A tank container for liquid helium ultra-low temperature storage and transportation

Abstract

This invention relates to the field of tank container technology, specifically disclosing a tank container for cryogenic storage and transportation of liquid helium. The container includes an outer frame and an outer tank disposed inside the outer frame. An inner tank for liquid helium storage is disposed inside the outer tank. The outer tank and the outer frame are connected by a flexible hinged support mechanism. A cold shield structure is provided between the outer tank and the inner tank, and the interlayer between the inner tank, the cold shield structure, and the outer tank forms a first vacuum layer and a second vacuum layer from the inside out. The flexible hinged support mechanism consists of a bottom longitudinal beam, a lower hinge seat, a carrier plate, an upper hinge seat, a ball core, and connecting rods. This tank container for cryogenic storage and transportation of liquid helium significantly improves thermal insulation and transportation stability through double-layer vacuum insulation and flexible hinged support. It is also equipped with a helium recovery and liquefaction reinjection system for efficient utilization of helium resources and features full-parameter intelligent monitoring to ensure safe and reliable storage and transportation.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of tank containers, specifically a tank container for the cryogenic storage and transportation of liquid helium. Background Technology

[0002] Liquid helium, as an ultra-low temperature medium with an extremely low boiling point (-268.9℃), is an indispensable core raw material in fields such as superconducting technology, aerospace, high-end medical care, quantum computing, and low-temperature physics experiments. Its safe, efficient, and long-distance storage and transportation are key links for the large-scale application of related industries.

[0003] For example, patent CN118582656A discloses a large-capacity zero-evaporation liquid helium storage tank / tank container, including: an inner container of the liquid helium tank, a cold shield coil for the inner container, liquid helium inlet and outlet pipes, composite multilayer insulation material, an inner copper shield, a flash vapor transfer pipe, insulation support, an outer copper shield, an outer container of the liquid helium tank, a steel frame for the liquid helium tank, a liquid helium inlet transfer pipeline, a cooling medium inner container, a cold shield coil for the cooling medium inner container, composite multilayer insulation material II, inner copper shield II, insulation support II, outer copper shield II, a cryogenic cold head, a cryogenic refrigerator, and a one-way liquid filling control valve. This invention can address the rapid increase in internal pressure that easily occurs during long-term pressurized storage of liquid helium and long-term, long-distance transportation of liquid helium, achieving long-term zero-evaporation storage.

[0004] For example, patent CN110939865B discloses a dedicated LNG tank container frame and a tank container. The LNG dedicated tank container frame includes two opposing end frames, each end frame comprising an upper end beam, a lower end beam, and two corner posts forming a rectangular frame. A longitudinal beam is provided on the lower end beam, and bottom diagonal braces connect the longitudinal beam and the corner posts. Four parallel side beams, each perpendicular to the plane of the end frames, connect the two end frames, with each side beam connected to one of the four corners of the end frame. A first top side support and a second top side support are welded to the top side beam at three equal divisions; a first bottom side support and a second bottom side support are welded to the bottom side beam at three equal divisions. This invention satisfies both the function of protecting the tank container structure from the sides and ensures the structural safety and reliability of the container itself.

[0005] However, based on the actual use of tank containers currently in operation, they still have certain drawbacks, such as:

[0006] 1. Insufficient ultra-low temperature insulation performance; conventional cryogenic tank containers mostly adopt single vacuum insulation or simple multi-layer insulation structure. In the ultra-low temperature environment of liquid helium, the heat radiation, heat conduction and residual gas heat conduction loss are significant, and the liquid helium evaporation rate is high. This not only causes a large amount of helium resources to be wasted, but also causes the pressure inside the tank to rise rapidly, increasing the risk of safety depressurization and storage and transportation.

[0007] 2. Poor stability of the transport structure; the center of gravity of liquid helium storage tanks is high and the tank body and outer frame are mostly rigidly connected. During transportation by road and sea, they are prone to bumps, tilting and multi-directional vibration. Rigid supports are prone to stress concentration, which can lead to cracking of tank welds and failure of seals, and thus cause leakage of cryogenic media.

