TANK CONTAINER FOR TRANSPORTATION OF LIQUIFIED GAS

Abstract

A General-Purpose Multimodal Transportation Container (GPMTC) for transportation and storage of hazardous cargoes is fitted with a reservoir (1), a level sensor (5) installed downright and passing through the vertical centerline and the horizontal centerline of the reservoir (1) and with a pressure sensor (6), a liquid phase density sensor (8), a vapor phase density sensor (9), a temperature sensor (7) and a set unit (10) of gyros and the accelerometers. The said group of sensors (5-9) is used to measure such main physical parameters as the pressure, the density of the liquid phase, the density of the vapor phase, the temperature of the liquid and vapor phases at several points, the level of separation of the liquid and vapor phases, the displacement vector, and misalignment of the GPMTC's base with the horizontal plane. This data is necessary for a Central System Unit (11) to calculate the volume and mass of the liquid and vapor phases and the total mass of cargo. These sensors and telemetry equipment are triggered when the circuit is closed and opened at the moment of opening and closing of the GPMTC's shut-off valves and provide measurement data which allow in real time and anywhere in the world carry out metering and calculate the mass of gas, taking into consideration the vapor phase, at the beginning and end of the cargo operations with accuracy meeting the requirements of commercial metering. Also, this GPMTC is fitted with GPS devices with telemetry equipment based on the IRIDIUM system and antenna (12) and GSM networks to determine the location of the GPMTC at any time, with an interface for geographical data transfer, including actual and measured speed and direction.

Claims

1. A tank container used as a reservoir for transportation and storage of hazardous cargoes on rail, on road or on sea, in particular liquified petroleum gases, liquified ammonia and also petrochemical products, said container including loading/discharging valves for liquid phase (LP) and vapor phase (VP) lines, wherein said container is designed as a General-Purpose Multimodal Transportation Container (GPMTC) fitted with several industrial sensors in an interior of said container for detecting and triggering a closing and an opening of a circuit when the valves are opened and closed, said sensors including at least: a sensor for measuring liquid phase level, a sensor for measuring pressure, a sensor for measuring liquid phase density, a sensor for measuring vapor phase density, and a plurality of temperature sensors, said sensors equipped with connection lines to the outside of the reservoir, and said container further equipped with: a unit comprising gyros and accelerometers for determining the location and a displacement vector of the tank GPMTC in a three-dimensional space and a misalignment of a base of said container relative to a horizontal plane, and metrology and telemetry devices for real-time transferring of measured data worldwide, such data firstly based on a volume of cargo for fiscal metering purposes, and secondarily based on the location and displacement of the tank container for logistics purposes.

2. A tank container according to claim 1, further comprising sensors for determining a technical condition of the tank container and a physical condition of the cargo, and an emergency vapor vent to atmosphere or any leakage for early warning and allowing timely actions in case of emergencies.

3. A tank container according to claim 2, wherein said liquid phase level sensor is installed downright and passes through a vertical centerline and a horizontal centerline of the reservoir, wherein said pressure sensor, said liquid phase density sensor, said vapor phase density sensor and said plurality of temperature sensors are installed at respective control points, for measuring key physical parameters such as pressure, density of the liquid and vapor phases, temperature of the liquid and vapor phases, wherein said gyros and the accelerometers are configured for introducing a correction value into the readings obtained by the liquid phase level sensor by considering the GPMTC displacement vector and the misalignment of the base relative to the horizontal plane by a computing Central System Unit, and for accurately determining the mass of loaded, discharged, and transported cargo in the reservoir whereby data obtained by the sensors are fed into a unified communication and data exchange network and are connected via an interface converter and an Intrinsic Safety Barrier to the Central System Unit, said Central System Unit powered by an independent power supply, and wherein said container is further equipped with a controller, a memory card, a GPS sensor, and a transmit/receive IRIDIUM-GSM antenna unit for data collecting, processing, calculating, transferring and signaling via a satellite system or GSM networks, for determining the location of the GPMTC anytime, and an interface for transmission of the obtained geographical data, including actual speed and direction.

4. A tank container according to claim 3, wherein said container is fitted with a removable memory card for backing up all collected data including telemetry data for a period of time ranging from one year to two years.

5. A tank container according to claim 4, wherein said container is configured for automatic calculation of a total mass of liquified gas transported in the tank container, including the liquid and vapor phases, with an accuracy required and sufficient for fiscal metering and custom clearance, determining the changes in the mass of gas when loading and discharging that allows abandoning additional operations using external metering devices such as volumetric flowmeters and weights and remaining autonomous anywhere, as well as handling cargo efficiently and safely, and all necessary equipment for online telemetry data exchange anywhere in the world.

