STORAGE AND / OR TRANSPORT CONTAINER FOR A CRYOGICALLY LIQUEFIED GAS AND METHOD FOR STORING AND / OR TRANSPORTING A CRYOGICALLY LIQUEFIED GAS

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a storage and / or transport container for a cryogenically liquefied gas and a method for storing and / or transporting a cryogenically liquefied gas. background

[0002] Mobile storage vessels for cryogenically liquefied gases such as liquid helium and liquid hydrogen (in particular the applicant's so-called Helics and Hylics containers), for example in standard container or UN format (40 feet or 20 feet, i.e., 12.192 meters or 6.096 meters), are known. Such storage vessels can be constructed with a vacuum- or nitrogen-insulated double wall and, in this case, comprise an inner and an outer vessel. The outer vessel is accommodated in a container frame of suitable dimensions, which, in particular, enables stacking and handling of the storage vessel, e.g., with forklifts or gantry cranes.

[0003] The outer containers of corresponding storage tanks can be made of stainless steel with external ribbing as necessary stiffening against, for example, the vacuum in the double wall and dynamic loads during transport.

[0004] The present invention aims to improve the properties of corresponding, in particular, but not necessarily, mobile storage containers (here also referred to as "storage and / or transport containers") and their production, as well as corresponding storage and transport methods.

[0005] EP 0 090 334 B1 discloses a glass fiber insulation for a cryogenic transport vessel. Disclosure of the invention

[0006] Against this background, a storage and / or transport container for a cryogenically liquefied gas and a method for storing a cryogenically liquefied gas with the respective features of the independent patent claims are proposed. Embodiments of the present invention are each the subject of the dependent patent claims and the following description. According to the invention, a storage and / or transport container for a cryogenically liquefied gas is proposed, which has a double wall formed by an outer container and an inner container, wherein the outer container surrounds the inner container, and wherein the outer container has a cylindrical jacket-shaped metallic wall region which merges into curved metallic wall regions at opposite ends, ie at a first and a second end of the cylindrical jacket-shaped metallic wall region.

[0007] The curved metallic wall regions can, for example, be formed in the form of spherical or ellipsoidal domes, which can also be flattened apically or otherwise deformed. The curved metallic wall regions can, for example, be formed integrally or monolithically with the cylindrical shell-shaped metallic wall region, or be welded to it or connected in some other way.

[0008] According to the invention, the wall thickness of the cylindrical-shell-shaped metallic wall region increases (or tapers in the opposite direction) from a central section located midway between the first and second ends toward the first and second ends. Thus, at least in the central section, the wall thickness of the cylindrical-shell-shaped metallic wall region is less than at the ends that transition into the curved metallic wall regions. At least in the central section of the cylindrical-shell-shaped metallic wall region, a reinforcing layer comprising a fiber-reinforced plastic is applied to the cylindrical-shell-shaped metallic wall region.Storage and / or transport vessels for cryogenically liquefied gases such as liquid helium and liquid hydrogen must be designed with stiffening, as already mentioned above, especially if they are constructed with a vacuum- or nitrogen-insulated double wall and therefore have an inner and an outer vessel. The stiffening of the vessel is necessary due to the vacuum in the insulation space and a typically frameless structure between the support frames at the container ends (if a vessel is designed accordingly). All loads from road, rail, and ship transport and lifting of the storage vessel must be absorbed by the vessel shell.

[0009] The stiffening is conventionally provided by external stiffening rings. In corresponding conventional designs, these typically lead to a deterioration in aerodynamics and thus to increased fuel consumption during road transport, for example, on corresponding semi-trailers on which they are transported uncovered. The present invention makes it possible to dispense with corresponding stiffening rings due to the advantageous reinforcement provided by the fiber-reinforced plastic in the central section of the cylinder-jacket-shaped metallic wall area, thus correspondingly improving aerodynamics while simultaneously reducing weight. In this way, designs of the present invention allow for more cost-effective transport.