[0008] 3. Lack of recovery and utilization of volatile helium; Liquid helium inevitably volatilizes during storage and transportation, and the volatilized helium can only be directly emitted, resulting in a large loss of scarce helium resources. Some simple recovery equipment can only collect the helium in a simple way and cannot achieve deep purification and reliquefaction and reinjection of helium, resulting in a very low recovery rate.

[0009] 4. Weak online monitoring and intelligent control: Most liquid helium storage and transportation tank containers are only equipped with basic pressure and liquid level monitoring instruments, lacking real-time monitoring of key parameters such as vacuum degree, multi-layer jacket temperature, and cold shield temperature, and cannot remotely obtain the equipment operating status.

[0010] Therefore, we propose a tank container for cryogenic storage and transportation of liquid helium to address the problems mentioned above. Summary of the Invention

[0011] The purpose of this invention is to provide a tank container for cryogenic storage and transportation of liquid helium, in order to solve the technical shortcomings of current tank containers for cryogenic storage and transportation of liquid helium as mentioned in the background art, in terms of thermal insulation, structural vibration reduction, helium recovery, and intelligent monitoring.

[0012] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention provides the following technical solution: a tank container for cryogenic storage and transportation of liquid helium, comprising: an outer frame and an outer tank disposed inside the outer frame, an inner tank for liquid helium storage disposed inside the outer tank, the outer tank and the outer frame being connected by a flexible hinge support mechanism, a cold shield structure being disposed between the outer tank and the inner tank, and the interlayer between the inner tank, the cold shield structure and the outer tank forming a first vacuum layer and a second vacuum layer from the inside out;

[0013] The flexible hinge support mechanism consists of a bottom longitudinal beam, a lower hinge seat, a carrier plate, an upper hinge seat, a ball core, and a connecting rod. The bottom longitudinal beam is fixed longitudinally to the inner side of the outer frame. The lower hinge seats are fixedly installed on both sides of the top of the bottom longitudinal beam. The carrier plate is fitted to the bottom surface of the outer tank. The bottom surface of the end of the carrier plate is provided with an upper hinge seat that corresponds to the lower hinge seat. The two ends of the ball core are respectively embedded and rotatably connected to the lower hinge seat and the upper hinge seat. The connecting rod connects the adjacent carrier plates.

[0014] Furthermore: a first diagonal brace is obliquely fixed at the corner of the outer frame end face, and a buffer pad that fits against the end face of the outer tank is provided on the inner side of the first diagonal brace.

[0015] Furthermore: the outer frame is provided with vertical support rods on its sides, and a top longitudinal beam is provided on the top surface of the outer frame. A second diagonal brace is provided between the vertical support rod and the top longitudinal beam. The bottom longitudinal beam, the vertical support rod, and the top longitudinal beam are in the same plane. A bottom groove is provided below the bottom longitudinal beam on the bottom surface of the outer frame.

[0016] Furthermore, the inner thread of the second diagonal brace is connected to an adjusting rod, and the top of the adjusting rod is rotatably connected to a pressure plate, the bottom surface of which is in contact with the outer side of the outer tank.

[0017] Furthermore: a composite insulation layer is provided on the inner side of the first vacuum layer. The composite insulation layer is alternately wound on the outer wall of the inner tank. The inner layer of the composite insulation layer is a high reflectivity aluminum foil, the outer layer is a low thermal conductivity glass fiber paper, and the interlayer is coated with insulation adhesive. The outermost part of the composite insulation layer is wrapped with aluminum foil.

[0018] Furthermore, the inner side of the second vacuum layer is sealed with a nano-aerogel filling layer located between the outer tank and the cold shield structure. Temperature probes, vacuum gauges, and activated carbon adsorbents are installed inside both the first and second vacuum layers. Vacuum pumps are connected to the outer sides of both the first and second vacuum layers.

