B are provided with a pair of

broadside skins respectively forming the left and right

broadsides. The ship bottom (not illustrated) is provided

with a ship bottom skin connecting the broadsides 3A and 3B.

By the pair of sides 3A and 3B and the ship bottom (not

illustrated), the outer shell of the hull 2 has a U shape

in a cross section orthogonal to a ship stern direction Da.

The exposed deck 5 is a whole deck exposed to the outside.

In the hull 2, an superstructure 7 having an accommodation

space is formed on the exposed deck 5 on a stern 2b side.

[0011]

In the hull 2, a cargo tank storage compartment (hold)

8 is formed closer to a bow 2a side than the superstructure

7. The cargo tank storage compartment 8 is recessed toward the ship bottom (not illustrated) below the exposed deck 5 and is open upward.

[0012]

(Tank Configuration)

The main tank 10 and the sub tank 20 are disposed in

the cargo tank storage compartment 8. In this embodiment,

two main tanks 10 as an example are disposed in the cargo

tank storage compartment 8. Three sub tanks 20 as an example

are disposed in the cargo tank storage compartment 8. The

main tank 10 and the sub tank 20 are not limited in any

manner in terms of layout and installation number in the

cargo tank storage compartment 8.

The sub tank 20 is smaller in capacity and higher in

pressure resistance than the main tank 10. In other words,

the sub tank 20 is a small high-pressure tank. On the other

hand, the main tank 10 is a so-called large low-pressure

tank larger in capacity and lower in pressure resistance

than the sub tank 20.

[0013]

In this embodiment, each of the main tank 10 and the

sub tank 20 has, for example, a horizontally extending

cylindrical shape. Stored in the main tank 10 and the sub

tank 20 is a liquefied gas to be carried (hereinafter,

simply referred to as the cargo G) such as liquefied carbon

dioxide. A cargo liquid L, which is the liquid phase of the cargo G, is stored in the lower portions in the main tank 10 and the sub tank 20. A cargo gas V, which is the gas phase of the cargo G resulting from the evaporation of the cargo liquid L or the like, is stored in the upper portions in the main tank 10 and the sub tank 20. The main tank 10 and the sub tank 20 are not limited to cylindrical tanks and may be spherical.

[0014]

(Configuration of Pipe System)

As illustrated in Fig. 2, the pipe system 100 includes

a transportation line 30, a first line 40, a second line 50,

a vaporizer 55, a pumping unit 60, and a pressurizing line

70.

[0015]

(Configuration of Transportation Line)

The transportation line 30 is connected to the sub

tank 20. The transportation line 30 includes an external

connection pipe 31 and sub tank connection pipes 32.

[0016]

The external connection pipe 31 has an outboard

connection portion 31j at one end thereof. The connection

portion 31j has a flange or the like, and a delivery pipe

(not illustrated) for sending out the cargo G (cargo liquid

L) to an outboard liquefied gas storage facility or the like

is detachably connected.

[00171

The sub tank connection pipes 32 are respectively

connected to the sub tanks 20. Each sub tank connection

pipe 32 branches (or merges) from the external connection

pipe 31 and reaches the inside of the sub tank 20. The

lower end of each sub tank connection pipe 32 is open to

the lower portion in the sub tank 20. Each sub tank

connection pipe 32 is provided with two opening-closing

valves 32v and 32w, which are at an interval in the axis

direction of the pipe.

[0018]

(Configuration of First line)

The first line 40 connects the main tank 10 and the

sub tank 20 (in this embodiment, the sub tank connection

pipe 32). The first line 40 includes first main tank

connection pipes 41, a first merging pipe 42, and first

branch pipes 43.

[0019]

The first main tank connection pipe 41 is provided in

each main tank 10. Each first main tank connection pipe 41

reaches the inside of the main tank 10 from the outside of

the main tank 10. The lower end of the first main tank

connection pipe 41 is open to the lower portion in the main

tank 10. Each first main tank connection pipe 41 is provided

with an opening-closing valve 41v outside the main tank 10.

[00201

The plurality of first main tank connection pipes 41

connected to the main tanks 10 are connected to the first

merging pipe 42. As a result, in this embodiment, the two

first main tank connection pipes 41 extending from the two

main tanks 10 are connected to one end side of the first

merging pipe 42.

