Vacuum insulated liquefied gas storage tank and ship comprising same

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a vacuum insulated liquefied gas storage tank, comprising: an inner tank in which liquefied gas is stored; an outer tank surrounding the inner tank; a vacuum heat insulation part formed between the outer tank and the inner tank and filled with a heat insulation material to block heat transfer; and a vacuum tube provided inside the vacuum heat insulation portion and having a suction port formed therein, in which the suction port may have a plurality of suction ports formed in a longitudinal direction of the vacuum tube.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a vacuum-insulated liquefied gas storage tank and a ship including the storage tank. Background Technology

[0002] Typically, liquefied gases are transported in their gaseous state via land or sea pipelines, or stored and transported in their liquefied gaseous state using storage tanks. Cooling liquefied gases to cryogenic temperatures significantly reduces their volume compared to their gaseous state, thereby improving the efficiency of storage and long-distance transportation.

[0003] When external heat is transferred to liquefied gas, the gas may evaporate, increasing the pressure inside the storage tank or causing gas loss. Therefore, for safe and efficient storage of liquefied gas, the storage tank should have sufficient rigidity to withstand low temperatures and high thermal insulation to block external heat transfer.

[0004] In particular, liquefied hydrogen (LH2), which has garnered significant attention in recent years as an alternative energy source, has a liquefaction temperature of approximately -253°C, lower than that of liquefied natural gas (LNG), a representative liquefied gas (approximately -162°C). Due to its low boiling point, LH2 evaporates very easily, with a boiling point of evaporation (BOR) 10 times higher than that of LNG. Therefore, storage tanks for LH2 require significantly better insulation compared to those for LNG.

[0005] Storage tanks can be equipped with vacuum insulation between the inner and outer tanks to enhance insulation performance, and vacuum-insulated storage tanks are preferred. In particular, vacuum-insulated storage tanks are mainly used for small LNG storage tanks with a high surface area-to-volume ratio or liquefied hydrogen storage tanks that require a high level of insulation.

[0006] Vacuum insulated storage tanks include an inner tank for direct storage of liquefied gas, an outer tank that completely surrounds the inner tank and provides vacuum insulation, a vacuum insulation section formed between the inner and outer tanks, and a support structure that connects the inner and outer tanks to maintain the vacuum insulation section and securely supports and fixes the inner tank to the outer tank.

[0007] Vacuum insulation sections can be filled with powdered insulation materials, such as expanded perlite powder or hollow glass microspheres. The insulation performance of vacuum insulation sections is enhanced by creating a vacuum in the space between the insulation materials while they are being filled.

[0008] However, creating a vacuum in the space between the insulation materials while filling them can hinder smooth venting, especially in locations far from the vacuum pump used to generate the vacuum. Consequently, the time and labor required to create a vacuum in the vacuum insulation section may increase. This time and labor requirements may increase with the size of the storage tank.

[0009] Therefore, technological development is needed to reduce the time and labor required to create a vacuum in the vacuum insulation section of liquefied gas storage tanks. Summary of the Invention

[0010] Technical issues

[0011] This invention addresses the aforementioned problems of the prior art. The objective of this invention is to reduce the time and labor required to create a vacuum in the vacuum insulation section of a liquefied gas storage tank by incorporating multiple vacuum tubes within the vacuum insulation section.

[0012] The problems to be solved by the present invention are not limited to those described above, and other problems not described will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art from the following description.

[0013] Technical solution

[0014] The vacuum-insulated liquefied gas storage tank according to the present invention includes: an inner tank for storing liquefied gas; an outer tank spaced apart from and surrounding the inner tank; a vacuum insulation section formed between the outer tank and the inner tank and filled with insulating material to block heat transfer between the outer tank and the inner tank; and a vacuum tube disposed within the vacuum insulation section and having a suction port formed on the side of the vacuum tube, wherein the suction port may be formed in multiple ways along the length of the vacuum tube.

[0015] Specifically, the vacuum tube can draw gas between the insulation materials filling the vacuum insulation section into the vacuum tube through the suction port.

[0016] Specifically, the vacuum-insulated liquefied gas storage tank may also include a filter unit that covers the intake port to prevent the insulation material from being discharged to the outside.

[0017] Specifically, the vacuum tube can be fixed to the outer tank and surround the inner tank.

[0018] Specifically, the vacuum tube can be fixed at a position spaced apart from the central weld line, which is formed by welding the structure that constitutes the outer tank or the inner tank.

