Fuel tank arrangement of a marine vessel and method of operating a tank container of a marine vessel

Abstract

A fuel tank arrangement in a marine vessel has a tank container, a first fuel line having a first fuel line port opening into the tank container so as to provide a flow path exclusively for a first fuel, a second fuel line having a second fuel line port opening into the tank container so as to provide a flow path exclusively for a second fuel. The first fuel line port and/or the second fuel line port is provided with a plug or alike to close the flow path from the tank container into the fuel line.

Claims

1. A fuel tank arrangement of a marine vessel comprising: a tank container configured to store or contain a first fuel or a second fuel in the tank container, a first fuel line comprising a first fuel line port opening into the tank container so as to provide a flow path exclusively for the first fuel, and a second fuel line comprising a second fuel line port opening into the tank container so as to provide a flow path exclusively for the second fuel, in which the second fuel line port is provided with a closing means inside the tank container so as to close the flow path from the tank container into the fuel line, and the second fuel line port and the first fuel line port arranged to open into a lower portion of the tank container to receive fuel near a bottom of the tank container, wherein the first fuel line port is arranged to open into the container for introduction of the fuel from the tank container into an engine and the closing means are arranged into the port of the second fuel line.

2. A fuel tank arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the first fuel line is arranged in flow communication with spray nozzles arranged in an upper portion of the tank container.

3. A fuel tank arrangement according to claim 2, wherein the spray nozzles are provided with closing means.

4. A fuel tank arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the tank container is provided with a pressure build up system comprising a conduit being in flow communication via the first fuel line from a bottom section of the tank container to an upper section of the tank container and an evaporator arranged to the conduit.

5. A fuel tank arrangement according to claim 4, wherein the conduit is provided with a closing means.

6. A fuel tank arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the second fuel line port is arranged in a lower portion of the tank container.

7. A fuel tank arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the first fuel line port is arranged in a lower portion of the tank container.

8. A fuel tank arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the tank container is provided with a manhole.

9. A fuel tank arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the first fuel line is in flow communication with spray nozzles arranged in an upper portion of the tank container.

10. A fuel tank arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the tank container is provided with a pressure build up system comprising a conduit being in flow communication via the first fuel line from a bottom section of the tank container to an upper section of the tank container and an evaporator arranged to the conduit.

11. A fuel tank arrangement according to claim 1, wherein when in an operational use the first fuel is liquefied gas and the second fuel that is oil based liquid fuel such as marine diesel oil.

12. A fuel tank arrangement according to claim 1, wherein each of the closing means is a plug.

13. A fuel tank arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the tank container is arranged operable in cryogenic conditions.

14. A method for operating a fuel tank arrangement of a marine vessel comprising a tank container configured to store or contain a first fuel or a second fuel in the tank container, a first fuel line comprising a first fuel line port opening into the tank container so as to provide a flow path exclusively for a first fuel, and a second fuel line comprising a second fuel line port opening into the tank container so as to provide a flow path exclusively for a second fuel, in which the first fuel line port or the second fuel line port is provided with a closing means inside the tank container so as to close the flow path from the tank container into the fuel line, and the second fuel line port and the first fuel line port arranged to open into a lower portion of the tank container to receive fuel near a bottom of the tank container, in which the method of the fuel contained by the tank container is changed from the first fuel to a second fuel, the method comprising at least steps of: a) Emptying the tank container from the first fuel, b) Opening a manhole of the tank container, c) Closing or maintaining closed the port of the first fuel line with the closing means inside the tank container, d) Removing the closing means from or maintaining open a port of the second fuel line inside the tank container, e) Closing the manhole, f) Feeding a second fuel from a second filling system into the tank container, g) Feeding the second fuel from the tank container via the second fuel line into an engine.

15. A method operating the tank container of the marine vessel according to claim 14, comprising a further step of cleaning internal surfaces of the tank container.