[0021]

The first branch pipe 43 is equal in number to the sub

tank 20. In this embodiment, three first branch pipes 43

are provided. Each first branch pipe 43 branches and

extends from the other end side of the first merging pipe

42. The first branch pipes 43 are connected to the sub tank

connection pipes 32 extending from the sub tanks 20.

Specifically, each first branch pipe 43 is connected to the

intermediate portion between the opening-closing valve 32v

and the opening-closing valve 32w on the sub tank connection

pipe 32. Each first branch pipe 43 is provided with an

opening-closing valve 43v.

[0022]

The first line 40 communicates with the inside of the

main tank 10 and the inside of the sub tank 20 when the

opening-closing valves 41v, 43v, and 32v are open. The

first branch pipe 43 may be directly connected to the sub

tank 20 without being connected to the sub tank connection pipe 32. In Fig. 2, every opening-closing valve is illustrated in white. In Figs. 3 to 6, the opening-closing valve that is open is illustrated in white and the opening closing valve that is closed is illustrated in black.

[0023]

(Configuration of Second line)

The second line 50 connects the main tank 10 and the

sub tank 20. The second line 50 includes second main tank

connection pipes 51, a second merging pipe 52, and second

branch pipes 53.

[00241

The second main tank connection pipes 51 are

respectively connected to the main tanks 10. Each second

main tank connection pipe 51 reaches the inside of the main

tank 10 from the outside of the main tank 10. Each second

main tank connection pipe 51 is provided with an opening

closing valve 51v outside the main tank 10.

[0025]

The second main tank connection pipes 51 extending

from the main tanks 10 are connected to the second merging

pipe 52. In other words, in this embodiment, two second

main tank connection pipes 51 extending from two main tanks

are merged and connected to one end side of one second

merging pipe 52.

[0026]

The second branch pipe 53 is equal in number to the

sub tank 20. In this embodiment, three second branch pipes

53 are provided. Each second branch pipe 53 branches and

extends from the other end side of the second merging pipe

52. The second branch pipes 53 are respectively connected

to the sub tanks 20. The lower end of each second branch

pipe 53 is open to the upper portion in the sub tank 20 (for

example, uppermost end portion). Each second branch pipe

53 is provided with an opening-closing valve 53v.

[00271

(Configuration of Vaporizer)

The vaporizer 55 is provided on the second line 50 and

is not provided on the first line 40. Exemplified in this

embodiment is a case where the vaporizer 55 is provided on

the second merging pipe 52 of the second line 50. The

vaporizer 55 generates the cargo gas V by vaporizing the

cargo liquid L flowing in the second line 50 (adiabatic

expansion). The vaporizer 55 evaporates the cargo liquid L

by using seawater collected from the outside of the ship,

steam generated in the hull 2, or the like as a heat source.

Opening-closing valves 52v and 52w are provided in front of

and behind the vaporizer 55 on the second merging pipe 52.

The second line 50 communicates with the inside of the

main tank 10 and the inside of the sub tank 20 when the

opening-closing valves 51v, 52v, 52w, and 53v are open.

[00281

(Configuration of Pumping Unit)

The pumping unit 60 sends out the cargo liquid L stored

in the main tank 10 to the second main tank connection pipe

51. A pump such as a rotary pump can be used as the pumping

unit 60. The pumping unit 60 is connected to the second

main tank connection pipe 51 of the second line 50. More

specifically, the pumping unit 60 is provided at the lower

end of the second main tank connection pipe 51 in the main

tank 10. The pumping unit 60 suctions up the cargo liquid

L in the main tank 10 and pumps the cargo liquid L.

[0029]

A connection line 80 is provided between the first

line 40 and the second line 50. The connection line 80

connects the first line 40 and the second line 50. One end

of the connection line 80 in this embodiment is connected

to the second main tank connection pipe 51 between the

pumping unit 60 and the vaporizer 55 on the second line 50.