[0019] Furthermore: the cold shield structure is integrally formed by a copper alloy protective layer and a stainless steel protective layer. The copper alloy protective layer and the stainless steel protective layer are integrally formed with a receiving cavity. The receiving cavity is filled with a pre-cooling medium. The receiving cavity is connected to the outside flow pipe, the circulation box and the return flow pipe in sequence to form a circulating connection structure.

[0020] Furthermore: the outer side of the inner tank is connected to a collection pipe that runs through the outer side of the outer tank. The end of the collection pipe is connected to a compressor unit inside the chassis. The outer side of the compressor unit is connected in sequence to a low-temperature adsorption purifier, a catalytic deoxygenation reactor, and a refrigeration liquefaction unit. The end of the refrigeration liquefaction unit is connected to a reinjection pipe to reinject liquid helium into the inner tank.

[0021] Furthermore, it also includes an intelligent online monitoring system, which includes a capacitive level gauge, a pressure sensor, and a temperature probe installed inside the inner tank, for real-time acquisition of the liquid level, pressure, and temperature of the inner tank.

[0022] Furthermore, ladders and horizontal ladders are respectively provided on the sides and top of the outer frame.

[0023] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has at least the following beneficial effects: the tank container for cryogenic storage and transportation of liquid helium has greatly improved the thermal insulation and transportation stability of liquid helium through double-layer vacuum insulation and flexible hinge support, and is equipped with a helium recovery liquefaction reinjection system to achieve efficient utilization of helium resources, and is equipped with full-parameter intelligent monitoring to ensure safe and reliable storage and transportation.

[0024] 1. This solution includes a lower hinge seat, an upper hinge seat, and a ball core. The tank support uses the lower hinge seat, upper hinge seat, ball core, and connecting rod to form a flexible hinge system, which can adapt to multi-angle swaying and vibration during transportation, avoid stress concentration caused by rigid connection, and protect welds and sealing structure.

[0025] 2. This solution includes a cold shield structure, a composite insulation layer, and a pre-cooling medium. First and second vacuum layers are provided between the outer tank, the cold shield structure, and the inner tank. The pre-cooling medium and the nano-aerogel filling layer are provided through the vacuum layer for buffering and heat insulation.

[0026] Meanwhile, the cold shield structure is composed of a copper alloy protective layer and a stainless steel protective layer. Its internal pre-cooling medium is circulated and cooled through an external circulation mechanism to maintain the heat insulation effect.

[0027] 3. This solution includes a collection pipe, a chassis, and a return pipe. The helium gas volatilized from the inner tank enters the chassis through the collection pipe, undergoes deep purification and impurity removal by the components inside the chassis, and is then reliquefied and sent back to the inner tank through the return pipe, thus avoiding helium waste.

[0028] 4. This solution is equipped with a capacitive level gauge, pressure sensor, and temperature probe. The vacuum layer is equipped with a vacuum gauge and temperature probe, which can collect key data on liquid level, pressure, temperature, and vacuum degree in real time. All signals are connected to the PLC controller, which automatically adjusts the vacuum pump, refrigeration cycle, and recovery liquefaction system. The data is also uploaded to a remote monitoring platform via wireless communication, enabling remote real-time viewing, anomaly warning, automatic protection, and remote operation and maintenance, which greatly improves the intelligence and safety management level of the equipment. Attached Figure Description

[0029] The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further understanding of this application and form part of this application, illustrate exemplary embodiments and are used to explain this application, but do not constitute an undue limitation of this application. In the drawings:

[0030] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the overall side structure of the present invention;

[0031] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the overall rear structure of the present invention;

[0032] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the side cross-section structure of the present invention;

[0033] Figure 4 For the present invention Figure 3 Enlarged structural diagram at point A in the middle;

[0034] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the disassembled structure between the bottom longitudinal beam and the carrier plate of the present invention;

[0035] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the hierarchical arrangement between the outer tank and the inner tank of the present invention;

[0036] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the helium recovery system of the present invention;

[0037] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of the monitoring system structure of the present invention.

