Apparatus and method for storing and transporting cryogenic fluids

Abstract

A device for storing and transporting cryogenic fluid, the device comprising at least one basic container, the at least one basic container comprising a liquefied gas tank (2), the tank (2) being provided with a first pipe (3) for transporting fluid, the pipe having a first end connected to the upper end of the tank (2), the tank (2) being provided with a second pipe (4) for transporting fluid, the pipe having a first end connected to the lower end of the tank (2), the first transport pipe (3) and the second transport pipe (4) each comprising a set of corresponding valves, characterized in that the first transport pipe (3) comprises two arms, the two arms forming two second ends connected in parallel to the first end of the first transport pipe (3), the two second ends of the first transport pipe (3) each being provided with a corresponding fluid connection coupling (9, 11), and the second transport pipe (4) comprises two arms, the two arms forming two second ends connected in parallel to the first end of the second transport pipe (4), the two second ends of the second transport pipe (4) each being provided with a corresponding fluid connection coupling (10, 12).

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for storing and transporting cryogenic fluids.

[0002] The present invention more specifically relates to a device for storing and transporting cryogenic fluids, the device comprising at least one basic container, the at least one basic container comprising a liquefied gas tank, the tank being provided with a first fluid delivery pipe, the first fluid delivery pipe having a first end connected to the upper end of the tank, the tank being provided with a second fluid delivery pipe, the second fluid delivery pipe having a first end connected to the lower end of the tank, the first delivery pipe and the second delivery pipe each comprising a set of corresponding valves.

[0003] The invention relates in particular to tanks for storing liquefied hydrogen or liquefied helium.

[0004] When large quantities of products need to be transported over long distances, liquid hydrogen is preferred over gaseous hydrogen due to its greater density. Another advantage of liquid hydrogen is its purity, since at a temperature of 20K this virtually eliminates all impurities from the gas (which is solid at that temperature), thus optimizing the operation of fuel cells using liquid hydrogen.

[0005] For example, the low density of liquid hydrogen compared to water limits the pressure that can be obtained through the static head. Therefore, at low temperatures, this can lead to quite high losses due to evaporation during delivery. The system for loading trucks and tanks at hydrogen supply stations can therefore lead to production losses of up to 15%.

[0006] These truck boost losses can of course be wasted at each station, or recovered, reheated, recompressed and reinjected into the liquefier if investment is made in a loss recirculation system and the liquefaction system is sized accordingly.

[0007] The operating principle of a fixed or mobile storage facility is the same, but its production is different due to different management and performance-related constraints.

[0008] At a service station, the storage facility is fixed and its size is set by the model chosen. In the absence of a large site, it is not possible to change its size depending on the service provided by the station.

[0009] Mobile storage facilities are designed to maximize payload, but sometimes the payload is too large to service a service station in a city center. These mobile storage facilities cannot be easily converted into temporary fixed storage facilities for full-empty exchange.

[0010] Furthermore, connecting a mobile liquefied gas storage facility to the equipment (liquefier and / or service station) and purging it with the equipment is generally long, complicated and requires qualified personnel.

[0011] For logistical reasons it is more advantageous to transport large quantities of liquefied gas in the same vehicle, but for management of the boil-off ("boil-off") gas it is preferable to split these quantities in order to limit continuous pressurization operations.

[0012] The object of the present invention is to overcome all or part of the above-mentioned disadvantages of the prior art.

[0013] To this end, the essential characteristics of the device according to the present invention, which otherwise also conforms to the general definition given in the above preamble, are that the first delivery pipe comprises two branches, which form two second ends connected in parallel to the first end of the first delivery pipe, and the two second ends of the first delivery pipe are each provided with a corresponding fluid connection fitting, and that the second delivery pipe comprises two branches, which form two second ends connected in parallel to the first end of the second delivery pipe, and the two second ends of the second delivery pipe are each provided with a corresponding fluid connection fitting.