More specifically, one end of the connection line 80 is

connected to the second main tank connection pipe 51 between

the opening-closing valve 51v and the opening-closing valve

52v. The other end of the connection line 80 is connected

to the first main tank connection pipe 41 of the first line

40. The other end of the connection line 80 is connected

to the first main tank connection pipe 41 on a side closer to the sub tank 20 than the opening-closing valve 41v. The connection line 80 is provided with an opening-closing valve

80v, and it is possible to switch between communication and

non-communication between the second main tank connection

pipe 51 and the first main tank connection pipe 41

(connectable and disconnectable).

[00301

(Configuration of Pressurizing Line)

The pressurizing line 70 connects the main tank 10 and

the sub tank 20 so as to be capable of communicating with

each other. By this pressurizing line 70, the upper portion

in the sub tank 20 and the upper portion in the main tank

are capable of communicating with each other. The

pressurizing line 70 includes sub tank side pressurizing

pipes 71, a pressurizing merging pipe 72, and main tank side

pressurizing pipes 73.

[0031]

The sub tank side pressurizing pipe 71 is equal in

number to the sub tank 20. In other words, in this

embodiment, three sub tank side pressurizing pipes 71 are

provided. Each sub tank side pressurizing pipe 71 in this

embodiment branches from the second branch pipe 53. More

specifically, each sub tank side pressurizing pipe 71 is

connected to the second branch pipe 53 between the sub tank

and the opening-closing valve 53v. Each sub tank side pressurizing pipe 71 is provided with an opening-closing valve 71v. The sub tank side pressurizing pipe 71 may be directly connected to the sub tank 20 instead of the second branch pipe 53.

[00321

Each sub tank side pressurizing pipe 71 is connected

to the pressurizing merging pipe 72. In other words, in

this embodiment, three sub tank side pressurizing pipes 71

extending from three sub tanks 20 are merged and connected

to one end side of one pressurizing merging pipe 72.

[00331

The main tank side pressurizing pipe 73 is equal in

number to the main tank 10. In other words, in this

embodiment, two main tank side pressurizing pipes 73 are

provided. Each main tank side pressurizing pipe 73 branches

from the other end side of the pressurizing merging pipe 72.

The main tank side pressurizing pipes 73 are respectively

connected to the main tanks 10. The lower end of each main

tank side pressurizing pipe 73 is open to the upper portion

in the sub tank 20 (for example, uppermost end portion).

Each main tank side pressurizing pipe 73 is provided with

an opening-closing valve 73v outside the main tank 10.

[00341

In the ship 1, by the pipe system 100 being provided

as described above, two or more (three in this embodiment) sub tanks 20 are connected to one main tank 10 via the first line 40, the second line 50, and the pressurizing line 70.

In addition, two or more (two in this embodiment) main tanks

are connected to each of the sub tanks 20 via the first

line 40, the second line 50, and the pressurizing line 70.

[00351

(Cargo Liquid Transfer from Main Tank to Sub Tank)

As illustrated in Fig. 3, when the cargo liquid L in

the main tank 10 is sent out to the second main tank

connection pipe 51 by the pumping unit 60 with the opening

closing valves 51v and 80v open and the opening-closing

valves 41v and 52v closed, the cargo liquid L flows into

the first line 40 via the second main tank connection pipe

51 and the connection line 80. Then, this cargo liquid L

is sent to the sub tank 20 side as it is through the first

line 40.

On the sub tank 20 side, on condition that the opening

closing valves 43v and 32v are opened and the opening

closing valve 32w is closed, the cargo liquid L sent through

the first line 40 can be supplied into the sub tank 20. As

a result, the cargo liquid L in the main tank 10 can be

moved into the sub tank 20 with its liquid state maintained.

[00361

By closing the opening-closing valve 43v, it is

possible to block the cargo liquid L sent through the first line 40 from being supplied into the sub tank 20. As a result, it is possible to transfer the cargo liquid L from the main tank 10 to a part of the sub tanks 20 without transferring the cargo liquid L to the rest.

Although the cargo liquid L is transferred from one

main tank 10 to two sub tanks 20 in the example illustrated

in Fig. 3, the cargo liquid L may be moved to one sub tank

or to every sub tank 20.

[00371

(Discharge of Cargo Liquid in Sub Tank by Cargo Gas)

As illustrated in Fig. 4, when the cargo liquid L in

the main tank 10 is sent out to the second main tank

connection pipe 51 by the pumping unit 60 with the opening

closing valves 51v, 52v, and 52w open and the opening

closing valves 41v and 80v closed, the cargo liquid L is

sent to the sub tank 20 side through the second line 50.