[0019] Specifically, at least two vacuum tubes may be provided in the vacuum insulation section.

[0020] Specifically, the thermal insulation material may include at least one of polypropylene, polyurethane, polystyrene, polyethylene, polyisocyanurate, aerogel blanket, fumed silica, calcium silicate, mineral wool, glass wool, glass microfiber, perlite, and glass bubble.

[0021] Specifically, the vacuum-insulated liquefied gas storage tank may further include a connecting part that fixes the vacuum tube to the outer tank.

[0022] Specifically, the connecting portion can be installed spaced apart from the central welding line, which is formed by welding the structure that constitutes the outer tank or the inner tank.

[0023] Specifically, the vacuum-insulated liquefied gas storage tank may further include a support structure disposed between the inner tank and the outer tank to fix the inner tank to the outer tank.

[0024] Specifically, the vacuum-insulated liquefied gas storage tank can be a small LNG storage tank or a liquefied hydrogen storage tank.

[0025] The present invention may include the vacuum insulated liquefied gas storage tank.

[0026] Beneficial effects

[0027] The vacuum-insulated liquefied gas storage tank according to the present invention has a three-layer structure including an inner tank, an outer tank and a vacuum insulation part, and the vacuum insulation part is vacuum-insulated, so it can minimize the heat transfer between the inside and outside of the storage tank.

[0028] The effects of the present invention are not limited to those described above, and other effects not described will be readily understood by those skilled in the art from the claims. Attached Figure Description

[0029] Figure 1 This is a front view of a vacuum-insulated liquefied gas storage tank according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0030] Figure 2 Figures (a), (b), and (c) are diagrams showing two, three, and four vacuum tubes respectively horizontally arranged in a vacuum-insulated liquefied gas storage tank according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0031] Figure 3 Figures (a), 3(b), and 3(c) illustrate two, three, and four vacuum tubes respectively arranged diagonally in a vacuum-insulated liquefied gas storage tank according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0032] Figure 4 Figures (a), 4(b) and 4(c) are diagrams showing two, three and four vacuum tubes respectively vertically arranged in a vacuum-insulated liquefied gas storage tank according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0033] Figure 5 This is a first plan view of a vacuum-insulated liquefied gas storage tank according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0034] Figure 6 This is a second plan view of a vacuum-insulated liquefied gas storage tank according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0035] Figure 7 This is a cross-sectional view of a vacuum-insulated liquefied gas storage tank according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0036] Figure 8 This is a cross-sectional view of a vacuum-insulated liquefied gas storage tank according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0037] Figure 9 This is a diagram showing the vacuum tube of a vacuum-insulated liquefied gas storage tank fixed to an outer tank according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0038] Figure 10 This is a schematic diagram showing multiple intake ports and a filter unit formed in the vacuum tube of a vacuum-insulated liquefied gas storage tank according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0039] Best practice

[0040] In the following text, when a section is referred to as “including” a component, it means that, unless otherwise stated, it may include other components rather than exclude them.

[0041] The invention will be described in more detail below to facilitate understanding of the invention.

[0042] In the following text, liquefied gas storage tanks for storing liquefied gases can be installed on ships, and the ships can be liquefied gas transport vehicles.

[0043] In the following text, liquefied gas may refer to liquefied natural gas, liquefied petroleum gas, ethane, ethanol, methanol, etc., and may refer to any substance that is transported in a liquid state by cooling but has a boiling point below room temperature and therefore may evaporate into a gaseous state at room temperature. The liquefied gas may refer to, for example, liquefied natural gas or liquefied hydrogen (LH2), and boil-off gas may refer to liquefied gas that evaporates naturally, such as boil-off gas (BOG). The term "liquefied gas" can be a general term for gaseous gases formed by the forced evaporation of boil-off gas or liquid liquefied gas.

[0044] In the following text, it should be noted that the term "ship" includes not only container ships, merchant ships, and ships capable of producing natural gas at sea, but also all marine structures, including gas platforms and floating bodies.

[0045] In the following text, the terms "horizontal," "diagonal," and "vertical" directions refer to the horizontal, diagonal, and vertical directions relative to the floor surface on which the liquefied gas storage tank 1 is arranged, i.e., the bottom surface supporting the outer tank.