[0038] In the diagram: 1. Outer frame; 2. Outer tank; 3. First diagonal brace; 4. Buffer pad; 5. Ladder; 6. Horizontal ladder; 7. Bottom longitudinal beam; 8. Lower hinge seat; 9. Carrier plate; 10. Upper hinge seat; 11. Ball core; 12. Connecting support rod; 13. Vertical support rod; 14. Top longitudinal beam; 15. Second diagonal brace; 16. Adjusting rod; 17. Pressure plate; 18. Bottom trough; 19. Inner tank; 20. Cold shield structure; 201. Copper alloy protective layer; 202. Stainless steel protective layer; 21. Composite insulation layer; 22. Pre-cooling medium; 23. Nano-aerogel filling layer; 24. Outflow pipe; 25. Circulation box; 26. Return pipe; 27. Collection pipe; 28. Chassis; 29. ​​Compressor unit; 30. Low-temperature adsorption purifier; 31. Catalytic deoxygenation reactor; 32. Refrigeration liquefaction unit; 33. Reinjection pipe. Detailed Implementation

[0039] The technical solutions of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings of the embodiments of the present invention, so that the implementation process of how the present application uses technical means to solve technical problems and achieve technical effects can be fully understood and implemented accordingly. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present invention, and not all embodiments.

[0040] Please see Figures 1-8 The present invention provides the following technical solution:

[0041] A tank container for cryogenic storage and transportation of liquid helium includes: an outer frame 1, an outer tank body 2, a first diagonal brace 3, a buffer pad 4, a ladder 5, a horizontal ladder 6, a bottom longitudinal beam 7, a lower hinge seat 8, a carrier plate 9, an upper hinge seat 10, a ball core 11, a connecting support rod 12, a vertical support rod 13, a top longitudinal beam 14, a second diagonal brace 15, an adjusting rod 16, a pressure plate 17, a bottom groove 18, an inner tank body 19, a cold shield structure 20, a copper alloy protective layer 201, a stainless steel protective layer 202, a composite insulation layer 21, a precooling medium 22, a nano-aerogel filling layer 23, an outflow pipe 24, a circulation tank 25, a return pipe 26, a collection pipe 27, a chassis 28, a compressor unit 29, a cryogenic adsorption purifier 30, a catalytic deoxygenation reactor 31, a refrigeration liquefaction unit 32, and a reinjection pipe 33;

[0042] The outer frame 1 and the outer tank 2 located inside the outer frame 1 are provided. The inner tank 19 for liquid helium storage is provided inside the outer tank 2. The outer tank 2 and the outer frame 1 are connected by a flexible hinge support mechanism. A cold shield structure 20 is provided between the outer tank 2 and the inner tank 19. The interlayer between the inner tank 19, the cold shield structure 20 and the outer tank 2 forms a first vacuum layer and a second vacuum layer from the inside to the outside. Ladders 5 and horizontal ladders 6 are respectively provided on the side and top of the outer frame 1.

[0043] The flexible hinge support mechanism consists of a bottom longitudinal beam 7, a lower hinge seat 8, a carrier plate 9, an upper hinge seat 10, a ball core 11, and a connecting rod 12. The bottom longitudinal beam 7 is fixed longitudinally to the inner side of the outer frame 1. The lower hinge seats 8 are fixedly installed on both sides of the top of the bottom longitudinal beam 7. The carrier plate 9 is fitted to the bottom surface of the outer tank 2. The bottom surface of the end of the carrier plate 9 is provided with an upper hinge seat 10 that corresponds to the lower hinge seat 8. The two ends of the ball core 11 are respectively embedded and rotatably connected to the lower hinge seat 8 and the upper hinge seat 10. The connecting rod 12 is connected between adjacent carrier plates 9. A first diagonal brace 3 is obliquely fixed at the corner of the end face of the outer frame 1. A buffer pad 4 that fits against the end face of the outer tank 2 is provided on the inner side of the first diagonal brace 3.