The cargo liquid L is vaporized by the vaporizer 55 provided

on the second merging pipe 52, and the cargo gas V is

generated. The generated cargo gas V is sent to the sub

tank 20 side through the second line 50.

On the sub tank 20 side, on condition that the opening

closing valve 53v is opened, the cargo gas V sent through

the first line 40 is introduced into the sub tank 20.

[00381

The volume of the cargo gas V generated from the cargo liquid L considerably increases as compared with the state where the cargo liquid L is yet to become the cargo gas V.

The pressure in the sub tank 20 increases when the cargo

gas V is introduced into the sub tank 20. As a result, the

cargo liquid L is pushed out of the sub tank 20 and

discharged to the outside of the ship through the

transportation line 30.

Here, by closing the opening-closing valve 53v, it is

possible to block the cargo gas V sent through the first

line 40 from being introduced into the sub tank 20. As a

result, it is possible to achieve a configuration in which

the cargo gas V from the main tank 10 is introduced into a

part of the sub tanks 20 without being transferred to the

rest.

Although the cargo gas V is sent into two sub tanks 20

from one main tank 10 in the example illustrated in Fig. 4,

the cargo gas V may be discharged from the sub tank 20 after

the cargo gas V is sent into one sub tank 20 or every sub

tank 20 (that is, three or more sub tanks 20).

[00391

(Sub Tank Pressure Reduction)

After the cargo liquid L in the sub tank 20 is

discharged as described above, the cargo gas V remains in

the sub tank 20. In the sub tank 20, a high-pressure state

is maintained by the cargo gas V. With the pressure in the sub tank 20 higher than the pressure in the main tank 10 as described above, the opening-closing valves 71v and 73v are opened and the opening-closing valves 32v and 52v are closed as illustrated in Fig. 5. Then, the upper portion in the sub tank 20 and the upper portion in the main tank 10 communicate with each other via the pressurizing line 70, and the cargo gas V in the sub tank 20 flows into the main tank 10. As a result, the inside of the sub tank 20 can be reduced in pressure.

[0040]

(Cargo Liquid Pumping by Pressure Supplied from Sub

Tank)

When the cargo gas V in the sub tank 20 flows into the

main tank 10 by the sub tank 20 being depressurized as

described above, the pressure of the gas phase in the main

tank 10 (cargo gas V) increases. Then, the pressurized

cargo gas V pushes down the cargo liquid L positioned below

the cargo gas V in the main tank 10.

At this time, in a case where the cargo gas V is

generated by the cargo liquid L pumped by the pumping unit

being vaporized by the vaporizer 55 as in Fig. 4, the

generated cargo gas V is sent into the sub tank 20 that is

not in the process of depressurization as illustrated in

Fig. 5. Then, the cargo liquid L in the sub tank 20 into

which the cargo gas V is sent is pressurized and the cargo liquid L can be discharged to the outside of the ship.

In this case, by using the pressure of the cargo gas

V from the sub tank 20 reduced in pressure, the pressure

applied to the cargo liquid L by the pumping unit 60 is

smaller than in a case where the pumping unit 60 performs

pumping alone.

[0041]

(Cargo Liquid Transfer from Main Tank to Sub Tank by

Pressure Supplied from Sub Tank)

In addition, as illustrated in Fig. 6, the cargo gas

V may be sent from the sub tank 20 in the process of

depressurization into the other main tank 10 (main tank 10

on the right side in Fig. 6) that is not the main tank 10

(main tank 10 on the left side in Fig. 6) in the process of

discharge of the sub tank 20 by the pumping unit 60. To

this end, the opening-closing valves 71v, 73v, 41v, and 43v

are opened in the other main tank 10. Then, in the other

main tank 10, the pressure of the cargo gas V flowing from

the inside of the sub tank 20 into the main tank 10 pushes

down the cargo liquid L positioned below the cargo gas V in

the main tank 10. As a result, the cargo liquid L is sent

out through the first line 40 from the main tank 10. After

being sent out, the cargo liquid L is sent into the other

sub tank 20 (left side in Fig. 6) that is not the sub tank

(sub tank 20 at the center in the left-right direction in Fig. 6) in the process of depressurization and the sub tank 20 (sub tank 20 on the right side in Fig. 6) in the process of pumping by the pumping unit 60.