[0046] Figure 1 This is a front view of a vacuum-insulated liquefied gas storage tank according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0047] refer to Figure 1 According to an embodiment of the present invention, the vacuum insulated liquefied gas storage tank 1 may include an outer tank 10, an inner tank 20, a support structure 30, a fixing structure 40, a vacuum insulation part 50, a pump pipe 60, a vacuum pump 70, and a dome 80.

[0048] The liquefied gas storage tank 1 can store liquefied gases such as liquefied hydrogen (LH2) and liquefied natural gas (LNG), and may include a configuration to prevent heat transfer to the outside to maintain the liquefied gas at a cryogenic state. The liquefied gas storage tank 1 is a pressure tank and can be manufactured to withstand pressure increases even when the internal pressure increases due to the build-up gas (BOG) generated when the liquefied gas stored in the tank evaporates.

[0049] The liquefied gas storage tank 1 can be a membrane type tank arranged inside the ship or a freestanding type not integrated with the hull. Specifically, the liquefied gas storage tank 1 can be a moss type tank, a cylindrical tank, a bi-lobe type tank, etc. Preferably, the liquefied gas storage tank 1 is a spherical moss type tank arranged on the upper part of the hull. Multiple moss type liquefied gas storage tanks 1 can be arranged along the length of the ship, and the upper end of the liquefied gas storage tank 1 can protrude upwards from the ship. However, the present invention is not limited to the shape or type of the liquefied gas storage tank 1.

[0050] The liquefied gas storage tank 1 has a double-layer structure in which an outer tank 10 surrounds an inner tank 20, and has a support structure 30 disposed between the outer tank 10 and the inner tank 20 to separate the outer tank 10 and the inner tank 20 and to fix the inner tank 20 to the outer tank 10. In addition, the outer tank 10 of the liquefied gas storage tank 1 is provided with a fixing structure 40 that bears the entire load of the liquefied gas storage tank 1 and fixes the liquefied gas storage tank 1 to an external structure (e.g., a ship).

[0051] The outer tank 10 forms the exterior of the liquefied gas storage tank 1, withstands impacts transmitted from the outside of the liquefied gas storage tank 1, and shares the pressure generated by the liquefied gas stored in the inner tank 20 with the inner tank 20. The outer tank 10 is preferably made of steel to withstand pressure or loads transmitted from the inside and outside.

[0052] The inner tank 20 can be fixed to the outer tank 10 at a predetermined distance from the outer tank 10. A space for storing liquefied gas is formed within the inner tank 20. Since the inner tank 20 is in direct contact with the liquefied gas, it can be made of a metal with excellent cryogenic properties capable of withstanding the low temperatures of the liquefied gas. Preferably, the inner tank 20 can be made of aluminum (Al), aluminum alloy, or stainless steel.

[0053] The outer tank 10 and the inner tank 20 are preferably spherical or cylindrical in shape, so that the pressure or load generated by the liquefied gas stored inside the inner tank 20 is evenly distributed and transmitted to the liquefied gas storage tank 1.

[0054] Multiple support structures 30 can be installed between the double-layer structure of the outer tank 10 and the inner tank 20, and specifically, can be installed on the underside of the liquefied hydrogen storage tank 1 to support the bottom surface of the inner tank 20. The support structures 30 can secure the inner tank 20 to the outer tank 10. Since the support structures 30 are in contact with the inner tank 20, their temperature may drop to a low level. Therefore, the support structures 30 can be made of materials capable of withstanding low temperatures, such as wood, SUS, polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), or bakelite.

[0055] The support structure 30 may be formed of multiple layers and, since it may act as a heat transfer medium between the outer tank 10 and the inner tank 20, may include a material with low thermal conductivity. The support structure 30 may include an elastic material to prevent cracking or damage when the outer tank 10 and the inner tank 20 deform due to thermal contraction or expansion.

[0056] The fixing structure 40 bears the entire load of the liquefied hydrogen storage tank 1 by fixing the liquefied gas storage tank 1 to an external structure (e.g., a ship) and supporting the outer tank 10. The fixing structure 40 may have a shape corresponding to the bottom surface of the outer tank 10 so that the liquefied gas storage tank 1 can be placed on it. For example, when the bottom surface of the outer tank 10 is circular, the fixing structure 40 may have a concave shape capable of supporting the circular outer tank 10.

[0057] The fixing structure 40 can be made of steel to withstand the load of the liquefied gas storage tank 1, but the invention is not limited thereto. The fixing structure 40 is preferably made of a metal material with excellent low-temperature performance to prevent liquefied gas leakage. The metal material with excellent low-temperature performance can be any of stainless steel, aluminum, and aluminum alloys.