6. A tank container according to claim 1, wherein said liquid phase level sensor is installed downright and passes through a vertical centerline and a horizontal centerline of the reservoir, wherein said pressure sensor, said liquid phase density sensor, said vapor phase density sensor, and said plurality of temperature sensors are installed at respective control points, for measuring key physical parameters such as pressure, density of the liquid and vapor phases, temperature of the liquid and vapor phases, and wherein said gyros and accelerometers are configured for introducing a correction value into readings obtained by the liquid phase level sensor by considering the GPMTC displacement vector and the misalignment of the base relative to the horizontal plane by a computing Central System Unit, and for accurately determining the mass of loaded, discharged, and transported cargo in the reservoir, whereby data obtained by the sensors are fed into a unified communication and data exchange network and are connected via an interface converter and an Intrinsic Safety Barrier to the Central System Unit, said Central System Unit powered by an independent power supply, wherein said container is further equipped with a controller, a memory card, a GPS sensor, and a transmit/receive IRIDIUM-GSM antenna unit for data collecting, processing, calculating, transferring and signaling via a satellite system or GSM networks, for determining the location of the GPMTC anytime, and an interface for transmission of the obtained geographical data, including actual speed and direction.

7. A tank container according to claim 6, wherein said container is fitted with a removable memory card for backing up all collected data including telemetry data for a period of time ranging from one year to two years.

8. A tank container according to claim 1, wherein said container is configured for automatic calculation of a total mass of liquified gas transported in the tank container, including the liquid and vapor phases, with an accuracy required and sufficient for fiscal metering and custom clearance, determining changes in the mass of gas when loading and discharging that allows abandoning additional operations using external metering devices such as volumetric flowmeters and weights and remaining autonomous anywhere, as well as handling cargo efficiently and safely, and all necessary equipment for online telemetry data exchange anywhere in the world.

9. A tank container according to claim 2, wherein said container is configured for automatic calculation of a total mass of liquified gas transported in the tank container, including the liquid and vapor phases, with an accuracy required and sufficient for fiscal metering and custom clearance, determining changes in the mass of gas when loading and discharging that allows abandoning additional operations using external metering devices such as volumetric flowmeters and weights and remaining autonomous anywhere, as well as handling cargo efficiently and safely, and all necessary equipment for online telemetry data exchange anywhere in the world.

10. A tank container according to claim 3, wherein said container is configured for automatic calculation of a total mass of liquified gas transported in the tank container, including the liquid and vapor phases, with an accuracy required and sufficient for fiscal metering and custom clearance, determining changes in the mass of gas when loading and discharging that allows abandoning additional operations using external metering devices such as volumetric flowmeters and weights and remaining autonomous anywhere, as well as handling cargo efficiently and safely, and all necessary equipment for online telemetry data exchange anywhere in the world.

Description

[0043] FIG. 1 Elevation drawing of the General-Purpose Multimodal Transportation Container (GPMTC) with the respective components.

[0044] A reservoir 1 for a liquified petroleum gas is integrated in a load-bearing frame 2, which is fitted with the corner fittings. Loading/discharging is performed through the liquid phase LP and vapor phase VP lines with the valves 4 enclosed in the valve cabinets 3. Loading, unloading, and telemetry, providing metering at any place is the most important thing for the operation of tank container and this equipment and the timeline in real time and place including start of loading-end of loading, —time, start of unloading-end of unloading, and time. There are sensors which are triggered for closing and opening of the circuit when the valves are opened and closed. Everything happens in real time and place. These sensors and telemetry equipment are triggered when the circuit is closed and opened at the moment of opening and closing of the GPMTC's shut-off valves. The valves may be operated by hand by an operator after having established the connection between the charge or discharge line and the valve. In another execution, the valves may be remote controlled by electrical servo-motors. Eventually, these sensors provide measurement data which allow in real time and anywhere in the world to carry out metering and to calculate the mass of gas, taking into consideration the vapor phase, at the beginning and end of the cargo operations with accuracy meeting the requirements of commercial metering. For the first time, this intermodal tank container for rail, road and sea transport is equipped with the required and sufficient amount of automatic data collection devices, combined with a telemetric system for collection and transmission of the information on the condition of hazardous cargo, and in an optional execution even of the physical condition of components of the tank container and possible emergencies, and it uses the standardized measuring and calculation method for fiscal metering of hazardous cargo when loading, transporting, interim storing and discharging in real time. These devices and sensors will be described in more detail in the following sections. Such a GPMTC is completely autonomous anywhere in the world and represents an innovative system for remote fiscal metering and control of liquified petroleum gases.

[0045] The GPMTC is fitted with a liquid phase level sensor 5, a pressure sensor 6, a liquid phase density sensor 8, a vapor phase density sensor 9, and several temperature sensors 7 installed at several control points. The measuring elements of the sensors are located inside the vessel, while the connections of the sensors 5-9 to the communication lines are located outside the reservoir 1.