[0044] The above technical solution utilizes a flexible hinged support mechanism in conjunction with a first diagonal brace and a buffer pad, enabling the tank to adapt to multi-angle swaying and vibration during transportation. This effectively avoids stress concentration caused by rigid connections, protects the tank's welds and sealing structure, and enhances the structural stability and safety during liquid helium storage and transportation.

[0045] The outer frame 1 has vertical support rods 13 on its side and a top longitudinal beam 14 on its top surface. A second diagonal brace 15 is provided between the vertical support rods 13 and the top longitudinal beam 14. The bottom longitudinal beam 7, the vertical support rods 13 and the top longitudinal beam 14 are in the same plane. A bottom groove 18 is provided below the bottom longitudinal beam 7 on the bottom surface of the outer frame 1. An adjusting rod 16 is threadedly connected to the inner side of the second diagonal brace 15. A pressure plate 17 is rotatably connected to the top of the adjusting rod 16. The bottom surface of the pressure plate 17 is in contact with the outer side of the outer tank 2.

[0046] The above technical solution is adopted: the overall structural strength of the outer frame is enhanced by vertical struts, top longitudinal beams and second diagonal braces, and the tank body is assisted in limiting the position by an adjustable pressure plate. At the same time, the bottom groove design facilitates forklift loading operations, taking into account both structural stability and ease of loading and unloading.

[0047] A composite insulation layer 21 is provided on the inner side of the first vacuum layer. The composite insulation layer 21 is alternately wound on the outer wall of the inner tank 19. The inner layer of the composite insulation layer 21 is a high reflectivity aluminum foil, the outer layer is a low thermal conductivity glass fiber paper, and the interlayer is coated with insulation adhesive. The outermost part of the composite insulation layer 21 is wrapped with aluminum foil. The inner side of the second vacuum layer is sealed and filled with a nano-aerogel filling layer 23 located between the outer tank 2 and the cold screen structure 20. Temperature probes, vacuum gauges and activated carbon adsorbents are provided inside the first vacuum layer and the second vacuum layer. Vacuum pumps are connected to the outer sides of the first vacuum layer and the second vacuum layer. The cold screen structure 20 is integrally formed by a copper alloy protective layer 201 and a stainless steel protective layer 202. An accommodating cavity is integrally formed inside the copper alloy protective layer 201 and the stainless steel protective layer 202. The accommodating cavity is filled with a pre-cooling medium 22. The accommodating cavity is connected to the outflow pipe 24, the circulation box 25 and the return pipe 26 in sequence to form a circulating connection structure.

[0048] The above technical solution adopts a double-layer vacuum structure with a composite insulation layer, a nano-aerogel filling layer and a circulating pre-cooling cold screen, which greatly reduces heat radiation and heat conduction losses. Combined with a vacuum gauge, temperature probe and activated carbon adsorbent, it maintains a high vacuum insulation environment for a long time, significantly reduces the liquid helium evaporation rate and ensures the insulation performance of ultra-low temperature storage and transportation.

[0049] The outer side of the inner tank 19 is connected to a collection pipe 27 that runs through the outer side of the outer tank 2. The end of the collection pipe 27 is connected to the compressor unit 29 inside the casing 28. The compressor unit 29 is connected in sequence to a low-temperature adsorption purifier 30, a catalytic deoxygenation reactor 31, and a refrigeration liquefaction unit 32. The end of the refrigeration liquefaction unit 32 is connected to a reinjection pipe 33 to reinject liquid helium into the inner tank 19. The system also includes an intelligent online monitoring system, which includes a capacitive level gauge, a pressure sensor, and a temperature probe installed inside the inner tank 19, for real-time acquisition of the liquid level, pressure, and temperature of the inner tank 19.