[00421

(Action and Effect)

The ship 1 of the above embodiment includes the hull

2, the main tank 10, the sub tank 20, the transportation

line 30, the first line 40, the second line 50, the vaporizer

55, and the pumping unit 60. Further, the sub tank 20 is

smaller in capacity and higher in pressure resistance than

the main tank 10. The first line 40 connects the main tank

and the sub tank 20. The second line 50 connects the

main tank 10 and the sub tank 20. The vaporizer 55 is

provided on the second line 50 and is not provided on the

first line 40. The vaporizer 55 evaporates the cargo liquid

L, which is the liquid phase of the cargo G, to generate

the cargo gas V. The pumping unit 60 selects either the

first line 40 or the second line 50 and pumps the cargo

liquid L from the main tank 10 to the sub tank 20.

[0043]

With this configuration, on condition that the cargo

liquid L is pumped from the main tank 10 to the sub tank 20

through the second line 50 by the pumping unit 60, the

pumped cargo liquid L is evaporated by the vaporizer 55 and

the cargo gas V is generated. Then, the pressure in the sub tank 20 increases when the cargo gas V generated by the vaporizer 55 is sent from the second line 50 into the sub tank 20. As a result, the cargo liquid L in the sub tank is pushed out and discharged to the outside of the ship through the transportation line 30. Since the cargo liquid

L in the sub tank 20 is discharged by the pressure of the

cargo gas V pumped from the main tank 10 side in this manner,

the cargo liquid L can be pumplessly discharged from the

sub tank 20.

[0044]

In addition, the sub tank 20 is smaller in capacity

than the main tank 10. Accordingly, even if the sub tank

20 is highly pressure-resistant to the pressure of the cargo

gas V, pressure resistance can be easily ensured and low

cost manufacturing can be performed as compared with

enhancing the pressure resistance of the large-capacity main

tank 10 to the same level. On the other hand, since the

main tank 10 is lower in pressure resistance than the sub

tank 20, it is possible to easily realize an increase in

the size of the main tank 10. In addition, the pumping unit

only pumps the cargo liquid L for generating the cargo

gas V by vaporization by means of the vaporizer 55.

Accordingly, the pumping capacity required for the pumping

unit 60 is smaller than in a case where the cargo liquid L

is directly discharged from the main tank 10 to the outside of the ship. As a result, the pumping unit 60 can be reduced in cost.

[0045]

In addition, when the cargo liquid L is pumped from

the main tank 10 to the sub tank 20 through the first line

40 by the pumping unit 60, the pumped cargo liquid L is sent

into the sub tank 20 with its liquid state maintained. As

a result, the cargo liquid L stored in the main tank 10 can

be transferred to the sub tank 20. The cargo liquid L

transferred to the sub tank 20 is discharged by the pressure

of the cargo gas V pumped from the main tank 10 side as

described above. In other words, it is possible to

discharge the entire amount of the cargo liquid L in the

main tank 10 and the sub tank 20 by sequentially repeating

the transfer of the cargo liquid L from the main tank 10 to

the sub tank 20 and the discharge of the cargo liquid L from

the sub tank 20 by the pressure of the cargo gas V pumped

from the main tank 10 side.

Accordingly, by means of the ship 1, it is possible to

enable an increase in tank size while suppressing a rise in

cost.

[0046]

The ship 1 of the above embodiment further includes

the pressurizing line 70 that connects the upper portion in

the sub tank 20 and the upper portion in the main tank 10 and pressurizes the inside of the main tank 10 by the pressure in the sub tank 20.

As a result, when the upper portion in the sub tank 20

and the upper portion in the main tank 10 communicate with

each other via the pressurizing line 70, the gas phase in

the main tank 10 (cargo gas V) is pressurized by the pressure

in the sub tank 20. Then, the cargo liquid L positioned in

the lower portion in the main tank 10 is pressurized by the

pressurized cargo gas V, and the cargo liquid L can be

transferred from the main tank 10 to the sub tank 20 through

the first line 40 and the second line 50. In addition, as

a result, it is possible to reduce the pressure of the cargo

gas V in the sub tank 20.

