Low temperature tank arrangement with heat exchanger

Abstract

A cryogenic tank device includes an inner container (1) for containing a cryogenic medium (especially hydrogen) and an outer shell (2) surrounding the inner container (1), wherein an insulating space (3) is disposed between the inner container (1) and the outer shell (2), wherein the cryogenic tank device includes at least one heat exchanger (4), wherein the heat exchanger (4) includes at least one cold flow line (5) adapted to be flowed by the cryogenic medium in the inner container (1), wherein the heat exchanger (4) includes at least one hot flow line (6) adapted to be flowed by a temperature-controlled medium, wherein the cold flow line (5) and the hot flow line (6) are arranged in contact with and / or adjacent to each other along a heat conduction surface such that heat transfer occurs between the temperature-controlled medium and the cryogenic medium through the heat transfer surface, wherein the cold flow line (5) is arranged inside the outer shell (2) and the hot flow line (6) is arranged outside the outer shell (2), such that a portion of the outer shell (2) serves as the heat transfer surface of the heat exchanger (4).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a cryogenic tank device, comprising an inner container for containing a cryogenic medium (especially hydrogen). Background Technology

[0002] Cryogenic tank devices, including inner containers for containing hydrogen, are known and particularly used in mobile cryogenic tank systems, such as in motor vehicles. Such cryogenic tanks typically comprise an inner container and an outer shell, with an insulated space, i.e., an insulating space or a vacuum space, in which a vacuum or inert gas can be present to achieve good insulation.

[0003] The medium in such a cryogenic tank device can be heated by a heat exchanger, for example, to bring the cryogenic medium extracted from the cryogenic tank to the temperature allowed by the consuming device (such as a fuel cell or engine).

[0004] This type of heat exchanger can be arranged, for example, in an insulated space or outside the enclosure. The disadvantage is that this heat exchanger requires a relatively large installation space, thus reducing the available installation space for other components of the cryogenic tank assembly. In particular, the available volume of the cryogenic medium within the tank is also reduced. Invention Summary

[0005] The objective of this invention is to improve the cryogenic tank apparatus of the above type in this respect, and in particular to provide a cryogenic tank apparatus that allows the extracted medium to be heated while allowing the cryogenic medium to have a large storage volume.

[0006] This objective is achieved by a cryogenic tank apparatus comprising an inner container for containing a cryogenic medium (especially hydrogen) and an outer shell surrounding the inner container, wherein an insulating space is provided between the inner container and the outer shell, wherein the cryogenic tank apparatus includes at least one heat exchanger, wherein the heat exchanger includes at least one cold flow line adapted to be flowed by the cryogenic medium in the inner container, wherein the heat exchanger includes at least one hot flow line adapted to be flowed by a temperature-controlled medium, wherein the cold flow line and the hot flow line are in contact with each other (especially at a temperature connection) and / or arranged adjacent to each other along a heat transfer surface such that heat transfer occurs between the temperature-controlled medium and the cryogenic medium through the heat transfer surface, wherein the cold flow line is arranged inside the outer shell and the hot flow line is arranged outside the outer shell such that a portion of the outer shell serves as the heat transfer surface of the heat exchanger.

[0007] According to the present invention, the heat exchanger is integrated into the outer shell of the cryogenic tank. The outer shell of the cryogenic tank itself serves as the heat transfer surface of the heat exchanger. The cryogenic medium flows inside the shell in a cold flow line, while the adjacent temperature-controlled medium (i.e., the heat transfer medium) flows outside the shell in a hot flow line. The cold flow line and the hot flow line thus together with the shell form the heat exchanger.

[0008] Preferably, the heat transfer surface is not the entire outer shell, but essentially only a portion of the shell located in the area where the hot and cold flow lines are arranged. Therefore, the outer shell preferably only partially covers the heat exchanger. However, this does not preclude the possibility that the heat exchanger extends to most or all of the lateral surface of the outer tank.

[0009] By using the outer shell of the cryogenic tank as the heat transfer surface of the heat exchanger, a particularly compact integrated structure and reduced required installation space become possible.

[0010] Furthermore, the cryogenic medium remains inside the casing, while the temperature control medium remains outside. This reduces the risk of contamination of the vacuum or insulation space by the heat transfer medium (i.e., the temperature control medium).

[0011] The insulated space is preferably a vacuum and / or an inert gas and / or a multilayer insulation (MLI).