[0050] The above technical solution involves collecting, compressing, deeply purifying, and liquefying helium before reinjecting it into the inner tank, achieving closed-loop recycling and reuse of volatile helium and avoiding waste of scarce helium resources. At the same time, the multi-parameter monitoring unit is linked with the intelligent online monitoring system to achieve real-time acquisition, automatic adjustment, and remote early warning of storage and transportation status, comprehensively improving the intelligent management and control level and operational safety of the equipment.

[0051] Example

[0052] When using this tank container for the storage and transportation of liquid helium, the device is hoisted onto a truck, and the outer tank 2 is confined to the inside of the outer frame 1 by the outer frame 1. During transportation, a first diagonal brace 3 is fixedly installed at the corner of the end face of the outer frame 1, which can restrict the position of the outer tank 2 to maintain the relative positioning between the outer tank 2 and the outer frame 1.

[0053] During transportation, when the vehicle shakes, the bottom longitudinal beam 7 is fixed to the bottom of the inner side of the outer frame 1, and the bottom longitudinal beam 7 is symmetrically provided with lower hinge seats 8 on both sides of the top of the bottom longitudinal beam 7. The bottom surface of the outer tank 2 is in contact with the carrier plate 9, and the bottom surface of the carrier plate 9 is fixed with upper hinge seats 10 corresponding to the lower hinge seats 8 on both sides. A ball core 11 is connected between the lower hinge seat 8 and the upper hinge seat 10, and the two ends of the ball core 11 are respectively embedded in the interior of the lower hinge seat 8 and the upper hinge seat 10. When the vehicle moves and causes the outer tank 2 to shake, due to the rotational connection between the ball core 11 and the lower hinge seat 8 and the upper hinge seat 10, the outer tank 2 shakes on the inner side of the outer frame 1 through the connection of the ball core 11. This can flexibly adapt to multi-angle vibrations during transportation, avoid stress concentration caused by rigid support, and protect the tank and sealing parts. At the same time, when the outer tank 2 shakes, the buffer pad 4 provided on the inner side of the first diagonal brace 3 can buffer it.

[0054] Meanwhile, vertical support rods 13 and top longitudinal beams 14, which are on the same plane as the bottom longitudinal beams 7, are fixed on the outside of the outer frame 1. A second diagonal brace 15 is fixed diagonally between the vertical support rods 13 and the top longitudinal beams 14 to enhance the overall structural strength of the outer frame 1. The reinforced outer frame 1 can be loaded and used by forklifts through the bottom groove 18 opened on the bottom surface of the outer frame 1.

[0055] Meanwhile, the inner side of the second diagonal brace 15 is threaded with an adjusting rod 16. When the adjusting rod 16 extends and retracts through the threaded transmission, the pressure plate 17 rotatably connected to its top end fits against the outer side of the outer tank 2 through the extension and retraction of the adjusting rod 16, thus helping to maintain the structural limit of the outer tank 2.

[0056] The tank container is loaded with liquid helium through the inner tank 19. A cold shield structure 20 is set between the outer tank 2 and the inner tank 19. The first vacuum layer is set between the cold shield structure 20 and the inner tank 19. The first vacuum layer includes a composite insulation layer 21 with 30-50 layers alternately wrapped around the outer wall of the inner tank 19. The inner layer of the composite insulation layer 21 uses high reflectivity aluminum foil, the outer layer uses low thermal conductivity glass fiber paper, and insulation adhesive is applied between the layers to enhance the adhesion between the layers and reduce heat radiation and heat conduction loss. At the same time, an aluminum foil protective layer is wrapped around the outer structure.

[0057] A second vacuum layer is set between the cold shield structure 20 and the inner wall of the outer tank 2. The interior of the second vacuum layer is filled with a nano-aerogel filling layer 23, which can provide buffering.

