Attachment for a degassing line

Abstract

An attachment (1) for a degassing line (2), in particular of a vehicle cryogenic tank, is characterized by an open-topped pot (5) with a wall (7) and a bottom (6), wherein the bottom (6) has a central opening (8) for connecting the degassing line (2), wherein in the pot (5) a flow body (11) is held by struts (12) spaced apart from the opening (8) and the wall (7), which widens in an upward direction and covers the opening (8) when viewed from above, and wherein the opening (8) has a raised collar (9) and the area of ​​the bottom (6) remaining between the opening (8) and the wall (7) has at least one water drain (10).

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to an attachment for a degassing line, in particular for a vehicle cryogenic tank.

[0002] Vehicle cryogenic tanks are used to store cryogenic fluids as high-energy-density fuels, such as liquefied hydrogen or liquefied natural gas (LNG). Even if such cryogenic tanks are thermally insulated to the greatest possible extent, for example, by designing them as double-walled containers with an evacuated space between the two walls, a gradual warming of the cryogenic fluid in the tank occurs due to thermal losses, particularly during extended periods of vehicle inactivity. This leads to a pressure increase in the cryogenic tank, which is released to the atmosphere via a safety valve, an optional catalyst, in which the fuel is converted to water vapor or carbon dioxide in a controlled manner, and a degassing line ("boil-off").The degassing line must be protected from the weather and wind to prevent the entry of contaminants, snow, rain or condensation water or the backflow of condensed water vapor converted in the catalyst into the tank.

[0003] The invention aims to create an attachment for a degassing line that meets all these requirements.

[0004] This aim is achieved with an attachment for a degassing line, which according to the invention is characterized by a pot which is open at the top and has a wall and a base, wherein the base has a central opening for connecting the degassing line, wherein in the pot, at a distance from the opening and the wall, an inflow body is held by struts, which widens in an upward direction and which, viewed from above, covers the opening, and wherein the opening has a raised collar and the area of ​​the base remaining between the opening and the wall has at least one water drain.

[0005] The attachment according to the invention protects the connected degassing line from the ingress of contaminants, snow, rainwater, condensate caused by weather or wind, and from the backflow of water vapor converted in the catalyst and condensing in the attachment. The airfoil forms a roof for the degassing line opening into the bottom of the pot and simultaneously distributes the gas escaping from there, e.g. water vapor, methane, carbon dioxide or hydrogen, to the periphery of the pot, where it can escape upwards through the gap between the airfoil and the wall. Should it condense there or become contaminated by incoming rainwater, all of these contaminants or combustion products fall to the floor around the central opening, where they can be carried away via the water drain. The collar projecting up around the opening prevents it from re-entering the degassing line.

[0006] The airfoil is preferably a cone, pyramid, spherical shape, or paraboloid. This ensures good flow distribution of the gas from the degassing line to the gap between the airfoil and the wall for upward discharge, while also providing good coverage of the degassing line against rainwater from above.

[0007] It is particularly advantageous if the airfoil is spaced apart from the top of the pot. This leaves a surrounding rim above the airfoil, which acts as a windbreak, even against driving rain.

[0008] Preferably, the struts extend in a star shape from the upper end of the airfoil to the wall. This keeps the airfoil symmetrical, forming a circumferential annular gap between the wall and the pot, interrupted only by the struts.

[0009] According to a further preferred feature, the wall has at least one lateral opening spaced from the floor. This opening serves as a secondary or emergency vent for the gas, for example, if the pot is covered in snow from above.

[0010] Preferably, the pot is equipped with a windshield on its outside next to the opening. This protects the side opening from wind or driving rain.

[0011] In any case, it's particularly advantageous if the hood is equipped with a protruding mounting bracket. This allows the hood to be attached directly to the vehicle and also supports the attached vent line.

[0012] The attachment is preferably made of metal, particularly preferably of aluminum sheet, which allows high stability and temperature resistance with low weight.

[0013] The invention is explained in more detail below using an embodiment illustrated in the accompanying drawings. In the drawings: Fig. 1 the attachment of the invention in a perspective view from above; and Fig. 2 the essay by Fig. 1 in a perspective sectional view.

[0014] In the Fig. 1 and 2an attachment 1 for a (only schematically indicated) degassing line 2 is shown, which is connected to the attachment 1 from below. The degassing line 2 originates, for example, from the upper end of a vehicle cryogenic tank for liquefied natural gas (LNG) or liquefied hydrogen (LH2) and, in conjunction with an upstream safety valve and an optional catalyst in which the fuel can be converted into water vapor or carbon dioxide in a controlled manner, is used, in particular, to reduce pressure by boiling off gas from the cryogenic tank.

