A liquid hydrogen cold storage device and storage method

Abstract

This invention discloses a liquid hydrogen cold storage device and method, comprising several sealed containers nested from the inside out to form a multi-layered container system. Gaps are formed between adjacent sealed containers, and a phase-change medium is filled between the layers of the sealed containers. The vacuum freezing point of the phase-change medium is lower than the boiling point of hydrogen at atmospheric pressure. Supports are provided between the sealed containers for fixation. A high-vacuum wound insulation layer is provided outside the outermost sealed container, and an outer protective layer is placed over this high-vacuum wound insulation layer. This device uses a double-layer insulation structure to store liquid hydrogen, with the outer layer using high-vacuum wound insulation and the inner layer using low-pressure, high-purity nitrogen for pre-cooling and freezing to create absolute vacuum insulation. This device can be used for the storage of liquid hydrogen, facilitating the use and transportation of hydrogen.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of hydrogen storage, and in particular to a liquid hydrogen cold storage device and storage method. Background Technology

[0002] Hydrogen, with the chemical formula H₂ and a molecular weight of 2.01588, is highly flammable at room temperature and pressure. It is a colorless, transparent, odorless, tasteless gas that is sparingly soluble in water. Hydrogen is the least dense known gas, with a density only 1 / 14 that of air; that is, at 1 standard atmosphere and 0°C, the density of hydrogen is 0.089 g / L. Therefore, hydrogen is used as a filling gas for airships and hydrogen balloons. Because of its small molecular weight, hydrogen has strong reducing properties and often participates in chemical reactions as a reducing agent.

[0003] In the current field of hydrogen refueling station application technology, hydrogen, as a clean, efficient, safe, green, environmentally friendly, high-calorific-value, and sustainable new energy source, faces significant challenges due to the rapid development of the hydrogen industry chain. Efficient hydrogen storage has become one of the major bottlenecks restricting the development of the hydrogen industry. Therefore, liquid hydrogen storage has become the essential method for hydrogen storage and transportation. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The purpose of this invention is to address the aforementioned problems by providing a liquid hydrogen cold storage device and method. This solution proposes a storage structure cold storage method to effectively keep liquid hydrogen cold, with the pressure vessel and pipelines using the same process for insulation. It utilizes the existing mature high-vacuum winding method as the outer jacket method, with both jackets made of low-temperature resistant materials as gas storage containers. The jackets are filled with high-purity nitrogen (an inert gas) at a pressure not exceeding 0.2 MPa for indirect insulation. Pressure vessels and pipelines of varying volumes can be adjusted, making the application and production relatively convenient, safe, and reliable.

[0005] The technical solution adopted in this invention is as follows:

[0006] A liquid hydrogen cold storage device includes several sealed containers, which are nested from the inside to the outside to form a multi-layer container. A gap is formed between adjacent sealed containers, and the interlayer of the several sealed containers is filled with a phase-change medium. The vacuum freezing point of the phase-change medium is lower than the boiling point of hydrogen at normal pressure.

[0007] Furthermore, the present invention discloses a preferred structure of a liquid hydrogen cold storage device, wherein a support is provided between the plurality of sealed containers, and the plurality of sealed containers are fixed together by the support.

[0008] Furthermore, a high-vacuum wound insulation layer is provided outside the outermost sealed container, and an outer protective layer is provided over the high-vacuum wound insulation layer.

[0009] Furthermore, the sealed container includes an inner liner for holding liquid hydrogen and includes an insulating sandwich panel, which is fitted over the inner liner, and a phase change insulating nitrogen layer is formed between the inner liner and the insulating sandwich panel.

[0010] Furthermore, the phase change insulation nitrogen layer is filled with nitrogen (an inert gas) at a pressure not exceeding 0.2 MPa.

[0011] Furthermore, a spray pipe is installed inside the top of the inner liner, and the spray pipe is connected to the outside of the entire device through an air inlet pipe. A filling gas phase valve is installed on the air inlet pipe. A gas phase pipe is connected inside the top of the inner liner, and the gas phase pipe extends to the outside of the container. A gas phase valve is installed on the gas phase pipe.

[0012] Furthermore, the bottom of the inner liner is connected to a liquid outlet pipe that extends to the outside of the container, and a liquid outlet valve is provided on the liquid outlet pipe; the bottom of the inner liner is provided with a liquid phase filling port, which is connected to a liquid phase pipe that extends to the outside of the container, and a liquid outlet valve is provided on the liquid phase pipe.

[0013] Furthermore, the phase change insulation nitrogen layer is connected to a double-layer filling port, and the phase change insulation nitrogen layer is provided with a vacuum port; the inner liner is connected to a safety valve through a pipe.

