Method and apparatus for on-line replacement of ambient temperature adsorbent in a vacuum insulated storage tank

Abstract

The present application relates to a kind of online replacement vacuum insulated storage tank normal temperature adsorbent device, it also simultaneously relates to corresponding method, belong to vacuum insulated storage tank technical field.The device includes the vacuum cavity that is sealed and inserted with the fourth joint on the vacuum insulated storage tank shell by lower third joint;Vacuum cavity is connected with vacuumizing device and sealed with the first pull rod that can be lifted and the upper and lower second pull rod that can be translated;Fourth joint is connected with sealing cover by sealing element, sealing cover is hung with normal temperature adsorbent by hanger rod, and the top of sealing cover is provided with external thread, and top surface has recess;Sealing cover extends at least two guide bars compatible with the inner hole of fourth joint downward;The lower end of first pull rod has internal thread compatible with the external thread of the top of sealing cover, and second pull rod extends fork mouth.The present application is replaced by operating first pull rod and two second pull rods in vacuum environment, method is simple, saves manpower, material resources cost, and improves production efficiency.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to an adsorbent replacement device, particularly an online adsorbent replacement device for a vacuum insulated storage tank at ambient temperature, and also relates to a corresponding method, belonging to the field of vacuum insulated storage tank technology. Background Technology

[0002] With the continuous development of the cryogenic energy equipment industry, vacuum insulated storage tank technology is increasingly being used in cryogenic storage tanks due to its ideal thermal insulation performance. During the use of a vacuum insulated storage tank, the metal and insulation materials slowly release gas, with H2 accounting for over 70% of the released gas. Since H2 has good thermal conductivity, its accumulation can reduce the vacuum level of the tank's jacket, thereby decreasing the insulation performance. Because currently used cryogenic adsorbents have a very low adsorption capacity for H2 in cryogenic environments, which cannot meet the requirements of practical applications, a room-temperature adsorbent is installed on the inner wall of the vacuum insulated storage tank during its design to adsorb H2 from the vacuum jacket, maintain the tank's insulation performance, and extend its vacuum life.

[0003] According to the applicant, there is currently no technical means to replace the room-temperature adsorbent while maintaining a vacuum environment in the storage tank. This means that the room-temperature adsorbent cannot be replaced between the completion of the tank's manufacturing and its specified service life. With changes in usage time, environment, and temperature, the adsorption performance of the room-temperature adsorbent inevitably decreases, and failure to replace it will inevitably affect the thermal insulation performance of the vacuum-insulated storage tank. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The purpose of this invention is to address the problem of the inability to replace the room-temperature adsorbent in the existing technology, and to propose a device for online replacement of the room-temperature adsorbent in a vacuum insulated storage tank, while providing a corresponding method to maintain the heat preservation performance of the vacuum insulated storage tank for a long period of time.

[0005] To achieve the above objectives, the basic technical solution of the present invention for replacing the ambient temperature adsorbent in a vacuum insulated storage tank is as follows: It includes a vacuum chamber that is sealed and inserted into a fourth connector on the outer shell of the vacuum insulated storage tank via a lower third connector; the vacuum chamber is connected to a vacuum pumping device and is sealed with a first liftable lever and upper and lower second levers that can be moved horizontally; the fourth connector is connected to a sealing cover via a sealing element; the sealing cover suspends the ambient temperature adsorbent via a lifting rod; the top circumference of the sealing cover is threaded externally, and the top surface has a recess that matches the lower end of the ambient temperature adsorbent; at least two guide bars extend downward from the sealing cover and match the inner hole of the fourth connector; the lower end of the first lever has an internal thread that matches the external thread on the top of the sealing cover; the second lever extends out a fork that can be inserted between the sealing cover lifting rod and the sealing cover guide bars.

[0006] The basic steps for replacing the room-temperature adsorbent in an insulated storage tank using this invention are as follows:

[0007] Step 1: Insert the new sealing cap containing the room temperature adsorbent to be replaced into the vacuum chamber and support it on the second pull bar fork. Seal and insert the third connector into the fourth connector on the outer shell of the vacuum insulated storage tank.