[0012] The development of this invention is shown in the dependent claims, the description and the drawings.

[0013] The outer casing preferably forms at least one sector in the peripheral direction of the cold flow lines and / or hot flow lines. The outer casing thus serves not only as the heat transfer surface of the heat exchanger but also partially (i.e., in a sector shape) forms the cold flow lines and / or hot flow lines, i.e., their peripheral portion, thereby forming the channels required for the heat exchanger. Alternatively, the cold flow lines and / or hot flow lines may be formed as separate, continuous lines, additionally arranged inside and / or outside the outer casing.

[0014] The cold flow lines and / or hot flow lines are preferably formed at least partially by an outer casing and a housing surrounding the outer casing in some areas. The housing may be formed on the inner and / or outer side of the outer casing and together with the outer casing forms the cold flow lines and / or hot flow lines.

[0015] The housing has fins, preferably on its inner and / or outer sides, in the area of ​​its heat transfer surface that serves as a heat exchanger. The fins improve temperature or heat transfer. The fins can also be used to form channels for cold and / or hot flow lines.

[0016] Additionally or further, the channels and conduits for cold flow lines and / or hot flow lines may be formed by a shell surrounding the housing in certain areas, which serves to form the cold flow lines and / or hot flow lines on the side away from the housing. The housing may have fins for forming the channels.

[0017] The inner container and outer shell of the cryogenic tank are preferably cylindrical.

[0018] The cold and hot flow lines preferably extend longitudinally along the outer shell. The heat exchanger is therefore arranged axially, extending longitudinally on the lateral surface of the cryogenic tank. The heat exchanger, and thus the cold and hot flow lines, are preferably U-shaped.

[0019] In another embodiment, the cold flow lines and hot flow lines (and therefore the heat exchangers) extend along the periphery of the housing, that is, preferably along the periphery of the side surface of the cylindrical cryogenic tank.

[0020] In another embodiment, the cold flow lines and hot flow lines (and therefore the heat exchanger) are arranged on the end surface of the housing, that is, on the end face. The heat exchanger (that is, the cold flow lines and hot flow lines) particularly preferably has an annular shape that extends substantially around the end face.

[0021] The heat exchangers (and therefore the cold and hot flow lines) are preferably rod-shaped, U-shaped, circular, or arc-shaped.

[0022] The hot flow lines and / or cold flow lines preferably comprise multiple channels and / or parallel-extending lines and / or serial-extending lines. The heat exchanger, particularly the hot flow lines and / or cold flow lines, can be configured for parallel or counter-current operation.

[0023] The hot flow line preferably has at least a portion that is wider than the opposite portion of the cold flow line. The wider portion on the heat transfer medium side prevents the formation of cold spots on the outside of the vacuum casing (i.e., the outer shell), thus avoiding the risk of damage and icing or even oxygen condensation.

[0024] The insulation is preferably installed on the side away from the hot flow lines of the casing, i.e., on the outside of the casing. The additional insulation on the hot side of the heat exchanger reduces heat loss to the environment.

[0025] The cryogenic tank device preferably includes at least one additional heat exchanger for transferring heat to the cryogenic medium, wherein the additional heat exchanger is arranged in series or parallel with the aforementioned heat exchanger.

[0026] The other heat exchanger is preferably also equipped with the features of the aforementioned heat exchanger, and thus has cold flow lines arranged inside the housing and hot flow lines arranged outside the housing, so that the housing acts as the heat transfer surface of the other heat exchanger. Attached Figure Description

[0027] The present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0028] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of a cryogenic tank apparatus according to the present invention.

[0029] Figures 2a-2d It is based on Figure 1 The schematic diagram of the cryogenic tank device of the present invention shown is viewed from the side. Figure 2a ), details viewed from the side ( Figure 2b ), viewed from above on the outside of the shell ( Figure 2c ) and viewed from above the inside of the casing ( Figure 2d).

[0030] Figures 3a-3c This is a schematic diagram of a second embodiment of the cryogenic tank apparatus according to the present invention, viewed from the side. Figure 3a (From the end face) Figure 3b ) and details viewed from the end face ( Figure 3c ).