16. A fuel tank arrangement of a marine vessel comprising: a tank container configured to store or contain a first fuel or a second fuel in the tank container, a first fuel line comprising a first fuel line port opening into the tank container so as to provide a flow path exclusively for a first fuel, and a second fuel line comprising a second fuel line port opening into the tank container so as to provide a flow path exclusively for a second fuel, in which the first fuel line port is provided with a closing means inside the tank container so as to close the flow path from the tank container into the first fuel line, and the second fuel line port and the first fuel line port are arranged to open into a lower portion of the tank container to receive fuel near a bottom of the tank container, wherein the second fuel line port is arranged to open into the container for introduction of the fuel from the tank container into an engine and the closing means are arranged into the first fuel line port of the first fuel line.

17. A fuel tank arrangement according to claim 16, wherein the closing means are arranged into a spray nozzle of the first fuel line.

18. A fuel tank arrangement according to claim 16, wherein a spray nozzle is replaced by the closing means and the closing means is arranged into a port of a conduit.

19. A fuel tank arrangement according to claim 16, wherein the spray nozzle is a first spray nozzle of a plurality of spray nozzles and the plurality of spray nozzles are replaced by the closing means and the closing means is arranged into a port of a conduit.

20. A fuel tank arrangement of a marine vessel comprising: a tank container configured to store or contain a first fuel or a second fuel in the tank container, a first fuel line comprising a first fuel line port opening into the tank container so as to provide a flow path exclusively for a first fuel, and a second fuel line comprising a second fuel line port opening into the tank container so as to provide a flow path exclusively for a second fuel, in which the first fuel line port or the second fuel line port is provided with a closing means inside the tank container so as to close the flow path from the tank container into the fuel line, and the second fuel line port and the first fuel line port are arranged to open into a lower portion of the tank container to receive fuel near a bottom of the tank container, wherein the closing means correspondingly threads in the first fuel line port of the first fuel line has a threaded structure and another closing means correspondingly threads the second fuel line port of the second fuel line has a threaded structure so as to close the flow communication from the tank container into an engine.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

(1) In the following, the invention will be described with reference to the accompanying exemplary, schematic drawings, in which

(2) FIG. 1 illustrates a fuel tank arrangement 10 in a marine vessel 16 according to an embodiment of the invention,

(3) FIG. 2 illustrates a fuel tank arrangement 10 in a marine vessel 16 according to an embodiment of the invention,

(4) FIG. 3 illustrates a closing means according to an embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

(5) FIG. 1 describes an embodiment of a fuel tank arrangement 10 in a marine vessel 16 according to the invention. The fuel tank arrangement 10 in the marine vessel 16 comprises a tank container 12, a first fuel line 30 and a second fuel line 40. The first fuel line 30 comprises a first fuel line port 32 opening into the tank container so as to provide a flow path exclusively for a first fuel. The second fuel line 40, respectively, comprises a second fuel line port 42 opening into the tank container so as to provide a flow path exclusively for a second fuel. The second fuel line port 42 and the first fuel line port 32 are arranged to open into a lower portion of the tank container 12 to receive fuel near the bottom of the tank container 12.

(6) The marine vessel is provided with an engine 14. The engine may be operated making use of the fuel stored in the fuel tank arrangement 10. In this embodiment, the fuel tank arrangement 10 relates to an operational assembly wherein the fuel tank container 12 comprises the first fuel that is a liquefied gas fuel where major part of the fuel is in liquid phase and a part is in gaseous form. The second fuel line port 42 is provided with a closing means 44 so as to close the flow path from the tank container 12 into the second fuel line 40. Advantageously, the closing means 44 of the port 42 of the second fuel line 40 can be a plug or alike and can comprise a threaded structure corresponding threads in the port 42 of the second fuel line 40. As can be seen in FIG. 1, the closing means 44 corresponding to the port 42 of the second fuel line 40 are arranged inside the tank container 12 so as to close the flow communication from the tank container 12 into the second fuel line 40. Thus each of the ports in the tank container 12 is provided with secure attaching means for the closing means. This is shown in more detailed manner in FIG. 3. It should be noted that the closing means 44 of the second fuel line 40 needs to meet high standards and the closing should be specifically tight so as to protect the second fuel line 40 from the first fuel to entering in the second fuel line 40.