[0008] Step 2: Press down the first pull bar and screw its lower internal thread into the external thread of the old sealing cover. Then start the vacuum pumping device to make the vacuum degree of the vacuum chamber the same as the vacuum degree of the vacuum insulation storage tank jacket.

[0009] Step 3: Pull up the first lever to remove the old sealing cap, push the upper second lever to move the new sealing cap horizontally under the removed old sealing cap, and push the lower second lever to be level with the upper second lever;

[0010] Step 4: Insert the lower end of the old sealing cap to be replaced at room temperature into the recess on the top surface of the new sealing cap under the first pull bar. Press down on the new sealing cap while gradually pulling out the upper second pull bar, so that the new sealing cap falls onto the fork of the lower second pull bar. Then continue to press down on the new sealing cap so that its guide bar is inserted into the inner hole of the fourth connector, while gradually pulling out the lower second pull bar until the new sealing cap is sealed and engaged with the fourth connector.

[0011] Step 5: Turn off the vacuum pump, then disconnect the vacuum chamber from the fourth connector to complete the replacement.

[0012] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following advantages:

[0013] 1. The present invention provides an online replacement device and method for room temperature adsorbent in a vacuum insulated storage tank, which can replace the room temperature adsorbent without damaging the vacuum degree of the storage tank jacket, and can also replace the O-ring on the explosion-proof device of the outer shell at the same time, thus completing the maintenance of the explosion-proof device of the outer shell, improving the heat preservation performance of the storage tank, and ensuring the vacuum life of the storage tank.

[0014] 2. The present invention provides an online replacement device and method for room temperature adsorbent in a vacuum insulated storage tank. The replacement is completed by operating the first pull bar and two second pull bars in a vacuum environment. The device has a simple structure and is easy to operate, saving manpower and material costs and improving production efficiency.

[0015] 3. The present invention provides an online replacement device for a vacuum insulated storage tank at ambient temperature. The second pull bar support surface of the online replacement device is bonded with a layer of fluororubber to reduce the impact force during the falling of the sealing cover. The lower second pull bar is installed in the opposite direction to the upper second pull bar to reduce the falling displacement of the sealing cover and further reduce the impact force during the falling of the sealing cover.

[0016] 4. The present invention provides an online replacement device for ambient temperature adsorbent in a vacuum insulated storage tank. The top of the sealing cover of the explosion-proof device of the outer shell is recessed and can cooperate with the ambient temperature adsorbent cylinder to facilitate the axial positioning of the new sealing cover. The guide bar at the bottom can limit the axial displacement of the sealing cover and can also prevent a large amount of air from entering the interlayer space when it moves by its own weight. The ambient temperature adsorbent is installed in the cylinder of the sealing cover, which facilitates the replacement of the ambient temperature adsorbent. Attached Figure Description

[0017] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of a structure according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0018] Figure 2 for Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the sealing cap structure in the embodiment;

[0019] Figure 3 for Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the second tie rod structure in the embodiment;

[0020] Figure 4 for Figure 1 A schematic diagram of step two of the replacement method in the embodiment;

[0021] Figure 5 for Figure 1 A schematic diagram of step three of the replacement method in the embodiment;

[0022] Figure 6 for Figure 1 A schematic diagram of step four of the replacement method in the embodiment;

[0023] Figure 7 for Figure 1 A schematic diagram of step five of the replacement method in the embodiment.

[0024] In the diagram: 1. Vacuum insulated storage tank shell; 2. Vacuum pumping device; 3. Vacuum pumping pipe; 4. Vacuum chamber; 5. First gasket; 6. First pull rod; 7. First O-ring seal; 8. Vacuum grease; 9. First connector; 10. Fourth O-ring seal; 11. Sealing cap; 12. Room temperature adsorbent; 13. External pipe; 14. Second gasket; 15. Second O-ring seal; 16. Second connector; 17. Second pull rod; 18. Third gasket; 19. Third connector; 20. Third O-ring seal; 21. Fourth connector; 22. Acrylic sheet; 11-1. Circular recess; 11-2. External thread; 11-3. Guide bar; 11-4. Lifting rod; 17-1. Fork; 17-2. Crank. Implementation