[0046] A unit 10, controlling the location and the displacement vector of the tank container in three-dimensional space, includes gyros and accelerometers and allows defining the GPMTC's displacement vector and misalignment of its base with the horizontal plane.

[0047] To calculate the volume of liquified gas, the mass of liquid, the mass of vapor, the total mass of liquified gas in the reservoir 1, the GPMTC is fitted with the liquid phase level sensor 5 installed downright and passing through the vertical centerline and the horizontal centerline of the graduated reservoir. The GPMTC is fitted with a pressure sensor 6, a liquid phase density sensor 8, a vapor phase density sensor 9 and temperature sensors 7 installed at several, at least six, control points. The measuring elements of the sensors are located inside the vessel, while the connections of the sensors to the communication lines are located outside. The GPMTC is fitted with the set unit 10 of sensors, containing the gyros and the accelerometers to determine the GPMTC's displacement vector, control the position of the GPMTC's base against the horizontal plane, and introduce a compensation value to the readings of the liquid phase level sensor that improves level measurement accuracy. All sensors are combined into a unified communication and data exchange network and are connected via an interface converter and an Intrinsic Safety barrier to a Central System Unit 11 with an independent power supply, a controller, a memory card, a GPS sensor and a transmit/receive IRIDIUM-GSM antenna unit 12 for data communication and signaling via a satellite system or GSM network. The Central System Unit 11 is used to collect, process, calculate, and transfer data and is provided with a function of data collection from the external devices. The Central System Unit 11 can be fitted with a removable memory card, which is used to back up all material telemetry data for one/two past years.

[0048] The tank container is fitted with the following items not designated in the FIGURE: [0049] Cable lines connecting the sensors to a Central System Unit 11. [0050] Cable lines, interface converter and connectors to transfer the data to a Central System Unit 11 from the external devices. [0051] Intrinsic Safety Barrier.

[0052] When designing and manufacturing the GPMTC, all international rules and regulations governing the transportation of hazardous cargoes in tank containers as well as the regulations related to oil, gas, and chemical industries were considered. This GPMTC fully complies with the requirements of the international Rules, Conventions, Codes and Treaties governing the transportation of hazardous cargoes.

[0053] In this way, upon request, this GPMTC can transfer the real-time data on its actual location, speed and displacement vector, the slope angle of its base, as well as on loading/discharging operations and self-test results. Besides, it can transfer the real-time data on the changes in pressure, temperature and mass of hazardous cargo resulting from loading/discharging, and in an optional execution, it can also detect the emergency vapor vent to atmosphere or leakage. Timely transferred information allows avoiding or warning in advance of possible emergencies, such as partial vapor phase discharging to atmosphere, loss of containment and fire.

[0054] For the first time, this intermodal tank container for rail, road and sea transport is equipped with the required and sufficient amount of automatic data collection devices, combined with a telemetric system for collection and transmission of the information on the condition of hazardous cargo, the physical condition of components of the tank container and possible emergencies, and it uses the standardized measuring and calculation method for fiscal metering of hazardous cargo when loading, transporting, interim storing and discharging in real time.

[0055] A key advantage of this GPMTC is that it can independently measure the mass of cargo with a high degree of accuracy required and sufficient for fiscal metering and customs clearance. Thus, the invention solves the main problem with the application of the tank containers in intermodal and/or multimodal transportation of liquified petroleum gases, which does not allow to apply the dynamic scales on the railroad for fiscal metering and customs clearance due to the transportation of two or three tank containers on a single flat car. This transportation mode does not allow to weight containers separately before or after loading/discharging.

[0056] The static method is used to measure the total (sum) mass of cargo in the GPMTC, allowing measuring the level of the liquid phase, the density of the liquid phase and the temperature of the liquid phase. Then, the volume of the liquid phase and the volume of the vapor phase are calculated in accordance with the measured level, using the reference tables for the reservoir and the correction value for misalignment of the GPMTC's base with the horizontal plane. Based on the obtained data, the mass of the liquid phase is calculated as the product of the volume and the density of the liquid phase. Simultaneously, the pressure inside the reservoir and the temperature of the vapor phase is measured, and the density of the vapor phase is calculated. The mass of the vapor phase and the total (sum) mass of cargo is calculated as the sum of the masses of the liquid phase and the vapor phase. Control of the relative error in measurements and comparison of the same with the set value is performed automatically.

[0057] The technical result is the online measurement of the total (sum) mass of cargo, including during the partial loading/discharging operations, with a degree of accuracy required and sufficient for fiscal metering and customs clearance.