[0014] In addition, embodiments of the present invention may have one or more of the following features:

[0015] - the first delivery pipe comprises a first valve located near a first end of the first delivery pipe and a second valve located at one of the two second ends,

[0016] - the second delivery pipe comprises a first valve located near a first end of the second delivery pipe and a second valve (8) located at one of the two second ends,

[0017] - the fluid connection fittings at the second ends of the delivery pipes are fittings of the quick-connect type,

[0018] - the basic container comprises a third connection pipe having a first end connected to the upper end of the tank and a second end connected to the lower part of the tank, said third connection pipe comprising a set of valves,

[0019] - the first end of the third connecting pipe is connected to the first end of the first conveying pipe,

[0020] - the second end of the third connecting pipe is connected to the first end of the first conveying pipe,

[0021] - the device comprises at least two elementary containers which are fluidically connected to each other,

[0022] - the device comprises a first basic container, the second end of the first delivery tube of the first basic container is connected to the second end of the first delivery tube of the second basic container, the second end of the second delivery tube of the first basic container is connected to the second end of the second delivery tube of the second basic container,

[0023] - the device comprises a first basic container, the second end of the first delivery tube of the first basic container is connected to the second end of the second delivery tube of the second basic container, the second end of the second delivery tube of the first basic container is connected to the second end of the first delivery tube of the second basic container,

[0024] The device comprises a tanker for transporting liquefied gas and a basic container, the second end of a first delivery pipe of the basic container being connected to an upper end of the tanker, and wherein the second end of a second delivery pipe of the basic container is connected to a lower end of the tanker.

[0025] The present invention also relates to a method for storing and transporting cryogenic fluids by means of a device for storing and transporting fluids according to any one of the above or following features, wherein the device for storing and transporting fluids comprises at least one basic container, the tank of the at least one basic container containing liquefied gas in equilibrium with a gas phase, and the method comprises at least one of the following steps: a step of extracting gas from the tank via the second end of the first transport pipe, and a step of transporting liquefied gas from a liquefied gas source in the tank via the second end of the second transport pipe.

[0026] According to other possible specific characteristics:

[0027] - The method comprises the step of delivering liquefied gas from a source of liquefied gas in the tank via the second end of the second delivery pipe, the source comprising at least one of: a liquefier, and a tanker truck for delivering liquefied gas.

[0028] The invention may also relate to any alternative device or method comprising any combination of the above or below mentioned features within the scope of the claims.

[0029] Further particular features and advantages will become apparent from a reading of the following description given with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0030] [ Figure 1 ] shows a schematic partial view illustrating an example of the structure and operation of a storage and transport device comprising a single basic container,

[0031] [ Figure 2 ] shows a schematic partial view of an example of the structure and operation of a storage and transport device, the storage and transport device comprising two connected basic containers,

[0032] [ Figure 4 ] shows the display of [ Figure 4 ] is a schematic partial view of a storage and conveying device connected to a delivery tanker,

[0033] [ Figure 5 ] shows the display of [ Figure 5 ] schematic partial view of a storage and conveying device having an operation of exchanging one of the two containers constituting the storage and conveying device,

[0034] [ Figure 6 ] shows a schematic partial view of another example illustrating the structure and operation of a storage and transport device including a single basic container.

[0035] A device for storing and transporting cryogenic fluids is provided by Figure 1 ] is composed of one or more basic containers 1 shown in the example.

[0036] The basic container 1 preferably comprises a single liquefied gas tank 2, for example a vacuum insulated double-walled cryogenic tank. The tank 2 is provided with a first fluid delivery pipe 3 having a first end connected to the upper end of the tank 2 (that is, in the portion of the tank containing the gas phase of the stored cryogenic fluid).

[0037] The first delivery pipe 3 comprises two separate branches at the end opposite to the first end, forming two second ends. The two second ends are connected to the first end of the first delivery pipe 3 in parallel.