[0025] Example

[0026] The basic structure of the online replacement device for the vacuum multi-layer insulated storage tank at ambient temperature adsorbent in this embodiment is as follows: Figure 1As shown, the vacuum chamber 4, which contains the acrylic panel 22 serving as a viewing window, is sealed and plugged into the fourth connector 21 on the outer shell 1 of the vacuum insulated storage tank via a lower third connector 19. The reduced-diameter external thread at the upper end of the third connector 19 is screwed into the internal threaded hole at the bottom interface of the vacuum chamber 4 and sealed by a third gasket 18. The inner diameter of the third connector 19 matches the outer diameter of the fourth connector 21, which is sealed and welded to the outer shell of the vacuum insulated storage tank, and two third O-ring seals 20 are installed between them.

[0027] One side of the vacuum chamber 4 is connected to the vacuum pumping device 2 via a vacuum pumping pipe 3, thereby maintaining the required vacuum level at all times. The top stepped interface of the vacuum chamber 4 is sealed and fixed to a first connector 9 adapted thereto by a first gasket 5, and a liftable first pull rod 6 is installed through the inner hole of the first connector 9. A first O-ring 7 coated with vacuum grease 8 is installed between the inner hole of the first connector 9 and the first pull rod 6. On the other side of the vacuum chamber 4 away from the vacuum device 2, an outer pipe 13 with an outer end cap is sealed and welded. The outer end cap of the outer pipe 13 is equipped with upper and lower spaced second connectors 16 that are sealed and fixed by a second gasket 14. The inner holes of the two second connectors 16 are respectively inserted with second pull rods 17 sealed by a second O-ring 15.

[0028] The upper end of the fourth connector 21 is fitted with a sealing cap 11 with external threads 11-2 around its top circumference, such as... Figure 2 As shown, the sealing cap 11 suspends a cylindrical room-temperature adsorbent 12 via a lifting rod 11-4, and its top surface has a circular recess 11-1 that matches the lower end of the room-temperature adsorbent 12. Four (at least two) circumferentially distributed guide strips 11-3 extend downwards from the sealing cap 11, matching the inner hole of the fourth connector 21. The lower end of the first pull rod 6 has an internal thread that matches the external thread 11-2 on the top of the sealing cap 11. Figure 3 As shown, the second pull rod 17 extends through the crank 17-2 to a fork 17-1 that can be inserted into the sealing cover hanger 11-4 and the sealing cover guide strip 11-3.

[0029] The specific steps for replacing the room-temperature adsorbent in the adiabatic storage tank using the device of this embodiment are as follows:

[0030] Step 1: See Figure 1 Insert the new sealing cap 11 containing the room temperature adsorbent 12 to be replaced into the vacuum chamber 4 and support it on the fork of the second pull bar 17. Seal and position the third connector 19 of the vacuum chamber 4 and insert it into the fourth connector of the vacuum insulation tank shell 1.

[0031] Step Two: See Figure 4 Press down the first lever 6 and rotate it so that the inner thread at its lower end engages with the outer thread of the old sealing cover 11. Then start the vacuum pumping device 2 so that the vacuum degree of the vacuum chamber 4 is the same as the vacuum degree of the vacuum insulation storage tank jacket.

[0032] Step 3: See Figure 5 Lift the first lever 6 to pull out the old sealing cap 11' along with the old room temperature absorbent. Then push the upper second lever 17 to move the new sealing cap 11 horizontally below the pulled-out old sealing cap 11', and push the lower second lever to be flush with the upper second lever.

[0033] Step 4: See Figure 6 The lower end of the old sealing cap 11' to be replaced at room temperature is embedded into the recessed top surface of the new sealing cap 11 under the first pull bar 6. The new sealing cap 11 is pressed down while the upper second pull bar 17 is gradually pulled out, so that the new sealing cap 11 falls onto the lower second pull bar fork. Then the new sealing cap 11 is pressed down further so that its guide bar is inserted into the inner hole of the fourth connector 21. At the same time, the lower second pull bar is gradually pulled out until the fourth O-ring 10 on the new sealing cap 11 is sealed and engaged with the fourth connector 21.