[0031] Figures 4a-4d This is a schematic diagram of a cryogenic tank apparatus according to a third embodiment of the present invention, viewed from the side. Figure 4a ), details viewed from the side ( Figure 4b ), viewed from the outer end face of the outer shell ( Figure 4c ) and viewed from the inner end face of the outer casing ( Figure 4d ). Detailed Implementation

[0032] Figure 1 A cryogenic tank apparatus according to the present invention is shown. The cryogenic tank apparatus includes an inner container 1 for containing a cryogenic medium (especially hydrogen) and an outer shell 2 surrounding the inner container 1, wherein an insulating space 3 (especially a vacuum space) is provided between the inner container 1 and the outer shell 2.

[0033] The cryogenic tank device includes at least one heat exchanger 4, wherein the heat exchanger 4 includes a cold flow line 5 adapted to be flowed by a cryogenic medium in the inner container 1, and wherein the heat exchanger 4 includes a hot flow line 6 adapted to be flowed by a temperature-controlled medium.

[0034] The heat flow line 6 is heated by heat from the heat source 9, for example, in the form of waste heat from another component. The circulation of the temperature-controlled medium in the heat flow line 6 can be maintained by the heat transfer pump 10.

[0035] The cryogenic medium for the cold flow line 5 is drawn from the inner container 1, for example, in gaseous form via gas extraction valve 11 and / or in liquid form via liquid extraction valve 12, and can be delivered downstream of the heat exchanger 4 to a consumption device, such as a fuel cell, via hydrogen extraction valve 13.

[0036] The cold flow line 5 and the hot flow line 6 of the heat exchanger 4 are arranged in contact with each other and / or adjacent to each other along the heat transfer surface, so that heat transfer occurs between the temperature-controlled medium in the hot flow line 6 and the low-temperature medium in the cold flow line 5 through the heat transfer surface. The cold flow line 5 is arranged inside the outer shell 2, and the hot flow line 6 is arranged outside the outer shell 2, so that the corresponding part of the outer shell 2 itself serves as the heat transfer surface of the heat exchanger 4.

[0037] The heat exchanger 4, or the cold flow line 5 and the hot flow line 6, can be arranged in different positions on the housing 2. For example, Figure 1 and Figures 2a to 2dAn embodiment of a cryogenic tank apparatus is shown, wherein a cold flow line 5 and a hot flow line 6 extend longitudinally along a cylindrical outer shell 2. A heat exchanger 4, or the cold flow line 5 and the hot flow line 6, extends in a U-shape along the longitudinal axis of the cylindrical shell.

[0038] Figures 3a to 3c An embodiment of a cryogenic tank apparatus is shown, wherein a heat exchanger 4, or a cold flow line 5 and a hot flow line 6, extends along the periphery of a cylindrical outer shell 2.

[0039] Figures 4a to 4d Another embodiment of the cryogenic tank device is shown, in which the heat exchanger 4, or the cold flow line 5 and the hot flow line 6, are formed on the end face of the housing 2, i.e., in a circular form, or more precisely, in a circular arc-shaped form that is approximately circular.

[0040] from Figure 2b As can be seen from the detailed diagram, the inlet 14 of the cold flow line 5 is formed in the adiabatic space 3, and the inlet 15 of the hot flow line 6 is formed outside the outer shell 2.

[0041] Figure 2c The image shows the cryogenic tank assembly as viewed from above and outside the outer casing, while Figure 2d The cryogenic tank assembly is shown as viewed from above the inner side of the outer casing. The cold flow line 5 and the hot flow line 6 are arranged opposite each other on the outer casing 2 in all cases.

[0042] Figure 3b and Figure 3c The arrows indicate the inflow and outflow of cold flow line 5 and hot flow line 6 in the illustrated embodiment.

[0043] at last, Figure 4b The detailed drawing shows the heat exchanger 4 according to the invention in a side cross-section. The outer casing 2 is fan-shaped in the peripheral direction of the cold flow lines 5 and the hot flow lines 6. The cold flow lines 5 and the hot flow lines 6 are at least partially formed by the outer casing 2 and a shell 7 surrounding the outer casing 2 in some areas. In the area where the outer casing 2 serves as the heat exchange surface of the heat exchanger 4, fins 8 are present on both the inner and outer sides of the outer casing. The hot flow lines 6 and the cold flow lines 5 include a plurality of channels that extend in parallel and are separated by the fins 8.

[0044] Hot flow line 6, at least in Figure 4b The portion shown is wider than the same portion of the opposite cold flow line 5.

[0045] The insulation element can be additionally installed on the side of the heat flow line 6 away from the housing 2. The insulation element may include, for example, an additional housing surrounding the heat flow line 6.