[0014] A method for storing and keeping liquid hydrogen cold involves filling the interlayer of a multi-layered container with a phase change gas. The phase change temperature of the gas is higher than the boiling point of liquid hydrogen. After filling with liquid hydrogen, the phase change gas turns into a solid under the low temperature of the liquid hydrogen, and the pressure in the interlayer decreases to form a vacuum environment. The liquid hydrogen is kept warm through the vacuum interlayer.

[0015] The cryogenic liquid hydrogen in the hydrogen storage tank releases heat, and the solid nitrogen in the interlayer absorbs the heat, forming a better insulation to ensure further internal insulation.

[0016] In summary, due to the adoption of the above technical solution, the beneficial effects of the present invention are:

[0017] 1. This device uses a double-layer insulation structure to store liquid hydrogen. The outer jacket is insulated with high-vacuum winding, while the inner jacket is pre-cooled and frozen with low-pressure, high-purity nitrogen to form an absolute vacuum insulation. Nitrogen is used as the phase change medium in the inner jacket because the melting point of nitrogen is -209.86℃, which is close to the boiling point of hydrogen, -253℃, making the phase change of nitrogen more stable and the insulation degree higher.

[0018] 2. The outer jacket insulation of this device can adopt any insulation method that closely approximates the mature insulation technology, without affecting the insulation method of the inner jacket; thus realizing the storage and transportation of hydrogen and expanding the scope of hydrogen use.

[0019] 3. This device can be used to construct insulated containers of various volumes or pipes in any proportion or mode, which is flexible and convenient and can be changed to meet the needs of different customers. The internal jacket process of this product is relatively simple. Both jackets are made of low-temperature resistant materials as gas storage containers, and the jacket is filled with high-purity nitrogen gas at a pressure not exceeding 0.2MPa for indirect insulation. Attached Figure Description

[0020] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the present invention;

[0021] The markings in the diagram are as follows: 1 is the outer protective layer; 2 is the high-vacuum wound insulation layer; 3 is the insulation sandwich panel; 4 is the phase change insulation nitrogen layer; 5 is the inner liner; 6 is the support; 7 is the liquid outlet pipe; 8 is the liquid outlet valve; 9 is the spray pipe; 10 is the gas phase pipe; 11 is the filling gas phase valve; 12 is the vacuum port; 13 is the sandwich filling port; 14 is the safety valve; 15 is the liquid phase filling port; 16 is the liquid phase filling valve; and 17 is the gas phase valve. Detailed Implementation

[0022] The present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0023] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of this invention clearer, the invention will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are merely illustrative and not intended to limit the invention.

[0024] Example 1:

[0025] As attached Figure 1 As shown, the present invention discloses a preferred embodiment of a liquid hydrogen cold storage device, including an inner liner 5 for holding liquid hydrogen, including a heat-insulating sandwich panel 3, the heat-insulating sandwich panel 3 being sleeved on the outside of the inner liner 5, and a phase change heat-insulating nitrogen layer 4 being formed between the inner liner 5 and the heat-insulating sandwich panel 3.

[0026] The phase change insulation nitrogen layer 4 is filled with nitrogen gas at a pressure not exceeding 0.2 MPa. A high-vacuum wound insulation layer 2 is provided outside the insulation sandwich panel 3, and an outer protective layer 1 is provided over the high-vacuum wound insulation layer 2. A support 6 is provided between the inner liner 5 and the insulation sandwich panel 3, and the inner liner 5 and the insulation sandwich panel 3 are fixed together by the support 6.

[0027] A spray pipe 9 is installed inside the top of the inner liner 5. The spray pipe 9 is connected to the outside of the entire device through an air inlet pipe, and a filling gas phase valve 11 is installed on the air inlet pipe. A gas phase pipe 10 is connected inside the top of the inner liner 5 and extends to the outside of the container. A gas phase valve 17 is installed on the gas phase pipe 10. A liquid outlet pipe 7 is connected to the bottom of the inner liner 5 and extends to the outside of the container. A liquid outlet valve 8 is installed on the liquid outlet pipe 7.

[0028] The bottom of the inner liner 5 is provided with a liquid phase filling port 15, which is connected to a liquid phase pipe that extends outside the container. A liquid outlet valve 8 is provided on the liquid phase pipe. The phase change heat-insulating nitrogen layer 4 is connected to a jacketed filling port 13 and is provided with a vacuum port 12. The inner liner 5 is connected to a safety valve 14 through a pipe.

[0029] In the specific operation process, firstly, the vacuum port 12 is connected to a vacuum pump, which evacuates the phase change insulation nitrogen layer 4 into a vacuum. Nitrogen can be injected multiple times during the vacuuming process. Then, nitrogen is introduced into the phase change insulation nitrogen layer 4 through the interlayer filling port 13. The pressure of the nitrogen is no more than 0.2 MPa. Then, low-temperature hydrogen enters the inner liner 5 through the inlet pipe and is sprayed out through the spray pipe 9 to pre-cool the inner liner 5. Finally, it is discharged through the gas phase pipe 10.