[0047]

In the ship 1 of the above embodiment, two or more sub

tanks 20 are connected to one main tank 10 via the first

line 40, the second line 50, and the pressurizing line 70.

As a result, it is possible to transfer the cargo

liquid L from the main tank 10 by the pumping unit 60 and

send in the cargo gas V through the vaporizer 55 with respect

to the other sub tank 20 while pressurizing the inside of

the main tank 10 by the pressure of the cargo gas V in the

sub tank 20 in a part of the sub tanks 20.

In addition, when the cargo liquid L is pumped by the

pumping unit 60 while pressurizing the main tank 10 by the pressure of the cargo gas V in the sub tank 20, the pressure applied to the cargo liquid L by the pumping unit 60 can be reduced as compared with a case where the pumping unit 60 performs pumping alone. As a result, less energy is required to operate the pumping unit 60.

[0048]

In the ship 1 of the above embodiment, three or more

sub tanks 20 are provided, and the main tanks 10 are

connected to each of the sub tanks 20 via the first line 40,

the second line 50, and the pressurizing line 70.

In such a configuration, by pressurizing the main tank

10 with the pressure in one of the three or more sub tanks

20, it is possible to generate the cargo gas V while

transferring the cargo liquid L to another of the sub tanks

and discharge the cargo liquid L in the other sub tank

to the outside of the ship through the transportation

line 30.

In this manner, different processes can be performed

in parallel in the sub tanks 20. As a result, the cargo

liquid L stored in the main tank 10 and the sub tank 20 can

be efficiently discharged to the outside of the ship.

[0049]

The ship 1 of the above embodiment further includes

the connection line 80 that disconnectably connects the

first line 40 and the second line 50.

As a result, the cargo liquid L pumped by the pumping

unit 60 can be sent out with either the first line 40 or

the second line 50 selected.

[00501

(Other Embodiments)

Although an embodiment of the present disclosure has

been described in detail with reference to the drawings,

the specific configuration is not limited to this embodiment

and also includes, for example, design changes within the

gist of the present disclosure.

Although two main tanks 10 and three sub tanks 20 are

provided in the above embodiment, the number of the main

tanks 10 may be two or more and the number of the sub tanks

may be three or more. In addition, although it may be

impossible to execute the different processes in parallel,

the main tank 10 and the sub tank 20 may be provided one by

one.

[0051]

In addition, the procedure for discharging the cargo

liquid L illustrated in the above embodiment is merely an

example and can be changed as appropriate.

[00521

The ship 1 described in the embodiment is, for example,

grasped as follows.

[00531

(1) A ship 1 according to a first aspect includes: a

hull 2 having a pair of broadsides 3A and 3B; a main tank

10 provided in the hull 2 and storing a liquid or gas cargo

G; a sub tank 20 smaller in capacity than the main tank 10

and higher in pressure resistance than the main tank; a

transportation line 30 connected to the sub tank 20 and

having an outboard connection portion 31j; a first line 40

connecting the main tank 10 and the sub tank 20; a second

line 50 connecting the main tank 10 and the sub tank 20; a

vaporizer 55 provided on the second line 50, not provided

on the first line 40, and evaporating a cargo liquid L,

which is a liquid phase of the cargo G, to generate a cargo

gas V; and a pumping unit 60 selecting either the first line

40 or the second line 50 and pumping the cargo liquid L from

the main tank 10 to the sub tank 20.

An example of the pumping unit 60 is a pump.

[00541

As for the ship 1, when the cargo liquid L is pumped

from the main tank 10 to the sub tank 20 through the second

line 50 by the pumping unit 60, the pumped cargo liquid L

is evaporated by the vaporizer 55 and the cargo gas V is

generated. The volume of the cargo gas V generated from

the cargo liquid L considerably increases as compared with

the state where the cargo liquid L is yet to become the cargo gas V. The pressure in the sub tank 20 increases when the cargo gas V is sent into the sub tank 20 from the second line 50. As a result, the cargo liquid L in the sub tank is pushed out and discharged to the outside of the ship through the transportation line 30.