[0010] A fundamentally possible displacement of the stiffening rings (e.g., inward) would lead to a reduction in the size of the inner container and thus reduce the usable volume ("payload") of the container, which is already comparatively low, especially in liquid hydrogen containers. The use of fiber-reinforced plastic according to embodiments of the present invention allows the entire volume to be retained.

[0011] A fundamentally possible increase in the wall thickness of the outer container would significantly increase the container weight and cost due to the additional metal required (typically stainless steel). The present invention, however, enables stiffening using cost-effective materials. The present invention also allows for flexible control over the rigidity of the storage container, for example, by increasing the thickness or number of layers of the fiber-reinforced plastic, and adjusting it as desired.

[0012] The fiber-reinforced plastic used in embodiments of the present invention has, in particular, a matrix in the form of a synthetic resin, thermoset, or thermoplastic matrix. Depending on the application and requirements, different matrices can be used, in particular epoxy resin matrices, as is generally known from the field of composite technology.

[0013] In one embodiment of the present invention, reinforcing fibers selected from basalt fibers, boron fibers, glass fibers, ceramic fibers, silica fibers, carbon fibers, quartz fibers, metal fibers, aramid fibers, poly(p-phenylene-2,6-benzobisoxazole) fibers, polyester fibers, nylon fibers, polyethylene fibers, polymethyl methacrylate fibers and any combinations of the aforementioned fibers are embedded in the matrix.

[0014] One embodiment of the invention involves the use of carbon fiber reinforced plastics (CFRP), i.e., a composite material in which carbon fibers are embedded in a plastic matrix. The matrix serves, as is generally known, to bond the fibers and fill the interstices. Epoxy resin can be chosen as the matrix material. However, other thermosets or thermoplastics can also be used as matrix materials. Carbon fiber reinforced plastics have the particular advantage of low mass and high rigidity.

[0015] In one embodiment of the present invention, the tensile strength of the reinforcement layer and / or the fiber-reinforced plastic therein is 500 to 1000 Newtons per square millimeter and / or the density thereof is 1 to 5 kilograms per cubic decimeter. A correspondingly designed storage and / or transport container can thus be constructed with particularly advantageous mechanical properties.

[0016] In one embodiment of the present invention, the reinforcement layer is at least partially laminated onto the cylindrical shell-shaped metallic wall region. Such lamination further improves the mechanical properties. The metallic cylindrical section and the reinforcement layer can only be deformed together.

[0017] In one embodiment of the present invention, it is provided that a circumference of the cylinder-jacket-shaped metallic wall region is smaller in the central section than at the ends of the cylinder-jacket-shaped metallic wall region. In one embodiment of the present invention, the cylinder-jacket-shaped metallic wall region is formed with a thickness of less than 8, 7, 6, 5 or 4 millimeters in at least part of the central section. As explained in the table below, the better mechanical properties, in particular of carbon fiber reinforced plastics, allow a correspondingly thinner container wall to be used. The table columns list the corresponding properties of stainless steel 1.4301, a composite material such as carbon fiber reinforced plastic, and a corresponding factor. The tensile strength is given in the form of the plastic 0.2% yield strength. Table 1 stainless steel Composite factor density 7.8 kg / dm 3< 1.5 kg / dm 3 0,19 Tensile strength 210 N / mm 2 800 N / mm 2 3,80 Min. wall thickness 10 mm 2.7 mm (calculated) -73% Material use 11,000 kg 550 kg -95%

[0018] In one embodiment of the present invention, it is provided that the curved metallic wall areas are each connected to container frames, but the container frames are in particular not connected to one another via any further connecting structures other than the container itself. In a corresponding embodiment of the invention, the storage and / or transport container can therefore be integrated into the existing container infrastructure. The advantages of the present invention arise in particular during road transport. In one embodiment of the present invention, it is provided that the storage and / or transport container is designed in a standard container format with a length of 40 feet (12.192 meters), but possibly also 20 feet (6.096 meters).