[0058] The cold shield structure 20 includes an inner and outer copper alloy protective layer 201 and a stainless steel protective layer 202. A hollow cavity is set between the copper alloy protective layer 201 and the stainless steel protective layer 202. The cavity is integrated with the double-layer cold shield and is filled with (22). The hollow cavity is connected to the circulation box 25 through the outflow pipe 24. After being recooled by the recycling refrigeration mechanism inside the circulation box 25, it is returned to the cavity through the return pipe 26 to maintain the low temperature. The precooling structure can be liquid nitrogen, recycled liquid helium or other low temperature media.

[0059] Meanwhile, vacuum gauges are installed inside the first and second vacuum layers to monitor the vacuum level of the interlayer, and an external vacuum pump is used to maintain the vacuum. Activated carbon adsorbent is installed inside the vacuum layer to adsorb residual gas and water vapor in the vacuum structure, maintain a high vacuum environment, and ensure long-term stability of the insulation performance. Temperature probes are installed inside the vacuum layer to monitor the temperature in the corresponding vacuum structure in real time, and help ensure the stable operation of the composite insulation system.

[0060] Inside the inner tank 19, a capacitive level gauge, a pressure sensor, and a temperature probe are installed to monitor the real-time liquid helium level, working pressure, and real-time temperature. When the liquid helium inside the inner tank 19 evaporates, increasing its internal pressure, it is connected to the compressor unit 29 inside the chassis 28 via the collection pipe 27. Helium is then input into the compressor unit 29 for multi-stage compression. The compressor unit 29 then inputs the helium into the low-temperature adsorption purifier 30 for purification. The purified helium enters the catalytic deoxygenation reactor 31 for deep purification to remove oxygen impurities. The purified helium is then cooled and liquefied by the refrigeration liquefaction unit 32 and can be reinjected into the inner tank 19 via the return pipe 33.

[0061] The components inside the tank container can be remotely controlled by a PLC controller and connected to a remote monitoring platform wirelessly for real-time monitoring. Meanwhile, ladders 5 and horizontal ladders 6 are respectively installed on the sides and top of the outer frame 1 for easy inspection and maintenance.

[0062] Based on the embodiments of this invention, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of this invention; the contents not described in detail in this specification belong to the prior art known to those skilled in the art; in addition, the directional terms such as up, down, left, right, front, and back in the text only represent their relative positions and not absolute positions.

[0063] All standard parts used in this invention can be purchased from the market, and irregular parts can be customized according to the description and drawings. The specific connection methods of each part adopt conventional methods such as bolts, rivets, and welding that are mature in the prior art. The machinery, parts and equipment adopt conventional models in the prior art, and the circuit connection adopts conventional connection methods in the prior art, which will not be described in detail here.

[0064] Although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, those skilled in the art can still modify the technical solutions described in the foregoing embodiments or make equivalent substitutions for some of the technical features. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc., made within the spirit and principles of the present invention should be included within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A tank container for cryogenic storage and transportation of liquid helium, comprising: An outer frame (1) and an outer tank (2) disposed inside the outer frame (1), wherein an inner tank (19) for liquid helium storage is disposed inside the outer tank (2), characterized in that: the outer tank (2) is connected to the outer frame (1) by a flexible hinge support mechanism, a cold shield structure (20) is disposed between the outer tank (2) and the inner tank (19), and the interlayer between the inner tank (19), the cold shield structure (20) and the outer tank (2) forms a first vacuum layer and a second vacuum layer from the inside to the outside; The flexible hinge support mechanism consists of a bottom longitudinal beam (7), a lower hinge seat (8), a carrier plate (9), an upper hinge seat (10), a ball core (11), and a connecting rod (12). The bottom longitudinal beam (7) is fixed longitudinally to the inner side of the outer frame (1). The lower hinge seat (8) is fixedly installed on both sides of the top of the bottom longitudinal beam (7). The carrier plate (9) is fitted to the bottom surface of the outer tank (2). The bottom surface of the end of the carrier plate (9) is provided with an upper hinge seat (10) that corresponds to the lower hinge seat (8). The two ends of the ball core (11) are respectively embedded and rotatably connected to the lower hinge seat (8) and the upper hinge seat (10). The connecting rod (12) is connected between adjacent carrier plates (9).