(7) FIG. 1 is related to an operational assembly, when the tank arrangement 10 is in an operational use and tank container 12 is containing the first fuel. The first fuel line port 32 is arranged open into the tank container 12 for receiving the fuel and further for introduction of the first fuel from the tank container 12 into the engine 14. In this operational assembly the closing means 44 of the second fuel line 40 are arranged into the port 42 of the second fuel line 40.

(8) Namely, the first fuel used in this embodiment is particularly liquefied natural gas, and it is stored in the tank container 12 at considerably low temperature, typically at temperature of about 162 C. which is described as cryogenic conditions. Typically the gas i.e. the first fuel fills the tank container so that a part of the gas is as liquefied gas at the bottom of the tank container 12.1, at liquefied gas space, and part as gaseous gas at the upper part 12.2 i.e. vaporized gas space of the tank container above the liquefied gas space. The tank arrangement 10 comprises a heat insulation 13 enclosing the actual tank container 12. The insulation may be for example a double wall vacuum insulation to prevent excessive heat transfer into the tank container and warming up of the LNG in the tank container.

(9) In this exemplary embodiment the tank container 12 is connected via the first fuel line 30 with the engine 14. The first fuel line 30 can be provided with a valve 52 so as to control the fuel flow into the engine 14. The first fuel line 30 is provided with an evaporator 20 by means of which liquefied gas may be evaporated as it is consumed prior to feeding to the engine, according to the demand. This evaporator is called a main evaporator because during the operation of the engine the gas combusted in the engine is evaporated continuously while the liquefied gas in the tank container 12 is fed to the engine 14. The tank container 12 is also provided with a pressure build up system 22 by means of which the pressure in the tank container 12 may be maintained at a level which makes it possible to deliver fuel to the engine at required feed pressure even without mechanical pumping. The pressure build up system 22 comprises a conduit 23 being in flow communication from the bottom section of the tank container 12 via the first fuel line 30 to the upper section of the tank container 12 and an evaporator 25 arranged to the conduit 23. During the operation of the pressure build up system 22 the liquefied gas is turning into gaseous form in the evaporator 25 and is led to the upper part of the tank container 12. The evaporation process increases the pressure in the tank container 12. Pressure is detected by a sensor 56 which is in connection with a control unit 54. There is a valve 50 arranged to the conduit 23 by means of which the flow rate of the gas in the conduit 23 may be controlled. The operation of the valve 50 arranged to the conduit 23 is controlled by the control unit 54 arranged to control the fuel arrangement 10. Thus, the tank container 12 is arranged to endure internal pressure above the atmospheric pressure.

(10) Since the engine consumes the fuel (either the first fuel or the second fuel), the tank container 12 must be filled occasionally. In order to fill the tank container 12 with the gas i.e. the first fuel, which is called also as bunkering, the tank arrangement 12 is provided with a filling system 70. The filling system 70 comprises a liquefied gas feed line 26 for bunkering operation. The feed line 26 has at least two branches, a first one 35 of which extends to the tank container 12 via the first fuel line 30 and has its port 32 opening at vicinity of the bottom of the tank container 12. Thus the first branch 35 of the feed line 26 is in flow communication with the first fuel line 30 that has the port 32 that opens below the surface of the liquefied gas in the tank container 12. A second branch 36 of the feed line 26, a spraying branch, extends to the tank container 12 as well, but is has its port 38 at the vicinity of the top of the tank container opening into the space of gaseous gas. The port 38 comprises a plurality of spray nozzles which makes the liquefied gas atomizing into small when it is introduced into the tank container 12 through the nozzles 38. The second branch 36 may be arranged with a valve member 55 to control the amount of sprayed liquefied gas. The filling system 70 may comprise also a vapour return line (not shown) connected to the top of the tank container opening into the vaporized gas space 12.2.

(11) The tank arrangement 10 is provided with a manhole 60 providing an access into the inner space and surfaces of the tank container 12. This is necessary for maintenance and cleaning the tank container 12. In FIG. 1, the manhole 60 is arranged in the upper portion of the tank container 12. In case the fuel, for instance a liquefied gas fuel, is changed to another fuel, for instance a petroleum based fuel, the tank container 12 may need to be cleaned and the first fuel line 30 needs to be closed by the closing means 34 arranged into the port 32 of the first fuel feed line 30 as shown in FIG. 2.