[0038] This means that the fluid can flow through one or both second ends to the gas phase of the tank 2 or from the gas phase of the tank to one or both second ends.

[0039] The two second ends of the first delivery pipe 3 are each preferably provided with a corresponding fluid connection fitting 9 , 11 .

[0040] The tank 2 also includes a second fluid delivery pipe 4 having a first end connected to the lower end of the tank 2 (that is, in the portion of the tank containing the liquid phase of the stored cryogenic fluid).

[0041] The second delivery pipe 4 also comprises two branches forming two second ends connected in parallel to the first end of the second delivery pipe 4. This means that the fluid can flow to the liquid phase of the tank 2 through one or both second ends, or from the liquid phase of the tank to one or both second ends.

[0042] The two second ends of the second delivery pipe 4 are each preferably provided with a respective fluid connection fitting 10, 12. These fluid connection fittings 9, 10, 11, 12 at the second ends of the delivery pipe may be fittings of the quick-connect type.

[0043] The first delivery pipe 3 and the second delivery pipe 4 each include a set of corresponding valves 4, 5, 6, 7, which can allow or not allow the fluid to pass between the two second ends 9, 11 or 10, 12 or between one or more second ends 9, 10, 11, 12 and the tank 2 according to their open or closed state. For example, the one or more valves are manually operated or system-operated isolation valves. These valves can be open or closed to allow or not allow the delivery of fluid (filling or extraction). These valves can be "all or nothing" opening type or gradually opening type.

[0044] For example, the first delivery pipe 3 may include a first valve 5 located near a first end thereof and a second valve 7 located at one of the two second ends.

[0045] In the closed position, the first valve 5, located near its first end, isolates the upper part of the tank 2 from the two second ends of the first delivery pipe 3. In the closed position, the second valve 7, located near the second end 11, prevents the passage of fluid between the two second ends 9, 11 and between said second end and the tank 2. This second valve 7 makes it possible, where appropriate, to isolate the gaseous part of the basic container 1 from another container or an external application.

[0046] Similarly, the second delivery pipe 4 may include a first valve 6 located near a first end thereof and a second valve 8 located at one of the two second ends.

[0047] In the closed position, the first valve 6, located near its first end, isolates the lower part of the tank 2 from the two second ends of the second delivery pipe 4. In the closed position, the second valve 8, located near the second end 12, prevents the passage of fluid between the two ends 10, 12 and between said second end 12 and the tank 2. This second valve 8 makes it possible to isolate the liquid part of the basic container 1 from another container 1 or an external application, if appropriate.

[0048] This forms a basic container 1 which allows modular storage of liquefied gas.

[0049] This architecture can connect several basic containers 1, so as to realize several combinations of different architectures according to needs (station scale, parallel loading, full-empty exchange, etc.).

[0050] This also enables a simple solution for moving / replacing fixed storage facilities of the same structure but of different sizes.

[0051] This architecture allows for rapid connection / disconnection of one or more containers 1 to a production site or source (eg, a liquefier) ​​or site using liquefied gas (eg, a service station).

[0052] Preferably, the modular container 1 is mobile and suitable for transportation.

[0053] As shown in the figure, the architecture can connect several basic containers 1 in series or in parallel.

[0054] exist[ Figure 2 ], the device includes a first basic container 1 (left side), the second end 11 of the first delivery tube 3 of the first basic container is connected to the second end 9 of the first delivery tube 3 of the second basic container 1 (right side). In addition, the second end 12 of the second delivery tube 4 of the first basic container 1 is connected to the second end 10 of the second delivery tube 4 of the second basic container 1.

[0055] The two basic containers 1 can thus be connected in parallel to a source 14 and / or a receiving tank 15 connected to the free end (left side) of the first basic container 1 .