2. A tank container for cryogenic storage and transportation of liquid helium according to claim 1, characterized in that: The outer frame (1) is fixed at the corner of the end face with a first diagonal brace (3), and the inner side of the first diagonal brace (3) is provided with a buffer pad (4) that fits against the end face of the outer tank (2).

3. A tank container for cryogenic storage and transportation of liquid helium according to claim 1, characterized in that: The outer frame (1) is provided with vertical support rods (13) on its side, and a top longitudinal beam (14) is provided on the top surface of the outer frame (1). A second diagonal brace (15) is provided between the vertical support rod (13) and the top longitudinal beam (14). The bottom longitudinal beam (7), the vertical support rod (13) and the top longitudinal beam (14) are in the same plane. A bottom groove (18) located on the bottom surface of the outer frame (1) is provided below the bottom longitudinal beam (7).

4. A tank container for cryogenic storage and transportation of liquid helium according to claim 3, characterized in that: The inner side of the second diagonal brace (15) is threadedly connected to an adjusting rod (16), and the top of the adjusting rod (16) is rotatably connected to a pressure plate (17). The bottom surface of the pressure plate (17) is in contact with the outer side of the outer tank (2).

5. A tank container for cryogenic storage and transportation of liquid helium according to claim 1, characterized in that: A composite insulation layer (21) is provided on the inner side of the first vacuum layer. The composite insulation layer (21) is alternately wound on the outer side wall of the inner tank (19). The inner layer of the composite insulation layer (21) is a high reflectivity aluminum foil, the outer layer is a low thermal conductivity glass fiber paper, and the interlayer is coated with insulation adhesive. The outermost part of the composite insulation layer (21) is wrapped with aluminum foil.

6. A tank container for cryogenic storage and transportation of liquid helium according to claim 1, characterized in that: The inner side of the second vacuum layer is sealed and filled with a nano-aerogel filling layer (23) located between the outer tank (2) and the cold screen structure (20). Temperature probes, vacuum gauges and activated carbon adsorbents are provided inside the first vacuum layer and the second vacuum layer. Vacuum pumps are connected to the outer sides of the first vacuum layer and the second vacuum layer.

7. A tank container for cryogenic storage and transportation of liquid helium according to claim 1, characterized in that: The cold shield structure (20) is integrally formed by a copper alloy protective layer (201) and a stainless steel protective layer (202). The copper alloy protective layer (201) and the stainless steel protective layer (202) are integrally formed with a receiving cavity. The receiving cavity is filled with a pre-cooling medium (22). The receiving cavity is connected to the outflow pipe (24), the circulation box (25) and the return pipe (26) in sequence to form a circulating connection structure.

8. A tank container for cryogenic storage and transportation of liquid helium according to claim 1, characterized in that: The outer side of the inner tank (19) is connected to a collection pipe (27) that runs through the outer side of the outer tank (2). The end of the collection pipe (27) is connected to the compressor unit (29) inside the chassis (28). The compressor unit (29) is connected in sequence to a low-temperature adsorption purifier (30), a catalytic deoxygenation reactor (31), and a refrigeration liquefaction unit (32). The end of the refrigeration liquefaction unit (32) is connected to a reinjection pipe (33) to reinject liquid helium back into the inner tank (19).

9. A tank container for cryogenic storage and transportation of liquid helium according to claim 1, characterized in that: It also includes an intelligent online monitoring system, which includes a capacitive level gauge, a pressure sensor and a temperature probe installed inside the inner tank (19) to collect the liquid level, pressure and temperature of the inner tank (19) in real time.

10. A tank container for cryogenic storage and transportation of liquid helium according to claim 1, characterized in that: The outer frame (1) is provided with a ladder (5) on the side and a horizontal ladder (6) on the top.

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