[0019] As already mentioned, it is particularly provided that the curved metallic wall regions are provided in the form of unmodified or modified spherical or ellipsoidal domes. The curved metallic wall regions can, in particular, be formed integrally with the cylindrical-shell-shaped metallic wall region or be integrally connected thereto, as also already mentioned. The double wall can, in particular, be configured for evacuation or filling with an insulating or cooling fluid, or can be filled with an insulating material. Particularly in the case of vacuum insulation, there is a need for reinforcement, which the present invention can advantageously fulfill.

[0020] In one embodiment of the present invention, the storage and / or transport container is designed for storing and / or transporting liquid hydrogen or liquid helium as the cryogenically liquefied gas. The storage and / or transport container can in particular be configured for storing and / or transporting 20 to 41 cubic meters of the cryogenically liquefied gas. It is therefore a large container, such as, as mentioned above, can be accommodated in a container frame and transported, for example, on a semi-trailer. Particularly with such large containers, the advantages achievable in embodiments of the invention, such as better wind resistance values ​​and lower weight to reduce transport costs, are of particular relevance.

[0021] A method for storing and / or transporting a cryogenically liquefied gas, in which a storage and / or transport container as previously described in advantageous embodiments of the invention is used, is also the subject of the present invention. This method benefits from the advantages previously described with regard to the storage and / or transport container according to the invention and its embodiments, to which express reference can therefore be made at this point.

[0022] The present invention will be further explained below with reference to the accompanying drawing, which illustrates an embodiment of the present invention.

[0023] It is understood that the features mentioned above and those to be explained below can be used not only in the combination specified in each case, but also in other combinations or on their own, as long as these embodiments do not deviate from the scope of the claims. Short description of the drawings

[0024] Figure 1 illustrates a storage and / or transport container according to an embodiment of the invention. Detailed description of the drawings

[0025] In Figure 1 a storage and / or transport container according to an embodiment of the invention is illustrated and designated overall by 100.

[0026] The storage and / or transport container 100 is shown here in a highly simplified and schematic manner, with a wall thickness in particular being shown in a highly exaggerated manner in order to illustrate embodiments of the invention.

[0027] The storage and / or transport container 100 is intended for storing and / or transporting a cryogenically liquefied gas, indicated here by 1. The storage and / or transport container 100 has a double wall 10, which may, for example, be vacuum-insulated. The double wall 10 is formed by an outer container 12 and an inner container 11, with the inner container being illustrated in a more simplified manner.

[0028] The outer container 12 surrounds the inner container 11 and the outer container 12 has a cylindrical shell-shaped metallic wall region, which is indicated here by 12.1 and merges into curved metallic wall regions 12.2 at opposite ends, ie at a first and a second end.

[0029] A wall thickness of the cylindrical shell-shaped metallic wall region 12.1 increases from a central section 12.3, which lies midway between the first and second ends, toward the first and second ends. In the example illustrated here, a gradual increase is illustrated, but the wall thickness increase can also occur in stages (in one or more steps). The invention is not limited by this.

[0030] In the central section 12.3, a reinforcement layer 12.4 comprising a fiber-reinforced plastic is attached to the cylinder-shell-shaped metallic wall region 12.1. As illustrated here, a change in the thickness of the reinforcement layer corresponding to the change in wall thickness is possible, but other configurations may also be provided within the scope of the present invention.

[0031] The reinforcement layer 12.4 can, in particular, be at least partially laminated onto the cylindrical shell-shaped metallic wall region 12.1, as already mentioned. Furthermore, although not explicitly illustrated here, a circumference of the cylindrical shell-shaped metallic wall region 12.1 can be smaller in the central section 12.3 than at the ends of the cylindrical shell-shaped metallic wall region 12.1. In the example illustrated here, the curved metallic wall regions 12.2 are each connected to container frames 13, so that a corresponding storage and / or transport container 100, which can, in particular, be designed in this way in a standard container format with a length of 20 or 40 feet, can be transported accordingly.