[0056] Thus, with the valves 4, 5, 6, 7 of the first basic container 1 open, the first valves 5, 6 of the second basic container 1 open (white), and the second valves 7, 8 of the second basic container 1 closed (black), the upper ends of the two tanks 2 can be connected in parallel to the pressurized gas receiving tank 15, for example to recover the pressurized gas to reduce the pressure in one or more tanks 2. Furthermore, in this configuration, the lower ends of the two tanks 2 can be connected in parallel to the liquid source 15, for example to fill the two tanks.

[0057] exist[ Figure 3 ], the device includes a first basic container 1 (left side), the second end 11 of the first delivery tube 3 of the first basic container is connected to the second end 10 of the second delivery tube 4 of the second basic container 1 (right side). In addition, the second end 12 of the second delivery tube 4 of the first basic container 1 is connected to the second end 9 of the first delivery tube 3 of the second basic container 1.

[0058] The second valve 8 of the second pipe 4 of both containers 1 is closed (black), whereas the other valves 5, 6, 7 are open (white).

[0059] Thus, two basic containers 1 can be connected in series to a source and / or receiving tank connected to the free end (left side) of the first basic container 1 .

[0060] The gas portion of the tank 2 of the first base container 1 (left side) can thus be connected to the liquid portion of the tank 2 of the second base container 1. Thus, pressurized gas from the tank 2 of the first base container 1 can be transferred into the liquid portion of the tank 2 of the second base container 1.

[0061] Furthermore, the liquid provided by the source 14 can be conveyed into the liquid portion of the tank 2 of the first elementary container 1, and the gas pushed by the liquid of the first container 1 can thus be conveyed into the liquid portion of the tank 2 of the second elementary container 1 (via the second pipe 4, then via the first pipe 3 of the first elementary container 1, then via the second pipe 4 of the second elementary container 1). This ensures that the tank 2 of the second elementary container 1 is cooled with gas, rather than with liquid.

[0062] exist[ Figure 4 ], the device includes a tanker 13 for transporting liquefied gas (e.g. a semitrailer for transporting liquefied gas in a gaseous phase). The two basic containers 1 are according to [ Figure 2 ] are connected by the arrangement in ].

[0063] The free second end 11 of the first delivery pipe 3 of the second primary container 1 (right side) is connected to the upper end of the tanker 13 , and the free second end 12 of the second delivery pipe 4 thereof is connected to the lower end of the tanker 13 .

[0064] The valves 4, 5, 6, 7 of the second basic container 1 (right side) are open (white). The second valves 7, 8 of the first basic container (left side) are closed (black), while the other valves 5, 6 of the first basic container 1 are open (white). This makes it possible to fill the second container 1 with liquid from the tanker 13 while ensuring pressure balance with the tanker 13. In addition, liquid can be sucked from the tank 2 of the first mobile container 1 towards the user via the second pipe 4 at the same time or at different times, and pressurized gas can be admitted (via the first pipe 3) into the same tank.

[0065] [ Figure 6 ] shows a possible embodiment variant of the basic container. This is similar to [ Figure 1 ] is different only in that the basic container further comprises a third connecting pipe 130, the third connecting pipe having a first end connected to the upper part of the tank 2, for example, via the first delivery pipe 3, and a second end connected to the lower part of the tank 2, for example, via the second delivery pipe 4, and the third connecting pipe 130 comprises a set of valves 14, for example, one valve. As shown in the figure, the first end of the third connecting pipe 130 can be connected to the first end of the first delivery pipe 3, for example, between the first valve 5 and the upper end of the tank 2. Similarly, the second end of the third connecting pipe 130 can be connected to the first end of the second delivery pipe 4, for example, between the first valve 6 and the two second ends of the second delivery pipe 4.

[0066] This makes it possible, if necessary, to provide a direct fluid connection between the upper and lower ends of the tank 2 (via appropriate openings of the corresponding valves 14, 6). The third connection 130 in particular makes it possible to fill or draw from the tank via the second delivery duct 4 at the top and / or to fill or draw from the tank via the first delivery duct 3 at the bottom of the tank. This makes it possible to fill the tank 2 at the top without changing the connections. If necessary, [ Figure 1 ]and[ Figure 6 ] The basic containers in can be connected in series or in parallel.