In this manner, the cargo liquid L in the sub tank 20

is discharged by the pressure of the cargo gas V pumped from

the main tank 10 side, and thus the cargo liquid L can be

pumplessly discharged from the sub tank 20. In addition,

the sub tank 20 is smaller in capacity than the main tank

10. Accordingly, even if the sub tank 20 is highly pressure

resistant to the pressure of the cargo gas V, pressure

resistance can be easily ensured and low-cost manufacturing

can be performed as compared with enhancing the pressure

resistance of the large-capacity main tank 10 to the same

level. On the other hand, since the main tank 10 is lower

in pressure resistance than the sub tank 20, it is possible

to easily realize an increase in the size of the main tank

10. In addition, the pumping unit 60 only pumps the cargo

liquid L for generating the cargo gas V by vaporization by

means of the vaporizer 55. Accordingly, the pumping

capacity required for the pumping unit 60 is smaller than

in a case where the cargo liquid L is directly discharged

from the main tank 10 to the outside of the ship. As a

result, the pumping unit 60 can be reduced in cost.

In addition, when the cargo liquid L is pumped from

the main tank 10 to the sub tank 20 through the first line

40 by the pumping unit 60, the pumped cargo liquid L is sent

into the sub tank 20 with its liquid state maintained. As

a result, the cargo liquid L stored in the main tank 10 can

be transferred to the sub tank 20. The cargo liquid L

transferred to the sub tank 20 is discharged by the pressure

of the cargo gas V pumped from the main tank 10 side as

described above. In other words, it is possible to

discharge the entire amount of the cargo liquid L in the

main tank 10 and the sub tank 20 by sequentially repeating

the transfer of the cargo liquid L from the main tank 10 to

the sub tank 20 and the discharge of the cargo liquid L from

the sub tank 20 by the pressure of the cargo gas V pumped

from the main tank 10 side.

Accordingly, by means of the ship 1, it is possible to

enable an increase in tank size while suppressing a rise in

cost.

[00551

(2) The ship 1 according to a second aspect, which is

the ship 1 of (1), further includes a pressurizing line 70

connecting an upper portion in the sub tank 20 and an upper

portion in the main tank 10 and pressurizing an inside of

the main tank 10 by pressure in the sub tank 20.

[00561

When the upper portion in the sub tank 20 and the upper

portion in the main tank 10 communicate with each other via

the pressurizing line 70 in this manner, the inside of the

main tank 10 is pressurized by the pressure in the sub tank

20. Then, the cargo liquid L positioned in the lower portion

in the main tank 10 is pressurized by the pressurized cargo

gas V, and the cargo liquid L can be transferred from the

main tank 10 to the sub tank 20 through the first line 40

and the second line 50. In addition, as a result, it is

possible to reduce the pressure of the cargo gas V in the

sub tank 20.

[00571

(3) In the ship 1 according to a third aspect, which

is the ship 1 of (2), a plurality of the sub tanks 20 are

connected to one main tank 10 via the first line 40, the

second line 50, and the pressurizing line 70.

[00581

As a result, it is possible to transfer the cargo

liquid L through the first line 40 from the main tank 10 by

the pumping unit 60 and send in the cargo gas V through the

second line 50 and the vaporizer 55 from the main tank 10

by the pumping unit 60 with respect to the other sub tank

from the main tank 10 while pressurizing the inside of

the main tank 10 by the pressure of the cargo gas V in the

sub tank 20 in one or more of the sub tanks 20.

In addition, when the cargo liquid L is pumped by the

pumping unit 60 while pressurizing the main tank 10 by the

pressure of the cargo gas V in the sub tank 20, the pressure

applied to the cargo liquid L by the pumping unit 60 can be

reduced as compared with a case where the pumping unit 60

performs pumping alone. As a result, less energy is

required to operate the pumping unit 60.

[00591

(4) In the ship 1 according to a fourth aspect, which

is the ship 1 of (3), the sub tanks 20 are three or more in

number, and a plurality of the main tanks 10 are connected

to each of the sub tanks 20 via the first line 40, the

second line 50, and the pressurizing line 70.