[0034] Step 5: See Figure 7 Turn off the vacuum pump 2, then separate the vacuum chamber 4 from the fourth connector 21 to complete the replacement.

[0035] In summary, this embodiment allows for online replacement of the room-temperature adsorbent and O-ring without disrupting the vacuum level of the storage tank's interlayer, improving the tank's insulation performance and ensuring its vacuum lifespan. The guide strip on the sealing cap not only restricts the axial displacement of the cap but also prevents a large amount of air from entering the interlayer space during operation due to its own gravity. Replacement is accomplished by operating the first pull rod and two second pull rods under vacuum conditions. The device has a simple structure, is easy to operate, saves manpower and material costs, and improves production efficiency.

[0036] In addition to the embodiments described above, the present invention may have other implementations. All technical solutions formed by equivalent substitution or equivalent transformation fall within the protection scope claimed by the present invention.

Claims

1. An online device for replacing the adsorbent in a vacuum-insulated storage tank at ambient temperature, characterized in that: The vacuum chamber (4) is sealed and plugged into the fourth connector (21) on the outer shell of the vacuum insulated storage tank via the lower third connector (19); the vacuum chamber is connected to the vacuum pumping device (2) and is sealed with a liftable first pull rod (6) and a movable upper and lower second pull rod (17); the fourth connector is connected to the sealing cover (11) via a seal (10), the sealing cover is suspended by a rod and has a room temperature adsorbent (12), the top of the sealing cover has an external thread around its perimeter and the top surface has a recess that matches the lower end of the room temperature adsorbent; the sealing cover extends downwards with at least two guide bars that match the inner hole of the fourth connector; the lower end of the first pull rod has an internal thread that matches the external thread on the top of the sealing cover, and the second pull rod extends with a fork that can be inserted between the sealing cover rod and the sealing cover guide bars.

2. The online replacement device for vacuum insulated storage tank at ambient temperature according to claim 1, characterized in that: The inner diameter of the third connector matches the outer diameter of the fourth connector, which is sealed and welded to the outer shell of the vacuum insulated storage tank, and at least two O-rings are installed between them.

3. The online replacement device for vacuum insulated storage tank at ambient temperature as described in claim 2, characterized in that: The sealing cap has a cylindrical room-temperature adsorbent suspended by a rod, and the top surface has a circular recess that matches the lower end of the room-temperature adsorbent.

4. The online replacement device for vacuum insulated storage tank at ambient temperature according to claim 1, characterized in that: The top step interface of the vacuum chamber is sealed and fixed to the first connector that is adapted to it by a first gasket.

5. The online replacement device for vacuum insulated storage tank at ambient temperature according to claim 1, characterized in that: The vacuum chamber is equipped with an acrylic panel that serves as a viewing window.

6. The online replacement method for the vacuum insulated storage tank ambient temperature adsorbent device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that... Includes the following steps: Step 1: Insert the new sealing cap containing the room temperature adsorbent to be replaced into the vacuum chamber and support it on the second pull rod fork. Seal and insert the third connector into the fourth connector on the outer shell of the vacuum insulated storage tank. Step 2: Press down the first pull rod and screw its lower internal thread into the external thread of the old sealing cover. Then start the vacuum pumping device to make the vacuum degree of the vacuum chamber the same as the vacuum degree of the vacuum insulation tank jacket. Step 3: Pull up the first lever to remove the old sealing cover, push the upper second lever to move the new sealing cover horizontally under the removed old sealing cover, and push the lower second lever to be level with the upper second lever; Step 4: Insert the lower end of the old sealing cap to be replaced at room temperature into the recessed top surface of the new sealing cap under the first pull rod. Press down on the new sealing cap while gradually pulling out the upper second pull rod, so that the new sealing cap falls onto the fork of the lower second pull rod. Then continue to press down on the new sealing cap so that its guide strip is inserted into the inner hole of the fourth connector, while gradually pulling out the lower second pull rod until the new sealing cap is sealed and engaged with the fourth connector. Step 5: Turn off the vacuum pump, then disconnect the vacuum chamber from the fourth connector to complete the replacement.

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