[0067] exist[ Figure 5 ] in the example, the device includes a Figure 2 ] is an arrangement of two basic containers 1 connected. When the tank 2 of one of the two containers 2 is empty, the tank can be replaced by replacing the container 1 with a container 1 with a full tank 2. In this example, the second basic container 1 (right side) can be replaced by appropriate operation of the valves. For example, the second valves 7, 8 of the first basic container (left side) can be closed to isolate the second container 1 (right side). The second basic container 1 can be disconnected from the first container 1 and replaced with a new basic container 1.

[0068] In this way, full and empty exchanges can be carried out in this series of connected basic containers 1.

[0069] The invention has been described in an architecture with two elementary containers 1 , but other architectures are of course conceivable, in particular architectures with three or more elementary containers 1 .

Claims

1. A device for storing and transporting cryogenic fluids, comprising at least one basic container, the at least one basic container comprising a double-walled cryogenic tank (2) for liquefied gas, the tank (2) being provided with a first delivery pipe (3), the first end of the first delivery pipe being connected to the upper end of the tank (2), the tank (2) being provided with a second delivery pipe (4), the first end of the second delivery pipe being connected to the lower end of the tank (2), the first delivery pipe (3) and the second delivery pipe (4) each comprising a set of corresponding valves, characterized in that: The first delivery pipe (3) comprises two branches, the two branches form two second ends connected in parallel to the first end of the first delivery pipe (3), the two second ends of the first delivery pipe (3) are respectively provided with corresponding fluid connection fittings (9, 11), and the second delivery pipe (4) comprises two branches, the two branches form two second ends connected in parallel to the first end of the second delivery pipe (4), the two second ends of the second delivery pipe (4) are respectively provided with corresponding fluid connection fittings (10, 12); The first delivery pipe (3) includes a first valve (5) located near the first end of the first delivery pipe and a second valve (7) located at one of the two second ends; the second delivery pipe (4) includes a first valve (6) located near the first end of the second delivery pipe and a second valve (8) located at one of the two second ends.

2. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that The fluid connection fittings (9, 10, 11, 12) at the second ends of the delivery tubes are quick-connect type fittings.

3. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that The basic container comprises a third connecting pipe (130) having a first end connected to the upper end of the tank and a second end connected to the lower part of the tank (2), the third connecting pipe (130) comprising a set of valves (14).

4. The device according to claim 2, characterized in that The basic container comprises a third connecting pipe (130) having a first end connected to the upper end of the tank and a second end connected to the lower part of the tank (2), the third connecting pipe (130) comprising a set of valves (14).

5. The device according to claim 3, characterized in that The first end of the third connecting pipe (130) is connected to the first end of the first conveying pipe (3).

6. The device according to claim 4, characterized in that The first end of the third connecting pipe (130) is connected to the first end of the first conveying pipe (3).

7. The device according to claim 3, characterized in that The second end of the third connecting pipe (130) is connected to the first end of the second conveying pipe (4).

8. The device according to claim 4, characterized in that The second end of the third connecting pipe (130) is connected to the first end of the second conveying pipe (4).

9. The device according to claim 5, characterized in that The second end of the third connecting pipe (130) is connected to the first end of the second conveying pipe (4).

10. The device according to claim 6, characterized in that The second end of the third connecting pipe (130) is connected to the first end of the second conveying pipe (4).

11. The device according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that The device comprises at least two basic containers (1) which are fluidically connected to each other.

12. The device according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that The device comprises a first basic container (1), the second end (11) of the first delivery tube (3) of the first basic container being connected to the second end (9) of the first delivery tube (3) of the second basic container (1), and the second end (12) of the second delivery tube (4) of the first basic container (1) being connected to the second end (10) of the second delivery tube (4) of the second basic container (1).