Claims

1. Storage and / or transport container (100) for a cryogenic liquefied gas (1), comprising a double wall (10) which is formed by an outer container (12) and an inner container (11), wherein the outer container (12) surrounds the inner container, and wherein the outer container (12) has a cylindrical jacket-like metal wall region (12.1) which transitions into domed metal wall regions (12.2) at opposite ends, characterized in that a wall thickness of the cylindrical jacket-like metal wall region (12.1) increases from a central portion (12.3), which is located centrally between the first and second end, in the direction of the first and second end, and wherein, in the central portion (12.3), a reinforcement layer (12.4) which comprises a fiber-reinforced plastics material is fastened to the cylindrical jacket-like metal wall region (12.1).

2. Storage and / or transport container (100) according to claim 1, in which the fiber-reinforced plastics material comprises a matrix in the form of a synthetic-resin matrix, thermoset matrix or thermoplastic matrix.

3. Storage and / or transport container (100) according to claim 2, in which reinforcing fibers are embedded in the matrix, which are selected from basalt fibers, boron fibers, glass fibers, ceramic fibers, silica fibers, carbon fibers, quartz fibers, metal fibers, aramid fibers, poly(p-phenylene-2,6-benzobisoxazole) fibers, polyester fibers, nylon fibers, polyethylene fibers, polymethyl methacrylate fibers, and any combinations of said fibers.

4. Storage and / or transport container (100) according to claim 2 or claim 3, in which a tensile strength of the reinforcement layer (12.4) and / or of the fiber-reinforced plastics material is 500 to 1000 newtons per square millimeter, and / or a density is 1 to 5 kilograms per cubic decimeter.

5. Storage and / or transport container (100) according to any of the preceding claims, in which the reinforcement layer (12.4) is at least partially laminated onto the cylindrical jacket-like metal wall region (12.1).

6. Storage and / or transport container (100) according to any of the preceding claims, in which a circumference of the cylindrical jacket-like metal wall region (12.1) is smaller in the central portion (12.3) than at the ends of the cylindrical jacket-like metal wall region (12.1).

7. Storage and / or transport container (100) according to any of the preceding claims, in which the cylindrical jacket-like metal wall region (12.1) is designed to have a thickness of less than 8, 7, 6, 5 or 4 millimeters in at least part of the central portion (12.3).

8. Storage and / or transport container (100) according to any of the preceding claims, in which the domed metal wall regions (12.2) are each connected to container frames (13).

9. Storage and / or transport container (100) according to claim 8, which is designed in a standard container format having a length of 20 or 40 feet (6.096 or 12.192 meters).

10. Storage and / or transport container (100) according to any of the preceding claims, in which the domed metal wall regions (12.2) are provided in the form of unmodified or modified spherical caps or ellipsoidal caps.

11. Storage and / or transport container (100) according to any of the preceding claims, in which the domed metal wall regions (12.2) are formed in one piece with the cylindrical jacket-like metal wall region (12.1) or are integrally connected thereto.

12. Storage and / or transport container (100) according to any of the preceding claims, in which the double wall (10) is designed to be evacuated or filled with an insulating or cooling fluid or is filled with an insulating material.

13. Storage and / or transport container (100) according to any of the preceding claims, which is designed to store and / or transport liquid hydrogen or liquid helium as the cryogenic liquefied gas (1).

14. Storage and / or transport container (100) according to any of the preceding claims, which is designed to store and / or transport 20 to 41 cubic meters of the cryogenic liquefied gas (1).

15. Method for storing and / or transporting a cryogenic liquefied gas (1), characterized in that a storage and / or transport container (100) according to any of the preceding claims is used.