(12) Particularly, as shown in FIG. 2, also the spray nozzles 38 may be provided with closing means 37 and a port 23 of the conduit 23 opening into the upper portion of the tank container 12 may be provided with a closing means 24.

(13) As an example, the first fuel is consumed in the engine so that the tank container 12 is empty. Now the operation of the engine 14 from a first fuel mode i.e. mode wherein only first fuel is used in the engine 14 is changed to a second fuel mode wherein only the second fuel is used in the engine 14. Due to the different fuel properties of the fuels, the tank container may be needed to be cleaned and it may also require other maintenance before introducing into the tank container the second fuel. As discussed earlier, in case the first fuel is liquefied natural gas which is substantially clean fuel, the tank container may not be needed to clean when changing the operation of using the second fuel. Therefore, the tank container 12 is arranged with the manhole 60 through which the maintenance and cleaning is possible. In this case, the operation of the engine 14 will be changed from feeding the first fuel via the first fuel line 30 into the engine 14 to the operation of feeding second fuel via the second fuel line 40 into the engine 14. Namely, after the tank container is cleaned, the spray nozzles 38 are covered or replaced by the closing means 37, the port 23 in the conduit 23 is closed with the closing means 24 and the first fuel line 30 is closed with the closing means 34. Thus all ports, lines and conduits wherein the first fuel is allowed to flow are closed by the closing means. Correspondingly, the second fuel line 40 needs to be opened by removing the closing means 44 from the port of the second fuel line 40. Then the tank container 12 can be filled with the second fuel. In this manner, the tank container 12 does not need to be replaced and the tank container 12 can contain different types of fuels. The first fuel may need to be stored in the tank container 12 at cryogenic conditions whereas the second fuel may not be need to be stored at cryogenic conditions. This is particularly the case, when the first fuel is liquefied natural gas and the second fuel is a petroleum based fuel.

(14) FIG. 2 illustrates schematically an operational assembly wherein the first fuel line port 32 is closed by the closing means 34 and the tank container 12 is filled with or contains the second fuel. Particularly, in this embodiment, also the nozzles 38 are covered or replaced by the closing means 37 so as to prevent the second fuel from entering into the first fuel line. Also the conduit 23, particularly its port 23, is closed by the closing means 24. As illustrated in FIG. 2, the closing means 24, 34 and 37 are arranged inside the tank container 12. The closing means 24, 34 and 37 corresponding to the port 23 of the conduit 23, the port 32 of the first fuel line 30 and nozzles 38, respectively, can be arranged inside the tank container 12 via the manhole 60. The closing means 24, 34 and 37 may have a threaded structure. Therefore, the closing means 24, 34 and 37 can be screwed tightly into the port 32 of the first fuel line 30, into the port 23 of the conduit 23 opening into the tank container 12 as well as the nozzles 38, respectively. Therefore, the second fuel is prevented from flow communication with the first fuel line 30. Correspondingly, in the assembly shown in FIG. 2, the closing means 44 from the port 42 of the second fuel line 30 is removed. When in an operational use and tank container containing the second fuel, the second fuel line 40 port is arranged to open into the tank container 12 for introduction of the second fuel from the tank container 12 into the engine 14. Now the closing means 34 is arranged into the port 32 of the first fuel line 30.

(15) Therefore and due to different properties of the first fuel and the second fuel, the first fuel is allowed to flow exclusively into the first fuel line 30 whereas the second fuel is allowed to flow exclusively into the second fuel line 40. In other words, the first fuel is not allowed to flow into the second fuel line 40 since the first fuel needs to be treated in a different manner before introducing the first fuel into the engine compared to the second fuel. Respectively, the second fuel is not allowed to flow into the first fuel line 30.

(16) The second fuel can be advantageously, for instance, marine gas oil or marine diesel oil. It should be noted that the properties of the liquefied natural gas and marine diesel oil differ, for instance, in their densities.