13. The device according to claim 11, characterized in that The device comprises a first basic container (1), the second end (11) of the first delivery tube (3) of the first basic container being connected to the second end (9) of the first delivery tube (3) of the second basic container (1), and the second end (12) of the second delivery tube (4) of the first basic container (1) being connected to the second end (10) of the second delivery tube (4) of the second basic container (1).

14. The device according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that The device comprises a first basic container (1), a second end (11) of a first delivery tube (3) of the first basic container being connected to a second end (10) of a second delivery tube (4) of a second basic container (1), and a second end (12) of the second delivery tube (4) of the first basic container (1) being connected to a second end (9) of the first delivery tube (3) of the second basic container (1).

15. The device according to claim 11, characterized in that The device comprises a first basic container (1), a second end (11) of a first delivery tube (3) of the first basic container being connected to a second end (10) of a second delivery tube (4) of a second basic container (1), and a second end (12) of the second delivery tube (4) of the first basic container (1) being connected to a second end (9) of the first delivery tube (3) of the second basic container (1).

16. The device according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that The device comprises a tanker (13) for transporting liquefied gas and a basic container (1), wherein the second end (11) of the first delivery pipe (3) of the basic container is connected to the upper end of the tanker (13), and wherein the second end (12) of the second delivery pipe (4) of the basic container (1) is connected to the lower end of the tanker (13).

17. The device according to claim 11, characterized in that The device comprises a tanker (13) for transporting liquefied gas and a basic container (1), wherein the second end (11) of the first delivery pipe (3) of the basic container is connected to the upper end of the tanker (13), and wherein the second end (12) of the second delivery pipe (4) of the basic container (1) is connected to the lower end of the tanker (13).

18. The device according to claim 12, characterized in that The device comprises a tanker (13) for transporting liquefied gas and a basic container (1), wherein the second end (11) of the first delivery pipe (3) of the basic container is connected to the upper end of the tanker (13), and wherein the second end (12) of the second delivery pipe (4) of the basic container (1) is connected to the lower end of the tanker (13).

19. The device according to claim 13, characterized in that The device comprises a tanker (13) for transporting liquefied gas and a basic container (1), wherein the second end (11) of the first delivery pipe (3) of the basic container is connected to the upper end of the tanker (13), and wherein the second end (12) of the second delivery pipe (4) of the basic container (1) is connected to the lower end of the tanker (13).

20. The device according to claim 14, characterized in that The device comprises a tanker (13) for transporting liquefied gas and a basic container (1), wherein the second end (11) of the first delivery pipe (3) of the basic container is connected to the upper end of the tanker (13), and wherein the second end (12) of the second delivery pipe (4) of the basic container (1) is connected to the lower end of the tanker (13).

21. The device according to claim 15, characterized in that The device comprises a tanker (13) for transporting liquefied gas and a basic container (1), wherein the second end (11) of the first delivery pipe (3) of the basic container is connected to the upper end of the tanker (13), and wherein the second end (12) of the second delivery pipe (4) of the basic container (1) is connected to the lower end of the tanker (13).

22. A method for storing and transporting a cryogenic fluid by means of the apparatus for storing and transporting a fluid as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 21, wherein: The device for storing and transporting fluids comprises at least one basic container (1), the tank (2) of the at least one basic container containing liquefied gas in equilibrium with a gas phase, and the method comprises at least one of the following steps: a step of extracting gas from the tank (2) via the second end of the first transport pipe (3), and a step of transporting liquefied gas from a liquefied gas source in the tank (2) via the second end of the second transport pipe (4).

23. The method of claim 22, wherein: The method comprises the step of delivering liquefied gas from a liquefied gas source in the tank (2) via the second end of the second delivery pipe (4), the source comprising at least one of: a liquefier, and a tanker truck (13) for delivering liquefied gas.

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