[0058] A vacuum insulation section 50 can be disposed between the outer tank 10 and the inner tank 20. The vacuum insulation section 50 can maintain a vacuum state. The vacuum insulation section 50 can block heat transfer between the outer tank 10 and the inner tank 20 due to conduction or convection.

[0059] Pump pipe 60 and vacuum pump 70 can be installed at the lower part of liquefied gas storage tank 1 to create a vacuum state in vacuum insulation section 50. Pump pipe 60 can be connected at one end to vacuum insulation section 50 and at the other end to vacuum pump 70. When vacuum pump 70 is running, vacuum insulation section 50 is in a vacuum state while the gas contained in vacuum insulation section 50 is discharged to the outside.

[0060] Additionally, although not shown in the figure, a monitoring device can be provided to confirm the vacuum level of the vacuum insulation section 50.

[0061] The vacuum insulation section 50 may be filled with insulation material. The insulation material may be an organic insulation material, such as polypropylene, polyurethane, polystyrene, polyethylene, or polyisocyanurate. Alternatively, the insulation material may be an inorganic insulation material, such as aerogel blanket, fumed silica, calcium silicate, mineral wool, glass wool, glass microfiber material, or perlite, as well as a mixture of organic and inorganic insulation materials.

[0062] Preferably, the insulation material can be in powder form, such as a core material made of perlite or glass bubbles. Examples of insulation materials may include expanded perlite powder and hollow glass microspheres.

[0063] When the vacuum insulation section 50 is filled with insulation material, the gas between the insulation materials is expelled, thereby creating a vacuum state within the vacuum insulation section 50. In this case, the vacuum level can be approximately 10. -5 To 1 Torr.

[0064] An opening may be formed on the upper surface of the liquefied gas storage tank 1. This opening is connected to a dome 80 that allows the liquefied gas to be discharged to the outside of the liquefied gas storage tank 1. Various pipes (not shown) may be provided on the dome 80, and these pipes may extend to the lower side of the liquefied gas storage tank 1, and the liquefied gas may be discharged to the outside along the pipes by a pump (not shown) immersed in the inner tank. Insulation material may be provided to the vacuum insulation section 50 through the dome 80.

[0065] When the liquefied gas storage tank 1 is large or the vacuum level is increased to enhance insulation performance, the time required to form a vacuum in the vacuum insulation section 50 is longer, and the labor required for this process also increases. Furthermore, when insulation material is filled to enhance the insulation performance of the vacuum insulation section 50, the effort required to form a vacuum in the vacuum insulation section 50 increases.

[0066] Therefore, the vacuum-insulated liquefied gas storage tank 1 of the present invention also includes a vacuum tube 100, thereby minimizing the time and labor required to create a vacuum in the vacuum insulation section 50. The vacuum tube 100 will be described in detail below.

[0067] Figure 2 Figures (a), (b), and (c) are diagrams showing two, three, and four vacuum tubes respectively horizontally arranged in a vacuum-insulated liquefied gas storage tank according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0068] Figure 3 Figures (a), 3(b), and 3(c) illustrate two, three, and four vacuum tubes respectively arranged diagonally in a vacuum-insulated liquefied gas storage tank according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0069] Figure 4 Figures (a), 4(b) and 4(c) are diagrams showing two, three and four vacuum tubes respectively vertically arranged in a vacuum-insulated liquefied gas storage tank according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0070] The following will omit the... Figure 1 Repeated descriptions, and detailed descriptions of additional components.

[0071] refer to Figure 2 The vacuum insulation section 50 of the liquefied gas storage tank 1 may include one or more vacuum tubes 100.

[0072] exist Figure 2 In this configuration, the vacuum tube 100 is straight, but it surrounds the inner tank 20. Since the vacuum insulation section 50 is filled with insulation material, the vacuum tube 100 can be embedded in the insulation material.

[0073] A suction port 110 and a plug 120 can be formed on the side of the vacuum tube 100. The suction port 110 serves as a channel through which gas between the insulating materials is drawn in, and the plug 120 can be connected to the pump tube 60 and the vacuum pump 70. When the vacuum pump 70 is running, the gas between the insulating materials is drawn into the vacuum tube 100 through the suction port 110 and discharged to the outside. During this process, the vacuum insulation section 50 can be in a vacuum state.