[0030] Liquid hydrogen is then added through the liquid phase filling port 15, and the gas generated during the filling process is discharged through the gas phase pipe 10. The liquid hydrogen cools the entire inner liner 5, lowering the temperature of the nitrogen in the phase change insulation nitrogen layer 4 below its freezing point, causing the nitrogen to condense and creating a vacuum environment in the phase change insulation nitrogen layer 4. This achieves thermal insulation of the inner liner 5. The liquid outlet pipe 7 is used to discharge the liquid hydrogen, and the safety valve 14 is used to protect the tank body.

[0031] This device employs a double-layer insulation structure to store liquid hydrogen. The outer layer uses high-vacuum winding insulation, while the inner layer uses low-pressure, high-purity nitrogen for pre-cooling and freezing to create an absolute vacuum insulation layer. This device can be used in insulation containers of various volumes or pipe configurations, offering flexibility and adaptability to meet diverse customer needs. The inner layer manufacturing process is relatively simple, and both layers utilize low-temperature resistant materials as storage containers.

[0032] Example 2:

[0033] Based on Example 1, this invention discloses a liquid hydrogen storage and cold preservation method. A phase change gas is filled in the interlayer of a multi-layer container. The phase change temperature of the gas is higher than the boiling point of liquid hydrogen. After filling with liquid hydrogen, the phase change gas turns into a solid under the low temperature of liquid hydrogen. The pressure in the interlayer decreases to form a vacuum environment. The liquid hydrogen is kept warm through the vacuum interlayer.

[0034] Example 3;

[0035] Based on Example 2, this invention discloses a preferred embodiment in which the container is configured as a multi-layered sealed container, with a sandwich layer formed between each layer. Each sandwich layer is filled with a different phase change gas. The phase change temperature of the gas gradually increases from the inside to the outside, with nitrogen in the inner layer, followed by argon, carbon dioxide, and other gases.

[0036] During use, the gas gradually solidifies from the outside in, forming a vacuum, maximizing heat preservation, and realizing multi-layer vacuum for the heat preservation, storage and transportation of liquid hydrogen.

[0037] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention and is not intended to limit the present invention. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, and improvements made within the spirit and principles of the present invention should be included within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A liquid hydrogen cryogenically stored device, characterized by: The application relates to a hydrogen storage device, which comprises a plurality of closed containers, wherein the closed containers comprise inner containers (5) for storing liquid hydrogen; the closed containers are nested to form a multi-layer container from inside to outside, a sandwich layer is formed between adjacent closed containers, the sandwich layers of the closed containers are filled with phase-change gas, the vacuum condensation point of the phase-change gas is higher than the boiling point of hydrogen under normal pressure, different phase-change gas is filled in each sandwich layer, and the vacuum condensation point of the phase-change gas gradually increases from the inner layer to the outer layer. The phase-change temperature of the gas is higher than the boiling point of liquid hydrogen, under the low-temperature effect of the liquid hydrogen, the phase-change gas changes into solid, the pressure in the sandwich layer is reduced to form a vacuum environment, and the liquid hydrogen is insulated by the vacuum sandwich layer. The outermost closed container is provided with a high-vacuum winding insulation layer (2), and the high-vacuum winding insulation layer (2) is provided with an outer shell protection layer (1).

2. A liquid hydrogen cryogenic storage device as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that: Supports (6) are arranged between the closed containers, and the closed containers are fixed by the supports (6).

3. A liquid hydrogen cryogenic storage device as claimed in claim 2, wherein: A spraying pipe (9) is arranged in the top of the inner container (5), the spraying pipe (9) is connected to the whole device outside through a gas inlet pipeline, a gas-phase filling valve (11) is arranged on the gas inlet pipeline, a gas-phase pipe (10) is connected to the top of the inner container (5), the gas-phase pipe (10) extends to the outside of the container, and a gas-phase valve (17) is arranged on the gas-phase pipe (10).

4. A liquid hydrogen cryogenic storage device as claimed in claim 3, wherein: A liquid outlet pipe (7) is connected to the bottom of the inner container (5), the liquid outlet pipe (7) extends to the outside of the container, a liquid outlet valve (8) is arranged on the liquid outlet pipe (7), a liquid-phase filling opening (15) is arranged at the bottom of the inner container (5), a liquid-phase pipe is connected to the liquid-phase filling opening (15), the liquid-phase pipe extends to the outside of the container, and a liquid outlet valve (8) is arranged on the liquid-phase pipe.

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