[0058] Applicant has developed a prototype of the here disclosed GPMTC, with which the claimed method is used to measure the total (sum) mass of the liquified petroleum gases, liquefied ammonia and petrochemical products. The test results fully confirmed the correctness of the suggested solution and high accuracy of measurements, even exceeding the ones required and sufficient for fiscal metering.

[0059] As a result, the GPMTC provides a high degree of accuracy of the calculated mass of cargo loaded, discharged or transported in the GPMTC. Calculation of the exact mass of cargo is ensured by the introduction of the correction value for the readings provided by the liquid phase level sensor. The correction value is introduced by the set of gyros and accelerometers that detect misalignment of the GPMTC's base with the horizontal plane. Besides the set of gyros and accelerometers detects the displacement vector of the GPMTC in the three-dimensional space. Furthermore, the GPMTC is fitted with a GPS sensor used to detect the geographical location and the speed of the object, and further fitted with telemetry equipment based on the IRIDIUM system and GSM networks.

[0060] The GPMTC transfers the real-time data on its actual location, deviation from the route, velocity, displacement vector, slope angle, as well as information on loading/discharging operations and self-test results. Furthermore, the real-time data on the changes in pressure, temperature, or mass of hazardous cargo resulted from loading/discharging operations, emergency vapor vent or leakage is transmitted. Timely delivered information allows either to prevent an emergency or to warn of such situations as emergency partial vapor phase vent to atmosphere, loss of containment and fire.

Advantages of the Invention

[0061] This General-Purpose Multimodal Transportation Container (GPMTC) offers the following advantages over the known tank containers: [0062] A) When computing the exact mass of cargo in the GPMTC, a calculation method that considers the mass of the vapor phase is used. The application of this method is conditioned by the availability of pressure, temperature, liquid phase, and vapor phase density sensors, specifically placed electronic level sensor, as well as the set of sensors with gyros and accelerometers that allow to introduce a compensation value when the GPMTC's base misaligns with the horizontal plane and accurately calculate the volume of liquid and vapor phases. [0063] B) The reservoir of every GPMTC is calibrated in a specific manner, considering the volume and the level of liquid, which, being combined with the required quantity of density, pressure, temperature sensors and correctly placed level sensor, with the correction value from the set of gyros and accelerometers, allows measuring and calculating the mass of cargo with the degree of accuracy required and sufficient for fiscal metering and custom clearance. [0064] C) All information received by the GPMTC's Central System Unit due to the application of telemetry and IRIDIUM+GSM equipment is available anytime and anywhere worldwide (100% coverage). [0065] D) GPS-GLONASS-GALILEO equipment allows determining the actual location and the speed of the GPMTC at any time, while the gyro and the accelerometers allow detecting the displacement vector during the transportation and handling operations and misalignment of the GPMTC's base from the horizontal plane. [0066] E) Installed equipment is also activated in the case of emergencies or possible emergencies such as partial vapor phase vent to atmosphere, loss of containment and fire. In combination with a GPMTC's traffic schedule and scheduled cargo load/discharging operations used by the interested parties, obtained information allows responding promptly and taking all necessary measures to prevent, warn and eliminate consequences of emergencies. As a result, the General-Purpose Multimodal Transportation Container (GPMTC) ensures an improved safety that cannot be achieved with any so far known tank containers. [0067] F) 100% control of the GPMTC's traffic, its geographical location, start and completion of loading/discharging operations, change in transportation mode allow eliminating or reducing significantly the costs associated with GPMTC location at interim storage sites, including when composing a shipload or a railroad train.

[0068] In summary, the technical innovation of the intermodal tank container is the presence of the fundamentally new system for fiscal metering coupled with monitoring of cargo condition and control of its actual location, allowing to transfer data online via the satellite system. The multi-purpose and transparent international LPG metering and control system is added to the principle of intermodal transportation of gas. The solution of this general-purpose tank container combines three principles: 1. Intermodality, 2. The computational method for determining the total mass of gas (including the liquid and vapor phases) and 3. Telemetry. The usage of this solution creates a fundamentally different vehicle for transportation of liquified petroleum gas, which ensures its control in real time, anywhere and anytime. The new tank container is both a multi-purpose vehicle and a multi-purpose system for measuring, metering and control of LPG and other products.

LIST OF NUMERALS

[0069] 1. Graduated reservoir [0070] 2. Frame components [0071] 3. Valve cabinet [0072] 4. Liquid phase (LP) and vapor phase (VP) lines with shut-off valves [0073] 5. Liquid phase level sensor [0074] 6. Pressure sensor [0075] 7. Temperature sensors [0076] 8. Liquid phase density sensor [0077] 9. Vapor phase density sensor [0078] 10. Position (inclination) sensing and displacement vector detecting unit (accelerometers and gyro) [0079] 11. Central system unit (CSU) with independent power supply [0080] 12. GPS-IRIDIUM-GSM antenna unit