[0074] refer to Figure 2 One or more vacuum tubes 100 can be set, preferably two or more. Figure 2 (a) shows the arrangement of two vacuum tubes 100. Figure 2 (b) shows the arrangement of three vacuum tubes 100. Figure 2 (c) shows the arrangement of four vacuum tubes 100. However, the present invention is not limited to the number of vacuum tubes 100 arranged.

[0075] Multiple vacuum tubes 100 can be provided on the vacuum insulation section 50, widely distributed throughout the entire vacuum insulation section 50. Furthermore, multiple suction ports 110 can be formed along the length of the vacuum tubes 100. Therefore, points remote from the suction ports 110 within the vacuum insulation section 50 can be prevented. Moreover, the suction ports 110 can be formed on the vacuum tubes 100 in various orientations, allowing suction at various locations around the vacuum tubes 100.

[0076] Specifically, the vacuum tubes 100 can be arranged at uniform intervals (characteristic length, 1c). Therefore, the exhaust efficiency through the vacuum tubes 100 can be improved.

[0077] At the same time, refer to Figure 2 (b) The outer tank 10 and the inner tank 20 can be joined by welding a hemispherical structure. In this case, a central weld line 90 can be formed in the middle portion between the heights of the outer tank 10 and the inner tank 20, but the invention is not necessarily limited to this. For example, the central weld line 90 can extend in various directions. When the vacuum tube 100 is fixed to the outer tank 10 at the same position as the central weld line 90, the structural stability of the liquefied gas storage tank 1 and the fixing force of the vacuum tube 100 will be reduced. Therefore, it is preferable that the vacuum tubes 100 are fixed in a spaced-apart manner so as not to overlap with the central weld line 90.

[0078] refer to Figure 2 The vacuum tube 100 can be set horizontally. (Reference) Figure 3 Vacuum tube 100 can be set diagonally, and reference Figure 4 Vacuum tube 100 can be set vertically.

[0079] When the vacuum tube is 100 Figure 3 or Figure 4 When the vacuum tube 100 is arranged diagonally or vertically, the plug 120 can be formed near the central weld line 90, and the plug 120 can be formed close to the central weld line 90 (near the deck). The plug 120 can be formed within approximately 10 meters, preferably within 2 meters, of the central weld line 90 in the vertical direction. Therefore, workers can easily connect the pump tube 60 to the plug 120 without using any other tools. That is, when the vacuum tube 100 is arranged diagonally or vertically, workers can connect the pump tube 60 to the vacuum tube 100 near the deck, thereby improving the efficiency of the workers.

[0080] Figure 5 This is a first plan view of a vacuum-insulated liquefied gas storage tank according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0081] Figure 6 This is a second plan view of a vacuum-insulated liquefied gas storage tank according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0082] Figure 5 and Figure 6 The cross-sections of the liquefied gas storage tank 1 at different heights are shown. Since both the outer tank 10 and the inner tank 20 have spherical shapes, their cross-sections are circular. This circle has its maximum diameter at the midpoint of the liquefied gas storage tank 1. Figure 5 It shows a diameter smaller than Figure 6 The diameter of the cross-section, and Figure 5 It shows that in relation to Figure 6 The cross-section at a location further away from the center (intermediate height) of the liquefied gas storage tank 1.

[0083] refer to Figure 5 and Figure 6 The vacuum tube 100 can be disposed on the vacuum insulation section 50 between the outer tank 10 and the inner tank 20. Multiple vacuum tubes 100 can be provided. For example, such as... Figure 5 and Figure 6 As shown, multiple vacuum tubes 100 can be provided according to height. Alternatively, multiple vacuum tubes 100 can also be provided at the same height along the direction from the inner tank 20 to the outer tank 10. However, the invention is not limited thereto.

[0084] The first vacuum tube 100a may surround the inner tank 20, and the second vacuum tube 100b may surround the inner tank 20. When the first vacuum tube 100a and the second vacuum tube 100b are installed in the height direction or in the direction from the inner tank 20 to the outer tank 10, the first vacuum tube 100a and the second vacuum tube 100b are preferably installed at an appropriate distance to achieve a vacuum throughout the liquefied gas storage tank 1.