[0046] According to the present invention, a portion of the vacuum shell of the cryogenic tank, namely the outer shell 2, is used as a heat transfer surface between the cryogenic fluid and the heat transfer medium; therefore, the heat exchanger is integrated into the vacuum shell.

[0047] To increase heat transfer, fins 8 can be provided on the heat transfer surfaces of the vacuum casing (both sides or only on the side with the heat transfer medium), and corresponding enclosures can be installed on them. The heat exchanger can be integrated into the vacuum casing (i.e., the outer shell 2), along the axial direction of the casing ( Figures 2a-2d ), surrounding directions ( Figures 3a-3c ) or on the end face ( Figures 4a-4d The heat exchanger can operate on either co-current or counter-current principles. A wider profile on the heat transfer medium side prevents cold spots from forming on the outside of the vacuum casing, thus avoiding the risk of damage, icing, and even oxygen condensation. Additional insulation on the heat flow line 6, especially on the "EGW side" (EGW refers to the ethylene glycol-water mixture, which serves as a possible temperature-controlled medium), reduces heat loss to the environment.

[0048] List of reference numerals

[0049] 1 content container

[0050] 2. Outer shell

[0051] 3 Insulated Space

[0052] 4 heat exchangers

[0053] 5 Cold flow lines

[0054] 6 hot flow lines

[0055] 7. Shell

[0056] 8 fins

[0057] 9 heat sources

[0058] 10 heat pumps

[0059] 11 Gas extraction valve

[0060] 12 Liquid Extraction Valve

[0061] 13 Hydrogen extraction valve

[0062] 14 Cold flow line inlet

[0063] 15. Hot flow line inlet.

Claims

1. A cryogenic tank apparatus comprising an inner container (1) for containing a cryogenic medium and an outer shell (2) surrounding the inner container (1), wherein an insulating space (3) is disposed between the inner container (1) and the outer shell (2), wherein the cryogenic tank apparatus comprises at least one heat exchanger (4), wherein the heat exchanger (4) comprises at least one cold flow line (5) adapted to be through which the cryogenic medium contained in the inner container (1) flows, wherein the heat exchanger comprises at least one hot flow line (6) adapted to be through which a temperature-controlled medium flows, wherein the cold flow line (5) and the hot flow line (6) are arranged in contact with and / or adjacent to each other along a heat transfer surface such that heat transfer occurs between the temperature-controlled medium and the cryogenic medium through the heat transfer surface. Its features are, The cold flow line (5) is arranged inside the housing (2), and the hot flow line (6) is arranged outside the housing (2), such that a portion of the housing (2) serves as the heat transfer surface of the heat exchanger (4).

2. The cryogenic tank apparatus according to claim 1, Its features are, The outer casing (2) forms at least one fan shape in the peripheral direction of the cold flow line (5) and / or the hot flow line (6).

3. The cryogenic tank apparatus according to claim 1, Its features are, The cold flow line (5) and / or the hot flow line (6) are formed at least in part by the outer casing (2) and a housing (7) surrounding the outer casing (2) in some areas.

4. The cryogenic tank apparatus according to claim 1, Its features are, The outer casing (2) has fins (8) on its inner and / or outer sides in the region where it serves as the heat transfer surface of the heat exchanger (4).

5. The cryogenic tank apparatus according to claim 1, Its features are, The cold flow line (5) and the hot flow line (6) extend longitudinally along the outer casing (2), or extend along the periphery of the outer casing (2), or are formed on the end face of the outer casing (2).

6. The cryogenic tank apparatus according to claim 1, Its features are, The hot flow line (6) and / or the cold flow line (5) includes multiple channels and / or parallel lines and / or series lines, or the heat exchanger (4) is configured to operate in parallel or counter-current mode.

7. The cryogenic tank apparatus according to claim 1, Its features are, At least a portion of the hot flow line (6) is wider than the opposite portion of the cold flow line (5).

8. The cryogenic tank apparatus according to claim 1, Its features are, The thermal insulation element is installed on the side of the heat flow line (6) away from the outer casing (2).

9. The cryogenic tank apparatus according to claim 1, Its features are, The cryogenic tank device includes at least one additional heat exchanger for transferring heat to the cryogenic medium, wherein the additional heat exchanger is arranged in series or in parallel with the heat exchanger (4).

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