(17) Since the engine consumes the fuel (either the first fuel or the second fuel) the tank container must be filled occasionally. In order to fill the tank container with the second fuel (oil based fuel), the tank arrangement 12 is provided with a second filling system 80. The second filling system 80 comprises a second fuel feed line 46 for filling operation. The second fuel line may be arranged with a valve member 41 and a valve member 43. In other words, the second filling system 80 is arranged to feed the second fuel into the tank container 12 whereas in FIG. 1 the filling system 70 is arranged to feed the second fuel into the tank container 12. It should be noted that in FIG. 1 and in FIG. 2 two filling systems 70 and 80 are shown but only one filling system is in use and arranged to feed the fuel into the tank container 12 at a time. In other words, either the first fuel is introduced into the tank container 12 from the filling system 70 or the second fuel is introduced into the tank container from the second filling system 80. The second fuel feed line 46 may be arranged with a valve member 47 so as to open or close the flow communication from the second filling system 80 into the tank container 12. While the valve 47 of the second fuel feed line 46 is open, the valve member 43 arranged on the engine side can be closed so as to prevent the second fuel to flow into the engine. Correspondingly, the valve member 41 arranged on the tank container side in the second fuel feed line 46 is open so as to allow the second fuel from the second filling system 80 to flow into the tank container 12.

(18) It should be noted that the closing means 24 of the port 23 of the conduit 23 prevents the second fuel to enter into the fuel feed line 26 of the first fuel as well. Correspondingly, the closing means 37 of the nozzles prevent the second fuel to enter into the fuel feed line 26 of the first fuel as well. The feed line 26 can be arranged also so that it is not in direct flow communication with the first fuel line 30 but it is connected directly into the tank container 12 with its own port (not shown) that needs to be provided with a closing means. Similarly, the closing means 44 in the port 42 of the second fuel line 40 prevents the first fuel to enter into the fuel feed line 46 of the second fuel. The feed line 46 of the second fuel can be arranged so that it is not in direct flow communication with the second fuel line 40 but it is connected into the tank container 12 with its own port (not shown) that needs to be provided with a closing means.

(19) Even if not shown in the figure the invention may also be applied to a tank container operating at substantially atmospheric pressure and being equipped with cryogenic pumps capable of produce a pressure of 5-6 bar or more if needed. In addition to the combustion engine the gas may also be utilized in other kind of systems such as gas burning devices.

(20) FIG. 3 illustrates schematically the closing means 44 shown here as assembled through a port of e.g. the second fuel line 40 into the second fuel line 40. The port is provided with a threaded 40 inner surface 40.1 corresponding to the threaded structure 44 of the closing means 44. Thus the closing means 44 can be advantageously screwed gas tightly through the port 42 into the second fuel line 40. Instead of a thread it is possible to use any suitable locking system by means of which the closing means may be fixed removably but securely to the port. The closing means 44 has a head 44 and a threaded pin part which pin part fits into the port and an edge of the head extending radially over the pin part is securing the connection.

(21) In practice, the closing means 44 needs to fit tightly into the second fuel line 40. Therefore, the closing means 44 may be arranged with an additional sealing means such as a gasket or an O-ring 44.1.

(22) The threaded structure shown in FIG. 3 can be also in the closing means 34 of the second fuel line 30, in the closing means 24 of the port 23 of the conduit 23 or in the closing means 37 of the nozzles 38. Therefore all closing means 24, 34, 37 and 44 may have substantially the same or similar threaded structure.

(23) While the invention has been described herein by way of examples in connection with what are, at present, considered to be the most preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments, but is intended to cover various combinations or modifications of its features, and several other applications included within the scope of the invention, as defined in the appended claims. It should be understood that the tank arrangement comprises several features which are not shown in figures for the sake of clarity, for example, the tank arrangement may comprise a vapour return line of the tank container filling system and/or a safety release valve line of the tank container tank container. Furthermore, it should be noted that a marine vessel may comprise more than one tank containers. Actual structure of the tank container may vary according to the actual application. The tank container may be provided with single shell, or double shell or membrane. The details mentioned in connection with any embodiment above may be used in connection with another embodiment when such combination is technically feasible.