[0085] Furthermore, the first vacuum tube 100a and the second vacuum tube 100b can be spaced equidistant from the outer tank 10 or the inner tank 20 within the vacuum insulation section 50. The distance between the first vacuum tube 100a and the outer tank 10 and the distance between the first vacuum tube 100a and the inner tank 20 can be the same or different. Similarly, the distance between the second vacuum tube 100b and the outer tank 10 and the second vacuum tube 100b and the inner tank 20 can be the same or different. That is, the first vacuum tube 100a and the second vacuum tube 100b can be respectively positioned within the vacuum insulation section 50 near the outer tank 10 or near the inner tank 20.

[0086] The first vacuum tube 100a may be provided with a first suction port 110a and may be fixed to the outer tank 10 via a first connecting part 11a. Similarly, the second vacuum tube 100b may be provided with a second suction port 110b and may be fixed to the outer tank 10 via a second connecting part 11b. The first vacuum tube 100a and the second vacuum tube 100b are provided with stoppers 120, the pump tube 60 may be connected to the stoppers 120, and the gas in the vacuum insulation part 50 may be drawn in through the first suction port 110a and the second suction port 110b.

[0087] Figure 7 This is a cross-sectional view of a vacuum-insulated liquefied gas storage tank according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0088] refer to Figure 7 The vacuum tube 100 may include an intake port 110 formed on the side (width direction) and a filter unit 111 covering the intake port 110.

[0089] The vacuum tube 100 is connected to the pump tube 60 via a plug 120. When the vacuum pump 70 is running, the gas inside the vacuum insulation section 50 can be drawn into the vacuum tube 100 through the suction port 110 and discharged to the outside.

[0090] In this case, since the vacuum insulation section 50 is filled with insulation material, such as powder, when the vacuum pump 70 is running, the insulation material may be drawn into the suction port 110 and delivered to the vacuum pump 70 along the vacuum tube 100.

[0091] When the insulation material is delivered to the vacuum pump 70 through the suction port 110, the vacuum performance of the vacuum pump 70 will deteriorate and may cause significant damage to the vacuum pump 70. Therefore, in order to prevent the insulation material from flowing into the vacuum pump 70 through the suction port 110 while a vacuum is being formed in the vacuum insulation section 50, the suction port 110 can be covered by a filter unit 111.

[0092] The filter unit 111 has a porous structure, such as a mesh, and the filter unit 111 can be multi-layered to enhance the filtration effect of the insulation material. For example, the filter unit 111 can be a metal mesh or a multi-layer filter made of a slurry material.

[0093] The diameter of the pores formed by the filter unit 111 itself or by the pores formed when the filter units 111 are stacked in multiple layers can be smaller than the particle size of the insulation material to prevent the insulation material from flowing into the intake port 110. The filter unit 111 can also be made of various materials other than those described above, and can be made in various sizes or shapes, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0094] The filter unit 111 may cover only the area forming the suction port 110, or it may cover the area formed by the suction port 110 by surrounding the entire vacuum tube 100. However, the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0095] Figure 8 This is a cross-sectional view of a vacuum-insulated liquefied gas storage tank according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0096] Figure 9 This is a schematic diagram showing the vacuum tube of a vacuum-insulated liquefied gas storage tank fixed to an outer tank according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0097] refer to Figure 8 and Figure 9 The vacuum tube 100 can be fixed to the outer tank 10 via the connecting part 11. Since the connecting part 11 is located on the vacuum insulation part 50, the connecting part 11 may receive cooling heat from the inner tank 20, thus its temperature will drop. Therefore, the connecting part 11 can be made of a material that can withstand low temperatures (e.g., wood, SUS, polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), and bakelite).

[0098] However, when the connecting part 11 is installed on the central welding line 90 of the outer tank, the structural stability of the liquefied gas storage tank 1 and the fixing force of the vacuum tube 100 are reduced. Therefore, it is preferable that the vacuum tubes 100 are installed spaced apart from each other so as not to overlap with the central welding line 90.

[0099] As described above, the vacuum insulated liquefied gas storage tank 1 according to the present invention can reduce the distance from the suction port 110 to each point of the vacuum insulated part 50 by widely distributing the vacuum tube 100 and the suction port 110 formed in the vacuum tube 100 on the vacuum insulated part 50, thereby solving the problem of decreased exhaust performance as the distance from the suction port 110 increases.

[0100] In addition, the vacuum tube 100 is fixed to the outer tank 10 at a certain position from the central welding line 90, thereby preventing the deterioration of the structural stability of the liquefied gas storage tank 1 and the fixing force of the vacuum tube 100.