[0015] The attachment 1 has an approximately generally cylindrical shape with a cylindrical or longitudinal axis 3. "Generally cylindrical" is understood to mean a cylinder of any base area, which, viewed in the direction of axis 3, has any shape, be it the shape of a circle, a polygon, a square, a rectangle, etc. The attachment 3 can also widen or taper in the direction of axis 3, can expand or contract, etc.

[0016] In its installed position on a vehicle (not shown), the attachment 1 is generally mounted with a vertical longitudinal axis 3 and, for example, has a laterally projecting fastening tab 4 for anchoring to the vehicle. The terms "top" and "bottom," which are simply used here to describe the attachment 1, refer to such an installed position with a substantially vertical longitudinal axis 3, in which the degassing line 2 connects to the attachment 1 from below and the gas escaping from the degassing line 2 is evaporated upwards through the attachment 1 into the open air.

[0017] The attachment 1 comprises a pot 5 which is open at the top and has a base 6 and a wall 7 projecting upwards from the base 6 on the circumference. The base 6 has a central opening 8 for connecting the degassing line 2, for example by inserting, welding, stamping, screwing, gluing, flanging, etc. The opening 8 has a collar 9 projecting upwards from the base 6, which can also be used to connect the degassing line 2.

[0018] The collar 9 protects the opening 8 from backflow of rain, condensation, or combustion product water that may accumulate at the bottom 6 of the pot 5. However, the bottom 6 is provided with at least one water drain 10 to prevent such accumulation.

[0019] At a vertical distance above the opening 8 and at a circumferential distance from the wall 7, an air flow body 11 is held in the pot 5 by means of struts 12. The struts 12 can run from any point on the air flow body 11 to the base 6, the wall 7 and / or the collar 9. In the example shown, the struts 12 run in a star shape from the upper end of the air flow body 11 to the wall 7. This leaves an annular gap 13 between the air flow body 11 and the wall 7, interrupted only by the struts 12. Gas entering the pot 5 from the degassing line 2 via the opening 8 strikes the air flow body 11 from below and is directed by it towards the annular gap 13, where it exits upwards from the attachment 1.

[0020] Wall 7 is extended upwards as a raised edge 14 above the upper end of the inlet body 11, thereby forming a wind shield against wind impacting from the side. In other words, the inlet body 11 is spaced from the upper end 15 of the pot 5 by the height of the edge 14. The wind shield edge 14 also prevents backpressure into the degassing line 2, for example, in windy conditions.

[0021] The inflow body 11 expands in an upward direction. For example, the inflow body 11 is a cone, a pyramid, a calotte, or—as shown here—a paraboloid with a downward-facing tip and a flat base at the upper end.

[0022] The wall 7 of the pot 5 optionally has at least one lateral opening 16, 17 spaced from the bottom 6. The openings 16, 17 serve as secondary or emergency outlet openings when the top of the attachment 1 is blocked, for example by snow.

[0023] The lateral openings 16, 17 can be provided with a windshield 18 acting in the direction of travel F of the vehicle. The windshield 18 can also be bent into a small canopy 19 for stiffening or further protection.

[0024] The entire attachment 1 can be made of plastic or, in particular, metal, e.g., of bent aluminum sheets that are welded or crimped.

[0025] The invention is not limited to the embodiment shown, but includes all variations, modifications and combinations of the described features that fall within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. Attachment for a degassing line, in particular of a vehicle cryogenic tank, characterized by a pot (5) which is open at the top and has a wall (7) and a base (6), the base (6) having a central opening (8) for connecting the degassing line (2), an inflow body (11) which widens in an upward direction and which, when viewed from above, covers the opening (8) is held in the pot (5) by means of struts (12) at a distance from the opening (8) and the wall (7), and the opening (8) has a collar (9) which projects upwards and the area of the base (6) which remains between the opening (8) and the wall (7) has at least one water drain (10).

2. Attachment according to claim 1, characterized in that the inflow body (11) is a cone, a pyramid, a calotte or a paraboloid.

3. Attachment according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the flow body (11) is spaced from the upper end (15) of the pot (5).

4. Attachment according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in thatthe struts (12) run in a star shape from the upper end of the inflow body (11) to the wall (7).

5. Attachment according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the wall (7) has at least one lateral opening (16, 17) spaced from the floor.

6. Attachment according to claim 5, characterized in that the pot (5) is provided with a windshield (18) on its outside next to the opening (16, 17).

7. Attachment according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the pot (5) is provided with a fastening tab (4) projecting from it.

8. Attachment according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the attachment (1) is made of metal, preferably of an aluminum sheet.

Images