[00601

With such a configuration, in three or more sub tanks

20, it is possible to release the residual pressure,

transfer the cargo liquid L from the main tank 10, and

discharge the cargo liquid L to the outside of the ship in

parallel. By sequentially performing these operations

between the three or more sub tanks 20, the cargo liquid L

stored in the main tank 10 and the sub tank 20 can be

efficiently discharged to the outside of the ship.

[00611

(5) In the ship according to a fifth aspect, which is

the ship 1 of any one of (1) to (4), the pumping unit 60 is provided by being connected to the second line 50, and the ship further includes a connection line 80 provided to disconnectably connect the first line 40 and the second line

50 between the pumping unit 60 and the vaporizer 55.

[0062]

As a result, the cargo liquid L pumped by the pumping

unit 60 can be sent out with either the first line 40 or

the second line 50 selected.

Industrial Applicability

[0063]

According to the ship of the present disclosure, it is

possible to enable an increase in tank size while

suppressing an increase in cost.

[0064]

Throughout this specification and the claims which

follow, unless the context requires otherwise, the word

"comprise", and variations such as "comprises" and

"comprising", will be understood to imply the inclusion of

a stated integer or step or group of integers or steps but

not the exclusion of any other integer or step or group of

integers or steps.

[0065]

The reference in this specification to any prior

publication (or information derived from it), or to any

matter which is known, is not, and should not be taken as an acknowledgment or admission or any form of suggestion that that prior publication (or information derived from it) or known matter forms part of the common general knowledge in the field of endeavour to which this specification relates.

[00661

While various embodiments of the present invention

have been described above, it should be understood that they

have been presented by way of example only, and not by way

of limitation. It will be apparent to a person skilled in

the relevant art that various changes in form and detail

can be made therein without departing from the spirit and

scope of the invention. Thus, the present invention should

not be limited by any of the above described exemplary

embodiments.

Reference Signs List

[0067]

1: ship

2: hull

2a: bow

2b: stern

3A, 3B: broadside

5: exposed deck

7: superstructure

8: cargo tank storage compartment

10: main tank

20: sub tank

30: transportation line

31: external connection pipe

31j: connection portion

32: sub tank connection pipe

32v, 32w, 41v, 43v, 51v, 52v, 52w, 53v, 71v, 73v, 80v:

opening-closing valve

40: first line

41: first main tank connection pipe

42: first merging pipe

43: first branch pipe

50: second line

51: second main tank connection pipe

52: second merging pipe

53: second branch pipe

55: vaporizer

60: pumping unit

70: pressurizing line

71: sub tank side pressurizing pipe

72: pressurizing merging pipe

73: main tank side pressurizing pipe

80: connection line

100: pipe system

G: cargo

L: cargo liquid

V: cargo gas

Claims

THE CLAIMS DEFINING THE INVENTION ARE AS FOLLOWS:

[Claim 1]

A ship comprising:

a hull having a pair of broadsides;

a main tank provided in the hull and storing a liquid

or gas cargo;

a sub tank smaller in capacity than the main tank and

higher in pressure resistance than the main tank;

a transportation line connected to the sub tank and

having an outboard connection portion;

a first line connecting the main tank and the sub tank;

a second line connecting the main tank and the sub

tank;

a vaporizer provided on the second line, not provided

on the first line, and evaporating a cargo liquid, which is

a liquid phase of the cargo, to generate a cargo gas;

a pumping unit selecting either the first line or the

second line and pumping the cargo liquid from the main tank

to the sub tank; and

a pressurizing line connecting to an upper portion in

the sub tank and an upper portion in the main tank and

pressurizing an inside of the main tank by pressure in the

sub tank.
[Claim 2]

The ship according to Claim 1, wherein a plurality of

the sub tanks are connected to one main tank via the first

line, the second line, and the pressurizing line.
[Claim 3]

The ship according to Claim 2, wherein the sub tanks

are three or more in number, and a plurality of the main

tanks are connected to each of the sub tanks via the first

line, the second line, and the pressurizing line.
[Claim 4]

The ship according to any one of Claims 1 to 3, wherein

the pumping unit is provided by being connected to the

second line, and

the ship further comprises a connection line provided

to disconnectably connect the first line and the second line

between the pumping unit and the vaporizer.

2a

20

2 8 1 20 20

10 FIG. 1 Da

10 5 3A 3B

7

2b