[0101] Additionally, when the vacuum tube 100 is set diagonally or vertically, the plug 120 of the vacuum tube 100 is located near the deck, making it easier for workers to connect the pump tube 60 to the plug 120.

[0102] Figure 10 This is a schematic diagram showing multiple intake ports and a filter unit formed in the vacuum tube of a vacuum-insulated liquefied gas storage tank according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0103] refer to Figure 10The plurality of suction ports 110 may be formed along the length of the vacuum tube 100. The vacuum tube 100 may be located inside the vacuum insulation section 50 and may be provided with a plurality of suction ports 110 formed on the side of the vacuum tube 100.

[0104] The vacuum tube 100 can draw in gas between the insulation materials in multiple areas within the vacuum insulation section 50 through multiple intake ports 110. The vacuum tube 100 can simultaneously draw in gas from multiple areas within the vacuum insulation section 50 through multiple intake ports 110.

[0105] Multiple filter units 111 can be installed in multiple intake ports 110.

[0106] The present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and it goes without saying that the present invention may include a combination of embodiments or a combination of at least one embodiment with known techniques as another embodiment.

[0107] Although specific embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above to specifically explain the present invention, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the present invention is not limited thereto, and modifications and improvements can be made within the technical concept of the present invention.

[0108] Simple modifications and variations of this invention fall within its scope, and the specific scope of protection of this invention will be apparent from the appended claims.

[0109] Symbol Explanation

[0110] 1: Liquefied gas storage tank; 10: Outer tank

[0111] 11: Connecting part

[0112] 20: Inner tank; 30: Support structure

[0113] 40: Fixed structure; 50: Vacuum insulation section

[0114] 60: Pump pipe; 70: Vacuum pump

[0115] 80: Dome; 90: Central welding line

[0116] 100: Vacuum tube; 110: Suction port

[0117] 111: Filter unit; 120: Plug

Claims

1. A vacuum-insulated liquefied gas storage tank, comprising: Inner tank, which stores liquefied gas; An outer tank, which is spaced apart from and surrounds the inner tank; A vacuum insulation section is formed between the outer tank and the inner tank and filled with insulation material to block heat transfer between the outer tank and the inner tank; as well as A vacuum tube, disposed within the vacuum insulation section and having an intake port formed on the side of the vacuum tube, The suction port is formed in multiple parts along the length of the vacuum tube.

2. The vacuum insulated liquefied gas storage tank as described in claim 1, wherein, The vacuum tube draws in the gas between the insulating materials filling the vacuum insulation section through the suction port.

3. The vacuum insulated liquefied gas storage tank as described in claim 2, further comprising: A filter unit that covers the intake port to prevent the insulation material from being discharged to the outside.

4. The vacuum insulated liquefied gas storage tank as described in claim 1, wherein, The vacuum tube is fixed to the outer tank and surrounds the inner tank.

5. The vacuum-insulated liquefied gas storage tank as described in claim 1, wherein, The vacuum tube is fixed at a position spaced apart from the central welding line, which is formed by welding to constitute the structure of the outer tank or the inner tank.

6. The vacuum insulated liquefied gas storage tank as described in claim 1, wherein, At least two vacuum tubes are provided in the vacuum insulation section.

7. The vacuum-insulated liquefied gas storage tank as described in claim 1, wherein, The thermal insulation material includes at least one of polypropylene, polyurethane, polystyrene, polyethylene, polyisocyanurate, aerogel blanket, fumed silica, calcium silicate, mineral wool, glass wool, glass microfiber, perlite, and glass bubble.

8. The vacuum insulated liquefied gas storage tank as described in claim 1, further comprising: The connecting part secures the vacuum tube to the outer tank.

9. The vacuum-insulated liquefied gas storage tank as described in claim 8, wherein, The connecting part is installed to be spaced apart from the central welding line, which is formed by welding the structure that constitutes the outer tank or the inner tank.

10. The vacuum insulated liquefied gas storage tank as described in claim 1, further comprising: A support structure is disposed between the inner tank and the outer tank to secure the inner tank to the outer tank.

11. The vacuum-insulated liquefied gas storage tank as described in claim 1, wherein, The vacuum-insulated liquefied gas storage tank is a small LNG storage tank or a liquefied hydrogen storage tank.

12. A vessel comprising a vacuum-insulated liquefied gas storage tank as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 11.

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